The Soft Fall

by Marissa Byfield

Demon wolves roam the forest, the villagers all said. Dianna had been warned to stay away.

She didn’t listen.

Now every full moon Dianna slinks into the cellar beneath the barn. Into the cage made by her brother to protect her secret. One that would get her burned at the stake by the village leaders if discovered.

The heirs to the throne disappear just as their enemies lay siege to the empire. Famine hits the village as it struggles to survive. Dianna does what she can to hunt and help. But her secret is discovered when she transforms during an attack.

Captured and imprisoned, Dianna must find a way to escape. If she does, she has only one direction to go. Into the heart of the forest where she was cursed.

Genres: Werewolves

416 pages, Paperback

First published October 29, 2019

Reviews

[Marissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote this book! So I can tell you a few things about it that this synopsis doesn't:

It's about war and warmth. It's about choosing to survive in a harsh world. It's about outcasts finding each other and sharing their stories. It's about falling in love in the woods. It's about wolves.

But not the kind you expect.

**Content warnings: some violence and gore, suicidal ideation, mention of self-harm, one scene dealing with attempted sexual assault, gender discrimination, allusions to abuse**

[Karen Fontaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read a lot of books about werewolves or shape shifters, but this one is definitely different. It gives a satisfyingly adult spin to the genre.

[Orion · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantasy of this generation. The Soft Fall is clever and nuanced, drawing from mythology while firmly holding its own agenda. Byfield uses the metaphor of the wolf to viscerally represent ways we protect ourselves, putting up walls. There is depth to this book, the characters are on their own journeys of overcoming trauma and self discovery. They also form a cohesive group that has great character dynamics, but most importantly the significance of found family for those who are outcast from society. I highly recommend this read, it's a page turner!

[Zeke Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was hands down the best werewolf novel I’ve read in a long time, actually based in the science of wolves interacting without any of the alpha BS that saturates the genre. I thought the writing was lyrically poetic and beautiful without sacrificing clarity. The characters had really relatable responses to a dynamic and intriguing plot. I had a hard time putting it down to go to bed and had goosebumps during some of the more climactic moments! I also really appreciated the way Marissa handled difficult and triggering subjects like physical torture and sexual assault - stark, and didn’t shy away from the violence of the moment, without lingering or reveling in those moments. I highly recommend you read this book!

[Jason Kilgore · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me this book was about change. The protagonist, a strong female character, changed not just physically but also mentally and emotionally. Yes, there's a change to that of a werewolf, but don't expect this to be like other werewolf stories. In the story things are not what they seem. And the protagonist realizes this as she goes on her journey of discovery of herself and of others. She fights a patriarchy and blind belief to open our eyes to what it really means to survive. There is battle and blood, but there is also redemption. I highly recommend this fantasy novel.

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

My sister and I loved this book. We read it around the same time and I had to dog-ear some pages so I could talk to her about it! We both agree that Marissa is a very talented writer and her descriptions are so spot on and make it very easy to create a world in your head.
It was hard to put down- I may have even brought it to work....!
All around great book. I loved all the female power characters and I would definitely recommend it to anyone!!

[Ross Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful, well written book.
The diverse characters draw you in - their pain and suffering, their majesty and love.
While the story revolves around Dianna, the other fully recovered characters are equally important.
And the magic.
Ahh, yes - the magic that encompasses all without being obtrusive
Very much looking forward to the next in the series

[Tiffany Lafleur · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Soft Fall is a refreshingly new take on the werewolf genre that mixes classic tenets with new ideas. The plot is well-paced, and the story features a diverse set of characters that pull you in to the story and don't let go. It's incredibly well-written and an absolute must-read for any fantasy or Roman mythology fans! Kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time!

[emeraldragonlady (Maddie) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

This story can be a little hard to follow on some parts but overall I really enjoyed it. A new twist of demons and survival and love. Well written and narrated. The layout of this book is similar to Sanderson so if you like his books there’s a good chance you’ll like this one.

[Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author is going places

As with any fantasy, the names and places can be confusing, but this book has excellent pacing, wonderful prose, and B.A. wolves. Read it, it’s your chance to be that person that heard Queen when they were just playing crappy bars.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hopefully there is another book soon. This book is a fun read if you enjoy mythology with a twist.

[De · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was going to rate this a 4-star, but then once I reached chapter 45 everything fell into place character/plot-wise. This story, in my opinion, is a slow burn. Not everything is happening all at once, as there is a lot of plot information that Marissa needs to unfold before delving into her wonderfully crafted Roman-inspired story. So, if you are a reader that needs action or romance to happen fast, then this book may annoy you.

My only critique: I feel that this book could have been longer. Now, I'm not saying that because I'm a snob for page numbers or that she didn't give enough information for the plot to flow. For me, I just think that she could have written so much more at the end to give the readers more of a glimpse of the characters (after the plot-conclusion).

I know she is crafting the next book, and I’m anticipating for that book to be just as good (or better) as the first!

♡My Favorite Characters from The Soft Fall♡

Top 3 (male):
1- Aimes
2- Fredrick
3- Ram

Top 2 (female):
1- Eccka
2- Diane

My rating scale:

5☆ - I will own this book someday, I loved it that much!
4☆ - Near perfection and enjoyed losing myself in the book!
3☆ - I liked this book.
2☆ - I didn't really care for this book.
1☆ - I did not like this book at all and probably did not finish it.

♡Once Upon a Biblio