The Hunter’s Lament
Infamous bounty hunter Bitter Sweet has led his crew of like-minded miscreants for nearly thirty years. They can track and capture any man or woman in the known world…for a price.
But Sweet is tired. Decades of pursuing the lowest reaches that humanity has to offer have taken their toll. The grime, the lies, the danger, the death. He’s sick of it all.
But it’s the only business he knows, and business is good in the aftermath of a long and bloody war. The unstoppable armies of the Vol Empire have conquered Pratia, obliterating all opposition and occupying the kingdom’s cities as they establish a brutal new order. The Pratian king is slain in the carnage, but his son-the Crown Prince and sole heir to the throne-has vanished.
Eager to tie up the loose ends, the new Vol rulers turn to those who know the land and its people the best. Bounty hunters.
Against his better instincts, Sweet accepts the contract and sets out in search of the fugitive Crown Prince. But his crew are not alone in the hunt. Danger rides with them every step of the way. Rival gangs, Vol soldiers, deadly trackers and dark magickers are all pursuing the heir to Pratia, too.
Soon Sweet and his crew have a choice to make, hunt or be hunted?
Praise for The Hunter’s Lament
Pannett has crafted a ruthlessly efficient storyline that shocks with its twists and wows with its set pieces. He gives you characters that you come to care for in ways that will surprise you.
It’s a triumph of good storytelling.
9/10
I’d highly recommend it if you are looking for a character-driven grimdark fantasy with a motley crew of morally grey bounty hunters, pulse-pounding action, witty banter, melancholic storytelling, and a whole lot of unexpected plot twists.
What more could you want?
4/5
The Hunter’s Lament is a dark, character driven fantasy, with a slow burn that eats you up and spits you out – just for fun.
This could easily become a series with the open-ended ending, and it could also be an immersive, interesting, thought provoking standalone read.
“Truth is a weapon.”
5/5
– NetGalley review
FAQs about this book
What genre is this book?
The Hunter’s Lament is a gritty fantasy story. It’s a single-POV book that follows a bounty hunter and his crew plying their trade in the aftermath of a bloody war.
Is it part of a series?
No. The Hunter’s Lament is considered a standalone novel. I do have plans to return to the world and write other stories in it, but you won’t have to read this book first.
What other books is it similar to?
I was heavily influenced by Joe Abercrombie’s First Law series, and particularly the older main characters. Likewise there are elements of Scott Lynch’s The Gentlemen Bastard sequence. There are also valid stylistic comparisons to the heroic fantasy work of David Gemmell.
How long is it?
The book is approximately 100,000 words long – or roughly 350 pages (5×8″ paperback)
Where can I buy it?
You can buy this book from most retailers, including Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Blackwells, BooksAMillion, Kobo, Waterstones – I also sell through independent bookshops, and if they don’t stock this book you can ask them to order one in for you.
Alternatively, you can also buy printed copies directly from me (US & UK customers only I’m afraid) – these orders are printed and distributed by Ingram Spark.
I run a bookstore, can I stock this book?
Yes, you can! The Hunter’s Lament is distributed through IngramSpark, so it should appear on most buying platforms. If you’re having problems please contact hello@stevepannett.com and I’ll do what I can to support!
