3.5 - 4 Stars - I recommend this if you enjoy YA fantasy. It reminded me a lot of The Hunger Games + AC Gaughan's Scarlet series + Three Dark Crowns.

This book follows Britta who recently lost her father (bounty hunter to the king), and her period of mourning is ending. She expects the king's men to show up and seize her land any day now. Her only hope of surviving winter is a good kill that she can trade at the market for lodging this winter. When she is caught with the meat she is taken on poaching charges by the king's men. She is given a bargain: either she will hang, or she will track down her best friend and bring him in for his crimes. She chooses to track her friend, and from there many things are not what they seem. (I don't want to spoil anything!)

This book started out pretty quickly, but I wanted more from the setting. I didn't quite get the world right away. After just a bit more reading I was hooked. It reminded me a bit of The Hunger Games meets that great Scarlet (Robin Hood re-telling) that I read last year! I didn't think I would continue to be interested in it.. but I couldn't stop reading! I liked that it was almost what would have happened with Katniss and Gale had there been no Peeta. About 60% - 65% through the book you find out more about the world, as well as some of the magic - which I really enjoyed. It added a lot of depth to the story. Toward the end of the book there are a decent number of twists and turns. Some of which I saw coming, but not the one on the last page! OMG has anyone read this?! I want to find out what happens next, so I'll definitely read the next one once it comes out! :)

This title was given to me by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. These reviews are my own opinion, and based on the edition of the book I was given at the time. Thank you Netgalley!