For the Wolf

FOR THE WOLF is a slow burn fantasy story full of magic and longing, built on wound care and vibing. Probably not a retelling in traditional sense, it has the bones of Beauty and the Beast, the flesh and sinew of something all its own, twisted and bloody but still whole. 

The plot is there, technically, but most of the action is them running around bleeding or not bleeding or asking the other one to bleed or not bleed on something so it can do or not do a magic thing. Also there's only one bed, and some gestures at a love triangle that resolves itself with very little fanfare. If you don't like wound care and longing then read something else, as that's (gloriously, intimately) the bulk of the text. There's a larger arc involving Red's twin sister which is set to continue in the next book, and it has a lot of promise. I like this one, it hits a niche I didn't realize I was missing. 

This was so slow to get going, I nearly gave up but I did love the creepy, sentient Wilderwood and the whole mythology around it. The pace really picks up in the second half, and overall I enjoyed it. Full review to follow.

Full review:
The first daughter is for the Throne. The second daughter is for the Wolf.

There hasn’t been a Second Daughter in centuries and the Wilderwood is hungry for a sacrifice. The legends say she is the only way to save her land from the monsters of the forest. But not all legends are true, and the Wolf is just a boy trying to carry on the work of his parents.

I loved the sentient trees of the Wilderwood and the whole mythology surrounding the woods. It’s trying to survive, it is neither good nor evil. Ever since Red first ventured into the forest, she has felt its power within her. She is meant to be a sacrifice, it’s all she’s ever known, and she fears the magic will harm those she loves. It is almost a relief to go.

This is essentially a story about consent. Not something that usually gets asked for in fairy tales. While Red is initially given to the Wolf by her people, the climax is literally about the power of consent, and throughout the Wolf gives her choices, he does not want her there against her will.

It was an incredibly slow start though. There’s a lot of lovely, descriptive writing, so if that’s your thing you may absolutely love this. For me, it was a little too much description and not enough getting on with the plot for most the first half. The second half had much better pacing, and I did enjoy the story.

I could see where’s Neve’s actions were heading, that she was being drawn into a cult with ulterior motives. She is grieving for her sister, wants to have her returned, so of course she wants to believe that the priestesses can help. Little does she know that Red is safe as she can be, as long as Neve’s actions don’t jeopardise the safety of everyone.

I am a little disappointed that this wasn’t a standalone, I don’t see myself reading more, especially since the part I liked the most seemed resolved in this first instalment.