Reviews

Heartsong by TJ Klune

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“Words. Like grenades about to explode at my feet. Instead I picked them up and hurled them back.”

I remember doing a happy dance and squealing like a piglet when I got approved for this ARC. For me, TJ Klune is an auto-buy author. There is simply nothing he’ll write that I won’t buy. And this book didn’t disappoint. I was already in love with the Green Creek series, but Heartsong raised the bar even higher.

Note: I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for honest feedback.

❤️ So. many. awesome. loveable. characters.
❤️ Banter and pack dynamics
❤️ Heart-wrenching plot twists
❤️ Interesting and terrifying villain
❤️ Positive queer and ace representation
❌ I won’t ever get to read this book again for the first time

Plot: (Seriously, how to sum up this book without spoiling anything?!)
Robbie Fontaine works for the most powerful wolf in America, the “Alpha of all”: Michelle Hughes. He lives with the pack’s witch, Ezra, who is also his father-figure and protector. He is happy, he is loved, he is trusted, he is pack. But sometimes he dreams of wolves he has never met before. Sometimes he hears calling or singing or howling that calls him home, to a place he’s never been before. A short mission outside his compound sows doubts in his mind, making him start to question everything he knows and believes in.

Phew, why is Klune *always* finding new ways to crush our hearts like his life depends on it? This book was so touching, so heart-wrenching, so beautiful it hurts. I swear I *screamed* at my partner at some point because I had too many emotions and couldn’t deal.

When starting this series, I thought things would probably get repetitive at some point, but this one went in a completely different direction. The pace was slow where it mattered, faster where it mattered, with carefully crafted plot twists and relatable interactions. The stakes seem to be getting higher and higher with every book, and although the good guys are numerous and superpowered, it still always feels like everything could fall apart at the slightest misstep.

Note: This one was much less spicy than the previous ones, with great ace (asexual) representation.

Characters:
Characters, character development, and interactions are Klune’s strong suits, in my opinion. Some authors only have a couple of characters to develop, and yet we never grow attached to them like we do to Klune’s broad range of characters. I’m not being dramatic: I am deeply attached to every single member of the Bennett pack, from Jessie to Carter to Ox to Elisabeth. And Kelly, oh Kelly! But Robbie, Robbie. Awkward, goofy, fierce Robbie has been my favourite for a while now. I was so happy this book was about him!

(Sometimes I get sad, thinking about how I’ll never have Thomas Bennett press his snout on my forehead so I can say, “Oh.”)

Now, about villains. In the first book, I thought Richard Collins was an underwhelming villain. But Robert Livingstone, ROBERT LIVINGSTONE. What a legend. I hate to love him and love to hate him.

Writing:
I could read Klune all day. Sharp, evocative, unassuming, and poignant, his prose perfectly supports his flawless storytelling style. No one writes banter and wolf pack dynamics like Klune. I love the way his characters switch from human to wolf to human, the way they think and act when they are wolves. Seriously, he destroyed shifters for me: I’ll never read another shifter book without comparing to the Green Creek series and feeling disappointed. (Looking at you SJM)

Did I say I recommend this series?

batmanlover14's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful tense medium-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

stacey_unchecked's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging funny inspiring sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

I loved this story! This is the 3rd book on the Green Creek series and it's Robbie's story. It's very emotional amid the suspenseful lead up to the climax. There is loss, love and like always, pack pack pack. TJ Klune has outdone himself and I can say it's been my favourite so far. I'm excited for book 4!

teereadsbooks's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Excuse you, T.J. Klune, for having the audacity to rip my heart out multiple times in one book. That said, I love this series so much. This book was so different from the first two. Honestly, the beginning had me scratching my head, trying to figure out what exactly the situation was. After the reveal, oh man, my heart! This was an emotional adventure for sure. The story of Robbie and Kelly's relationship was so interesting and unique. I felt so bad for Robbie through most of this book, but the way Kelly stood by him and never gave up hit me in the feels. The Bennet pack also has a lot of growth and learning to do in this story. They become fractured in a way and need to find their way back to each other and become the pack they are meant to be. This is the first series I have read where each installment has been 5 stars, so I have high hopes for Brothersong.