The Last Magic Hunter series is a captivating and thrilling collection of books that transport readers into a world where magic and mystery collide. Written by renowned author Sarah J. Maas, this series follows the protagonist, a young magic hunter named Feyre, as she navigates a dangerous and complex world filled with enchantments and mythical creatures. The **main idea** in this series is the exploration of the blurred lines between good and evil and the power of love and redemption. Feyre, driven by a desire to protect her loved ones, embarks on a treacherous journey to hunt down magical beings that threaten the human realm. However, as she delves deeper into her mission, she begins to question the righteousness of her cause and discovers a hidden depth to the magical world she once thought she understood.
And the Word (Jesus) became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14
Each of our hearts is like the thorny ground described in Hebrews 13 8 But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned. The Curse of Thorn is an ancient curse spoken of in the Halloween franchise and is the primary motivation behind serial killer Michael Myers constant desire to kill off all members of his family for much of the series.
However, as she delves deeper into her mission, she begins to question the righteousness of her cause and discovers a hidden depth to the magical world she once thought she understood. Maas's writing prowess is evident throughout the series, as she effortlessly weaves a tale filled with intricate world-building, complex characters, and heart-stopping plot twists. Each book in the series adds layers of depth and complexity to the overarching story, keeping readers hooked until the very end.
Review – A Curse of Thorns by Nicole Mainardi
In order to repay her father’s debt to the Regime and save her sisters from a terrible fate, Belle Fairfax—an eighteen-year-old girl with a love for forbidden books and the thrill of the hunt—must risk everything to find the reclusive Beast and steal the ring that cursed him.
But the Beast is not what she expects.
A young king cursed by a witch and forgotten by his village, all Bastian wants is to win the heart of the forest girl with the silver scars. But he’s a hideous Beast that abandoned his people for the sake of vanity, and he knows it won’t be easy to earn her affection.
But there’s more to the girl than he thought.
Belle only has one purpose once she makes it to the Beast’s castle: find the ring, take it, and leave the Beast to rot. But as she comes to know about the Beast, she realizes that she has more to fight for than just her family. Bastian knows he’s left his people in the hands of the corrupt Regime, and the guilt of their suffering gnaws at him. The more time he spends with Belle, though, the less he hates what he’s become.
With Briar on the brink of falling completely under the control of the Regime, Belle and Bastian find that, together, they may be the key to freeing their home from the reaching grasp of the tyrannical Emperor.
Initial Thoughts
I was super excited to have been chosen for this review tour by Read and Review Book Tours. Since I am new to the bookish community, I am eager to meet new book lovers and connect with authors. Being chosen allowed me to chat directly with Nicole Mainardi via email (and that was so exciting!). Anyway, this is a Beauty and the Beast retelling and I absolutely love fairy tale retellings. Needless to say, this story sounded amazing.
Cover Art
Although I have this as an e-book, and shelf appeal doesn’t really apply here, I really like the cover. Classic imagery that comes to mind when I think of Beauty and the Beast includes the Beast’s castle, books, roses, teapots, candelabras, etc.. I loved that this cover strays from the conventional. Rose petals (instead of roses), the castle in the background, and, most importantly, Belle featuring her silver scars. The cover immediately evokes the feeling of Beauty and the Beast without being cliché.
The Setting
I can’t express in words how much I loved the setting of this story. Unlike the original story, this telling of Beauty and the Beast is set in a version of the real world. I really enjoyed the references to Pride and Prejudice, Hamlet, and France in general. It grounded the story in a way that I found incredibly refreshing.
Additonally, I thought the introduction of the Regime was a great plot element. It is something that can transcend this book and continue into more books in a series.
I am a huge fan of historical fiction and the Regime gave me World War I/World War II Germany feels. Not sure if that was specifically the author’s intention, but I loved the dystopian/historical fiction vibe that it created.
Series Value
I loved all of the references to other fairy tales in this story. I think Nicole Mainardi has set up a fantastic setting that could easily be spun into other stories. I would read any other stories she writes that are set in this world.
Final Thoughts
I loved this book! I read it all in one sitting (always a good sign). I think this series has so much potential and I can’t wait to see what else Nicole Mainardi comes up with. This was a fantastic Beauty and the Beast retelling with elements of so much more sprinkled throughout it.
Recommendtions for Further Reading
- Thief of Cahramanby Lucy Tempest – this is another fairy tale retelling where several tales are spun into one setting. There is a Beauty and the Beast sub plot featured in book 4 of this series.
- Frostblood (and the entire series) by Elly Blake – although the main plots are quite different, both A Curse of Thorns and Frostblood feature a Beauty and the Beast romance theme. Definitely give this series a try if you liked A Curse of Thorns.
- Fawkes by Nadine Brandes – I absoutely love Nadine Brandes’s writing style (for many of the same reasons I fell in love with Nicole Mainardi’s). Fawkes has another Beauty and the Beast vibe to it with a magical/historical fiction backdrop.
But there’s more to the girl than he thought.
The Last Magic Hunter series explores themes of sacrifice, forgiveness, and the consequences of one's actions. Through the growth and development of Feyre and the other characters, readers witness the transformation and evolution of individuals caught in a morally gray world. Moreover, the richly imagined magical realm and the vivid descriptions of its inhabitants bring the fantastical elements of the series to life. From the dark and mysterious courts of the Fae to the ethereal beauty of enchanted forests, Maas leaves no stone unturned in creating a breathtaking world that readers can escape into. Overall, The Last Magic Hunter series is a must-read for fans of fantasy and adventure. With its engaging storyline, well-drawn characters, and thought-provoking themes, this series captivates readers from the very first page. Whether you are a long-time fan of Sarah J. Maas or new to her work, this series is sure to leave you spellbound and eagerly awaiting the next installment..
Reviews for "The Last Magic Hunter Series: The Legacy of a Classic"
1. Samantha - 2/5 stars - I really didn't enjoy "The Last Magic Hunter" series. The plot felt predictable and cliched, with the same tired tropes and characters we've seen a hundred times before. The writing felt lacking in depth and creativity, and I found it difficult to connect with the story or the characters. Overall, I was left feeling disappointed and unimpressed.
2. Mark - 1/5 stars - This series was a complete letdown for me. The world-building was weak, and I never felt fully immersed in the magical elements of the story. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any real development throughout the series. The pacing was off, with slow and boring parts interspersed with rushed and confusing events. Overall, "The Last Magic Hunter" series failed to engage me on any level and I would not recommend it to others.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - I was initially excited to read "The Last Magic Hunter" series, but unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations. The plot was convoluted and difficult to follow, with too many unnecessary subplots and twists that added nothing to the overall story. The writing style felt disjointed and inconsistent, making it hard to stay engaged. The romance in the series was forced and lacked chemistry, leaving me uninterested in the character dynamics. Overall, I found "The Last Magic Hunter" to be a disappointing and forgettable series.
4. David - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "The Last Magic Hunter" series, but it fell short for me. The characters felt shallow and lacked depth, making it difficult to connect with their journey. The dialogue was often cliche and cringe-worthy, and the action sequences felt repetitive and uninspired. The pacing was inconsistent, with parts that dragged on for too long and others that felt rushed. Overall, I wasn't invested in the story or the characters, and I wouldn't recommend this series to others.