While Roux attempts to discover the identity of the maniac responsible for kidnapping her sweet, elderly neighbor, the Wolf is on a mission to track down the nefarious secret society who had the audacity to abduct his best friend (with benefits).
Soon, the Wolf finds reason to believe Roux might be the society’s next victim and feels obligated to watch over her. Meanwhile, Roux has gained a creepy new stalker... or two... and she’s had enough of this sh*t.
Full of intrigue and mystery as well as banter and slow burn romance, this urban romantic fantasy also checks the boxes for magical realism and diverse representation.
For fans of Luxe's Lullaby Trilogy, there are character cameos from that series in this one!
(Wide release in June 2025, Kickstarter launch in February 2025.)
I absolutely loved this book. I received this as an arc and I cld not put it down! It kept you engaged and in the story from chapter 1 to the end. This is dual POV with Roux and Lykos. Roux is human and is upset when she finds her neighbor has been killed, and now she’s being followed and stalked by 2 men. One of which is lykos a wolf shifter, but he is ultimately trying to protect roux, because lykos best friend has been kidnapped and held hostage. Roux and lykos team up to find out what’s going on and why people are missing. They later find out that there is a secret society using them as sacrifices for their rituals, and then Roux gets captured by them. Will they save her and everyone else? You will have to read this book when it releases to find out. Through magic, mayhem and chaos, they uncover so many twists and turns, you will want to keep the pages turning!!!
I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this book, and I had such a fun time reading this! This poly shifter romance had me guessing what was next, laughing out loud, and rooting for the characters the whole time! Plus, if you read Cara’s other series “Luxe’s Lullaby Trilogy” you are in for a treat!
I can’t wait to read the second book in this duology, I definitely have things I would love to see! Can’t wait to see how the plot unfolds!
ARC reader. This means I received the book from the author, and while I usually try to honor any requests accompanying ARC copies, I believe that, above all, readers deserve my honest opinion (no requests made for this one). Therefore, my review and rating are in no way affected by any external requests and reflect my true experience with the book.
📖 Token of a Wolf had a strong start—I was really invested in the dynamic between Kos and Beni while also being intrigued by Roux. However, Beni’s disappearance and how it was handled left me a bit confused. Justice seems to be an important theme for Kos, and there was mention of intuition playing a role, but I felt this "magical" aspect wasn’t entirely clear.
🌍 Worldbuilding I found the worldbuilding somewhat underdeveloped, as there was little explanation of the magic system. Terms like bruja, brujo, and witch were used, but there wasn’t much information about how their magic worked or what they were capable of. This made it difficult to fully understand the stakes or the dangers the protagonists faced. There were glimpses of magic in certain characters, but since it wasn’t explained in depth, it was harder to feel immersed in this aspect of the story. Additionally, the magic community seemed surprisingly accessible, almost as if you could find a powerful psychic just by looking in a phone book, which felt a bit unusual and made it harder for me to stay engaged. Similarly, the antagonist organization wasn’t explored in much detail, which made it difficult to fully grasp the scale of their involvement or put a face to the threat.
🐺 Kos was an entertaining character to read, and his perspective on relationships added an interesting layer to the story. I enjoyed his playful banter with Roux and other characters, and his flirty, snarky remarks were fun at times. That said, some of the concepts he discussed—such as mating, marking, and possessiveness—felt a bit intense and made it harder for me to connect with him at certain points.
🧙 Roux had a fascinating but somewhat unpredictable personality. At times, she came across as highly intelligent and composed, while at others, she seemed emotionally vulnerable. Her dynamic with Kos led to some really cute moments, and their banter was enjoyable. However, I found it difficult to fully connect with her due to some of her choices, which made me wonder how she had managed to survive for so long in the world of the story.
⚔️ Secondary characters This was one of the aspects I struggled with the most. Some characters from the author’s other books appeared toward the end and played a major role in resolving the plot. While I love the idea of crossovers, their sudden introduction made the protagonists feel more like spectators rather than active participants in their own story. Since I had no prior connection to these new characters, it was hard to feel engaged with them, and their presence somewhat overshadowed the main cast.
💀 The handling of the relationship I really appreciated the inclusion of a polyamorous relationship, but the way the conversation about it unfolded felt a little abrupt and didn’t entirely fit the flow of the story. The intimate scene that followed also caught me off guard, as some of the kinks and discussions felt somewhat unexpected given the prior tone of the book. Additionally, there was a particular comment from Kos about mating and how his wolf instincts only worked a certain way with women but not with men. This moment stood out to me as it seemed to contradict the established dynamics, and I wasn’t sure how to interpret it within the broader context of the story.
⌛ Final thoughts I really enjoyed the first part of the book, but as the story progressed, I found it harder to stay engaged. The last few chapters, in particular, didn’t fully resonate with me, and some moments felt a bit outside my comfort zone. That said, this is entirely a personal perspective, and I recognize that these elements may work well for other readers. As always, honesty is key for me in my reviews, and I appreciate the opportunity to experience this story.
Not the Little Red Ridinghood story that you're used to...
Roux is sassy and has no fxcks to give. When she aquires a stalker she brushes him off...but then there 2...
Lykos is a justice-obsessed shapeshifter vigilante that is on the hunt for whoever took his best friend(and many others). He will stop at NOTHING to find him.
Roux is forced to work with the Wolf. He must prove he isn't there to harm her, even if he is morally grey.
This book had me on the edge of my seat.
I cannot wait to find out what happens in book 2!
I loved the cameos from the characters from the author's other series Luxe's Lullaby Trilogy.
If you enjoy Fantasy, witches, fae and great plot, this author has it all!
Token Of A Wolf perfectly suited my love of escapsim through reading, picking up the ball and running with it, kicking story goal after trope goal after romance goal!
I really liked how the author started the story, beginning with two separate plot arcs and gradually pulling them together into a cohesive, strong narrative. This compelling opening drew me into the story by being so intriguing! It set up a lovely dark mystery thread that then opened up and drove the rest of the story. Very clever and a powerful way to build the world.
There is a significant sequence of morally grey actions throughout the book which made me consider right v's wrong and 'the end justifies the means' thinking quite a lot. Knowing this is a fictional scenario meant I had no trouble accepting Wolf and Roux's need for vigilante justice when authorities had repeatedly failed the victims, and I even cheered the MC's on sometimes. The characters were all written solidly and their motivations broken down in a way that made them justifiable and powerfully evocative, and the third person, alternating POV's created connection and empathy. I really appreciated the ability that gave to bond with characters.
I liked the character crossover from the author's Luxe's Lullaby trilogy. I don't think readers who are new to this author will be confused though, as backgrounds and relationships are explained succinctly. It was a pleasure to catch a glimpse of the lives of these characters, post trilogy.
I had fun learning the magic of this world and it's characters along with Roux. That gradual revelation made it easy to follow and feel comfortable with it and shored up the worldbuilding nicely.
There are a lot of potential storylines that could be further developed from this book, which is pretty exciting. I'm definitely looking forward to spending more time in this world to see what the author does with it.
▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎
“Everything you fear about me, those are the parts that drive me to protect you no matter what. Many people should be afraid of me, Roux. But you never have to be.”
Disclaimer: I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for reviewing.
Roux is determined to uncover the identity of the person who kidnapped her elderly neighbor, while the Wolf is on a mission to track down the secret society that abducted his best friend. Their paths cross when the Wolf realizes Roux may be the society’s next target, leading him to watch over her as she deals with a growing list of threats, including multiple stalkers.
Token of a Wolf pros:
I appreciate the the book started with a Spotify playlist, meaning a reader could add an immersive layer to the reading experience. It also deserves credit for its diverse representation, which is often overlooked in the shifter genre.
Cons:
The book has notable pacing issues and character inconsistencies, which can occasionally detract from the experience. Readers unfamiliar with Luxe’s Lullaby Trilogy may find the lack of world-building frustrating, as this book feels more like a continuation of an existing series rather than a standalone. Exploring the earlier series first might help provide much-needed context.
The official description also omits that this is a polyamorous story, though the text itself opens with a detailed list of trigger warnings, including violence, murder, torture, systemic racism, abduction, stalking, imprisonment, cultish activity, and human sacrifice (off-page). While helpful, these warnings highlight the book’s heavy themes, which may not be for everyone.
Additionally, the language can be clunky at times, with awkward exposition such as:
"As I spoke, a familiar feeling settled in my chest—a knowing that came from my innate sense of someone’s guilt or innocence, thanks to the inheritance of my father’s ancestry. In that moment, I knew without a shadow of a doubt the mystery man was involved."
This representation in this book is a welcome addition to the urban romantic fantasy genre, but its execution is uneven, and its lack of world building may alienate new readers.
Token of a Wolf by Cara Blaine is an exhilarating ride through the gritty underbelly of an urban fantasy world that grabs you by the throat and doesn't let go until the very last page. Blaine masterfully weaves a tapestry of mystery, suspense, and slow-burning romance that keeps the heart racing and the pages turning.
The protagonist, Roux, is as charismatic as she is clever, navigating a perilous cityscape teeming with danger and dark magic. Her quest to unravel the mystery behind her neighbor's kidnapping intertwines with the enigmatic Wolf, a compelling character who blurs the lines between hero and antihero. His mission to dismantle a secret society becomes personal when he suspects Roux might be their next target. His determination to protect her, despite their complicated relationship, adds a poignant layer to the narrative.
Blaine’s writing shines in the snappy dialogue and the palpable tension between Roux and the Wolf, making their interactions a highlight of the novel. The slow burn of their growing connection contrasts perfectly with the high stakes of their respective missions, creating a rich, layered reading experience.
Moreover, the novel does a remarkable job at incorporating elements of magical realism and offering a diverse cast of characters, enhancing the story’s depth and appeal. Roux's battles against her increasing number of stalkers—and her fierce determination to fight back—inject the story with a powerful sense of agency and feminist grit.
Token of a Wolf is not just a book for fans of urban fantasy or romance but for anyone who appreciates a story well told with characters who leap off the page. Cara Blaine has crafted a world where magic and mayhem meet, making this novel a standout addition to the genre.
Wolves, witches (brujas), fae… and one wildly fun, fast-paced ride.
I’m usually a pretty slow physical reader (ADHD life), but I flew through A Token of Wolf. The pacing kept me engaged from the start, and there was just the right amount of suspense and intrigue to keep me turning pages. The humor and witty banter were some of my favorite parts—I laughed out loud more than once.
This book had so many things I love: shape-shifters, a bruja-in-training finding her place, a polyamorous relationship that felt natural and heartfelt, and just enough fae magic to keep things unpredictable.
I had just finished watching Teen Wolf for the first time and needed something to fill the void. This supernatural world was exactly what I needed—more grown-up, more magical, and definitely more spice. It felt like a richer, deeper continuation of everything I enjoyed about that genre.
There’s also a fun crossover with characters from Cara Blaine’s Luxe series, which I haven’t read yet, but it’s now at the top of my TBR. I found Cara during a TikTok live and I’m so glad I did.
She’s not only a fantastic writer, but also incredibly kind and helpful to new authors like me. She broke down how Kickstarter works and offers great resources for indie authors just getting started.
I was lucky enough to get my hands on the stunning limited edition copy through her Kickstarter—and it is truly a work of art.
The sprayed edges are absolutely beautiful, and there’s custom artwork at the start of each chapter that matches the POV character, which made the reading experience even more immersive. Definitely a collector’s dream.
This was a joy to read from start to finish—fast, funny, magical, and full of heart. I can’t wait to read more from this world.
Token of a Wolf is a captivating and atmospheric start to the Venandi Venator series. It offers a dark reimagining of Little Red Riding Hood with a thrilling blend of fantasy, suspense, and romance. The story's steady pacing allows for immersive world-building and deep character development.
Roux, a strong and relatable protagonist, embarks on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Paired with Lykos, a protective and emotionally layered wolf shifter, their dynamic chemistry fuels the narrative as they confront a sinister secret society. Themes of trust, self-growth, and the balance of power are thoughtfully explored, while the writing style balances heartfelt moments with occasional humour.
Cara Blaine’s Luxe’s Lullaby Trilogy fans will be delighted to find familiar character cameos woven into this story, which adds an extra layer of connection for devoted readers.
This urban fantasy is a must-read for fans of slow-burn romance, morally complex characters, and magical realism, making the fantastical feel grounded and believable. A stunning debut that leaves readers eager for more adventures in this enchanting world.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was my first Cara Blaine book and I’m glad she’s currently writing the next one in the duology so I have time to go back and read the Luxe trilogy!
Despite the first few slow chapters, this was fast paced and had lots of action. I liked the balance of plot and romance, not too heavy handed with the romance but it’s a solid presence. Fae, polyamory, inclusive in a natural way, this checked all the boxes for me! There is a bit of a stalker/darker mmc theme at the beginning, but Lykos turns out to be such a cinnamon roll (secretly) that it didn’t bother me or feel like a dark romance. Lots of complex themes throughout and from what the ending looks like, the ones not explored in this book are getting their time in the second!
Overall, a fun, fast read with depth and a sprinkle of spice! Looking forward to seeing how the trio handle book two!!
I don’t often read fantasy but I loved this fast-paced, urban mystery/thriller set in modern-day Phoenix, Arizona, which turns out to be a well-disguised retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. It felt like a good old fashioned crime-stopper tale, with a secret society that must be uncovered and stopped, but with the twist of a wolf-shifter romance and the appearance of fae and humans with latent, ancestral magic, all of which are new to me and an intriguing element. Snappy dialogue, a diverse set of characters (racially, sexually, species-wise, etc), and a compelling and propulsive plot kept the pages turning for me. I so enjoyed this unusual tale and recommend it to fantasy lovers, especially if you’ve got a wolf kink. LOL!
I was so fortunate to recieve another great ARC read from Cara. She does an amazing job of creating stories that are quick and easy to read. It is hard not to fall in love with all of the characters!
Token of a Wolf is a poly shifter romance, with touch them and die loyalty. The mmc is a "forced" vigilanty who sets out to save his other halves and in the process they all end up having to take down a secret society. Cara incorporates characters from my favorite series of hers Luxe and her fae males (I highly recommend you check out this series as well) to help save their magic community.
As always she leaves you wanting MORE!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Token of a Wolf follows Lykos, a wolf shifter, as he hunts for justice for his lover Ben who was taken by a secret magic society. As he tortures his way through members, he finds Roux. Roux is their next target. When interests conflict between love, new feelings, taking down the society, and protecting innocents; things rapidly escalate towards a crazy finale.
What a read!! I adore the characters in this especially Lykos and Roux who give off perfect spin-offs of the wolf and red riding hood. It’s full of action, slow burn romance, cutesy moments, and so much more. I highlighted SO MANY things in this book. Love it.
This book was excellent! What is better than a Little Red Riding Hood retelling that is a slow burn stalker romance complete with a Wolf shifter, bruja, and the fae? NOTHING that's what! Lykos (Shapeshifting Brujo Batman) will do anything to save his friend/lover Beni who goes missing. Anything! In his search for who is responsible for Beni’s disappearance he sets his eyes on Roux. Roux is at risk of ending up just like Beni. The urge to protect her is so strong that he risks everything to do it. There is so much to this story and I don't want to spoil anything. This is a must read. There is also a crossover of characters from the series Luxes Lullaby Trilogy!!!!
I absolutely loved this book! The pacing and mystery had me hooked from the beginning. Roux is an excellently strong and resilient character who felt so real!! I am glad she was onto and distrustful of Lykos at first, then sees his good side. I loved the world building, magic, shifters, and secret society and mixed in with true crime. The enemies to something more element of the story reminded me of so many of my favorite books, like Sophie Lark's There Are No Saints. Roux and her protective wolf have my heart!
I loved that the book ended with just enough resolution and answers to the mystery but with a twist!
Interesting tale of witches, psychic, shifters and the fae!
When Lykos notices a man hanging around his friend Beni, and then Beni disappears, Lykos goes to the police, who really don’t do much to help. At that point, Lykos takes things into his own hands and becomes involves with Roux, who is also being stalked. As the two of them work together, they learn a lot of things they probably shouldn’t. There are all kinds of supernatural beings in this story and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. There is plenty of danger, plots, and magic. We have humans mixing with shifters, mixing with witches, mixing with fae. I can’t wait to see where this story goes next.
"Watching Ben sleep was one of my guilty pleasures." With this tantalizing first sentence, I was swept away yet again by the irresistible charm and thrilling narrative of Cara Blaine. Her storytelling has undeniably become my own secret indulgence.
Token of a Wolf lures you into an unforgettable whirlwind of action, romance, and suspense. Cara Blaine’s masterful storytelling and vivid characters will steal your heart and leave you breathless, craving the next chapter of this addictive fantasy series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I really enjoyed this book. It took a little bit to get going, but once things started rolling it was amazing. The characters were well thought out and the story was great. As always I love the lore as it is always done very well. I enjoyed the crossover from Luxe very much. Luxe's Lullaby Trilogy is one of my all time favorites so it was awesome getting to see them in another story. I'm very interested to see how everything plays out in the next book for Kos, Beni, and Roux as they unravel the mysteries of VV.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Fantastic read! Mystery, stalker that wants to protect, shapeshifter and fae, what more could you ask for?? When Roux’s neighbor goes missing she finds herself in the middle of something that she knows nothing about. In comes Lykos. While Lykos is trying to find his friend he is also trying to protect Roux from people trying to capture her. There are even characters from The Luxe series that show up in this story, so it was fun seeing them again! Ready to see what the next book holds for these new friends in this series!
Token of a wolf is an amazing and intricate story. It's not a normal wolf story that I am used to that is built around a pack hierarchy. And I truly love the twist. By entwining Faye human and wolf culture into the story it gives a great new perspective and outlook from what The normal genre looks like. The relationship between rue Lycos and Ben is fantastic. I like the dynamic it's not too overpowering one way or the other. It also goes to show how people can have different relationships with other people but still love them the same. I totally recommend this for your TBR. It is on the lower spice level, But it is a fantastic story.!!!
If you love fairy tale retellings with secret organizations, kidnappings, and interconnected characters from the same author's other books, this is definitely a must-read!
The story is rich with unique elements that create a deep and rewarding experience. There are plenty of mysteries to unravel, secrets to uncover, and twists that keep you hooked as you try to figure out what’s happening behind the scenes.
The characters are fantastic—Cara does an amazing job of bringing each one to life in their own unique way. I can’t wait to see where this story leads!
This book was unlike anything else I have ever read. We have all heard of the different romance tropes. Enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, etc. But this book was a whole new genre to me and I don't even know how to classify it. Roux and Lykos were not friends, they weren't enemies, they were strangers; predator and prey. But as soon as Lykos meets Roux, she is no longer his prey, he has an intense need to know her and protect her. This book has all the fantasy elements you could want and the author did a fantastic job with the lore. I cannot wait to read more
I read this as an ARC read and Wow. I had not read a Wolf book in a long while but this one now has me wanting more. A stalker to lover trope won’t disappoint. The Bruja with the Shifter are trying to take down a secret society with help from Fae friends. It kept me on the edge of my seat and I found it hard to put it down. The plot and characters had me hooked from the beginning. I can’t wait for the next book in the duology.
I really love Cara’s writing style. It is so easy to get into and fun for me to read.
I really love both of our main characters in this book. I love that this book is set in the same world as the Lux books. I really enjoyed that series and it was good to see them again. It was nice that though it was in the same world that it does have a much different feel to it than the Lux books. I enjoy the mystery in this series and i can’t wait to see where this goes.
I am not a romance girlie—but there's something about Cara's books that completely hook me and make me fall in love with them anyway. This one was such a great mix of romance, fantasy, thriller, and mystery. I couldn’t put it down.
One of my favorite parts was the character crossover from one of her other series. It felt effortless and totally made sense within the story. This isn't a fantasy book that'll bog you down with endless world-building. Instead, it’s immersive, fast-paced, and emotionally gripping.
The big bad wolf? Oh, he’s dangerous—but is he really the villain? I loved that complexity.
There will be a second book, and I’m already eager to see how the story ends!
My second book by Cara Blaine and it's soo good! The mystery was exciting and their tension was off the charts! I loved that it was a unique take on the shifter concept. There's magic, brujos, shifters, fae, everything you could ask for! An excellent start to this series! Plus, I appreciate that it doesn't end on an agonizing cliffhanger. Yes the story is still open, but it also reached a perfect pause point. Highly recommend!
4.5⭐️ This was a good read! Definitely check the trigger warnings, but this was a good fantasy/supernatural book with a little bit of romance added in. There were a couple of twists that I wasn’t expecting so that was good. The beginning was a little slow, but now looking back, it makes sense why it was slower. Highly recommend checking this out!
I had the opportunity to read Cara's book as an ARC. It is as I came to expect of Cara: An easy read that keeps you turning the pages. I'm looking forward to the second part of this story. The way this book is connected to previous works of Cara's is a nice twist. I really liked it, so four stars. Urban fantasy is not my prime genre, and I prefer books that request undivided attention.
I finished reading the book and wow, it definitely leaves me wanting more and it was soooooo hard to put down. I had not read a shifter book before and now I want to read more. It had me wanting to know what the next page would bring immediately. Such great characters and story line. I can’t wait for the next one!