The Huntsman and the Healer: The First Novel in a Young Adult Fantasy Prequel Trilogy Leading to Redeemer Chronicles

Aeris Legends #1

by Julie C. Gilbert

The Guild wants justice. They’ll settle for her life.
Marina didn’t cause the River’s Edge tragedy, but she knows who did. Knowing the truth could spark a war between the two magic races, she determines to carry the secret forever.
The Arkonai High Council wants answers, and they want Daniel to get them. He knows she’s innocent, but if he doesn’t cooperate, they will send another huntsman. And Marina might not live through the encounter. ***
You can jump right in or grab some background first. River's Edge Ransom takes place before this story, and all of Redeemer Chronicles takes place after this story.

181 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 27, 2019

About the author

Julie C. Gilbert teaches high school chemistry and writes Young Adult, science fiction, fantasy, mystery/thriller, poetry, and Christian stories.

Reviews

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mostly I liked this story. I struggle with books that go back and forth between characters, I lose the flow of the story and get frustrated. This story goes back and forth, but my struggle was mostly when the Dark Man showed up and he was working with Marina's brother, drawing him in and then later manipulating him to do his dark work. Sometimes I just skipped through that chapter and moved back on to the part of the story I was into (just me not liking the dark stuff). I really liked the rest of the story and the character building was very good.

Marina is gifted with destroyer magic, but she uses it to heal, destroying what is causing a body a problem. She is accused of causing a tragedy in River's Edge and a Huntsman is sent to bring justice for the situation, but he soon realizes that Marina is innocent and he refuses the contract. He turns into her protector instead, and soon falls in love with her and she with him, but because she is the firstborn in her family, her brother wants what she is going to inherit and is working with the Dark Man to see her dead and to get his hands on his father's businesses, estate and power. Marina is running for her life, but she has the help of many good people.

This is a clean read.

[Rose Patterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really strong start to the Aeris Legends series and an engaging YA fantasy that pulled me in quickly. The setup is tense right from the beginning, two magical races on the brink, a tragedy no one truly understands, and Marina carrying a truth that could ignite a war if revealed. The stakes feel real, and that tension carries throughout the story.

I really enjoyed the dynamic between Marina and Daniel. Daniel isn’t your typical cold huntsman, he’s conflicted, compassionate, and stuck between duty and what he knows is right. Marina is equally compelling: strong, burdened, and quietly brave in a way that made me root for her the whole time.

The world-building is solid without being overwhelming, which I appreciated, especially for a first book. The pacing is steady, with enough mystery and emotional depth to keep things interesting while setting up what’s clearly a much bigger story ahead.

I’m giving this four stars because it feels very much like a foundation book, there’s a lot of setup, but it did its job well and left me eager to continue. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing where the trilogy (and beyond) goes next.

[Paula Dyches · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dramatic Power Struggle YA Fantasy

A really well done combination of drama, action, inheritance power struggles, romance, fantasy, good vs. evil and an element of faith to the story. This story has such a spread that I really think it will appeal to many different readers. There are many ups and downs siblings turning on each other and forbidden love between magic races that it really keeps you very engaged with the story. This is a clean read free of bad language, overly graphic violence and no bedroom scenes (just some light kissing described). I would place it as a middle grade read and up but clean enough for younger readers. I can't wait to see where the story goes next!

The narrator did a great job with the different voices and acting. She definitely added to the fun of listening. I did find the pace a touch slow but 1.25x speed was perfect!

—I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[DDbookreviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! So I listened to a book by the same author which I could not finish, and a such was sceptical when I started The Huntsman and the Healer. Maybe I was just not fashioned for short stories. This book, however, had me from the get-go. Shapeshifters and Warlocks, family intrigue and a dark menace, is threatening the land divided, with two people in the centre of the story who will follow their hearts and face a dangerous future in the hope of bringing peace to the country that is divided whilst facing a damning prophecy if they were to marry.
Ms. Gilbert writes true young adult fantasy, whereby I mean that although it has a dark antagonist, the story is light with a positive edge. It is not in the same class as some of the YA books out there, and I think that is precisely what the author meant to do: write good fantasy but safe fantasy. Well done.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Bowden Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Huntsman and the Healer is an interesting and complex book with magic, adventure and more.
Each of the characters shown throughout the story has an interesting set of abilities, ideals, and powers, I will say that my favorite is probably Marina.
The story itself is complex and full of twists and turns that are hard to anticipate and interesting to follow and as for the world I am intrigued.
The world of The Huntsman and the healer is incredible and complex with layers of cultural ideals, magic, conflicts and so much more. The two magic races have so many cool abilities and there conflict with each other is interesting to watch.
All in all I would say this book is a great book and it is a good book for transitioning teens and young adults.

[Catrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marina has only ever wanted to be a healer, but her magic abilities and her birthright have put her in a precarious position. The huntsman sent to retrieve her may just be the one to save her.

I really enjoyed listening to this story by Julie C. Gilbert. Her characters are well developed and the storyline is well thought out. I’m looking forward to continuing with the series.

Teralyn Davis’ narration was great. Her performance really enhanced the story.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.

[Jaclyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and the storyline. It had a lot of ups and downs that kept the story exciting. I enjoyed the setting a lot and the creativity there.

[Ami Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an intense, creative, clean romantic fantasy! It ends without a clear resolution, but there isn’t a huge cliffhanger either. I love how there is love throughout the story (romantic, familial, and true friendship) and how even though bad things happen, it’s not too dark. The world building is incredible and complex, and the characters have real depth.

[Donna Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this fantasy tale of duplicitous brothers and the battle between the forces of light and dark. This author writes several genres, but I think fantasy is her forte. I devoured this book in record time and am eagerly starting the next in the series. Very well-done tale, fast-paced, exciting and chock full of action.

[Carol Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of action, and some romance, too. Marina Castaloni, a Saroth, is accused of hurting the people of River’s Edge, and the Arkoni High Council wants her to appear before them so they can investigate the matter. Huntsman Daniel Savaron is tasked with finding her and bringing her back. Add in a jealous brother who will stop at nothing to inherit, hatred between the Arkoni and Saroth races, politics …. And you have a rousing adventure tale! Note that I received a free copy of the book, with no strings attached.

[Susan May · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marina had nothing to do with the tragedy at River's Edge. The council didn't believer her so they sent Daniel the Huntsman after her. Marina suffered great loss. Her father she believed was dying. Her brother wanted her to relinquish her inheritance. Her younger brother was stuck in the middle. A great story with great characters. This series is off to a great start.