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clevergirl216's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
Book started slow, but by the end I was captivated. A little reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast, but much more mystical. This book doesn’t have a full ending and is the first of a series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Blood
Moderate: Cursing and Grief
thebookraiders's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Det värsta med den här boken är att den hade kunnat vara bra, men det är den inte. Tempot är otroligt långsamt och det händer egentligen inte så mycket förrän de sista 100 sidorna. Tyvärr är världsbygget mest oklart och förvirrande, det känns inte som att man kommer in i en väl uppbyggd värld med historia, religion och kultur som förklarat handlingen. Jag hade kanske varit mer förlåtande om karaktärsutvecklingen vägt upp men allt jag kände för karaktärerna var ”meh” och relationerna de emellan var ännu tristare… Skummade den andra halvan av boken för att bli klar någon gång detta år.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood
whatiskatelynreading's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, and Blood
Moderate: Death of parent
cheyraisin's review against another edition
adventurous
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm and Blood
camiandkitread'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? Yes
5.0
I knew I needed to get Hannah Whitten’s debut fantasy novel “For the Wolf” off my TBR when one of my book besties told me it was her favorite read of 2022.
“For the Wolf” tells the story of Red, the first Second Daughter to be born in centuries. As a Second Daughter, her only purpose is to be sacrificed to appease the Wolf of the Wilderwood—the First Daughter is for the Throne but the Second Daughter is for the Wolf. Red resigned herself to her fate since it meant no longer endangering her loved ones with the wild magic she struggles to control.
It’s not until she meets the Wolf that she realizes that all the legends are a lie. The Wolf isn’t a monster, he’s just a man. This changes Red’s perspective on her entire life—including her magic. She realizes that if she wants to protect her loved ones from the real monsters, she must work with the Wolf and learn how to weird her magic before it’s too late.
This was not the book that I thought it was going to be. I assumed it was a Little Red Riding Hood retelling, which it is in only the loosest sense. It’s actually the best Beauty and the Beast retelling I’ve come across, and there are a million of them out there.
I also assumed our heroine would be a “Not Like Other Girls” character since she was so remarkable blasé about her impending sacrifice. I was wrong. Red is an amazing heroine—she’s clever and determined and resilient.
The Wolf was also a fantastic character, my favorite in the book. It was so refreshing to read about a male main character in a fantasy novel that wasn’t an irredeemable a*****e to the female main character throughout the story because he’s afraid to fall in love or trust some again.
“For the Wolf” was a rich high fantasy set against a dark, mystical backdrop. Listen to my book bestie and me when we say “This is a five star read!”
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood
jordynhannah95's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It was a really good read. It did get a bit confusing at times, whether it was the description given or lack thereof. The good parts were good, and had me hooked.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent
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
kyeruhh's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I had a difficult time getting into this book. I struggled to connect with the characters and the magic system confused me a bit. I did start to enjoy it more as the relationship between Eammon and Red developed, and I liked the ending for the most part, but it just felt like something was missing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Blood, and Death of parent
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