Review: The Unicorn Hunters by Katherine Arden

The Unicorn Hunters by Katherine Arden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC of this book via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

I loved this historical fantasy centered around the Duchess Anne of Britany.  Anne is such an interesting character both in the book and in history.  The author went to great lengths to make clear Anne's love of her country and people.  The afterword gives some historical context about the real Anne, and the historical influences used in the book.  This is not the first book I've read about the Duchess, and they all paint Anne as a strong willed, intelligent, and courageous woman and as Arden mentions there is always an air of romance about any tale I've read where she is involved.

I loved the lore that the author wove in to the historical aspects of the story surrounding Anne and her impending and unwanted marriage to the King of France.  Anne and her most trusted inner circle plot to out maneuver the French at every turn to delay the marriage as long as possible and find a better solution and keep the Duchy out of France's hands.  She tempts the king's lackey with a unicorn hunt in the Lost Lands, only to find that the mythical creatures are in fact real and might just be the aid she is looking for to evade the French.  Blessed by the unicorn, Anne and her entourage are determined to utilize the Lost Lands to their advantage only to find themselves not only in a political game but one of sorcery as well.  Anne finds herself questioning who she can trust at every turn as well as questioning if magic is real and if she can save her lands from going to war.

This story was so well written and the characters were so well crafted.  The myth and lore was woven throughout while taking place in lands inspired by actual people, places, and events that once occurred.  I  love historical fantasy when it is based a bit in reality and a bit in fantasy.  I loved Anne from the very beginning and while it took me a while to warm up to Orleans, he eventually won me over.  Their romance was slow to develop, but worth it in the end, and I really appreciated the ending.  There was also a great supporting cast, Elsebed and her cat Butter were my favorites!

View all my reviews