A review by biblioamory
Woman of Wolves by Jess McFarlane

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I received this as an ARC via Netgalley. All views expressed are my own. 

Recommend - I’m howling for more (that’s the only pun, I promise). The indie book you want people new to indie books to read. 

Historical fantasyish. FM slow slow slow burn romance sub-plot. 

Key Points: 

• Propulsive
• Full of Surprises 
• Kickass MC, Flaws Non-optional
• All the Action
• Burn

Propulsive
The pacing on this story was non-stop. Rarely slow, but well-balanced so you didn’t feel exhausted. A difficult balance to maintain, but one that was on full display. I felt tense the whole way through, and really just wanted to keep reading.

Full of Surprises
The basic premise of this seemed pretty standard at the outset. No spoilers. Muirne is the heir-apparent to her father and their lands. Then things start to go awry. Pretty straightforward, yes?

Yet somehow, I was constantly surprised. Although there’s an argument that the turns should have been expected, I consistently couldn’t see them coming! Which, for a fantasy reader of more than 30 years (Redwall definitely counts as fantasy, I will die on this hill), feels like really saying something.

Kickass MC, Flaws Non-optional
Muirne doesn’t back down. She is so regularly and consistently strong, determined, and badass that I just loved the hell out of it. But the downsides that accompany that mindset, which are often downplayed with FMCs, were fully embraced here. Because speaking from experience, being regularly strong and determined can absolutely bite you from time to time, and you have to be ready for that.

Muirne isn’t, always, but she learns and grows as a human as a direct result of that, and THAT is also badass.

All the Action
I don’t like action scenes. I don’t have the imagination for it; I usually struggle to visualise or comprehend them.

So when I say this is chock-full of action, and I could understand and actually picture it. Wow. ‘Nuff said.

Burn
I’ve only ever seen a slower-burning romance in A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab. And that had considerably less denial than we see here. This is just about my pace for romance when it’s sub-plot, if I’m being honest. 10/10, would have as sub-plot again. 

In summary, this was an awesome read and a perfect reminder that a fresh take on old concepts is just as good as a holiday. It’s not epic fantasy but it felt epic anyway.