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melanie_books's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Redarys has always known her destiny. In Valleyda, the First Daughter is for the throne and the Second Daughter is for the Wolf. So while her sister Neve is destined to rule their tiny nation someday, Red is to be sent into the Wilderwood on her 20th birthday, a sacrifice to the Wolf, in the hopes that he will be satisfied and release the god-like Five Kings of old. Red has long lost her faith in the Kings' return and doubts her venturing into the Wilderwood will make any difference. Nevertheless, she is eager to go. The spark of the Wilderwood deep within her is a power that she fears more than the Wolf, having seen the devastation it wrought 4 years ago. She needs to get away from those she loves so they can be safe. But, when she enters the forest and finds the Wolf, he is nothing like what she imagined. Meanwhile, Neve seeks power and powerful allies with the hopes of getting her sister back.
A reimagining of Little Red Riding Hood, For the Wolf is magical story that goes beyond the traditional fairy tale. Red is a heroine worth rooting for: forced by birthright to be a sacrifice, she is determined to follow through with that sacrifice for the sake of those she loves. She makes it clear that this is her choice. Her relationship with Eamonn (the Wolf) is also one that requires a lot of determination. While he'd rather she leave him alone, she sees his sacrifices and can't help but stay. Their connection is as inevitable as Red's choices regarding the Wilderwood. The first 30% of the book is slow (a lot of background) and details and answers are slow to be revealed, but the story itself coupled with themes of magic vs. shadow, power, faith & religious abuse, etc. made this an amazing read!
A reimagining of Little Red Riding Hood, For the Wolf is magical story that goes beyond the traditional fairy tale. Red is a heroine worth rooting for: forced by birthright to be a sacrifice, she is determined to follow through with that sacrifice for the sake of those she loves. She makes it clear that this is her choice. Her relationship with Eamonn (the Wolf) is also one that requires a lot of determination. While he'd rather she leave him alone, she sees his sacrifices and can't help but stay. Their connection is as inevitable as Red's choices regarding the Wilderwood. The first 30% of the book is slow (a lot of background) and details and answers are slow to be revealed, but the story itself coupled with themes of magic vs. shadow, power, faith & religious abuse, etc. made this an amazing read!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Sexual content
becksbecks's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Fun ideas, not very well written. Fight scenes seem to jump around too much and description seems to be missing which almost made me feel dizzy and lost while reading. On the other hand, character traits are definitely told (multiple times) and not shown, and the world is not developed enough to be convincing or intriguing , leading to a boring and confusing read overall.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Blood, and Violence
Minor: Sexual content
samanthas_stories's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.5
***May contain spoilers***
My recent read of For the Wolf by Hannah Whitten has left me with a bit of a book hangover.
Entering the world of Valeydan and the Wilderwood felt like a dream laced with a nightmare. Following a centuries-old tradition that the second-born daughter must be sacrificed to the Wolf inside the Wilderwood in hopes that he will release the world's gods, Red happily walks into the Wilderwood, not expecting any of what she finds when she enters. Hoping to escape something those close to her didn't understand.
Expecting death and monsters upon entering, the last thing Red thought she'd find was a crumbling castle, a handsome man, and magic pulsing through her veins. And she certainly never expected to need to save the Wolf, herself, or her sister.
There were a lot of elements that had the "Beauty and the Beast" feel. Still, I thought this book was more representative of Frozen 2, with the sister relationship, magical forest, and effort to change tradition. I loved it!
The world-building, character development, and pacing were all really well done. Whitten was able to evoke a variety of emotions and suspense. I found myself reading literally on the edge of my seat. The only reason I didn't cry at the end is because I stopped reading mid-scene to breathe and make the tears dry out. It was compelling and beautifully written.
If my library wasn't closed for renovation and I wasn't on a book-buying ban at the moment, I would have been reading the sequel in an instant.
I don't know what it is because I loved this one so much, but something's holding me back from giving this book 5 stars. I want to, but I can't bring myself to do it. I get this particular feeling with a 5-star read, and this was just on the cusp of it, but not quite there, which is why I'm rating For the Wolf 4.5 out of 5 stars.
As always, thanks for reading! š
Stars: āļøāļøāļøāļø.5
Spice: š¶ļø
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Sexual content
smuttymcbookface's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
For the Wolf was an interesting retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, where Red is promised as a sacrifice on her 20th birthday to appease a magical being, the Wolf, so that he continues to protect them from shadow creatures.
I found this plot interesting, and although I can see the similarities to Beauty and the Beast, I do think this is much more Little Red Riding Hood when you take into accountthat he is trying to stop part of himself from devouring her at all times.
I loved the slow-burn romance, and that the Wolf was actually just a big nerdy sweety trapped into his role. Although the lack of communication was a little annoying, I felt it was aptly explained by his desire to protect her.
I found the writing a little clunky at times, too snappy or repetitive in words (benediction, I'm looking at you). But the anticipation and scenery was built so beautifully that I was happy to overlook it.
However, the part that bugged me most about For the Wolf was the ending. Red went from impassioned, but mostly logical, to being too stupid to live. The end fight was just a little bit silly altogether, and although I understand that the premise was to set up for book two, it was done in a way that made me upset I had read all this just for it to be resolved in that way.
Also, theabsorbing of the forest, then giving it back, then absorbing it again was ridiculous. Add on top of that Fife bargaining his life away again when Lyra didn't even seem to be dying? I just couldn't reconcile all of this with the amazing plot I had read up to that point.
I found this plot interesting, and although I can see the similarities to Beauty and the Beast, I do think this is much more Little Red Riding Hood when you take into account
I loved the slow-burn romance, and that the Wolf was actually just a big nerdy sweety trapped into his role. Although the lack of communication was a little annoying, I felt it was aptly explained by his desire to protect her.
I found the writing a little clunky at times, too snappy or repetitive in words (benediction, I'm looking at you). But the anticipation and scenery was built so beautifully that I was happy to overlook it.
However, the part that bugged me most about For the Wolf was the ending. Red went from impassioned, but mostly logical, to being too stupid to live. The end fight was just a little bit silly altogether, and although I understand that the premise was to set up for book two, it was done in a way that made me upset I had read all this just for it to be resolved in that way.
Also, the
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Death, and Blood
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content
readwithria's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
For the Wolf is a fairytale wrapped in a blood promise. A dark, hauntingly beautiful fantasy that is absolutely perfect for spooky season.
I love fairytale retellings, I love folklore, and I love Hannah Whittenās other book The Foxglove King, so I went into this book wanting to love it with my whole heart. It delivered on so many things! The world was lush and beautiful, the prose was atmospheric, and the characters had such strong bonds with each other. This book took the spooky forest trope and spun it into something new and delicately beautiful.
The one thing that kept this from being a five start book for me was the pacing. It was definitely intentional, and built a lot of necessary tension, but the first half was much slower than I personally prefer. It picked up significantly around the halfway mark, and the last 40-50 pages were an avalanche of action and emotional beats.
I canāt wait to read the sequel! Hannah Whitten is making herself one of my go-to spooky season authors. 4 stars.
I love fairytale retellings, I love folklore, and I love Hannah Whittenās other book The Foxglove King, so I went into this book wanting to love it with my whole heart. It delivered on so many things! The world was lush and beautiful, the prose was atmospheric, and the characters had such strong bonds with each other. This book took the spooky forest trope and spun it into something new and delicately beautiful.
The one thing that kept this from being a five start book for me was the pacing. It was definitely intentional, and built a lot of necessary tension, but the first half was much slower than I personally prefer. It picked up significantly around the halfway mark, and the last 40-50 pages were an avalanche of action and emotional beats.
I canāt wait to read the sequel! Hannah Whitten is making herself one of my go-to spooky season authors. 4 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Violence, Blood, Panic attacks/disorders, Injury/Injury detail, Religious bigotry, Gore, and Self harm
Moderate: Cursing, Confinement, Grief, and Alcohol
Minor: Sexual content
margaret_k30's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Suicide attempt, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Sexual assault and Abandonment
Minor: Kidnapping, Drug abuse, and Sexual content
hales_1243's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Blood, and Self harm
Moderate: Sexual content
mckiheather's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- 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
Interesting retelling of the Red Riding Hood story. The elements of the familiar story were there but didnāt overtake the original parts that made it so engaging and new.
Content Warnings
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
thebookcoyote's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
TW/CW: Death, death of a parent, body horror, fantasy violence, sexual situations
REVIEW: For the Wolf is the story of Redarys (who goes by Red). She is born the second daughter, and according to the tradition and religion of her land, that means she is to be sent into the woods at age twenty as a sacrifice to the āWolf.ā When she goes, she quickly determines that the truth is not exactly what she has been led to believeā¦
When I chose this book to read, I assumed it would be about werewolves ā but let me say this now: this is not a book about werewolves, or anything like Little Red Riding Hood. If anything, it is closer to Beauty and the Beast than Little Red Riding Hood, although I donāt really think itās much like that either.
Regardless of it being nothing I expected, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was well written, and while dark, the magic and world building were intriguing and kept me wanting to read further in order to see what happens. Red has faults, which I really like ā perfect characters end up driving me crazy by the end ā and her motivations are clear and understandable. Itās easy to put yourself in her footsteps and feel what sheās feeling, so that makes the book all around better.
While it doesnāt end exactly on a cliffhanger, this is the first book of the series and the ending definitely leads into the next book. I recommend this book to fans of fantasy and horror.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Body horror, and Sexual content
azrah786's review
4.0
[This review can also be found on my BLOG]
**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 didnāt get around to reading it until recently and Iām 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 isnāt 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.
Whittenās 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 Redās perspective the interludes scattered between the chapters where we get a glimpse of what is happening on Neveās side of the world were so compelling. The blend of court politics and religious manipulation just added to the intrigue and Iām 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 ā 4/5 Stars
**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 didnāt get around to reading it until recently and Iām 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 isnāt 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.
Whittenās 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 Redās perspective the interludes scattered between the chapters where we get a glimpse of what is happening on Neveās side of the world were so compelling. The blend of court politics and religious manipulation just added to the intrigue and Iām 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 ā 4/5 Stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Abandonment, Body horror, Self harm, Emotional abuse, Violence, Gore, and Blood
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Sexual content, and Murder