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reclusivebookslug's review
- 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
3.5
- Provided an overall fun reading experience; helped get me out of a reading slump
- Great set-up, especially with the religion that's built up around the magical elements
- Themes about the power of choice and autonomy
- Feels like a book that wants to stand on its own but still ends up requiring reading more of the series to feel complete or meaningful (part assumption, as I haven't read the rest of the series yet)
- Romance felt pretty generic
- World-building became a bit difficult to understand and it's thematic resonance was unclear; overall, didn't quite stick the landing
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, and Blood
Minor: Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Kidnapping, and Gore
cwerber's review
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Death, and Violence
hales_1243's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Blood, and Self harm
Moderate: Sexual content
mckiheather's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Blood, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Confinement, Grief, and Self harm
Moderate: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Murder, Death, and Sexual content
Minor: Torture, Vomit, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
azrah786's review
4.0
**I received a proof copy from Orbit Books UK in exchange for an honest review**
CW: violence, gore, blood, murder, death, death of parent, grief, self harm (for magic use), parental neglect, emotional abuse, religious trauma/abuse, moderate sexual content
--
I got sent a copy of this book around the time it was released however, I didn’t get around to reading it until recently and I’m definitely kicking myself for not having done so sooner as I really enjoyed it!
For The Wolf takes place in a kingdom where if there are ever two daughters born to the royal family then the oldest inherits the throne and second one is sacrificed to the Wolf of the Wilderwood as part of a centuries old ritual to safeguard the nation.
With a secret of her own Red readily welcomes her fate as she believes it is the only way to keep her older sister Neve and everyone safe however, upon entering the Wilderwood and meeting the Wolf she comes to realise not everything is as the lore tells it. But Neve isn’t ready to let her sister go and will do whatever it takes to claim her back from the forest.
Though a little repetitive at moments in the story this was a solid debut novel. The cover made me think this was going to be some form of Little Red Riding Hood retelling but it is actually more along the lines of Beauty and the Beast, and a refreshing take on it at that.
Whitten’s writing is pleasantly engaging and evocatively atmospheric. We predominantly follow Red as she becomes accustomed to the blood thirsty sentient forest that is now her home, the obscure magic that runs through her veins and the broody and misunderstood individual that she now shares this all with.
As mentioned already you immediately get a vivid sense of the atmosphere, the Wilderwood is like its own character and is the perfect setting for a dark fairytale as this one. The truth and mystery of the folklore surrounding the forest was so interesting to discover and really keeps you hooked. The magic involved in the story was a little confusing to understand at times but this is one of those books where the characters are also in the dark to all the finer details. The way everything unravels and how we learn more as we read on alongside the characters worked really well.
My favourite part of the book was the relationship between Red and Eammon which blossomed beautifully. A headstrong mc who runs headfirst into danger and a soft but hardy li who will do anything to protect their own may not be an original pairing in fiction but Whitten captured it so well! There were also some wonderful supporting characters in the book and the sisterhood between Red and Neve was also a highlight.
Alongside Red’s perspective the interludes scattered between the chapters where we get a glimpse of what is happening on Neve’s side of the world were so compelling. The blend of court politics and religious manipulation just added to the intrigue and I’m looking forward to seeing how the story continues and concludes in the sequel. Hopefully I can get my hands on For the Throne asap!
Final Rating – 4/5 Stars
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Abandonment, Body horror, Self harm, Emotional abuse, Violence, Gore, and Blood
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Sexual content, and Murder
pvbobrien's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Blood, Violence, and Body horror
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcohol, Murder, Sexual content, and Alcoholism
sirkeili's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I love how this tale is Little Red Riding Hood meets Beauty and the Beast, and yet it holds its own in both regards. Red's character feels both remarkably insular to the fairy tale heroine, and yet she also is so much more.
However, this story is also about love, and how far one will go for it. Red for Eammon - and him for her - as well as how far Red and Neve will go for one another. Making deals with gods and ancient beings alike, just to ensure the other is safe, whatever the price may be.
Graphic: Body horror, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Religious bigotry, Suicide, Blood, Violence, War, Confinement, Death, Self harm, and Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Abandonment, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Suicide attempt and Classism
puttingwingsonwords's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol, Grief, Murder, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Terminal illness, Cursing, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content
tak_everlasting's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Self harm, Body horror, Gore, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Abandonment, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Alcohol and Sexual content
bookopalian's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Gore
Moderate: Emotional abuse