Wolf Road by Beth Lewis

Everything Elka knows of the world she learned from the man she calls Trapper, the solitary hunter who took her under his wing when she was just seven years old. But when Elka sees the Wanted poster in town, her simple existence is shattered. Her Trapper – Kreagar Hallet – is wanted for murder. Even worse, Magistrate Lyon is hot on his trail, and she wants to talk to Elka. Elka flees into the vast wilderness, determined to find her true parents. But Lyon is never far behind – and she’s not the only one following Elka’s every move. There will be a reckoning, one that will push friendships to the limit and force Elka to confront the dark memories of her past.

This was a top read. Really tight writing and an exciting cat and mouse tale. The blurb tells you most of the plot and there are no great leaps outside of these parameters so the reader can sit back and enjoy what's unfolding.

The protagonist Elka is truly an original as far as characters go and the man hunting her "Trapper" is as terrifying as can be. He is a killer, a cannibal and unbeknownst to Elka is grooming her to appreciate and live life the way he does.

The only complaint I would have is the writer tends to end many chapters in the same way whereby she lists the characters currents hopes and needs but then tells us they wont be forthcoming or alternatively gives us her fears before confirming they will be realised. At first it provided a nice sense of foreboding but by the middle it was just felt spoilery.

Overall it's brutal and unflinching fiction that often goes where you hope it wont.