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chronohart's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
kilgorewolfe's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
tiller's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
medium-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? No
4.5
I loved this book. A queer fantasy story with a diverse set of characters with diverse bodies.
It really takes off once the adventure begins, and then builds the world while it moves the story forward. A mix of adventure, brave new worlds and romance. I saw relationships I’ve had in this book. I saw myself in it too at times.
I struggled with the violence and ruthlessness of the villains, but that’s simply who I am as a person, and telling of the degrees of their villainy.
A must read for any gay bears, and for any furries. [any gay bears who are furries- call me]
Moon light. Stars guide. 💜
It really takes off once the adventure begins, and then builds the world while it moves the story forward. A mix of adventure, brave new worlds and romance. I saw relationships I’ve had in this book. I saw myself in it too at times.
I struggled with the violence and ruthlessness of the villains, but that’s simply who I am as a person, and telling of the degrees of their villainy.
A must read for any gay bears, and for any furries. [any gay bears who are furries- call me]
Moon light. Stars guide. 💜
isomorphism's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
zeravos's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-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? No
5.0
The first 100 or so pages are a bit hard to get through, as the book is set in a very, very detailed world. More books are being written and I have high hopes for the next ones. As this being the first book, it is primarily lore and world building, but the story is just too good to pass on. I found myself not being able to put this book down when I hadn’t touched a book in months!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Torture, Animal cruelty, War, and Animal death
Moderate: Blood, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Bullying, Homophobia, Murder, Sexual content, Outing, Death, Racism, Racial slurs, Slavery, War, Body shaming, Child abuse, Grief, Gore, Hate crime, and Torture
leeleet's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
This was a great debut. The world building was expansive and intricate, the characters had great growth and motivations. I loved Lago and Alaia. I hope book two gives more of her. I liked the little sprinkle of romance here and there for the main character. I liked his final relationship. The world map is gorgeous and I love a good world map. The book dragged a little as there was the obligatory training montage and in-depth discussion of the history of the world. I viscerally hated every Negian, which I’m sure that’s what the author was going for. So it worked. Not going to lie, I might have to go back annotate in case a lot of that pops up in the next book. But I still really liked this book.
alice_clawford's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-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
5.0
xzadfor's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The Wolf of Withervale is a refreshing journey into a strange land with themes and situations that carry it perfectly. The setting, the history, the situations are all fictional, yet easily familiar. The world is well developed. YOU CARE ABOUT THE CHARACTERS! They are realistic, they have dreams, they are not the usual mold of same old, and it ads a refreshing new facet to a book. The story moves at a perfect pace and things do not just happen, to move it along. The villains have motivation and you can see why they are doing what they do, not just storm troopers to die like piled up firewood. The magic is not overbearing and is measured well thought out. I'm so glad I bought this and read it hungrily, unable to put it down.
dogearredndusty's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
This book is so different and engaging. It's something I wish I could have read growing up. It has a lot of complex ideas but they are very approachable for readers. The worldbuilding is fantastic and vast. I can't wait to see where this series goes!
tiberiusrings's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
- 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
5.0
Full disclosure -- I have had the honor of being one of Joaquin's beta readers for the series.
I've been wondering how to start this review and, I believe, the best way to begin would be to highlight the thing that drew me to apply to be a beta reader.
The author designed his own money. While true he is not the first, nor the last, his design for the qupi (the currency in Noss) looks like a magnetic rubix cube with clusters being made of different metals and quantities for their value. When I saw he had put so much thought and care into something like money (How easy it would have been to just use coins and be done with it) I wanted to know more. The qupi drew me in and Joaquin left me speechless.
Joaquin takes it a step further with beautiful artwork, maps, even how to speak the unique language of the Miscam tribes. (seriously, the maps are gorgeous and he's made so many!)
The story stars a boy named Lago from the titular Withervale who, while doing what young boys do (explore and have fun!) his path crosses with someone who will change the course of his life and ultimately many others.
It is here we are introduced in properly fed drips to never overwhelm the reader about the world of Noss; Joaquin makes sure to reveal key players and elements on the global scale slowly, initially starting very narrow and expanding outward at a fair clip while also giving teases about other, grander things in Noss -- namely, what is the purpose of the domes? What is inside them? Who built them? Why has no one ever been able to get inside?
The characters are what make or break a good story and Joaquin delivers on that with such stunning success. Everyone feels unique and real. The character of Banook is someone I was always delighted to see grace the pages because he is such a wonderful treat and far more facetted than one would initially believe.
If I had to give a theme for Wolf of Withervale I would say it is a story about figuring out how you fit into the world. Identity is a constant question and is demonstrated in beautiful, spoliery ways that I dare not mention here, but when you get to that part you'll know exactly what I mean. The characters are often forced to look beyond who they think they are and more toward what they can be, or even greater than what they believe they deserve.
This story has LGBTQIA+ themes at its core and while it is not the driving force of the story it is certainly a great way the story is explored. Again, to say anything more specific would do you, the curious reader, an injustice -- just trust me when I say that Joaquin has done an amazing job and you will be as surprised and pleased as I was.
Ultimately this is a book that exceeded my expectations. I laughed, I cried, I got angry, and ultimately when it was over I wanted more -- when you aren't ready to say goodbye to a book, a series, or even a character, I believe the writer has succeeded in telling a great story.
Do yourself a favor and get this book.
I've been wondering how to start this review and, I believe, the best way to begin would be to highlight the thing that drew me to apply to be a beta reader.
The author designed his own money. While true he is not the first, nor the last, his design for the qupi (the currency in Noss) looks like a magnetic rubix cube with clusters being made of different metals and quantities for their value. When I saw he had put so much thought and care into something like money (How easy it would have been to just use coins and be done with it) I wanted to know more. The qupi drew me in and Joaquin left me speechless.
Joaquin takes it a step further with beautiful artwork, maps, even how to speak the unique language of the Miscam tribes. (seriously, the maps are gorgeous and he's made so many!)
The story stars a boy named Lago from the titular Withervale who, while doing what young boys do (explore and have fun!) his path crosses with someone who will change the course of his life and ultimately many others.
It is here we are introduced in properly fed drips to never overwhelm the reader about the world of Noss; Joaquin makes sure to reveal key players and elements on the global scale slowly, initially starting very narrow and expanding outward at a fair clip while also giving teases about other, grander things in Noss -- namely, what is the purpose of the domes? What is inside them? Who built them? Why has no one ever been able to get inside?
The characters are what make or break a good story and Joaquin delivers on that with such stunning success. Everyone feels unique and real. The character of Banook is someone I was always delighted to see grace the pages because he is such a wonderful treat and far more facetted than one would initially believe.
If I had to give a theme for Wolf of Withervale I would say it is a story about figuring out how you fit into the world. Identity is a constant question and is demonstrated in beautiful, spoliery ways that I dare not mention here, but when you get to that part you'll know exactly what I mean. The characters are often forced to look beyond who they think they are and more toward what they can be, or even greater than what they believe they deserve.
This story has LGBTQIA+ themes at its core and while it is not the driving force of the story it is certainly a great way the story is explored. Again, to say anything more specific would do you, the curious reader, an injustice -- just trust me when I say that Joaquin has done an amazing job and you will be as surprised and pleased as I was.
Ultimately this is a book that exceeded my expectations. I laughed, I cried, I got angry, and ultimately when it was over I wanted more -- when you aren't ready to say goodbye to a book, a series, or even a character, I believe the writer has succeeded in telling a great story.
Do yourself a favor and get this book.
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