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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
You know, I didn't actually hate this. When I got it in the mail to review, I kind of went "oh god, not some damn book about talking animals," but it was really pretty interesting. Definitely an easy read*, and clearly sets up a sequel, but a lot better than I expected.
If you're going to read one anthropomorphic-wolf novel this year, it should probably be [b:A Companion to Wolves|333356|A Companion to Wolves (Iskryne World, #1)|Sarah Monette|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1312035520l/333356._SY75_.jpg|2703562] by Sarah Monette and Elizabeth Bear, but if you have it in you to read another one, this wouldn't be a complete waste of time.
Oh and also, it has a blurb from [a:Temple Grandin|1567|Temple Grandin|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1241222068p2/1567.jpg], so she must have gotten the wolf pack behavior stuff right.
*Also, for my teen librarian friends out there, this would be a great crossover book for YA readers. In fact, I'm not sure why they didn't just publish it as a YA novel in the first place.
If you're going to read one anthropomorphic-wolf novel this year, it should probably be [b:A Companion to Wolves|333356|A Companion to Wolves (Iskryne World, #1)|Sarah Monette|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1312035520l/333356._SY75_.jpg|2703562] by Sarah Monette and Elizabeth Bear, but if you have it in you to read another one, this wouldn't be a complete waste of time.
Oh and also, it has a blurb from [a:Temple Grandin|1567|Temple Grandin|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1241222068p2/1567.jpg], so she must have gotten the wolf pack behavior stuff right.
*Also, for my teen librarian friends out there, this would be a great crossover book for YA readers. In fact, I'm not sure why they didn't just publish it as a YA novel in the first place.
The hardest books to review are the ones that you love the most. Thankfully, there’s no need for me to review the Lord of the Rings (my #1) but the sore lack of popularity for this particular diamond has compelled me to do hard things.
Where do I begin? It’s a jewel among animal-POV fiction and almost single-handedly redeems the genre from the havoc Warriors has wrecked. Realism is carefully balanced with anthromorphism and the wolves feel sufficiently wolflike while remaining compelling characters. The life of the Wide Valley wolves itself is appealing: steeped in loyalty, tradition and ferocity. Hearst has stunning, careful prose (the prologue and first chapter is a standout, it is everything a prologue and first chapter should be). It’s a very sensory world as well: rich with scents and sights and sounds that a human would miss. It gave me the gift of experiencing an entirely different way of looking at the world.
The characters! Oh, how I love the characters. I truly love Kaala as a protagonist: she’s certainly flawed, but courageous and instantly likeable. Azzuen, her brother-friend and dear packmate is a standout. They have a very gentle, kind relationship as they help each other be the best they can. Not to say the others aren’t fantastic as well, of course. What I love about each and every character regardless of species is the refreshing lack of flatness. Even the most frustrating characters deserve begrudging respect. It is hard to hate characters in this book. They’re too lifelike.
The relationship between human and canid (eventually, dog) is the central focus of the book. It is not an uninformed book and, as someone who has carefully watched the tension between both species, the relationship between wolf and humans in this book reminds me of the same people today. Fear, anger, ignorance... Nor are the wolves depicted as saints. It is a balanced view. Like it or not, wolves and humans have been strangely tied together throughout all history. They capture our imagination, for better or worse, and have been both feared enemies and (with thousands of years of domestication starting from the first friendly encounter they’ve had) trusted companions.
It is a beautiful, complex, enchanting book. The world is absorbing, the characters are compelling and the prose is carefully crafted and memorable. The plot itself takes its time, but I never found it to drag. Perhaps the best testament to it is my copy: the front part of the cover having fallen off, the pages well-thumbed from many rereadings over the years. It has much of my heart.
This is the first book of a trilogy, and the most lighthearted book out of the three. The conflict only grows more complex. It is not a simple trilogy.
Where do I begin? It’s a jewel among animal-POV fiction and almost single-handedly redeems the genre from the havoc Warriors has wrecked. Realism is carefully balanced with anthromorphism and the wolves feel sufficiently wolflike while remaining compelling characters. The life of the Wide Valley wolves itself is appealing: steeped in loyalty, tradition and ferocity. Hearst has stunning, careful prose (the prologue and first chapter is a standout, it is everything a prologue and first chapter should be). It’s a very sensory world as well: rich with scents and sights and sounds that a human would miss. It gave me the gift of experiencing an entirely different way of looking at the world.
The characters! Oh, how I love the characters. I truly love Kaala as a protagonist: she’s certainly flawed, but courageous and instantly likeable. Azzuen, her brother-friend and dear packmate is a standout. They have a very gentle, kind relationship as they help each other be the best they can. Not to say the others aren’t fantastic as well, of course. What I love about each and every character regardless of species is the refreshing lack of flatness. Even the most frustrating characters deserve begrudging respect. It is hard to hate characters in this book. They’re too lifelike.
The relationship between human and canid (eventually, dog) is the central focus of the book. It is not an uninformed book and, as someone who has carefully watched the tension between both species, the relationship between wolf and humans in this book reminds me of the same people today. Fear, anger, ignorance... Nor are the wolves depicted as saints. It is a balanced view. Like it or not, wolves and humans have been strangely tied together throughout all history. They capture our imagination, for better or worse, and have been both feared enemies and (with thousands of years of domestication starting from the first friendly encounter they’ve had) trusted companions.
It is a beautiful, complex, enchanting book. The world is absorbing, the characters are compelling and the prose is carefully crafted and memorable. The plot itself takes its time, but I never found it to drag. Perhaps the best testament to it is my copy: the front part of the cover having fallen off, the pages well-thumbed from many rereadings over the years. It has much of my heart.
This is the first book of a trilogy, and the most lighthearted book out of the three. The conflict only grows more complex. It is not a simple trilogy.
adventurous
Just a completely awesome start to what is arguably my favorite book trilogy.
Full review at: https://skybookcorner.blogspot.com/2020/09/book-review-promise-of-wolves-by.html
Full review at: https://skybookcorner.blogspot.com/2020/09/book-review-promise-of-wolves-by.html
This book deserves to be better known than it is!
I stumbled across the QuickBooks of this title in my local library a couple of years ago, but ended up not having the time to listen to it all. When I got my kindle, I decided to look it up on Amazon. I am so glad I did, though it has taken me another year to read it, it was absolutely worth the wait. I'm really excited about continuing on to book two, but given it's already past midnight that may have to wait until morning - morning cannot come soon enough!
I stumbled across the QuickBooks of this title in my local library a couple of years ago, but ended up not having the time to listen to it all. When I got my kindle, I decided to look it up on Amazon. I am so glad I did, though it has taken me another year to read it, it was absolutely worth the wait. I'm really excited about continuing on to book two, but given it's already past midnight that may have to wait until morning - morning cannot come soon enough!
A beautiiful novel about a young wolf who needs to prove herself to her pack. A great, educational read cant wait for the next one!
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Exceptional. Words won't do justice. Will definitely read #2 & 3 of the Chronicles!
I really liked this book. It is described as Watership Down meets Clan of the Cave Bear and that suits it. I have a huge weakness for canine behaviour books and this one, though fiction, was well researched in that respect. I enjoyed the relationships within the pack and between the humans and the wolves.
I am not sure how I feel about the underlying conspiracy etc. and I imagine I will feel more closure on that if I read the rest of the trilogy.
I am not sure how I feel about the underlying conspiracy etc. and I imagine I will feel more closure on that if I read the rest of the trilogy.