Hunter of the Light

By Risa Aratyr

The death of a great snow elk is essential to the balance of magic in the world of Eirinn, and the task falls to Blackthorn, who must set aside his love for the doomed Roisin Dubh for the sake of his... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0061054577
• ISBN13: 9780061054570
• Release Date: January 1995
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Length: 626 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.0" x 1.5" x 4.3"

Customer Reviews

The best Irish fantasy novel ever written

Every nine years, the people of Eire have to fulfill a geas of the gods - one of them ,god-chosen, becomes the Hunter of Eire in the search of the great white stag of the goddess. He or she has a whole year in wich to track down the bringer of light, and if he/she fails, the darkness will rule the earth. But if he/she succeeds, the light is returned by the gift of Eire. The name of the Hunter is not known to many, but the responsability that title entails is much sought after... Third son to a revered priestess (whose other son is a king, and whose daughter is one of the seven great Wizards of Eire), Blackthorne is a gambler, a failed bard and a general disgrace to his family - who love him not the less for it. For nine years, the young man has left his apprenticeship to a great bard, and has learned the ways of the wild with Una, the Seer. But when the stag walks the earth and the Hunt is on, the gods interfere for the benefit of the estranged Wizard Roisin Dubh, who was tricked into madness by one whom she trusted. In order to recover the sacred Spear of Ash he painfully prepared for the Hunt, Blackthorne has to bid the lost Wizard Roisin return it to him, - but he finds instead the Hag, a cruel creature that is all left from Roisin. With her he strikes a bargain that would lead him to death for only one misstep, and his heart will add to Eire's geas, the geas of wizardry (by a magic artefact he's bound to find for the Hag) and by his own will the geas of breaking the cruel spell that binds the young Wizard. Unknown to the Hunter of Eirinn, there's another Hunter for the stag, for one uncalled has been struck by the need to bring down the light - unwanted by the powers of good, he'll take even the dark powers for the pleasure of ending the Hunt... And unwillingly, Blackthorne has to let a coward puka join his quest, for the odd creature is geas-bound to help him, in spite of his fears - and the puka does prove to be of un-hoped for help to Blackthorne, when there's no one else to turn to. This is a most powerful story. It has all:love, magic, elves (light and dark-the scaileana),interfering gods, war, hope and compelling beauty. You must read this one. This is that one fantasy book that will stay in your memory as the one who started you on reading fantasy - or addicted you to it. And one more thing: it's a stand-alone, so you'll have it all in one, no need to wait for any sequel. Don't let it get away!

A delightfully immersive experience.

I recieved this book as a gift from my parents a few years ago and I have to say that at first I was wary of this book. My parents have never had luck finding a book for me that I enjoy. Boy was I proven wrong. This book will take you to a fantasy world unlike any other you've been to before. It does a great job of luring you into the book right away with a tense and exciting scene. It shows you a world that is full of a sense of history, myth, adventure, intrigue, and mystery. The use of Gaelic although cumbersome at first turns out to be a wonderfully unique asset to the novel adding a sense of newness and immersion into a differnt place where you indeed are a stranger. Bottom line I cannot say enough about this book. It's defiently one of my top three favorite books of all time and if you have'nt read it I suggest you find a copy however possible and read it you won't be dissapointed.

Captivatingly Different!

I love fantasy books. I cannot get enough of them, but after awhile, no matter how well-written they are, the stories tend to be all the same. This does not mean I do not read them, it only means that it takes an exceptional book to catch my attention. HOTL is such a book. I agree with the other reviewer concerning the cumbersome Gaelic names and places. I had to continuously use the Glossary in the back, but in a way this added to the mysteries and fantastical qualities of the story. I was indeed a stranger in a strange land. I was captivated throughout the book. Ms. Aratyr should continue to write. She is seriously under appreciated and unknown right now. I highly recommend this book for fantasy readers who are looking for that feeling you had when you read your very first fantasy book. You know what I mean.

A must read.

A must read for anyone in to Celtic Mythology and fantasy. Beautifully told, and wonderfully descriptive this tale set in ancient Ireland unfolds before you and leaves you wishing for more. Though hard to find, it is well worth it, and I'm positive any fantasy lover will find it a more than satisfy read.. Bravo Risa.

Masterly told tale of love, treachery, and perseverance.

Risa Aratyr is a master story teller in every sense of the word. Her tale is set in an ancient Ireland, a land where magic is alive and mythical beings fight along side mortals. Her masterful use of discription makes the reader feel the landscape, not just see it in your mind. If you are a devote of Celtic mythology, this is a book for you. If you are a lover of adventure, this is a book for you. If you enjoy stories of human perserverance, this is a book for you. If you love a good tale, this is really a book for you