Scan barcode
thehushedearth's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
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
This story is insanely unique and inventive in a sea of fairy tale retellings. It somehow seamlessly blends a Little Red Riding Hood and Beauty and the Beast retelling into one.
The world: I found that the writing in this book was beautiful and lyrical. The prose reminded me of many of the dark fairy tales that I have read without being overtly dark to accomplish this feat. Whitten brings her world, setting, and characters to life in startling and fresh detail. I found that the dichotomy of beauty and darkness, light and shadow, in this novel were as fascinating as they were lovely.
The characters: All of Whitten's characters have a fierceness about them in one way or another that I loved. The cast of characters in this book are diverse and full of strong voices. Each of the cast of side characters had an interesting story and were unique to themselves. I would have liked to see a little more development or involvement of some of the side characters.
Red (Redarys) was born a second daughter and was therefore destined for the Wolf. While at first, I was a little put off by Red's attitude, her tenacity and strength won me over in the end. She can be a little crass, stubborn, and selfish at times, but overall I feel like this lends to her being human and flawed which makes her more relatable.
Neve (Neverah) is the first daughter and therefore, for the throne. She comes off as kind and cares for her sister in such a fierce way. Over the course of the book, we watch her character make an arc from a more meek and gentle girl to a powerful and determined woman.
I enjoyed the bond between Red and Neve, the fierce loyalty and protectiveness that the sisters share. It did lead to some less than smart decisions on both of their parts admittedly. But overall, I feel like the bond that they had was formidable and added much needed tension throughout the story as they were being pulled back together by the love that they shared.
The Wolf I think was my favorite character. He was the perfect mixture of brooding, mysterious, protective, and kind. He is the character type that I am the most in love with: the dark, intimidating, mysterious one that is secretly the sweetest, kindest person who only wants to take care of those that he loves. He is made flawed and more relatable in his awkwardness and his almost fundamental need to protect those that he cares for by himself.
Overall, I loved the story and cannot wait to see how it unfolds further in the second book.
The world: I found that the writing in this book was beautiful and lyrical. The prose reminded me of many of the dark fairy tales that I have read without being overtly dark to accomplish this feat. Whitten brings her world, setting, and characters to life in startling and fresh detail. I found that the dichotomy of beauty and darkness, light and shadow, in this novel were as fascinating as they were lovely.
The characters: All of Whitten's characters have a fierceness about them in one way or another that I loved. The cast of characters in this book are diverse and full of strong voices. Each of the cast of side characters had an interesting story and were unique to themselves. I would have liked to see a little more development or involvement of some of the side characters.
Red (Redarys) was born a second daughter and was therefore destined for the Wolf. While at first, I was a little put off by Red's attitude, her tenacity and strength won me over in the end. She can be a little crass, stubborn, and selfish at times, but overall I feel like this lends to her being human and flawed which makes her more relatable.
Neve (Neverah) is the first daughter and therefore, for the throne. She comes off as kind and cares for her sister in such a fierce way. Over the course of the book, we watch her character make an arc from a more meek and gentle girl to a powerful and determined woman.
I enjoyed the bond between Red and Neve, the fierce loyalty and protectiveness that the sisters share. It did lead to some less than smart decisions on both of their parts admittedly. But overall, I feel like the bond that they had was formidable and added much needed tension throughout the story as they were being pulled back together by the love that they shared.
The Wolf I think was my favorite character. He was the perfect mixture of brooding, mysterious, protective, and kind. He is the character type that I am the most in love with: the dark, intimidating, mysterious one that is secretly the sweetest, kindest person who only wants to take care of those that he loves. He is made flawed and more relatable in his awkwardness and his almost fundamental need to protect those that he cares for by himself.
Overall, I loved the story and cannot wait to see how it unfolds further in the second book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Self harm, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Minor: Confinement
Blood and self-harm used for magic purposes, not due to mental health issues.bookwormamy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-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: Emotional abuse, Gore, Self harm, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Confinement, Sexual content, and Kidnapping
emilykn92's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Gore and Abandonment
books_before_bed_'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
It's very rare that I realize how much a book is going to grab me soul before I finish it, but this one did. I am absolutely astounded at this beautiful story, and cannot wait for the sequel
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Self harm, Violence, Blood, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death of parent
folded_between_pages_of_books's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Blood, and Death of parent
looseleafellie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
For the Wolf follows Red, a princess who is destined to go into the Wilderwood to be claimed by the Wolf in order to save her kingdom’s captured gods. But upon arriving, she realizes that a lot of what she’s been told is a lie, and now she must use her dangerous magic to help save the Wilderwood and her loved ones …
This book starts off slow, but it builds up into a fantastically atmospheric and gripping read! I’m OBSESSED with Red and Eammon’s relationship, and Red’s sister Neve really grew on me despite all her gaslighting, gatekeeping, and girlbossing 😄 I also loved Fife and my aroace queen Lyra!
You’d have thought this was a Little Red Riding Hood retelling from the, uh, everything about it, but actually it’s much more like Beauty and the Beast, complete with a library! BatB retellings can sometimes verge into questionable territory with the captivity aspect, but I actually loved the way For the Wolf handles consent and makes it clear that Red is staying in the Wilderwood because she wants to (hilariously, the titular Wolf keeps trying to send her back home and she’s having none of it 😂).
If you’re looking for an atmospheric read with a slow build, romance, and magic, this one’s for you!
This book starts off slow, but it builds up into a fantastically atmospheric and gripping read! I’m OBSESSED with Red and Eammon’s relationship, and Red’s sister Neve really grew on me despite all her gaslighting, gatekeeping, and girlbossing 😄 I also loved Fife and my aroace queen Lyra!
You’d have thought this was a Little Red Riding Hood retelling from the, uh, everything about it, but actually it’s much more like Beauty and the Beast, complete with a library! BatB retellings can sometimes verge into questionable territory with the captivity aspect, but I actually loved the way For the Wolf handles consent and makes it clear that Red is staying in the Wilderwood because she wants to (hilariously, the titular Wolf keeps trying to send her back home and she’s having none of it 😂).
If you’re looking for an atmospheric read with a slow build, romance, and magic, this one’s for you!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, and Violence
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Death of parent
The self-harm component is for the purposes of magic use.lhisalisa21's review against another edition
adventurous
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Self harm
tiitu's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Self harm, Violence, Blood, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content
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
wandering_not_lost's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
This book started off well, with Red being a bit more grown-up about her situation than some other fairy tale heroines would be. It looked promising, but to be honest it divebombed by about the 30% mark, and by 50% I wanted to stop reading. I plowed through but the last half did not get any better.
This is a Beauty and the Beast retelling, with heavy genre romance elements. I found it slow and tedious and overlong and predictable. I mean, just from the blurb my thought was,"She needs to let the Wood in and make its power her own." And what was the answer, after many many pages of wibbling back and forth? Give you three guesses and the first two don't count. Nonetheless, the plot moved weirdly slowly, taking a long time for anything to happen, and wandering into several asides that felt like odd sideshows when so much else was going to hell in a handbasket for the Wilderwood. Neve's story had the same issue: a lot of focus on her ignoring all the creepy vibes and getting drawn into a nefarious plot, but it wasn't all that complicated or interesting and took forever before anything really happened.
Even once the plot got moving, the incredibly inconsistent magic systems made a lot of the twists pretty arbitrary. Eammon wanted Red to not use her blood-magic on the wood because that was dangerous, but insisted that her learning to use DIFFERENT magic the Wood had given her was good and fine and safe. Why the difference between the two was never explained. The magic's rules are never clearly described, nor was it clear when using magic or blood would help or hurt. The Wilderwood itself seemed to change its goals and desires constantly - it would try to attack Red sometimes, help her others, getting magically closer to it would help or hurt seemingly arbitrarily, and even being able to travel in or out of it changed at several points in the story, seemingly just to throw up or remove plot barriers. In the end,the Wood kind of just...changed its rules for no real reason, opening up new options, which after the characters talking about how "no, it's impossible" all through the book, felt very unsatisfying.
And the main characters themselves did a lot of dumb things. Everything from Eammon hiding information from Red, to Red running off constantly by herself, to Neve making dumb choices from the get-go and all through her plotline, to the end, where they go out to fight the baddie and promptly split the party for no reason other than for Red to get attacked again . Red's guilt over other peoples' choices got old really quickly. Neve's constant ignoring of every big, red, flashing "EVIL THING HERE, BEWARE!" sign was eye-rollingly obvious. Secondary characters largely felt disposable or their substantial contributions to the plot were skipped over or described off page.
In the end, I just wasn't sure what the author was going for. Gothic horror? Romance? Fantasy? It didn't really succeed at any of these things, for me.
This is a Beauty and the Beast retelling, with heavy genre romance elements. I found it slow and tedious and overlong and predictable. I mean, just from the blurb my thought was,
Even once the plot got moving, the incredibly inconsistent magic systems made a lot of the twists pretty arbitrary. Eammon wanted Red to not use her blood-magic on the wood because that was dangerous, but insisted that her learning to use DIFFERENT magic the Wood had given her was good and fine and safe. Why the difference between the two was never explained. The magic's rules are never clearly described, nor was it clear when using magic or blood would help or hurt. The Wilderwood itself seemed to change its goals and desires constantly - it would try to attack Red sometimes, help her others, getting magically closer to it would help or hurt seemingly arbitrarily, and even being able to travel in or out of it changed at several points in the story, seemingly just to throw up or remove plot barriers. In the end,
And the main characters themselves did a lot of dumb things. Everything from Eammon hiding information from Red, to Red running off constantly by herself, to Neve making dumb choices from the get-go and all through her plotline, to the end, where they go out to fight the baddie and promptly
In the end, I just wasn't sure what the author was going for. Gothic horror? Romance? Fantasy? It didn't really succeed at any of these things, for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Minor: Gore