For the Wolf- Hannah Whitten
I received a copy of For the Wolf from the wonderful Orbit books in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Let's first just start by saying that soon there will be more options to this blog if you want to send any amount of feedback, criticism, or praise you will soon be able to. In addition there will be some Guest reviews from another reviewer who prides himself on honest reviews.
I digress. Here's a brief synopsis for For the Wolf by Hannah Whitten,
As the only Second Daughter born in centuries, Red has one purpose-to be sacrificed to the Wolf in the Wood in the hope he'll return the world's captured gods.Red is almost relieved to go.
Plagued by a dangerous power she can't control, at least she knows that in the Wilderwood, she can't hurt those she loves. Again.But the legends lie.
The Wolf is a man, not a monster. Her magic is a calling, not a curse. And if she doesn't learn how to use it, the monsters the gods have become will swallow the Wilderwood-and her world-whole.
I just want to first start off by saying that this book gives off a very YA vibe. I feel like there is a huge group within the Scifi/Fantasy community that would just love this book. It has romance in a few parts of the book and the characters decisions felt very adolescent if that makes sense.
Ok let's just start off by saying what I enjoyed about this book. I liked the lore in that there is ceremony that this society goes there anytime theres a Second daughter in that they give her to the forest, the forest so that they can prevent the return of the Kings of old. This lore surrounding the plot is central to this book, and it is a good plot progressor, but unfortunately it's the only plot progressor, which I will get into in a bit.
I tend to read and like books that are moved along by the plot as opposed to character driven. This book is a mix of both that is more detrimental to the enjoyment of the story than it is beneficial. I liked Red as a character, feel like she was pretty well fleshed out but the others besides Neve kind of just were there, they didn't make much of an impression.
The writing was fine and I would say above average, but it definitely read like a YA. I even read that this was a fairytale flipped on its head with a grimdark angle. This isn't a grimdark book. The action/violence is just there and not too engaging. I feel like the Lore was the most interesting aspect to this book but it fell flat in execution. Was the wild protecting against the return of the old kings or was it acting in accordance with them. It can be a bit vague, especially if you're not paying too much attention.
I don't have any plans on picking up the next book in the series as It was enjoyable enough but didn't have that extra kick that made me want to continue. I would give this book a 3/5, as the writing was good and the next books can really bring the story together if done right so there's always hope.
As always, till next time...
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I tend to prefer Traditionally published books as they are generally held to higher standards but will consider any book.
For the Wolf 3/5