New Release + Book Review: A Hunt So Wild and Cruel

Title -  A Hunt So Wild and Cruel 

Author - Rebecca F. Kenney  

Genre - Spicy fantasy-Romance Retelling of "A Christmas Carol" 

Format - Arc Paperback 

Published - November 2nd 2023

Buy it on (Amazon) 

Add to your shelf (Goodreads)

Synopsis

She’s been a bad girl...

They’ve been summoned for a reckoning.

Queen Lauriel hoards wealth and persecutes anyone with magic. She even cancels the Midwinter Glee festival, claiming that it wastes the Crown's money. But one cold night, the Wild Hunt rides across the sky, led by three majestic Fae. They've been called to teach the Queen a lesson, and if she can't learn it by their deadline, her throne won't be the only thing she'll lose. For the three riders, visiting the Queen is a welcome reprieve from their existence as bodiless spirits. But if they fail in their task, their place in the Wild Hunt is at risk, and the alternative is a far worse fate.

Three ghost riders...

One chance to change.

This book is a standalone spinoff of the Wicked Darlings series. It's a spicy fantasy-romance retelling of "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens, with a female main character and three hunky Fae spirits.

Trigger/content warnings will be available in the front matter of the book and on the author's website.

Review

I received A Hunt So Wild and Cruel from the author in return for an honest review. 

Lauriel is forced to take up the crown after her parents are murdered, she knows that as the weak Queen other kingdoms will be coming after her. She's also has a vendetta against all the fae and is determined to remove them all from her land at any cost. Raised without love she has no care for her people only protecting the kingdom at any cost even if that leaves her people jobless and freezing. She even cancels the Midwinter Glee celebration and is just a real Scrooge. Can the three riders of the hunt save her before it's to late? 

I didn't love Lauriel at first but the more time I spent getting to understand her the more I found myself really loving her. She's not perfect but she's real, she has some trauma, she's just a little broken, and she really is doing what's best for her kingdom. I freaking love our riders they are absolutely perfect and each one complements Lauriel. I loved all three each one brings something different to the dynamic Helix, Abraxas, and Paemon are just perfect for Lauriel. 

The characters are engaging, I felt like I was really able to connect with them as the story progresses. I just really loved getting to watch Lauriel grow as a character the more time she spend with her men. I loved each rider but I feel like Brax just spoke to my soul a little more but I couldn't choose just one I need them all just like her.

This is my first "A Christmas Carol" retelling and the author nailed it beautifully. I've always been a huge fan of the wild hunt and I loved that the author used them as the three spirits. This is my first book by the author and I'm so glad that I had the opportunity to read A Hunt So Wild and Cruel because it's incredible. The story is captivating right from the start I had a hard time putting it down because I wanted to know what would happen next. She does a beautiful job of blending the story with just the right amount of spice that it enhances the story. I can't wait to explore her other books as she a wonderful storyteller. A truly perfect way to start the winter season.