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The Devouring Wolf #2
The Nameless Witch
The Nameless Witch is the wickedly exciting and queer sequel to The Devouring Wolf!
For fans of Soman Chainani, Anne Ursu, and stories with lots of magic, action and a big heart.
If you give your witch your name…
…she’ll steal your magic and grind your bones…
After defeating the Devouring Wolf, Riley and her friends hoped they could leave scary legends behind and focus on being the best werewolves they can be. Nicknamed the Winter Pack because of when they turned, they’ve got a unique bond thanks to how different they are as a prime, and some of the other pups think they get special treatment. It’s all Riley and her friends can do to practice their magic skills, get all their homework done, and not let the other young wolves pick fights.
Suddenly their bond leads them to a new threat—a young witch on the run. She isn’t just any runaway, though. She’s the next in line to become the magic-hungry Nameless Witch and even being in her presence is dangerous for werewolves. They say the Nameless Witch can take anything she wants from you if she knows your name.
But this runaway doesn’t want to be Nameless, she wants to choose for herself. The Winter Pack understands better than other wolves what that feels like, and they pledge to help her. Too bad the terrible power of the Nameless Witch has already marked the runaway, and Riley and her pack have no time before their new friend will turn, steal their magic and bones, and possibly even destroy all of Clawroot...
For fans of Soman Chainani, Anne Ursu, and stories with lots of magic, action and a big heart.
If you give your witch your name…
…she’ll steal your magic and grind your bones…
After defeating the Devouring Wolf, Riley and her friends hoped they could leave scary legends behind and focus on being the best werewolves they can be. Nicknamed the Winter Pack because of when they turned, they’ve got a unique bond thanks to how different they are as a prime, and some of the other pups think they get special treatment. It’s all Riley and her friends can do to practice their magic skills, get all their homework done, and not let the other young wolves pick fights.
Suddenly their bond leads them to a new threat—a young witch on the run. She isn’t just any runaway, though. She’s the next in line to become the magic-hungry Nameless Witch and even being in her presence is dangerous for werewolves. They say the Nameless Witch can take anything she wants from you if she knows your name.
But this runaway doesn’t want to be Nameless, she wants to choose for herself. The Winter Pack understands better than other wolves what that feels like, and they pledge to help her. Too bad the terrible power of the Nameless Witch has already marked the runaway, and Riley and her pack have no time before their new friend will turn, steal their magic and bones, and possibly even destroy all of Clawroot...
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First published August 8, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 25, 2023
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Riley Callahan is back after she and her friends came into their werewolf heritage in The Devouring Wolf. This time, her pack is trying to learn to work together, but Riley befriends Ter, a young witch who is on the run. She's not a bad witch; she even tells them NOT to give her their names, but she is next in line to become the Namelss Witch, which doesn't bode well for the wolves, since witches are fond of killing them and using their bones for magic. Riley feels sorry for Ter, so agrees to help, and does not tell her moms about finding her. Contacting the Free Witches in the area who might not be as determined to imprison Ter in this role doesn't go particularly well, and Riley worries that she and her pack won't be able to save Ter. They try to remove her magic through a group spell that goes wrong; they then have to involve the grownups to help them finish things ups.
I really liked the first book in the series, and normally like the whole "all witches aren't entirely evil" trope (think John Delaney's delicious Tom and Alice back and forth in The Last Apprentice series), but I didn't care for this one as much-- maybe the children hiding things from parents but then having to go to them? When children hide things, they usually solve them successfully on their own, at least in books! I do think my readers will like this one; middle school students like fantasy novels because they think magic might still be possible, and the idea that they themselves could possibly be werewolves or witches will have some appeal.
Riley Callahan is back after she and her friends came into their werewolf heritage in The Devouring Wolf. This time, her pack is trying to learn to work together, but Riley befriends Ter, a young witch who is on the run. She's not a bad witch; she even tells them NOT to give her their names, but she is next in line to become the Namelss Witch, which doesn't bode well for the wolves, since witches are fond of killing them and using their bones for magic. Riley feels sorry for Ter, so agrees to help, and does not tell her moms about finding her. Contacting the Free Witches in the area who might not be as determined to imprison Ter in this role doesn't go particularly well, and Riley worries that she and her pack won't be able to save Ter. They try to remove her magic through a group spell that goes wrong; they then have to involve the grownups to help them finish things ups.
I really liked the first book in the series, and normally like the whole "all witches aren't entirely evil" trope (think John Delaney's delicious Tom and Alice back and forth in The Last Apprentice series), but I didn't care for this one as much-- maybe the children hiding things from parents but then having to go to them? When children hide things, they usually solve them successfully on their own, at least in books! I do think my readers will like this one; middle school students like fantasy novels because they think magic might still be possible, and the idea that they themselves could possibly be werewolves or witches will have some appeal.
December 5, 2023
The Nameless Witch picks up several months after The Devouring Wolf. Riley, now the alpha of the Winter Pack, her Prime, wants to be treated like the other werewolves, but many feel this pack gets special treatment though they never asked for nor wanted it. Visions of a young witch, enemies of werewolves, lure the Winter Pack into breaking the rules and doing everything they can to save the pending new Nameless Witch, a witch that can steal your will by knowing your real name. There are tensions among the werewolves, with the witches in the area, with friends and family the pack of 13-year old girls must navigate while trying to survive. Though I enjoyed the book, some of the resolutions felt a bit rushed and a little on the nose, but it leaves the world open for a possible book three. Give to fans of the first book and all things paranormal.
February 7, 2024
4.5 rounded down.
This was a really solid sequel, and I loved the extended world building and getting to learn more about witches, but I missed seeing as much of the Winter Pack as a whole. While the other four members were still there, and there were still some great interaction moments with them, this installation of the series definitely felt more focused on Riley, and I would have loved to spend more time on the pack's dynamic and see more of how the other pack members are dealing with the changes they've been through! I did love a lot of the new characters, though, and liked that we got to see at least Riley's struggles of dealing with the aftermath of everything that happened in the first novel and how it impacted her relationships with those close to her!
This was a really solid sequel, and I loved the extended world building and getting to learn more about witches, but I missed seeing as much of the Winter Pack as a whole. While the other four members were still there, and there were still some great interaction moments with them, this installation of the series definitely felt more focused on Riley, and I would have loved to spend more time on the pack's dynamic and see more of how the other pack members are dealing with the changes they've been through! I did love a lot of the new characters, though, and liked that we got to see at least Riley's struggles of dealing with the aftermath of everything that happened in the first novel and how it impacted her relationships with those close to her!
July 27, 2023
ARC review:
Names have power, which is why you can't tell a witch your name. But the Winter Pack has never followed the rules...they defeating the Devouring Wolf, transformed in their own time, and basically challenge every adult in the pack. Now they face a new evil magic, and it could cost them everything. But the witch in question is just a girl, a kid like them thrust into a situation she has no control over, and who needs their help!
Names have power, which is why you can't tell a witch your name. But the Winter Pack has never followed the rules...they defeating the Devouring Wolf, transformed in their own time, and basically challenge every adult in the pack. Now they face a new evil magic, and it could cost them everything. But the witch in question is just a girl, a kid like them thrust into a situation she has no control over, and who needs their help!
August 14, 2023
4
Cover 4; characters 4; Plot 4; Pace 4; Intrigue 4; Logic 4; worldbuilding 4; Writing 4; Enjoyment 4
This was a great second novel, I hope there's more! I really want to explore the connections between wolf and witch magic more!
Cover 4; characters 4; Plot 4; Pace 4; Intrigue 4; Logic 4; worldbuilding 4; Writing 4; Enjoyment 4
This was a great second novel, I hope there's more! I really want to explore the connections between wolf and witch magic more!
November 30, 2023
I absolutely love these characters. I’m so glad I pretty much went straight into this one from the first one. I can’t wait to read more about these characters and from this author in the future.
January 1, 2024
An excellent second entry into this universe.
February 23, 2024
What a great series. I hope there will be more!
April 9, 2024
4.5 stars
June 14, 2024
Absolutely perfect sequel to The Devouring Wolf. I enjoyed the continuation of the pack's adventures and hope for the possibility of another book in this series in the future. I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the narrator's voice
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews