Hunting in Bruges by E. J. Stevens
Series: Hunter's Guild #1
Published by Sacred Oaks Press
Published on: November 11, 2014
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 274
Format: eARC
Source: Author
Amazon | GoodReads
The only thing worse than being a Hunter in the fae-ridden city of Harborsmouth, is hunting vamps in Bruges.
Being shipped off to Belgium sucks. The medieval city of Bruges is quaint, but the local Hunters' Guild is understaffed, the canals are choked with dead bodies, and there's no shortage of supernatural predators as likely suspects.
On second thought, maybe Bruges isn't so bad after all.
With a desire to prove herself, protect the innocent, and advance within the ranks of the Hunters' Guild, Jenna Lehane hits the cobbled streets of Bruges with blades at the ready. Someone, or something, is murdering tourists and dumping their bodies in the city's scenic canals. With the help of a mysterious stranger, Jenna begins to piece together clues that are dotted throughout the city like blood spatter.
Determined to stop the killings, Jenna delves into a bloody local history that only raises more questions--but some secrets are best left buried. Jenna must put her combat training to the test as she struggles to unearth the truth about an ancient enemy.
Hunting in Bruges is the first novel in the Hunters' Guild urban fantasy series set in the world of Ivy Granger.
For those of you that read, the Ivy Granger Psychic Detective books, this could be your next must read book. This was my first book by this author, and as soon as I finished, I bought the first book in the Ivy Granger series, Shadow Sight. Why? Because I could not put this book down. I flat out loved it!
When a book(uncorrected copy) starts with the sentence “I’ve been seeing ghosts for as long as I can remember”, I am so in for the read. Jenna Lehane is an American Hunter for the supernatural Hunter’s Guild, and has been since she was thirteen. She is sent to Bruges in Belgium to help out the Guild there when bodies start being found in the canals. The Guild there is operating on a skeletal staff due to most of the hunters being away. Pretty much the only ones left are the misfits of the Guild, not good when tourists are getting killed by unknown supernaturals. She meets a man on the train that becomes her friend. Ash is very eccentric, funny, good looking, and actually pretty perfect.
This read was character driven as much as it was story driven. Jenna is the ultimate hunter, but she has self confidence issues, and wonders if she was sent to Belgium as punishment. There’s a story there, I promise. She has never made time for herself, and is pretty much all about the work-24/7. Ash is like a breath of fresh air to her. He makes her take the time to see the city of Bruges, and it comes alive for the reader. I knew nothing about Bruges before this, and now I can absolutely picture this ancient city. Once she starts hunting, it’s not long before she realizes that vampires are the culprits she is looking for. Seems there’s an ancient vampire turf war going on, and it involves hundreds of vampires. It’s up to Jenna to flush the vampires out, and try to rid the city of them. And that brings me back to the misfits. There’s a sex crazed, drugged out, but beautiful, witch, a drunk doctor, a blind, male librarian/archivist, and a explosive happy, one armed man. A pretty rag-tagged group, that super courageous Jenna, now has to lead against the vamps.
Hunting in Bruges, is told from Jenna’s point of view, and I loved her thoughts, as well as her actual dialogue, which I thought was very well written, as was this entire book. I found the characters to be very fully realized by the author, and enjoyed getting to know most all of them. There are at least two villains in this story, and I am not talking about vampires. They too, were fully fleshed out as heinous individuals.
I’ve read a lot of books about female supernatural hunters(as I am sure many of you have), but when one is so different, as this one was for me, then it quickly became one of my favorites, of all books with that very common premise. I am all about books that aren’t the same old, same old, for sure. This book is full of action, deaths, supernatural creatures, and is perfect for the adult urban fantasy fan, and I for one, can’t wait for the next installment.
On another note, I am not a fan of the cover, and hopefully it won’t stop people from reading this fascinating book.
I’m Lorna and I live in Maryland. Since retiring, I spend my time mostly reading and reviewing books. My favorite reads are Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, and Young Adult. I read a lot of indie books in addition to traditionally published books. Favorite paranormal creature? Vampires, but I am really liking werewolves more everyday.
This sounds really good. I’ve never heard of this author, but I think I’m going to add this book TBR list based on this review. I agree about the cover, I would’ve walked right passed this one without a second thought, I’m ashamed to admit. I have read some great books with bad covers, but once again, it was based on a great book review.
Melanie Simmons recently posted…Best Audiobook Player App for Smartphones (besides Audible)
Oh me too..if a book doesn’t have a good cover, I rarely look at it twice-unless I read good reviews. I hope you enjoy the book!
Lorna recently posted…Early Review: Hunting in Bruges by E.J. Stevens
Very nice review Lorna, and thanks for bringing this author to my attention. I have been to Brugges, as a tourist a few years ago. It is a gorgeous old city, famous for its canals and chocolates.
aurian recently posted…New additions to my addiction
Thank you! It made me want to visit there for sure. It sounds beautiful-you are lucky to have visited there!
Lorna recently posted…Early Review: Hunting in Bruges by E.J. Stevens
I’ve read quite a few reviews for this one now. People either love or hate that cover and while I like it because I think it kinda really tells us where the story takes place, it is a bit cartoonish at the same time. But hey, at least there’s an entire face and not just a torso and no head like some covers do. Sounds like an interesting premise for a story. Thanks for the review.
Mary Kirkland recently posted…Things You Should Know Before Buying a Pet Hamster or Rat
You’re welcome 🙂 Yeah I am getting really tired of the half a body ones also!
Sold! I already fell in love with her writing in her YA series. I really need to read the rest of her work as well. The author is such a sweetie as well!
kindlemom1 recently posted…Something Wicked With Author Cecy Robson!
Oh I hope you like it as much as the others. I really loved it-I guess you can tell 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Early Review: Hunting in Bruges by E.J. Stevens
I have to admit, I would have passed it over based on the cover. You’ve tickled my curiosity enough to add it to my TBR pile, though.
I know,I think the cover will turn a lot of people away and that’s a shame!
Lorna recently posted…Early Review: Hunting in Bruges by E.J. Stevens
the cover is not tempting me at all but like i told you before this is set in my country so i do want to read this and your review just makes me want reading it more as the quality is there too
i haven’t read her other series either but it’s on my wishlist since quite some time already
miki recently posted…La Malédiction de l’Aube (Negociator T.1) par C. E. Murphy
Oh I hope you like it-have you visited Bruges? I know I will never make it to Europe, but it would be a place I would go if I did get there 🙂
i have when i was at primary school i think. it’s beautiful but if you love historical place Belgium have more than only Bruge^^
and never says never^^ we don’t know what fate has in store for us after all
miki recently posted…La Malédiction de l’Aube (Negociator T.1) par C. E. Murphy
Well I no longer fly so probably not going anywhere overseas. 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Early Review: Hunting in Bruges by E.J. Stevens
I don’t like the cover much either… I love ghost stories too! Was the hauntings creepy? Like dont-read-this-at-night-turn-on-the-lights creeptastic?
Braine Talk Supe recently posted…Loved It: Undead &… Underwater, Unsure, & Unwary by Mary Janice Davidson
No, the ghosts weren’t the bad guys, the vampires are the creepy things in this book, they are pretty much monsters. Of course there are ghosts- as it is an ancient city 🙂
Oh I misnderstood! Boink! I thought there were ghosts too based on that first sentence on top of the vamps.
Oh there’s definitely ghost 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Early Review: Hunting in Bruges by E.J. Stevens
Oh that cover is just atrocious. Lol. But hey, it’s what’s on the inside that counts. And from the sounds of it, it wouldn’t matter if the cover is a turn off.
Glad you enjoyed!
Joy (Joyousreads) recently posted…[441]: I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson
Yes I really did enjoy it, thanks! And I probably would never have read it based on the cover for sure 🙂
Sounds great! I added it to my list – I was just thinking, it’s becoming harder to even keep up with these books’ name – We had Guild Hunter now we have Hunter’s guild..lol
I love when I find something different, I very curious now 🙂
Thanks Lorna.
Lupdilup recently posted…Best Audiobook Player App for Smartphones (besides Audible)
I thought it was different, and thought Jenna was too, I hope you like it if you try it 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: The Fall by Bethany Griffin
Ooh sounds great! I’m glad that Jenna worked well for you as a protagonist and that the plot was brilliant too. I’m not a fan of the cover either–but goes to show that you can never judge a book by its cover. 😛
Lovely review, Lorna! <33
Yes and the bad part for me, I do judge books by covers, and I know I probably shouldn’t!
I am saying nah, not for me
blodeuedd recently posted…Author Interview: Zana Bell
We can’t all like the same books for sure 🙂
Wow, Lorna! I’m going to have to read Hunting in Bruges sooner rather than later. I love character-driven stories and it sounds like this delivers. But well developed characters, a good story, and writing that puts you right into a place you’ve never been? Yeah, it does sound like a book not to be put down. I’m glad you loved this! Fabulous review!
Bookworm Brandee recently posted…**OctobeRec Fest Review #1 ~ Angel Kin ~ Tricia Skinner**
Thank you Brandee! I really loved this book! Hope you do too if you try it!
Lorna recently posted…Early Review: Hunting in Bruges by E.J. Stevens