Warning: Spoilers ahead!
I also felt the title didn't do the story enough justice because it wasn't just about bounty hunting. There's a much deeper story going on here and really had very little to do with any bounty hunting at all. But this wasn't enough to detract me from reading a very enjoyable story.
From the very beginning when Kai faces off with the demon in the bar, you know he isn't a normal fourteen year-old kid although he displays no relevant skills other than a flappy mouth and a knack for falling and getting hurt. He is not always quick thinking and a lot of the times, his mouth lands him in situations that need a lot of work getting out of.
Kai's parents are dead and he's been raised by his strict, hulking Uncle Galway who has spent his life protecting his nephew. Because Kai is a witch. A very bad one and in fact, a unique one because he has never learned how to nor wanted to use his powers. Kai has spent his whole life hiding from demons because in this alternate universe, on the planet Earth, the witches from a generation ago committed an unforgivable act. They tore open a rip in the fabric of the universe and sucked the demons through. Demons have a special place in their hearts for witches.
Tired of continuously hiding his existence, Kai makes the bold decision to join a couple of bounty hunters who happen to be two girls around the same age as him and a younger boy. As it turns out, they are also witches who hunt down criminals for bounty money. Sam is the young bounty hunter girl who recruits him, Yamiko is Sam's partner leaving Cassius, the youngest of them who is the pilot, ship technician, and sarcasm master. Cassius is actually my favorite character but Kai rivals in a very close second.
Bounter Hunter is well paced, with moments of action and adrenaline, pausing at the right times for explanations. The book is peppered with many humorous moments, something I loved. The interaction between Cassius and Kai was especially entertaining. Nearly all of the characters were fleshed out well and it was easy to relate to them. The only character that I thought could have done with more 'fleshing out' was the witch queen. She just wasn't evil or mad enough for me. And with everything revolving around Kai, his friends and the demons, I didn't think it was necessary to mention aliens as well, although this I suspect, is the author's way of preparing us for future installments of Bounty Hunter.
SJ Hollis has a clear, engaging style and nothing in this book was ever too difficult to understand. With a wicked sense of humour, Bounty Hunter kept me glued all the way through but there were one or two places in the earlier chapters where I did feel the humour was forced. However, again it was barely noticeable and did not distract me from my reading. Definitely solid writing and great editing here!
The plot was well thought out, with good twists and a satisfying ending. I have just two questions though - how did Sam escape from the all powerful witch queen? What is the witch queen's power?
Overall, Bounty Hunter is a great, fun read and if SJ Hollis decides to turn this into a series, I would definitely read the rest. My rating? 4