The Hunter (The Legend Chronicles) [Mass Market Paperback]

Theresa Meyers (Author)

Book Description

Release date: November 1, 2011 | Series: The Legend Chronicles (Book 1)

Colt Jackson has gotten his name on many a wanted poster with success in the family business: hunting supernaturals across the frontier. Lately, though, there's a sulphur stink in the wind and the Darkin population is exploding. A rift in the worlds is appearing. To close it, Colt will have to do the unthinkable and work with a demon to pass arcane boundaries no human alone can cross. Except when he summons his demon, he doesn't get some horned monstrosity: he gets a curvy redheaded succubus named Lilly, who's willing to make a bargain to become human again. He also gets Lilly's secret expertise on the machinations on the dark side of the rift. And her charm and cleverness help to get them out of what his silver-loaded pistol and mechanical horse can't. Of course, when all hell breaks loose, he might have to sacrifice his soul. But what's adventure without a little risk?

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Meyer's steampunk western packs a sizzling demonic romance into a fast-paced quest through tiny frontier towns...Meyers piles on the gee-whiz moments and eyeball kicks...in a well-crafted, eminently enjoyable story that will leave readers wanting more time with the Jackson brothers." - Publisher's Weekly, starred review

"You had me at 'steampunk western.' This reviewer was bowled over by the concept and thrilled that The Hunter is also a well-written story with characters I can't wait to spend more time with. Can't wait for more of those diabolically delicious Jackson brothers." - 4.5 Stars and Top Pick! Terri Dukes, reviewer RT Bookreviews Magazine

About the Author

The progeny of a slightly mad (NASA) scientist and a tea-drinking bibliophile who turned the family dining room into a library, Theresa Meyers learned early the value of a questioning mind, books and a good china teapot. A former journalist and public relations officer, she found far more enjoyment using her writing skills to pen paranormal novels in the turret office of her Victorian home. She's spent nearly a quarter of a century with the boy who took her to the Prom, drinks tea with milk and sugar, is an adamant fan of the television show Supernatural, and has an indecent love of hats.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Zebra; Original edition (November 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1420121243
• ISBN-13: 978-1420121247
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 0.9 x 6.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,444,711 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Fun story but not original enough November 3, 2011

By D. C. Ash

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

This was a fun read. I had some issues with the book but all in all it was worth buying.
A Few Problems I Had:

The mythology of the hunters and the "supernaturals" they chase share far too many details with the show Supernatural on the CW. Now if these were generic vampire/demon/shifter traits I'd give it a pass, but there were too many small traits that arent common legends that were close to identical. The silvery eye flash of shifters, the use of salt to temporarily dissipate ghosts, a special supernatural killing gun made by Samuel Colt and callrd "the colt". Even the basic premise of brothers raised in hunting with a mother killed by demons one brother fiercely loyal to hunting and the other(s) trying to lead a normal life are exact plot details both stoylines share.

But beyond that the romance between lily and colt was too fast. When lily decided she loved colt there really wasn't any true basis for it yet. Especially not for a practiced succubus, regardless of how much of a heart of gold she may have. The author set her up as an experienced demon who had once been an experienced con artist. Now, admittedly she was forced into it by her father but the flimsy basis for her discovery that she was falling in love would barely be believed even from the most naive virgin.

All that aside the steam punk elements were great and the story was fun. I do love supernatural the tv show so the elements borrowed were probably a plus for me if I'm being honest. So while this book isn't as great as Meljean Brook's iron Duke series, it's definitely worth buying and I'll be buying the next installment.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A Steamy Adventure April 9, 2012

By Jasmine White

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

The Hunter, by Theresa Meyers, is a steampunk western romance...with demons. And if that sounds awesome, it's because it is.

Colt Jackson, the youngest of the three Jackson brothers, is a Hunter. A hunter of the supernatural, actually, and by all accounts, a damned good one too. It runs in the family.

That's the kind of thing that makes having to strike a deal with a demon (one he's sure will end up with him losing his soul) a little awkward. But if that means saving the world from all hell breaking loose, well...

So, Colt summons up a succubus, Lilly, and the two of them head off to find his father's portion of the Book of Legend, so that he can seal off the Gates of Nyx. Naturally, nothing goes quite as planned, and Colt and Lilly find themselves thrown into a high pressure, high stakes situation, which leads to fast chemistry and a forged bond.

I liked this book. Lilly and Colt make a good couple and a good team. At times I wished there had been more action, but the two of them made for an enjoyable read the entire time. And it was refreshing to see characters who managed to toe the line between letting go of all of their long-held beliefs at first sight, and clinging to them past the point of reason. A lot of authors use that as a crutch for conflict, but Meyers avoids that pitfall, and I thank her.

Normally I don't like when romance novels add science fiction or fantasy elements, because the writer is often not as adept at handling those parts of the story, and the whole thing feels like it's taking place in front of flimsy backdrops. Meyers, however, does a very good job of blending the genres so they all feel like they fit into the tale. The Hunter would be a different story without the supernatural aspect of it.... The western setting and the demons worked especially well together.

However, I would have liked to have seen more steampunk. Not necessarily in terms of more gadgets and whatnot, but more in terms of the feeling. It's the kind of thing I hesitate to bring up, because I can't quantify it. But it didn't feel like a steampunk story to me.

Then again, the book is primarily a romance novel, and it reads like that. Lots of sexual tension, innuendo, and descriptions of girls in dresses. I did enjoy the kind of clever explanation of why Colt, who is definitely not the kind of guy you'd expect to take such detailed notice of a lady's outfit, was paying so much attention to Lilly's costume changes. He's obsverant? It's cute, and I'll buy it.

If you like romance novels, and you're wanting to blend the genres a bit, then I would definitely suggest this book. If you're more of a fantasy/science fiction fan looking for something with more romance, this book might make you restless. "Why haven't they been attacked by bandits, or bit by a snake or something? They haven't been in trouble for like ten chapters!"

I'll admit to being completely predisposed to liking the book. Steampunk western? Why, that's my favourite kind! One of the main characters is a succubus? I've been so into them ever since getting into Lost Girl. Gritty characters in a gritty world? I can feel the sand and dust already!

If those are things you love, then perhaps you too will enjoy the book.

That being said, I knew before I started the story that it people were going to draw similarities between it and Supernatural. A family of demon-hunting men, one of them named Winchester, whose mother had been killed by a demon? I haven't even seen Supernatural and I know that much is pretty similar.

But, having not seen Supernatural, I can't say how much it resembles the show or not, and I'm not entirely inclined to take a fan's word on it (there are Supernatural fans who believe the series invented salt). So I offer no comment there, except to say that there was nothing so out of the blue in this book that I thought, "She must have taken it from somewhere else!" If you're not familiar with the show, you won't feel lost in the book, in other words. Read more ›

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Skimming the surface November 28, 2011

By JRD

Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This was an average start to a new series. I didn't love it or hate it. The biggest problem I had with it was that both the hero and heroine kept sliding around as charcters. Lilly is supposed to be a rough and tough girl who has lived a hard life before she sold her soul for something she could have easily taken care of herself - then she's been a succubus that has ENJOYED taking souls and yet she then is portrayed as this heart of gold, lip quivering, delicate flower. It was jarring. Colt was supposed to be this hardcore outlaw, yet was a "green" hunter at the most a year ago (if I figured out the timeline correctly). I mean, alot can happen in a year - but still. It just felt as though the author was more intrested in getting in depth with the environment than the characters themselves. That being said, I plan on picking up the next book - maybe it will get better - I might just stick with this trilogy so that I know the conclusion , then never pick up a book from this author again. The next two books will decide for me.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Great world, too much romance June 23, 2012

By Jason Kivela

Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I really love this book's world. Weird west steam punk is one of my favorites. The plot is good too. But the romance part, yuck. Very boudice ripper. And the author just goes on and on about heaving boosums, tight jeans and how they can never be together. Plus the protaganist can not stopping thinking about how much he wants her, but can't. But the world building and gadgets were enough to keep me interested to finish it. (Vampires flying dirigables, clock work horses, lightning guns, come on! How can you pass that up?) This is one of the only books where I skipped paragraphs. Anything that delt with the two thinking about each other. Very imaginative with the Hell and torture scene. Overall good, just too much romance for me.