A review by pagewanderer_
Wolfsong by TJ Klune

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Wolfsong is the first book in the Green Creek Series. 
 
Oxnard Matheson is just a boy from a small town who thinks himself worthless because his father told him so when he left when Ox was only 12. "Dumb as an ox." He creates a home with his mom and his father's old coworkers at an auto shop and is content but doesn't feel complete. Then the Bennetts come to town. Rather, they come back after being gone for years. Beautiful and mysterious, just at the end of the lane. 
 
On his 16th birthday, 10 year old Joe Bennett finds Ox walking home and is instantly curious about him. He introduces Ox to his family and they receive him happily right away. But they have a major secret: they’re shapeshifters. And it’s an emotional rollercoaster from there. From laughter on one page to gut-wrenching sobs the next, TJ Klune is a poetic storyteller. 
 
The first half of the book is playful and fun because they’re kids. Ox finds a family in the Bennetts. When Ox is 23 and Joe, 17, tragedy strikes, people die, and choices are made. They’re forced to be adults. The second half is darker; raw and full of emotion. But surprisingly still a lot of action. The divide is clear and impactful and it was amazing to watch the characters grow as themselves and with each other. Even with Ox as the narrator, you can feel what the others feel and watch them evolve throughout the novel because they are so well developed. 
 
Though there is a psychotic killer they are hunting for, the romance that blossomed between Joe and Ox is in the undercurrents throughout the entire book. Though the age gap is a hard pill to swallow (for me personally, since they met when Joe was so young), when you look at the “wolfiness” and development of feelings, it’s hard not to root for them. They go through it. So you do. 

I will also say though that there is a lot of repetition when it comes to Joe and Ox’s feelings/conversations which seemed unnecessary because their emotions are already so evident. On the other hand, I couldn’t get enough of their possessiveness. I don’t know what that says about me, but it was hot especially because Ox started out this innocent, naive boy and Joe the sweetest cinnamon roll. The spice is on page, fantastic, but only a couple of drawn out scenes though it didn’t feel lacking. 
 
Green Creek is full of magic and love and family and this story engulfs you in one giant bittersweet hug. I definitely recommend it, but to a mature audience. And I feel like there should be trigger warnings for rape (even though it doesn’t happen on page and only mentioned) and violence. Though there is not a cliffhanger, there are still some questions left unanswered about things that were introduced— like witches!— and I can’t wait to read more about it in the next book(s) in the series. 
 
Thank you to the author, the publishers and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings