For the Wolf (Wilderwood #1) by Hannah F Whitten
21 June 2021
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: For the Wolf, Hannah F Whitten, Wilderwood #1
My Five Word TL:DR Review : I wanted to love this
Okay, I think I will start my review of For the Wolf by saying I think a case of overhype and misdirection led me to expect something different from this one. Basically, I’m a sucker for fairytale retellings and can’t resist picking them up always with that sweet expectation of finding something whimsical and yet deliciously dark, twisted and different. To be fair to For the Wolf I literally led myself down the garden path a little with this one. I read the description and put two and two together, basically reaching the conclusion that a story with a character called Red and a dangerous wolf in a forest equated to a Red Riding Hood retelling. That’s my own fault at the end of the day. In fact the blurb mentions that fans of Uprooted will like this one and I think that particular comparison is much more apt.
As it is, this felt much more like a Beauty and the Beast style story – which isn’t a problem because that just so happens to be my favourite fairytale – but, I think a combination of a rather busy style background in terms of the folklore elements coupled with a style of magic that felt a little strange left me unable to fully enjoy this one.
Redarys, or Red, is the second Princess and therefore fated from birth to be sacrificed to the Wolf in the Forest. Centuries ago a deal was struck whereby dark magic was banished and kept at bay by the Wilderwood and its sentinels. Unfortunately the Five King’s were also banished due to an unexpected twist. Over the years it seems that the story and the bargain struck have evolved into something different. It was believed that the second daughter born to the royal family would be given in sacrifice to the Wolf in the Woods, this sacrifice being linked to the release of the Kings (or Gods as they seem to have become known over the course of time). However, having been sent into the wood, Red discovers that there is to be no sacrifice and the wolf is in fact a man who is single handedly struggling to keep the darkness at bay.
On a positive note I thought it got off to a really good start. It fairly soon establishes the main characters and their respective roles and also sets up for a story with two sisters who seem devoted to each other. I thought the introduction of Red into the Wilderwood and the chase through the trees before she reached the Tower was also really well done. Also, to be honest, although there was a good deal of creating situations that would lead to sexual tension between Red and Eamonn (the wolf – or warden as it happens) I did quite enjoy the romance aspects to the story. I wouldn’t call it unique and it definitely wasn’t unexpected but still I liked the feelings that built between the two characters and the eventual relationship that ensued. I have no guilt whatsoever in that respect. I came expecting some romance and Whitten delivered.
I think the main issue I experienced with For the Wolf was a sense of puzzlement. I wasn’t sure why there was a plot to release the five kings – and this does take up a good portion of the story involving a religious cult and a scheming priestess. The motivations were very thin on the ground. The world here seemed to have survived perfectly well since the kings disappeared so what was the purpose of wanting them back? This part of the story felt very under explored and it just left me feeling as though I’d missed something. The Priestess herself, she lacked any sort of substance that would lend credulity as to why anyone would follow her. And, the magic used here seemed mainly to revolve around cutting and bleeding onto things which I can’t deny was not an aspect of the story that I enjoyed. I also would mention that at almost 450 pages this did feel a little bloated in parts.
Criticisms aside, I think For the Wolf will definitely find it’s audience. On this occasion I don’t think that will be me and I don’t expect to pick up further instalments in the series although it might be the case that more information about the Kings and the magic is forthcoming as the story progresses. I admit I’m not the target audience for this one and although I did enjoy the brooding romance the retelling or fairy tale elements didn’t really work their magic for me on this occasion.
I would like to thank the publishers for providing a copy for review, through Netgalley. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 3 of 5 stars
Booking Ahead/Weekly Wrap Up
20 June 2021
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Booking Ahead, Caffeinated Reviewer, Weekly wrap up
I’m trying to get back into the habit of doing a round-up of the week just completed and also take a look at my plans for the forthcoming week. I rather got out of the habit of doing this last year but I would like to reinstate this type of post as I feel it keeps me on track. So, I’m linking up to The Sunday Post over at Kimberly’s Caffeinated Reviewer. Without further ado:
Last week:
I finished reading my fourth SPFBO book last week – One of Us by ML Roberts. I’ve already posted my first two SPFBO reviews and the second two books will be reviewed soon. I also finished reading For the Wolf by Hannah Whitten and The Witness for the Dead by Katherine Addison and I started reading Jen William’s psychological Thriller – A Dark and Secret Place. I have had a busy week and I need to do quite a bit of gardening but the weather went off a little and so rain stopped all plans. I’ve completely dropped the ball with both my buddy read books which I’m feeling sheepish about. I will catch up though. This next week I’m hoping to make a start on a couple of my July books, I’m thinking The Rising Tide by Sam Lloyd or The Empire’s Ruin by Brian Staveley.
Complete A Dark and Secret Place by Jen Williams. Start a couple of my July books, maybe The Rising Tide by Sam Lloyd or The Empire’s Ruin by Brian Staveley. I think I will be focusing on reviews this forthcoming week. Need to catch up a little so probably less memes.
- Stranded by Rosalind Tate
- Graves Robbed, Heirlooms Returned by Ashley Capes
- Murder of Crows by Anne Bishop
- Deathborn by CE Page
- One of Us by ML Roberts
- Hyde by Craig Russell
- For the Wolf by Hannah Whitten
- The Witness for the Dead by Katherine Addison
Graves Robbed, Heirlooms Returned (Reed Lavender #1) #SPFBO
19 June 2021
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: #SPFBO, Graves Robbed, Heirlooms Returned, Reed Lavender #1
Graves Robbed, Heirlooms Returned by Ashley Capes is the second of the books I’ve read this month as part of the SPFBO Competition. Stranded by Rosalind Tate was the first book I read and my review can be found here.
Graves Robbed is the start of an Urban Fantasy series with what I found to be quite a unique concept. Reed Lavender is a detective with a difference. He looks like your regular run of the mill human being but his family are far from the mundane. Nephew to ‘Death’ he is only partly human. A story which is still in the making and I imagine more will be revealed with each instalment.
I enjoyed this. I’ve read Capes before and I do like his style of writing. With this particular story there is no hand holding. You’re thrown pretty much into the plot and just need to run with it. Lavender is working a case involving a runaway – his unique genealogy gives him the ability to talk to the dead – which can come in very useful in murder cases and the like. He can also call on Death although this isn’t always terribly helpful, that being said, having a bunch of cousins who you can use in tricky situations does have it’s benefits. I would also mention that he has a couple of tricks up his sleeve and that help to protect him but I won’t elaborate too much here.
So, Lavender’s case leads him to uncover something much more sinister taking place in the city. Something that seems to involve summoning something dark, strange cult like behavior, sacrifices and kidnapping.
The setting is much as you would expect with urban fantasy. Contemporary, modern day but with plenty of supernatural aspects including Gods and reapers.
As with most urban fantasy I usually find the first book is more involved with getting to know the main character and the world and Graves Robbed is consistent in that respect. To an extent being thrown straight into the action left me a little bit perplexed to begin with, especially in terms of the other characters and becoming familiar with who everyone was, but I fairly quickly found my feet.
The plot is a little scattered, maybe a little too busy for the actual size of the book. I think this is slightly under 150 pages and there’s quite a lot of action involved. I must confess that when I first started to read I initially felt like I’d missed something, maybe a prequel or something with a little more background but I don’t think that is the case. As it is I think the shortness of the story works against it a little bit, it doesn’t feel like there’s enough time to become familiar with the characters and keep on top of the storyline. Basically, and this is a fairly consistent theme with me when it comes to novella length stories – I think I would have liked a little more. Not padding just for the sake of it, but a bit more time setting up the people and their relationships to each other. That is, of course, a personal preference.
However, criticisms aside I did find this a good read. I liked the idea of a character that is related to Death and I enjoyed meeting Lavender’s cousins. I think there is so much potential for this series and I would pick up the next instalment to see what the author comes up with next. I would also mention that this first instalment doesn’t conclude the story, things are still very much in the air and in fact Lavender’s situation has become even more complicated by the final page and I suspect he might regret some of the promises he has been handing out like candy.
Overall, I think if you like UF this is a series that you will enjoy. It’s short, entertaining, easy to get along with. I suspect the second and third instalments will really flesh out the characters and place and probably drop a few more clues as to exactly who Reed Lavender really is and what he’s truly capable of.
I received a copy courtesy of the author, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
Friday Face Off : Out of Perspective, or makes you feel a bit dizzy
18 June 2021
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Blake Crouch, Books by Proxy, Friday Face off
Here we are again with the Friday Face Off meme created by Books by Proxy . This is a great opportunity to feature some of your favourite book covers. The rules are fairly simple each week, following a predetermined theme (list below) choose a book (this doesn’t have to be a book that you’ve read), compare a couple of the different covers available for that particular book and choose your favourite. Future’s themes are listed below – if you have a cover in mind that you’re really wanting to share then feel free to leave a comment about a future suggested theme. I’ve also listed events that take place during the year, that I’m aware of, so you can link up your covers – if you’re aware of any events that you think I should include then give me a shout.
Small update – I’m still catching up with blog hopping and I haven’t even started on comments on my own blog. I have read them all just not got back to everyone at the moment. I’ve been catching up with reviews and review books – or at least trying, I’ve caught a wicked cold and I don’t mind telling you it’s wiped me out. One day I will be fully caught up – one day very soon *fingers crossed*.
This week’s theme:
Out of Perspective, or makes you feel a bit dizzy
This week I’ve chosen a book that I’ve not read yet (in spite of owning a copy and reading very positive reviews – (something about time and lots of books, yadda yadda yadda). Anyway, I think the covers for this are just what I had in mind, it took me a while to figure out what I was really thinking for this theme and then this book popped into my head: Dark Matter by Blake Crouch – the covers really fit this whole skewed/out of perspective makes you blink or feel a bit off kilter. Check them out:
My favourite this week
I’ve updated the list now to include themes for next year. If you know of an event that’s coming up let me know and I’ll try and include covers that work for the event itself so that you can link up to the Friday Face Off and, as always, if you wish to submit an idea then leave me a comment – or if you’d like to host a week then simply let me know. Also, I would just mention that it’s very possible that some of these might be repeats from previous FFOs although I have tried to invent more ‘open ended’ prompt that can be interpreted differently and also prompts that relate to emotions. Finally, don’t struggle with any of these, this is meant to be a fun way of highlighting books. If you can’t come up with a book you think fits for a particular week use a freebie – perhaps a recent read for example:
Next week – Upside down, back to front or topsy turvy
2021
June
25th – Upside down, back to front or topsy turvy
July
2nd – A book with a landscape you’d like to visit
9th – A Wicked Grin
16th – Books with ‘book’ in the title
23rd – A Black Hole – could be in the universe or going deep into the ground
30th – Chaos – maybe too much going on in this one
August
6th – “They cluck their thick tongues, and shake their heads and suggest, os so very delicately!” – The Motel
13th – A favourite holiday read
20th – Dressed to kill (could be literally someone dressed to kill, or someone dressed up for a big night out
27th – Sunbathing or on the beach
September (RIP event)
3rd – 1920s feel, noir detective
10th – I’m Henry the Eighth I am – let’s look at Kings or other Emperors/rulers
17th – Books with ‘Murder’ in the title
24th – A favourite thriller
October
1st – A Halloween read
8th – Chills – anything at all that almost makes you too scared to pick up the book (your own pet hate)
15th – Your favourite book of magic
22nd – Books with ‘Queen’ in the title
29th – Must be gothic
November – Sci Fi Month
5th – Your earliest sci-fi read or the first sci-fi you reviewed
12th – A book with ‘star’ in the title
19th – Futuristic vista
26th – A Black Hole – in the universe or going deep into the ground
December
3rd – Windswept, the classic figure, stood majestically, with wind blowing out in a fetching way
10th – A fairytale retold
17th – Winter Solstice approaching – anything cold and seasonal
24th – All things fire – red hair, red covers, fire breathing dragons, simply fire?
31st – What’s your catnip – if it’s on a cover you have to pick it up
Can’t Wait Wednesday : The Book of Magic (Practical Magic #2) by Alice Hoffman
16 June 2021
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Alice Hoffman, Can't wait Wednesday, Practical Magic #2, The Book of Magic, Wishful Endings
“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly meme that was originally created by Breaking the Spine. Unfortunately Breaking the Spine are no longer hosting so I’m now linking my posts up to Wishful Endings Can’t Wait Wednesday. Don’t forget to stop over, link up and check out what books everyone else is waiting for. If you want to take part, basically, every Wednesday, we highlight a book that we’re really looking forward to. This week my book is : The Book of Magic (Practical Magic #2) by Alice Hoffman. Oh my giddy aunt. This book. I love this world, these characters and now this book is on the horizon. I nearly had a conniption when I saw this. I’m okay, I’m breathing and all is well, but, this book! Give it to me now. Pretty please.
Master storyteller Alice Hoffman brings us the conclusion of the Practical Magic series in a spellbinding and enchanting final Owens novel brimming with lyric beauty and vivid characters.
The Owens family has been cursed in matters of love for over three-hundred years but all of that is about to change. The novel begins in a library, the best place for a story to be conjured, when beloved aunt Jet Owens hears the deathwatch beetle and knows she has only seven days to live. Jet is not the only one in danger—the curse is already at work.
A frantic attempt to save a young man’s life spurs three generations of the Owens women, and one long-lost brother, to use their unusual gifts to break the curse as they travel from Paris to London to the English countryside where their ancestor Maria Owens first practiced the Unnamed Art. The younger generation discovers secrets that have been hidden from them in matters of both magic and love by Sally, their fiercely protective mother. As Kylie Owens uncovers the truth about who she is and what her own dark powers are, her aunt Franny comes to understand that she is ready to sacrifice everything for her family, and Sally Owens realizes that she is willing to give up everything for love.
The Book of Magic is a breathtaking conclusion that celebrates mothers and daughters, sisters and brothers, and anyone who has ever been in love.
Expected publication : October 2021
