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bibliobrandie's review
4.0
This is a really unique and lyrical fantasy book. Very different from anything I've read and have been thinking about it since I finished it.
thepagelady's review
4.0
The Wolf’s Curse by Jessica Vitalis
When Gauges sees his Grandpapa's soul being taken by the Great White Wolf the town doesn’t believe him. The town Bouge-by-the-Sea believes that seeing the wolf is bad luck, a death sentence. So why does 12 year old Gauge see it? When the town charges him with wolf Gauge teams up with another orphan boy Roux not only to prove his innocence but also find out the truth about the wolf!
The Wolf’s Curse is a beautiful book about love, friendship, loss and grief. My son Jacks and his book club had a great time reading this book together! It's a beautifully written fantasy book! Fast paced and characters that will have everyone cheering for them! The wolf is the narrator in the story and she had everyone laughing!
As a mother this book touches on areas that can always be delicate to talk about with our kids but Jessica Vitalis does a fabulously job! With the snarky wolf and the beautiful friendship that forms between Gauge and Roux gives the book a great balance! This was a magical read! Happy reading everyone!
When Gauges sees his Grandpapa's soul being taken by the Great White Wolf the town doesn’t believe him. The town Bouge-by-the-Sea believes that seeing the wolf is bad luck, a death sentence. So why does 12 year old Gauge see it? When the town charges him with wolf Gauge teams up with another orphan boy Roux not only to prove his innocence but also find out the truth about the wolf!
The Wolf’s Curse is a beautiful book about love, friendship, loss and grief. My son Jacks and his book club had a great time reading this book together! It's a beautifully written fantasy book! Fast paced and characters that will have everyone cheering for them! The wolf is the narrator in the story and she had everyone laughing!
As a mother this book touches on areas that can always be delicate to talk about with our kids but Jessica Vitalis does a fabulously job! With the snarky wolf and the beautiful friendship that forms between Gauge and Roux gives the book a great balance! This was a magical read! Happy reading everyone!
smalltownbookmom's review
4.0
A big-hearted, truly captivating middle-grade fantasy tale about Gauge, an orphan boy who cried wolf and was shunned by his superstitious village when they think he's in league with the wolf who comes for people when they die. Determined to clear his reputation, Gauge befriends Roux, a fellow orphan and the two embark on a quest to find the wolf and clear his name, not knowing that the wolf is seeking him out for a reason of her own.
This story was great on audio and was told from the perspective of the wolf, who happens to be female, and was a twist from the traditional that I really enjoyed. Dealing with grief, loss and friendship, this debut was thoroughly entertaining and gave me a lot of Under the whispering door vibes. I look forward to reading what this author writes next!
This story was great on audio and was told from the perspective of the wolf, who happens to be female, and was a twist from the traditional that I really enjoyed. Dealing with grief, loss and friendship, this debut was thoroughly entertaining and gave me a lot of Under the whispering door vibes. I look forward to reading what this author writes next!
skyfiolleau's review
5.0
All of the characters are lovable, the plot is intriguing and addictive, the writing style is magnificent, the whole book has an excellent lesson and moral behind it!
hdwoodyard's review
4.0
First, we need to acknowledge how beautiful this cover is.
Second, how well grief is written in this story.
Twelve-year-old Gauge’s life has been cursed since the day he saw an invisible Great White Wolf in his garden. Living in the superstitious town of Bouge-by-the-Sea where the ability to see the Wolf marks him as a Voyant (essentially a witch), Gauge has lived a very sheltered life. The townsfolk fear Voyant’s because they believe that they can call the Wolf and essentially call death upon whomever they please. When his Grandpapa, his protector, dies, he has to find a way to make the townspeople see how harmless he is while also grieving the loss of his last living relative.
This book was very well written, and although death and grief is not something that every child is interested in, I think this is a great book for kids who are dealing with grief and loss.
Second, how well grief is written in this story.
Twelve-year-old Gauge’s life has been cursed since the day he saw an invisible Great White Wolf in his garden. Living in the superstitious town of Bouge-by-the-Sea where the ability to see the Wolf marks him as a Voyant (essentially a witch), Gauge has lived a very sheltered life. The townsfolk fear Voyant’s because they believe that they can call the Wolf and essentially call death upon whomever they please. When his Grandpapa, his protector, dies, he has to find a way to make the townspeople see how harmless he is while also grieving the loss of his last living relative.
This book was very well written, and although death and grief is not something that every child is interested in, I think this is a great book for kids who are dealing with grief and loss.
embe94's review
3.0
A thoughtful, descriptive, fantastical book about grief and loss! I have to say, I don’t think this book really reached me as intended. I found the switch in point of view jarring, and while I wish there had been a little more introduction/world-building, it also was way more introspective than expected. I probably will not re-read this but I will recommend it to my students!
emily_charlotte's review
3.0
It's hard to rate this considering that, as a Christian, I didn't agree with how death/life after death was portrayed, and that colored the entire novel. That aside, the worldbuilding in this was absolutely incredible, and I loved how the unique narration, very similar to Markus Zusak's The Book Thief. Looking forward to Vitalis' masterful French inspired worldbuilding in her next book!
cassie_books's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
divine529's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
I really liked this, though I wasn't sure what I was feeling as I was in the thick of this book at times.
This is a book that follows our main protagonist who is a Wolf. The book is narrated by the Wolf, but follows the story of a boy named Gauge and a girl named Roux. It's a story about death, grief, acceptance and tradition. The writing and plot were very well done, but the characters, symbolism, themes and atmosphere is really where this book shone for me.
I will say it's very heavy and full of melancholy, so read it when you're in a decent mental space.
All in all, a great read and I'll be interested in picking up another of this author's books in the future.
This is a book that follows our main protagonist who is a Wolf. The book is narrated by the Wolf, but follows the story of a boy named Gauge and a girl named Roux. It's a story about death, grief, acceptance and tradition. The writing and plot were very well done, but the characters, symbolism, themes and atmosphere is really where this book shone for me.
I will say it's very heavy and full of melancholy, so read it when you're in a decent mental space.
All in all, a great read and I'll be interested in picking up another of this author's books in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Confinement
Minor: Child death and Domestic abuse