Casee‘s review of Hunter’s Need (Hunter Series, book 11) by Shiloh Walker.
Duke is bitter. A shapeshifter betrayed by the psychic powers of Analise Morell, he cannot forgive her for putting him in the clutches of a feral vampire, but he also can’t shake his desire for her. And when she needs a Hunter, Duke must face his demons—and hers.
The first book I ever read by Shiloh Walker was Hunting the Hunter. I was instantly intrigued and glommed her Hunters backlist. In Hunting the Hunter, I was first introduced to Duke. Duke was a shapeshifter, living a human life as a cop. That changed when he was lured by Analise Morell and subsequently tortured.
Though it has been over four years since then, Duke hasn’t forgiven Ana. Nor can he forget her. He was drawn to her since he first laid eyes on her and has never been able to forgive her for her part in his torture. He’s seen her a few times throughout the years, but tries to avoid her as best he can.
Ana has been at Excelsior, the Hunter’s school since then. She knows it’s time to go. Though she hates leaving her brother, Excelsior is not the place for her. Ana packs up and heads to Alaska, a place where paranormal activity is low. As a psychic, Ana is happy to quiet the noise that is often inside her head.
After being in Alaska for a year, Ana has finally found peace. Though she still deeply regrets her part in Duke’s torture, she’s not faced with it day in and day out.
With very little psychic activity happening, Ana is surprised when she is drawn to a homeless man. She’s more surprised when she actually sees a ghost. After that, Ana is drawn into a mystery that has haunted the area for thirty years. Not knowing what to do, Ana calls Excelsior to request that a Hunter come and check it out. The last person she expects to talk to is Duke. He basically tells her to deal with it herself, which is exactly what he decides to do.
When Duke finds himself heading to Alaska and coming face-to-face with Ana after a year, he finally admits to himself that he can’t stay away from her. His forgiveness isn’t the only roadblock. Ana hasn’t forgiven herself and doesn’t think she ever will. Duke is the only person aside from her brother that Ana has ever loved. The fact that she did something so despicable to him is something that she’ll never forget.
When Duke and Ana start looking into the unsolved murders that have haunted the area for over thirty years, they start realizing that they might be looking for someone that has the same sort of abilities Ana has. Adding that into the little they already do know doesn’t do much to help them. Still, Ana won’t give up.
I loved this book. I think what made it so good was that Duke was able to acknowledge that Ana was a victim herself. She was so young when she was forced to take part in what was done to him. All she was doing was trying to protect her younger brother in the only way she knew how. Duke’s willingness to not only know that, but help Ana forgive herself is something that most wouldn’t be able to do.
Ana was also a great heroine. She never tried to make excuses, she just tried to live her life as best she could. Both she and Duke deserved to be happy and they finally got it right in the end.
4.25 out of 5.
This book is available from Berkley. You can buy it here or here in e-format.
Other books in the series:
Casee, I just finished Hunter’s Need last night and I agree with your review 100%!! I’ve really been enjoying Shiloh Walker’s Hunter series and loved how Duke and Ana resolved their issues. The ghost story/suspense was a great twist, also 🙂
Hi Casee… I’m glad you enjoyed Hunter’s Need. thanks for the review!