Book Review: Hidden Huntress by Danielle L. Jensen

I freakin’ love the first book of the series, Stolen Songbird. And I was extremely excited to read Hidden Huntress. That being said, I haven’t had the time to read this immediately after I received my copy, not until now.

I have read mixed reviews about this book. Some loved it still, but some didn’t like it as much. So I have set my expectations lower because I’m afraid to get disappointed.

BUT I DON’T UNDERSTAND WHY SOME OF YOU DIDN’T LIKE THIS SEQUEL. LIKE, SERIOUSLY???

This is the sequel I have been waiting for! I adore this book so much. I love this book to the core of my whole being.

Alright, I was being exaggerated. Honestly, I didn’t love Hidden Huntress as much as I loved the first book, but I still found it very absorbing and captivating… well not until I was halfway of the book.

The story. The beginning of the book is extremely slow. I am well aware that on this sequel, we’re going to get introduced to a new place. Yep, Trianon. Cécile is on her way to becoming a famous opera singer and is in the process of hunting down Anushka to set his lover, Tristan, if not all trolls to freedom. And all of it took place in Trianon and on Cécile’s POV. I got bored. Cécile’s POV is kinda dragging and that’s when I have looked forward to Tristan’s POV so much.

But then, the plot and story eventually caught up halfway of the book. That’s when I found myself unable to stop flipping the pages of the book.

This is much more action-packed. There were more magics and witch crafts! More questions answered, more revelations, and more twists and turns. And more Tristan!

As the story goes, more and more questions formed in my mind. And the more it progress, the more answers I was getting. There were more political scheming and plotting. There were more things I found about out the trolls, the half-bloods, Cécile and even Anushka. I liked how the whole story quickly developed. I was always on the edge of my seat (or my bed) until the end.  I was so caught up with all the happenings that I even skipped doing some of my workloads. (Well, talk about being so irresponsible.)

The world-building is still impeccable and awe-inspiring. I wasn’t even surprised. I saw it in Stolen Songbird so I’ve expected much on Hidden Huntress. But given Danielle’s astonishing world-building on Hidden Huntress, I know there’s a lot more she can offer. Most of the book took place in Trianon, and not in Trollus. I honestly love Trollus more than the human world, and I missed a lot of it. I think there’s none about 5% of the book where I saw Trollus, but there’s something on Danielle’s writing that you will really appreciate and Trianon is still as lovely and well-described nonetheless.

The characters. Lots of times when I got so frustrated on Cécile’s actions and decisions, but she always manage to win me over in the end. There was a binding promise between her and King Thibault so I have widen my understanding of her and believed that all those annoying actions were due to that binding promise that’s driving her mad.

I should say that Tristan is the most developed character in Hidden Huntress. I was able to empathize with his character and he grew so much more in me. Tristan’s POV is a lot more entertaining. His POVs are the ones I looked forward the most.

Sabine and Chris got more exposure. They became a big part of the gang. At first, I didn’t like Sabine for hating Tristan, but she eventually changed and I came to like her. Same with Chris, I didn’t like him in Stolen Songbird but seeing how he remained with Tristan and Cécile’s side throughout the story is very admirable. And God knows, how I liked him and Tristan together! I even shipped their bromance. Ooops!

Props to Danielle for giving Anushka a fresh and awesome backstory. It was always good to know more about the enemy, not just living us in the dark with more questions. I was able to understand how and why she did everything she did.

I missed a lot of the trolls, especially Marc, and the twins and the half-bloods we knew from Stolen Songbird. And Anaïs. I have never felt sorry for Anaïs. But oh well, spoiler spoiler!

The plot twists. Alright, I’m not so sure if I was just overly ignorant and slow because it’s like almost all those who read the book have predicted what was going to happen. THEY ALL FREAKING KNEW IT! But I don’t! Am I the only one who got so surprised to know the big revelations? Well, I’m not that too ignorant, you see. I saw those coming… but not until I’m near the big reveal. lol.

The romance. I saved this for the second last because… Oh my God! I loved Tristan and Cécile’s chemistry even more. The first half of the book where they’re separated was so effective because the anticipation to see them together is just so overwhelming. And when they’re finally together? Oh! Stones and sky! I just want to tie and lock them up together so they won’t get separated ever again!!! I fangirled. I felt so giddy. I cried. I got so overly excited. And there’s a particular part where I freakin’ rolled all over my bed. Because. Of. Too. Much. Feels.

The ending. And the ending? Oh my glob! It was spectacularly marvelous ending! Well, so much for a cliffhanger ending. I. Just. Can’t. Wait. For the 3rd and last book!!! Can’t you just give it to me already?

Final verdict. Aside from the slow beginnings, I love everything about this book. If you haven’t read the series yet, well, I’m telling you, YOU ARE MISSING A LOT. So much more to fuel our imaginations. I totally recommend this book for an out-of-this-world adventure. This book is a must! Did I make myself clear?