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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
This was a great story but had an incredibly slow beginning. I could see the nods to similar books (Call of the Wild) and I enjoyed the relationship between Islam and her human. I did find myself Speed reading through a few pages because I wanted them to get to the race. The moment that happened, the story picked up and I couldn’t put the book down. I needed that momentum the entire time.
When I say this book hits hard, I mean it. It was somehow cynical and hopeful as the characters clawed their way to survival.
I don't usually read sci-fi because I have difficulty grounding myself in the world, but the sci-fi aspects weren't distracting. There was no space travel or techy explanations that could throw off the reader. Having a character that wasn't that interested in the intricacies of science was clever
the writing style was different, incorporating the slang of the world into the narration.
Sena was a practical, cynical, and world-weary character that perfectly captured the harsh world she was born into. Despite her status as an outsider because of her scavver blood, she embraced them and used them as a means of survival. Ironically, she rejected the corpo way of life and working with the wolves. Her relationship with Iska was cute, especially at the beginning when Sena tried to justify actions that would inadvertently aid the she-wolf.
The plot was solid, though I wish we had more time with the scavvers. I have a bone to pick with that scavver that followed Sena the entire time. Like seriously? There were so many opportunities to help her, rule be damned.
While depressing, I appreciated that the story embraced the harshness of the world and the ramifications of corporate greed. Even characters who we were sure would survive were not safe from danger. The professor's death caught me so off guard that I had to reread it before it sunk in.
I'm excited to see what Remy has in store for us in the next book.
Verdict: 4 stars
Fav character: Iska
I don't usually read sci-fi because I have difficulty grounding myself in the world, but the sci-fi aspects weren't distracting. There was no space travel or techy explanations that could throw off the reader. Having a character that wasn't that interested in the intricacies of science was clever
the writing style was different, incorporating the slang of the world into the narration.
Sena was a practical, cynical, and world-weary character that perfectly captured the harsh world she was born into. Despite her status as an outsider because of her scavver blood, she embraced them and used them as a means of survival. Ironically, she rejected the corpo way of life and working with the wolves. Her relationship with Iska was cute, especially at the beginning when Sena tried to justify actions that would inadvertently aid the she-wolf.
The plot was solid, though I wish we had more time with the scavvers. I have a bone to pick with that scavver that followed Sena the entire time. Like seriously? There were so many opportunities to help her, rule be damned.
While depressing, I appreciated that the story embraced the harshness of the world and the ramifications of corporate greed. Even characters who we were sure would survive were not safe from danger. The professor's death caught me so off guard that I had to reread it before it sunk in.
I'm excited to see what Remy has in store for us in the next book.
Verdict: 4 stars
Fav character: Iska
This was such an exciting and thrilling book to read in the middle of this very strange winter in Oregon! Long's characterization was so interesting to follow, and I was reminded of the excitement I had reading books like The Hunger Games and Maze Runner, but with a chilling setting we don't usually get! Sena is a quick witted and resourceful protagonist that makes all of the right decisions for storytelling purposes, and I was so hooked on seeing how she would make her way around each obstacle in her path throughout the story. I highly recommend to those who love adventure/fantasy/sci-fi reads!
I really enjoyed this book. I'm excited about the set up for the next book. I just need to know something. Why does the race exist, if the drop ships can make it to the dog site? I feel like I missed something. It didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book, but I NEED TO KNOW.
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was the YA sled race on a frozen hellscape planet that I never knew I needed. Buckle up and have a blanket handy, as the descriptions will chill you to the bone, then the action and drama will heat you back up.
(I’m behind on reviews, so just writing some quick ones to catch up—)
A friend got this book onto my radar because of my newfound but ferocious obsession with the Iditarod, and truly, this hit the spot. The author was initially inspired by one of Blair Braverman’s atmospheric Twitter stories, and I love seeing the shared DNA and where that inspiration came back into play.
And all of the elements here are so far up my alley: Science fiction! Plucky young YA heroine wrestling with familial grief and a desire to get off her godforsaken planet! A girl and her slow bonding with her giant wolf! A harsh Arctic environment on a gritty outpost at the ass end of nowhere! A cutthroat annual sledding race! It’s truly the most Juliebait all gathered together in one package, and it’s a fun, engaging ride. I also appreciate that there’s no romance, because the core relationship here is Sena and her wolf — and to another extent, her relationship and remembrance of her dead mothers, and her wrestling with their legacy, her half-indigenous background, and her position caught between two worlds.
Not 5 stars because it never really hammered my heart hard — it’s just kind of standard YA fare — but you could do far worse. It’s a really solid sci fi debut with good worldbuilding, an atmospheric setting, and some nice characters. Really excited to see what Meg Long does next.
A friend got this book onto my radar because of my newfound but ferocious obsession with the Iditarod, and truly, this hit the spot. The author was initially inspired by one of Blair Braverman’s atmospheric Twitter stories, and I love seeing the shared DNA and where that inspiration came back into play.
And all of the elements here are so far up my alley: Science fiction! Plucky young YA heroine wrestling with familial grief and a desire to get off her godforsaken planet! A girl and her slow bonding with her giant wolf! A harsh Arctic environment on a gritty outpost at the ass end of nowhere! A cutthroat annual sledding race! It’s truly the most Juliebait all gathered together in one package, and it’s a fun, engaging ride. I also appreciate that there’s no romance, because the core relationship here is Sena and her wolf — and to another extent, her relationship and remembrance of her dead mothers, and her wrestling with their legacy, her half-indigenous background, and her position caught between two worlds.
Not 5 stars because it never really hammered my heart hard — it’s just kind of standard YA fare — but you could do far worse. It’s a really solid sci fi debut with good worldbuilding, an atmospheric setting, and some nice characters. Really excited to see what Meg Long does next.
(Stars, was there swearing in this. I didn’t pay attention and I don’t know if it goes in my language warning shelf or not)
It’s slower than I’d have expected, more steeply immersed in its setting than the plot—you don’t take off on the race til about 60% along—but I liked Sena a ton.
I don’t understand why it was a race, though. Why do we need sled dogs if drop ships are things? Did I miss something?
Maybe better review to come later
It’s slower than I’d have expected, more steeply immersed in its setting than the plot—you don’t take off on the race til about 60% along—but I liked Sena a ton.
I don’t understand why it was a race, though. Why do we need sled dogs if drop ships are things? Did I miss something?
Maybe better review to come later
Amazing world building! Loved the dystopian sci-fi vibe. This book had me hooked from the beginning. In Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves, we follow a 17-year-old girl named Sena who is determined to make it out alive on the sled race on a frozen planet. I loved the plot, the characters, and the relationship between Sena and Iska. The book is so well-written and gripping, I couldn't put it down. The characters are smart, brave, and endearing, and the plot is well thought-out with lots of action.