Book Review: For the Wolf
by Aysel Atamdede
Too often, stories that attempt to retell or rehash fairy tales fall into the trap of making them “gritty” or “grimdark,” trading character development and narrative tension for unnecessary violence or shoehorned sex. Maturity in story or character doesn’t have to equate to graphic descriptions — it should mean aiming for a more mature audience in tone and language. In her debut fantasy novel, For the Wolf, author Hannah Whitten breathes new life into the genre with a richly-crafted world and diverse characters.
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An ancient mantra plagues the kingdom of Valleyda, passed down for generations: “The First Daughter is for the throne. The Second Daughter is for the Wolf.” In the first chapter, we meet the current Daughters: Red, the seemingly doomed Second Daugther, and her older sister Neve, the First Daughter.
All her life, Red has known her fate and accepted it. She believes it’s for the best for everyone, to keep her family safe, appease the Wolf in the Wilderwood and perhaps find answers to questions burning inside her. She and her sister are refreshing protagonists, powerful young women who demonstrate love for each other, strength in the face of impossible odds and compelling narrative arcs that fully flesh them out as individuals throughout the story.
Where For the Wolf excels is how it approaches its target audience. Whitten straddles the gap between Young Adult and Adult readers, crafting characters who have reached maturity but still have room to grow. In addition, stepping away from the YA genre allows flexibility in tackling themes like sexual relationships, bloody conspiracies and manipulatory antagonists.
Throughout the novel, Red and Neve uncover long-lost secrets and dark tidings threatening the thin veneer of peace, maintained only through sacrifice and trust for so many ages.
However, the most tragic aspect of the story is how the love they share is challenged — challenged by Red’s determination to protect her family and kingdom by staying away. At the same time, Neve searches relentlessly for any possible way to bring her sister home. It’s a clash of powerful wills, with each side convinced their actions are the proper course of action.
Painting the setting around the action and characters is a beautifully-crafted world rich with magic, mystery and lore. History and allusions are presented through conversations and exploration, unfolding naturally without feeling like an exposition dump onto the reader to explain everything at once.
Yet, For the Wolf is only the first entry in Whitten’s planned series, so more questions arise for every answer readers receive. Not everything is as it seems, and twisted machinations lie behind even the most innocent-looking faces. The story weaves a dense net of uncertainty as long-held truths prove false, and a deeper threat than anyone could’ve expected slowly comes to light.
For fans of fantasy and fairy tales, for readers looking to bring original ideas to their shelves, For the Wolf is a perfect read. Whitten crafts a fantastical world that begs you to dive in, hooking you within the first few pages. With the sequel, For the Throne, expected to hit shelves on June 7, 2022, now is an excellent time to jump into the beginning of what’s sure to be an incredible journey.
You can find For the Wolf for purchase in retail booksellers, including Barnes & Noble and Amazon. For the Throne is available for preorder.
This article was originally posted on 3/18/22.
https://www.geekgirlauthority.com/5-retellings-of-classic-stories/
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