Princess Aerity and her water-bound kingdom are terrorized by a monster which seems to be undefeatable. The monster has killed dozens of good people, always men who would defend their people against the beast.
The king has exhausted his resources and his last resort is to offer the eldest princess's hand in marriage. Aerity has always dreamed of marrying for love. Since her cousin and best friend's fiancee was killed by the beast Aerity wants to do anything she can to help her cousin and her people; she knows the promise of her hand will bring the ablest hunters in their world.
Dozens of hunters appear to battle the beast. After several encounters, the ranks are decimated and only a few hunters remain - their comrades either killed or fled the creature's rampage. Aerity meets the hunters who remain: some from her own country, some from the Northlands of Eurona, and the legendary women-warriors from the southern deserts. Though the lord from the Northlands, Leif Alvi, appears to be a good political choice, Aerity is fascinated by the local boy Paxton Seabolt.
Paxton and his younger brother joined the hunt hoping to survive and rid the kingdom of its menace. But the Seabolt boys find the two princesses fascinating and, despite Paxton's efforts, develop deeper relationships with both Aerity and Vixie.
The hunters are narrowed to fewer and fewer contenders as traditional techniques fail to secure the nation's safety. Paxton and Lord Alvi take the lead in the hunt for the creature, though each is hiding their own secrets.
At counterpoint to Aerity's dilemma is entertaining the men vying for her hand, a mysterious woman wanders the land stirring up dissent. Some of Eurona's citizens can practice magic -- but their ability and magic use are revealed by streaks of purple under their nails. They are the lashed - named for the dark lashings under their nails. Rozaria Rocato is the granddaughter of the great rebel Rocato who encouraged the lashed to rise against Eurona's monarchies to rule their world and the resulting fear drove the lashed to be persecuted.
As the monster picks off the armies of Lochlanach, Rozaria's lashed turn the people against each other and bring the nation to the brink of civil war.
Aerity knows her country demands more from her than she thought would be necessary, but the hope of a romantic marriage still beckons as long as Paxton is in the hunt. When disaster strikes Aerity's choice is made for her and the question becomes who will survive through the monster's defeat.
Followed by The Great Pursuit, The Great Hunt takes on the traditional hunt's characteristics. The princess is sacrificed for the good fo the kingdom and the beast is not the only monster roaming Lochlanoch. Teens will enjoy this first installment of Higgin's romance.
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