The Wolf and the Woodsman
Ava Reid’s The Wolf and The Woodsman follows a young pagan woman with hidden powers and a one-eyed captain of the Woodsmen as they form an unlikely alliance to thwart a tyrant. Évike is the only woman without power in her pagan village. When the Holy Order of Woodsmen comes to claim a woman from her village, Évike is surrendered. When an attack in the forest leaves Évike forced to form an alliance with Gáspár, the remaining Woodsman and heir to the king, their mutual loathing turns to affection. But trust can easily turn to betrayal, and as Évike reconnects with her estranged father and discovers her own hidden magic, she and Gáspár need to decide whose side they’re on, and what they’re willing to give up for a nation that never cared for them at all.
Reid’s way of writing Évike’s complicated relationship with her village was well done. I loved how conflicted she was about helping the villagers who turned her over to the Woodsmen, and how she ultimately decided to save them from Gáspár’s zealous brother. Évike felt so torn between helping the villagers or her father’s people, the Yehuli, and although it ultimately ended with both the villagers and the Yehuli saved, you knew Évike just wanted to do right by everyone, which was impossible.
Gáspár’s journey throughout the book was impressive. He went from a firm believer in his kingdom’s Catholic-esque religion to accepting the pagan and Yehuli religions, and the believers. Évike helped him understand that the world is not black and white, and neither is a person’s faith. I liked reading their arguments throughout the book, because you could see Gáspár start to understand that the world, and his faith, wasn’t as simple as he believed.
I loved that Évike got to have a relationship with her father. After losing her mother at such a young age, her reunion with her father was so sweet. Despite the chaos in the capital city, they were able to share moments together that helped Évike understand her ancestry. I liked that even though in the end she went back to the village, she was still able to see her father and Gáspár. She didn’t have to give them up.
The Wolf and the Woodsman is an unforgettable debut that will thrill fans of Naomi Novik and Katherine Arden.
The Wolf and the Woodsman Rating: ★★★★
Reid’s way of writing Évike’s complicated relationship with her village was well done. I loved how conflicted she was about helping the villagers who turned her over to the Woodsmen, and how she ultimately decided to save them from Gáspár’s zealous brother. Évike felt so torn between helping the villagers or her father’s people, the Yehuli, and although it ultimately ended with both the villagers and the Yehuli saved, you knew Évike just wanted to do right by everyone, which was impossible.
Gáspár’s journey throughout the book was impressive. He went from a firm believer in his kingdom’s Catholic-esque religion to accepting the pagan and Yehuli religions, and the believers. Évike helped him understand that the world is not black and white, and neither is a person’s faith. I liked reading their arguments throughout the book, because you could see Gáspár start to understand that the world, and his faith, wasn’t as simple as he believed.
I loved that Évike got to have a relationship with her father. After losing her mother at such a young age, her reunion with her father was so sweet. Despite the chaos in the capital city, they were able to share moments together that helped Évike understand her ancestry. I liked that even though in the end she went back to the village, she was still able to see her father and Gáspár. She didn’t have to give them up.
The Wolf and the Woodsman is an unforgettable debut that will thrill fans of Naomi Novik and Katherine Arden.
The Wolf and the Woodsman Rating: ★★★★