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A review by plumpaperbacks
For the Wolf by Hannah Whitten
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was already on my TBR, but I moved it much further up after one of my favorite bookish content creators read and loved it. I’m so glad I did, because it’s a hidden gem in the adult fantasy genre.
As soon as I started reading it, I was enthralled. Whitten’s writing is beautiful, the world and lore she created intriguing and easy to become immersed in. Although the slower pace is consistent throughout nearly the entire novel, my interest never wavered because I always wanted to know what happened next.
The best part of the story was undeniably the characters. Red and Eammon are two people both cursed to bear something started by prior generations, and even though her brazenness is quite a contrast to his quieter nature, they shared the same determination to uphold their bargains. From that, a tentative friendship blossomed, and then came a tender, heartwarming slow-burn romance. GOOD GOD I JUST LOVE THEM SO MUCH!!! ❤️❤️❤️
You know that moment in books when a character addresses the protagonist one way, and then the love interest is like “that’s my spouse”? This book has that and it is so amazing, so satisfying. I didn’t know I needed that specific trope in my life until this moment.
As soon as I started reading it, I was enthralled. Whitten’s writing is beautiful, the world and lore she created intriguing and easy to become immersed in. Although the slower pace is consistent throughout nearly the entire novel, my interest never wavered because I always wanted to know what happened next.
The best part of the story was undeniably the characters. Red and Eammon are two people both cursed to bear something started by prior generations, and even though her brazenness is quite a contrast to his quieter nature, they shared the same determination to uphold their bargains. From that, a tentative friendship blossomed, and then came a tender, heartwarming slow-burn romance. GOOD GOD I JUST LOVE THEM SO MUCH!!! ❤️❤️❤️
You know that moment in books when a character addresses the protagonist one way, and then the love interest is like “that’s my spouse”? This book has that and it is so amazing, so satisfying. I didn’t know I needed that specific trope in my life until this moment.
‘I love you. I’m for the Wolf.’
‘I’m for you.’
HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO JUST DEAL WITH THAT? MY HEART’S GONNA COMBUST. 🥺🥺🥺
The ending went in a couple of different unexpected directions, and the pace definitely picked up in those final chapters. I can’t say much without spoiling, but it was a mix of entertaining and nerve-wracking, and I would just like to thank Hannah Whitten for not breaking me with the cliffhanger I fully expected we’d get. So thank you, Ms. Whitten. You’ll never see this, but thank you nonetheless. :)
I knew something was up with Kiri almost instantly. I had a feeling she poisoned the queen, and it didn’t surprise me to find out she’d also poisoned the High Priestess. She’s messed up, in more ways than one, and I have a bad feeling about her. The fact that she’s not dead…. she won’t accept defeat that easily. I have a feeling she’ll be back.
And also, maybe this is bad of me, but I don’t really care that Neve is trapped in the Shadowlands. I lost interest in her chapters after a couple of them, as they took me away from Red and Eammon and that was the story I wanted to read. Like, I’m glad she’s not dead, she doesn’t deserve that, but god, she was manipulated so easily. And it’s honestly her own fault that she’s in the situation she’s in. So. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
So yeah, Red and Eammon and Lyra and Fife have stolen my heart—although it was mostly the first two—and this is now one of my favorite adult fantasies. I want my own copy, and I want everyone to read this. Also, the sequel comes out two days after my birthday, so that’ll be a brilliant present to myself. Love that for me!!
Representation
HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO JUST DEAL WITH THAT? MY HEART’S GONNA COMBUST. 🥺🥺🥺
The ending went in a couple of different unexpected directions, and the pace definitely picked up in those final chapters. I can’t say much without spoiling, but it was a mix of entertaining and nerve-wracking, and I would just like to thank Hannah Whitten for not breaking me with the cliffhanger I fully expected we’d get. So thank you, Ms. Whitten. You’ll never see this, but thank you nonetheless. :)
And also, maybe this is bad of me, but I don’t really care that Neve is trapped in the Shadowlands. I lost interest in her chapters after a couple of them, as they took me away from Red and Eammon and that was the story I wanted to read. Like, I’m glad she’s not dead, she doesn’t deserve that, but god, she was manipulated so easily. And it’s honestly her own fault that she’s in the situation she’s in. So. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
So yeah, Red and Eammon and Lyra and Fife have stolen my heart—although it was mostly the first two—and this is now one of my favorite adult fantasies. I want my own copy, and I want everyone to read this. Also, the sequel comes out two days after my birthday, so that’ll be a brilliant present to myself. Love that for me!!
Representation
- side characters of color
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Self harm
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Murder