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The Hunter and the Witch
(Crescent City Arcana #0.5)
by
A Crescent City Arcana short story
A lethal stranger hunted Bethany Hayes down and nearly killed her. But without uttering a single word, he spared her life and vanished, turning her world upside down. Left with newfound abilities and visions of her attacker, Beth tried to make the most of this second chance.
Lucius Sempronius Asper learned to kill in the amphitheaters of an ...more
A lethal stranger hunted Bethany Hayes down and nearly killed her. But without uttering a single word, he spared her life and vanished, turning her world upside down. Left with newfound abilities and visions of her attacker, Beth tried to make the most of this second chance.
Lucius Sempronius Asper learned to kill in the amphitheaters of an ...more
ebook, Smashwords, 24 pages
Published
April 28th 2015
by Rachel Chanticleer
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Community Reviews
Showing 1-30

Start your review of The Hunter and the Witch (Crescent City Arcana #0.5)

Sep 27, 2017
Werner
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Fans of urban fantasy short stories
Recommended to Werner by:
My Goodreads friend E. G. gave it five stars
This short e-story serves as a prequel for the author's self-published Crescent City Arcana urban fantasy series, providing an origin story for her hero and an explanation of how he and the heroine met. Being a fan of the fiction of the supernatural, when my Goodreads friend E.G. gave it a five-star rating and mentioned in her review that it's free on Kindle, I was intrigued enough to check it out. While I didn't like it quite as much as she did, I did find it an enjoyable light read to pass tim
...more

4 to 4 1/2 stars
In this novelette, we are introduced to Lucius Sempronius Asper, a former gladiator and slave, trapped into the role of unwilling assassin by an evil sorceress. Heartless and power hungry, she forces him to hunt and destroy other witches for centuries.
She bent down to meet his eyes. "This will be your fate if you disobey me. I brought you from the edge of death, and I can take you back to it. I will keep you alive in this state of torment until the end of time, slave. You will k ...more
In this novelette, we are introduced to Lucius Sempronius Asper, a former gladiator and slave, trapped into the role of unwilling assassin by an evil sorceress. Heartless and power hungry, she forces him to hunt and destroy other witches for centuries.
She bent down to meet his eyes. "This will be your fate if you disobey me. I brought you from the edge of death, and I can take you back to it. I will keep you alive in this state of torment until the end of time, slave. You will k ...more

I read this for the Witches square for Halloween Bingo
The vision she'd seen in the waters of her scrying bowl under the glow of tonight's moon showed her yet another witch with the potential to become more powerful than herself. Helena couldn't ignore it. She had to act.
This was a Kindle Freebie I had downloaded a while ago, so I didn't do too much investigating beyond the title to make sure it matched the square. It is more of an introduction and set-up to the series. We are introduced to ...more
The vision she'd seen in the waters of her scrying bowl under the glow of tonight's moon showed her yet another witch with the potential to become more powerful than herself. Helena couldn't ignore it. She had to act.
This was a Kindle Freebie I had downloaded a while ago, so I didn't do too much investigating beyond the title to make sure it matched the square. It is more of an introduction and set-up to the series. We are introduced to ...more

Mar 31, 2015
Renégade ♥
added it
ETA on 07/17/17:
The prequel for this series is perma-FREE (see various booksellers/links at bottom of post) and worth reading.
***
Now FREE on Smashwords:
This was voted by Gotta Have Romance with Kick group members as being one the top three winning stories of the 2014 Kick'n Writing Contest.
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/...

I'm so thrilled to now see it published and wanted to share! :)
***
My Review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
***
Available at:
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Hun ...more
The prequel for this series is perma-FREE (see various booksellers/links at bottom of post) and worth reading.
***
Now FREE on Smashwords:
This was voted by Gotta Have Romance with Kick group members as being one the top three winning stories of the 2014 Kick'n Writing Contest.
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/...

I'm so thrilled to now see it published and wanted to share! :)
***
My Review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
***
Available at:
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Hun ...more

It's amazing what some writers can put into a short story. I'm in serious awe of Rachel Chanticleer's talent. With a few words she painted a clear picture of Bethany, the witch, and Lucius, the hunter. And Lucius was so yummy!
I adored the battle scene near the end, and was on the edge of my seat throughout it. If I hadn't been at work, hiding my reading addiction, I would've cheered and groaned. *laughs*
A great introduction into what could be a fascinating UF world.
Edited to add that this is fre ...more
I adored the battle scene near the end, and was on the edge of my seat throughout it. If I hadn't been at work, hiding my reading addiction, I would've cheered and groaned. *laughs*
A great introduction into what could be a fascinating UF world.
Edited to add that this is fre ...more

Jul 17, 2017
Carvanz
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
buy-more,
heroine-attacked,
fantasy,
mild-violence,
assassin,
fast-read,
part-of-a-series,
male-pov,
magic,
paranormal
What a great introduction to Ms. Chanticleer’s new Crescent City series. I just know I’m going to love both Beth and Lucius. What’s not to love about a centuries old gladiator turned witch assassin and a church raised witch who is coming into her own? Gotta say, I was expecting this to go a whole different direction so I’m especially excited to continue into the series with Infernal Embrace.
Dual POV
Safe
No Triggers
Dual POV
Safe
No Triggers

Wow, this short story packs quite a punch! Rachel Chanticleer is my writing buddy, but prior to the release of The Hunter and The Witch, I have not yet read any of her projects. I was blown away, totally exceeded my expectations. There is beauty in the way she writes; a phenomenal set of characters, great imagery presented, and an engaging plot. I want more. ;)
The Hunter and The Witch is available on Smashwords as a freebie
* * * * *
...more
The Hunter and The Witch is available on Smashwords as a freebie
* * * * *


Wow! What a GREAT debut novella.
I expected to like this, because I have seen some snippets of what Rachel is capable of in a few of our mutual GR groups, but this was terrific!
I love PNR because if it's done right, it generally comes with a good, rich backstory and in this book it is done perfectly.
Lucius was 'saved' from death long ago in Rome, but his salvation came with a heavy price, eternal servitude to an evil witch he has tried to escape for centuries. To no avail. Forced to be the unwill ...more
I expected to like this, because I have seen some snippets of what Rachel is capable of in a few of our mutual GR groups, but this was terrific!
I love PNR because if it's done right, it generally comes with a good, rich backstory and in this book it is done perfectly.
Lucius was 'saved' from death long ago in Rome, but his salvation came with a heavy price, eternal servitude to an evil witch he has tried to escape for centuries. To no avail. Forced to be the unwill ...more

This was a good introduction to the characters. It was well written and the descriptions flowed well. At first reading the visceral descriptions made me think of Gladiator the movie. The plotline about the older witch put me in the mind of Snow White. It was a well-thought out short prequel. The burgeoning romance between Beth and Lucius was sweet.

2.5
The Hunter and the Witch is a nice little teaser story. It introduces a former gladiator and a young woman, who's just beginning to realise the power she has.
It's pretty short, but still manages to highlight at least a couple of entertaining things about these two, their history, her family and the secret world they are surrounded.
(view spoiler) ...more
The Hunter and the Witch is a nice little teaser story. It introduces a former gladiator and a young woman, who's just beginning to realise the power she has.
It's pretty short, but still manages to highlight at least a couple of entertaining things about these two, their history, her family and the secret world they are surrounded.
(view spoiler) ...more

Mar 31, 2015
Denise
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
paranormal,
fantasy,
suspense,
fighter,
adult-fiction,
1st-in-series,
series,
kick-ass-heroine,
mystery,
magic
Wow! This is what a debut should be like. It had such a kick to the story that it was incredible how much it sucked you in for being less than 30 pages. This sucked me right into the story of dark magic, and witches being hunted for their powers. I seriously need books 2. You hear that Ms. Chanticleer? It's the sound of me wanting the next book like, right now, please! Lol.
Honestly, you will not be disappointed in this quick magical read. ...more
Honestly, you will not be disappointed in this quick magical read. ...more

Sep 25, 2016
E.G. Manetti
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
urban-fantasy
This novella is so short, it is hard to write a review without spoilers. Suffice it that Lucius is hot, honorable, and through no fault of his own, in a bad spot. Bethany is bright, determined, and a little freaked by her paranormal abilities. Together they can be powerful. So come on Ms. Chanticleer - get on it. Where's the full length follow-up?
...more
...more

Short and enjoyable read. It left me hanging in the end though, because I wanted more. I wanted to explore Bethany’s magic and prowess and Lucios’ killer skills. I hope there’s more to their adventure and relationship.

Jul 02, 2015
Iza Brekilien
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
novella-short-stories,
pnr-uf-horror
Excellent start to a series, intriguing, I'll definitely read the rest !
...more

Aug 14, 2015
Lorraine
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
4-star,
paranormal
A short read that whets your appetite for what will hopefully continue in future books.
For a short read, the book contains plenty of detail, a good backstory, wonderful characters and an interesting plot.
For a short read, the book contains plenty of detail, a good backstory, wonderful characters and an interesting plot.

Let me start off by saying that I really hope the author will continue with this story. The Hunter and the Witch is a short story and only whets your appetite. But if you only have a little time, then I highly recommend it. The book is well written and entertaining. The background story is very intriguing. I love Lucius already and we barely had a chance to meet him. Beth is a strong female lead and her Aunt May was a fun secondary character. I'm itching to know more about Beth's powers and I li
...more

I really, really enjoyed this story. Great setup, great backstory...but too quick of an ending. I know it's a short story, but I wanted more meat of how Bethany got as strong as she did. The victory at the end seemed a bit unrealistic (funny word to use for this genre, I know) for Bethany being such a novice witch. The author's writing is solid and full of talent. I hope she keeps on writing. I'd definitely read more of her stuff!
...more

Since Beth had a accident coming home from her friend house during Mardi Gras, she had strengthened her witch powers. With the help of her aunt, she is possible the most powerful witch around. But the oldest witch, wants Beth's powers for her own. So she tricks a gladiator to do her bidding. She didn't expect him to fall for Beth in the process is hunting her down
...more

In ancient Rome, a witch (Helena) saves a gladiator(Lucius Sempronius Asper) from death, but she wants something in return.
Lucius works for Helena for centuries, helping her hunt down other witches so that she can stay young and powerful. He hates his life with Helena, but it’s not until 2015, during a New Orleans Mardi Gras, that Lucius is truly tested.
Bethany Hayes is an unschooled witch, but her powers are growing stronger. Will she be able to fight off the hunter sent after her? Will Lucius, ...more
Lucius works for Helena for centuries, helping her hunt down other witches so that she can stay young and powerful. He hates his life with Helena, but it’s not until 2015, during a New Orleans Mardi Gras, that Lucius is truly tested.
Bethany Hayes is an unschooled witch, but her powers are growing stronger. Will she be able to fight off the hunter sent after her? Will Lucius, ...more

The Hunter and the Witch is a great short story written by Rachel Chanticleer. Once I knew that I was going to read Infernal Embrace and realized this short story explained the beginning and bonus was free, I decided to read this first. What a great teaser. After I read this short story I was confirmed in my decision and was really looking forward to reading Infernal Embrace.
This short story is a fun quick read that tells you how Lucius and Bethany basically met. It gives a nice background on wh ...more
This short story is a fun quick read that tells you how Lucius and Bethany basically met. It gives a nice background on wh ...more

Couldn't put it down
This was a great read. Just enough detail to keep you interested in the characters with mystery, the unknown and magic. Lucius forced to do unspeakable acts but enough freedom to do it his was, and one of his prey that switches it up. Beth develops wonderfully and comes into her own...and great start to what looks like a great series ...more
This was a great read. Just enough detail to keep you interested in the characters with mystery, the unknown and magic. Lucius forced to do unspeakable acts but enough freedom to do it his was, and one of his prey that switches it up. Beth develops wonderfully and comes into her own...and great start to what looks like a great series ...more

unexpectedly short but good
How it ended made me a bit disappointed because I wanted to have some more but it's pretty good, lots of mystery in how it's gonna play out. Looking forward to reading the next book. ...more
How it ended made me a bit disappointed because I wanted to have some more but it's pretty good, lots of mystery in how it's gonna play out. Looking forward to reading the next book. ...more

Great
Great start to a series. It is well written and above all Very interesting. And can't wait to learn more about the characters ...more
Great start to a series. It is well written and above all Very interesting. And can't wait to learn more about the characters ...more

Interesting short story, the origin story for a series. I would be interested in trying the series but this one was too short for more than three stars.
topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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Indie Authors Mon...: FREE short Urban Fantasy origin story | 1 | 9 | Oct 06, 2015 07:54AM |
Rachel Chanticleer is a writer who sees beauty in darkness, and can find a love story where you'd least expect it. Her stories often feature worlds where the paranormal hides just out of view—until it's time to turn the lives of her characters upside down. She lives in a former steel town along the East Coast's revitalized Rust Belt.
Rachel Chanticleer on Facebook
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