This book was so good! I love the premise and characters and magic system! I was drawn into this book from page one and enjoyed pretty much every second of reading. I love how strong and brave Dalia is and how she grows over the course of the book. I also enjoyed the slow burn romance.

Whenever a heroine gives me the vibes she could knit a cozy blanket then kick my ass, I am seated. Parisi sets up a world easy to fall into and a hero we can see ourselves in, it's a real pleasure to get lost in her fantasy.

That was AMAZING! I am so excited and impatient to see more from Ria Parisi! This book was refreshing, inclusive and captivating! I was hooked from page one and couldn't stop reading; I finished this one in a day. Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Overall I am very impressed with this novel! There are some nitpicky things grammar and style wise I have, and I didn't add too much weight to those. My overall impressions and most of this review is focused on the content, story pacing, and characters.

I am praying, Ria, that there is a sequel. Please take all the time in the world to get book two, but this cannot be the end. There are so many hanging threads I want to pull, so much growth Dalia has to do, and so much world building that was just left on the table.

While reading it was struggle to remember this is indeed a YA title, and it's a great one. It reminds me a lot of the mid grade and YA fantasies I read as as younger reader myself including Tamora Pierce and the Tortall series. it was very comforting and cozy feeling despite some of the content and themes that were beginning to be explored. Dalia is the character I wish I had a child; she is kind to a fault, self-sacrificing and people pleasing, reactive rather than active, plus size and demisexual (heavily implied). None of these are necessarily bad things, but having a real, young adult who is as traumatized as she is. Dalia has seen some of the worst things that the world has to offer and is still kind. I was all of those things and to a point still am. Seeing her being pushed and pushed but still staying kind and empathetic while still being able to draw lines in the sand and stand for what she believes in is incredibly important, even more so now for younger readers.

That said, it is important to remember that Dalia is a very traumatized, very sheltered young woman. While I do wish, as an adult, that she did have more of a back bone, it's just as important to show this for growth. The small choices she makes through the story shows growth, <spoiler>from telling Glenn off to standing up to the Hunt when approached in the Wilds,</spoiler> shows she is so close to that line of realizing it's easier to draw boundaries and stand up for what she believes in and become more active in the story. Presently I do find her a little annoying because she is reactive, but even the narrator reminds us Dalia is not a fighter, never has been and won't be in the foreseeable future. Not everyone can be the epic warrior and healer. The world still needs soft spots even in the difficult times.

As the audience was hanging off of Dalia's shoulder, we don't get to see much in the way of the side characters until they decide to break their silence around her. While a lot of motivations are pretty surface level, there are many things that we and Dalia are left in the dark on. Glenn was a pretty obvious twist as an adult - and a great example of showing young audiences how the butterflies aren't a great and that abuse can be attractive - but I'd like to know more in his head. There is so much left on the table that we're not privy too and goodlawdy do I want to know more.

Overall this was a fantastic read and I am very humbled to be able to read this early. I am very excited for more from this world (hopefully) and see Dalia grow and hopefully fix the world with her empathy (and possibly a fist or two, she deserves it as a treat).

This book was a fun time. It gave me a plus size character who has secret magic and is also queer. Although not specified on the page I do follow the author on social media and Dalia (the main character) is a demisexual biromantic which I enjoyed. The demi rep was more apparent but I love the varying LGBTQIA+ representation here, other characters are also queer and it's done as if it's a queernormative world in many ways.

I like the powers and magic system, I thought it was interesting that one thing could affect a group of children in lots of different ways so they didn't all end up with the same magic. There's some twists but there's not a lot of really new stuff here. I enjoyed it because I like this type of book and it's quite comforting to read something where you kind of know where it's heading but if you're new to fantasy then you might feel differently.

I'm intrigued to see where the story will go with the characters and would be interested in reading the next book in the series.

this book is well executed with a unique magic system, but something about it kept me from loving it as much as i thought i would. i couldn't connect with dalia a ton, and she was too trusting for the situations she found herself in. i kept hoping she would make better decisions and it never really got there.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

This is an excellent debut fantasy perfect for fans of magic, quests, and relatable, complex main characters!

Of Wolves and Stags gave me serious flashbacks—in the best way—to the kind of books I devoured as a teen. It’s fast-paced, magic-filled, and emotionally grounded, with themes that resonate far beyond the surface. If you’re a younger YA reader (or just someone who loves a coming-of-age fantasy with heart), this is one to check out.

We follow Dalia, a teenage orphan living in a remote northern village, who carries more than just trauma—she’s a Crystalline, a rare magic user created (read: abused and weaponized) by the Elven government. Her memories are fragmented, but she knows a few truths: she escaped ten years ago, her sister saved her and told her to wait, and her sister never returned. Then a mysterious, dying stranger washes ashore, and everything changes.

This book has all the classic YA fantasy vibes—hidden powers, secret pasts, rebel factions, and the slow unraveling of identity—but what makes it stand out is its commitment to empathy and nuance. It doesn’t just throw plot twists at you for the sake of shock; it uses them to explore heavy themes like power, guilt, and the way even well-meaning people can harm you.

There’s one moment, in particular, that stuck with me: when Dalia realizes that someone she thought was an ally is actually objectifying her in the same way her enemies do—just under the guise of care. That subtle shift in perspective? Brilliant. The book is filled with moments like that, and I think it’s especially powerful for teen readers navigating the complexities of trust and identity.

That said, the ending left me with mixed feelings. It feels unfinished—not in a cliffhanger way, but in a “wait, is that it?” kind of way. Certain characters and decisions (especially around forgiveness and redemption) didn’t sit quite right with me. There's a group that gets way too much leniency given their actions, and I wanted more reflection or at least consequences.

Overall, I’d give this a solid 4 stars. It’s not a perfect book, but it’s an impactful one, especially for the intended audience. It’s the kind of story I wish I had when I was 14: inclusive, body-positive, and thoughtful in its themes.

Of Wolves and Stags offers a solid fantasy read with well-crafted world-building and a focus on shifting loyalties and uneasy alliances. Ria Parisi’s writing is thoughtful and layered, slowly drawing you into a story where tension simmers beneath every interaction. The characters are complex, and the slow development of their relationships adds depth without rushing the pace. While not every moment lands with full impact, it’s a compelling and quietly powerful story overall.

Oooooh this was such a good read!! Loved the main protagonist, loved that she was plus size without it being her entire personality, and loved the I just could never root for the love interest. Compared to Dalia, he just felt flat. There were times when I was annoyed by her or something, but I still loved her. I just couldn’t get behind Glenn. My one other complaint was at times the pacing dragged. But all in all, loved this book at thought it was a creative take on humans + magic and elves!

This is a great young adult fantasy. I really love that the female main character is plus size and confident in herself. Also, really great queer representation. There are some moments I would have liked a little bit more description in the writing but overall, really cool, loved it!

I really wanted to love this book because the blurb sounded full of promise but I just couldn't get into it no matter how many times I tried or how many books I read in between.

I thought maybe I was struggling because of my reading slump, but even when I was out of it, it just didn't grab me. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity but it just didn't work for me.

Ok. So. I was expecting Reylo vibes (and this book had that in *spades*), but I was not expecting that reveal. Like, get ready to have your mind utterly blown.

The main cast was fantastic. The characters were distinct and unique. I loved how the story unraveled. But I especially loved the romantic progressions.

The ending was very well done and satisfying. I was left feeling like how the ending of Eragon made me feel, which is not a feeling I've gotten from an ending in a while.

The FMC was perfectly flawed and comfortable in her own body, which, halle-freaking-lujah. It's about time there was a book with a plus sized protagonist that felt confident in who she was! I just loved her personal journey and growth from beginning to end of this book.

I am really curious about where this story will go next and cannot wait to read the next book in the future!

Content: horse is unalived during battle sequence

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of this book.

The chokehold the last half of this book had on me, I read it within an afternoon then proceeded to (lovingly) yell at the author over a Certain Character.

Really this is a great fantasy novel. The world building isn't so intense that you need to be fully awake and sitting with a notepad to keep track of everything which makes it all the more enjoyable. You can just read it for reading sake and enjoy it while you do.

I adored the representation in this novel. Plus-sized heroines, non-binary elves, and so much more. It just felt like such a wonderfully warm hug to read these characters and have them be so amazing. I am eager to find out more about the characters within, what happens to them after the book has completed (including those who aren't so savory) and just.. gah. So good.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read Of Wolves and Stags.

Unfortunately I’ve decided to DNF this one at 150 pages. The reason for this is just that I’m not connected to the writing style or any of the characters, and I found myself having to force myself through the pages I did read.

I will say, Dalia is definitely a character I would have enjoyed reading about when I was a teenager. As a curvier person myself, having some plus size rep would have been such a boon to me when I was younger, and the fact that Dalia is a softer more emotional main character would have been so relatable to me. However these days, while that rep is great to see, I just didn't connect with her at all and found her more reactive to the storyline rather than a proactive main character.

I also didn’t find that this book did anything new that I’ve not read before. I’d say this would be great for a younger audience as the writing style and characters read younger, but unfortunately for me it just didn’t excite me or draw me in. I also found that the romance seemed very insta-lovey. I know the two character knew each other for a few weeks but we didn’t really see their attraction develop at all because we skipped time quite often.

Overall I think a younger audience would definitely enjoy this and have a great time reading it, but unfortunately I’m just not the target audience here.

Of Wolves and Stags is an exciting, magical adventure with the right amount of complexity and world building. Chapter 1 had my curiosity peaked. By Chapter 2, my heart was pounding. By the end, my reading speed picked up so much so I could devour all the twists and reveals. The characters are diverse, realistic, and complete. Their backstories truly shape who they are. I love the ending and am so excited for a potential sequel.

Thank you to NetGalley and Inked In Press for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I probably should have DNF'ed because reading this started me off on a huge reading slump. I didn't enjoy this book. It started off as a promising foray into a world where the magic system seemed intriguing, but around the 42% mark quickly became uninteresting, the writing overly precious and the characters unbearable. None of the characters are intriguing or have arcs that make them worth continuing on for, the tropes are cliched and uninteresting. I would have liked to actually enjoy this book but the FMC doesn't seem to have a critical thought in her head and there is very little about her that can be forgiven.

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley but my thoughts and feelings are my own.

Rating 3.5 star rounded up to 4

Plot: Dalia Arrowood is a crystalline, a human that has received special abilities due to abuse from the elves that serve as the villains in this story.

What I loved:

I loved the LGBTQIA+ representation and what in this world would be the equivalence of an interracial relationship (non-binary elf and human).

I loved how realistic Dalia is as a main character. Unlike many of her counterparts in fantasy novels, she struggles and has to learn to defended herself. She doesn’t suddenly become so good she can take down entire armies overnight. The support she gets from Beth is unmatched because Beth believes in her and works her through her physical and mental struggles with learning to fight.

Lastly, I loved the magic system. The crystalline reminded me in some ways of a fantasy version of the X-Men in that people were experimented on and tested to their limits through torture and abuse to activate a power they had. The main difference here is that it is an entirely different race subjecting humans to the testing.

Things that could be improved:

Though the plot was interesting for the most part, there were some times where it was really hard for me to get through some chapters. The pacing dropped off quite drastically once Dalia makes her way with Glenn to their camp and it felt like a lot trudging through it.

Dalia, though interesting overall, had some glaring character flaws. I liked that she had them in general because it made her more interesting but there were times where I was like “girl come on.” She just blindly believed people too often, at times felt very self-deprecating (to the point of annoyance), and just allowed people to lie to her. She never questioned anything and just went along with what she was told though there was some glaringly obvious half-truths being told to her for over half the book.

The fact that she very clearly just wanted to believe a person she was interested in and never thought to question his motives or thoughts made it real suspicious. Plus when another of his group referred to a human being as an asset and she didn’t clock he was the same way bothered me. She did demand respect, which I loved especially in that moment but she should have also demanded the truth. Unfortunately this came quite a bit later.

Overall the book was an entertaining read and I would pick up the next one if there is one.

This book was highly enjoyable and the premise was fairly unique. I recognize I am not the target audience but I feel like this is a fantastic book for younger readers (teen) who want to get into fantasy. The story could have been beefed up for older audiences, but it's absolutely perfect for new fantasy readers.