At least, when I wasn’t mentally yelling at her to use her brain.

Ever the Hunted tells the story from her perspective, so we get some direct insight into what she’s thinking, and it’s more or less why I believe this is only a 3.5 star read. That lack of charm I talked about earlier may be Britta’s fault. And those similarities are true not only for the plot but for the main character, Britta, as well. I shouldn’t be thinking of other books when I’m reading another one. Its ability to weave magic and mystery into the plot elevates it from your typical generic high fantasy novel, but that can only to so much to hide its similarities to other stories. I did enjoy reading Ever the Hunted, but I can’t deny how unoriginal it felt. I think it’s just missing some charm and wow factor to take it from good to great. It does deserve some brownie points for pulling me out of my reading slump, though. I liked Ever the Hunted, but it wasn’t the best or most memorable fantasy that I’ve ever read. And soon she will learn what has always made her different will make her a daunting and dangerous force. But Britta wields more power than she knows. She must go on a dangerous quest in a world of warring kingdoms, mad kings, and dark magic to find the real killer. The boy she once loved who broke her heart. The alleged killer is none other than Cohen McKay, her father’s former apprentice. When Britta is caught poaching by the royal guard, instead of facing the noose she is offered a deal: her freedom in exchange for her father’s killer.

Now outcast and alone and having no rights to her father’s land or inheritance, she seeks refuge where she feels most safe: the Ever Woods. She spends her days tracking criminals alongside her father, the legendary bounty hunter for the King of Malam-that is, until her father is murdered. Seventeen year-old Britta Flannery is at ease only in the woods with her dagger and bow.

Ever the hunted by erin summerill