Ever since I heard about For The Wolf, I've been so excited about it. I mean, hello? We need more monster f*cker books like this! It's dark and atmospheric, something I feel like it should be read when the days are short and the nights are cold. Would have wanted a bit more with the romance, but overall an amazing debut.

Mixed feelings on this, I just had a hard time liking some of the characters and the magical setting was confusing at times.

A girl named Red, a wolf and a forest. This is not the Fair tale you were thinking of.

What Red believed her life was meant for is bigger than she was told. She was told that by being a sacrifice to the Wolf would help her people and free the four kings. But it seems all the tales she group up were not what they seem.

At the start of this book you right away are on the day of the ceremony of her being sent to the Wolf of the Wild. There’s a lot of world building that takes place and at times can be a lot of picture. For me this made it difficult to get into the story. However, once Red is more settled in the Wilderwood things becoming interesting as Red learns to embrace her new life and learn to harness the magic she has always feared. Mean while you get chapter interludes that set up for what is to come. This book is full of finding ones true sell, second chances, family, unexpected love and discovering that what you’ve always were told may not be the truth.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait for the second book. It seems like we’re only getting started in this world.

I’m not sure how I feel about this. I think I have to let it roll around in my head. I loved the idea of this book, I’m just not sure if I loved how the story was written.
Would I recommend it? Yes
Will I read the sequel? Also a yes

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this in exchange for my honest review

This book was so good and so much better than I thought it'd be. There have been a lot of comparisons to "Uprooted" and while I see it (the Dragon/Wolf is a man and there's romance between the lead girls and them, mysterious/dangerous woods, a close female companion/sister to the main character), I found this book to be much stronger narratively and character wise than "Uprooted". I won't compare the two books anymore but it is something to think about, especially if you didn't enjoy "Uprooted" (like me).

The story is about a young girl on the cusp of her 20th birthday. She is to be sent to the Wilderwood as a sacrifice to the Wolf that lives in the wood and this is to prevent the release of monsters upon the world. The young girl, Red, is the Second Daughter and her twin sister (first born), Neve, is the First Daughter and the novel follows both women with short interludes spent with Neve. Red has accepted her fate of being the sacrificial Second Daughter and is prepared to leave, but Neve is unwilling to let her sister be sacrificed. This is the center of the novel I'd say because a lot of the action in the novel comes from the actions of Neve that she inflicts upon the Wilderwood in order to "save" Red. Meanwhile, Red is in the Wilderwood with the Wolf who turns out to be an immortal man named Eammon. Without giving too much of the story away, Whitten keeps the narrative going and pulling the reader along.

Now, one of my favorite things about this novel is the depiction of the sisters and their love and dedication to one another. It's so heartwrenching and next to the love blooming between Red and Eammon, the love between the sisters is the other important relationship here. I LOVE how much Red and Neve love eachother and how they are so dedicated to protecting the other. While Neve's desire to protect and save Red from the Wolf and the Wilderwood leads her down a darker path (LITERALLY omg) you sympathize.

The second relationship of Red and Eammon is so well done. It's definitely tropey and kind of predictable but Whitten's writing keeps it fresh and as a reader, you want Eammon to have a happy ending with Red. Eammon is all dark and brooding and definitely fulfills the "I'd burn the world down for you" trope perfectly. And on the flip side, Red is the same with him. It's lovely and the build up to them becoming a couple felt natural as well especially because time in the novel is kind of hard to discern. Their earlier interactions are playful and honestly, I saw them going either way to friends or a couple.

Now the main character-Red. She is so self-sacrificing and so passionate. I love her so so much. She loves with her whole self whether it's Eammon or Neve or even Arrick. Sure she stumbles and makes rash decisions based on instinct but she just turned 20 and was resolved to die and not live past that age so I'm giving her some room. She's clearly intelligent, kind, and brave. She just wants to help protect the people she loves and I can't fault her for that.

I look forward to the second book to find out how Red and Eammon will deal with the aftermath of everything that happens in the last third of the novel.

I absolutely loved this book! I will definitely be buying a physical copy, and I am going to be waiting very impatiently for the next book to be released.
The beginning of the story does have a slower start, but once it picks up there is no putting the book down until its finished.
We are told the stroy from mostly Reds point of view. She has resigned herself to her fate of being sent into the Wilderwood. She isn't fighting it anymore, she has this mysterious power growing inside her, and knows that in order to protect her sister the best thing she can do is to go.. However her sister Neve hasn't given up finding a way to save her twin sister.. We get a few chapters from her that show everything she is willing to do in order to get Red back.
When Red sets off into the Wilderwood (I love that name) she meets Eammon.... The wolf.... He has been protecting, well everyone from the shadowlands for centuries, and turns out to be a really great guy that doesn't have any more choice about the Wilderwood than she does.
The romance between them was a slow burn, and it was so good. Every moment they are together you can feel the ties that bind them become stronger, and slowly turn into feelings.
and when the damage to the Wilderwood becomes to much, Red has to decide what she will do.. How she can help Eammon, save her sister, and figure out how to protect the rest of the world from the Shadowlands breaking through..
This was a really great story that once I got sucked in, I couldn't put it down, and now that I know another book is coming out (maybe following Neve) I am so excited to continue on.

Finding light in the darkness is something we can all relate to -- whether it be as simple as discovering the solution to a small puzzle or as grand a notion as searching for one’s purpose in life. For The Wolf addresses both ends of this spectrum and does so throughout with charm, smarts, and grace. This Red Riding Hood inspired fantasy hits the mark with eye-catching style, and a bloody story that left me feeling anything but bored.

This is in stark contrast to our character, Red, whose purpose appears more predestined as she is meant to be sacrificed to the forest. It was a clear and ultimately highly rewarding journey as I became more and more invested in the sentient forest and the creatures calling it home.

For The Wolf packs tightly woven action, interesting politics in a new perspective and a unique plant/blood magic system into a fun, romantic fantasy. If you like a bit of chaos with your books, then you are sure to enjoy this one!

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me an arc in exchange for an honest review!

Morally gray love interest? ✅
Unknown magic? ✅
Dark romance? ✅
Little red riding hood retelling? ✅
Misunderstood villain? ✅
Enemies to lovers? ✅

I was a goner from the time I read the blurb. This book promised a lot and I am happy to say it delivered on all counts.

The magic system was original and intricate and I loved it. I loved the different sides of it, the complexity of the bargains, the positive and the negative, it was just perfect.

The characters were all 3D and I would gladly read a book centered around any of them. The parallels between Red and Neve killed me. They both deserve the world. They were both so stubborn and passionate but different. This wasn’t a case of twins who are literally just the same person (looking at you jkr) they were similar but completely different people with different motivations.

I have a lot of different thoughts about the twins so here ya go

Red: I loved her. She didn’t let anyone push her around. At the beginning she was kind of cautious to have her own personality because all she’s ever been able to be is Second Daughter. Seeing her character arc was mesmerizing. 10/10 all character arcs should be like her.

Neve: I am Neve’s #1 simp. I really just want her to hold a knife to my throat. Morally gray ladies are my downfall and probably how I will get killed someday. Next book better be from her POV or I’m rioting. She also had an amazing character arc but completely separate from Red’s. She was willing to do anything for the people she loves and I respect that.

The plot was fast paced but not so much that I couldn’t keep up. The writing style drew me in and didn’t let go. The events were well spaced out and it never got dull.

My very professional opinion of the ending is
*deep breath*
AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

I’m breaking in to the authors house to get the next book. Sorry not sorry you shouldn’t have written that ending. /j

tl:dr: Give me the second book before I die of withdrawal from this story.

2.5
After 5 days I'm finally done with this book and it wasn't worth it. I was highly anticipating this adult fantasy but was sorely disappointed by the reality of it. If you enjoy vividly painted worlds and a detailed writing style that sets up the mood of the story in such detail that you get lost in it, you'll highly enjoy this story.

We follow Red, a girl whose destined to be sacrificed to a Wolf in the woods in the hopes that 5 kings that are seen as Gods will be freed from the forest. When Red enters the woods she realizes that the Wolf is nothing but a self-sacrificing man that's bleeding himself dry to keep the monsters from escaping. I was looking forward to their romance as this is one of the most marketed aspects of the books and was left wanting a lot more. The author kept pushing a story that was dependent upon a romance but failed to actually build a satisfying romance. Instead we get characters that don't have any substance to them getting together because.

The reason why I couldn't connect to the romance had to do with the characters not really being that interesting. I feel that the author sacrificed the character's substance in exchange for flowery writing style that made the story more atmospheric. The story also had an annoying tendency to tell us the Wolf's feelings again and again in a way that took you out of the story. I got bored throughout the story exactly because of this, the story spending more time describing the surroundings than creating more interactions between the characters.
The political aspect of the story wasn't that interesting either to be honest.

Lastly, the fact that the main character conveniently loses her critical thinking skills towards the end of the story so that the big battle could take place was seriously annoying.

The synopsis had me excited for the first third of the book but the story itself lost me by the middle and by the last third my attention had already been lost and I didn't care for the resolution.

The story isn't horrible and I would definitely recommend it but it sadly didn't work for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Ugh, as much as I love series it's also really hard to read the first as an ARC because now I have to WAIT for the next ones!

It was a smidge slow in the beginning but not that bad and while most of the story focused on Red I did like that there were chapters that focused on her sister so we could see both sides of what was happening. I enjoyed the world and the magic and thought both were described well with a slow reveals throughout the book so while you didn't know everything all at once it made sense as you went along (and it made sense because the character was learning as well). Looking forward to the next one!

A young princess must be sacrificed to the neighboring magical woods, while her elder sister becomes queen.

It was an interesting premise, the forest and the connection between the people who make a bargain. I enjoyed a lot of the book but it was pretty predictable throughout.

My review may contain a mild spoiler.

Red’s fate has been known since before she was born.

The First Daughter is for the throne.
The Second Daughter is for the Wolf.
And the Wolves are for the Wilderwood

After all, Red (Redarys) is the second daughter, and her older sister (Neve) is the queen. Red is prepared to fulfill her destiny and wishes to be away from those she loves because of the dangerous dark magic within her, which continues to change. However, losing Red isn’t something Neve is willing to accept.

Once Red is sent into the forest, she realizes she’s been misinformed about many things throughout her life, including the wolf she’s destined to be given to. Red’s power is needed more than anything to save the Wilderwood. Time is of the essence, and she must try to find a way to control her powers before everything is destroyed. With great hope, Red will be the one to free the Five Kings once and for all.

What I liked: The premise had me captivated. The writing is descriptive and beautiful throughout, making this story extremely atmospheric. I loved the imagery in the story and the way the author wrote in elements from multiple fairy tales, not just from “Little Red Riding Hood” but also “Beauty and the Beast” and "Snow White." It makes this retelling refreshingly unique. I always appreciate strong family themes, and that was a big part of this story with how these sisters love one another unconditionally. When siblings are willing to do whatever they need to protect one another, it always grabs me. The book has other favorite themes of love and sacrifice as well. There was also the perfect amount of romance with a super-slow build between Red and Eammon. Waiting for that development was almost hard to deal with at times. The ending was written well without a cliffhanger and leaves you anticipating the second book.

The main character, Red, was my absolute favorite. She has all the qualities I love--bravery, determination, strength, and she’s a caring individual who wants to do what’s right. She’s willing to sacrifice herself for the good of others. Her family is important to her, and she holds those that she loves close. Like Belle in "Beauty and the Beast," Red loves to read. Her introduction to the magnificent library was one of my favorite parts of the book. Neve (Red’s sister) also had her own perspective in the story, which was interesting, even though it wasn't as frequent.

What I didn't love: Sometimes the writing was too detailed, and the story felt like it was dragging along. This is strictly a personal issue for me only when I'm not in the mood for a slower-paced story. Some extras didn’t seem necessary though, and it made me think that maybe this story could've been condensed. I had issues connecting with some of the characters too. With that said, there wasn’t anything I hated about this book.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read. I’m excited to read the second book. If you like dark fantasy and retellings, definitely give this one a try.

4-stars

I'd like to thank NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for sharing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

I am dismayed to report that I found this book a disappointment! I'm typically a fan of adult fantasy, and the comparison to Uprooted, plus the description, made me sure that I would enjoy this. Unfortunately, I think it has two fatal flaws: (1) the writing is overwrought for overwrought's sake, and (2) it's boring.

Regarding the writing: The author has a taste for dramatic phrases that – in my opinion – don't really convey meaning, and they continually pulled me out of the story. (Examples I pulled from flipping to a random page of this book: "The word slashed her open," "A life as vast and dark and featureless as the forest that held it," etc.) But on another level, that didn't matter too much, because there wasn't much story to be pulled out of until 3/4s of the way through the book! Everything else was backstory, and slogging through hundreds of pages of backstory for about one hundred pages of actual plot – less, once you factor in the conclusion! – was a highly unsatisfying experience. I kept waiting for this book to pick up, and I guess it did eventually, but by then it was too late.

I also have a vague sense that the fantasy world is not quite coherent, but in fairness I stopped reading quite so closely when I was halfway through and nothing had happened yet, so possibly I'm missing something in that regard.

This author also really enjoys having her characters drink wine from the neck of the bottle, and also using the word "benediction."

I did like the themes of religion and sisterhood! Honestly I think the second book might be better, now that all the backstory's out of the way. I probably won't find out, though.

I received an e-ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you, NetGalley and Orbit Books, for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

One word can describe the book cover, just a WOW! I mean, it is one of the most beautiful book covers I’ve ever seen. And it was the reason why I asked for the book, along with the book blurb.

The premise was interesting; kind of Beauty and the Beast retelling. However, some chapters dragged, and the beginning was very slow. The first half of the book confused me, and some of the actions were repeated.

The story also left a lot of essential questions without answers. For example: why were the kings that important in the first place? And why do they have magic, and what they supposed to do? I think the answers may come in the upcoming books, but they were needed in this book to avoid confusing the reader!

I couldn’t relate to the characters as much as I wanted; they were somehow flat. Especially Red. I couldn’t relate to her at all, which was frustrating. Maybe that was only me... I don’t know.

The slow-burn romance was okay, but I couldn’t emotionally connect with it.

Overall, this book could be enjoyable for those who like the long, dark fantasy retelling books. I am not saying it wasn’t good. Some parts were very good, but the book wasn’t my cup of tea!

This one was admittedly a little slow to get started for me, but I was in LOVE with the premise from the beginning so I was mostly in it because of early investment and hoping I could stick with it. The good news is that once the plot picked up, it REALLY kept me reading right up until the end and my only regret was each time I had to put it down. This isn't necessarily a Little Red Riding Hood retelling (even though the leads go by "Red" and "Wolf" most often, and the heroine does wear a red cloak sometimes); it's almost more of a blend of classic fairy tale and folklore as well as the story of the Green Man, with visuals that are as stunning as they are disturbing at times. There was some repetition in prose that was easily distinguishable (one character presses her lips into a "bloodless line" at least twice in back-to-back scenes), although given that I was reading an ARC it's possible those things would be slightly tweaked in edits. Overall, a diverting fantasy with a delicious slow-burn romance in a world I definitely plan to come back to for the sequel!

For the Wolf was one of my most anticipated reads on the Spring, and I really enjoyed it! The story has a dark, Gothic feel, and it includes so many wonderful elements that are often prevalent in Gothic pieces. The brooding anti-hero, the dark, atmospheric tone, the protagonist who is unaware of the real dangers she faces, and the vivid descriptions of the setting make the story come alive (both literally and figuratively) and add to the eerie, dark, and Gothic feel of the book. The story also has elements that are reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast and Little Red Riding Hood. I love that the author took two simple stories, twisted and expanded them, and created a new, dark, and gripping story.

The story is told from dual perspectives, Neve and Reds. They are the First Daughter and the Second Daughter of the Queen. It’s interesting to see how two women who are so close are destined for such different paths in life. “The First Daughter is for the throne. The Second Daughter is for the Wolf.” Neither woman has control over her own fate, and they share frustrations of not having a voice in their futures.

Though there are chapters from Neve’s perspective, Red is the main protagonist of the story, and she is strong, brave, understanding, and compassionate. A woman with no choice, Red shows such determination and strength. She also loves reading, which is fabulous. Her character arc is really interesting. Because of long-standing traditions, religion, and mythology, Red has known her entire life that she would have to sacrifice herself to the Wilderwood. Mainly to protect her sister Neve, Red is resigned to her fate, and she acts selflessly to protect Neve and others she cares about. However, when she enters the Wilderwood, nothing is as she’s been told, and she ha’s to come to terms with her new situation. Red’s story becomes more complicated as she learns the secrets of the Wilderwood, the people who inhabit it, and what it actually takes to keep everyone safe. I love her story and how she faces her obstacles head-on even when she is afraid.

There is a wonderfully angsty enemies-to-lovers, slow-burn romance. I really enjoyed this relationship, which isn’t shocking considering I love a tall, dark, and brooding hero. A handsome, smart, and brave man with a heart of gold? Yes, please! Red expected to hate Eammon, but he is vastly different from the monster she was raised to fear. They are both self-sacrificing, and they both have to deal with so much pain, both physical and emotional. They have a strong connection, and I so wanted them to find a way to be together, even though it seemed impossible. So many obstacles stand in their way!

There are several other interesting relationships throughout the novel, including Neve’s complicated relationship with two long-time friends-turned-potential love interests, Neve and Red’s difficult relationship with their mother, and the unique relationship between two people Red meets in the Wilderwood. One that really stands out is the relationship between Red and Neve. These sisters would do anything for each other, and their love for each other fuels many of their actions and decisions. Neve is desperate to get Red back, and Red wants more than anything to reunite with Neve. The pain and loss that the sisters feel when separated are deep and heart-wrenching. I think the author makes some great intimations about the power of love, the pain of loss, and the lengths people will go to protect the ones they love.

The story is an exploration of relationships, the unquestioning belief in religion, tradition, and mythology, the adverse effects of blindly following the masses, and more. The layers of mythology and religion, as well as the realities of the Wilderwood, are complicated, complex, and often contradictory. It definitely makes the reader question and think. I like that it explores such thought-provoking topics and feel like it’s a story that I’ll think about long after I’ve finished it.

This is a great debut novel for readers who like fantasies and dark fairy tale reimaginings. I would recommend checking the content warnings before reading the book, as blood, cutting, violence, and a few other elements could be triggers some readers. Thanks so much to NetGalley, Orbit Books, and Hannah Whitten for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

Ok, wow - the writing is beautiful. It is deeply romantic, slow and melodic and I loved it, LOVED it, but you'd better be in the mood for it. It is not a turn up the heat, make you swoon type of romance, and in my opinion the most romantic thing about it is the atmosphere that Whitten's created.

Red is such a feisty, strong willed character who's strength comes from fear. Instead of running from a fate that will likely kill her as it has killed the ones before her, she walks up to meet it. Since the alternative is surviving and potentially unleashing something terrible on her family, she resigned to sacrifice. I really enjoyed how she faced things dead on, no bullshit, just get 'er done kinda attitude. She seems sassy, foul mouthed and fun (aside from all the tragedy that surrounds her life).

The bond between the sisters was one of the highlights. That relationship and their desperation to change the other's fate is what drives the entire story forward (and into the next which I'm already dying to read). I loved the symmetry and even the irony of their circumstances as the story goes on. The political and religious aspects and how that intertwined through Red and Neve made it all the more compelling.

The love story between Red and the Wolf was a great slow burn addition to the main plot, and I mean sloooooow. However, when they finally did connect, I felt like there could have been a teeny tiny little bit more context about why they were drawn to each other. I still loved it. Definitely recommend.

𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝐹𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 𝑑𝑎𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑠 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑛𝑒.
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑆𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑 𝑑𝑎𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑠 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑊𝑜𝑙𝑓.
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑜𝑙𝑣𝑒𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡𝑏𝑒 𝑊𝑖𝑙𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑤𝑜𝑜𝑑.
For the Wolf follows the story of sisters Neve and Red as they are bound by the ancient tradition of giving the second daughter to the Wilderwood. Red, as the second daughter, has accepted her destined fate for the Wilderwood. Even though she’s heard stories about the Wilderwood, Red has no idea what she’s getting herself into. This is a dual POV book that is full of mystery, magic, and romance.
This story is a combination of a Beauty and the Beast and Red Riding Hood retelling. I really loved the intricate world building that Hannah Whitten built in this book. I honestly did not expect this book to have such an interesting play on the original Red Riding Hood tale. I was ecstatic to have gotten an early copy of this book and was not disappointed.
The magic system was slowly introduced as the book began. However, it really became intricate as the plot picked up speed. I did feel confused by the additional details for the magic system in the last fourth of the book. The plot really picked up speed in the last parts of the book which sort of rushed through the new magic system additions. The intricate magic system combined with the element of religious politics absolutely drew me in. As the book progressed, it had an almost gothic feel to the plot which was absolutely delightful. I loved the amount of foreshadowing in this book as well. It made the book completely unpredictable which really kept me immersed in the story.
I also really enjoyed each of the characters she built in this magical world. Red is a headstrong, outgoing, and resilient character with a giving heart. I really connected to her characters determination and strong will throughout this plot. Red’s character development was fun to read about, but also hinted at some more things coming in the next book (yay!). Neve is a first daughter, destined to be queen but loves her sister dearly. I loved the way that their relationship was written with the push and pull of sisterly love. I also really enjoyed the side characters in this book with their witty banter. I am such a big believer in side characters adding the best levity to a good book and I was not disappointed.
I would definitely recommend this book to those who love retellings with a dark twist!

Here we are with “Red Riding Hood” themed book number two of the month! As I said before, I always get a bit nervous when there are many books coming out around the same time that explore a similar fairytale or theme. They can’t all be good. Right?? Well, second verse same as the first with this one! Except, I think I liked this book even better than “The Wolf and the Woodsman!”

For centuries it has been know: the first daughter is for the throne, the second daughter is for the wolf. It has been many decades since the last second daughter was born and sent duly to her fate in the dangerous Wilderwood. But it is Red’s fate to once again live out this piece of history. While her sister, Neve, the heir to the throne, is aghast at the future before her beloved Red, Red herself is thankful to be locked away from the people she loves, people she fears she may injure with the dark magic growing within her. But once she finally makes her way beneath the shadowy bows of the forest, she begins to learn that the tales have twisted throughout the years and not everything is as she once thought. Neve, for her part, works diligently to save her doomed sister, and between these two, long-sleeping forces will begin to awaken.

Well, that was something else! I really like how this is now the second of these books I’ve read this month and both have had very little to do with the original “Red Riding Hood” tale. Not that I have any problems with that story, but it would have been a challenge to read three re-tellings in a month. So far, I’ve actually read zero retellings! Both of these books have only resembled that story in their use of names and the infamous red coat. Instead, imagine my surprise and joy when I got a bit into this and realized that not only was I not reading a “Red Riding Hood” retelling but I was, in fact, reading a “Beauty and the Beast” adaptation? And, like the best retellings, it was also unique and fully its own.

Much of what made it similar to “Beauty and the Beast” could be found in the basic concept and in the small call-backs littered throughout the story. You have the mysterious, other-worldly love interested, locked away in a gloomy castle, forgotten (or in this case, warped) by history. There’s the unknowing heroine, thrust into this magical world with no compass to guide her, missing a beloved family member back home (this time a sister rather than a father). And then there were small details, like the use of a glass mirror to view other places and the placement of a library as central to much of the interaction between the heroine and hero. So, very much Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” hints.

But this is not a kid’s fairytale. The woods itself was a character, and a dark, unknowable one at that. The violence of the woods’ history is clear from the beginning and the painful measures that are required to contain it sap the strength from the Wolf, the guardian of this place. Red’s own connection to the woods and the Wolf is no less comfortable. While she begins to understand the toll the woods takes on the Wolf, she sees that any help she has to offer will come with a similar price.

I was also surprised to see that Neve had her own POV chapters in this book. While Red definitely has the majority, Neve has a distinct arch and story of her own. It was equally compelling, if also frustrating in that we, the reader, have more information than Neve does and can see the pitfalls before her. But, as always, I love a book that focuses on a strong sisters relationship, and I like that Neve was not a passive character here, simply accepting her sister’s loss as fact but instead working against it.

The romance was also very sweet. The book took its time to develop this relationship properly, devoting appropriate page time for each party to work through their own personal challenges. The pieces of the puzzle and mystery behind the Wolf and the Wilderwood also only come together slowly as the story plays out. Overall, this slow pacing worked well, balanced out by the high stakes tension that looms in the ever-present danger presented by the woods itself. My one mark against the book, however, is that towards the end, the story seems to come to a head but then regroups and ramps up for what feels like a second ending tacked on. Both are necessary for the story itself, but it just read a little strange, erring a bit too close to feeling resolved to let the reader really easily step back in for heightened action all of a sudden.

I really enjoyed this book. Fans of fairytale re-tellings, particularly “Beauty and the Beast,” should definitely check it out. It’s the first in (I think) a duology, so expect another book to come, but it’s not a killer cliffhanger either.

Rating 9: Dark, twisty, and romantic. Just how I like it!

(Link will go live June 18)

Every so often, a book you've really been looking forward to not only turns to not only be an enjoyable read but something so deeply excellent that it turns you into a strange sort of literary carnival barker, trying to shove a particular title into the hands of everyone you know and blindly tweeting recommendations at strangers. Such is my experience with Hannah Whitten's For the Wolf, a dark, thrilling reimagining of "Little Red Riding Hood" that deserves to be at the absolute top of your must-read lists this summer.

Whitten's debut fantasy novel is enchanting from beginning to end, mixing folktale, horror, and fairytale elements to create something that feels entirely brand new. It features complicated female characters, a charming if prickly romance, and rich, thoughtful worldbuilding. And once you start reading, it's almost impossible to put down. (Confession time: I finished this book in just a little over a day.)

Complex themes of sacrifice, loyalty, love, and duty twine together to form something simultaneously beautiful, strange, and vaguely terrifying at times. Whitten's prose is lush and immersive, her storytelling skills propulsive enough to make the occasionally familiar beats of the story feel fresh and original.

Truly, this novel one of the best things I've read in 2021 thus far, and given what happens at the end, For the Wolf's sequel - titled For the Throne - may well exceed it. I know I can't wait to find out.