Huntress [Hardcover]

Malinda Lo (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 5, 2011

Nature is out of balance in the human world. The sun hasn't shone in years, and crops are failing. Worse yet, strange and hostile creatures have begun to appear. The people's survival hangs in the balance.

To solve the crisis, the oracle stones are cast, and Kaede and Taisin, two seventeen-year-old girls, are picked to go on a dangerous and unheard-of journey to Tanlili, the city of the Fairy Queen. Taisin is a sage, thrumming with magic, and Kaede is of the earth, without a speck of the otherworldly. And yet the two girls' destinies are drawn together during the mission. As members of their party succumb to unearthly attacks and fairy tricks, the two come to rely on each other and even begin to fall in love. But the Kingdom needs only one huntress to save it, and what it takes could tear Kaede and Taisin apart forever.

The exciting adventure prequel to Malinda Lo's highly acclaimed novel Ash is overflowing with lush Chinese influences and details inspired by the I Ching, and is filled with action and romance.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Malinda Lo was born in China and moved to the United States as a child. She grew up in Colorado and has since lived in Boston, New York, London, Beijing, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. She is a graduate of Wellesley College and has master's degrees from Harvard and Stanford Universities. She now lives in Northern California with her partner and their dog. Ash, her first novel, was a finalist for the William C. Morris YA Debut Award, the Andre Norton Award for YA Fantasy and Science Fiction, and the Lambda Literary Award. Huntress is her second novel. Visit her website at malindalo.com.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; 1 edition (April 5, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9780316040075
• ISBN-13: 978-0316040075
• ASIN: 031604007X
• Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 1.2 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (50 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #769,864 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Malinda Lo's first novel, Ash, a retelling of Cinderella with a lesbian twist, was a finalist for the William C. Morris YA Debut Award, the Andre Norton Award for YA Fantasy and Science Fiction, and the Lambda Literary Award. Her second novel, Huntress, a companion novel to Ash, is an ALA Best Book for Young Adults. Her young adult science fiction duology, beginning with Adaptation, will be published in fall 2012. She lives in Northern California with her partner and their dog. Visit her online at www.malindalo.com.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful tale of adventure full of lush description and beauty April 1, 2011

By Karissa Eckert TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Hardcover

I loved Malinda Lo's first book Ash and was excited to about Huntress. I got this book through Book it Forward ARC tours. It was a wonderful book. The story was more complicated and expansive than Ash. It again features a romance between two women, there is also a lot of adventuring and some magic.

Kaede and Taisin are two girls in their late teens. Kaede is the daughter of a the King's Advisor and more knowledgable in fighting and handcrafts than the magic at that the academy she iattebds. Taisin is a progidy at the academy and has a vision involving her and Kaede and a castle of ice. The land the two girls live in has fallen on hard times and the situation is dire if winter is not brought to an end. The two girls end up being sent along with the King's son on a journey to visit the Fairy Queen in hopes that the Fairy Queen will be able to help them end the long winter that is gripping the land.

This book is written much in the style of Ash; so if you liked that book I think you will enjoy this one. Lo writes at a deliberate pace with beautiful descriptions that create lush images in your mind. The romance in the book is keep somewhat innocent and sweet, as it was in Ash. The two characters that fall in love are both women, but it isn't the same sex issue that makes their love star-crossed, it is more an issue of class and occupation. Lo gives us a wonderfully sweet and adventurous story that features these two women, each strong in their own way, and doesn't really make a big deal about their sexuality...which is how it should be.

There is a lot more action in this book than there was in Ash and a lot more adventure. Rather than being blunt about magic this book has more a tone of magical realism about it. This book is supposed to be the prequel to Ash; but, although the world is the same, the customs of the characters are distinctly Asian and the cultures have a very different feel to them. You definitely don't need to read Ash to enjoy this book.

Both Kaede and Taisin are admirable characters, they are strong and yet have a lot of moments where they doubt themselves. I enjoyed reading about them and found them likable. I love Lo's writing and while the pacing is slow at some points, especially when the characters journey through the Woods, I think that the pace is appropriate in that it helps the reader get a sense of their grueling journey.

The book ends well, although I think some readers will be a bit bothered by it. I personally enjoyed the ending, is wasn't fairy tale happy but it was realistic and kept with the tone of the rest of the story.

Overall a wonderful new book from Lo. I will continue to read Lo's works. Lo gives us deliberately paced novel, with beautiful description, heart-pounding adventure, and a sweet romance. If you loved Ash you will love this book. Fans of classic fantasy adventure with a thread of romance through it will find lots to love in this book.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Smooth writing but slow plot March 22, 2011

By Neutron Lurver Reviews VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

In Malinda Lo's Huntress, the human world has entered a period of never-ending clouds and rain. With crops dying and people starving, the Kingdom selects two girls to undertake an unprecedented and hazardous journey to find the Fairy Queen in hopes of putting an end to the natural devastation. As the search party travels north and encounters dangerous threats, feelings between the two girls, Kaede and Taisin, begin to grow. With attacks against their party increasing and stakes raised, Kaede and Taisin realize that their new bond may be tested and ultimately destroyed if they are unable to complete their quest.

After reading Lo's Ash last year and being impressed with her writing, I was eager to read this prequel novel, HUNTRESS. The author's clear and descriptive writing provides a palpable sense of place and mood throughout the story, especially in the scenes where the characters are travelling through the forest and encountering the Xi. Another strength of the book is its blending of elements from multiple traditions, including the Chinese I CHING and British fairytales. Similar to her first book, HUNTRESS also presents LGBTQ relationships in the context of the story as normal and not worthy of fanfare. The novel also concludes with a finished, complete ending that was unexpected but that showed the depth of understanding and love between the characters involved.

Like my experience with ASH, however, I never found myself invested in the characters of HUNTRESS or their struggles. The relationships were so understated that I never got caught up in them. The prologue also ruined much of the story for me, because I knew from the opening chapter which characters would survive to a certain point and how their relationships would evolve. Because of this, events in the plot lacked immediacy or tension; this was especially true for the relationship between Kaede and Taisin. Due to the significant foreshadowing from the prologue, the pacing also seemed slow, because I was anxious to read ahead to a part where I didn't know what would happen.

Even though I didn't overtly enjoy HUNTRESS, I do appreciate the strong LGBTQ and Asian voice that Lo brings to young adult literature through her writing talents. I hope that this book and its predecessor find a warm reception with other readers.

Note: This review refers to an advance reader's copy.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I Loved This One So Much April 5, 2011

By DAC VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

This is a prequel to Lo's debut Ash. I enjoyed Ash, loved Huntress. Kaede and Taisin are students at the same Academy. Though both 17 yr old and started at the same time, they don't share any classes. Taisin is a very advanced sage in training, skilled at seeing into the future. Kaede is the daughter of the King's Advisor, a talented fighter but not a great student.

The two are suddenly brought together after Taisin has a vision. In it Kaede's life is at risk and the Taisin in the future is in love with her. These feelings disturb the Taisin of now because a sage must take a vow of celibacy. Taisin wants to avoid Kaede but it can't be done.

The Kingdom is in trouble, crops are dying and people are going hungry because of the unchanging weather. The King has been sent a very rare invitation by the Fairy Queen. Everyone believe the Fairy Queen can explain what's going on with the weather.

The King can't go and sends his son Con in his place. Taisin and Kaede must go as well. The kingdom is in turbulence, the three must travel with guards for their saftey.

Kaede and Taisin's characters were very well drawn. Their personalities shine through and I like that they come from different backgrounds. Kaede and Taisin could be romance is at the core of this story but the author never forgets the adventure.

Huntress has a great balance of action, danger and love. I absolutely loved Lo's writing. Sometimes author's drag out an inevitable relationship, and as a reader I am screaming just get together already. That was not the case with Huntress. The author's transitions from the potential relationship to the mission were clinic good. In doing so Lo kept me very much interested in both aspects of the story. Taisin and Kaede's first kiss was worth the wait.

Huntress is one of my favorite books of the year, inside and out (gorgeous cover)