Sara Butler's "Sonya Fletcher: The Hunt Begins"...A Book Review

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I met Sara Butler a few years ago at a Salt Lake Comic Con, but it wasn't until last week that I was able to read her first novel, Sonya Fletcher: The Hunt Begins. It's one crazy ride!

I think I should say that I read Sara's book on my Kindle. Had I the hard copy I would have realized that this is not that long of a story. This isn't necessarily a bad thing--I don't want to discourage anyone from reading this book because it's short--I'm just saying that I flew threw this book in--I think--three days.

Butler grabbed me from the beginning. A young heroine leaves town after discovery of a package, a package that generates more questions about her tragic past than answers. Off Sonya goes to Minnesota in search of those answers. What lies in store for the young feisty (and tall...) girl is mystery, danger and a realization that there's more monsters in the world than she could possibly imagine.

Butler handles the transitions of action, intrigue and mystery masterfully. The story never lags. She's created a believable world where the possibilities of expansion are endless. My only wish (and that's why I gave it a four-star rating and not five-star in Goodreads...) is that it was short. The story's second installment is done, The Witch and the Leech: Sonya Fletcher #2 is now available. I really need to get that one, too. Great job, Sara! I loved the story!

* Photo used with permission from: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18948797-the-hunt-begins?ac=1

My Next POLAIK...Sara Butler

Today's POLAIK (Profile Of Local Author/Artists I Know...) is Sara Butler.

I first met Sara last year at a convention--2014 Salt Lake Comic Con FanX, I believe. Sara is a younger sister of one of my heroes, Dave Butler. I don't know any other of their family members, but there's something amazing in their gene pool, a mix of creativity and awesomeness.

At the first day of this year's LTUE Symposium, I sat in on a panel where Sara was one of the panelists. The panel focused on writing in the fantasy genre. All that participated gave good advice, but I loved some of the answers Sara gave. You can tell that writing's in her blood. You can also tell she's a Butler because a simple question can elicit a fantastic response. In fact, if you're ever at a conference and you run into Sara, just ask why she enjoys writing fantasy. Or ask her about either a book she's finished or a current project she's writing. Guaranteed what you hear will be new (unless, of course, you've hear about Death's daughter trying to save the world from the apocalypse she herself began...).

The first time I met Sara she was filling out authentic toe tags as both bookmarks and business cards. She inserted them into The Hunt Begins, Book 1 of her Sonya Fletcher Monster Hunter series. She's completed the second book, The Witch and the Leech--both are now available. 

I'm always glad to see Sara at conventions, because I know that when she's there I'll always have someone fun and intelligent with whom to converse. Oh, and she usually brings along munchies which she gladly shares.