“Legend of the Hunt” by Evelyn M. Exley

Legend of the Hunt

Evelyn M. Exley                                            
Independently Published (2026)
ISBN:  978-1954448377
Reviewed by Terri Stepek for Reader Views (09/2026)

Fans of fantasies, especially classic journey fantasies involving dragons and impossible tasks, have been given another wonderful read from the pen of Evelyn M. Exley.  Legend of the Hunt: A Novel of Alameth is a rare gem, with a deep and fascinating tale on one level, and great allegorical meaning if one wishes to delve more deeply.  To understand this story, one must first know something of Alameth.  Many have called it myth, though the tales have been told, morphed, and retold for generations.  Others believe absolutely in the hidden land where outsiders must face a Test of Great Duress before entering.  Once in Alameth, a person is able to hunt for one of two dragon’s jewels, hidden by Fumi, an ancient king of the realm.  If one is so fortunate as to find a jewel, he or she may claim rights to the Kingdom of Alameth.  An outrageous and wonderful concept, and one that two young people are intrigued by.

Wildersbee (Wilder for short) and Adin have grown up side by side in Bear’s Inn, a roadside tavern and inn of modest means.  The inn keeper, an ill-tempered woman, had neither husband nor children, but took in Adin one night when the Huntsman, a huge and powerful Master of the Hunt brought in the naked and nearly frozen 10-year-old boy found in the forest.  The Huntsman, Jacobe, agreed to pay the inn keeper for the boy to stay there:  an interesting arrangement since she was going to use him like a slave.

Wilder and Adin have a deep relationship, full of trust, understanding, and (in Adin’s case) respect.  Wilder is an exceptional child whose mind thinks in ways most cannot.  She has dreams of flying and traveling, and of going to Alameth to hunt for the dragon’s jewels.  She is constantly inventing, then just before she can risk life or limb to test her latest invention, Adin will offer himself as test subject since he can’t stand the thought of Wilder getting hurt.  This is the nature of their relationship.  Wilder dreams, Adin tests out of deference to the girl who fascinates him.

When Wilder is sent off to school, Adin sets about to endure life at the inn until her return.  By the time Wilder returns, Adin is a young man, strong and competent.  He has been going with Jacobe’s hunting parties into the forest each year, gaining knowledge, strength, and wisdom.  Adin has come back to the Inn for one thing:  the map of Alameth she has kept hidden at the inn since it was given to her as a child.  In truth, she’s also back for Adin, but she wants him to believe it’s his own idea, his own fate, to join her on this quest.  Adin can’t stand the thought of being anywhere else but by Wilder’s side, and naturally follows.

The travelers will face several dangers in their journey, going first to a villa owned by a family of Alameth.  Three generations of men reside here, guarding one of the portals to Alameth at the King’s request.  They are a proud and fun-loving family, who all seem to have a serious love for Wilder and a penchant for gambling.  It is from this location that Wilder plans to set out on her hunt in Alameth.  But it will be Adin who will brave this trip alone in his love for Wilder.

A full glance from Wildersbee is like an encounter with a cold stream on a miserably hot summer day—almost painful upon first contact, but then the most delicious experience you can imagine.

Wilder has always preached to Adin that he must believe more in his own fate.  As his journey to face his Test of Great Duress begins, one can certainly see that destiny or the hand of a higher power has set this all in motion, many years before.  Everything Adin has endured, suffered, or experienced will come into play now as he attempts the impossible:  he must beat an unconquerable dragon.

As always, Evelyn Exley’s characters are rich and engaging, each is unique and finely honed.  They are endearing and genuine, or cunning and shrewd.  Likewise, the storyline itself is written with such fervent care for details, yet flows so fluidly through the reader’s mind, allowing us to experience the journey for ourselves.  The pace is paradoxically gentle—and relentless.  There’s never a dull moment, and readers are not subjected to paragraphs full of exposition : it’s not necessary as the environment unfolds within the tale itself.

The enduring themes here of destiny, loyalty, family, faith, patience, and trust are woven as intricately as a fine tapestry.  We don’t need to pull a thread to understand the themes.  They’re all here in the beautiful and intriguing big picture. 

While Ms. Exley has proven her ability to write skillfully in several genres, it is her fantasies which most inspire me.  If you are a fan of fantasies, sagas, tales of journeys and impossible quests, or if you enjoy an unusual fable, Legend of the Hunt will not disappoint.  Read it for the adventure.  Then read it again for the grand design.