I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.
Huntsman by Naima Simone Series: The Hunted Kingdom #1
Published by Bramble on October 21, 2025
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The Huntsman is after me.
But he will be mine first.Nine years ago, my aunt took everything from me.
My world. My throne. My mother.
I’ve bided my time since then, serving under her in the Mwuaji crime family, but she’s crossed another line. She put a price on my head, sending the legendary assassin the Huntsman, Malachi Bowden, after me.
The Huntsman’s never failed a contract before, but I know everything there is to know about him. It’s finally time for me to take my revenge and finish the war my aunt started.
The Huntsman might be my death. But Malachi Bowden?
He’s my weakness.
Welcome to The Hunted Kingdom.
Attention grabbing characters! I’ve been reading Naima Simone for years and years and she knows how to create a world that intrigues and delights. She builds a back story that nabs the readers attention very quickly and settles us quickly into the heart of the story. I typically love when her sass and spice spills into the dialogue and characterization, but this story felt a bit over the top in several ways. The over abundance of slang and and overstimulation of scenes became distracting from the core of the story. I felt a connection with the characters and wanted to see it through to the end and see them get their happily ever after, but it was hard to hang in there at times. I feel if the story had been more succinct and with less over-zealous distraction intermixed, it would have delivered a more satisfying product. The setting felt more dark royal kingdom than mafia den like. Overall, I was connected to the core characters and did enjoy aspects of their relationship and seeing them get redemption in various ways in the end. That said, I doubt I will pick up the next book in the series based on the exasperation of the writing style and setting of this one.
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