This highly engaging and adventurous tale will appeal to readers who want to enter another world and who also have never felt like they fit in. The main character will certainly be emulated by girl readers. The theme of finding your face and figuring out who you are is always timely for the targeted age group. Highly recommend for readers who want to immerse themselves in another world with lush descriptions and vivid characters.

Drest is the only daughter of the Mad Wolf - the leader of a war-band that includes all her brothers. One night they are set upon by some knights and all are captured except Drest. She alone witnesses 2 of the knights fighting and one being pushed into the sea. She is able to rescue the injured knight and gets him to agree to release one member of her family if she can get him safely back to the castle. Along the way they meet many people who have different versions of her father and his band than she has heard before. She also comes to care for her captive. Can she get to the castle in time to save her family and the knight?
This is the debut novel of a Maine author and as such I applaud the book. I found it lagged a bit in places but it may be that my own reading was a bit scattered in the last week. I wished there had been more about the uncle and the castle intrigue - assuming that will come in a sequel.

There is just something about middle grade novels that makes me feel so happy and safe and I just can't get enough of them. The Mad Wolf's Daughter is no exception. I read the entirety of the novel in less than a day, so engrossed in the story that I just had to finish it then and there. It was a fun read, but that doesn't stop the story from being meaningful. It gave me nostalgia for Ranger's Apprentice, and makes me want to read more MG at the moment.

I really enjoyed the story. It was straight-forward, but Magras added enough twists and turns throughout the narrative so that it didn't seem that way. The count down had me at the edge of my seat, and Drest's adventures on the way to save her family were very heartwarming and entertaining. I love how Drest was so adamant to follow her father's code, despite her father not even being there. Each twist of the plot was because Drest chose to be a good person, putting others before herself and her needs. Even when it would have benefited her to walk away, Drest recognized that something was wrong and that it had to be remedied.

Each character was very entertaining and lovable. I probably loved Drest and her relationship with Emerick (the injured knight) the most, mainly because there was no forced romance between them. I was so thankful for that, because the friendship that develops between the two of them is beautiful. I especially enjoyed Tig as well, with Merewen coming in a close second.

The last thing I want to mention is that ending!!! I was honestly shocked, and hadn't been expecting it, so I was emotional for a little while? But I especially loved how it ended, and how Drest took things into her own hands.

Final Rating: ★★★★★
Overall?
I really need to read more middle grade. The Mad Wolf's Daughter is an amazingly fun novel that was full of twists and turns. I love how it centered friendship and doing what's right, while also standing up for yourself. Magras focused on important lessons while also making the story fun and interesting.

Would I Recommend?
Yes! Especially if you're looking for middle grade fantasies. I really hope Magras decides to write a sequel, because the ending was left very open for the possibility. If there is one, you can bet that I'll snatch it up with no hesitation.

Drest is an absolutely marvelous character who will stick with readers for a long time. An adventure story with family as a central theme, this book has a classic feel. Highly recommended!

Drest is awesome - strong, smart, fierce and determined. She hops right into action and does not flinch from doing what is right even if it is terrifying and difficult. She is tough, doesn't give up, and is supported by all of her brother's voices in her head throughout her journey. The pacing is frantic, full of peril, the adventure doesn't stop. It is refreshing to see such a strong heroine fighting tooth-and-nail for who she loves. She makes mistakes, but she always tries to do what she believes to be true and correct.

There were a few things that I did not love. In the beginning, when her family is taken, I thought it odd that none of her brothers would take her warning seriously, as she saw the knights coming to attack well in advance and repeatedly told them that danger was coming.
Also, Drest's Father had told her to be strong, 'for she was not like the frail women and girls that his code had sworn them to protect...' It's not enough that so many books today have that lead heroine who is 'not like other women', do we have to have this in middle grade fiction as well?

Full of action, a bit disjointed, lovely heroine.