claudiereads's review against another edition
5.0
These books are truly like nothing else in the genre. Beautiful and unforgettable, and absolutely deserving of a reread (or rather, of many rereads). This last installment took a lot out of me emotionally, but the conclusion compensated for all that. It was the perfect stopping point after Will and Gaston’s long, arduous journey — not so perfect as to be completely unbelievable, but just right.
Words can’t express my love for this amazing series.
Words can’t express my love for this amazing series.
___tamara___'s review
4.0
So. This story/series happened to me. It took me about four months - mostly because RL was very busy, and in small part due to the book itself.
You can see my overview of book #1 here.
I need a graph for how my feelings towards this series changed while reading it, but overall I loved it.
I loved Will and Gaston and hated anyone who wanted to sabotage their love or anything they had planned. I often found them selfish in their plans for the potential children and the women in their lives, but they were men of their time (I would imagine better than most, but still) and some misogyny and self-centeredness was expected. Still, I loved Will's voice and he kept me reading.
Book #4 was a bit of a challenge because I was so tired of people trying to thwart their plans all the time and I just gave up on reading it for about a week. It didn't help that I was reading two more books filled with angst at the same time. The ending came almost too easily with everything tied up in a pretty bow and no loose ends. Or maybe I felt it was too easy because nothing ever came easy for Will and Gaston.
Still, I'm glad I was persistent enough to finish the series. Rating: 4.5 stars.
You can see my overview of book #1 here.
I need a graph for how my feelings towards this series changed while reading it, but overall I loved it.
I loved Will and Gaston and hated anyone who wanted to sabotage their love or anything they had planned. I often found them selfish in their plans for the potential children and the women in their lives, but they were men of their time (I would imagine better than most, but still) and some misogyny and self-centeredness was expected. Still, I loved Will's voice and he kept me reading.
Book #4 was a bit of a challenge because I was so tired of people trying to thwart their plans all the time and I just gave up on reading it for about a week. It didn't help that I was reading two more books filled with angst at the same time. The ending came almost too easily with everything tied up in a pretty bow and no loose ends. Or maybe I felt it was too easy because nothing ever came easy for Will and Gaston.
Still, I'm glad I was persistent enough to finish the series. Rating: 4.5 stars.
kaje_harper's review
4.0
This is the fourth and final segment of the four-part novel Raised By Wolves. Rating for the entire book/series - 4.25 stars.
I enjoyed this installment better than part three. There is more plot, more movement forward in both personal relationships and the resolution of the conflicts in the story. The author pulls off a happy ending that is satisfying, if almost too idyllic.
This series began to feel long and convoluted to me in book three, and I had that issue to some degree here as well. This had a lot of plot twists, and every time the two MCs were making forward progress they were stopped/drafted/captured/thwarted/forced to run. At times, it seemed as though they were passive, waiting for the next turn of events, when there were moves they could have made to secure their lives and loved ones.
Nonetheless, I did enjoy this book, and eagerly read my way through it. There were some sections that were very engaging between the two MCs, and some worthwhile plot elements. Their introspection and metaphors had more purpose, and moved forward more, than in book 3, and there was some exciting action as well.
As a whole, this series is worth reading if you like historical context, introspective and philosophical MCs, secondary characters, internal angst and healing broken/traumatized heroes, and a twisty, drawn-out and adventure-laden plot, with a HEA. And if you have some time to dedicate to a story of this length and complexity. I don't think it's one that would do well one section at a time, given all the detail involved. I may reread this, skipping through some parts to find the meat of the books. I enjoyed the unusual characters in a loving M/M relationship where the obstacles are internal trauma and insanity, and external threats, but never a big-misunderstanding or petty jealousy and game-playing. Will and Gaston love each other, from partway through the first book on, and that doesn't change. Their love is the light at the heart of the story.
I enjoyed this installment better than part three. There is more plot, more movement forward in both personal relationships and the resolution of the conflicts in the story. The author pulls off a happy ending that is satisfying, if almost too idyllic.
This series began to feel long and convoluted to me in book three, and I had that issue to some degree here as well. This had a lot of plot twists, and every time the two MCs were making forward progress they were stopped/drafted/captured/thwarted/forced to run. At times, it seemed as though they were passive, waiting for the next turn of events, when there were moves they could have made to secure their lives and loved ones.
Spoiler
I find it very hard to believe that Will never realized that if his father was dead, he would inherit title, money and power, as long as he wasn't suspected of the deed. I'd think that's a point even Alonzo would have made to him, back in their early days together, and it surely should have been part of the calculations.Nonetheless, I did enjoy this book, and eagerly read my way through it. There were some sections that were very engaging between the two MCs, and some worthwhile plot elements. Their introspection and metaphors had more purpose, and moved forward more, than in book 3, and there was some exciting action as well.
As a whole, this series is worth reading if you like historical context, introspective and philosophical MCs, secondary characters, internal angst and healing broken/traumatized heroes, and a twisty, drawn-out and adventure-laden plot, with a HEA. And if you have some time to dedicate to a story of this length and complexity. I don't think it's one that would do well one section at a time, given all the detail involved. I may reread this, skipping through some parts to find the meat of the books. I enjoyed the unusual characters in a loving M/M relationship where the obstacles are internal trauma and insanity, and external threats, but never a big-misunderstanding or petty jealousy and game-playing. Will and Gaston love each other, from partway through the first book on, and that doesn't change. Their love is the light at the heart of the story.
More...