Book Review | The Wolf and the Woodsman

Born without magic, Évike is an outcast of her pagan village, so when Woodsmen arrive demanding they give up a precious Seer—a wolf girl—for their king, they disguise Évike as a Seer and send her instead. However, on their way to take her to the king, their party is attacked by monsters, leaving only Évike and the one-eyed captain named as the survivors. Now, in order to survive, the two of them form a reluctant alliance.

Steeped in Jewish mythology and Hungarian history, The Wolf and the Woodsman by Ava Reid is an utterly enchanting and richly-woven fantasy. It’s incredible how well-crafted and well-throughout the story’s worldbuilding and lore are. The author delicately navigates the clashing of cultures and both explores the power of myth as well as how myths can intersect across cultures.

I guess it’s only fitting that a story so rooted in myths also reads like an old epic poem itself. The writing is earthy and unflinchingly gruesome and, at times, also beautifully tender. In the acknowledgements, the author lists Hozier and Florence and the Machine (my two favorite artists) as part of her writing playlist, and I can feel that.

Lastly, I have to talk about the relationship dynamic of the two main characters, which I absolutely adored. Évike is a fierce and stubborn huntress and Gáspár is a pious man dedicated to his faith. They’re like fire and ice. On top of that, they’re also mortal enemies. However, I enjoyed watching the tension between the two and seeing Gáspár slowly let his guard down and seeing the two of them gradually grow a mutual respect for each other.

Complete with multi-faceted characters and intricate lore, this book helped me remember what it’s like to truly sink into a good fantasy book again. This is a stunningly gorgeous and emotionally compelling debut, and I’m excited to see what other books Ava Reid has in store in the future.

Thank you, NetGalley and Harper Voyager, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Book Details:

Publication Date : June 8, 2021

Publisher : Harper Voyager

ISBN : 1529100739

Pages : 448

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