Genre: Historical, 1920s, Romance, Paranormal
LGBTQ+ Category: MM Gay, Non-Binary
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
Sequel to Shadows on the Border
Inadvertently tumbling through the border after Fenn and then thrown into the middle of the internecine political disputes of their people, Sergeant Will Grant of the Metropolitan Police has spent three months in prison in the Underhalls of the Frem. When Fenn comes to free him and return him home through the border, he has very little time to work out what’s going on before the sudden appearance of Fenn’s missing younger sibling Keren throws Fenn for a loop.
Instead of returning them to London as planned, the trio step through the border to the Egyptian desert. Once they work out where they are, it’s a two week trip back to England with the possibility of pursuit both onboard ship and when they reach home.
Will the journey give Fenn and Will time to resolve the feelings they have been dancing around since the day they met? How will they keep Keren from recapture by the faction who tried to persuade Fenn they were dead? And has Will’s friend Alec forgiven Fenn for lying about their motives when they first traveled to London four months ago?
The Review
Before I start this review for “The Hunted and The Hind,” I want to make a point that I re-read and listened to the audio for book two “Shadows On The Border” of the “Lost In Time” trilogy. I want to praise Callum Hale – he did a tremendous narration of that novel. His dialect, accent and distinctive pronunciations were spot on. He gave each character their own voice, and the emotions came through with each and every one.
Something I also failed to mention the first time around was how clear AL Lester made the use of the pronouns: their, them, and they – she carries their use throughout “The Hunted and the Hind”.
From “Shadows On The Border” Fenn and Sgt. Will Grant had both crossed the Shimmer. This led to Will Grant being imprisoned by the Frem, and he hadn’t seen Fenn in months. It’s a shock to Will when Fenn surprisingly shows up and rushes him off immediately. Fenn has a plan that could possibly help the two of them cross the Shimmer back to London.
Fenn and Will are surprised when Ana and Fenn’s brother Keren appear during the escape. Fenn has so many questions, but there’s not enough time. They have to get ready to cross or the chance will be lost.
Once they do, the trio finds themselves in Egypt, where they across trek the hot sands to get to civilization. With the help of Detective Alec Carter, the three of them board a ship for a long voyage to London.
The voyage at sea becomes an eye-opener for Fenn and Will, which gives them more understanding of the power of their Kias.
With the danger of escape, the heat of the desert and the adventurous voyage aboard ship, Fenn and Will’s connection grows deeper. But will they all still remain in danger as they fear Malach will try to find them and kill them all?
This final novel from AL Lester is an outstanding historical, mystical fantasy, with a future some are already aware of.
There’s a lot that I want to say but I don’t want to give away any spoilers. AL Lester clearly explains the Frem, Ternants, Hunters, the shimmer and the power of the gable-stones and the Kias. This novel brings the power of the Kias to the forefront, and finally explains how it connects Fenn, Keren, Will and Lew. This book is all about high emotions, with a fast paced storyline, action, corruption, old horrid traditions and the power of the Kias.
There’s a host of great secondary characters, including Fenn and Keren’s mother, as well as the history of Ana and Cora and the role Keren eventually plays. I also enjoyed Will’s mother, Mrs. Grant and the emotional moment that Will reveals about his brother Mark.
There’s also Lew Tyler and Alec Cater and their continuing relationship.
AL Lester has created an amazing story about Fenn and Will and Lew and Alec, and how time takes them into the future. I am sad to see the “Lost In Time” trilogy come to an end. I highly recommend this series, especially for those who love fantasy and romance. I can’t wait for this to come out on audio!!
The books in the trilogy are “Lost In Time”, “Shadows On The Border” and “The Hunted and the Hind”.
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.