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elliemaiblogs's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you again for the physical arc in exchange for an honest review from Josie Jaffrey and Dave from The Write Reads for letting me join the blog tour. Make sure to follow the tour and find some amazing bloggers by checking @The_WriteReads Twitter!
My Review
As soon as I read the blurb, I was positive I would love this book, and I did! Although, I haven’t read many fantasy or historical fiction books, so I was very excited to get stuck in! I had a bit of a slow start with it, but it didn’t take me long to get absorbed in the ancient mythological world of Kepos.
I actually ended up enjoying it more than I thought I would. Now I’m so excited for the second book in The Deluge Series!
The Story
The Wolf and the Water follows Kala, who is born into the Glauks tribe. Even though Glauks is one of the least popular tribes among the ancient city of Kepos, Kala is looked down upon twice as much due to her twisted leg. This abnormality has resulted in her walking with a cane and other people questioning why she was allowed to live. She doesn’t let anything stop her though, making her such an amazing and strong female character.
I love how each chapter is named after a different tribe of Kepos. I only realised this after a couple of chapters, and it really helped me understand the different tribes because I was a bit confused at the beginning of the book. It didn’t take me too long to get my head around things, but I feel like the history of Kepos and the tribes could have been explained a bit more towards the beginning.
Other than that, I adored the story.
The Characters
I loved everything about Kala from start to finish. The fact she believes no one loves her and is just a burden to her city, pushes her to be the quick-witted, strong independent woman she is. Her relationship with Melissa is so wholesome to me, despite the fact Melissa is her slave. They both take the best care of each other because they do not have anyone else. I love how close they remained, even with the introduction of Leon; a rival for Kala’s affection.
I didn’t expect to like Leon as much as I did. I couldn’t help but fall in love with him the more I read. Everyone sees him as the one who causes trouble, but he proves to be selfless and caring throughout the book. Both Leon and his sister Eulalia, prove to be two of the most caring people, unlike their father who is a monstrous man.
Overall Thoughts
Overall, I really loved this book more than I thought I would. Apart from the slow beginning and bit of confusion, there wasn’t a lot I didn’t like. I will definitely be re-reading this book, mainly to refresh on what happened in time for the second book. Which I can’t wait for!
Rating: 4/5
My Review
As soon as I read the blurb, I was positive I would love this book, and I did! Although, I haven’t read many fantasy or historical fiction books, so I was very excited to get stuck in! I had a bit of a slow start with it, but it didn’t take me long to get absorbed in the ancient mythological world of Kepos.
I actually ended up enjoying it more than I thought I would. Now I’m so excited for the second book in The Deluge Series!
The Story
The Wolf and the Water follows Kala, who is born into the Glauks tribe. Even though Glauks is one of the least popular tribes among the ancient city of Kepos, Kala is looked down upon twice as much due to her twisted leg. This abnormality has resulted in her walking with a cane and other people questioning why she was allowed to live. She doesn’t let anything stop her though, making her such an amazing and strong female character.
I love how each chapter is named after a different tribe of Kepos. I only realised this after a couple of chapters, and it really helped me understand the different tribes because I was a bit confused at the beginning of the book. It didn’t take me too long to get my head around things, but I feel like the history of Kepos and the tribes could have been explained a bit more towards the beginning.
Other than that, I adored the story.
The Characters
I loved everything about Kala from start to finish. The fact she believes no one loves her and is just a burden to her city, pushes her to be the quick-witted, strong independent woman she is. Her relationship with Melissa is so wholesome to me, despite the fact Melissa is her slave. They both take the best care of each other because they do not have anyone else. I love how close they remained, even with the introduction of Leon; a rival for Kala’s affection.
I didn’t expect to like Leon as much as I did. I couldn’t help but fall in love with him the more I read. Everyone sees him as the one who causes trouble, but he proves to be selfless and caring throughout the book. Both Leon and his sister Eulalia, prove to be two of the most caring people, unlike their father who is a monstrous man.
Overall Thoughts
Overall, I really loved this book more than I thought I would. Apart from the slow beginning and bit of confusion, there wasn’t a lot I didn’t like. I will definitely be re-reading this book, mainly to refresh on what happened in time for the second book. Which I can’t wait for!
Rating: 4/5
shelvesofstarlight's review against another edition
4.0
I was provided with an arc of this book as part of a blog tour, in exchange for an honest review.
An interesting historical YA fantasy that incorporated aspects from Ancient Greece into the intricate political system created for this book.
The plot was fast paced and holds lots of promise for what will hopefully be an interesting and exciting series. I loved the mystery elements and the constant threat of danger that there was throughout, it created a great feel if suspense as I read. This was helped along by the wonderful political system that Josie came up with, including the wonderful writing at the beginning of each chapter providing more and more information as you continue through the story.
The characters too are well developed and are all intricately linked to one another through friendships or familial ties that are stretched and tested throughout. The main romantic storyline was wonderful if a little underdeveloped, still made me extremely happy when it was rounded out.
As already mentioned, the setting of this book is very intriguing and I loved how it drew form Ancient Greece and used some of the language and ideas while making it entirely unique to this book. I thought that the encorportion of animals into the system was also very interesting, and I am excited to see what the future holds for the next book in this series.
An interesting historical YA fantasy that incorporated aspects from Ancient Greece into the intricate political system created for this book.
The plot was fast paced and holds lots of promise for what will hopefully be an interesting and exciting series. I loved the mystery elements and the constant threat of danger that there was throughout, it created a great feel if suspense as I read. This was helped along by the wonderful political system that Josie came up with, including the wonderful writing at the beginning of each chapter providing more and more information as you continue through the story.
The characters too are well developed and are all intricately linked to one another through friendships or familial ties that are stretched and tested throughout. The main romantic storyline was wonderful if a little underdeveloped, still made me extremely happy when it was rounded out.
As already mentioned, the setting of this book is very intriguing and I loved how it drew form Ancient Greece and used some of the language and ideas while making it entirely unique to this book. I thought that the encorportion of animals into the system was also very interesting, and I am excited to see what the future holds for the next book in this series.
crunden's review against another edition
That was the point, of course: the people of Kepos didn’t understand that there was anywhere else to go. They were hemmed in by the cliffs, the wall and the sea. For as far as they could sail in their little fishing boats, there were only more cliffs and more sea.
Josie Jaffrey's The Wolf and the Water takes place in a valleyed city inspired by Plato's account of the island of Atlantis and has a lot of similarities to Ancient Greece. I'm used to reading Jaffrey's vampires stories, so it was awesome to delve into another of her universes! In terms of genre, TWTW really reminded me of [b:The Winner's Curse|29414614|The Winner's Curse (The Winner's Trilogy, #1)|Marie Rutkoski|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1457077431l/29414614._SY75_.jpg|21861552] in the sense of it being a fictional historical setting with a focus on the politics, engagements and troubles of city folk and the drama and machinations of those who want to rise higher and higher. Think Spartacus or Agora, with a new adult twist.
In Kepos, the story’s setting, our MC Kala is less than delighted by her mother’s remarriage after her father dies under questionable – at best – circumstances. Her new stepfather is abusive, murderous and disgusting. With the help of her life long friend, confidant and lover Melissa, Kala starts to delve into the mystery of her father and Kepos as a whole.
I adored Kala and Melissa, but Leon was a gem and a half. I just adored his characterisation. Can’t wait to get more of his banter in the next book ♡_♡
I also really appreciated the depth of the world-building in this tale and the detail Jaffrey put into developing the society and mythology. I did have a bit of a hard time keeping track of the names, titles and families, but there's a helpful diagram at the start with all the family names and lineages.
Overall, I can't wait to see where it all goes from here! Another Josie Jaffrey must read for sure!
Thank you to the author for a review copy.
☆ Blog | Twitter ☆
Josie Jaffrey's The Wolf and the Water takes place in a valleyed city inspired by Plato's account of the island of Atlantis and has a lot of similarities to Ancient Greece. I'm used to reading Jaffrey's vampires stories, so it was awesome to delve into another of her universes! In terms of genre, TWTW really reminded me of [b:The Winner's Curse|29414614|The Winner's Curse (The Winner's Trilogy, #1)|Marie Rutkoski|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1457077431l/29414614._SY75_.jpg|21861552] in the sense of it being a fictional historical setting with a focus on the politics, engagements and troubles of city folk and the drama and machinations of those who want to rise higher and higher. Think Spartacus or Agora, with a new adult twist.
In Kepos, the story’s setting, our MC Kala is less than delighted by her mother’s remarriage after her father dies under questionable – at best – circumstances. Her new stepfather is abusive, murderous and disgusting. With the help of her life long friend, confidant and lover Melissa, Kala starts to delve into the mystery of her father and Kepos as a whole.
I adored Kala and Melissa, but Leon was a gem and a half. I just adored his characterisation. Can’t wait to get more of his banter in the next book ♡_♡
I also really appreciated the depth of the world-building in this tale and the detail Jaffrey put into developing the society and mythology. I did have a bit of a hard time keeping track of the names, titles and families, but there's a helpful diagram at the start with all the family names and lineages.
Overall, I can't wait to see where it all goes from here! Another Josie Jaffrey must read for sure!
Thank you to the author for a review copy.
☆ Blog | Twitter ☆
brookesbooks18's review against another edition
4.0
*Thank you to Josie for sending me an arc copy to review*
This book is inspired by tale of the city of Atlantis before it sank and that is something I haven't read about before. I haven't actually read a lot of mythological books and as a result I was expecting to find myself struggling to read this, even if I enjoyed it but I found it to be a very pleasant read!
The writing style is incredible. It's beautifully written and never loses focus on the plot.
I loved the characters in this story and the directions each character took all the way to the end with each the twist and turn, most of which I certainly wasn't expecting.
I found the whole story to be immersive from the first page all the way to the last and I definitely think that I could only benefit even more by reading it again, so it is definitely something I'll be doing before the next book in this series comes out!
I would definitely recommend if the book is of any interest to you because this was a great experience to read.
This book is inspired by tale of the city of Atlantis before it sank and that is something I haven't read about before. I haven't actually read a lot of mythological books and as a result I was expecting to find myself struggling to read this, even if I enjoyed it but I found it to be a very pleasant read!
The writing style is incredible. It's beautifully written and never loses focus on the plot.
I loved the characters in this story and the directions each character took all the way to the end with each the twist and turn, most of which I certainly wasn't expecting.
I found the whole story to be immersive from the first page all the way to the last and I definitely think that I could only benefit even more by reading it again, so it is definitely something I'll be doing before the next book in this series comes out!
I would definitely recommend if the book is of any interest to you because this was a great experience to read.
kerrimcbooknerd's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to StoryOrigins and #TheWriteReads for sending me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
If you’ve been following me for awhile, you’ll know that I am nothing if not a cover hoe. I will buy books or want to read books solely because they have a pretty cover oftentimes without ever reading the synopsis. So when I saw this cover pop up in my inbox, I was instantly intrigued. Seeming as I was reading this book for a tour, I decided to be a little more informed than usual and went to read the synopsis. Then I was officially hooked!
We’re following the story of a young woman named Kala. Kala is the only child to the Glauks, one of the prominent families in the land of Kepos. She spends her days trying to conform to her duties, though after a sickness left her with a disability that has marked her as undesirable, most people have written her off. She is comfortable, if not happy, in her life… until her father dies under mysterious circumstances. His death leads Kala to a secret that could put her in the land of Shadows right alongside him.
This book is a unique blend of mythos that I found incredibly compelling! It has a distinctly Greek mythology feel, what with the various Greek sounds names and the world creation myths, and I adored that aspect. It pulled me in quickly and kept me interested throughout the book. It helps that the plot gets rolling right at the beginning, too! There are some lulls in the action but, for the most part, the pacing of this story made it so I didn’t get bored.
I think my favorite aspect of this story has to be the characters, especially Kala. She is such an amazing protagonist! She’s bold, smart, headstrong (which isn’t always a good thing…), and just so relatable. I felt an instant connection to her which, though not necessary for my enjoyment of a book, certainly helped! She is beautifully developed throughout the book as are the other characters. I think Josie Jaffrey does an incredible job of giving us not only a main character that feels like she could jump off the page, but layered and dynamic side characters, as well. For that alone, I can’t wait to continue with this series!
I think the one thing that I just didn’t jive with was that there was a bit of insta-love. It felt forced to me which made it seem unbelievable. But I’m also not a fan of the insta-love trope in general, so this is very much a personal preference thing for me. Though it was my least favorite aspect of the book, it wasn’t so jarring that it kept me from enjoying the story overall.
Final thoughts: This was a fun and compelling story that put in my mind of a Greek tragedy. The plot is gripping and will have you tearing through the pages. The characters are definitely the stars of the show! They are richly developed and layered, which makes all that is happening to them that much more intriguing! There is a bit of insta-love, so that might throw you off if that particular trope is not your jam. But, if you enjoy Greek mythology and dark secrets, I think you’d like The Wolf and the Water!
If you’ve been following me for awhile, you’ll know that I am nothing if not a cover hoe. I will buy books or want to read books solely because they have a pretty cover oftentimes without ever reading the synopsis. So when I saw this cover pop up in my inbox, I was instantly intrigued. Seeming as I was reading this book for a tour, I decided to be a little more informed than usual and went to read the synopsis. Then I was officially hooked!
We’re following the story of a young woman named Kala. Kala is the only child to the Glauks, one of the prominent families in the land of Kepos. She spends her days trying to conform to her duties, though after a sickness left her with a disability that has marked her as undesirable, most people have written her off. She is comfortable, if not happy, in her life… until her father dies under mysterious circumstances. His death leads Kala to a secret that could put her in the land of Shadows right alongside him.
This book is a unique blend of mythos that I found incredibly compelling! It has a distinctly Greek mythology feel, what with the various Greek sounds names and the world creation myths, and I adored that aspect. It pulled me in quickly and kept me interested throughout the book. It helps that the plot gets rolling right at the beginning, too! There are some lulls in the action but, for the most part, the pacing of this story made it so I didn’t get bored.
I think my favorite aspect of this story has to be the characters, especially Kala. She is such an amazing protagonist! She’s bold, smart, headstrong (which isn’t always a good thing…), and just so relatable. I felt an instant connection to her which, though not necessary for my enjoyment of a book, certainly helped! She is beautifully developed throughout the book as are the other characters. I think Josie Jaffrey does an incredible job of giving us not only a main character that feels like she could jump off the page, but layered and dynamic side characters, as well. For that alone, I can’t wait to continue with this series!
I think the one thing that I just didn’t jive with was that there was a bit of insta-love. It felt forced to me which made it seem unbelievable. But I’m also not a fan of the insta-love trope in general, so this is very much a personal preference thing for me. Though it was my least favorite aspect of the book, it wasn’t so jarring that it kept me from enjoying the story overall.
Final thoughts: This was a fun and compelling story that put in my mind of a Greek tragedy. The plot is gripping and will have you tearing through the pages. The characters are definitely the stars of the show! They are richly developed and layered, which makes all that is happening to them that much more intriguing! There is a bit of insta-love, so that might throw you off if that particular trope is not your jam. But, if you enjoy Greek mythology and dark secrets, I think you’d like The Wolf and the Water!
readtoramble's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 STARS
I read this book for a blog tour, so thank you so much to the author for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, and thank you so much to the blog tour organiser for letting me participate in this tour. All opinions are my own.
I have already read a few Josie Jaffrey books, so I knew that I was surely going to like this book, but for the few days that I was reading it, I couldn't think of anything else and ended up just bingeing the last 60% because I was enjoying it so much.
We meet our main character, Kala, as she discovers that her father is dead and we soon see the implications of his death on herself, her mother and her life as a whole. I loved the setting, it is inspired by Ancient Greece and some other myths and I definitely saw those things peeking through, they were recongisable in the society, the backdrop, the world-building, the politics and the rituals in this book, but it was also so unique and authentic, I just loved it.
The characters were also great, Josie has a way of making such relatable and human characters, there were a few that I hated but so many that I loved and I just can't wait to see what happens to them in the next book. I loved Kala, she is such a great main character, she is strong, resilient, determined, independent and witty despite her physical affliction that she hates and that has made her feel worthless, she is so much more than just that and I personally love reading about not so perfect characters, I just find them more real.
There were some really big plot twists in this book, and some things that I really didn't expect, but overall, I loved the whole thing. The writing style was fluid and beautiful, I just wanted to keep reading and I loved how the chapters were set up. I also really liked the pacing, I think there is just something so great in Josie's books and they feel really comforting to me even though they have some really tough topics, but that makes them so much more amazing.
I gave this book 4.5 stars, I loved it and I highly recommend it. I can't wait for the second book in this series as I just need more from this world and these characters!
Trigger Warnings: violence (murder/attempted murder, amputation, poisoning, arson, injuries), death (on-page and remembered), funeral pyre/body burning, grief seen through multiple POVs), racism, ableism (heroine is deformed from polio, suffers ableist bullying, internalised ableism), slavery, misogyny, parental abuse (emotional and physical, vivid on the page descriptions), miscarriage (remembered), attempted sexual assault, romantic tension between step-siblings (not raised together).
I read this book for a blog tour, so thank you so much to the author for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, and thank you so much to the blog tour organiser for letting me participate in this tour. All opinions are my own.
I have already read a few Josie Jaffrey books, so I knew that I was surely going to like this book, but for the few days that I was reading it, I couldn't think of anything else and ended up just bingeing the last 60% because I was enjoying it so much.
We meet our main character, Kala, as she discovers that her father is dead and we soon see the implications of his death on herself, her mother and her life as a whole. I loved the setting, it is inspired by Ancient Greece and some other myths and I definitely saw those things peeking through, they were recongisable in the society, the backdrop, the world-building, the politics and the rituals in this book, but it was also so unique and authentic, I just loved it.
The characters were also great, Josie has a way of making such relatable and human characters, there were a few that I hated but so many that I loved and I just can't wait to see what happens to them in the next book. I loved Kala, she is such a great main character, she is strong, resilient, determined, independent and witty despite her physical affliction that she hates and that has made her feel worthless, she is so much more than just that and I personally love reading about not so perfect characters, I just find them more real.
There were some really big plot twists in this book, and some things that I really didn't expect, but overall, I loved the whole thing. The writing style was fluid and beautiful, I just wanted to keep reading and I loved how the chapters were set up. I also really liked the pacing, I think there is just something so great in Josie's books and they feel really comforting to me even though they have some really tough topics, but that makes them so much more amazing.
I gave this book 4.5 stars, I loved it and I highly recommend it. I can't wait for the second book in this series as I just need more from this world and these characters!
Trigger Warnings: violence (murder/attempted murder, amputation, poisoning, arson, injuries), death (on-page and remembered), funeral pyre/body burning, grief seen through multiple POVs), racism, ableism (heroine is deformed from polio, suffers ableist bullying, internalised ableism), slavery, misogyny, parental abuse (emotional and physical, vivid on the page descriptions), miscarriage (remembered), attempted sexual assault, romantic tension between step-siblings (not raised together).
tessa_talks_books's review against another edition
3.0
Travel back in time to Ancient Greece in this new novel by Josie Jaffrey entitled The Wolf and the Water. Meet Kala, a girl with a malformed leg who grew up believing that no man would want her as a wife because of her disfigurement. When her father is killed and her mother remarries, she realizes that the only way she can survive is to escape to her father's homeland, but the road to get away is filled with peril. Will Kala make it? And what kind of life awaits her?
What I Liked
I liked the mystery of who killed Kala's father and discovering if it is the same person that was to blame for several other murders in the village. I never guessed correctly who the killer(s) was and why which I love from a mystery plot-line and this one delivered. It is a mystery that I felt suited to the period, as people in ancient Rome and Greece were no strangers to brutality and untimely deaths.
I loved the setting of an Atlantis-inspired village on the verge of natural destruction in Ancient Greece. I've read several works (mostly plays) from the period and found the tone and topic reminiscent of those works. The only element I missed was mentions of gods, goddesses, and heroes found in mythology from the area.
I also found the back story of one of the support characters – Theodora – very compelling. I could have read an entire book based on hers and her brother's life, I think. In just a few pages, Theodora's story thoroughly captivated my imagination and left me wanting more. A beloved infant princess stolen by pirates and taken away to lands unknown - doesn't that sound like an intriguing story?
WhatI Wish
I wish there had been more world-building. I found this ancient civilization challenging to immerse myself in because I did not understand the basics. Some different titles and positions are essential to the story, but I never felt like I fully understood what they are and what they mean within the society. Ancient Greece has a compelling element already existing because of its well-known mythological stories and characters. I would have loved more descriptions of everyday life and surroundings to help me lose myself in the story.
I also would have loved the characters to be developed a tad more. I felt like I was just shy of empathizing with them and understanding them on that deeper level I crave as a reader. There is a great deal of potential in the characters, so I would love to see them taken to the next level if they appear in any subsequent stories.
To Read or Not to Read
Lovers of classic literature from ancient Greece will find it easy to connect to in this story, and mystery lovers will appreciate the mystery with the shocking conclusion.
What I Liked
I liked the mystery of who killed Kala's father and discovering if it is the same person that was to blame for several other murders in the village. I never guessed correctly who the killer(s) was and why which I love from a mystery plot-line and this one delivered. It is a mystery that I felt suited to the period, as people in ancient Rome and Greece were no strangers to brutality and untimely deaths.
I loved the setting of an Atlantis-inspired village on the verge of natural destruction in Ancient Greece. I've read several works (mostly plays) from the period and found the tone and topic reminiscent of those works. The only element I missed was mentions of gods, goddesses, and heroes found in mythology from the area.
I also found the back story of one of the support characters – Theodora – very compelling. I could have read an entire book based on hers and her brother's life, I think. In just a few pages, Theodora's story thoroughly captivated my imagination and left me wanting more. A beloved infant princess stolen by pirates and taken away to lands unknown - doesn't that sound like an intriguing story?
WhatI Wish
I wish there had been more world-building. I found this ancient civilization challenging to immerse myself in because I did not understand the basics. Some different titles and positions are essential to the story, but I never felt like I fully understood what they are and what they mean within the society. Ancient Greece has a compelling element already existing because of its well-known mythological stories and characters. I would have loved more descriptions of everyday life and surroundings to help me lose myself in the story.
I also would have loved the characters to be developed a tad more. I felt like I was just shy of empathizing with them and understanding them on that deeper level I crave as a reader. There is a great deal of potential in the characters, so I would love to see them taken to the next level if they appear in any subsequent stories.
To Read or Not to Read
Lovers of classic literature from ancient Greece will find it easy to connect to in this story, and mystery lovers will appreciate the mystery with the shocking conclusion.
beesandbooks's review against another edition
3.0
I think there’s a lot of interesting choices made in this retelling. It’s not often that an Atlantis story is about the citizens of the city, and two of the three main plots actually concern the internal lives of Kepos rather than the Atlantis story itself. The climax of the novel is incredible, with all the plotlines converging and the action sequence carrying the characters through to the finale. Kala as a character makes a great perspective. She’s level-headed and still in touch with her emotions, she’s bisexual (though understandably the label is not one that exists in Kepos), and she’s adept at navigating the rigid society of Kepos to keep herself and her loved ones safe. While I wish I knew more about the formation of Kepos and exactly how it survived its isolation from the rest of the world, I can also understand why it was hard for that exposition to make it into a story about characters living in Kepos. All in all, a fascinating read!
amidstthepaper's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to author Josie Jaffrey for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
"The Wolf and the Water" tells the story of Kala. When her father dies under suspicious circumstances, the law decrees her mother must remarry straight away. In what begins as a search for answers about her father's death, Kala soon realises that she - and the city of Kepos - are entangled in secrets much bigger than the people know.
I was hooked on this book from the first page! Everything from the characters, the setting, the lore of this world had me not wanting to put the book down.
Kala is a well-grounded protagonist. She has a physical disibility that leads to her being looked down on by most of the people in the city and whilst she doesn't let this stop her from trying to do what she needs to do, she also isn't shown as some super-human being - she has limits alongside her strengths.
I was fascinated by the world building and lore of the book - the links and relationship between the social structure of having clans and hierarchy alongside the setting of a city isolated in a valley, cut off from the outside world were really shown. I really felt that the affects that living in this environment would have on people were so cleverly portrayed.
I also really enjoyed the pacing of the book - it had a slow build to start with, but it wonderfully built the tension and suspense and the twists and turns had me constantly wanting to read more. (I had to bribe myself to put it down at 2am one night!)
The book touched on some heavy topics - there is a content warning page at the back which I appreciated - but every element was plot-driven and handled with sensitivity.
I love when the first book in a series manages to both answer a certain level of questions, but also leaves you with 100 more and eagerly waiting for the next book - and "The Wolf and the Water" most certainly does that.
"The Wolf and the Water" tells the story of Kala. When her father dies under suspicious circumstances, the law decrees her mother must remarry straight away. In what begins as a search for answers about her father's death, Kala soon realises that she - and the city of Kepos - are entangled in secrets much bigger than the people know.
I was hooked on this book from the first page! Everything from the characters, the setting, the lore of this world had me not wanting to put the book down.
Kala is a well-grounded protagonist. She has a physical disibility that leads to her being looked down on by most of the people in the city and whilst she doesn't let this stop her from trying to do what she needs to do, she also isn't shown as some super-human being - she has limits alongside her strengths.
I was fascinated by the world building and lore of the book - the links and relationship between the social structure of having clans and hierarchy alongside the setting of a city isolated in a valley, cut off from the outside world were really shown. I really felt that the affects that living in this environment would have on people were so cleverly portrayed.
I also really enjoyed the pacing of the book - it had a slow build to start with, but it wonderfully built the tension and suspense and the twists and turns had me constantly wanting to read more. (I had to bribe myself to put it down at 2am one night!)
The book touched on some heavy topics - there is a content warning page at the back which I appreciated - but every element was plot-driven and handled with sensitivity.
I love when the first book in a series manages to both answer a certain level of questions, but also leaves you with 100 more and eagerly waiting for the next book - and "The Wolf and the Water" most certainly does that.