chaotic_reading's reviews
181 reviews

Flawless by Elsie Silver

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fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

4.5

 fun + hot + easy to consume = my favourite kind of summer reads? it was deliciously sinful and heartbreakingly cute in all the right places. 
Say You Swear by Meagan Brandy

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

The Calm Before the Storm by Danielle L. Jensen

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emotional lighthearted
  • 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 Inadequate Heir by Danielle L. Jensen

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adventurous emotional funny 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

For the Wolf by Hannah Whitten

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

"I'm trying to protect you," he murmured. "Red, I'd let the world burn before I hurt you."

Ok, I'm just gonna start with why it's not a full five stars: the world building (predominantly the lore surrounding the Wilderwood) was a bit muddied. It took away from my reading enjoyment a little bit in the first couple chapters; I felt like I was missing something, or had accidentally glossed over a sentence or two. However, the actual world the book takes place in is quite easy to grasp and the magic system is way cool.

Once I got over the (minor) bump, I got wonderfully lost in the story that is a little bit Little Red Riding, little bit Beauty and the Beast, and just a lot of fun. This fantasy reimagining of fairytales and lore is a story of duty, sisterly devotion, and unravelling the truth of the Wilderwood. There is a slow burn romance which is sweet and tender; definitely not spicy. The main protagonist, Red, is 20 which puts her right on the cusp of YA and NA, and I think this book rides that cusp exceptionally well.

While For the Wolf is the first book in the Wilderwood series, it does wrap up fairly nicely to be read as a standalone. On that note, however, I will 100% be picking up For the Throne (the sequel) to follow the rest of this tail - it's safe to say I'm hooked!