The Wolf and the Woodsman : : a Novel

Locations
Call Number: Fantasy / Reid, Ava, Adult Book / Fiction / Fantasy / Reid, Ava, Adult Book / Fiction / Fantasy / Reid, Ava
On Shelf At: Downtown Library, Pittsfield Branch, Traverwood Branch

Location & Checkout Length	Call Number	Checkout Length	Item Status
Downtown 2nd Floor 4-week checkout	Fantasy / Reid, Ava	4-week checkout	On Shelf
Pittsfield Adult Books 4-week checkout	Adult Book / Fiction / Fantasy / Reid, Ava	4-week checkout	On Shelf
Traverwood Adult Books 4-week checkout	Adult Book / Fiction / Fantasy / Reid, Ava	4-week checkout	On Shelf

In her forest-veiled pagan village, Évike is the only woman without power. The villagers blame her corrupted bloodline-- her father was a Yehuli man, one of the much-loathed servants of the fanatical king. When soldiers arrive from the Holy Order of Woodsmen to claim a pagan girl for the king's blood sacrifice, Évike is betrayed by her fellow villagers and surrendered. Monsters attack en route, slaughtering everyone except Évike and the cold, one-eyed captain. But he's no ordinary Woodsman: he's the disgraced prince, Gá́spár Bárány, whose father needs pagan magic to consolidate his power. Making a tenuous pact, they become bound by a shared history of alienation and oppression. -- adapted from jacket.

REVIEWS & SUMMARIES

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COMMUNITY REVIEWS

Interesting ideas, unevenly executed submitted by cglimco on July 25, 2021, 11:24am I enjoyed the setting, which is a fantasy version of historical Hungary, and the clash of religions and mythologies as a new nation emerges. The magic system was unique and I enjoyed the various myths woven into the story. However, the narrative and the characters were sometimes clunky. The pacing lags in the middle, the writing can be repetitive at times, and the first person narrator was very frustrating. This is a debut novel, so it’s understandable, but diminished what could have been a really interesting fantasy epic. The book is redeemed by a satisfying climax and conclusion. If you can make it through the meandering middle, it ends well and makes it still a worthwhile read, although not my favorite. The clash of pagan, Jewish, and Christian beliefs draws comparisons to Naomi Novik and Katherine Arden. This book doesn’t quite live up to those better executed examples.