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thebookcoyote's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
TW/CW: Death, death of a parent, body horror, fantasy violence, sexual situations
REVIEW: For the Wolf is the story of Redarys (who goes by Red). She is born the second daughter, and according to the tradition and religion of her land, that means she is to be sent into the woods at age twenty as a sacrifice to the ‘Wolf.’ When she goes, she quickly determines that the truth is not exactly what she has been led to believe…
When I chose this book to read, I assumed it would be about werewolves – but let me say this now: this is not a book about werewolves, or anything like Little Red Riding Hood. If anything, it is closer to Beauty and the Beast than Little Red Riding Hood, although I don’t really think it’s much like that either.
Regardless of it being nothing I expected, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was well written, and while dark, the magic and world building were intriguing and kept me wanting to read further in order to see what happens. Red has faults, which I really like – perfect characters end up driving me crazy by the end – and her motivations are clear and understandable. It’s easy to put yourself in her footsteps and feel what she’s feeling, so that makes the book all around better.
While it doesn’t end exactly on a cliffhanger, this is the first book of the series and the ending definitely leads into the next book. I recommend this book to fans of fantasy and horror.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Sexual content, and Death of parent
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
luceeefur's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: 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
pvbobrien'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? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
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
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
3.75
Content Warnings
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
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
FINALLYY! after a 2month reading slump I finally finished a book!
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).
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).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm and Blood
Minor: Death, Gore, Sexual content, Grief, and Death of parent