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A review by books_and_cha
Wolf and the Holly by Sam Burns
3.0
Wolf and the Holly is the first time we're inside Jesse's head, and let me tell you: it's a dark place. Jesse Hunter struggles with his role as town protector, his ability to work well with people, and denies the wolf inside himself. The book begins with Jesse's 30th birthday party, where he muses on all this in the middle of festivities. As the night goes on, we meet a suspicious visitor who has everyone on edge and Jesse stumbles upon Isla, his childhood best friend, who was attacked in an alley and left for dead. Happy 30th, Jesse.
I'd say this had similar pacing to Blackbird in the Reeds, except it didn't feel as natural. In the first book, I was still understanding the storyverse, but here, I could have appreciated more speed in the first half. The second half flew by.
It could be because the plot itself dawdled. There were a lot of moments where Jesse was simply waiting for Isla to get better and fighting his internal demons to no avail. While Jesse's struggles to find his sense of self were poignant in the beginning, his issues were left unresolved for so long that it became frustrating to occupy his headspace.
I also took issue with his character development. There was no specific point where Jesse takes on the mantle, so to speak. It was more that responsibility and title of town protector were thrust upon him and he simply gives in. I would have liked a more solid, clarifying moment of triumph. I did like that Jesse learns to open up about his past. That felt like progress.
There wasn't a mystery here, so to speak. The person who attacked Isla was all but walking around with a neon sign. There was, however, a good bit of suspense where you wonder if the bad guy gets away with it.
The relationships in this book felt half-baked. I loved how much Jesse treasured Devon, but his relationship with Sean was hardly developed. There was instant attraction - and appreciation - but I would have liked more depth. I don't know anything about Sean. I also liked how Fletcher became a more prominent character in this book. I'm looking forward to reading his installment next.
I'd say this had similar pacing to Blackbird in the Reeds, except it didn't feel as natural. In the first book, I was still understanding the storyverse, but here, I could have appreciated more speed in the first half. The second half flew by.
It could be because the plot itself dawdled. There were a lot of moments where Jesse was simply waiting for Isla to get better and fighting his internal demons to no avail. While Jesse's struggles to find his sense of self were poignant in the beginning, his issues were left unresolved for so long that it became frustrating to occupy his headspace.
I also took issue with his character development. There was no specific point where Jesse takes on the mantle, so to speak. It was more that responsibility and title of town protector were thrust upon him and he simply gives in. I would have liked a more solid, clarifying moment of triumph. I did like that Jesse learns to open up about his past. That felt like progress.
There wasn't a mystery here, so to speak. The person who attacked Isla was all but walking around with a neon sign. There was, however, a good bit of suspense where you wonder if the bad guy gets away with it.
The relationships in this book felt half-baked. I loved how much Jesse treasured Devon, but his relationship with Sean was hardly developed. There was instant attraction - and appreciation - but I would have liked more depth. I don't know anything about Sean. I also liked how Fletcher became a more prominent character in this book. I'm looking forward to reading his installment next.