Reviews with content warning for Blood - For the Wolf

Reviews tagging 'Blood'

For the Wolf by Hannah Whitten

149 reviews

samanthas_stories's review

Go to review page

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! 💜

Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Spice: 🌶️

Content Warnings

katelynprice's review

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

I was immediately intrigued by this book, but it took me a bit to make sense of the world-building, magic, and history. I noticed that it took me much longer to read these pages, and I'm not sure if that was because I was just trying to make sense of it all or if the writing was actually confusing at times. There was also a whole scene/chapter that I think could've been cut from the book, as it didn't seem to serve a larger purpose and just slowed down the pace of the story. While this was not a perfect book, I still found myself drawn to it and was enthralled in the end. Some lines were so good that I went back to reread them and even read them aloud to my husband. Whitten is talented, and I want to read more from her. I'm glad I don't have to leave this world she created quite yet.

Content Warnings

pastellasilver's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective medium-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

3.75

Ich mochte die Grundidee sehr gerne. Der Fehlende Antagonist hat eine spannende und interessante neue Sichtweise geboten. Schade fand ich, dass später doch ein "klassischer" Gegenspieler auftrat und viele Wendungen dadurch vorhersehbar wurden.
In den Wilden Wald habe ich mich aber Hals über Kopf verliebt, die Atmosphäre und die Bewohner haben es mir angetan.
Dass Red und Neve so sehr gegeneinander gearbeitet haben fand ich jedoch sehr ermüdend, auch wenn es logosch erklärt war. Als Leser ist es jedoch sehr anstrengend, da man weitaus mehr Informationen hat.

Content Warnings

charliesmom's review

Go to review page

adventurous dark mysterious sad tense slow-paced

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

2.75

Content Warnings

robin_leeann's review

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional funny inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

Content Warnings

tibbarasden's review

Go to review page

dark medium-paced

5.0

I can see why this book isn't for everyone, but I loved it. It combines aspects from different fairytales while still creating something unique. I would look at the trigger warnings for this before going in as it does have a religious element and self-harm. My favorite part of this book was the Wilderwoods themselves. I love that spooky sentient wood vibe. All the characters were enjoyable, though the atmosphere was what really made this book for me.

Content Warnings

cwerber's review

Go to review page

adventurous dark mysterious tense 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

4.0

Content Warnings

smuttymcbookface's review

Go to review page

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 account

that 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, the

absorbing 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.

Content Warnings

bookaholic84's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark mysterious 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? No

4.5

I absolutely devoured this book, it was amazing, I loved the plot and the twist towards the end I didn’t see coming, I’m now patiently awaiting payday so I can buy book 2 to continue.
If you like fantasy, magic and a bit of romance this book is for you.

Content Warnings

molls's review

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.25

Content Warnings

More...