Reviews

The Last Wolf by Maria Vale

yodamom's review

4.0

4.4 I really liked this version of werewolves and shifters. It was more pack law, pack responsibilities, and sacrifices than other books I've read. No it's wasn't overdone for my taste I found it riveting how it all worked. The characters we all so well written, I adored Ti and Silver as much as the rest. When
It was funny, hard, violent, sweet, viscous, romantic, realistic-ish, intriguing. I love forward to more.
True love means you'll eat someone for them :P

megatza's review

adventurous emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I love werewolf lore that tries something different. These wolves prefer to be in wolf form rather than human, and Vale does a good job getting inside Silver's head as a wolf trying to prevent becoming a forever wolf. Tiberius is a shifter rather than wolf with more control over his human form, but even though shifters are pack outsiders, Tiberius is drawn to Silver. I enjoyed this, though it also has some big first-book set-up vibes. Looking forward to continuing the series!

christinaatl's review

adventurous fast-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

4.0

dallasreeves's review

5.0

This is the first book I picked off a library shelf when I got back into reading for fun (after graduate school). It’s my favorite series to date. I have all the books and I love them dearly. I read them over and I enjoy them more and more each time. I find the depth of the story and the characters (especially how they intersect) what really makes these books what they are. Maria has crafted a full world with a different take on werewolves that we didn’t know we needed and I love all the little snarky comments about eating carrion and how they perceive different human activities.

The relationship between the runt and the outsider leads to the ultimate romance in this first book and I was here for it. I couldn’t put the book down.

being_b's review

3.0

Definitely a more knowledgeable take on modern werewolves than is typical for paranormal romance-- in fact, I'd say the paranormal part was pretty good. The problem lies in the "romance," and more specifically in a POV character who is intentionally alien in thought process and outlook. This can be done very well, but I think it requires a very fine grasp of how to convey emotion in such a way that the reader can understand what is meaningful to the character, even if it isn't clear why. It's one situation where "telling" can actually complement "showing" because as readers it isn't always clear what a werewolf would feel in response to various situations.

Because the book is written in very limited third-person POV, but without much exploration of the POV character's feelings, the romance fell flat to me. I also didn't like our POV character much, mostly because I couldn't figure out what she did all day other than run around being a wolf. I like my characters to act rather than just react, and that didn't seem to happen here.

jackiehorne's review

4.0

3.5 Strong debut paranormal romance set in a world where werewolves revile shifters, those who can choose whether or not to change when the moon is full. Excellent world building, an intriguing main character (a runt female werewolf who is barely hanging on to her position in the pack but who has deep reserves of inner strength), and a draw-you-in-premise make this a page-turner, although the surprise 3/4 of the way into the book is totally unexpected and undercuts the integrity of both of the romantic leads.

whatsmacksaid's review

3.0

3.5 stars--I loved the mythology and the careful and thoughtful blending of wolf and human characteristics and habits, but the twist came sort of out of left field and wasn't as compelling as the push and pull between the main characters' human/wild sides.

bibliotay's review

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

latoinombra's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

readerpants's review

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.5

I enjoyed Molly Molloy and the Angel of Death and was curious what that author's voice would be like in a pnr/shifter book... and the answer is, still that of a medievalist academic! 

This was definitely one of those "yes, I have to read every book in this series one after another on Libby without stopping even though my brain feels a little like that was too many wolf romances to binge in a row" situations. 

Highly recommended for fans of Nalini Singh who are in it for the worldbuilding and sprawling community/political/world situations, with much better steamy scenes and much less squicky power/gender dynamics. (Not dissing Nalini Singh - I love the trashy-tv-show epic worldbuilding vibes of the newer Psy-Changeling books, but the romances pretty never work for me.) 

I'd LOVE LOVE LOVE to see some some queer rep or even just discussion of the existence of queer people and relationships. I think that could fit so well and so interestingly into this universe. And I mean... the epigraph for the last book is by Danez Smith? I bet the author could explore that in a way that would be fascinating and thoughtful. 

tl;dr: 4.5 stars, a solid read!