Heart of the Hunter

Rating:
Summary: More like a 2 1/2
Review: First let me say that I love Tina St John books. Until this one. The premise is a good one. Long ago, in a kingdom of magic, there lived a princess. One day she discovered a human, or "Outsider," lying wounded outside her kingdom. She takes the man into her world where she nurses him back to health. She fell in love with him and he convinced her to go with him back to his world. She did but soon discovered he had stolen a magic chalice. When he crossed the threshold that seperated the two worlds the chalice broke apart into four smaller cups and was lost. Legend said that if the cups were found and reunited the owner would have immense power.

Several hundred years later a young man named Kenrick, a Templer Knight, began to investigate the stories of the cups. His researched lead him to believe he found the location of one of the cups. Enter the villen, Silas de Mortaine. He has already found one cup and learns about Kenricks discovery. He kidnaps Kenrick and sends a message to his sister, Ariana, telling her to bring the notes Kenrick wrote of the lost cup or she would never see her brother alive again. The rest of the story is her quest to return the notes to de Mortaine and have her brother released. During this quest she meets Braedon le Chasseur (the hunter) who aids her. Braedon is a feelingless knight with a scarred face and heart. Now I won't go any further becase it would take away from the story so I will go into why I could only give this Tina story two stars.

I liked the premise of the story which had magic and suspense throughout. Braedon, like all of Tina's men, was mature, kind (with people he cares for) and honest. He is also very loyal.

But....then there was Arian. Arian was, how shall I say it, naive, stupid, reckless, sulky and childish. At first I figured that Tina was trying to be consistant with the age of the character since she was portrayed as being very young. However, she never got better. In her quest to save her brother she gets one of her knights killed and Braedon injured. She never really thanked Braedon for saving her life but instead accuses him of stealing her money. When she discovers he has not, does she apologize? Nope. She wants to hire him to take her on her foolish quest. She was soooo childish at times, sulking like a 5 year-old, that I just skipped those parts and ultimately only read the parts containing Braedon or the story of the chalice. It was a difficult read for me since I harbored so much disgust toward a lead character and I was not sure I would finish the book. I did, butI doubt I will read it a second time.

I want it known that Tina writes so much better than this and for anyone new to this author try reading "Lord of Vengeance" or "Lady of Valor" (my favorite).

TINA: Please don't write such an immature, childish heroine again. It takes away from what would have been a great story.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: Heart of the Hunter is a most excellent historical romance! Strong characters, strong writing, exciting action and danger, and lots of wonderful emotion with a great tormented hero. I also really loved the paranormal aspects, which is surprising since I don't usually go for paranormal. And the pacing had me on the edge of my seat. Can't wait for the next one!

Rating:
Summary: I'm intrigued with this new series
Review: HEART OF THE HUNTER is an intriguing start to Tina St. John's new series of paranormal medieval romances. With a creative premise and a smooth writing style, she delivers an engaging romantic adventure through the winter landscape of 13th century London and France. Paranormal elements are woven into the fabric of the story with a deft hand, and the characters are both larger than life and humanly (or not-so-humanly, as the case may be) flawed.

There is much to enjoy here, and very little to quibble over, but I found the book perhaps a bit too sexually graphic in places and the hero a bit too arrogant and domineering to be completely likable. Nevertheless, I did enjoy the book as a whole. The premise of the series is intriguing and original, and I will likely purchase the next release to see where the author takes it.

Rating:
Summary: Thanks for the best vacation read!
Review: I brought a bag of books with me to read on vacation last week and only one captured my attention: Heart of the Hunter by Tina St. John. I had forgot it was to be paranormal and there was no clue about it from reading the back cover (odd), but as I enjoy medievals I took a shot. I am so glad I did!

From the first line, that tells of the kingdom of Anvarin and the legend of how the Dragon Chalice was stolen from the people, I could not put the book down! Other reviewers on this page have mentioned how appealing of a hero Braedon le Chasseur is, and I agree 110%. Utterly dangerous and hot! I was melting as soon as Ariana sees him in the London tavern with the scar on his face and his dangerous air about him. I also liked Ariana. I agree she is a bit naiive at first, especially to trust Ferrand the merchant who I knew was going to be bad news. But she didn't have a lot of choices and I thought she was brave for venturing out to rescue her brother, Kenrick. I liked her spunk!

The paranormal aspects of Heart of the Hunter were so interesting, too! The legend of the Dragon Chalices is very cool, with the enchanted kingdom and the battle for the treasure now that it's been stolen into the mortal world. I was shocked when the first shapeshifter appeared and riveted to my seat (my beach blanket, actually!) to know what was going to happen next. It was a little spooky in places with the villains and their powers, but all that only added to the great story. I especially liked learning about Braedon's strange "skills" and where they came about. It was so cool! I don't want to spoil it for others in saying too much here!

And, I have saved the romance aspect for last on purpose. I can't compare to any other books by this author, as I don't think I have read any before this one, but the passion in Heart of the Hunter was h-o-t! Let's just say, I wanted to be Ariana more than once as I was reading about her and Braedon's romance scenes!!

This was a riveting read with lots of unique aspects to keep your interest all the way through. I highly recommend this book!

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!!!
Review: Thank you Ms. St. John for another wonderful romance! Its been a long wait since the last book but HEART OF THE HUNTER was a great reward! I stayed up till the wee hours of the morning this weekend because I could not stop turning the pages! Keep up the great work and please write faster!!

Rating:
Summary: exciting historical romantic fantasy
Review: The magical kingdom of Anavrin is separated from the outside world by a veil. When the queen gives birth, the king's sister goes to the sacred well to fill the Dragon Chalice with water as part of a ceremony. She overhears a man crying for help on the other side of the veil so she crosses leaving the sacred cup on her side. She takes the injured man across the veil. Later when she learns that her brother will kill the outsider, she helps him cross back to the mortal side only to learn he stole the chalice and brought it with him. The chalice bursts into light and the four stones are dispatched.

Years pass until 1275 in London Lady Ariana needs escort to rescue her brother Kenrick held captive in France. She hires a guide Ferrand de Paris who plans to sell her into slavery. However, Braedon Le Chasser rescues her. Ariana tries to persuade Braedon to take her to France where she is to deliver a satchel of information to save her sibling, but the information on the Dragon Chalice probably will mean the deaths of the siblings.

This is an exciting historical romantic fantasy that fans of the sub-genre will appreciate. The story line is action-packed whether the events occur in Anavrin, England, or France. Ariana is an intrepid heroine while Braedon is more of a former heroic champion. The chalice provides a fresh element typically not seen in a historical so that the audience receives a delightfully entertaining tale that will have everyone prime for the sequel.

Harriet Klausner