Hunting in Bruges: Hunters' Guild, Book 1
by E.J. Stevens
Narrator: Melanie A. Mason, Anthony Bowling
Length: 7 hrs and 10 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 04-03-18
Language: English
Publisher: Sacred Oaks Press
Genre: Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0
Publisher's Summary
Finalist for the 2017 Raven Award for best urban fantasy.
The only thing worse than being a hunter in the fae-ridden city of Harborsmouth, is hunting vampires in Bruges.
The medieval city of Bruges is quaint, but the local Hunters' Guild is understaffed, the canals are choked with dead bodies, and there's no shortage of supernatural predators as likely suspects.
On second thought, maybe Bruges isn't so bad after all.
With a desire to prove herself, protect the innocent, and advance within the ranks of the Hunters' Guild, Jenna Lehane hits the cobbled streets of Bruges with blades at the ready. Someone, or something, is murdering tourists and dumping their bodies in the city's scenic canals. With the help of a mysterious stranger, Jenna begins to piece together clues that are dotted throughout the city like blood spatter.
Determined to stop the killings, Jenna delves into a bloody local history that only raises more questions - but some secrets are best left buried. Jenna must put her combat training to the test as she struggles to unearth the truth about an ancient enemy.
Review:
The Harborsmouth Guild Hunter master has sent Jenna on assignment to Bruges. She suspects that the assignment to find a serial killer is a test and she plans to be up for the challenge. One of Jenna’s unique skills is seeing ghosts and she finds plenty in the medieval city. There are living – well maybe undead – killers to hunt too.
Jenna meets Ash, a dashing fellow, on the train. He is a bit strange but eagerly volunteers to show her around. Jenna discovers the local guild is short handed and has some severe member problems. The man left in charge doesn’t think women should be hunters and he is belittling and abusive. The witch member is drugged out, the archivist in the library is blind, one warrior is bomb happy and the doctor is surly, resentful and has no records of the autopsies to help Jenna’s investigation.
In spite of the difficulties Jenna heads out alone to scout out the previous murder sites. When she walks into a trap of deadly vampires, Jenna is glad that Ash shows up to protect her back. While dealing with rusalka, grindylow and swan maidens, in addition to the vampires, Jenna uncovers a plot by the vampires that could be even worse than the current killings. Jenna will have to rally the other hunters and use her smarts as well as her combat skills if she wants to stop the plot and save the innocents.
Jenna is a friend of Ivy Granger and a character in the psychic detective stories. This spinoff introduces new characters, good and bad. I especially liked Ash and the blind archivist. Although Jenna is narrowly focused on saving everyone around her, I felt that she didn’t always think things through as expected. Still, I like how she rallied the hunters for battle. I enjoyed this spinoff with the fast pacing and consistent action. It is a good start to more adventures. I recommend this to readers who enjoy urban fantasy and monster challenges.
Audio Notes: I liked the alternating voices provided by Melanie A. Mason and Anthony Bowling. They both do a fine job of presenting different characters with personalities and emotional energy. The narration enhanced my enjoyment of the story.
Source: Author for Review and Giveaway Post. This qualifies for Audiobook Challenge and 2018 entry for Alphabet Challenge.
Start Listening Now
Learn more on Goodreads, Audible, and the author's website. Keep reading for a chance to win a Hunting in Bruges prize pack.
Want more fun? Take a trip to Bruges with monster hunter Jenna Lehane in this Hunting in Bruges animated book cover video. Watch a few times to find all of the effects! Things to look for...
Audiobook Release Party Giveaway
- Sword
- Jenna's hair
- Clock
- Jenna's arm and face
- Clouds
- Lights in Windows
Audiobook Release Party Giveaway
Happy audiobook birthday to Hunting in Bruges! We're celebrating the audio release with a giveaway.
GIVEAWAY
Enter to win a Hunting in Bruges Prize Pack, including
a pen, custom earbuds, a Hunting in Bruges mini
poster signed by the author, and a Passport to the World of Ivy
Granger signed by the author and the audiobook narrators!
To enter, use the Rafflecopter form below.
a pen, custom earbuds, a Hunting in Bruges mini
poster signed by the author, and a Passport to the World of Ivy
Granger signed by the author and the audiobook narrators!
To enter, use the Rafflecopter form below.
This giveaway is open to the US/UK/CA. Giveaway ends April 30, 2018 midnight EST.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
