Reviews with content warning for Suicidal thoughts - For the Throne

Unlike For the Wolf, the ending to For the Throne is predictable. That being said, For the Throne is still a magnificent duology closer, we even get closure for Arick! I appreciated that Red and Raffe’s perspectives were included but did not demand equal attention to Neve’s story. The world building is a work of art. I look forward to reading more from Hannah Whitten

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.5

For the Wolf was one of my favorite reads of last year, even making it onto my list of all-time favorites, and I was so, so excited for this sequel. It was at the very top of my list of 2022 anticipated releases. Yet, sad as I am to say it, I don’t know how to feel about For the Throne. On one hand, giving it any less than five stars feels innately wrong; but, on the other, I hesitate to give a book I feel so conflicted about a perfect rating.

First, I’m going to clear one thing up: I adore Red and Eammon. I adore my Wolves. I knew that going into this book, and that didn’t change. I don’t think that could change. They are my sweet, perfect babies, and they must be protected at all costs. They carried this book and I can’t be convinced otherwise. ❤️❤️❤️

My issue lies with Neve and Solmir. I really didn’t care about Neve in the first book; by the end of it, I actually found her kind of annoying. But, despite that, I was confident that this sequel would change my mind, that she would grow on me, and that I would love Solmir too. Hannah Whitten had been teasing an enemies to lovers romance, and that’s my favorite trope, so I was SO SURE everything would be fine.

Everything was not fine. I hate to say it, but it’s true. Neve didn’t grow on me. I don’t have anything against her, per se; I just… didn’t really care about her. Or Solmir. Or their relationship. Which, by the way, wasn’t that good of an enemies to lovers arc. Their banter in the first third of the book was entertaining, and the stakes were certainly high throughout, but I never got invested. When I think enemies to lovers, I think of Juliette and Roma, Nina and Matthias, Ismae and Duval, just to name a few. They’re all ships with seriously intense love stories, ships I’m seriously invested in. They’ve become my standard comparisons for the trope, set my standards rather high. Neve and Solmir weren’t like that, didn’t meet those standards.

So, clearly, if I didn’t vibe with either the character that narrated most of the book or the emphasized new ship, that’s a problem. And then the other significant problem—in my opinion—was the ending. I don’t want to say it was disappointing, because that feels too harsh, but I didn’t like it. I wasn’t satisfied with how Hannah chose to wrap everything up. Obviously, that’s not my call, it’s hers, and she thought it was the best option. I just… disagree. 😬😬

If I look past those things, Hannah’s writing was gorgeous, her world-building incredible, her plot twists pure genius, just like in the first book. She gave plenty of adorable Wolf and Lady Wolf content, and I’ll definitely be going back to reread those scenes in the future. But I can’t look past the fact that I kept reading, waiting for something to happen that would make me fall in love with Neve and Solmir, yet nothing did. That my first thought upon finishing the book wasn’t omg that was brilliant or I’m so happy, but I don’t know how to feel about that. And that sucks. It really does. Because up until the last fifty pages, Neve and Solmir aside, I was thinking that the book was brilliant. I was terrified to see how it would end, as you should be when reading a series finale, but still hopeful all would be well.

And honestly, I’m sad. I’m sad that instead of writing a glowing five star review talking about what a fantastic, emotional conclusion this was, how much I adore all of the characters, and how the Wilderwood duology is now one of my all-time favorites, I’m trying to figure out how to articulate my complicated feelings about this finale that wasn’t everything I’d hoped it would be. It’s been almost a full twenty-four hours since I finished reading, and I’m still kinda bummed. Sure, four and a half stars isn’t a bad rating; it’s still quite good. For the Wolf is still one of my favorite books, Red and Eammon one of my favorite ships, Hannah Whitten one of my favorite authors. I’ll still recommend For the Wolf to everyone that will listen, and I’ll be reading The Foxglove King ASAP when it releases next spring. But not loving a book you were SO SURE you were going to love is a uniquely disappointing feeling, one I’m not entirely sure how to process. Maybe I’m being overdramatic AF, but regardless, that’s about how I’m feeling now.

So yeah. It’s taken me way too long to cobble this review together, and I’m ready to focus on something else. Wolf and Lady Wolf supremacy. They’ll always be the Wolves in my heart. The end.

Representation:

side characters of color (one is also aromantic asexual)

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katroseknibbs's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.75

FOR THE THRONE by Hannah Whitten. 3.75 stars, rounded to 4.

I knew going into this book that I probably wouldn't like it as much as For the Wolf but it was still a great read. The universe gets expanding in a way that makes this book fairly different from the first. With the limitations of the Wilderwood gone, Red, Eammon, and company are free to travel around, giving us a larger glimpse of the outside world, as well as the Shadowlands.

I love that the author didn't make excuses for Neve and Solmir. We learn that some of Somlir's story and motivations are different than what we may have assumed in the first book, but he's still unapologetically an asshole. People aren't black and white, so getting to know Neve (even if you still don't agree with her actions) fleshes out her character in a "real person" way. Honestly, I wouldn't have minded spending more time with them in the Shadowlands, but this book is divided POV much more than the first.

There were a couple things at the end that I thought were odd choices.

Mostly the soul stuff. After we spent a lot of time being like "don't lose your soul" in the Shadowsland, but then at the end it's like, fine? Arick coming back to life was also strange to me, since there was a big emphasis of "actions have consequences" and "somebody has to pay for your mistakes". Having him come back negates a major consequence of the first book. Also, I didn't really care for the introduction of Kayu. I knew from the beginning that she was just going to be an alt love interest for Raffe, so I didn't really care about her.

However, a lot of it was great and emotionally satisfying.

I love that magic has returned to the land and that Eammon can't even see/use it anymore. The poor kid needed a break.

Overall, a powerful debut duology. I can't wait for The Foxglove King and whatever Whitten puts out. I'd probably read her grocery list if she'd let me.

Thanks to Edelweiss+ and Orbit for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

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