The Wolf Wilder

Oh my goodness. This book had me and my two sons hooked as soon as I started reading it to them. The first chapter was so riveting that we wanted so badly to just read through the whole thing (the chapters are each about 20 pages or more, other than a couple). I homeschool my sons and we were finishing up our lessons in learning about Russia, and this one was perfect. It explains in an intro what wilding was from the past Soviet Union culture and historically how people viewed and treated wolves. When the story actually begins it focuses on a pre-teen girl and her mother who live alone in a cabin in the woods wilding wolves. Government powers in the time of the tsar come through and try to control and hurt people throughout the surrounding areas and threaten the mother/daughter duo. This leads to an adventure and possible revolution to start. This book is so well written and amazing. There is violence, so be aware of that. It is definitely a chapter book that your pre-teens/teens can read and enjoy, and I think adults would enjoy it as much as I did too!

Asked Grok for a book my kid would like so I could interest her in reading fiction. She *loved* this book. Score 1 for AI, I suppose. It's a bit mature for a kid but if your kid likes wolves and a well written story, this is a hit.

This story kept me interested the entire time. All of the characters were engaging & their stories made me cheer

We tried this after falling in love with her book The Rooftoppers, but this book is quite different. Still has a great young girl protagonist, very brave and resourceful. However, there is a lot more darkness in this book and much less humor. There is death of characters you've grown attached to, there is the threat of death, and there is a lot of seriousness with very little levity. I ended up not reading it to my daughter because of these things. It is a good book, but a serious one. I loved the historical relevance, and Rundell is excellent at descriptive writing, it was just too dark for my little girl who is 7 and already suffers from too many fears. I strongly recommend Rooftoppers -- full of love and hope and another resilient, brave girl as the main character. Both books are good, just significantly different from each other. Rooftoppers

A wonderful novel for teenage and adult readers. Highly imaginative and innovative, while exciting and providing good character development.

Brilliant imaginative writing in the classical model of a tale with teachings behind the events and character development

Great little read, this was just a simple and delightful tale - almost a fairytale, in a good way. Nice pace, recognisable setting, balanced a well written. I rally enjoyed this one.

My son has been reading only Wimpy Kid books and comic books, and I've been trying to nudge him toward better literature without turning him off the whole idea of reading by being too pushy. He eventually chose this book from a big stack of 10 books of all levels of silliness and complexity that I'd piled up for him. I thought it might be too dark, or the print too small, etc, and almost didn't include it. He picked it up and literally couldn't put it down for two days. Breakthrough in his reading development for sure.

Review 5 stars This was magical. A story that resonated with me – wolves, Russia, revolution, adventure, and the wolves. Plus, prose that was masterful. 12-year-old Feo Petrovna and her mother, Marina, live in the snowbound Russian woods with a pack of wolves nearby. A pack of wolves that were once aristocrats’ tamed pets. But wolf wilder Marina, with Feo’s help, has helped the creatures discover how to be wolves. They all bear the scars – human and wolf - but these make them stronger and more prepared to face what is coming. “Wolves, like children, are not meant to lead calm lives.” ― Katherine Rundell, The Wolf Wilder This is 1917 and revolution is coming. It arrives in their lives, and Marina is arrested by the local commanding officer Rakov. Dislikeable from the moment he appears and exerts his twisted authority, he becomes Feo’s foe as she attempts to save her mother – and the wolves. In her attempt, she is aided by the pack, who are complex and formidable characters – and tragic. Each has distinctive appearances and traits. Katherine Rundell excels not only in portraying multi-dimensional people in clear language but also creatures that are mysterious and faithful – faithful to the pack and those like Feo they trust. Feo’s escape with the wolves gains an unexpected ally - Ilya, a 13-year-old soldier boy. A reason to be wary, but Feo can sense his true nature – a skill she must have learnt as a wolf wilder-in-training. But are the wolves so trusting? “Wolves are the witches of the animal world.” ― Katherine Rundell, The Wolf Wilder Will the children and wolves survive to save Marina before Rakov can execute her in the face of the revolution aimed at him? I couldn’t stop reading the beautiful words of this unfolding story. I knew the history, but that was just a setting like the woods and weather, so lives were still at risk. The escape only set up more – more encounters, more conflict, more character, and a climax which ties everything together. The opening and the ending are beautiful bookends – crafted to perfection. This is a true ‘once upon a time’ about ‘a dark and stormy girl’. Wolf wilders may be a fiction, yet they are rooted in fact and in places might exist. Feo’s family feel real so that’s what matters. Another enjoyable read - suitably illustrated by Gelrev Ongbico - and highly recommended for anyone who likes entertaining historical fiction with strong MG protagonists. “Stories can start revolutions.” ― Katherine Rundell, The Wolf Wilder Story – five stars Setting/World-building – five stars Characters – five stars Authenticity – five stars Structure – five stars Readability – five stars Editing – five stars

What a wonderful story of courage, friendship, revolution and wolves. I was totally absorbed from the word go. Katherine’s wolf knowledge or research must have been pretty special.

It made me laugh and feel young and I cried for animals and people I didn’t know before. This book feels like home. It is amazing and sweet and full of defiance and hope.

Loved the vivid descriptions of winter in Russia! Overall a good adventurous story!!

Beautifully written book. Katherine Rundell is able to say so much by saying so little. One of the greatest authors of her generation.