Have you ever picked up a book, knowing full well it’s going to be a retelling, but then are somewhat surprised when it’s not the one you expected?
That was me when I picked up For the Wolf by Hannah Whitten. The cover of this debut novel caught my eye immediately. Art style is gorgeous. The title is firm and direct. Then you have the silhouette of a woman cloaked in red standing before a pale forest.
My first thought, as with many I’d assume, is a Red Riding Hood retelling. And I do love me a good retelling. So with gift card in hand, I grabbed For the Wolf and took it home.
Synopsis
The first daughter is for the Throne.
The second daughter is for the Wolf.As the only Second Daughter born in centuries, Red has one purpose—to be sacrificed to the Wolf in the Wood in the hope he’ll return the world’s captured gods.
Red is almost relieved to go. Plagued by a dangerous power she can’t control, at least she knows that in the Wilderwood, she can’t hurt those she loves. Again.
But the legends lie. The Wolf is a man, not a monster. Her magic is a calling, not a curse. And if she doesn’t learn how to use it, the monsters the gods have become will swallow the Wilderwood—and her world—whole.
For the Wolf by Hannah Whitten
What I Loved
The Setting – The Wilderwood
Who doesn’t love an enchanted forest? I sure do, and I really enjoyed the haunting descriptions Whitten uses to paint the background for a good part of this novel. The Wilderwood is the biggest backdrop for this story, but I would also describe it as a big character. When I read scenes that took place within the Wilderwood I was alert and paying attention to all the details.
I definitely was held in suspense when in the Wilderwood.
Slow Burn
This was a definite slow burn romance between the main characters, which I really appreciated. There are looks, there are comments toward each other, but really the romance isn’t over the top. It’s not lust at first sight, and the relationships actually move the story along.
Not the Retelling I Expected
As I mentioned earlier, I truly thought I was picking up a Red Riding Hood retelling. I didn’t read the commendations from other authors on the back. Rarely do. I simply read the synopsis and knew I wanted to read this book.
So, when I started getting into the novel, into the meat and potatoes, I realized more and more that this was in fact a Beauty and the Beast retelling.
I wasn’t horribly disappointed per se, because I love Beauty and the Beast and always enjoying a new author’s take on the old tale. However, I was mildly sad to not be reading a Red Riding Hood retelling, as I feel I’ve read several Beauty and the Beast renditions of late.
Regardless though, you may not know the fine details, but with a retelling you know the general path of the story. And most likely, how it’s going to end.
What I Didn’t Love
YA Beginnings
I found this novel in the Fantasy section of my Barnes & Noble and therefore I sort of assumed (bad on my part I know) that this was going to be a little more geared toward adults. And in some degrees it is, but to me it started with a heavy Young Adult feeling.
Very angsty.
Our main character has powers as mentioned in the Synopsis of For the Wolf. I was hoping to see her get to her destination and test them and use them.
Kind of like how Elsa does in Disney’s Frozen. She runs away and really cuts loose, finally away from any and everyone, and builds a whole freaking castle with powers she’s feared her whole life!
I was hoping for something similar, but spent a quarter of this book listening to our MC worry and have anxiety attacks at the mere thought of using her power.
There are reasons, and I get it on one hand, but on the other I was kind of over it early on.
But that’s just me.
Enough with the Teeth
Teeth are used a lot in this book to show characters’ emotions and reactions. Teeth cracking, gnashing, hissing, clenching, grinding, etc. A lot of these phrases made me personally cringe a bit, but maybe I just have a weak stomach for teeth on teeth sounds and motions. Kind of like nails on chalkboards are for some people.
The descriptor was used a lot. And it reminded me of the overuse of “mate” in some Sarah J. Maas novels, though not near to that level, it was used over abundantly.
In Conclusion
This was a really good story and retelling of Beauty and the Beast with some Red Riding Hood elements in the mix. Once I was through that YA, anxiety ridden beginning, the story really took over and I found it difficult to put the book down. I will definitely be picking up the second book, For the Throne by Hannah Whitten, the next time I visit the bookstore.
I gave For the Wolf by Hannah Whitten
Until Next Time,
Follow Me:
For More Reading:
I agree! Teeth on teeth motions and sounds just put me on edge. Loved your review and can’t wait to read your next one!
Thank you so much! That means a lot 🤍