WAR HUNT

In this follow-up to The Empire Wars (2024), three young people are spurred by different goals: survival, repentance, and revenge.

Coa Rangecroft is focused on protecting herself and her family as survivors of the Great Hunt. Hazen Creed, plagued by guilt over his country’s actions, killed his own soldiers to save foreigners and has been labeled a traitor. They both have a lot more fighting ahead of them. Following tradition, they’re to be auctioned off and sold to the highest bidders. Their rescue from the Allied Forces by North Transatlantic Empire forces, who offer them citizenship as war refugees, leads to mayhem and threatens to spark an all-out war. At the same time, Chief Princess Ife Størmbane bides her time even as she seeks to get revenge on her abusive husband on behalf of her family of origin. The connections among the three once again help each of them as they work to achieve their goals. This novel, which is set in a racially diverse world, suffers due to inconsistent pacing and excessive exposition. Many of the descriptions of gore and violence feel gratuitous; rather than furthering the plot, they distance readers from the characters. Even returning fans are likely to come away disappointed in this offering.

A poorly executed baton pass for the trilogy closer.