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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
tense
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
Characterisation - the characters are realistic, flawed, and interesting. I like Sena's friendship with Kaasen, Remy and Pana, and her growing friendship with the wolf Iska. They are strong, brave, kind and loyal to each other. Remy has a great sense of humour! And Pana is really nice too. Sena is resourceful, clever and determined. Her relationship with her adopted aunt Kirima is touching and heartfelt. :)
Sena's grief about her mothers' deaths in race sledding is handled sensitively and realistically, with empathy and tact.
World building - world building is detailed, unique and believable. The world of racing in snow is so well researched! What I like best are the wildlife descriptions, about the wolves and bears, along with the monsters.
I found it fascinating that the exo carbon on the planet is used for many things, including helping clothes repel electricity. Also refreshing to read a dystopia where technology isn't heavily centred (the technology doesn't always work because of the icy weather).
Issue of racism and colonisation against Scavvers is handled empathically and realistically, which I deeply appreciate.
Plot - plot is action packed, and driven by the main character's actions. Medical wounds are treated realistically but not explicit, which makes the story easier to read.
The plot is a mixture of fast and slow pacing. Action scenes are fast paced and exciting. Scenes where the characters are learning survival skills or bonding are slower paced, which helps make the story more believable.
Ending - the ending is uplifting and hopeful. It makes sense and is well earned by Sena.
Highly recommended!
Sena's grief about her mothers' deaths in race sledding is handled sensitively and realistically, with empathy and tact.
World building - world building is detailed, unique and believable. The world of racing in snow is so well researched! What I like best are the wildlife descriptions, about the wolves and bears, along with the monsters.
I found it fascinating that the exo carbon on the planet is used for many things, including helping clothes repel electricity. Also refreshing to read a dystopia where technology isn't heavily centred (the technology doesn't always work because of the icy weather).
Issue of racism and colonisation against Scavvers is handled empathically and realistically, which I deeply appreciate.
Plot - plot is action packed, and driven by the main character's actions. Medical wounds are treated realistically but not explicit, which makes the story easier to read.
The plot is a mixture of fast and slow pacing. Action scenes are fast paced and exciting. Scenes where the characters are learning survival skills or bonding are slower paced, which helps make the story more believable.
Ending - the ending is uplifting and hopeful. It makes sense and is well earned by Sena.
Highly recommended!
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death, Death, Racism, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Colonisation
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-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:
Complicated
I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.
As someone who has grown up on watching Balto and reading Call of the Wild and White Fang, I couldn't wait to read this book. And it did not disappoint. This is a brilliant debut novel following 17-year-old Sena and her many dangerous encounters on the icy planet called Tundar.
It's an incredibly vivid sci-fi. The entire time I was reading I kept thinking about how it's the type of book that has potential for a movie adaptation, because of how fun and exciting the setting and story was. It kept a nice, fast pace for the first 25%, keeping me engaged until it really picked up. Then I flew through the rest of it, because this book does what every good fiction book should do: it enthralls you to where you keep wondering what's going to happen next.
I do feel like the story is more character-focused, and I thought Sena's character was unlikable for around the first 45% of the story. But that's a part of what makes this story so good: the character development. To be able to notice as Sena adapts and grows out of old habits and begins to trust others. And, obviously, the best example of this is the beautiful development between Sena and Iska. It was so great to read about their bonding and how their trust grows between them.
As for the setting, it's so, so, so cool. Absolutely fascinating world-building, and again, very vivid in descriptions. I also appreciate how this story delves into humanity's greed and capitalism and its effects.
The only thing I didn't love about this book is the ending - it felt sort of rushed, in a way. But I'm very excited to see what Meg Long has in store for the future.
As someone who has grown up on watching Balto and reading Call of the Wild and White Fang, I couldn't wait to read this book. And it did not disappoint. This is a brilliant debut novel following 17-year-old Sena and her many dangerous encounters on the icy planet called Tundar.
It's an incredibly vivid sci-fi. The entire time I was reading I kept thinking about how it's the type of book that has potential for a movie adaptation, because of how fun and exciting the setting and story was. It kept a nice, fast pace for the first 25%, keeping me engaged until it really picked up. Then I flew through the rest of it, because this book does what every good fiction book should do: it enthralls you to where you keep wondering what's going to happen next.
I do feel like the story is more character-focused, and I thought Sena's character was unlikable for around the first 45% of the story. But that's a part of what makes this story so good: the character development. To be able to notice as Sena adapts and grows out of old habits and begins to trust others. And, obviously, the best example of this is the beautiful development between Sena and Iska. It was so great to read about their bonding and how their trust grows between them.
As for the setting, it's so, so, so cool. Absolutely fascinating world-building, and again, very vivid in descriptions. I also appreciate how this story delves into humanity's greed and capitalism and its effects.
The only thing I didn't love about this book is the ending - it felt sort of rushed, in a way. But I'm very excited to see what Meg Long has in store for the future.
Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves is a fast-paced survival story with a dynamic protagonist, an immersive setting, and strong messages. A pickpocket who scrambles to survive on an unforgiving planet, Sena wants nothing to do with the race that killed her mother. All she wants is to save enough money to get off the planet that took everything from her, but Sena might not have a choice.
The story is told in the first person, which gives you a deep and fascinating look at Sena’s character. Sena goes through so much throughout the story. She is a stubborn and determined seventeen-year-old who has suffered much loss in her life. She doesn’t always make the best decisions, but she is fierce and independent, and she shows tremendous growth over the course of the story. As Sena goes on a physical journey, she also goes on an emotional one, and she learns so much about herself, her friends, and the world around her.
The relationship between Sena and Iska is the highlight of the novel. I loved how this pair slowly learned to trust each other. They are similar in many ways, and I love that they forge such a strong bond. This relationship helps Sena through her grief, and Iska, as well as some of the other characters in the novel, slowly helps Sena break down her emotional walls. The side characters are interesting too, and the family that Sena finds in the people she journeys with is a bright spot in a bleak and deadly world.
The world-building is vivid and immersive, and the author is skilled in creating a fantastic picture without overloading the reader with information. Also, I think the personification and imagery are really well done and enhance the often dark and ominous tone. The frigidness of this ice planet, the myriad of characters, the woods, the race, the futuristic elements, and more create a unique and often terrifying world.
Messages about survival, grief, corporate greed, and the dangers of capitalism are woven expertly throughout this high-stakes story, and the race is exciting, dangerous, and deadly. There is never a dull moment in the book – it starts off with a ton of action, and it never stops. It’s a pretty exciting and suspenseful read, and I like that the themes are relevant and thought-provoking.
This is a great book for readers who like YA dystopian survival stories with fierce protagonists, a wonderful relationship between girl and wolf, and a fascinating setting. Thanks so much to NetGalley, Wednesday Books, and Meg Long for providing a copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The story is told in the first person, which gives you a deep and fascinating look at Sena’s character. Sena goes through so much throughout the story. She is a stubborn and determined seventeen-year-old who has suffered much loss in her life. She doesn’t always make the best decisions, but she is fierce and independent, and she shows tremendous growth over the course of the story. As Sena goes on a physical journey, she also goes on an emotional one, and she learns so much about herself, her friends, and the world around her.
The relationship between Sena and Iska is the highlight of the novel. I loved how this pair slowly learned to trust each other. They are similar in many ways, and I love that they forge such a strong bond. This relationship helps Sena through her grief, and Iska, as well as some of the other characters in the novel, slowly helps Sena break down her emotional walls. The side characters are interesting too, and the family that Sena finds in the people she journeys with is a bright spot in a bleak and deadly world.
The world-building is vivid and immersive, and the author is skilled in creating a fantastic picture without overloading the reader with information. Also, I think the personification and imagery are really well done and enhance the often dark and ominous tone. The frigidness of this ice planet, the myriad of characters, the woods, the race, the futuristic elements, and more create a unique and often terrifying world.
Messages about survival, grief, corporate greed, and the dangers of capitalism are woven expertly throughout this high-stakes story, and the race is exciting, dangerous, and deadly. There is never a dull moment in the book – it starts off with a ton of action, and it never stops. It’s a pretty exciting and suspenseful read, and I like that the themes are relevant and thought-provoking.
This is a great book for readers who like YA dystopian survival stories with fierce protagonists, a wonderful relationship between girl and wolf, and a fascinating setting. Thanks so much to NetGalley, Wednesday Books, and Meg Long for providing a copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
adventurous
lighthearted
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:
Complicated
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It was ok. A little all over the place for me and I understand that her moms dying was a defining moment for her but i don’t know if it needed to be stated every page.
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This story was all about survival and definitely one wild ride! The story was a pretty good book and was perfect for this time of year to be reading it with me surrounded my snow and cold weather just like Sena was. And who doesnt love a good book with wolves? Wolves are amazing and the bond that Sena and the wolf had was great. The Story was exhilarating and super interesting. The main character Sena was an interesting character for sure , she was smart but more so book smart and not street smart. She didn't always make the best decisions when it came to certain things but besides that she was super independent and didn’t let others bring her down. She would do whatever it took to succeed. The other characters were pretty interesting as well but you didn't learn a whole lot about them. Overall it was a pretty good book. I give it a 3.5 star rating. Thank you to Wednesday Books and Net Galley for providing me a copy of this book! Also hats off to this beautiful cover. Definitely drawed me in, it is stunning!