Coming in late to THE ORDER OF THE SEVEN STARS fortunately doesn't deprive readers of the context needed to enjoy THE WOLF'S EYE. Set in World War I and filled to the brim with magical beings, this novel blends espionage, alchemy, action, and a little bit of romance.

Petra is a witch with a coveted ability: she can transmute any object into nearly any other object, and can even turn things into gold. Meanwhile, her traveling companion Josef is afflicted with a werewolf curse. In exchange for a cure, Petra allows her own abilities to be studied. Meanwhile, there's a kill order out for Josef. And as time runs short, Petra finds discovers that helping her friend and finding out her late father's secrets could put herself in great danger.

The magic system of these books is fascinating, blending turn-of-the-century technology with urban magic and alchemy. Even for new readers, the characters and their roles are easy to pick up on. It's an intense read, and one that will make newcomers want to double back and see how Petra's adventures began.

My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and 47North. I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Genre: Adult Fantasy, Paranormal, Alternate History, Historical Fantasy

I became interested in this author after reading THE VINE WITCH. One thing I'm enjoying is how different each of her novels are.

This is the second after WITCH'S LENS. Now we're focused on the werewolves. I liked how she gives a fresh perspective on an old paranormal subject. I think you could also draw lesson from this of how we view others and the monster within.

WWI isn't written about as WWII, and that reason alone makes me interested to see what happens in this alternate reality. Instead of looking at Europe, this book focuses on the people and their individual struggles. The slow burn romance is still working through this book—and that's a detail I've enjoyed.

I think you're going to love this book if you love alternate history, shapeshifters, and fantasy.

Happy reading!

This was a great ending to the series! It was engaging and really took care of the characters and the answers they needed

The Wolfs Eye The Order of the Seven Stars Book 2 by Luanne G Smith

255 Pages
Publisher: 47North
Release Date: October 1, 2023

Fiction, Historical Fiction, Sci Fi, Fantasy, Alchemy, Carpathian Mountains, World War I

Petra Stamitz Kurkova, Josef Svoboda, and Viktor Vesely just arrived home from their work with the army in the Carpathian Mountains. Along with Yanis, a priest, they are members of the Order of the Seven Stars.

The Emperor’s Witch, Ava Konig, created the cure for the Vlkodlak curse, which turns men into wolves after being bit. She promised to cure Josef, but died before she could. Now Petra is the research subject at the Libuse Society. Since she was a child, she can change things into other things. The scientists, Martina Danek, Franz Burian, and Max Decker, want to know how and why it is possible. Martina knew Petra’s father, Honza Stamitz, when they studied together at university. Petra agrees to help them if they can help cure Josef.

The story has a building pace with the action continuing from the first book. The characters are developed, and it is written in the third person point of view. I love how the characters have grown from the first book through this one. I really hope there is another book in this series because I am grown fond of them. If you like historical fiction with a magical twist, you may enjoy reading this book.

In Book 2 of The Order of the Seven Stars Series, Petra Kurková (a witch who is able to change objects merely by touching them) has been working with the Order on the frontlines of World War I to combat magic. A witch had cast a curse that was turning soldiers into vlkodlak, and it was up to Petra and the Order to find the cure and reverse the curse. One of their own, Josef Svoboda, was infected with the curse, and Petra had a special fondness for Josef, so this created even more urgency in the matter. They will have to deal with a kill order from a clandestine society, trying to recover long-lost spells from an old grimoire , and unraveling mysteries from Petra’s past, all while Josef is battling the urges that are driving him to change over.

This book was excellent. I have really enjoyed this series. It has a motley cast of characters, and it puts them in a setting you would be unlikely to find them. You definitely want to read them in order so you can get the whole picture of what is going on. If you are a fan of fantasy fiction then I definitely think you should check this out.

I absolutely loved "The Witch's Lens" last month, so I was overjoyed to read the second book of this duology, "The Wolf's Eye." Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing for this ARC.

This book picks up right where "The Witch's Lens" leaves off. However, it is very different than Book 1. Instead of the battlefield, the majority of this book takes place in the city. However, I didn't mind as much because the plot line was so intriguing.

Our found family band of witches and soldiers were on a mission to reverse a werewolf-like curse
and met some incredible villains and new friends along the way. I loved the mysteries, the magic system, the twists, and how this duology wrapped up.

The pacing was really well done, especially as the reader learns a timeline is involved in the characters' quest. Once you hit the 50% mark, the pace really speeds up and comes to an exciting conclusion with an exciting battle scene.

Overall, I enjoyed this entire series. There is little to no romance (only fleeting glances and what-ifs), and the focus is mainly on the magic system and mythology. I would love to read more by this author, as the writing is extremely vivid.

If you're looking for a completed duology available on KU with no spice and lots of magic, this is the one for you!

Much like the first book in this series (The Witch’s Lens) this is a historical fantasy/alternate/parallel history with a supernatural twist rather than a historical romance…Though, there is a bit more of the sloooow burn/imagine what could be between Petra and Josef in the future if we don’t get anymore of their story.

The Wolf’s Eye takes place in Prague immediately after our characters flee the Eastern Front after the events at the end of book one. After losing the cure for Josef’s ailment they are notified that the Order wants all of Ava König’s creatures destroyed…In a bid to save Josef from this fate Viktor reaches out to a group of magical researchers that may have Ava’s old journals/spells and may hold the key to saving Josef…but this information won’t come without a cost…these witches want to study Petra and essentially use her as a lab rat in order to figure out where her extremely rare gift comes from. Petra is willing to do anything to save Josef from his fate but has she just doomed herself?

If you enjoy the scientific and historical aspect of Deborah Harkness’ books and the way Juliet Marillier seamlessly weaves folklore and mythology into her stories, you’ll enjoy the second installment of this series. Luanne G. Smith is able to describe well known Prague landmarks so vividly you could close your eyes and trick your brain into thinking you were actually there in Sedlec Ossuary or standing in the Josefov.

I enjoyed this book as much as the first in the series. I think my only wish would have been to have had an actual romance storyline included, but that my own personal wish. I know this was a romance book and wasn’t marketed as one, I just would have liked to see Petra and Josef in love.

The Wolf’s Eye is the second book in ‘The Order of the Seven stars’ series and picks right up where the first book ‘The Witches Lens’ ended.
Like the first book this sequel was very well written and hard to put down since it was so exciting to read. With many twist and turns this book contains mystery, curses, mystical beings, and magic.

4 ⭐
0 🌶️

Coming into this duology in the second book didn't hurt terribly. I was prepared to read the first one if I found myself lost. I started reading and was pleased with how the author built a robust recap just in the telling of the second book. I did not feel lost, and as the story was built, the characters from the first book were explained in greater detail. This story was quite riveting, and I enjoyed the steampunk atmosphere and blending of true historical events with those in this steampunk-ish urban fantasy. I sensed a good deal of growth in Petra's character and enjoyed her bravery in protecting her band of investigators. I was delighted, along with the crew in the book, when the characters, who were thought dead, turned up to help in their mission. The book's pacing was good; I didn't get bored or frustrated. More than anything, the pace quickened as the crew's time was getting shorter, and they needed to find what they were looking for; there is a crazed werewolf (or the word the author uses for him), a multifaceted mystery, diabolical scheming, and a most exciting battle scene at the end. This could definitely be a longer series, but the author did an outstanding job of closing the storyline enough that the reader will be content if there are no more books in the series. Honestly, I wish more books were doing this. Bravo!

Thank you #NetGalley and #47North for the ARC. These opinions are my own.

"Under the full moon of World War I, a baleful curse threatens to tear apart a witch's found family in a novel by the Amazon Charts and Washington Post bestselling author of The Raven Spell.

Petra Kurková - a witch who wields magic worth its weight in gold - is tasked with combating the undead on World War I's eastern front. The battlefield has yielded a newfound closeness for her spellbound team, especially for Josef Svoboda, a recruiter for the Order of the Seven Stars. But Josef was bitten at the start of the war, leaving his blood tainted by a strain of the vlkodlak curse, which makes him a target of the Order's latest mission: slay the werewolves prowling the eastern front under the moonlight.

Petra refuses to give up on one of their own. From the hasty kill order of a clandestine society to the long-lost spells in an old grimoire to the unraveling mysteries of Petra's own past, the urgency to save Josef grows, particularly as his feral impulses become harder to control. The werewolves are closing in. So, too, are the bounty hunters eager to collect. As Petra's team finds itself at a magical crossroads, Josef devises an ambush of his own - one that could wipe out the cursed threat forever or endanger everything and everyone he loves."

Usually I avoid WWI and II, but there's something about adding in the supernatural that makes me drawn to it like a werewolf to a very juicy rabbit.

I did enjoy this follow up book to Luanne G Smiths The Witches Eye. The setting was delightful but I did feel that I enjoyed the plot and execution of the first book more.

Encountering "The Wolf's Eye" by Luanne G. Smith on NetGalley, I was initially drawn by its captivating cover and intriguing title. Despite my unawareness of its status as a duology, my curiosity persisted, leading me to delve into this sequel after completing prior reading commitments.

Continuing seamlessly from its predecessor, the narrative thrusts readers back into the tumultuous world of Petra and her companions as they confront the enigmatic wolf curse. Set against the backdrop of a city reminiscent of Prague and the turmoil of World War I's eastern front, the stakes are heightened by the looming threats of vampires and the insidious werewolf affliction within their community.

Narrated from multiple perspectives, a departure from its predecessor, "The Wolf's Eye" initially presents an adjustment but ultimately serves the unfolding complexity of the plot. While the inclusion of diary entries occasionally disrupts the narrative flow, the overarching story remains engaging and immersive.

Luanne G. Smith skillfully blends elements of traditional alchemy mythology with a touch of scientific inquiry, seamlessly integrating magic with the burgeoning advancements of the era. This fusion lends credence to the narrative's exploration of alchemy as both a mystical art and a precursor to modern scientific understanding, with intriguing glimpses into genetic theory adding further depth to the tale.

In "The Wolf's Eye," the transition from battlefield conflicts to the intricacies of alchemical discovery may initially surprise readers, yet it ultimately enriches the narrative tapestry, highlighting the evolving nature of both magic and science in this captivating world.

Disclosure: This review is based on a digital review copy provided by Netgalley and Luanne G. Smith (Thank you). Reviews will be posted to Goodreads, instagram, retail stores where books are sold.

There were a lot of things to like about this book - Witches! Werewolves! Curses! - but something about the execution felt lackluster. I was initially very confused about the plot, and while my confusion did resolve itself over time, the writing style felt disjointed and didn't help my enjoyment of the book. Something about the mechanics distracted me from fully immersing myself in the world of the story. I'm sure there is an audience out there for this book, but, unfortunately, it didn't quite "click" for me.

Thank you NetGalley for this review copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is part two of a duology that is captivating and enchanting. I think the backdrop of this book - being Eastern Europe - adds to its charm and interest.

This book picks right up where the first left off, following Petra and her friends as they try to unraval the wolf curse. Again, I think that the setting only added to this magical and fun whimsical book of magic, secrets, science, hidden worlds. The relationships in this book are amazing and the character development is beautifully done.

Truly I was sad to see this end in a way.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This cover and synopsis caught my attention. I loved the author's Vine Witch series so figured I'd enjoy this as well. Unfortunately I dnfed this book at 15% after trying to read it for almost a month. It opened as though this was a 2nd book in a series......is it?? I had no clue the setup of this world or the powers the characters had. The setting wasn't intriguing and every time I looked to see how far I had gone in the book I'd see 8%, 10% and that's when I knew I wasn't going to be able to continue.

The second in a series, The Wolf's Eye by Luanne G. Smith was slow and confusing initially. It did get better, but still wasn't completely satisfying for me.
Witches, mages, and a vlkodnak (Czech for werewolf) curse.

I read The Raven Spell by Smith in 2022 and thought it was good fun, but for some reason this one didn't resonate in the same way.

Thanks to NetGalley and 47 North.

Smith's ability to weave a story is amazing. Set in a city inspired by Prague, the characters aren't just facing WWI's eastern front, but vampires and a werewolf curse among a community they know and must protect. Ill omens stalk, slick at night like a lone werewolf on their heels, and as deception is continuously revealed.

The magic system, how things are placed, the use of common alchemy mythology and actions work well among the second chances at every turn. (Personally, my favorite characters were Viktor and Hugo.) Single decisions move entire plans into a different configuration, good and bad.

I really liked book one in The Order of the Seven Stars series by Luanne G. Smith and was excited to pick up “The Wolf’s Eye” continuing Petra Kurková and Josef Svoboda’s story.

Book two picks up immediately after the events in the first novel but brings the remaining fighters back to the city where a new type of battle must be waged – a cure for the vlkodlak (werewolf) curse. It is told from multiple perspectives – unlike “The Witch’s Lens” – that was initially jarring but made sense for how the plot unfolds. At times the reader is required to read diary entries, which isn’t the best way to move the plot.

There is less tension throughout most of this book compared to the first story where the upír attacks and secrets help propel the story. Most of the dramatic suspense comes from the perspective of the violent werewolf hunting the crew – but the mystery of his identity is resolved a little to quickly for me.

I do not recommend picking it up as a stand alone, although the author does a good job of efficiently summarizing previous events. I did think it was a satisfying conclusion to the story started in “The Witch’s Lens”, but somehow this book did not quite grab me as much as the first novel. If you liked the first story, it is definitely worth reading this book, and I enjoyed this duology so far and would continue the series. 3.5/5

4 stars....first off thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the eARC of this book. I have read all of her books and quite enjoy them. This one didn't disappoint either. It's the sequel to her book The Witches Lens. There's magic, mystery, mayhem, a murderous beast/werewolf kind of thing, and hope for a cure to the curse that Josef has. I definitely recommend if you like any of the above. Also any of her other stories too.

This book is everything you hope for in a sequel. There is no rehashing of the first book and favorite characters haven't drastically changed. That said, the plot does take a sharp turn from the battlefield to exploring the properties of alchemy as science. There are even whiffs of genetics in the story that I found fascinating. The melding of magic with science made perfect sense because as scientific discoveries were made, magic would have to evolve. Alas, World War I isn't over and there are hints at the fight for independence that will come when the war ends. Happily, at the very end of the book, we get a glimpse at the future of the relationship that has been building between Petra and Josef. I liked The Witch's Lens but I thoroughly enjoyed The Wolf's Eye, turning the pages when I should have put the book down. (As some of you know, grandchildren and dogs are hard to resist but I couldn't stop reading!)

My thanks to NetGalley and 47North for the digital ARC. All opinions and the review are my own.