Reviews

The Wolf and the Woodsman by Ava Reid

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mdelao630's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

laurenmidna's review against another edition

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2.0

This book was too long. I feel like the sentences were all written well, but it was versions of the same sentence over and over. I don’t know how many times characters blushed at every little hint of flirtation, or smeared blood up to their wrists, or knelt stony-faced, or became toothless when confronted. It was all impactful the first time, but it made even incredibly gory horrifying moments feel slow when they’re all described the same way. And Evike repeats the folklore she knows about her people a hundred times as well.

Overall I feel like I would have liked this story if it had better pacing. I really enjoyed the very beginning and the last 15% or so of the book, but I struggled to remain focused through much of the rest. The cultures that were built were interesting, I just couldn’t get invested in the characters.

samolineux's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

snortles's review against another edition

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2.0

Gorgeous world-building with writing to match, and yet it was as if the story arc got lost along the way only to have all of the discernible plot packed into the last 10% of the book.

teresaelj's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional inspiring tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

One of the better stand alien fantasies I’ve read. The language is gorgeous and the mixing of cultures from pagan, to Jewish inspiring, to the clear Christian influence is just AGH so wonderful and thoughtful. The romance is so realistic and perfect and bittersweet. This is a lovely dark wintertime magical novel. I also cannot talk enough about the audio book version of this novel. The narrator really savors the painting the text portrays. It feels like you can almost taste the food, smell the fire, feel the frost, and hear the songs. It is very real and crisp.