The madness continues in Twisted Kingdoms' sixth book, The Wolf. Frost Kay got really creative with this one, it's a mix of two fairytales, Little Red Riding Hood and Cinderella. The story focuses on our favorite grumpy Talagan, Brine. And where Brine goes our favorite cast of characters is sure to follow, you know Pyre can't stay out of anything.
I liked Scarlet, I really did. She was smart her knowledge of medicine and poisons is unparalleled. Scar is also dangerous, not only is she an assassin but she's a fighter for her people. Scarlet has been through so much, sacrificed so much and yet she was still standing. However, when it comes to Brine she's clueless. Scarlet wasn't seeing Brine for who he was when she had the proof, no she made him out to be worse than she was (which was a lie) and worse than the shifters of the pack (another lie). She put all her hatred for those same shifters and pointed it a Brine. Plus she was a hypocrite, she could do whatever but if Brine does anything (good or indifferent) he was cruel, she didn't see anything from his perspective. Like I said I like Scar but when it comes to Brine, she infuriated me. Sure Brine made mistakes but at least he tried.
Brine has been around for a while, ever since the first book. I thought I knew the shifter and in some ways I do but I never realized he was so sad. Of course, he was grumpy but as the series went on I saw a brighter side to Brine. It wasn't until this book that I realize that even with a chosen pack (Tempest, Pyre, and the gang) he's missing someone. Apparently that someone is Scarlet who was his childhood friend. Brine falls first and he falls hard. Through Brine's musings and actions it's clear that he wants a future with Scarlet and Scarlet wants one too she just had to figure her stuff out which took way too long.
Red Riding Hood is one of my favorites and it doesn't get near as much love (in the retelling department) as I would have liked. Frost Kay did an excellent job blending the two fairytales, using them in such a creative story. I'm so glad that Frost not only gave us an RRH retelling but she's made it Brine's story (don't worry, he's not the villainous wolf) cause after all, the grumpy shifter has won me over a long time ago and I'm glad he gets a HEA.
You've heard snippets about her, the big bad.
Lady Arwen, Alpha, the Duchess of Betraz, she goes by all these titles but you probably remember Old Mother the most. Well she's even worse than I imagined, she's a gods darn monster. This woman is a true villain, evil to her core and darn powerful. The level of cruelty and maliciousness that she has is unbelievable, worst yet, she spreads it. There is most definitely some dark history there that was hinted at but she's ruined too many lives and had to be stopped.
Scarlet and Brine are working on the same cause but from different angles but neither of them knows it but poor communication, assumptions, and too much past trauma. It becomes a cat-and-mouse game between the two and it only leads to more problems for both of them. It was so infuriating. There are daggers to the throat, poisons, bridal trials, explosions, and so much more. Danger lurks everywhere and they didn't know who to trust.
The Wolf was spectacular. I love this series with its crazy cast of characters that keeps hanging around. It looks like the crazy train doesn't stop here, the next book is The Pearl, one guesses what retelling that might be. It's Chesh's story and I just know all sorts of hijinks are gonna be involved.