Ever the hunted : ever the outcast, ever the brave
(Book)

Britta learned everything from her father, the king's favorite bounty hunter, so after he dies, leaving her an orphan, she can at least rely on her hunting skills to survive. When she's caught poaching, she's sure she's headed for the noose, but the king's right hand makes her an intriguing offer. If she can track down her late father's alleged murderer Cohen, his erstwhile apprentice and her only friend she'll be free. Only, Cohen was framed, which Britta learns after following him over a border into a rival nation, and her father's murder is part of a much larger scheme involving a greed-fueled war and powerful magic. Debut author Summerill builds a rich, if somewhat derivative, fantasy world filled with both mystical powers and realistic political conflicts. While Britta sometimes seems a little bloodless, her mysterious backstory keeps the pages turning, and romance lovers will be happy with the simmering relationship between Britta and Cohen. Though much of the plot is neatly tied up by the end, a final cliff-hanger hints at a sequel.--Hunter, Sarah Copyright 2016 Booklist

Not long after the death of her father, a renowned bounty hunter for the king of Malam, 17-year-old Britta Flannery is arrested for poaching and sentenced to death herself. When Britta is offered her life in exchange for tracking down her father's murderer, she accepts but is shocked to learn that his alleged killer is Cohen Mackay-her father's apprentice, her best friend, and her first love. Britta's quest takes her to the neighboring kingdom of Shaerdan, home to female magic-weavers known as Channelers, as well as Britta's unknown maternal relatives. Debut author Summerill makes use of familiar story elements-avenging a parent's death, a potential betrayal by an estranged first love, a main character with unrealized power-but incorporates them into an richly described world populated by engaging characters. The mystery of who killed Britta's father is disappointingly transparent, but Britta's grit and tense interactions with Cohen make her journey to find answers gratifying. Plenty of questions remain in the final pages, setting the stage for the next book in the Clash of Kingdoms series. Ages 12-up. Agent: Josh Adams, Adams Literary. (Dec.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Gr 8 Up-Britta Flannery is an expert tracker and hunter, but after her father's death forces her to hunt on the king's land, she is arrested for poaching. As an alternative to execution, Britta is offered a deal: find the man who killed her father and she will be pardoned of all wrongdoing. The teen sets off with a trio of the king's guard to find Cohen McKay, who is assumed to be her dad's murderer. He was also her father's apprentice and remains the only person Britta has ever called a friend. This debut fantasy offers an engaging quest through a well-developed new world. The mystery elements keep the plot moving at a steady pace, and the narrative is punctuated with occasional action sequences. The heroine, an outcast from her society, is the best developed of the characters, with much of the novel devoted to her internal monologue. Fans of epic fantasy quests, such as J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings," Christopher Paolini's Eragon, or Kristin Cashore's "Graceling" trilogy, will love this outing. VERDICT This series opener is a must-purchase where epic fantasy quests are popular; an additional purchase everywhere else.-Jenni Frencham, Columbus Public Library, WI © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

When seventeen-year-old Britta's bounty hunter father is killed, allegedly by his former apprentice (and the object of Britta's affection), the talented young archer sets off on a quest to find his true killer. There's nothing groundbreaking about this fantasy adventure with a healthy dose of romance; nevertheless, Britta is an appealing heroine, making this a solid, if uninspiring, series-opener. (c) Copyright 2017. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

On a quest to save her life by finding her fathers killer, a teen girl discovers conspiracies between kingdoms on the verge of war.Outcast Britta Flannery, distrusted in Malam because her mother was from neighboring enemy country Shaerdan, has no income source and is about to lose her fathers land back to the crown after his death. He, the kings bounty hunter, has been murdered. Caught poaching, Brittas given a choice: instead of execution, she can use her tracking skills to bring down her fathers killer, revealed to her as Cohen Mackay, her fathers former apprentice and her best friendwhom she secretly loves. Devastated, she agrees. Soon, though, her mission to find her fathers killer takes her over the border into Shaerdan, where she learns a lot more about magic (forbidden and punishable by death in MalamBritta herself has a secret ability, telling truths from lies), her family, and the dark power drawing the two countries into conflict. All characters seem to be white. Archer Britta is a familiar type of heroine, and the majority of the predictable plot twists happen right on schedule, but the writing quality is good. The strong climax sets up a cliffhanger for the sequel, which will not be unwelcome. Though not terribly innovative, still a solid choice for fantasy readers who prefer a large helping of adventure with their romance. (Fantasy. 12-18) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Britta learned everything from her father, the king's favorite bounty hunter, so after he dies, leaving her an orphan, she can at least rely on her hunting skills to survive. When she's caught poaching, she's sure she's headed for the noose, but the king's right hand makes her an intriguing offer. If she can track down her late father's alleged murderer—Cohen, his erstwhile apprentice and her only friend—she'll be free. Only, Cohen was framed, which Britta learns after following him over a border into a rival nation, and her father's murder is part of a much larger scheme involving a greed-fueled war and powerful magic. Debut author Summerill builds a rich, if somewhat derivative, fantasy world filled with both mystical powers and realistic political conflicts. While Britta sometimes seems a little bloodless, her mysterious backstory keeps the pages turning, and romance lovers will be happy with the simmering relationship between Britta and Cohen. Though much of the plot is neatly tied up by the end, a final cliff-hanger hints at a sequel. Copyright 2016 Booklist Reviews.

Not long after the death of her father, a renowned bounty hunter for the king of Malam, 17-year-old Britta Flannery is arrested for poaching and sentenced to death herself. When Britta is offered her life in exchange for tracking down her father's murderer, she accepts but is shocked to learn that his alleged killer is Cohen Mackay—her father's apprentice, her best friend, and her first love. Britta's quest takes her to the neighboring kingdom of Shaerdan, home to female magic-weavers known as Channelers, as well as Britta's unknown maternal relatives. Debut author Summerill makes use of familiar story elements—avenging a parent's death, a potential betrayal by an estranged first love, a main character with unrealized power—but incorporates them into an richly described world populated by engaging characters. The mystery of who killed Britta's father is disappointingly transparent, but Britta's grit and tense interactions with Cohen make her journey to find answers gratifying. Plenty of questions remain in the final pages, setting the stage for the next book in the Clash of Kingdoms series. Ages 12–up. Agent: Josh Adams, Adams Literary. (Dec.) Copyright 2016 Publisher Weekly.

Gr 8 Up—Britta Flannery is an expert tracker and hunter, but after her father's death forces her to hunt on the king's land, she is arrested for poaching. As an alternative to execution, Britta is offered a deal: find the man who killed her father and she will be pardoned of all wrongdoing. The teen sets off with a trio of the king's guard to find Cohen McKay, who is assumed to be her dad's murderer. He was also her father's apprentice and remains the only person Britta has ever called a friend. This debut fantasy offers an engaging quest through a well-developed new world. The mystery elements keep the plot moving at a steady pace, and the narrative is punctuated with occasional action sequences. The heroine, an outcast from her society, is the best developed of the characters, with much of the novel devoted to her internal monologue. Fans of epic fantasy quests, such as J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings," Christopher Paolini's Eragon, or Kristin Cashore's "Graceling" trilogy, will love this outing. VERDICT This series opener is a must-purchase where epic fantasy quests are popular; an additional purchase everywhere else.—Jenni Frencham, Columbus Public Library, WI. Copyright 2016 School Library Journal.