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bluejayreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
2.5
One of the quote endorsement things on my library’s copy of this book said it was great for “fans of Uprooted,” and I am definitely a fan of Uprooted. And I was liking the twisted fairy tale vibes I was getting from the back cover.
As hard as everything from the cover to the protagonist’s name tries to give a Red Riding Hood vibe, For the Wolf is reimagining of Beauty and the Beast if anything. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but if you’ve watched the Disney version of Beauty and the Beast, you’ll be able to predict the basic shape of a lot of future events.
In this word, the gods are gone, and the Wolf in the Wilderwood has them trapped. Per tradition that’s practically taken the role of prophecy, the oldest princess becomes queen, and the second princess gets sacrificed to the Wolf in hopes that an acceptable sacrifice will convince him to release the gods. Naturally, queens try to only have one daughter, but Red has the unfortunate honor of being a twin. So on her twentieth birthday, she got to be sacrificed to the Wolf.
The main story is Red, meeting the Wolf (which is actually a title, not a species indicator), exploring what in the heck is going on in the Wilderwood, and dealing with magic. But there are also some parts from the perspective of Neve, Red’s sister, back at home and desperate to get her sister back.
At first, I loved the story. It definitely had Uprooted vibes, I was curious about the Wilderwood and what was behind all the weird stuff going on, and I was actually a little interested in the relationship between Red and the Wolf.
And then it started to drag. Red is stubborn and powerful and has an attitude of “I’m here now so I’m going to help,” but the Wolf absolutely refuses to tell her anything about what’s going on, claiming he’s trying to protect her even when knowing would help her protect herself. I was expecting him to eventually give in and tell her and then the story could start, but he never did. Red doesn’t find out certain Very Essential Information until right before the climax. It only took a few chapters for this deliberate and repeated refusal to let Red join the plot to go from slowing down the story to outright frustrating.
The big driving force of this story is how much Red is loved, but I think I have a different understanding of love than than what’s in this book. There are no less than two (and arguably three) characters who show their love for Red by being willing to die in the process of undoing Red’s choice rather than accept that she made a choice they didn’t like. They all said they loved her – and maybe they thought they did – but actual love has to also involve respecting the other person’s autonomy. If they aren’t willing to respect her choices about her own life and instead do everything in their power to force her to do what they want, that shows more that they feel like they own her or are entitled to make decisions for her rather than loving her.
I wish I could have liked this book more than I did. The world was fantastic, even the small bits of politics that I got from Neve’s sections were interesting, a unique religion is a driving force in the story, the Wolf’s story was revealed in tantalizing layers, I actually enjoyed the slow-burn relationship between Red and the Wolf, and the Wilderwood was a great setting with a lot of potential. But even though the story hinged around Red’s choices, every single character in the book was dead set against letting her make those choices – or if she managed to anyway, doing everything up to and including dying to undo them. It’s like the entire story was telling Red, “Yeah, we know you’re the main character, but we don’t want you to be part of it so it sit down and shut up.”
I did finish it. I suppose it’s because I wanted to see if anyone ever let Red make a choice (spoiler: no, the only “character” who respects Red’s choices is not even human) and because there were other good things in the book (the Wilderwood, mainly) whose stories I wanted to see play out. I was so excited to find something similar to Uprooted that I hoped to love, and then it rapidly decided that it hated its protagonist and drove me into frustration. I wish I could have liked this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Self harm, Blood, and Grief
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content and Murder
apersonfromflorida's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death
Minor: Death of parent
dannythestreet's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, and Abandonment
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Physical abuse, Grief, Murder, and Gaslighting
Minor: Emotional abuse, Self harm, Stalking, and Alcohol
oceanw1's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement and Sexual content
holthmsn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-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
4.5
For The Wolf is a creative story which is loosely based on the story of Little Red Riding Wolf, following our main character called Red who is destined for the Wolf. While the novel gets into the rhythm of the story and becomes enjoyable, the first 100 pages of the book have a lot of world building. For The Wolf also centres around a unique magic system and once developed into the main plot, is an enjoyable read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Minor: Sexual content
olivialandryxo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-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
5.0
This was already on my TBR, but I moved it much further up after one of my favorite bookish content creators read and loved it. I’m so glad I did, because it’s a hidden gem in the adult fantasy genre.
As soon as I started reading it, I was enthralled. Whitten’s writing is beautiful, the world and lore she created intriguing and easy to become immersed in. Although the slower pace is consistent throughout nearly the entire novel, my interest never wavered because I always wanted to know what happened next.
The best part of the story was undeniably the characters. Red and Eammon are two people both cursed to bear something started by prior generations, and even though her brazenness is quite a contrast to his quieter nature, they shared the same determination to uphold their bargains. From that, a tentative friendship blossomed, and then came a tender, heartwarming slow-burn romance. GOOD GOD I JUST LOVE THEM SO MUCH!!! ❤️❤️❤️
You know that moment in books when a character addresses the protagonist one way, and then the love interest is like “that’s my spouse”? This book has that and it is so amazing, so satisfying. I didn’t know I needed that specific trope in my life until this moment.
As soon as I started reading it, I was enthralled. Whitten’s writing is beautiful, the world and lore she created intriguing and easy to become immersed in. Although the slower pace is consistent throughout nearly the entire novel, my interest never wavered because I always wanted to know what happened next.
The best part of the story was undeniably the characters. Red and Eammon are two people both cursed to bear something started by prior generations, and even though her brazenness is quite a contrast to his quieter nature, they shared the same determination to uphold their bargains. From that, a tentative friendship blossomed, and then came a tender, heartwarming slow-burn romance. GOOD GOD I JUST LOVE THEM SO MUCH!!! ❤️❤️❤️
You know that moment in books when a character addresses the protagonist one way, and then the love interest is like “that’s my spouse”? This book has that and it is so amazing, so satisfying. I didn’t know I needed that specific trope in my life until this moment.
‘I love you. I’m for the Wolf.’
‘I’m for you.’
HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO JUST DEAL WITH THAT? MY HEART’S GONNA COMBUST. 🥺🥺🥺
The ending went in a couple of different unexpected directions, and the pace definitely picked up in those final chapters. I can’t say much without spoiling, but it was a mix of entertaining and nerve-wracking, and I would just like to thank Hannah Whitten for not breaking me with the cliffhanger I fully expected we’d get. So thank you, Ms. Whitten. You’ll never see this, but thank you nonetheless. :)
I knew something was up with Kiri almost instantly. I had a feeling she poisoned the queen, and it didn’t surprise me to find out she’d also poisoned the High Priestess. She’s messed up, in more ways than one, and I have a bad feeling about her. The fact that she’s not dead…. she won’t accept defeat that easily. I have a feeling she’ll be back.
And also, maybe this is bad of me, but I don’t really care that Neve is trapped in the Shadowlands. I lost interest in her chapters after a couple of them, as they took me away from Red and Eammon and that was the story I wanted to read. Like, I’m glad she’s not dead, she doesn’t deserve that, but god, she was manipulated so easily. And it’s honestly her own fault that she’s in the situation she’s in. So. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
So yeah, Red and Eammon and Lyra and Fife have stolen my heart—although it was mostly the first two—and this is now one of my favorite adult fantasies. I want my own copy, and I want everyone to read this. Also, the sequel comes out two days after my birthday, so that’ll be a brilliant present to myself. Love that for me!!
Representation
HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO JUST DEAL WITH THAT? MY HEART’S GONNA COMBUST. 🥺🥺🥺
The ending went in a couple of different unexpected directions, and the pace definitely picked up in those final chapters. I can’t say much without spoiling, but it was a mix of entertaining and nerve-wracking, and I would just like to thank Hannah Whitten for not breaking me with the cliffhanger I fully expected we’d get. So thank you, Ms. Whitten. You’ll never see this, but thank you nonetheless. :)
And also, maybe this is bad of me, but I don’t really care that Neve is trapped in the Shadowlands. I lost interest in her chapters after a couple of them, as they took me away from Red and Eammon and that was the story I wanted to read. Like, I’m glad she’s not dead, she doesn’t deserve that, but god, she was manipulated so easily. And it’s honestly her own fault that she’s in the situation she’s in. So. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
So yeah, Red and Eammon and Lyra and Fife have stolen my heart—although it was mostly the first two—and this is now one of my favorite adult fantasies. I want my own copy, and I want everyone to read this. Also, the sequel comes out two days after my birthday, so that’ll be a brilliant present to myself. Love that for me!!
Representation
- side characters of color
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm and Blood
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Murder
booksandprosecco's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Blood
booksthatburn's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
FOR THE WOLF is a slow burn fantasy story full of magic and longing, built on wound care and vibing. Probably not a retelling in traditional sense, it has the bones of Beauty and the Beast, the flesh and sinew of something all its own, twisted and bloody but still whole.
The plot is there, technically, but most of the action is them running around bleeding or not bleeding or asking the other one to bleed or not bleed on something so it can do or not do a magic thing. Also there's only one bed, and some gestures at a love triangle that resolves itself with very little fanfare. If you don't like wound care and longing then read something else, as that's (gloriously, intimately) the bulk of the text. There's a larger arc involving Red's twin sister which is set to continue in the next book, and it has a lot of promise. I like this one, it hits a niche I didn't realize I was missing.
The plot is there, technically, but most of the action is them running around bleeding or not bleeding or asking the other one to bleed or not bleed on something so it can do or not do a magic thing. Also there's only one bed, and some gestures at a love triangle that resolves itself with very little fanfare. If you don't like wound care and longing then read something else, as that's (gloriously, intimately) the bulk of the text. There's a larger arc involving Red's twin sister which is set to continue in the next book, and it has a lot of promise. I like this one, it hits a niche I didn't realize I was missing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Self harm, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Confinement, Gore, Sexual content, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Alcohol
readwithde's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
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? No
4.25
My opinion on this book changed frequently, but I think, in the end, that's what partly made it excellent and definitely memorable.
I appreciated how the early sections of lore and worldbuilding were handling all *in media res* as Red prepared to leave for the Wilderwood. For the first 100-ish pages, though, most of Red's story is lore and worldbuilding with little character development or character building. Her sister Neve, friend Raffe, and beau Arick all enjoy time apart from this influx of lore, and therfore are much more interesting towards the start of the story.
As Red learns to live with the Wolf and the others bound, Fife and Lysa, she grows in both knowledge and power, as well as developing a strong bond with Eammon, the Wolf. The middle of the book shines with their budding partnership and slow-burn romance, effectively pushing Neve's narrative to the side.
The conclusion was a bit jarring for me.The deck was stacked for a courtly intrigue/persuasive fight between the sisters, but quickly veered off course to what seemed like a climatic end. As things started towards a denouement, the action picks back up, the descriptions moving so quickly I had trouble understanding what was actually happening. It did slow back down, giving the characters a proper battle and more complete ending, but it still felt a bit vague and hollow to me.
Some of the most interesting worldbuilding I've read in a long time, and very descriptive magic; captivating.
I appreciated how the early sections of lore and worldbuilding were handling all *in media res* as Red prepared to leave for the Wilderwood. For the first 100-ish pages, though, most of Red's story is lore and worldbuilding with little character development or character building. Her sister Neve, friend Raffe, and beau Arick all enjoy time apart from this influx of lore, and therfore are much more interesting towards the start of the story.
As Red learns to live with the Wolf
The conclusion was a bit jarring for me.
Some of the most interesting worldbuilding I've read in a long time, and very descriptive magic; captivating.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Gaslighting
themoonphoenix's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
slow-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? Yes
4.0
Many years ago in a small village at the edge of Wilderwood exist this cruel tradition: The first daughter is for the Throne. The second daughter is for the Wolf.
Neve and Redarys are twins, both know their destiny since they were born, Neve will be queen, and Redarys a sacrifice for the Wolf, in change he will not attack the village.
When Redarys was young and ventured into the wood, the creepy forest taste her blood and became part of her; scared, she wants to go into the woods, although her sister and friends beg her to run away, she knows she has to
goes back into the wood.
Technically is one POV, Redarys´s story but Neve has some chapters here and there that help to better know what is happening outside the forest. Neve cant accept her sister's sacrifice and will do whatever it takes to bring his sister back, she desperately loves her sister and her love will make her do questionable things.
When Redarys arrives at her new home, she will meet a Wolf and find out that he is only a young man trying to do the right thing and it literally bleeds for a solution, She and her sister grew up hearing stories about the evil wolf and the prisoner's kings, and now she questions everything she knew, the stories are false and the forest is getting weaker, maybe her blood can be a solution.
I love the atmosphere, I live for the creepiest forest trope, and the magic system was interesting, especially the religious aspects, not only Wilderwood is a dark mystery, but also the village is surrounded by mystery and secrets.
I like the characters too, The Wolf was my favorite (the poor misunderstood thing) but Neve has great character development, love can make us mad and she is the right example. Redarys is smart and brave, she wants to help
Also, I like the secondary characters and I wish to know more about them.
Its a nice debut, starts slow but the finals chapters are a roller coaster
Neve and Redarys are twins, both know their destiny since they were born, Neve will be queen, and Redarys a sacrifice for the Wolf, in change he will not attack the village.
When Redarys was young and ventured into the wood, the creepy forest taste her blood and became part of her; scared, she wants to go into the woods, although her sister and friends beg her to run away, she knows she has to
goes back into the wood.
Technically is one POV, Redarys´s story but Neve has some chapters here and there that help to better know what is happening outside the forest. Neve cant accept her sister's sacrifice and will do whatever it takes to bring his sister back, she desperately loves her sister and her love will make her do questionable things.
When Redarys arrives at her new home, she will meet a Wolf and find out that he is only a young man trying to do the right thing and it literally bleeds for a solution, She and her sister grew up hearing stories about the evil wolf and the prisoner's kings, and now she questions everything she knew, the stories are false and the forest is getting weaker, maybe her blood can be a solution.
I love the atmosphere, I live for the creepiest forest trope, and the magic system was interesting, especially the religious aspects, not only Wilderwood is a dark mystery, but also the village is surrounded by mystery and secrets.
I like the characters too, The Wolf was my favorite (the poor misunderstood thing) but Neve has great character development, love can make us mad and she is the right example. Redarys is smart and brave, she wants to help
Also, I like the secondary characters and I wish to know more about them.
Its a nice debut, starts slow but the finals chapters are a roller coaster
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Blood