Review of 'The Last Huntress'

Alice Daniels has a problem. Her reflection keeps misbehaving when she looks in the mirror—and the longer she ignores it, the harder it tries to get her attention. On her eighteenth birthday, she learns why: she is a huntress, someone gifted with the power to enter mirrors and the magical world that exists beyond.

But with this power comes immense responsibility, for in the Mirror Realm lurks an evil that has infected the human race for centuries: demons. It is up to her and her three huntress sisters—with the help of one handsome and overbearing protector—to hunt and banish this evil one demon at a time, thereby keeping the chaos in check.

But when an ancient god pays Alice a visit that turns deadly, it is clear the Mirror Realm is more than it seems, and she soon finds herself in a race against time to save the life—and soul—of the one man the gods are determined to never let her have.

The Last Huntress is a story of redemption and sacrifice, the bonds of true sisterhood, and the impossible, sometimes frightening, things we’ll do for love.

Review

Inspired by Greek Mythology, The Last Huntress follows Alice through a magical realm behind mirrors as she hunts demons with her newfound sisters.

Okay, so there were things I liked and disliked about the book. Let’s start with what I did like, shall we?

What I Liked

The Greek mythology was done very well here. As someone who has studied Greek mythology almost all my life, I love seeing a more profound development into the more obscure tales in Greek mythology. For example, the Last Huntress follows the story of Tisiphone, one of the Erinyes (Furies). Tisiphone fell in love with the mortal man, Cithaeron, only to have him betray her and kill her when her true identity was revealed.

Forever cursed, Cithaeron is reincarnated every generation to guide and train the new set of furies to hunt the demons his daughter unintentionally let loose behind her mirror realm.

I liked that Borja was able to spin this new take, to take something so obscure and flush out the mythology into something unique.

The sisterly love was also something new and unique in the storytelling. Alice has found her own family here, her own sisters who understand her deeply and emotionally. Even when Persephone came into the mix, it was fun and heartwarming.

However, not everything worked out this way.

Cringeworthy

One of my biggest pet peeves is the insta-love trope. Yes, Alice and Cithaeron have a deep connection; they’re soulmates. But it was slightly cringe because he was a dick to her when they first met and Alice was so caught up in him.

The pacing in developing their relationship was also way too fast. As readers, we don’t see these two fall in love. We see them attracted to one another and then declaring their love, but it lacks substance. You can use the insta-love trope but still build the relationship.

As the relationship “develops,” there is this toxicity behind it. Both characters do incredibly questionable things to protect the other one. This includes drugging and kidnapping on both parties. It is cringeworthy and takes away what should be a loving relationship.

I also hate it when male or female characters say “baby” as a term of endearment. It sounded facetious and condescending, especially given their highly inappropriate and questionable behavior.

Final Thoughts

The Last Huntress left a lot to be desired. I didn’t hate it, but I also didn’t love it, finding many problems with the pacing and development of the romance.

• Writing Quality : 5/10
• Character Development : 5/10
• "Couldn't Put It Down"-ness : 5/10
• Intellectual Depth: 5/10
• Originality: 7/10
• Overall Rating: 2 out of 5.

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About the Author

Cynthia Bujnicki graduated from Emerson College with a BA in Writing, Literature and Publishing. She has always loved to read since she was a child. A contributing writer for YA Fantasy Addicts, she is also the Editor-in-Chief for Cyn's Workshop. She lives in sunny South Florida with her husband, son and daughter and their two cats.