Rating: 3.5 ⭐️
Author: Emma Seckel
Genre: Historical Supernatural Horror
Pages: 351 pages
Synopsis:
The islanders have only three rules: don’t stick your nose where it’s not wanted, don’t mention the war, and never let your guard down during October.
Leigh Welles has not set foot on the island in years, but when she finds herself called home from a disappointing life on the Scottish mainland by her father’s unexpected death, she is determined to forget the sorrows of the past—her mother’s abandonment, her brother’s icy distance, the unspeakable tragedy of World War II—and start fresh. Fellow islander Iain MacTavish, a RAF veteran with his eyes on the sky and his head in the past is also in desperate need of a new beginning. A young widower, Iain struggles to return to the normal life he knew before the war.
But this October is anything but normal. This October, the sluagh are restless. The ominous, bird-like creatures of Celtic legend—whispered to carry the souls of the dead—have haunted the islanders for decades, but in the war’s wake, there are more wandering souls and more slaugh. When a local boy disappears, Leigh and Iain are thrown together to investigate the truth at the island’s dark heart and reveal hidden secrets of their own.
I’ll be honest—I almost DNF’d this one. The beginning dragged, weighed down by flashbacks and heavy introspection from multiple characters. Each chapter seemed to circle the same themes of loss and trauma, especially through Leigh’s perspective. I understood what the author was going for—the lasting scars of war—but it started to feel repetitive. I found myself thinking, “Okay, I get it already. Can we move on with what’s happening right now?”
That said, I’m glad I stuck with it, because the second half absolutely delivered. Once the story leaned into the eerie folklore and supernatural elements, I couldn’t put it down. The blending of Scottish lore, haunting atmosphere, and the sense of dread building toward the end of October was incredible. It felt like the story finally found its rhythm and became something truly haunting and beautiful.
✨ Writing Style: Emma Seckel’s writing is lush and evocative. Every page drips with grief and longing for a world that once was. Even when the pacing lagged, I couldn’t help but admire how beautifully she crafted her scenes. Her prose is immersive—melancholy, poetic, and rich with atmosphere.
✨ Characters: I’ll be honest—the characters weren’t what kept me turning the pages. And as someone who loves character-driven stories, that surprised me. They weren’t necessarily unlikable, just emotionally exhausting after a while. Each one clung to their grief and regrets so tightly that it started to wear on me as a reader. I understood that sorrow was central to the story, but it often felt like being stuck in a loop of heartache, waiting for someone—anyone—to finally move forward.
✨ Atmosphere: This is where The Wild Hunt truly shines. A remote post-war island, Scottish folklore woven with a paranormal twist, and a heavy sense of unease that hangs over every page. The haunting landscape and creeping supernatural presence made the second half of the book impossible to put down.
Final Thoughts
Despite a slow start, The Wild Hunt rewards patience with an evocative, chilling tale that lingers long after the final page. It’s the perfect pick for October—moody, atmospheric, and just the right amount of eerie.
Perfect for readers who enjoy: slow-burn supernatural stories, haunting folklore, post-war melancholy, and ghostly autumn vibes.
The Book Nook 