Sandy M’s review of Hunter’s Fall (The Hunters, Book 13) by Shiloh Walker
Paranormal Romance published by Berkley 7 Jun 11
Of all the series to not have started reading yet, this shouldn’t be one of them. But for me it is, and after reading this book, I am very unhappy with myself for leaving the series till later. Of course, I started collecting these books before I actually read any Shiloh Walker, and now that I’ve become a fan of her work, I should have known better before even beginning Hunter’s Fall. Should have known I would love getting to know Nessa and Dom, learning about all they’ve been through to find each other again, living through their heartache and vacillating emotions. I should have known Ms. Walker would suck me into a story that I likely will remember for a very long time to come.
As with any of my reviews of her books, it’s the emotional depth of the characters as they go through a hell only the strongest would survive that gets to me every time. It’s taken Nessa, the strongest witch the Hunter Council has ever known, five hundred years to finally let go of her grief over losing the love of her life and waiting for him to find her again. Especially when she also recently loses another she loves with all her heart. Her answer to a life of loneliness is to just give up, let life pass her by, stay away from those few friends she may inadvertently hurt after barely surviving a battle against a dark witch that leaves Nessa with a thirst she’s never before experienced.
Dominic is a young vampire, only ten years turned, and is on his way to becoming a Master if he so desires. He’s always dreamed of a woman he’s never met. She seems very real, but he’s not sure she’s really out there, though there’s something in his soul that tells him he has to find her. When the voices in his head become too much, he’s sent back to Excelsior, the Hunter school, to try to find a solution to this craziness. It’s there he finds the first clue that his dream woman really does exist, and now nothing will stop him from finding her. Well, only after Malachi, the most infamous of vampires, satisfies himself Dom means his oldest friend no harm.
As fate would have it, as Dominic is regaining his memories of his long-ago life with Nessa, she’s just battled a blood-thirsty witch and is left with no memories of her past. Dom now must fight Nessa herself for the future that’s been so long in coming. I thought at first I might be a tad miffed that Dom and Nessa are only aware of each only in their dreams, they don’t come face to face until late in the book, but Ms. Walker makes those dreams as real for the reader as she does for the characters themselves. It also makes their lovemaking much sweeter when it happens in real time.
What I really like is how Dom and Nessa can feel each other’s pain when they’re together. We also, of course, get to see their individual pain as they remember their shared past, and even more so from Dom’s POV when he’s not sure why he’s looking for his dream woman. He keeps rubbing the heel of his palm over his heart, and I felt for him every time. I also like how the Hunters are there for one another, taking no bullshit from each other when one needs help.
I enjoyed meeting those other Hunters throughout this book. I look forward to eventually reading about how each couple met and their conflict they had to overcome to finally be together. I know each book will keep me captivated until the very last word. I’ve come to expect nothing less of Shiloh Walker.
Grade: A+
Summary:
UNKNOWN PAST
Something strange is happening to Nessa. Ever since she survived a near-death experience she’s not exactly who she used to be—and enjoying every minute of it. Then she’s called upon to go to battle against darkness. If only she could remember why.
UNEXPECTED LOVER
Dominic is having his own problems with memory, sanity, and hallucinations. Sent to Excelsior, the covert Hunter training facility, he senses a female presence that seems so hauntingly familiar. That’s because he and Nessa share a forgotten past.
UNSEEN EVIL
As Nessa and Dominic regain their memories, their strange mission against evil becomes clearer. And all the more dangerous because whether they should trust each other is the still the greatest unknown of all.
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
