Customer Reviews

Hunter's Salvation (The Hunters, Book 10)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've been wanting to read one of Shiloh's stories for a long time. So when I saw this book in Wal Mart, buying it was a "no brainer." But, I probably shouldn't have started on Book 10 of a series. (I don't think I realized it was Book 10 at the time.) In my opinion, it really wasn't a stand-alone read. As such, for someone like me, there were a lot of unanswered questions. There were lots of previous characters mentioned in the story, and not a whole lot of background information on them. For example, I didn't realize that Kelsey was also a witch until the end of the book.

The plot was good. Vax is a witch who is determined to ignore his "Hunter" calling. Jess, a psychic and a telekinetic is on a mission to find her sister's killer. While Jess is aware that her
sister's killer(s) are "more" than human, even she isn't prepared for what she stumbles into. Jess's troubles ignites a calling that even Vax can't ignore.

Overall, the story was just "okay." (I really hate to keep using this word, but it best describes this story for me. Not bad, not great, but somewhere in between. It's like one of those books you read when you have absolutely nothing else to read.) Not great, as at some points it really "dragged," and I found myself skimming through several portions of the story. I really think that if I was more "plugged" into the series, it would have been a more enjoyable read for me. However, and I kind of hate to mention this, this book certainly doesn't inspire me to find the previous nine stories.

I recommend this book only if you're a fan of the series, or at least planning on reading the previous stories. Vax seems to be one of those characters that was discussed and built up in prior stories. However, if you've never read any of the previous books, this book will probably be just an "okay" read, like it was for me.

I love Shiloh's stuff. I have this series in Ebooks nice and neat on my shelf. I have wanted this story...and Malachi since forever and while I adored Mal's story Vax was....I think someone else said...okay.

To be honest I couldnt get over the heroine. Being a heavy duty JR Ward fangirl I couldnt get over her being with my hero...or her hero as it seems. I know the majority of folks wont even notice but I did and it made things uncomfortable.

Vax has always been this sexy funny sarcastic a-hole kinda guy but it wasnt vibing with Jess so much...He fell short in the sexy dept this time...didnt seem like he was into her...or why...(could just be my JR hangup too). This was def not a Delcan/Tori kinda sizzle.

After that...the story just seem to plod along. I felt like i skipped over more than just Jess's physical description. There was so much potential when Kelsey and Mal and the gang came back but it kinda fizzled to. Im not sure how this would go as a stand alone. I liked it but it just didnt work for me for a hunter book.

The book was ok, not the best out of the 10. It was kind of slow, and I wasn't fully invested in Vax's storyline. This Vax seemed like a totally different character to what we had seen in the other books, his whole character was different. Previous characters were brought into the story, but they didn't really add much to it. Those characters by themselves would have worked, but not within the book.

Vax and Jess just didn't work for me.

I can't tell you how to make it better, but for the most part all the characters from all the books are interchangeable in the stories.

And before you say 'well why do you keep reading', because I LOVE the premise.

Plot Summary: Vax is a burned-out hunter who hasn't taken on a new job in fifty years. He's lost interest in life, which is bad news for a witch who'll probably live for another two hundred years, and he's passing time up at his Montana ranch. Out of the blue, Vax feels the familiar call to help an innocent, and he can't ignore it. Jess is a reporter whose baby sister was killed, and her last hours were turned into a snuff film. Driven mad with rage, Jess tracks the killers to a S&M club called Debach, where Vax finds her and surprisingly, his empathic skills can't get a read on her. Jess is a telekinetic psychic talent, and she inspires both fear and interest within the bad guys' ranks.

After reading Walker's novel, "The Missing," I was eagerly looking forward seeing what she could do with a full-throttle paranormal romance. I still don't have any doubts that she's a talented writer, but this story definitely left me wanting. I didn't realize this was the tenth book in the Hunter's series when I picked it up at the library, and I wish I could have read an earlier installment. Since each book focuses on a different couple, it's easy to skip around, but in my experience few series can maintain fever-pitch excitement and creativity after so many retellings.

As I was reading, I kept asking myself, why isn't this grabbing me? All the elements are here: powerful hero, determined heroine, evil foes, and a rich supernatural world. Then I realized what the problem was; this is one of those stories where the hero spends the entire book pushing the heroine away `for her own good.' Ack, this is probably my least favorite plot device, and I wish romance authors would use this one sparingly. At the very least, make the hero's reluctance to pursue the heroine short-lived, for maybe a chapter or two. It always leaves me feeling cold, like I'm the one being rejected.

Unfortunately I didn't care what happened by the end, and yes, Vax was still determined to abandon Jess right up to those final pages. I sincerely hope this was the weakest book in the bunch, because the writing was good, and I know in my bones that Walker can pen a better romance than this.

Vax Matthews didn't expect to receive the call as a Hunter, but his sense of honor wouldn't allow him to ignore it. His quest leads him to a club run by William Masters and the spunky Jess Warren. Jess is determined to avenge her sister's death, a death she believes Masters is responsible for causing. Will Vax be able to keep Jess safe? And just what is going on in that club, anyway?

HUNTER'S SALVATION is definitely a plot driven story. The ongoing characters develop their depth as you see them throughout the series as not a lot of recapping is provided from prior books. HUNTER'S SALVATION can be read as a stand alone, but there are pieces of the story that intertwine with HUNTING THE HUNTER and HUNTERS: HEART AND SOUL. Readers new to the series may find some of the interactions between the characters confusing without the back history provided in both of those novels but the overall story itself stands alone.

Vax and Jess are both tortured souls, blaming themselves for not protecting others in the past. Their angst makes a relationship between them difficult at times, but very satisfying in its conclusion. Vax in particular is a character I have grown to love, but the ice around his heart made me want to smack him on occasion. Jess is the perfect choice for him, as she is spirited enough to take on Vax... and win.

Okay, I admit it. I am now officially hooked on The Hunters series. This is my third foray into the series and it will definitely not be my last. Shiloh Walker's brilliant world building really shines in HUNTER'S SALVATION. Easily recommended!

COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

The 10th book in Shiloh Walker's Hunters series, 'Hunters Salvation', is in my opinion, the best yet. I am a fan of the series and world Walker has created, but while many of the previous books have been excellent, several have been uneven. 'Hunter's Salvation' puts all of the promise shown in those previous books on stunning display. The characters are unique, the plot engrossing, the action heart-pounding, and the romance enchanting.

Walker doesn't bother to recap details found in earlier books in the series; she just jumps right into the action. Vax Matthews is a witch and an empath. A former Hunter, he has retired to his ranch in Montana where he lives in solitude, protected from the disruptive emotions of others, but still unable to escape the pain of his own losses. Jess Warren is an investigative reporter and telekinetic, who is trying to put all of her professional skills to work, despite her heartbreak, to find her sister's killers. When Vax receives the call of the hunter, for the first time in decades, their paths quickly intersect. They must work together to figure out who is kidnapping and torturing young women because more lives, including their own, are at stake.

Vax and Jess are far from your typical romance, or even paranormal, characters. As the book progresses it becomes apparent that the romance is really a secondary plotline, primarily because of who the characters are. They are strong, fascinating people, but both are deeply damaged. True to life, hurts do not just miraculously vanish, and all is not suddenly right with the world, just because they have met. Instead, as they hunt for the killers they slowly learn more about themselves, as well each other, and what they learn brings surprises all around.

The search for the killers isn't really a mystery; we learn who they are early in the book. However, the twists and turns the plot takes as more is revealed about just what is going on are more than enough to keep the reader engaged. The stunning conclusion, as well as its heart-rending aftermath are enough to keep you on the edge of your seat.

For previous readers of Hunters books, we get a glimpse of old characters including Kendall and Kane, from Hunting the Hunter, and Kelsey and Malachi, from Heart and Soul. Agnes also stops by, perhaps as a teaser for a book soon to come.

I'm a recent Shiloh fan, within the last several months, and I started reading her works because Missing was on sell at the Bookstore and I thought I'd give it a read. I enjoyed Missing and sought out more of her works and stumbled into the Hunter series. OMG, that did the trick and now I'm an avid fan. Her descriptions of each character are off the hook. Out of all of her characters, Vax is my favorite! I'm not sure I can qualify other than to say that Vax is HOT!

The premise of the story was fine, but the main female character (Jess) was completely unlikeable. And after a huge build up the final showdown with the bad guys was a let down. I found it annoying the characters did a lot of avioding the issues in lieu of griping about their personal issues which were repeated ad nauseaum.

A fun, fast and hot read.If you have read Shiloh Walker in the past then you know this is one of her hottest. If you have never read her, you can't go wrong. Though I would suggest to try to read her previous books in order. The best paranormal erotic writer around.

I found this book in the series harder to get into than the previous books. It seemed that the book was written for more of a mass market media and the style of writing was substationally tame comparatively. A tad disapointing in that respect. I still love Shiloh Walkers writing and will eagerly await the next chapter in the series, but will wish for an earthier hunter.