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Bride of the Harvest Wolf #1
Bride of the Harvest Wolf: Episode One
Be careful what you wish for, because magic is always two parts wondrous, one part cruel.
Reckless wild-child Sienna Kendrick has longed for one thing since she was fourteen—the attention of Thomas Zurent, the dashingly handsome son of the town’s wealthiest founding family. And on the night of the New Grand Cycle festival when this plucky weaver’s daughter turns seventeen she gets exactly what she desires. But is Thomas’ attention truly what Sienna wants? Or is she concealing a yearning within her heart for something darker—something taboo—something forbidden?
The hour has come, the clock has struck fourteen, and per ancient accord, the thirty-sixth bride of the Harvest Wolf is about to be selected. But will she be his beloved…or his dinner?
*** Includes special bonus features: map & location illustrations, pronunciation guide, story world glossary, and illustrated story world calendar! ***
Bride of the Harvest Wolf: Episode One is approximately 27,000 words long and is the first of 9 novellas in this imaginative, coming of age romance series where shapeshifter deities, magic, and mythology collide.
Reckless wild-child Sienna Kendrick has longed for one thing since she was fourteen—the attention of Thomas Zurent, the dashingly handsome son of the town’s wealthiest founding family. And on the night of the New Grand Cycle festival when this plucky weaver’s daughter turns seventeen she gets exactly what she desires. But is Thomas’ attention truly what Sienna wants? Or is she concealing a yearning within her heart for something darker—something taboo—something forbidden?
The hour has come, the clock has struck fourteen, and per ancient accord, the thirty-sixth bride of the Harvest Wolf is about to be selected. But will she be his beloved…or his dinner?
*** Includes special bonus features: map & location illustrations, pronunciation guide, story world glossary, and illustrated story world calendar! ***
Bride of the Harvest Wolf: Episode One is approximately 27,000 words long and is the first of 9 novellas in this imaginative, coming of age romance series where shapeshifter deities, magic, and mythology collide.
- GenresFantasy
150 pages, Paperback
First published June 23, 2015
16 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
Alicia Kat Vancil
9 books64 followers**NOTE This author profile is incorrectly named but Goodreads categorically refuses to fix this issue despite every effort made by the author and publisher. Please instead visit & follow Kat Vancil at her proper location https://www.goodreads.com/thesagaquest **
Neurodivergent storyteller Kat Vancil crafts stories about boys who kiss boys. Some take place on spacecraft racing through a sea of distant stars. Others take place in lush urban sprawls rich with the spices of a thousand far-off places that exist only in her mind. While still others take place in the halls of a coastal city high school that is and isn’t like any other in America.
Over the last 12 years she’s done work for Amazon and Writer’s Digest, had her work sold in bookstores across the English-speaking world, and won an Ippy award for excellence in independent publishing.
She currently resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, their kitty studio-mate Akimi & eight overfull bookcases. And when not crafting fantastical tales of dragokin and Valkyries, Kat can usually be found frolicking in general geekiness.
Neurodivergent storyteller Kat Vancil crafts stories about boys who kiss boys. Some take place on spacecraft racing through a sea of distant stars. Others take place in lush urban sprawls rich with the spices of a thousand far-off places that exist only in her mind. While still others take place in the halls of a coastal city high school that is and isn’t like any other in America.
Over the last 12 years she’s done work for Amazon and Writer’s Digest, had her work sold in bookstores across the English-speaking world, and won an Ippy award for excellence in independent publishing.
She currently resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, their kitty studio-mate Akimi & eight overfull bookcases. And when not crafting fantastical tales of dragokin and Valkyries, Kat can usually be found frolicking in general geekiness.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 9, 2015
This was a fun read, but as it's the first book in a novella series it is quite short. This book felt a bit like the introduction to the story and world. This episode takes place over the span of a day and we got a good feel for the world and how the human and spirit world were connected, how the town looked like. There was even a drawing to show what the town looked like, which was very helpful and gave a good feel for the town. Every year on harvest day a girl will be chosen as the next bride for the harvest wolf. The plot is a bit predictable, but I liked the way the story was told. I just felt like I couldn't get fully engrossed in the story as it was so short and I had to get a feel for the world and setting first.
One thing that bothered me is that in the middle of the story we get a flashback to years and years before that to show what happened to the harvest wolf and I think it's part of the story of how he got trapped there. There's also the epilogue and it just didn't quite fit into place. The epilogue was confusing as we don't know enough then and the flashback was a bit jarring as it was so far in the past. It did provide some information though and I was happy we also got Kessel his point of view, although I didn't really could get a good idea of his personality.
The blurb says it's a beauty and beast and red riding hood retelling, but I found the story to contain little elements of those two, for which I was happy as I don't like to be remember of other stories when reading a book. The main character has red hair and there's a wolf, so I can kinda see where the comparison came from, but that whole sentence almost prevented me from reading this book, which would've been a shame.
While we get a good feel for the setting and world in this book I felt that getting an idea of who the characters are was a bit harder. Most of the story is told from Siena her point of view, she's a bit daring and outgoing, but a bit naive as well at times. I liked her overall and how she was curious. What I didn't like was later in the book when she did something I didn't quite like much, she made a hasty decision and didn't even knew the guy she had a crush on that well. Luckily things didn't go too far. I didn't like Thomas at all, who is presented as the love interest, he seemed a bit like a creep and I am happy things didn't go too far as I didn't like him for Siena at all. Reed on the other hand seemed like a great guy and he's Siena her best friend. Then there is Siena her other best friend Kaya and we see some of her family, her older brother and sister, her mother and grandmother. I did like that this book introduced us to many of the characters, although because it was so short there was no time to really get to know them. We also get a few chapters from the point of view of Kessel, the wolf. It explained his situation a bit and hinted at how and why he's stuck there.
The world building and setting was both done very interesting and there's a lot of information in the first book already, it did feel like a bit much to take in as this world is quite different, but it wasn't confusing. It takes place in a bit of a medieval feel town, on a different planet and there's the moon which is actually the planet for the spirit people, the chapters mostly focus on the human home world, but we also learn a bit about the spirit home world. The focus is on the wolf in this book as it's the harvest time, but I hope we learn more about the other spirits as well. the spirits aren't really spirits in the traditional sense of the word though, but they are shape shifters who live on the moon world Lunaris. The world is pretty original and there's a lot of focus on traditions and mythology.
To summarize: Bride of the Harvest Moon episode one is a nice set up for this series. We get to know a lot of the important characters, get a feel for the world and the story. It's a bit predictable at times, but I didn't mind too much. My main complaint was that it's so short and I have no clue when the next episode will be released. And there's a flashback in the middle of the book that was a bit jarring. I did like Siena, but I wasn't a fan of her love interest Thomas and I didn't like what they almost did and I am glad they got stopped. The setting and world building was done well and I got a good feel for the setting and world in this book. The world and mythology were pretty original and I liked learning more about the world. This first episode had a bit of an introductory feel, but I guess that's normal as it is the first book in the series. I am looking forward to the next book!
One thing that bothered me is that in the middle of the story we get a flashback to years and years before that to show what happened to the harvest wolf and I think it's part of the story of how he got trapped there. There's also the epilogue and it just didn't quite fit into place. The epilogue was confusing as we don't know enough then and the flashback was a bit jarring as it was so far in the past. It did provide some information though and I was happy we also got Kessel his point of view, although I didn't really could get a good idea of his personality.
The blurb says it's a beauty and beast and red riding hood retelling, but I found the story to contain little elements of those two, for which I was happy as I don't like to be remember of other stories when reading a book. The main character has red hair and there's a wolf, so I can kinda see where the comparison came from, but that whole sentence almost prevented me from reading this book, which would've been a shame.
While we get a good feel for the setting and world in this book I felt that getting an idea of who the characters are was a bit harder. Most of the story is told from Siena her point of view, she's a bit daring and outgoing, but a bit naive as well at times. I liked her overall and how she was curious. What I didn't like was later in the book when she did something I didn't quite like much, she made a hasty decision and didn't even knew the guy she had a crush on that well. Luckily things didn't go too far. I didn't like Thomas at all, who is presented as the love interest, he seemed a bit like a creep and I am happy things didn't go too far as I didn't like him for Siena at all. Reed on the other hand seemed like a great guy and he's Siena her best friend. Then there is Siena her other best friend Kaya and we see some of her family, her older brother and sister, her mother and grandmother. I did like that this book introduced us to many of the characters, although because it was so short there was no time to really get to know them. We also get a few chapters from the point of view of Kessel, the wolf. It explained his situation a bit and hinted at how and why he's stuck there.
The world building and setting was both done very interesting and there's a lot of information in the first book already, it did feel like a bit much to take in as this world is quite different, but it wasn't confusing. It takes place in a bit of a medieval feel town, on a different planet and there's the moon which is actually the planet for the spirit people, the chapters mostly focus on the human home world, but we also learn a bit about the spirit home world. The focus is on the wolf in this book as it's the harvest time, but I hope we learn more about the other spirits as well. the spirits aren't really spirits in the traditional sense of the word though, but they are shape shifters who live on the moon world Lunaris. The world is pretty original and there's a lot of focus on traditions and mythology.
To summarize: Bride of the Harvest Moon episode one is a nice set up for this series. We get to know a lot of the important characters, get a feel for the world and the story. It's a bit predictable at times, but I didn't mind too much. My main complaint was that it's so short and I have no clue when the next episode will be released. And there's a flashback in the middle of the book that was a bit jarring. I did like Siena, but I wasn't a fan of her love interest Thomas and I didn't like what they almost did and I am glad they got stopped. The setting and world building was done well and I got a good feel for the setting and world in this book. The world and mythology were pretty original and I liked learning more about the world. This first episode had a bit of an introductory feel, but I guess that's normal as it is the first book in the series. I am looking forward to the next book!
October 3, 2018
I greatly enjoyed this book. It is set on a world not our own but like it. There is great depths that this series can go to. I can feel it. There is a building and this is a great foundation. I like that the characters, while fantasy, are still realistic and make mistakes that they have to actually fix. The world isn't just handed to them. I still had a lot of questions at the end of book one so I picked up book 2, sorry episode 2. I haven't finished it yet but I am about half way through and loving it still. The answers aren't just thrown at you. I am very interested to see where this goes and glad that I am so far behind so I have a lot to catch up on!
Also have met the author in person and she is sooo nice and kind! Happy to answer questions! I am just sorry I keep missing her at other conventions and fairs! Will always stop at her booth!
Also have met the author in person and she is sooo nice and kind! Happy to answer questions! I am just sorry I keep missing her at other conventions and fairs! Will always stop at her booth!
August 4, 2023
Liked it
The festival to choose the next Harvest Wolf bride is approaching. The village is abuzz with activity and Sienna is as excited as the next young girl of match bonding age. But her affections are not toward the Harvest Wolf, but a young cur from her hometown. Best she tame those feelings lest she make a mistake that cannot be reversed.
Kessel has been waiting for his kaera en for three decades. Will she ever come or will he waste away alone on Zet? The writing is on the wall and I think it might even be a good read but I doubt I will seek more. I acquired this novella so long ago its companion episodes aren't on Amazon anymore.
The festival to choose the next Harvest Wolf bride is approaching. The village is abuzz with activity and Sienna is as excited as the next young girl of match bonding age. But her affections are not toward the Harvest Wolf, but a young cur from her hometown. Best she tame those feelings lest she make a mistake that cannot be reversed.
Kessel has been waiting for his kaera en for three decades. Will she ever come or will he waste away alone on Zet? The writing is on the wall and I think it might even be a good read but I doubt I will seek more. I acquired this novella so long ago its companion episodes aren't on Amazon anymore.
January 8, 2024
Quick Read
Bride of the Harvest Wolf was a good, quick read. I surmised how it would go but it was fun to read about the culture they have in the book and their traditions they carry. Sienna is less ladylike than the other girls and women her age and it often causes her trouble. The story is quick but doesn’t lack details and was a fun story to read.
Bride of the Harvest Wolf was a good, quick read. I surmised how it would go but it was fun to read about the culture they have in the book and their traditions they carry. Sienna is less ladylike than the other girls and women her age and it often causes her trouble. The story is quick but doesn’t lack details and was a fun story to read.
August 20, 2017
really liked the story; but now i need the continuation 😭👍
April 26, 2018
Not FAIR!!!
This book is more of a prologue. An incredibly short prologue. I am so mad because it was AMAZING and over WAY too quickly!!
This book is more of a prologue. An incredibly short prologue. I am so mad because it was AMAZING and over WAY too quickly!!
March 10, 2016
First of the series, I enjoyed the book, and I look forward to the next...
4/5 stars: good beginning - but I crave more action.
Kat does a good job of leading you into the next page, the next chapter, the next book. Her cliffhangers are not often so obvious as to turn me away, and I found myself continuously turning the page to see what happens next.
One thing I appreciate about it greatly is how hard it is to introduce a whole new world to readers - Without common points of reference such as an pre-established world or following common, tired tropes, it is that much harder to explain the world without delving into exhausting exposition. Kat does a great job of exploring the world from a naive girl's point of view.
I have to say I didn't think that this is my kind of book, and while there wasn't a lot of action, explosions, fear or horror, I was engaged - I look forward to getting to know the characters and their motivations better, and see how this whole thing unfolds.
4/5 stars: good beginning - but I crave more action.
Kat does a good job of leading you into the next page, the next chapter, the next book. Her cliffhangers are not often so obvious as to turn me away, and I found myself continuously turning the page to see what happens next.
One thing I appreciate about it greatly is how hard it is to introduce a whole new world to readers - Without common points of reference such as an pre-established world or following common, tired tropes, it is that much harder to explain the world without delving into exhausting exposition. Kat does a great job of exploring the world from a naive girl's point of view.
I have to say I didn't think that this is my kind of book, and while there wasn't a lot of action, explosions, fear or horror, I was engaged - I look forward to getting to know the characters and their motivations better, and see how this whole thing unfolds.
October 23, 2016
Interesting story. It caught my interest and can't wait to read the next book.
Lots of character building. Of course, waiting to see if Kessel and Sienna get together. What is going to happen between Sienna and Thomas. Just the little bit I read, I don't like Thomas.
One of the things I'm not too sure about is what happened to Kessel. I realize that he was cursed, but unsure as to why.
Not sure how things are going to progress, but looking forward to the journey.
Lots of character building. Of course, waiting to see if Kessel and Sienna get together. What is going to happen between Sienna and Thomas. Just the little bit I read, I don't like Thomas.
One of the things I'm not too sure about is what happened to Kessel. I realize that he was cursed, but unsure as to why.
Not sure how things are going to progress, but looking forward to the journey.
August 26, 2016
Very interesting world and story.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews