A review by tieflingreads
Wolfsong, by TJ Klune

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I wasn't really expecting much from this book honestly, with it being an older mlm werewolf book. I was expecting 'dubious consent' alpha x omega dynamics and way more smut than plot. I WAS VERY MUCH MISTAKEN. 

[also, werewolves aren't even the only supernatural creature in this series!!]

 Right off the bat we start with a lot of heavy emotions. While this book has its share of jokes and chaotic teenage boys-being-boys to help lighten the mood, it is still quite heavy. Grief, anger, fear are all very prevalent. I defintely say it is worth the read but please check out detailed CW lists beforehand!!  

As an autistic person myself, I definitely see Ox as being autistic. He has difficulties with finding the words he wants to say as well as fully understanding others and where they are coming from in several conversations. While processing strong emotions like fear, anger, and sadness, he 'sees' colours and I take this as his way of trying to understand and accept these emotions, both in himself and others. ~ While Ox is in school, there are some bullies who habitually use the r-slur on him. Ox doesn't do anything about it because he feels like it's inevitable, but later on he has friends who challenge these people and once Ox is out of school nobody else disrespects him in that way. 

Where do I even start with the Bennett family... My love language is physical touch, so the fact that the Bennett's are constantly patting Ox's back, playing with his hair, sitting close to him despite other spots being open, all of that screams to me that Ox is so so loved
This might read differently to somebody who is more touch-adverse so keep that in mind! 

I also love the writing style! Wolfsong is full of short, choppy sentences, very similar to my own writing style. The short sentences were really easy on my ADHD brain and I was able to absolutely FLY through this book. 

There is a relationship between and adult and a minor in this book, with a 6 year age difference. The two people know each other from ages 16 and 10, and the older one doesn't think of the younger in a romantic or sexual way until the younger is 17 and begins to flirt with him, and even then he is still very "you are a MINOR" to the other instead of just taking advantage of him. That being said, I can still understand how it can be triggering to some readers; feel free to ask me for more details if you'd like!

Rep: bisexual MC (bisexual is used on page!), it's said somewhere that werewolves are most commonly "fluid" in their sexuality so I'm assuming they're all meant to be m-spec as well. Multiple mlm couples, as well as a side character who feels aro-ace coded! I believe he gets his own book later in the series

CW: r-slur several times from a very minor character (challenged), one hp reference in the chapter "Moon". (These are the main things that keep this book from being a 5 star, but it was written in 2015 so I'm not entirely surprised either)
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