This novel is the fourth in a series set in the 16th century during the reign of Catherine de Medici and follows the Cheney sisters, daughters of the earth. Once you've read one book in this series you might as well have read them all. They all follow the same formula and plot development with happy ever after endings with only the main character and love interest changing with each book. The first book was worth reading but this was only okay. I would consider this to be more of a beach read than anything substantial or memorable. ( )

The fourth novel in Susan Carroll's splendid series about the Wise Women of Faire Isle, The Huntress is in my opinion the best so far. Use caution however because it will not really stand on its own; you need to read the Cheney Sisters trilogy first.

Catriona O'Hanlon, a fiery Irishwoman and true daughter of the earth, serves Ariane, the gentle Lady of Faire Isle. When news reaches them on their secluded island that the coven of the Silver Rose is being resurrected, Airane sends Cat to London to locate Martin le Loup and his young daughter, and to bring them back to Faire Isle.

Cat is a free-spirited and refreshing heroine. She is able to wield a sword and shoot a bow with the best of men. She always speaks her mind and can be quite cantankerous at times, but all of her bluster hides a vulnerability and insecurity that she carries inside due to the her cruel treatment at the hands of her clan back in Ireland.

Since the end of The Silver Rose, Martin le Loup has grown into a doting and protective father for his little Meggie. They fled to England in hopes of escaping the coven of the Silver Rose, and Martin has grown very cautious about anything magical. Lamentably, he has decided that he will make young Meg into an proper English lady and has forbidden her to use any of the mystical arts she learned from her mother. He has ensconced himself in English society and is working by day as an actor and by night as an agent for Queen Elizabeth's spymaster Sir Francis Walshingham.

Meg is tortured by the things her mother and the coven of the Silver Rose did in her name back in France. She is confused and fearful of her natural abilities and the knowledge she gained from translating "The Book Of Shadows." She loves her father fiercely and would do just about anything for him, even if it means learning to do needlepoint and playing the lute.

Of course the Dark Queen, Catherine de Medici, is still searching for "The Book of Shadows" and has dispatched yet another witch hunter to London to find the Silver Rose and the infamous book and return them to her palace in France. And if the threat of "That Italian Woman" wasn't bad enough, the coven of the Silver Rose has found Martin and Meg in London as well, and are very close to achieving their own goal of kidnapping the girl and harnessing the power of "The Book of Shadows."

The historical fact and fiction are combined flawlessly in this book (as always in a book by Susan Carroll.) I was thrilled that she wrote this one as a continuation of the Cheney Sisters trilogy. It has been my pleasure to read these quality books of historical fiction. Unfortunately, I have to put Susan Carroll on an ever-growing list of authors that can't keep up with my demand for new reading! The next book in the series (I think) is "The Twilight of a Queen" which is not due out until May of next year. I guess I can wait though. My to-read list is still a mile long and I know I'll find something to occupy my time. ( )

http://reneereads.blogspot.com/2007/09/huntress-by-susan-carroll.html ( )

http://printedpage.blogspot.com/2008/03/huntress-by-susan-carroll.html ( )

http://shelfandstuff.blogspot.com/2007/09/huntress-by-susan-carroll.html ( )