Wolfsong (1) (Green Creek)

I don't know what I was expecting, but it doesn't matter, because this book surpassed all my expectations. I was a bit bewildered at the beginning of the book until I realised that the narrator (the whole book is told from Ox's perspective) was only 12. The style is reminiscent of the first Harry Potter book in that sense, told with an almost childlike simplicity that then matures as the character matures. Despite that, the writing is absolutely beautiful. Poetic. The story is that of Ox and Joe. First the author builds up a picture of Ox's life before Joe, and I don't mean to give the impression that this is tedious, because it's not, but things definitely pick up pace after Joe arrives on the scene. The earliest part of the story feels necessary though, because it paints a picture that is crucial to understanding Ox. And, in truth, to understanding his friend Gordo who plays a big part in the story and in Ox's life (and stars in the sequel). Ox quickly becomes not only friends with Joe and his family, but part of their family. Ox doesn't have many people to call his own, so this love and acceptance is a truly wonderful thing for him. We see all their interactions from Ox's point of view, and then sometimes, we're given new information or a new perspective and it changes everything. At more than one point, I skipped backwards to re-read a scene with a fresh perspective on the events that had taken place. It was very clever. I don't want to give too much away, and I actually think the blurb itself contains too many spoilers. The less you know, the more you'll enjoy the book. Joe and his family are wolf shifters. If you've read wolf shifter novels before, I promise this will be different. The author did some fabulous work on making the reader understand how different it was from being human and what it meant for someone like Ox to be accepted as part of their family, their pack, but not be a wolf shifter. I thought it was very well done. But then bad things happen and life changes dramatically for Joe and Ox. They have to re-evaluate how life works and how their relationship fits into their new lives. One of the things that I love is that Ox, who struggles so hard to believe that he is worthy of anything, realises that while he loves Joe and desperately wants Joe as his partner in life, he doesn't need Joe and he can stand on his own two feet and actually do bloody well at it. It's not often you get that in a romance novel. And it doesn't make their love feel any less special or strong, it's just that Ox finally believes in himself (the way Joe has believed in Ox from the very beginning). The story is beautiful and poignant and heartbreaking and satisfying and definitely worth the five stars I gave it. I'm looking forward to reading the sequel which stars Gordo. This is one of the best books I've read this year, and I think Ox is the most interesting, well-created character I've encountered since Alex from L A Witt's Static and Cole from Jaime Reese's A Restored Man (and that's bloody high praise since Cole is my favourite character of all time!). The vast majority of the book is not steamy, although there are a couple of sex scenes. The focus is far more on the emotional relationships. Definitely read it. You won't regret it.

What an incredible rollercoaster ride! This story has humor that made me laugh out loud (and receiving looks from bystanders), highs that made me beam in happiness, and depths that brought tears. Reading a story this in-depth, this detailed, and this intense is so rare. Ox and Joe lead an incredible cast of characters, and some of the most evil villains who’ve ever created havoc in a novel. The heart of the story is definitely Ox; so sweet, so open, so courageous, so open, and a bit damaged. Joe’s confidence and enthusiasm for Ox is also endearing to read. They have such a struggle ahead of them! All the secondary characters also contribute greatly to the story. None of them feel unnecessary to the telling of the story. I also appreciated how Ox struggled with forgiving Joe for his absence. So many times when the two main characters have a disagreement, it seems to be settled in a single chapter. Not here. This author shows us how Ox really struggles to let go of his anger, and I just found the whole process to be very realistic. And the writing style the author chose was very unusual, in my opinion, but felt so right as the way Ox would communicate with us. My only complaint, and it’s a slight one, is the point-of-view. Maybe I’ve just gotten used to hearing each main character’s POV, but I really would have loved to have heard Joe’s POV. For example, after Joe first met Ox, I would have really loved to hear Joe’s POV after Ox left the Bennett’s house. We do sort of hear about it later through Joe’s family later in the story. Or, I would have loved to see Joe’s POV after he figured out Ox was having “those” thoughts about him. Again, this is just a minor criticism and again, probably just because it veers off from what I usually read. All in all, I can’t recommend this story enough. I’m also a huge fan of human/shifter fated mates, and this story ticked that box for me as well. I am absolutely off and running to read Book 2, and I will reread this story again and again. To TJ Klune, thanks so much for sharing your talent and giving me a great universe to step into.

read wolfsong, I love it

Wolfsong is perhaps the best werewolf romance ever written. It is also perhaps one of the best m/m romances on amazon. But even outside its genre, Wolfsong is one of the best books I have ever read in my life. I've read other TJ Klune books and they're always good, but Wolfsong is the very best of their work that I've read. Wolfsong is emotional. It is powerful. It is beautiful. Klune's mastery of emotion in this book is incredible. The characters are overwhelmingly rich, like they'll step out of the page at any moment and be real. The scenery is incredible, the descriptions pop with colour. The plot is simple, and it carries the story well. I could say a lot about story details but it is unnecessary. You should experience it all yourself. Klune adopts a very interesting style of writing, filled with short memory sequences, the quiet thoughts of Ox, throwbacks to the past, and a slow pace into the future. It works so magnificently. I couldn't put this book down and was up till 3am just to read as much as I could, before I had to put it down, and picked it right up again the next free moment. The use of metaphor and symbolism is extraordinary and Klune trumps a lot of the authors I've had to write essays about. The soap bubbles. The music. The colour green. Everything ties the world, the characters and the plot together to create an atmosphere that you fall into. You can see Elizabeth swaying to music. You picture Ox and his mother laughing as they get bubbles on their noses. You can feel the emotion as Joe and Ox bond again after all the years of hurt. You feel these characters like they were real, and you wonder how they couldn't be, because they are so full of life, love, hurt, hopes and fears.

“Like pinecones and candy canes. Epic and Awesome.” Yup, that about sums it up. This is an epic and awesome story. It’s a beautiful sweeping love story, but is so much more than that. It’s about choices, finding purpose, learning about yourself and finding your place in the world, and what family, love, and sacrifice really mean. I laughed. I groaned. I bit my nails in worry. I burned with anger with Ox. I cried with huge, wracking sobs. Quiet tears rolled down my face. I was thoroughly invested in the characters and the world. It’s quite a long novel, but it was time well spent. Excellent writing, fantastic world building and rich character development. No typos or other boo boos to distract from the story. All the stars for this one. And it’s now on my “read again” shelf. 😊

Ox è un ragazzo che è stato psicologicamente castrato dal padre, il quale gli ha sempre detto che era lento e che il mondo lo avrebbe “preso a calci in culo”, e poi lo ha abbandonato, Joe è un ragazzino che è stato rapito e torturato psicologicamente e fisicamente e che soffre di incubi. I due si incontrano un giorno sulla strada che corre tra le loro due case ed entrambi restano colpiti uno dall’altro, instaurando un rapporto che diventa giorno per giorno sempre più stretto. Attorno a questi due ragazzi si muovono personaggi che, a poco a poco, diverranno sempre più fondamentali per i due protagonisti, a partire da Gordo, che farà da fratello/mentore/padre a Ox e che il ragazzo scoprirà essere uno stregone, mente Joe e la sua famiglia sono in realtà dei licantropi. Quando Joe, alla morte del padre diverrà l’Alfa del gruppo e partirà alla caccia dell’uomo che ha ucciso suo padre e che l’aveva rapito e torturato, lasciando Ox, con il quale nel frattempo si era definitivamente sviluppato un rapporto di amore, quest’ultimo si ritroverà a diventare a sua volta un Alfa, pur non essendo un licantropo. Gli sviluppi di tutto ciò saranno veramente intricati, creando un vero e proprio rollercoaster emotivo con colpi di scena ben costruiti, spiazzanti e non banali. A dispetto di quanto lo stesso Ox pensa di sé (è emblematico che, per tutto il libro, Ox continui a rimuginare in modo quasi ossessivo quanto gli ripeteva suo padre), ciò che farà e come deciderà di comportarsi una volta divenuto un Alfa dimostra esattamente il contrario: Ox è uno dei personaggi più forti e risoluti del libro, anche più di Joe o di Gordo (anche si in un paio di momenti volevo volentieri prenderlo a sberle per come si autocastrava). Lo stile di Klune è particolare e, in certi momenti potrebbe essere un po’ ostico, ma quando ci entri ne rimani affascinato e non ti molla più.

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