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whatiskatelynreading's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Blood, and Death
emilytheninth's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I was so uncertain about the beginning of this book. I didn’t feel connected to Neve (and didn’t particularly like her after the first novel), the pace was feeling slow, wasn’t sure if I should keep up with it, was feeling like For the Wolf could’ve been a stand-alone… and I am SO glad that I didn’t put it down. The slow start is absolutely worth the story that Hannah Whitten spun in the duology. The tale was dark, adventurous, heroic, and unexpected. The characters were complex, sometimes morally grey, and interesting. The ending swept together into something even more epic than I thought the story could handle, and made me cry several times. I loved it—possibly more than Wolf—and can’t wait to read more from Hannah Whitten.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, and Violence
Minor: Sexual content
readingwithkaitlyn's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Suicide, Infidelity, Self harm, Death, Grief, Blood, Body shaming, Sexism, and Suicidal thoughts
sirkeili's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.5
Because this book's plot is a direct recap and continuation of the first novel, I immediately jumped back into the world of the Wildwood Wolves and the Shadowland Kings.
Neve's strength throughout the book was unmeasurable, and her wit really drew me her as a character entirely. I could see how much she and her sister's fierce and deep love for one another was a driving force. Yet she comes to terms with her own shortcomings, and embraces who she is, and ultimately I found her development and growth to be the most compelling.
I had initially suspected Solmir would have a bigger part to play, as they seemed to really focus on his possession of Arrick towards the end of the first book, and his relationship to Eammon's parents fate as the Wildwood Wolf and Second Daughter throughout. He became a surprise favourite, as I started out sort of expecting this redemption arc, but still kind of wary of his method to begin with. As he slowly became more vulnerable to Neve, I slowly found myself being won over by him, and he ultimately pulled a Eugene and I was a goner.
I also really enjoyed Red and Eammons flirty behavior, when they were not intently focusing on helping Neve. It was nice to see their relationship flourish and grow, and it felt organic and yet fortified all the same.
I wasn't as interested in the Raffe segments, but I was happy to see that he too was able to find happiness in Kayu. He deserves it for the hell he was put through, honestly, that and a solid nap.
Overall, it was heartwrenching to watch Neve fight her way back to her sister from the Shadowlands, and Red doing the same from above, and both aching to just be together again. The fact that they sacrificed something so precious to be reunited with their loved ones was a bittersweet victory, but a victory nonetheless.
The surprisingly sweet meet-cute ending for Solmir and Neve makes me hope they can finally experience peaceful life together now. I hope to see them again someday soon. ❤️
Neve's strength throughout the book was unmeasurable, and her wit really drew me her as a character entirely. I could see how much she and her sister's fierce and deep love for one another was a driving force. Yet she comes to terms with her own shortcomings, and embraces who she is, and ultimately I found her development and growth to be the most compelling.
I had initially suspected Solmir would have a bigger part to play, as they seemed to really focus on his possession of Arrick towards the end of the first book, and his relationship to Eammon's parents fate as the Wildwood Wolf and Second Daughter throughout. He became a surprise favourite, as I started out sort of expecting this redemption arc, but still kind of wary of his method to begin with. As he slowly became more vulnerable to Neve, I slowly found myself being won over by him, and he ultimately pulled a Eugene and I was a goner.
I also really enjoyed Red and Eammons flirty behavior, when they were not intently focusing on helping Neve. It was nice to see their relationship flourish and grow, and it felt organic and yet fortified all the same.
I wasn't as interested in the Raffe segments, but I was happy to see that he too was able to find happiness in Kayu. He deserves it for the hell he was put through, honestly, that and a solid nap.
Overall, it was heartwrenching to watch Neve fight her way back to her sister from the Shadowlands, and Red doing the same from above, and both aching to just be together again. The fact that they sacrificed something so precious to be reunited with their loved ones was a bittersweet victory, but a victory nonetheless.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Body horror, Torture, Confinement, and Sexual content
Moderate: Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, and Abandonment
Minor: Grief, Toxic relationship, and Child abuse
reneec1's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
🌶 fade to black, innuendo
Characters: We follow the same characters as in For the Wolf, but this time with a larger focus on Neve. We see Neve struggle through who she is and what she needs to do. I wish there would have been more to Red and Neve’s relationship in FtW because I felt like I was only really convinced of it by the end of FtT. I loved the push and pull of Neve and Solmir’s relationship, and appreciated that both their and Red and Eammon’s spicy scenes weren’t explicit.
Worldbuilding: I love the worldbuilding and magic system in these books. Learning about their world and magic as first Red and then Neve learned about it is my favorite writing style. With the addition of the Shadowlands in this book, there was still a ton of new information, but it never felt like an info dump.
Plot: The overall plot was great, but I didn’t like some parts of the ending and that’s why I rated it a little lower than I would have. My main issue with the ending is that Solmir spent the whole book fighting for his soul in the Shadowlands and then in the end, Neve and Red smashed their souls when they died in order to come back to life and then they went on with their lives with only a slight difference in how they felt. Was Solmir always wrong or was this just a convenient way to kill the kings without killing Red and Neve? I think the latter.
However… two things I liked about the ending were: 1. Neve and Solmir’s relationship ended ambiguously instead of being perfectly paired off forever. 2. I was also really glad to not have to see a pregnancy trope with Red and Eammon because it wasn’t necessary.
I’m the end, I had fun reading this duology and would recommend it if you’re looking for some fantasy!
🌶 fade to black, innuendo
Characters: We follow the same characters as in For the Wolf, but this time with a larger focus on Neve. We see Neve struggle through who she is and what she needs to do.
Worldbuilding: I love the worldbuilding and magic system in these books. Learning about their world and magic as first Red and then Neve learned about it is my favorite writing style. With the addition of the Shadowlands in this book, there was still a ton of new information, but it never felt like an info dump.
Plot: The overall plot was great, but I didn’t like some parts of the ending and that’s why I rated it a little lower than I would have.
However… two things I liked about the ending were: 1. Neve and Solmir’s relationship ended ambiguously instead of being perfectly paired off forever. 2. I was also really glad to not have to see a pregnancy trope with Red and Eammon because it wasn’t necessary.
I’m the end, I had fun reading this duology and would recommend it if you’re looking for some fantasy!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Gore
Minor: Sexual content
beccaand's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
Graphic: Body horror, Blood, Death, Gore, and Violence
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Cursing, and Sexual content
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Grief
readwithde's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- 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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Body horror
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Cursing, and Gaslighting
Minor: Blood, Death of parent, Death, Sexual content, and Grief
sabrinz's review
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
This book picks up right where For the Wolf left off -with Neve waking up in the Shadowlands with Solmir.
They treck through the empty wasteland that is the Shadowlands to get to the Heart Tree, the only thing strong enough to open a portal to the world above again and to draw the Kings. Along the way Neve and Solmir have to make a few choices and face the last of the Old Ones in the Shadowlands.
Up above, Red and Co are trying to find ways to get Neve back, but there is nothing they can do
The first half of this book reads quite slowly - the pace picks up in the second half, but I was still slightly disappointed by the Shadowlands and the Kings. There were great scenes (<spoile> I loved the kings and their real stone selves or Red as the entirety of the Wilderwood ), but in total it was not really engaging for me.
The story was great in the way that it mirrored the sisters's journeys and choices.
They treck through the empty wasteland that is the Shadowlands to get to the Heart Tree, the only thing strong enough to open a portal to the world above again and to draw the Kings. Along the way Neve and Solmir have to make a few choices and face the last of the Old Ones in the Shadowlands.
Up above, Red and Co are trying to find ways to get Neve back, but there is nothing they can do
The first half of this book reads quite slowly - the pace picks up in the second half, but I was still slightly disappointed by the Shadowlands and the Kings. There were great scenes (<spoile> I loved the kings and their real stone selves or Red as the entirety of the Wilderwood ), but in total it was not really engaging for me.
The story was great in the way that it mirrored the sisters's journeys and choices.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Violence
looseleafellie's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I absolutely adored For the Wolf and have been waiting eagerly for this sequel. Luckily, it did not disappoint!
I related a lot to Neve, which is unfortunate for me because she’s a disaster, but meant I enjoyed her POV chapters. I also loved seeing all my returning faves and getting to know the fantastic Princess Kayu! This is a squad I would die to hang out with.
As with the first installment, For the Throne’s pacing is kind of slow, but getting lost in the prose makes it absolutely worth it. I felt like Neve and Solmir’s romance wasn’t as developed as Red and Eammon’s, but I did somehow like Solmir by the end despite hating him in the first book, so that is a FEAT!
Also, the last 60 pages are a rollercoaster that crushed me, so thanks for that, Hannah :P I’ve loved spending time in the Wilderwood, and I eagerly await the author’s next series!
Thanks to Orbit Books for the finished copy!
Spice level: graphic but brief
CWs: Blood/gore, body horror, violence, parent neglect/abuse, religious trauma/abuse, death of a loved one, giant insects.
I related a lot to Neve, which is unfortunate for me because she’s a disaster, but meant I enjoyed her POV chapters. I also loved seeing all my returning faves and getting to know the fantastic Princess Kayu! This is a squad I would die to hang out with.
As with the first installment, For the Throne’s pacing is kind of slow, but getting lost in the prose makes it absolutely worth it. I felt like Neve and Solmir’s romance wasn’t as developed as Red and Eammon’s, but I did somehow like Solmir by the end despite hating him in the first book, so that is a FEAT!
Also, the last 60 pages are a rollercoaster that crushed me, so thanks for that, Hannah :P I’ve loved spending time in the Wilderwood, and I eagerly await the author’s next series!
Thanks to Orbit Books for the finished copy!
Spice level: graphic but brief
CWs: Blood/gore, body horror, violence, parent neglect/abuse, religious trauma/abuse, death of a loved one, giant insects.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, Religious bigotry, Blood, Child abuse, and Death
plumpaperbacks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
For the Wolf was one of my favorite reads of last year, even making it onto my list of all-time favorites, and I was so, so excited for this sequel. It was at the very top of my list of 2022 anticipated releases. Yet, sad as I am to say it, I don’t know how to feel about For the Throne. On one hand, giving it any less than five stars feels innately wrong; but, on the other, I hesitate to give a book I feel so conflicted about a perfect rating.
First, I’m going to clear one thing up: I adore Red and Eammon. I adore my Wolves. I knew that going into this book, and that didn’t change. I don’t think that could change. They are my sweet, perfect babies, and they must be protected at all costs. They carried this book and I can’t be convinced otherwise. ❤️❤️❤️
My issue lies with Neve and Solmir. I really didn’t care about Neve in the first book; by the end of it, I actually found her kind of annoying. But, despite that, I was confident that this sequel would change my mind, that she would grow on me, and that I would love Solmir too. Hannah Whitten had been teasing an enemies to lovers romance, and that’s my favorite trope, so I was SO SURE everything would be fine.
Everything was not fine. I hate to say it, but it’s true. Neve didn’t grow on me. I don’t have anything against her, per se; I just… didn’t really care about her. Or Solmir. Or their relationship. Which, by the way, wasn’t that good of an enemies to lovers arc. Their banter in the first third of the book was entertaining, and the stakes were certainly high throughout, but I never got invested. When I think enemies to lovers, I think of Juliette and Roma, Nina and Matthias, Ismae and Duval, just to name a few. They’re all ships with seriously intense love stories, ships I’m seriously invested in. They’ve become my standard comparisons for the trope, set my standards rather high. Neve and Solmir weren’t like that, didn’t meet those standards.
So, clearly, if I didn’t vibe with either the character that narrated most of the book or the emphasized new ship, that’s a problem. And then the other significant problem—in my opinion—was the ending. I don’t want to say it was disappointing, because that feels too harsh, but I didn’t like it. I wasn’t satisfied with how Hannah chose to wrap everything up. Obviously, that’s not my call, it’s hers, and she thought it was the best option. I just… disagree. 😬😬
If I look past those things, Hannah’s writing was gorgeous, her world-building incredible, her plot twists pure genius, just like in the first book. She gave plenty of adorable Wolf and Lady Wolf content, and I’ll definitely be going back to reread those scenes in the future. But I can’t look past the fact that I kept reading, waiting for something to happen that would make me fall in love with Neve and Solmir, yet nothing did. That my first thought upon finishing the book wasn’t omg that was brilliant or I’m so happy, but I don’t know how to feel about that. And that sucks. It really does. Because up until the last fifty pages, Neve and Solmir aside, I was thinking that the book was brilliant. I was terrified to see how it would end, as you should be when reading a series finale, but still hopeful all would be well.
And honestly, I’m sad. I’m sad that instead of writing a glowing five star review talking about what a fantastic, emotional conclusion this was, how much I adore all of the characters, and how the Wilderwood duology is now one of my all-time favorites, I’m trying to figure out how to articulate my complicated feelings about this finale that wasn’t everything I’d hoped it would be. It’s been almost a full twenty-four hours since I finished reading, and I’m still kinda bummed. Sure, four and a half stars isn’t a bad rating; it’s still quite good. For the Wolf is still one of my favorite books, Red and Eammon one of my favorite ships, Hannah Whitten one of my favorite authors. I’ll still recommend For the Wolf to everyone that will listen, and I’ll be reading The Foxglove King ASAP when it releases next spring. But not loving a book you were SO SURE you were going to love is a uniquely disappointing feeling, one I’m not entirely sure how to process. Maybe I’m being overdramatic AF, but regardless, that’s about how I’m feeling now.
So yeah. It’s taken me way too long to cobble this review together, and I’m ready to focus on something else. Wolf and Lady Wolf supremacy. They’ll always be the Wolves in my heart. The end.
Representation:
First, I’m going to clear one thing up: I adore Red and Eammon. I adore my Wolves. I knew that going into this book, and that didn’t change. I don’t think that could change. They are my sweet, perfect babies, and they must be protected at all costs. They carried this book and I can’t be convinced otherwise. ❤️❤️❤️
My issue lies with Neve and Solmir. I really didn’t care about Neve in the first book; by the end of it, I actually found her kind of annoying. But, despite that, I was confident that this sequel would change my mind, that she would grow on me, and that I would love Solmir too. Hannah Whitten had been teasing an enemies to lovers romance, and that’s my favorite trope, so I was SO SURE everything would be fine.
Everything was not fine. I hate to say it, but it’s true. Neve didn’t grow on me. I don’t have anything against her, per se; I just… didn’t really care about her. Or Solmir. Or their relationship. Which, by the way, wasn’t that good of an enemies to lovers arc. Their banter in the first third of the book was entertaining, and the stakes were certainly high throughout, but I never got invested. When I think enemies to lovers, I think of Juliette and Roma, Nina and Matthias, Ismae and Duval, just to name a few. They’re all ships with seriously intense love stories, ships I’m seriously invested in. They’ve become my standard comparisons for the trope, set my standards rather high. Neve and Solmir weren’t like that, didn’t meet those standards.
So, clearly, if I didn’t vibe with either the character that narrated most of the book or the emphasized new ship, that’s a problem. And then the other significant problem—in my opinion—was the ending. I don’t want to say it was disappointing, because that feels too harsh, but I didn’t like it. I wasn’t satisfied with how Hannah chose to wrap everything up. Obviously, that’s not my call, it’s hers, and she thought it was the best option. I just… disagree. 😬😬
If I look past those things, Hannah’s writing was gorgeous, her world-building incredible, her plot twists pure genius, just like in the first book. She gave plenty of adorable Wolf and Lady Wolf content, and I’ll definitely be going back to reread those scenes in the future. But I can’t look past the fact that I kept reading, waiting for something to happen that would make me fall in love with Neve and Solmir, yet nothing did. That my first thought upon finishing the book wasn’t omg that was brilliant or I’m so happy, but I don’t know how to feel about that. And that sucks. It really does. Because up until the last fifty pages, Neve and Solmir aside, I was thinking that the book was brilliant. I was terrified to see how it would end, as you should be when reading a series finale, but still hopeful all would be well.
And honestly, I’m sad. I’m sad that instead of writing a glowing five star review talking about what a fantastic, emotional conclusion this was, how much I adore all of the characters, and how the Wilderwood duology is now one of my all-time favorites, I’m trying to figure out how to articulate my complicated feelings about this finale that wasn’t everything I’d hoped it would be. It’s been almost a full twenty-four hours since I finished reading, and I’m still kinda bummed. Sure, four and a half stars isn’t a bad rating; it’s still quite good. For the Wolf is still one of my favorite books, Red and Eammon one of my favorite ships, Hannah Whitten one of my favorite authors. I’ll still recommend For the Wolf to everyone that will listen, and I’ll be reading The Foxglove King ASAP when it releases next spring. But not loving a book you were SO SURE you were going to love is a uniquely disappointing feeling, one I’m not entirely sure how to process. Maybe I’m being overdramatic AF, but regardless, that’s about how I’m feeling now.
So yeah. It’s taken me way too long to cobble this review together, and I’m ready to focus on something else. Wolf and Lady Wolf supremacy. They’ll always be the Wolves in my heart. The end.
Representation:
- side characters of color (one is also aromantic asexual)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Blood
Moderate: Body horror and Sexual content
Minor: Self harm and Suicidal thoughts
There are only a couple of sex scenes; while they’re not fade-to-black, they’re not graphic either. Mentions of prior self-harm by one of the love interests. Brief mention of a minor side character with suicidal thoughts.