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azrah786's review against another edition
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
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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: Body horror, Emotional abuse, Gore, Self harm, Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, and Abandonment
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Murder
micaelamariem'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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Gore, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
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: Body horror, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcoholism, Sexual content, Murder, and Alcohol
saurahsaurus'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
3.75
Graphic: Death, Self harm, Blood, Religious bigotry, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Gore, Sexual content, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, and Toxic friendship
karelidz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
It was really good, though i wouldn't call it a favorite.
It's a mix between Beauty & the Beast retelling and something else. It's its own thing.
I liked it, I found it entertaining and I really felt inside the story. My only complaints would be that sometimes i would get lost in the descriptions of what was happening and I had to backtrack a bit. Some of the decriptions were not very clear to me.
Also, (but this is a me problem), I didnt really like when we switched pov's to her sister. I understand why and that it had to happen to move the story along but those were my least favorite parts of the book.
That being said, i don't think i'll read book 2, just because I feel like it ended in a kind of good note (at least for me).
Moderate: Self harm and Blood
Minor: Death, Gore, Sexual content, Grief, and Death of parent
bluelillybooks'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
4.0
I've recovered and here's a review:
My reading experience was definitely a rollercoaster: I went from being super excited to bored to interested to mildly annoyed to captivated and emotional. Save to say the last 20% of the book made my rating go from 3 to a very decent 4 stars. It's easy to fall into the fiction as you follow the characters and the atmosphere - which plays a character of its own throughout the book- is strong from the start. The author lost me for a while in the middle when there just weren't enough things going wrong; too much exposition at a point where you would expect action. So I was all the more happily surprised when the story picked up speed, I suddenly got attached to the characters and promising subplots finally thickened.
Whitten's writing style is right up my ally and I immediately clicked with the fluent storytelling, pretty metaphors and clever allusions. The way the Wilderwood is both setting and character pleases the literature student within me and it is just beautifully and cleverly done. But I wish there were more synonyms for words like "root" and "vine" because girl we got it after the 1726th time.
There was.. a lot of blood though. Like /a lot/. The plot revolves around blood. So big big trigger warning there. I guess that's why this book really walks the line between YA fiction and fantasy.
That makes it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐ star rating for me! I did really enjoy For the Wolf and I'll be reading its sequel For the Throne without a doubt. Thanks for getting me out of a reading slump Whitten!
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Self harm, Blood, and Death of parent
Moderate: Violence, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cursing, Sexual content, and Suicide attempt
blewballoon'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? No
4.0
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Self harm, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual content, Violence, Suicide attempt, and Murder
sirkeili's review against another edition
- 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, Confinement, Death, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Gaslighting, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Abandonment
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: Body horror, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Alcohol
Minor: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Terminal illness
murphymegs's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Self harm, and Blood