Step into a world where betrayal cuts deeper than a knife and vengeance burns hotter than wildfire.
My life took a sharp turn when the White Wolf unleashed his fury upon my family's once-glorious estate, shattering everything I held dear.
But from the rubble, I emerged with a fierce determination. Disguised as a humble servant in the Wolf's inner circle, I tread carefully, balancing on the edge of survival and discovery.
In my quest for payback, I unearth truths that rock my world. The man I swore to hate reveals surprising depths, stirring emotions I never thought possible. Caught between seeking revenge and a budding attraction, I'm trapped in a whirlwind of conflicting feelings.
With the help of the mysterious Amergin, I navigate the dangerous territory of enemies and secrets. War looms on the horizon, and betrayal lurks in every shadow. I must summon all my courage to follow my heart's uncertain path in this turbulent journey of love and revenge.
The White Wolf’s Wrath is the first book in the scorching-hot Dragon Fire and Druids romantasy series.
Shea is an Amazon number one best-selling author of an inspirational, steamy fantasy romance series. Her award-winning books are full of magic, mystery, and sarcasm. When she is not working, she enjoys traveling with her family.
I want to thank NetGalley for providing me with ARC copy in exchange for honest review.
Rating: 2 stars
Summary of the book:
The White Wolf's Wrath by Shea Hulse is a debut novel that blends fantasy and romance, following a young woman on a quest for revenge after the White Wolf destroys her family's estate. Disguising herself as a servant in his inner circle, she uncovers unsettling truths and begins to develop feelings for her enemy, Whalen.
Review:
While the premise holds promise, I struggled with several aspects of the book.
First, the world-building feels inconsistent. The setting often feels more modern than fantastical, with characters having names like Whalen, Sarah, and Joseph, which clash with the magical elements like shapeshifters, vampires, druids, dragons, and fae. This mix doesn’t quite mesh well and creates a disjointed atmosphere.
Secondly, the main character comes across as indecisive and lacking direction. She quickly shifts from hating the man who destroyed her family to lusting after him, without even attempting to uncover the truth. Her character also suffers from the "chosen one" trope, passively allowing events to unfold around her rather than showing personal growth or development.
Lastly, while the writing and story easy to follow, it reads more like a contemporary novel than a fantasy. The narrative lacks the whimsical and immersive narrative that is typical found in this genre, making it feel indecisive about whether it wants to be a contemporary romance or a fantasy romance.
Overall, while The White Wolf's Wrath shows promise with its mix of fantasy and romance, the story ultimately feels disjointed. The world-building struggles to find a balance between modern and fantastical elements, which can pull readers out of the immersive experience. The protagonist's inconsistent character development and reliance on familiar tropes also weaken the narrative. Additionally, the writing style lacks the whimsical or enchanting tone typically associated with fantasy, making the novel feel more like a contemporary story that hasn't fully committed to its fantasy roots. Despite its potential, these issues prevent the book from reaching its full potential.
To me this whole story made no sense to me apart from just a few parts. Half the story i had no idea what was going on, her romantic feelings were with almost every male she met for some reason which made me very irritated. The plot to me is still not clear and the only reason i kept reading is because of my liking for Whalen and rooting for Whalen.
Coming to that character, it seems to me the writer is trying to write enemies to lovers, i can see the outlining of it, but its not pierced together in the nice way, its jumping from one thing to another.
The world building feels very flat, there is a little village, there is a barn and a house and thats all we know there is. I would have loved to know more about this clan village and the people in it!
I do have some good notes though which made me read on. Some description of things made it come a little more alive of the flat feeling story. It felt to me like the writer was like, oh i need more feeling. Then puts all that feeling in that small thing and then the rest is flat again. If more time spend on those feelings im sure it would have felt way less flat to me!
Well. I read this book in one sitting. That says a lot 😂 Whalen is literally perfect and I’ll fight anyone who disagrees 🤷🏼♀️ I’m such a sucker for shifters, vampires, druids and DRAGONS! So, it’s not really a surprise that this book had me in a chokehold from page one. Throw in some Irish influence? ☠️ I’m toast. Lord knows I love a good cliffy too- I’ll be waiting “patiently” for book two 👏🏻👏🏻
I read a couple of reviews before writing this to try and see what others were thinking and it all it taught me is that no two people read the same book. I have the exact opposite feelings to everyone else in that I think the fantasy elements and world building were on point. There was no excessive info-dumping; things just unfolded naturally with the story. The romance, however, didn’t hit. I liked both the FMC and the MMC, I just don’t know why they liked each other. There was so much potential for a real enemies to lovers story ARC in THIS novel. At the beginning we are introduced to the White Wolf as the potential murderer of our main character’s family. Even at that point it’s not an enemies to lovers, it’s lukewarm sass to flirting. The romance aspects were a bit of a flop for me but I am also NOT a big romance girl so that makes sense. What I did love was the beautiful prose (although our MC ‘fills her lungs with air she didn’t know they needed’ one too many times), mental health representation, the cool characters and the magic. Oh and there are dragons! I nearly forgot to mention the dragons! I was sent this book to review from Hot Tree Publishing.
I was given ARC for this book and all I can say is I can't wait for book 2 to come out. What a great beginning to a fantastic romantasy series. Twists turns, battles, supernatural creatures, romance ugh, shall I say more. Add to your need to read list ASAP!
Would give this eleven out of ten stars if I could. Enjoyed the blends of the characters and the world building. Had me deep in the feels. I cannot wait to see what happens next!
Captivating blend of Celtic mythology and rich emotional storytelling that pulls readers into a world where ancient beliefs shape the destinies of its characters.
Betrayal cuts deep as Emer’s life shatters when the ruthless White Wolf attacks their family estate. Disguised as a servant in the Wolf's inner circle, they seek revenge while navigating a treacherous web of secrets and unexpected emotions. As truths about the White Wolf surface, conflicting feelings emerge, complicating the quest for vengeance. With the enigmatic Amergin by their side, the protagonist must summon courage to confront their heart's desires amid looming war and danger. This gripping tale of love and revenge sets the stage for the Dragon Fire and Druids series.
The weaving of Celtic lore grounds the characters' morals and motivations in a deeply resonant cultural context. This depth not only enriches the story but also serves to heighten the stakes as characters grapple with their fates amidst the backdrop of gods and legends. The mythical beings populating this tale are a delightful surprise at every turn. Just when you think you've met the full cast, a new character bursts onto the scene, bringing fresh intrigue and complications.
Emer’s tendency to wear her heart on her sleeve often leads her into tumultuous situations, creating a realistic portrayal of a young woman navigating her destiny amidst conflict. The internal battles she faces as she grapples with her feelings for the White Wolf, along with various other romantic interests, are beautifully rendered. Her struggles highlight the themes of love, loss, and the complexities of choice in a world rife with tragedy.
The romance is multi-faceted, echoing the dynamics found in series like Blood and Ash. Emer's interactions with her love interests introduce an enemies-to-lovers trope that adds tension and potential for spicy entanglement. The ability of characters to sense her emotions adds another layer of complexity to her relationships, making for an engaging exploration of connection and desire.
Overall, this is a compelling start to what promises to be an enthralling series. The cliffhanger ending leaves readers yearning for more. It tantalizes with the promise of further conflicts, magical encounters, and deepening romantic entanglements. The groundwork laid in this first installment hints at an expansive universe rich with potential for development in subsequent books.
The White Wolf's Wrath has all the makings of a great and unique story. However, the writing felt rushed to me - and I often found myself feeling like I suffered whiplash. I was always wanting more.
The beginning battle the Emir rushed into on her family lands last only mere paragraphs - and this was the battle the whole book is based upon. The scene where she sneaks to Oisin to take care of his wounds went as follows - she sneaks in, see's an old friend (we don't even have any back story to this) and weeps with joy that her childhood friend is alive and well, Emer leaves. There was absolutely no building the relationship between her and her betrothed (which if I'm being honest, I kept forgetting about).
I was not invested in any of the characters. I was not invested in any of the issues taking place. TBH I didn't know what was happening most of the time. I was thrown from scene to scene with no real explanation in between.
The MC's love interest made no sense to me. It was shallow and I wasn't invested in learning more about it.
There was a lot of time spent on describing the MMC and what he looked like. This was done using the same language (his yellow eyes, his hair BRAIDED of course, and an excessive use of the word "lupine"). Within the first 3 chapters she was already struggling with her feelings. for him and thinking about forgiveness - after she believes he has KILLED her family and people.
This might just be a personal pet peeve of mine, but there was a strange mix of modern and traditional language. They characters would often say "Aye", but the FMC would talk about her "hormones" and use phrases like "as if". There were references to sinks, underwear, "pheromones, DNA, antennae, lace chemise, etc. I got the feeling this was a pre-modern day fantasy, but I wouldn't think that anyone would have even know what a hormone was during this time. The FMC also talked about needing to "pack in the calories" and a reference to her body needing protein. The MMC (who sounds like a laird or lord) is referred to as "the boss" with "muscular pecs".
I did love the way the author allowed the MMC to show that he had feelings and often times the reader was aware that they were hurt. He was soft and gentle. The author did a great job with the build-up of intimate angst!
I did have to DNF this book, but felt a loss because all the elements of a new and unique romantasy was there.
The White Wolf‘s wrath by Shea Halls, i’m not going to waste much time on this book because the plot or at least the part that you could call a plot was ridiculous there were many structural contradictions in the book and so many things in this book did not make sense to me at all. How do you cook over a fire yet you have a bathroom those things just didn’t seem congruent in my book and as far as the romance or what is trying to be passed office romance was just ridiculous there was one character I was rooting for but I don’t care enough about this book to even discuss it. I didn’t like this plot thought the plot was ridiculous I’m shocked to see the author is an Amazon bestseller maybe if she restructured the book and fixed it up a bit but I DK I didn’t get the book nor did I enjoy it.#HiddenGems, #TheWhiteWolf‘sWrath, #ShayHall,
This book was intriguing, but ultimately not for me. While having a good concept it struggled with finding a good narrative to follow. It started out as one story and then completely changed not once, not twice, but three times! By the third plot twist I was so confused I could not keep up and just gave up reading it. The writing style is very good, however, if the story is set in medieval times there cannot be present time items or references! It takes the reader completely out of the story. Unfortunately, I think this book needs a lot of reworking before it is ready to be released.
Thank you to NetGalley & Hot Tree Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This was a fun and fast read. The cover is gorgeous and the story idea is really fun. It is really super fast pased though and I think that's the reason some things just go way to fast and don't make sense to me? An enjoyable story though.
Thank you to NetGalley for giving this ARC, and this Durant influence my review. The romance was not it and I don’t understand why she was attracted to the other guy… DNF
The depth and intrigue worked so well. Every element was hand in hand to bring balance and flow to the story. Set to a Celtic theme with fantasy and lore woven into the world building, this is a slow burn romance. But what worked for me is the drama and suspense. the anger that Emer held and the determination she had for her people made her a truly strong FMC. Not backing down from Whalen, the White Wolf. And Whalen, Mr. Walsh, as Evelyn addresses him, has much hidden to his past that he doesn’t go into when they first meet. This made it hard to tell if he was truly the one criminal many spoke of or something else. They butted heads yet had moments of respect and truce to get things done for the sake of survival. That delicate balance where you had to decided whether to kill the person you hate at that moment, or work with them to survive harsh conditions and see your true task through. This would be very interesting to see played out on a screen, how this would be interpreted because I think this could be told even better that way. Such a good book with all this in it.
His family home has just been destroyed and now he wants revenge. He will disguises as a humble servant to join the ranks of them. He will tread carefully through it all as he gets closer to get his revenge. How will he get on? Will he get his revenge? See how he gets on
Although I did like the writing style and felt like it was a fast/easy read, I had too many issues with the story itself that made it hard for me to enjoy this book.
THE WORLD BUILDING: I felt like the world building still needed a lot of work. I had no clear idea of where/when this story was taking place because of how inconsistent it was. For a long while at the beginning, I’d genuinely forgotten that this was supposed to be a kind of Celtic mythology book because the FMC felt like she was living in the modern world. It wasn’t until Whalen showed up that I became aware of the Celtic side, and even then, the world itself was SO vague and limited that I had so much trouble picturing it, let alone immersing myself in it.
THE CHARACTERS: The characters lacked dimension. Whalen and Evelyn were probably the only ones who I enjoyed. Emer felt too inconsistent. She started off being portrayed as a strong independent FMC but then switched to falling head over heels over a guy who she knew nothing about and who she believed had slaughtered her entire family and clan?? She didn’t even put up a fight against the man she said she hated, which felt like such an unrealistic discrepancy in her personality. The rest of the characters just felt flat, like extras in the background which made it hard to care for.
THE PLOT: Like the world building the plot also felt a bit disjointed. By the time they introduced all the paranormal/supernatural aspects of the story, all I knew of the story is that someone had destroyed Emer’s clan and she was supposed to wed Oisin. I also didn’t enjoy that when we finally were introduced to the rest of the major plot, it was through dialogue instead of action. SPOILERS// For example, I would have enjoyed finding out that Joseph was a vampire by his actions instead of being told that he was and THEN having Emer try to find the little giveaways that just affirmed this fact. Same goes with us finding out what Emer was, we are told these things through dialogue instead of shown. // Then there was the other extreme in which NOBODY would answer Emer’s questions which was SO FRUSTRATING! It was always “That’s a story for another time.” 🙃 Just TELL HER!!
THE DIALOGUE: Finally I felt like the dialogue was so superficial which didn’t help with the development of the characters. Half the interactions between Emer and Whalen were him asking how she was and her thanking him. Small talk that amounted to no real character development, and yet somehow through that we’re supposed to believe Emer just fell head over heels for Whalen?? Same with Oisin. He’s supposed to be her betrothed but when she finally gets to see him after she thought he might be dead/dying, they just asked each other how they were??? Again, it was all these small things that made the characters feel flat and made it hard for me to care for them.
Overall, I was left hoping for a lot more from this story. Thank you @HappilyBookedPR and the author for allowing me to read an eARC in exchange for my honest review! Best of luck for the rest of the series! 😊
*Step into a world where betrayal cuts deeper than a knife and vengeance burns hotter than wildfire.*
🌟🖤 **Review:** 🖤🌟
*The White Wolf's Wrath* plunges readers into a world of intense emotions, simmering revenge, and unexpected love. The story follows a protagonist whose life is torn apart when the White Wolf's wrath descends upon her family's once-glorious estate, leaving her broken but not defeated. Fueled by a desire for vengeance, she infiltrates the Wolf's inner circle, disguising herself as a lowly servant to bring down the man who destroyed everything she held dear.
As she carefully walks the fine line between survival and discovery, she begins to unravel the truth about the man she once vowed to hate. The White Wolf is far more complex than she ever imagined, and as his layers are revealed, her hatred begins to waver, replaced by a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. She is caught between her desire for revenge and an unexpected attraction that threatens to derail her plans.
With the help of the enigmatic Amergin, the protagonist navigates a world full of dangerous enemies, hidden secrets, and looming war. Betrayal lurks in every shadow, and as the stakes grow higher, she must summon every ounce of courage to follow her heart while protecting herself from the treacherous path she’s chosen.
Shea Hulse crafts a gripping tale of revenge and romance in *The White Wolf's Wrath*, the first book in the *Dragon Fire and Druids* series. The combination of high-stakes drama, complex relationships, and an intricately woven plot makes this romantasy an emotional rollercoaster. The slow-burn attraction between the protagonist and the White Wolf is charged with tension, creating a captivating love story built on betrayal, forgiveness, and redemption.
---
🌟 **Highlights:** 🌟 - **Intense Emotions**: The story’s themes of betrayal and revenge are deeply felt, making the protagonist's journey both thrilling and emotional. - **Complex Characters**: The White Wolf’s mysterious and multifaceted nature keeps readers guessing, while the protagonist’s inner turmoil adds depth to the narrative. - **Romantasy Vibes**: A perfect blend of romance and fantasy, set against the backdrop of impending war and secretive alliances.
---
💌 **Favorite Quote:** *"In my quest for payback, I unearth truths that rock my world. The man I swore to hate reveals surprising depths."* - A perfect encapsulation of the story's central conflict between love and vengeance.
---
🌟 **Rating:** 🌟 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
---
This book is perfect for fans of romantasy with themes of revenge, slow-burn romance, and deep emotional conflicts. *The White Wolf's Wrath* delivers a powerful start to the *Dragon Fire and Druids* series, filled with intrigue, passion, and complex character dynamics.
The writing is so terrible that it's painful to read. I struggled through every single page until I finally had to give up.
Not only is the writing incredibly immature and features a LOT of telling and very little showing, the main character's inner monologue is mind-numbingly atrocious.
Some examples: "I was worth more alive than dead right now too." One paragraph later: "If anyone knew the would-be king and queen remained, we would be routed out and beheaded instantly." Uh...I thought you were worth more alive than dead?
Another example of just how annoying the FMC is: "Every took the kitchen scissors to it after cleaning the blood off me, luckily in peace. That was when I cried. I cried over my shorn hair, once long, thick, and wavy, now a bob barely touching my chin."
Keep in mind the FMC was injured and woke up facing her mother's dead body and her father is missing. But she's crying over her hair? I simply cannot, especially because it CONTINUES: "My hair was gone, the luxurious oak brown, so like my mother's, short with the look of a fresh cut, rounder and sharper at the same time. Frankly, it looked flattering. The bangs framed my dark lashes, making me look exotic and feral, and the bob accentuated my broad shoulders, making my otherwise muscular body shapelier."
I remind you, she just woke up to her mother's dead body, her father is missing, her fiancé is missing, but she's waxing poetic about how good she looks with her new "haircut" given to her by the cook in a few minutes solely in order to help hide her identity?? Bitch, no.
Later, she keeps going on and on about how only her fiancé matters...even though her dad is still missing?? Keep in mind, this is an arranged marriage, she's not in love with him and explicitly says so.
And less than a page later: "I would have been queen; instead I was scrubbing pots in the kitchen–a task my staff used to do for me." I was really having difficulty feeling bad for her, but this just sealed the deal. Boo fucking hoo, girlie.
And THEN there was this part: "That was the most grating part of the ordeal after my hair. Strangers could sleep in our beds. We'd had strange guests before. But it was galling that they would eat our food, too." WHAT ABOUT YOUR MOM BEING MURDERED?????
Literally just a few pages later she's snuck into her old bathroom: "The woman who stared back at me above the sink smiled wickedly before straightening her spine. I marveled at her beauty a moment before starting to walk away. She had never looked so wild and fierce, never so lovely." The FMC is a narcissist and you cannot convince me otherwise.
The FMC was insufferable, the writing even more insufferable. I have no idea how this was published, honestly.
I recently had the pleasure of reading an ARC of this romantasy novel, and while it was an engaging ride, there were some bumps along the way. Here’s my breakdown of the key elements that made up this tale of love, revenge, and hidden truths.
Romance 💕: 3/5 The romance was sweet but felt a bit rushed at times. The chemistry between the main characters had potential, but I wanted more depth and build-up to really feel their connection. The transition from hate to attraction was quick, leaving me wishing for more tension and development.
Spice 🌶️: 0/5 If you’re looking for a steamy read, this one is pretty mild. We are talking kissing and wanting but nothing beyond that. The focus was more on the emotional journey rather than physical intimacy, which can be great, but if you’re here for the spice, you might be left wanting.
Plot & Pacing 📚: 4/5 The story itself was captivating! The concept of revenge mixed with unexpected attraction is a classic, and it was executed well. However, some parts felt rushed, particularly the relationships between characters, and the unfolding of key plot points. There were moments I wished the author had taken a bit more time to flesh out the world and the characters development. But overall, it kept me turning pages.
World-Building 🌍: 3/5 The setting was intriguing, with a blend of mysticism and courtly intrigue. Yet, I craved more details about the world and its history. The White Wolf and his mysterious background were fascinating, but I felt like there were some missed opportunities to dive deeper into the lore.
Writing Style ✍️: 4/5 The writing was engaging and easy to follow. The author has a talent for weaving emotions into the narrative, making the reader feel the heroine’s internal conflict. However, some parts of the story could have benefited from more detailed descriptions and slower pacing to really let the tension build.
Final Thoughts 💭: This romantasy is a good pick for those who enjoy a fast-paced story with a mix of revenge, secrets, and a dash of romance. While it could have benefited from more fleshing out, it’s still an enjoyable read with an interesting plot and characters that will keep you invested. If you’re in the mood for something light with a touch of fantasy, romance and intrigue, give it a try!
Would I recommend it? Yes, especially if you’re looking for a quick and entertaining read. But if you’re after something with more depth or spice, you might find it falls a bit short
I was lucky enough to sign up for an ARC for this gem!
Shea Hulse's "The White Wolf's Wrath" is a mesmerizing journey into a world where magic and mystery intertwine, delivering a story that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end. This novel, scheduled for release on September 26th, 2024, is a must-read for fantasy enthusiasts and anyone seeking an escape into a richly crafted universe.
From the very first page, Hulse's masterful storytelling draws you in. The narrative is driven by complex characters, each with their own motivations and secrets, making their interactions both believable and compelling. The protagonist's journey is particularly captivating, as they grapple with inner demons and external threats, all while navigating a world that is as dangerous as it is beautiful.
The world-building in "The White Wolf's Wrath" is exceptional. Hulse has created a setting that is both fantastical and immersive, filled with intricate details that make it come alive. The lore and history woven into the fabric of the story add depth and richness, enhancing the overall experience.
Hulse's prose is another highlight of the novel. It is both elegant and accessible, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the story without getting lost in overly complex language. The pacing is spot-on, balancing moments of intense action with quieter, introspective scenes that allow for character development and reflection.
The themes explored in "The White Wolf's Wrath" are universal and resonant. It delves into the struggle between good and evil, the search for identity, and the power of redemption. These themes are handled with nuance and sensitivity, adding layers of meaning to the thrilling plot.
"The White Wolf's Wrath" by Shea Hulse is a standout addition to the fantasy genre. It offers a perfect blend of adventure, magic, and character-driven storytelling that is sure to captivate readers. Mark your calendars for September 26th, 2024 – this is one release you won't want to miss.
This book was packed with suspense and had me hooked from the moment the White Wolf stormed onto the scene. Seriously, I couldn’t stop turning the pages! With dragons, vampires, shifters, and a love triangle that brings all the drama, it delivered everything I look for in a good romantasy.
Emer hides among the staff at her family’s estate, plotting revenge against the White Wolf, who she believes killed her family. But as secrets unravel and she’s torn between an arranged engagement and forbidden attraction, nothing is as it seems.
There’s definitely some swoon-worthy romance in here, but I felt it moved a bit too fast. Emer and Whalen’s transition from enemies to lovers could’ve used more of that delicious tension and slow build. I’m a sucker for a slow-burn romance, and I wish their feelings had simmered a little longer before bubbling over.
The plot was captivating—revenge mixed with forbidden attraction? Yes, please! Shea Hulse crafted an intriguing world of mysticism, court politics, and angst, though I wished for more depth in the lore and characters. The White Wolf’s backstory had so much potential, and I wanted more detail to fully immerse myself.
Shea’s writing is emotional and engaging, making Emer’s inner conflict feel real. However, some parts felt rushed, and I’d have loved more time to let the tension and drama fully build.
The book ends on a cliffhanger, and I can’t wait for the next Dragon Fire and Druids installment! If you love romantasy with revenge, angst, slow-burn romance, and magical creatures, this one’s for you. Here’s hoping the series dives even deeper into its world and characters!
Definitely a page-turner, and I can’t wait to see where this series goes.
Thank you so much Shea and Hot Tree Publishing for this arc🫶
Thank you to Hot Tree Publishing and NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Emer (aka Sarah) is a woman fighting to stay out of sight from the people who came and destroyed her clan and killed her parents. She is the heir and knows if she is caught by her 'captors' than she will be killed, so she plays it off like she is a maid and helps to cook and clean for the invaders. She holds a lot of anger towards Whalen, the leader of the warriors who attacked her clan and is not shy about letting him know how she feels about him, even though she is supposed to stay under the radar. And although she holds a lot of anger, she finds herself attracted to Whalen and tries to fight it at every turn. She soon learns that what she thought about Whalen and his warriors is far from the truth. That's when more twists and turns come to the story....enter vampires, druids and more.
I LOVED the book from the start. It drew me in and kept me intrigued. I couldn't put the book down and read it in a day. Half of the book is her believing Whalen attacked and killed her parents and the other half is finding out about a world that she didn't know existed. I love the tension and moments between Emer and Whalen and I also love that she has more than one 'love' interest, even if it is just some flirting and blushing. I thought it added a little something extra to the storyline. I really like where the books are going and CAN'T WAIT for the 2nd book to come out. I hate cliffhangers, but would for sure make an exception with this book.
First let me say I love me a good shifter book where it’s unknown until later in the story who is really a shifter and what kind and why? How?
I love when an author and a book can do that to me and this book did just that! Not only did it do that but it also left me wondering is this a why choose romance? A love triangle ? A fated mates? None of the above or all of the above? There wasn’t really spice per se but there was flirtation and mystery between the FMC Emer and our potential mmc’s Whalen, Jospeh, Amergin and Oisin. I say potential because well to me they all have potential and without being too spoiler-y as I like to say you’ll have to read to find out why.
This book however didn’t only do a good job of romantic storyline but the world building, fantasy setting and general plot elements kept me easily invested in the story all the way through to the end.
Speaking of the end, dearest author I would like to have a word about that ending ma’am. In my opinion that was unnecessary roughness. I need to know how soon I can expect to devour book 2 cause I’m not ready to wait long to see the continuation of this story.
Thank you for a fabulous book looking forward to the continuation!
I give it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and 🌶️ on the spice meter simply cause there was a lot of tension but no delivery yet.
Thank you to @hottreepublishing for this early copy of Shea Hulse’s The White Wolf’s Wrath
𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 🤔💭 “The White Wolf’s Wrath” by Shea Hulse is an engaging start to the Dragon Fire and Druids series, with plenty of suspense and a storyline that kept me turning the pages. From the moment the White Wolf unleashed his fury, I was hooked. While the chemistry between the main characters, especially the early attraction to the White Wolf, was intriguing, I felt that part could have been explored more in depth. Similarly, I found myself wishing for a bit more world-building to fully immerse me in this unique setting. That said, one aspect I absolutely loved was the Celtic-Irish-Gaelic backdrop of the story. As someone of Irish descent, I found myself recognizing some Gaelic words from my own ancestry, which made the reading experience even more enjoyable. As the story progressed, I grew more invested in the characters and their journeys. The tension and unfolding secrets kept me wanting more, and I’m definitely looking forward to seeing how the story continues in the second book, set to release in 2025. Overall, this was an enjoyable read, and I can’t wait to dive back into this world when the next installment comes out. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
I actually really liked this but it was also a confusing time!
I was in a really bad headspace and this just was a good little palette cleanser. It stole me away from the real world for a while. Whilst I enjoyed it there was some bits that didn’t add up for me.
Love the descriptions of feelings and self talk. The use of imagery I enjoyed. The author has a great writing style which pulled me back when the world building and other aspects didn’t make a lot of sense.
But there were so many little bits that still made it enjoyable and I still would love to read more in the series.
This is a romantasy! Aka a romance and fantasy. The fantasy aspects weren’t perfect but it’s workable. The world building and backstory was confusing and conflicting at times. This did distract from the story at times but I did enjoy the overall aspect of the book.
Do I stil have no idea about aspects, yes. But I also still enjoyed the little escape.
So even though it got confusing at times I still really enjoyed the experience.
Would love to see a rework if they ever go down that road.
Emer loses everything when the White Wolf descends upon her estate, destroying nearly everything she loves. Disguised as a servant, she infiltrates the Wolf's circle to get close to exact revenge... 🐺
I am always on the hunt for a good fantasy book and I really enjoyed this! Supernatural creatures, a love story *chef's kiss* 🤌🏼
What I liked: • World building, it was easy to follow and understand. Some fantasy stories with their world building make my head spin 😅 • Supernatural creatures: wolves AND dragons? Yes please! 🐺🐲 • The action. 💥 I loved the action sequences and couldn't read fast enough.
Now, what I didn't like: • The development between Whalen and Emer seemed rush. I would have liked more tension before the started to show feelings for one another, I like a slow burn with enemies-to-lovers 🔥 • Some parts are slow BUT usually the first books in a series are slow due to world building.
I cannot wait until this is released AND I'm excited for the 2nd book 😆
Thank you to the author for providing me an ARC of this 🐺🫶🏻
I was lucky enough to recieve an early copy from Hot Tree Publishing for an honest Review. This is book 1 of a series.
The White Wolf's Wraith by Shea Hulse is an amazing read that draws you in from the very beginning. The FMC has her own trauma but remains a strong and resilient character, making her incredibly relatable and easy to root for throughout the story. The world-building is rich and immersive, with deep connections to Irish folklore, druids, and dragons, which adds a unique and magical dimension.
The plot is full of well-timed twists that keep the suspense high, and there's potential for an intriguing enemies-to-lovers setup in the future. I loved the balance of action, romance, and supernatural elements, and I can’t wait to see where book two takes the story.
If you enjoy strong characters, intricate world-building, and stories with deep roots in myth, this book is for you. I’m already excited for the next installment!
Emer's life is turned upside down when her clan is attacked and her parents killed. The one who has taken over is no other than the White Wolf and now she is pretending to be a servant in his house. But she is determined to get revenge for what was done to her but in her quest for revenge she will uncover many secrets which make her question everything in her life. A war is looming and she must decide where her loyalties lie and unlock a great power that is within her.
This is a very fast-paced book and very much felt like a builder for the rest of the series. I liked all the different characters and I am hoping we get to see even more of them throughout the series. I also liked the parts of the world we have seen so far especially the dragons and I hope we get to see more as they continue to travel throughout the world. The magic system is interesting and I liked all of the lore involved in it.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Xpresso Book Tours for the ARC! (all opinions are my own)
This book really started off very choppy and the pacing was kind of all over the place, but by the end it really found its footing and was well worth the read! It seemed like a lot of information was rushed in the first part of the book, and I had to go back and re-read to make sure I hadn't missed something. The FMC was also hard to keep up with at times and relate to. I wished the relationship between her and Whalen was fleshed out a bit more, and his use of pet names could be a bit cringe at times. About halfway through the book I was finally hooked to the story and really enjoyed the progression of events! The world building finally settled into place by then, and I had a better understanding of the lore. Great ending and I will definitely read book 2!
I was very excited for this book when I read about it and to be honest I’m not really sure what happened. I found myself bored at time and then captivated the next (all because of Whalen IFYKY) but straight back to bored again and then I blinked and it ended. There was so much potential for spice but sadly that was lacking too. There’s talk of “attraction” with 3-4 characters and in the end nothing happens. I’m still scratching my head 30 mins later.
I really enjoyed this book and struggled to put it down. I enjoyed the overall story and there seems to be lots of hints and foreshadowing to keep the suspense up. But there are so many things that are never resolved so I’m pining for book two to come out. Lots of secrets left unanswered - like Whalen’s story that keeps getting hinted at. The characters are interesting and I enjoyed their interactions with each other to develop them and their stories but I wanted more development and more explanation for Whalen and Emer’s emotional connection. The emotional pull for them felt sudden and very underdeveloped; as was her and Joseph’s. I’m interested to see if there’s more to these than we’ve been told.