Book Review: Hunter's Season by Thea Harrison

Hunter's Season
Author: Thea Harrison
Series: Elder Races, novella
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Release Date: September 18, 2012
ASIN: B0098ZYB3U
Source: From publisher for review
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Assassin turned guard, Xanthe protects the Dark Fae Queen. She's by her side when attending events and meetings, including the ones with Chancellor Aubrey Riordan. Handsome and powerful, a simple commoner like herself shouldn't fantasize about a man like Aubrey but when someone tries to kill him, Xanthe alone will be charged with his safety. Aubrey is still saddened by the betrayal of his wife when she tried to assassinate Queen Niniane. Xanthe is the first woman he has cared for since and knows there's more to the silent beauty than what she allows others to see. He'll use their time alone to bring out her passion and convince her she's much more than a simple commoner.

Xanthe hides her emotions well but desires companionship and love. The only male she has eyes for is one she believes she can't have. I didn't give much thought about Aubrey after reading Storm's Heart but there's more fight and stubbornness in him than I gave him credit for. He's kind to his servants and loyal to his queen but what I loved most was how he treated Xanthe. The only one who cares about their social status is Xanthe and he plans to convince her that doesn't matter, whether she likes it or not. Aubrey brought out a playfulness and passion in Xanthe that upon first meeting her, I wasn't sure she had. Before I didn't think of Aubrey as being an alpha but by the end I was convinced and loved every minute of it.

The ending surrounding the attempt on Aubrey's life and who was behind it was anti-climatic but if that was the tradeoff for being able to watch their relationship go from admiring at a distance to sweetly meaningful and hot, I'm more than ok with that. We get to see Tiago and Niniane again and learn the origins of the mysterious Tarot deck that have been roaming around the Elder Races novellas. I hope this isn't the last we'll see of the deck because I liked the minor mischief they caused.

My favorite of the Elder Races novellas, Hunter's Season brought two characters together I didn't give much thought towards and made me a fan. Xanthe and Aubrey were really great and if I wasn't afraid of Xanthe and her assassin skills, I'd want Aubrey for myself.
My Rating: