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tifftastic87's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
3.0
First off, this book needs content warnings (I know they're below but they need to be here too).
⚠️ Self-harm (cutting)
When presented with her destiny as a human sacrifice, Redarys appears to take it on the chin. Really she's hiding from magic that wants to consume her. Eammon, the Wolf, is Warden of the Wilderwood where Red is destined for. But the Wilderwood is dying and Eammon is determined to save and Red and he is not accepting applications for assistants.
Supposedly, this is a Beauty and the Beast retelling, but I fail to see it. The only similarities is a curse that makes the town think a man is a monster and love breaking that curse. The two main characters are both stubborn martyrs and that is where most of the conflict comes from. If they could be honest and communicate from the beginning things would have been better. But the main story is politics and religion.
The actual plot of the story, which is shadowed a bit by the romance plot, is one of religious fanaticism that is actually really well done. There's a dark versus light magic trope used where the religious use the dark magic and are out for power. The damn athiests only wantinf peace, love, and healthy trees.
That being said, the magic system was a little confusing. Its clear that is blood magic but it reacts different in different settings and different people. It isnt predictable unless it is. I would have liked to have seen this worked out a bit better.
Oh ya and the age gap, centuries to 20 years....
⚠️ Self-harm (cutting)
When presented with her destiny as a human sacrifice, Redarys appears to take it on the chin. Really she's hiding from magic that wants to consume her. Eammon, the Wolf, is Warden of the Wilderwood where Red is destined for. But the Wilderwood is dying and Eammon is determined to save and Red and he is not accepting applications for assistants.
Supposedly, this is a Beauty and the Beast retelling, but I fail to see it. The only similarities is a curse that makes the town think a man is a monster and love breaking that curse. The two main characters are both stubborn martyrs and that is where most of the conflict comes from. If they could be honest and communicate from the beginning things would have been better. But the main story is politics and religion.
The actual plot of the story, which is shadowed a bit by the romance plot, is one of religious fanaticism that is actually really well done. There's a dark versus light magic trope used where the religious use the dark magic and are out for power. The damn athiests only wantinf peace, love, and healthy trees.
That being said, the magic system was a little confusing. Its clear that is blood magic but it reacts different in different settings and different people. It isnt predictable unless it is. I would have liked to have seen this worked out a bit better.
Oh ya and the age gap, centuries to 20 years....
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Gore, Self harm, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Eating disorder, Kidnapping, Suicide attempt, and Murder
zuha_kh's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Self harm, and Injury/Injury detail
anniereads221's review against another edition
slow-paced
5.0
Eammon and Red own my whole heart, but not only that i love Lyra and Fife as well, Neve and Raffe were also good but these characters i am so excited to see how they will be in For The Throne.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
bookishhl8275's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-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? Yes
5.0
This book was beyond phenomenal.
The ethereal world building of the Wilderwood and Valeyda was beautifully done. I was enthralled with the characters this entire book.
I knew there was gonna be romance but wow - the tension between Eammon and Red had me panting.
The ending ? Amazing.
Everything. Was. Amazing.
Highly recommend and I can’t wait to dive into the second book !
The ethereal world building of the Wilderwood and Valeyda was beautifully done. I was enthralled with the characters this entire book.
I knew there was gonna be romance but wow - the tension between Eammon and Red had me panting.
The ending ? Amazing.
Everything. Was. Amazing.
Highly recommend and I can’t wait to dive into the second book !
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Violence
asipofcozy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
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
3.0
It's been awhile since I finished a book fully. I have been picking up and putting down so many and honestly this one almost made the pile of books I haven't finished.
I really enjoyed the concept of the book, the magic, the characters and the overall arching theme. However, this is definitely a beauty and the beast retelling rather than the red riding hood that the vibes give. And when I mean you know it's a Beauty and the Beast retelling it's very obvious.
I enjoyed the characters and thought that they added to the story...somewhat. However all the side characters Raffe, Kiri, Neve, Arick, the five kings were just fillers in spaces and didn't have much personality to them.
Then there is the magic system...of which is never fully explained to us. There is a forest that is quite alive but we are never given the backstory on how it came to have magic. Then there is the whole folk lore of the five kings that once again we get very little explanation on, even the character Red keeps asking about this information and isn't given it!
Then you have the dual POV's with the sisters and I was not interested in Neve what so ever. The time gaps in this book and the jumping around created a lot of plot confusion (of which I felt like there was at least 3 different plot lines going on at once). However, Neve is well naive. While she does love her sister she only cares about herself and her own decisions and while I get she wants to save her sister she is blinded by everything.
In the end, I did enjoy some aspects of the book but wasn't totally won over by it. However, I would be interested to see Neve's development in For the Throne.
I really enjoyed the concept of the book, the magic, the characters and the overall arching theme. However, this is definitely a beauty and the beast retelling rather than the red riding hood that the vibes give. And when I mean you know it's a Beauty and the Beast retelling it's very obvious.
I enjoyed the characters and thought that they added to the story...somewhat. However all the side characters Raffe, Kiri, Neve, Arick, the five kings were just fillers in spaces and didn't have much personality to them.
Then there is the magic system...of which is never fully explained to us. There is a forest that is quite alive but we are never given the backstory on how it came to have magic. Then there is the whole folk lore of the five kings that once again we get very little explanation on, even the character Red keeps asking about this information and isn't given it!
Then you have the dual POV's with the sisters and I was not interested in Neve what so ever. The time gaps in this book and the jumping around created a lot of plot confusion (of which I felt like there was at least 3 different plot lines going on at once). However, Neve is well naive. While she does love her sister she only cares about herself and her own decisions and while I get she wants to save her sister she is blinded by everything.
In the end, I did enjoy some aspects of the book but wasn't totally won over by it. However, I would be interested to see Neve's development in For the Throne.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Self harm, Blood, and Death of parent
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 didn’t overtake the original parts that made it so engaging and new.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Gore, Self harm, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Suicide, Torture, Vomit, and Suicide attempt
kaycie51782's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This is book 1 of a series. I won't be reading book 2.
Are you familiar with the advice when writing narrative fiction "Show, don't tell"? This author from that advice VERY SERIOUSLY. There wasn't a passage in this decently lengthy book that wasn't overflowing with vivid imagery. It was exhausting to read.
The main characters glorified self harm in defense and protection of the magic in the story. It got a little sickening by the end. There were ridiculously overused phrases ("she pressed her lips into a bloodless line", "she curled her fingers until crescents were pressed into her palms", and on and on and on).
The mythology of the universe was never well explained. The author took far too long to tell any kind of back story, but continued to pour more and more foreshadowing and blocked memories until I didn't really care what happened.
Sometimes it's okay to say "This event made her mad" instead of "The scene playing before her caused her vision to redden" or something similar.
Are you familiar with the advice when writing narrative fiction "Show, don't tell"? This author from that advice VERY SERIOUSLY. There wasn't a passage in this decently lengthy book that wasn't overflowing with vivid imagery. It was exhausting to read.
The main characters glorified self harm in defense and protection of the magic in the story. It got a little sickening by the end. There were ridiculously overused phrases ("she pressed her lips into a bloodless line", "she curled her fingers until crescents were pressed into her palms", and on and on and on).
The mythology of the universe was never well explained. The author took far too long to tell any kind of back story, but continued to pour more and more foreshadowing and blocked memories until I didn't really care what happened.
Sometimes it's okay to say "This event made her mad" instead of "The scene playing before her caused her vision to redden" or something similar.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Self harm, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing
azrah786's review against another edition
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 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
**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 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
Content Warnings
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
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? It's complicated
4.0
Loved this fairytale retelling weaves with great worldbuilding, slow burn romance, and tense court intrigue
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Gore, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
lanid's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Gore, Self harm, Blood, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent