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The Wolf and the Rain #1
The Wolf and the Rain
The award-winning story of a missing girl in an anarchic city.
Global warming has divided the continent. Samarra has fled from the barren, authoritarian South to the Barrow, a northern city where the only things growing faster than the city’s piles of garbage are extremist cults and violent gangs. Her sole objective is survival: to stay hidden and stay safe.
With jobs in short supply, Samarra counts herself lucky to find work with the Vauns, one of the Barrow’s most powerful and dangerous families. As she learns to navigate the beauty, the horror, and the magic of the lawless city, she finds herself living in the shadow of a missing woman—the beautiful and mysterious Raina, who worked for the Vauns before her. When the trail, long thought cold, heats up, Samarra must decide whether her newly gained chance at freedom is worth sacrificing for a ghost.
Global warming has divided the continent. Samarra has fled from the barren, authoritarian South to the Barrow, a northern city where the only things growing faster than the city’s piles of garbage are extremist cults and violent gangs. Her sole objective is survival: to stay hidden and stay safe.
With jobs in short supply, Samarra counts herself lucky to find work with the Vauns, one of the Barrow’s most powerful and dangerous families. As she learns to navigate the beauty, the horror, and the magic of the lawless city, she finds herself living in the shadow of a missing woman—the beautiful and mysterious Raina, who worked for the Vauns before her. When the trail, long thought cold, heats up, Samarra must decide whether her newly gained chance at freedom is worth sacrificing for a ghost.
- GenresFantasyScience Fiction
378 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 28, 2018
51 people are currently reading
106 people want to read
About the author
Tanya Lee
2 books7 followersThings I sometimes do: work in Africa; roll a D20; act; bench press my 25 lb tabby (kidding—we do squats); write dystopian novels
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September 3, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (9/3/2020)! 🎁
April 20, 2021
A compellingly written and unusual Dystopian, THE WOLF AND THE RAIN is first in the series of the same title. In a world impacted by mutating viruses, life is strenuous and sometimes near to impossible. Samarra flees North to find work but feels she is constantly in the shadow of a dead girl.
February 26, 2021
A Canadian author with a lot of talent
Can't wait to read the next book. Who is Sam really? Why is Sora's memories before training so vague?where is Raina and what happened to her?
Can't wait to read the next book. Who is Sam really? Why is Sora's memories before training so vague?where is Raina and what happened to her?
July 21, 2020
This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: The Wolf and the Rain
Author: Tanya Lee
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 20
Stats
Editing: 9/10
Writing Style: 9/10
Content: 9/10
Cover: 10/10
Of the 20 readers:
20 would read another book by this author.
20 thought the cover was good or excellent.
15 felt it was easy to follow.
20 would recommend this story to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 12 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 8 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
19 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
20 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
‘This is the best dystopian book ever, and I have read a lot of them. Sort of dark and gritty with lots of cool, odd characters. A little difficult to follow though.’ Girl, aged 15
‘I like the city. It’s so well described – and very dirty. This novel shows the reader a scary future if we don’t stop global warming. The story arc of Samarra is amazing. She’s very brave and resourceful. Cool book.’ Boy, aged 16
‘I love strong female characters in books. This was even better than The Hunger Games.’ Girl, aged 15
‘I loved this story. I liked how she escaped the south to live in the north and how different the two parts were. That was super clever. I also liked how climate change had caused the dystopian world she lived in. The whole plot of trying to find out what happened to the woman was intriguing and well-written. Sort of bugging that I now have to find the next book to find out what happens. But I will anyway!’ Boy, aged 15
To Sum It Up:
‘A gripping dystopian adventure for teenagers. A BRONZE MEDAL WINNER and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Title: The Wolf and the Rain
Author: Tanya Lee
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 20
Stats
Editing: 9/10
Writing Style: 9/10
Content: 9/10
Cover: 10/10
Of the 20 readers:
20 would read another book by this author.
20 thought the cover was good or excellent.
15 felt it was easy to follow.
20 would recommend this story to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 12 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 8 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
19 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
20 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
‘This is the best dystopian book ever, and I have read a lot of them. Sort of dark and gritty with lots of cool, odd characters. A little difficult to follow though.’ Girl, aged 15
‘I like the city. It’s so well described – and very dirty. This novel shows the reader a scary future if we don’t stop global warming. The story arc of Samarra is amazing. She’s very brave and resourceful. Cool book.’ Boy, aged 16
‘I love strong female characters in books. This was even better than The Hunger Games.’ Girl, aged 15
‘I loved this story. I liked how she escaped the south to live in the north and how different the two parts were. That was super clever. I also liked how climate change had caused the dystopian world she lived in. The whole plot of trying to find out what happened to the woman was intriguing and well-written. Sort of bugging that I now have to find the next book to find out what happens. But I will anyway!’ Boy, aged 15
To Sum It Up:
‘A gripping dystopian adventure for teenagers. A BRONZE MEDAL WINNER and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
August 31, 2018
'The Wolf and the Rain' by Tanya Lee is a fantasy novel set in a dystopian world, whose counter-side (the positive side) has also been depicted in detail in the book, which is the first of many to be followed in this series.
The story is intriguing, especially the protagonist's upbringing which the author has described in excessive details throughout the length of the book. This does make the book a tad bit lengthy. It also makes one wonder if providing all those details were in fact necessary if this book alone was to be considered in isolation, but I assume this is done to set the stage for the next part of the story, which is expected to be based a lot in that world owing to how it ends in this book. Anyway, this is me speculating, not complaining. Needless to say, I am looking forward to the next part.
I was a bit disappointed after I'd finished reading the book since the blurb had me excited about the quirks and effects of global warming that the author would have perused to sew up the story, which I felt was missing to a greater extent. That being said, it may be more prominent in the upcoming books, since this one is just the beginning of an epic adventure. One can only wait to confirm the speculation.
I am sure the content of the book has been proof-read quite many times, but I'd urge the publisher and the author to give it another go or two before it goes for publishing, since I encountered a few mistakes here-and-there.
Lastly, I'd like to thank the author and the publisher for the ARC.
Verdict: Highly recommended.
The story is intriguing, especially the protagonist's upbringing which the author has described in excessive details throughout the length of the book. This does make the book a tad bit lengthy. It also makes one wonder if providing all those details were in fact necessary if this book alone was to be considered in isolation, but I assume this is done to set the stage for the next part of the story, which is expected to be based a lot in that world owing to how it ends in this book. Anyway, this is me speculating, not complaining. Needless to say, I am looking forward to the next part.
I was a bit disappointed after I'd finished reading the book since the blurb had me excited about the quirks and effects of global warming that the author would have perused to sew up the story, which I felt was missing to a greater extent. That being said, it may be more prominent in the upcoming books, since this one is just the beginning of an epic adventure. One can only wait to confirm the speculation.
I am sure the content of the book has been proof-read quite many times, but I'd urge the publisher and the author to give it another go or two before it goes for publishing, since I encountered a few mistakes here-and-there.
Lastly, I'd like to thank the author and the publisher for the ARC.
Verdict: Highly recommended.
March 27, 2020
This book is fucking great.
Sam, the main character, lives in a world broken by global warming.
In the North, in the city of Barrow, The Vauns rule, and everyone else survives outside the walls, amid gangs, garbage, horror and chaos.
In the South, a totalitarian autocratic hierarchy rules, and obeyance is institutionalized.
My favourite three things about Sam is:
1. That the story doesnt really care what she looks like. (Ofc, it wouldn’t be dystopian literature without a couple of typical tropes, so she is tiny, but powerful. However:)
2. She isn’t just «magically» supertalented at fighting, she has (as far as I can tell) been trained in combat since she was a child.
3. She is not (currently at least) in a romantic relationship.
In other words: This is not a YA dystopia. Do NOT give this book to a 12-year old. It is full of the kind of grit that is unsuitable for kids, but that makes it a believable world.
The only, slight, problem I had with this book is that it starts a bit slow. I had two false starts, where I just didnt quite get into it, but third time’s the charm, and once I got going, I read the remainder of the book (most of it), in one sitting.
Go buy it.
(The author sent me this ebook for free, as we are both part of the amazing «Band of Dystopian Authors and Fans»-group on FB, and because several of the nice authors there are giving us their books, so we have something to help us fight the boredom of corona-quarantine.
That doesn’t really come into it though.)
Sam, the main character, lives in a world broken by global warming.
In the North, in the city of Barrow, The Vauns rule, and everyone else survives outside the walls, amid gangs, garbage, horror and chaos.
In the South, a totalitarian autocratic hierarchy rules, and obeyance is institutionalized.
My favourite three things about Sam is:
1. That the story doesnt really care what she looks like. (Ofc, it wouldn’t be dystopian literature without a couple of typical tropes, so she is tiny, but powerful. However:)
2. She isn’t just «magically» supertalented at fighting, she has (as far as I can tell) been trained in combat since she was a child.
3. She is not (currently at least) in a romantic relationship.
In other words: This is not a YA dystopia. Do NOT give this book to a 12-year old. It is full of the kind of grit that is unsuitable for kids, but that makes it a believable world.
The only, slight, problem I had with this book is that it starts a bit slow. I had two false starts, where I just didnt quite get into it, but third time’s the charm, and once I got going, I read the remainder of the book (most of it), in one sitting.
Go buy it.
(The author sent me this ebook for free, as we are both part of the amazing «Band of Dystopian Authors and Fans»-group on FB, and because several of the nice authors there are giving us their books, so we have something to help us fight the boredom of corona-quarantine.
That doesn’t really come into it though.)
July 1, 2020
This book was our May/June 2020 Book of the Month selection. Read our full review on F-BOM.com: https://f-bom.com/2020/05/01/the-wolf...
"Longtime fans of dystopian will find the genre highlights here. Scenes that take place in Seira are recognizable as the standard “Utopia” of dystopian novels–a highly-conformist culture created through indoctrination, and the young person destined to break their chains. But the book never falls into tropes, and the I personally couldn’t wait to get to know the cast of intriguing characters better."
Can't wait for Book Two!
"Longtime fans of dystopian will find the genre highlights here. Scenes that take place in Seira are recognizable as the standard “Utopia” of dystopian novels–a highly-conformist culture created through indoctrination, and the young person destined to break their chains. But the book never falls into tropes, and the I personally couldn’t wait to get to know the cast of intriguing characters better."
Can't wait for Book Two!
September 7, 2018
This is an advance copy from NetGalley...
I stopped on page 84. I just couldn't go to the next page. Too boring. Too depressing.
I stopped on page 84. I just couldn't go to the next page. Too boring. Too depressing.
February 28, 2023
For more YA reviews, visit my blog –
Unsupervised in a Bookstore
.
I need to tell you how much I loved this book. I loved the setup, I loved the protagonist, and I loved the settings. The author has created an entirely believable dystopian future. The dirty, dangerous North and the clinical, authoritarian South feel like essential characters in the story, and I was immediately hooked by the protagonist's life as she tries to survive as a newcomer in the North.
There are two storylines woven together throughout the book, and the relationship between the protagonist scraping a living in the North, and the girl growing up in the regimented South, is not made clear. However, both stories are intriguing, and it is often a disappointment when the narrative switches back to the other location – a strength, not a weakness, as both stories held my attention.
Samarra is lucky. She's found a place to sleep and a job as a courier for one of the most powerful families in the Barrow, the anarchic post-collapse city where she's trying to earn a living and keep a low profile. Her job takes her all over the city, and she witnesses its violence and secrets, poverty and desperation. When she learns that the girl who used to have her job disappeared, and that she's not the only young woman missing from the Barrow, Samarra is drawn into the dark side of a society where most people are happy to turn a blind eye and be thankful that they've made it through the day.
In the South, a group of children is training to be productive participants in their regimented society. Kept in dormitories and separated from any family, the children experience daily military-style physical drills combined with a rigid curriculum and strict rules. The contrast between the two settings, and their very different reactions to a climate disaster, keeps the pages turning. Both systems are understandable, and both have their advantages and dangers.
The action-packed, emotional conclusion provides a stepping off point for the sequel, and I can't wait to dive in!
I need to tell you how much I loved this book. I loved the setup, I loved the protagonist, and I loved the settings. The author has created an entirely believable dystopian future. The dirty, dangerous North and the clinical, authoritarian South feel like essential characters in the story, and I was immediately hooked by the protagonist's life as she tries to survive as a newcomer in the North.
There are two storylines woven together throughout the book, and the relationship between the protagonist scraping a living in the North, and the girl growing up in the regimented South, is not made clear. However, both stories are intriguing, and it is often a disappointment when the narrative switches back to the other location – a strength, not a weakness, as both stories held my attention.
Samarra is lucky. She's found a place to sleep and a job as a courier for one of the most powerful families in the Barrow, the anarchic post-collapse city where she's trying to earn a living and keep a low profile. Her job takes her all over the city, and she witnesses its violence and secrets, poverty and desperation. When she learns that the girl who used to have her job disappeared, and that she's not the only young woman missing from the Barrow, Samarra is drawn into the dark side of a society where most people are happy to turn a blind eye and be thankful that they've made it through the day.
In the South, a group of children is training to be productive participants in their regimented society. Kept in dormitories and separated from any family, the children experience daily military-style physical drills combined with a rigid curriculum and strict rules. The contrast between the two settings, and their very different reactions to a climate disaster, keeps the pages turning. Both systems are understandable, and both have their advantages and dangers.
The action-packed, emotional conclusion provides a stepping off point for the sequel, and I can't wait to dive in!
August 29, 2023
I DNF’d this after 100 pages. I got to that point and just… didn’t care enough about any of the characters or about the plot to keep reading. If there was a full synopsis of what happens I would probably read it, but even without one I doubt I’ll be bothered.
There were several problems with this. I’m all for being dropped right into the story, but within the first five pages we get introduced to at least 8 characters all at once and dropped right into a conversation including most of them. It took several scenes for me to even remember their names, much less be able to discern personality characteristics or tell them apart in general. We also got dropped right into the dystopian world of the story, which seemed cool, but after 100 pages I still don’t really have a clear idea of what happened or why the world is the way it is.
There were elements of this that could have worked if there was literally any solid ground from the start. We know very little about any of the characters, including the main character. We know very little about the world the story takes place in. The MC has a job but other than picking things up and bringing them to a compound (which is never explained) we know nothing about it.
I think the author wanted to create a mysterious atmosphere around the whole thing, but to do that effectively you still have to give the reader something. Introduce the characters more slowly so we get to know them and see their dynamics with one another. If I cared about the characters then I could deal with all the rest of it being mysterious.
For me personally, I think this just fumbled by giving too little until it’s too late.
There were several problems with this. I’m all for being dropped right into the story, but within the first five pages we get introduced to at least 8 characters all at once and dropped right into a conversation including most of them. It took several scenes for me to even remember their names, much less be able to discern personality characteristics or tell them apart in general. We also got dropped right into the dystopian world of the story, which seemed cool, but after 100 pages I still don’t really have a clear idea of what happened or why the world is the way it is.
There were elements of this that could have worked if there was literally any solid ground from the start. We know very little about any of the characters, including the main character. We know very little about the world the story takes place in. The MC has a job but other than picking things up and bringing them to a compound (which is never explained) we know nothing about it.
I think the author wanted to create a mysterious atmosphere around the whole thing, but to do that effectively you still have to give the reader something. Introduce the characters more slowly so we get to know them and see their dynamics with one another. If I cared about the characters then I could deal with all the rest of it being mysterious.
For me personally, I think this just fumbled by giving too little until it’s too late.
July 26, 2018
All of the worst-case scenarios about global warming didn’t even touch on how bad it really happened. The South is a drought-stricken authoritarian regime, and the North is a wet, trash-filled chaos. Samarra is a Southern soldier hiding from a dark past in the Northern Barrow. She counts herself lucky to find work in a Compound, but must choose between the ghost of a missing woman and a chance at freedom.
It had a slow start and dragged a bit here and there, though it didn't actually lose momentum. There were a few places where the violence was a bit hard to read. Overall, though, I did really care about the main character and several secondary characters and enjoyed following their story. The time jumps (which I normally don’t care for) were not jarring. The South reminded me a bit of some of FM Busby’s stories about Total Welfare, and the extreme difference between the North and South were striking, and made sense with the narrative. The ending was at a good break point, although I do wish a few more questions about Sam’s background could have been answered without having to wait. I will be waiting to read the sequel as soon as it’s available!
Settings / Time Periods: An undefinable period in the future, at least several generations past “the Decline”, when environmental issues from global warming have caused cataclysmic damage and society has been completely remade. There is a bit of time jumping between chapters set in “the North” which are present time and “the South” which are a previous time in the main character’s life. The geographical area is not specified, but there are clues that it’s most likely in the area that was formerly the United States.
Is there a particular issue this book deals with? Many of the usual dystopian issues, but they are not the main focus of the story. There are repeating elements of trust and friendship throughout the story and they play a large role in the main character’s development.
What genres could this book be categorized in? There are aspects of adventure, and of mystery, and a bit of coming-of-age.
Is there violence in this book? Yes. Notable amounts. There is “standard” fighting, there is a rape without detail and multiple references to rape, there is abduction and human trafficking, a significant injury on-page, aftermath of torture, and more than one non-major character who enjoys harming women.
Is there romance in this book? There is no significant romance on-page. There are several relationship shown, including more than one same-gender pairing.
Did you enjoy reading it? Yes. It’s better than a lot of first books I’ve read. I’m looking forward to the sequel to see what happens in the next stage of our heroine’s journey.
It had a slow start and dragged a bit here and there, though it didn't actually lose momentum. There were a few places where the violence was a bit hard to read. Overall, though, I did really care about the main character and several secondary characters and enjoyed following their story. The time jumps (which I normally don’t care for) were not jarring. The South reminded me a bit of some of FM Busby’s stories about Total Welfare, and the extreme difference between the North and South were striking, and made sense with the narrative. The ending was at a good break point, although I do wish a few more questions about Sam’s background could have been answered without having to wait. I will be waiting to read the sequel as soon as it’s available!
Settings / Time Periods: An undefinable period in the future, at least several generations past “the Decline”, when environmental issues from global warming have caused cataclysmic damage and society has been completely remade. There is a bit of time jumping between chapters set in “the North” which are present time and “the South” which are a previous time in the main character’s life. The geographical area is not specified, but there are clues that it’s most likely in the area that was formerly the United States.
Is there a particular issue this book deals with? Many of the usual dystopian issues, but they are not the main focus of the story. There are repeating elements of trust and friendship throughout the story and they play a large role in the main character’s development.
What genres could this book be categorized in? There are aspects of adventure, and of mystery, and a bit of coming-of-age.
Is there violence in this book? Yes. Notable amounts. There is “standard” fighting, there is a rape without detail and multiple references to rape, there is abduction and human trafficking, a significant injury on-page, aftermath of torture, and more than one non-major character who enjoys harming women.
Is there romance in this book? There is no significant romance on-page. There are several relationship shown, including more than one same-gender pairing.
Did you enjoy reading it? Yes. It’s better than a lot of first books I’ve read. I’m looking forward to the sequel to see what happens in the next stage of our heroine’s journey.
September 6, 2018
I enjoyed The Wolf and The Rain. Our heroine, Samarra (Sam) has a decent-paying job in a dangerous, dystopian world. She becomes obsessed with finding a missing person, Raina; this obsession brings her into increasing danger. Will she solve the mystery?
While I did like the book, it had a slow start for me. The dystopian world is so much unlike ours, and the two storylines, switching from the present day North narrative to the South narrative (which takes place in the past) was confusing at first. Nevertheless, by the end of the book, I was excited to read more to find out the answers to the mysteries that this book was uncovering. I was starting to get to know the characters better, and I found them to be likeable.
By the end of the book, you still don't fully discover the truth about Sam, although there will be a sequel, which I think would be interesting to read. You know that something happened, but don't know quite what.
I wish I could give this book 3 1/2 stars. The book was more interesting than a lot of the books that I give 3 star ratings to, but wasn't quite as compelling as most books I give four stars to. There were also some parts that I found confusing. Nevertheless, this book is good enough for me to want to find out more.
While I did like the book, it had a slow start for me. The dystopian world is so much unlike ours, and the two storylines, switching from the present day North narrative to the South narrative (which takes place in the past) was confusing at first. Nevertheless, by the end of the book, I was excited to read more to find out the answers to the mysteries that this book was uncovering. I was starting to get to know the characters better, and I found them to be likeable.
By the end of the book, you still don't fully discover the truth about Sam, although there will be a sequel, which I think would be interesting to read. You know that something happened, but don't know quite what.
I wish I could give this book 3 1/2 stars. The book was more interesting than a lot of the books that I give 3 star ratings to, but wasn't quite as compelling as most books I give four stars to. There were also some parts that I found confusing. Nevertheless, this book is good enough for me to want to find out more.
September 26, 2018
Voluntary honest review after receiving a free ARC.
An excellent book and fun read, if a bit of a bumpy beginning. It takes a little time to get into it.
After a collapse of civilization due to climate change. The North and South of a country has split into opposites. Divided by a heavily militarized border. The North is chaos and almost anarchy where the only authority are the elite compounds or the gangs there are many ways to die in the harsh living conditions. The people are ruled by superstition and fear. Most of the citizens are illiterate and disease is rampant, even if you go to a "stitcher" it is just as risky or riskier as doing nothing. In the South there is order and an almost totalitarian society where the government uses science and logic asking for complete obedience in return. And that you fill out a form for almost everything, even when choosing a sexual partner.
Samarra (Sam) is the main character. She has made a new home in the North after escaping from the South. She has a job as a carrier to one of the compounds that inhabit the North. Felling guilty about taking the place of a former teammate and daughter of a friend. She becomes obsessed with trying to find out what happened to the missing (possibly dead) girl.
An excellent book and fun read, if a bit of a bumpy beginning. It takes a little time to get into it.
After a collapse of civilization due to climate change. The North and South of a country has split into opposites. Divided by a heavily militarized border. The North is chaos and almost anarchy where the only authority are the elite compounds or the gangs there are many ways to die in the harsh living conditions. The people are ruled by superstition and fear. Most of the citizens are illiterate and disease is rampant, even if you go to a "stitcher" it is just as risky or riskier as doing nothing. In the South there is order and an almost totalitarian society where the government uses science and logic asking for complete obedience in return. And that you fill out a form for almost everything, even when choosing a sexual partner.
Samarra (Sam) is the main character. She has made a new home in the North after escaping from the South. She has a job as a carrier to one of the compounds that inhabit the North. Felling guilty about taking the place of a former teammate and daughter of a friend. She becomes obsessed with trying to find out what happened to the missing (possibly dead) girl.
September 24, 2018
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.
The Wolf and the Rain is set in a dystopian era. The North and the South are kept separate and have formed their own ways of social structure and staying alive. It took me a few chapters to actually get into the story but once I did, it made for a good read. The chapters are all based on either the North or the South and the two separate stories and switching back and forth threw me off until I figured out that's how it was set up. The North chapters is set in 3rd person while the South chapters is set in 1st person, so a lot of switching back and forth but was still pretty well done.
There were some confusing elements for me, mostly based around the main character for the South, I was halfway through the book when I realized that character is male and not female like I thought.
The writing is well done and the author does a good job throwing the reader straight into the heart of the created world. The ending is really good though and makes me want to pick up the sequel when it comes out.
The Wolf and the Rain is set in a dystopian era. The North and the South are kept separate and have formed their own ways of social structure and staying alive. It took me a few chapters to actually get into the story but once I did, it made for a good read. The chapters are all based on either the North or the South and the two separate stories and switching back and forth threw me off until I figured out that's how it was set up. The North chapters is set in 3rd person while the South chapters is set in 1st person, so a lot of switching back and forth but was still pretty well done.
There were some confusing elements for me, mostly based around the main character for the South, I was halfway through the book when I realized that character is male and not female like I thought.
The writing is well done and the author does a good job throwing the reader straight into the heart of the created world. The ending is really good though and makes me want to pick up the sequel when it comes out.
March 22, 2020
*I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.*
Whew. That was one heck of a roller-coaster ride! There's a lot to love about this book. The dystopian future it's set in is unlike any I've encountered before, and the world is extremely well-developed and very much believable. Sam is a fierce, compelling heroine whose story I'm excited to learn more about. The supporting characters aren't relegated to the shadows; they all have their moments to shine. Sam's developing relationships with her teammates and friends felt natural and realistic. And the mystery at the heart of the novel is full of twists and turns. Which actually leads to my only complaint: it's still unsolved at the end of this book. I had no idea that this was the first book in a series, but the ending makes that very clear. There's very little resolution in this book by itself, so if you're someone who likes to avoid cliffhangers, I would definitely wait to pick this one up until after the sequel is released. That being said, I am absolutely looking forward to reading the sequel, and I'm glad I got the opportunity to be introduced to this world and its inhabitants.
Whew. That was one heck of a roller-coaster ride! There's a lot to love about this book. The dystopian future it's set in is unlike any I've encountered before, and the world is extremely well-developed and very much believable. Sam is a fierce, compelling heroine whose story I'm excited to learn more about. The supporting characters aren't relegated to the shadows; they all have their moments to shine. Sam's developing relationships with her teammates and friends felt natural and realistic. And the mystery at the heart of the novel is full of twists and turns. Which actually leads to my only complaint: it's still unsolved at the end of this book. I had no idea that this was the first book in a series, but the ending makes that very clear. There's very little resolution in this book by itself, so if you're someone who likes to avoid cliffhangers, I would definitely wait to pick this one up until after the sequel is released. That being said, I am absolutely looking forward to reading the sequel, and I'm glad I got the opportunity to be introduced to this world and its inhabitants.
November 6, 2020
2.5 stars rounded up to 3.
Told through the eyes of Sam, born and raised in the South but living in hiding in the North. Two different countries/worlds of post-apocalyptic dystopias. Although the South appears superficially utopian with its retention of technology, literacy and health care.
Most of the stars, are for the characterisation, and the novel is more character driven, than plot-driven. Tanya Lee has drawn a cast of characters that are for the most part, (with a couple of exceptions) engaging and empathetic for the reader. In my case, I do want to know what happens to them.
Not so great on the world-building, or the main plot drivers. Some things were too predictable. I found it difficult to 'suspend disbelief' in either the South or North scenarios, which detracted a little from my enjoyment. I found myself rolling my eyes, and thinking Seriously? You expect me to buy that? in a few scenes.
Overall, these were minor quibbles, and expected in an inexperienced author, and Im looking forward to the next book in the series.
Told through the eyes of Sam, born and raised in the South but living in hiding in the North. Two different countries/worlds of post-apocalyptic dystopias. Although the South appears superficially utopian with its retention of technology, literacy and health care.
Most of the stars, are for the characterisation, and the novel is more character driven, than plot-driven. Tanya Lee has drawn a cast of characters that are for the most part, (with a couple of exceptions) engaging and empathetic for the reader. In my case, I do want to know what happens to them.
Not so great on the world-building, or the main plot drivers. Some things were too predictable. I found it difficult to 'suspend disbelief' in either the South or North scenarios, which detracted a little from my enjoyment. I found myself rolling my eyes, and thinking Seriously? You expect me to buy that? in a few scenes.
Overall, these were minor quibbles, and expected in an inexperienced author, and Im looking forward to the next book in the series.
January 1, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. I generally enjoy the dystopian setting, but at times it can be a hit or a miss for me. The Wolf and the Rain is definitely a hit. Great story line, with lots of drama, twists and turns and two very interesting parallel societies with great characters and character development made this a page turner for me. The two societies were both laid to waste by the effects of climate change. The main story takes place in an unruly, festering society plagued by crime and gang rule, where the main character (a very battle capable Samarra) ekes out a living as an errand girl for a crime family. The story often flashes back to give insight as to where she developed her skills under a highly authoritarian, ordered, protect our borders at all costs rule.
April 6, 2020
I voluntarily reviewed this book after receiving a free copy.
After reading this book, I found out that dystopian fantasy is not really my thing. I did get attached to the characters though. Making it all the more hard for me when one of them dies.
I liked the main character Sam. She was believable and honest. I really did like all the characters. I loved the twins and Jackal!
Things I didn't like. The setting of unfairness in the Barrow. The girls being kidnapped. And other things that went on like the aftermath of a rape scene in the North.
I don't think I would recommend this book to anyone under 16.
After reading this book, I found out that dystopian fantasy is not really my thing. I did get attached to the characters though. Making it all the more hard for me when one of them dies.
I liked the main character Sam. She was believable and honest. I really did like all the characters. I loved the twins and Jackal!
Things I didn't like. The setting of unfairness in the Barrow. The girls being kidnapped. And other things that went on like the aftermath of a rape scene in the North.
I don't think I would recommend this book to anyone under 16.
July 4, 2018
Dystopian, apocalyptic novel... that alone is enough for at least a cursory read. There were moments of brief questioning but never really regret. Here is a book that straddles two worlds, that delves into disparate, cultures, characters and people, but still leaves us haunted by tantalizing mysteries. It's a Wall-E, garbage-encrusted world, infused with barbarity and inhumanity. Yet, it's still the story of a girl, her cat, and the haphazard misadventures that always lead her home...
April 22, 2019
Finished two thirds through but the book was less and less about the fascinating dystopian world the writer created and more about feminist BAMF angst. I think if I was in the mood for the character driven aspect, I might have been more enamored about the book. The book was well written; just not the taste I was in the mood for at the moment. Might give it another chance down the road.
June 12, 2020
We are proud to announce that THE WOLF AND THE RAIN by Tanya Lee is a B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree. This tells readers that this book is well worth their time and money!
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December 31, 2021Update: finished it. Maybe I should’ve read the synopsis. I just didn’t know what was going on until the last few chapters and still I’m like huh? No real storyline to follow. This chick named Sam is running around a super muddy area in “the north”. She mentions the trash strewn all over the place so often that I felt like I needed a shower. She’s originally from “the south” and I never figured out exactly why she left. She had acquaintances in the south and something closer to friends in the north. They experience weird life together on both sides of the map. Also they all just happen to know how to fight really good across the globe. I don’t have the time right now to find a new dystopian series so I decided to finish this book and move onto the sequel because it’s my comfort genre. Side note: author has a great vocabulary, especially when it comes to castle stuff.
DNF- I just cannot get into this book! I mean each minute detail is dragged out in a scene and yet I have no idea what the heck is going on. I’m 47% into it and it’s enough to say no thanks🤚 I wanted to like this book so bad. I pushed pay the point of boredom. Is just not going anywhere and not making any sense
DNF- I just cannot get into this book! I mean each minute detail is dragged out in a scene and yet I have no idea what the heck is going on. I’m 47% into it and it’s enough to say no thanks🤚 I wanted to like this book so bad. I pushed pay the point of boredom. Is just not going anywhere and not making any sense
September 2, 2018
AMAZING. That is pretty much all that I had the capacity to think of after I finished this book.
Yes its a dystopian novel, but in a world set so differently that I personally couldn’t find much similarities with any other novel I have read!
Beautiful wroting style and this book hd me so enraptured that I could not put it down forgoing my other hobbies and work I just finished it. Once I got into it.
Unfortunately the only hard thing about this book was getting into it because it seemed lengthy yet confusing in the beginning. I could’ve done with more background info in the beginning but once I got the hang of it whewwww.
This book needed brain power at first bit after that you are so engrossed in the world it doesnt matter if your eyes are dropping😂.
So why I found it confusing was due to two points of view presented in this novel. One from the south and other from the north of the area.
But thats it. And what with the story, the courage, the secret badass spirit of our heroine and how it slowly came to light. Loved every second of it!
I hope to see more books from you Ms Lee!! Please sign me up!!
I just finished and I already can not wait for the sequel to be out😻😻😻
If you are still reading please instead go and pick this book. Trust me its way more better than my fangirling over the book.
Yes its a dystopian novel, but in a world set so differently that I personally couldn’t find much similarities with any other novel I have read!
Beautiful wroting style and this book hd me so enraptured that I could not put it down forgoing my other hobbies and work I just finished it. Once I got into it.
Unfortunately the only hard thing about this book was getting into it because it seemed lengthy yet confusing in the beginning. I could’ve done with more background info in the beginning but once I got the hang of it whewwww.
This book needed brain power at first bit after that you are so engrossed in the world it doesnt matter if your eyes are dropping😂.
So why I found it confusing was due to two points of view presented in this novel. One from the south and other from the north of the area.
But thats it. And what with the story, the courage, the secret badass spirit of our heroine and how it slowly came to light. Loved every second of it!
I hope to see more books from you Ms Lee!! Please sign me up!!
I just finished and I already can not wait for the sequel to be out😻😻😻
If you are still reading please instead go and pick this book. Trust me its way more better than my fangirling over the book.
August 30, 2018
I enjoyed this book immensely. The writer is able to weave a beautiful tale of one girl that seeks to change her past by helping find girls that were taken to the South for unknown reasons. The setting of dystopian land in that was split apart into the North and South. The North ran by gangs, Compounds, and covered in trash is an every man for themselves. The South a place where technology, sanitation, and strict rules must be followed. The book follows Sam while she makes up for her past and a look at her past. This book shows that in order to thrive one must survive their life past and present. I look forward to any additional books in this possible series.
September 10, 2018
After Global warming has divided the continent, the South, though drought-stricken, is completely controlled by an administration that values uniformity and all for one ideology; and the North is a rainy, mud-filled free-for-all of complete, unregulated chaos.
We are introduced to Sam, a Southern soldier pretending to be a Northerner, although we are never told why or how she comes to be here. Through flash-backs we are able to see part of her early life in the South all the up until her training to defend the Southern territory. We come to her some time after she has installed herself into life in the North. After taking a liking to Ava, she learns that Ava’s daughter has gone missing. Her desire to find the truth about the girl’s disappearance takes us into the darkest places that the North has to offer, his seething underbelly and it’s slimy corruption.
Sam learns that although the she is miles away from her former life in the South, it has a long reach and the answer to the problem she is trying to solve in the North may lie in her past.
There was just enough missing from the flashback period to keep the reader wanting to have those gaps filled in. Who is Sam really? How did she come to be here? There was enough left open at the end to make for a good foundation on which to build a series.
We are introduced to Sam, a Southern soldier pretending to be a Northerner, although we are never told why or how she comes to be here. Through flash-backs we are able to see part of her early life in the South all the up until her training to defend the Southern territory. We come to her some time after she has installed herself into life in the North. After taking a liking to Ava, she learns that Ava’s daughter has gone missing. Her desire to find the truth about the girl’s disappearance takes us into the darkest places that the North has to offer, his seething underbelly and it’s slimy corruption.
Sam learns that although the she is miles away from her former life in the South, it has a long reach and the answer to the problem she is trying to solve in the North may lie in her past.
There was just enough missing from the flashback period to keep the reader wanting to have those gaps filled in. Who is Sam really? How did she come to be here? There was enough left open at the end to make for a good foundation on which to build a series.
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