The Unicorn Hunters by Katherine Arden Publishes 6/2/26

 


I absolutely adored this story!  It is historical fiction crossed with fantasy and amazing characters.  There is action, mystery, magic, and romance.  The cherry on top is that the main character is actually based on a real person.  


Anne is an intelligent Duchess of Brittany who she is afraid to lose her land to France.  She has a plan that involves stalling the French emissary who has come to force her to marry the king of France.  She holds a unicorn hunt.  While on the hunt strange and mysterious things happen including meeting a man who claims to have been lost for 200 years. Anne must use all her wits to keep her family and subjects safe as well as hold on to her kingdom. 


First of all, I read this book in two days as I did not want to stop reading.  Set in the Middle Ages, it has all the elements of a fairy tale yet it is so MUCH better!  There is a strong female character who is smart and who is the leader.  She does not need a man to save her.  The supporting characters were just as good.  I also loved Butter the cat!  He was one of the best parts. 


There was so much action and adventure.  Just when I thought I knew how something was going to happen there was a new twist and the novel moved in a new direction.  The fantasy elements were unique.  I enjoyed reading about the Lost Lands and the different mythological elements.  The fact that the forest is based on a real one in France was even more intriguing.  This is by far one of the best books I have read this year!  

5 out of 5 stars!

Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for this ARC.  All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

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