This story was brilliant, the plot was great but the characters really made it. They we so real and intriguing throughout. I'll definitely be looking to read other books by this author.

While I really liked this story, I do wish we'd gotten more time to really get into the relationship and the world more. It was a fast, fun read but I would definitely have liked it better as a longer story!

I enjoyed this - it was fast paced and didn't get hung up on unnecessary details. My only gripe, is that, and I don't know if I've actually ever said this - but I almost wish it had been a little longer. I wasn't quite ready to leave this world yet or the characters. Maybe I read it too quickly (and that would be 100% on me) but I have to be honest, I was kind of sad when it was all over. That said - I guess you could also chalk that up to a successful novel!

I found the world and the magic in this book really interesting and think it should have been explained and explored a bit more. It felt like the different cities were merely name dropped and yes, you get the gist of the state of the territorial relationships and the reason for the main conflict, but it still felt a bit underdeveloped on that front. Other than that, it was an easy read and I found the last part specially action-packed. Overall, I give it three stars.

The premise of this book sounded interesting: in this fantasy world, royal marriages can be arranged between two men, and this is what happens to Derek and Callan. Their two nations were at war, and after the battle that killed Derek’s father, the reparations included Derek marrying Callan.

Enemies to lovers is a wonderful trope, but the execution of this one was fairly lacking.
I don’t want to give too much away, but I found the source of the conflict to be somewhat surprising, and then that character’s motivation wasn’t very convincing.

Likewise, Derek and Callan’s chemistry wasn’t enough to cover the issues with the plot.

This book did have some good points, like the original fantasy world and its marriage dynamic that wasn’t limited by gender, so I would rate it 3/5.

I enjoyed The Wolf and the Sparrow, it was an easy read with all my faves - fantasy, magic, politics, and an enemies to lovers trope. I liked the male MCs (although I really couldn't buy in to a fantasy prince called Derek!) but felt that they moved from enemies in war to HEA waaay too quickly. The pacing didn't totally work for me, and there was a lot more world building and developing of characters, plot lines etc. that still needed to be done IMO (maybe the book was too short?) But overall a good 3 star read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the eARC :)

_#NetGalley #TheWolfandtheSparrow

If you liked 'Captive Prince' by C S Pacat, but wanted more politics, fantasy and romance, and less problematic and slightly questionable themes and scenes- this book is for you!

It features an enemies to lovers male/male romance, but it is super wholesome and cute.

"sometimes we leave because we care too much to stay"

Derek and Callen, our two main characters are forced into an arranged marriage to try and mend the bad blood between their families. In this world, relationships are not exclusively M/F, as many of these historical fantasies tend to be. While Callen had previously been in a relationship with a woman, no one considers it strange that he is marrying a male. I loved that this story didn't have the typical struggling about your sexuality, and constantly being defied because of who you love. Don't get me wrong, that is such an important and topical issue- but it is nice to escape to a fantasy world where LGBTI+ relationships are just a part of life, nothing out of the ordinary.

My only issues with this book is the pacing and instalove. Despite this being enemies to lovers, the two characters went from hating each other to saving each others' lives in a very short period of time. I wish the romance was a little bit more developed.

This book came out on the 25th of November, so overall I would definitely recommend checking it out!

"he was sixteen- the age when everything was painted black and white, right and wrong, with nothing in between. Both Derek and their mother knew all too well how washed-out those colours became in time"

I thought this book was really good! However, I had a few issues with the fast pacing of the story. It left little time for actual in-depth world and relationship building. There were a lot of descriptions and explanations about the characters, the monarchy, the countries and the different islands, but I feel that the conflict at the end as well as the romance that was built up still needed more pages than this book has for me to fully appreciate it. The romance was very rushed in my opinion.

However, I want to mention things I liked about this story because I liked more than I disliked. We get two POV’s which is always nice. Also, even with the rushing, there was a lovely LGBTQ+ romance in this story and the rushed nature of it was addressed by the characters. There was also a lot of representation in this book in general. All of it was executed very well in my opinion. I felt each character was distinct in their personalities and motives and I connected with them. I didn’t feel that any of the representation was forced or poorly written either.

SPOILER-FREE SUMMARY
Count of Camria, Derek just lost his father in a war against Mulberny when he receives a letter proposing an arranged marriage between himself and the Duke of Mulberny, Callan - the son of the man who caused his father’s death. With a peace treaty at stake, the two men have to agree to the terms and wed. Immediately after, raids on Mulberny increase and war with the Outer Isles is ever looming. Will Derek and Callan be able to stop the raids, end the war, and learn to live together as husbands?

This book contains a complex fantasy world with deep history and conflict. Plus, the whole concept of two royal sons being forced into an arranged marriage? What ever could go wrong? Lol. I enjoyed this read and found that it was a quick one too. I recommend it if you like fantasy, action and adventure and the enemies to lovers trope. Be warned though, this book is definitely adult fantasy and contains adult content!

The Wolf and the Sparrow follows the arranged marriage between Callan and Derek to solidify a peace treaty between their respective lands. Neither one of them is much interested in the idea. Derek because his whole family thinks he'll have an unfortunate accident like Callan's first political spouse. Callan because he has zero self-worth and thinks everyone he cares about is doomed. Which has a habit of manifesting itself as thoughts about how unattractive every one is. Also their fathers just had a rather pointless war, so they're supposed to be enemies?

The wedding ceremony is rushed because Callan is to go investigate raids on their coasts. Then Derek is determined to go with him because those are his people now even though they were literally locked in a deadly battle like a week ago? If Derek's family is so concerned about him being killed, and they literally had no intention of Derek living with Callan after the wedding ceremony since it was in name only, why didn't they just send someone more expendable for the ring ceremony? Is that not an option in this world? Did there even have to be a ceremony at all since it was supposed to be a marriage in name only? Was this just some elaborate plot to get them in the same building together? And if they were so worried about Derek, why did they send both of his brothers with him? The whole point of the heir and the spare isn't to send them all into the same dangerous situation. I mean, I guess there was something about Callan would get the land if Derek were to die once they were married, but I'm sure they could have fought that, especially if they had reason to believe that there was foul play involved. Honestly, the first couple of chapters seem disconnected from the rest of the book, mostly because of the hasty development of their relationship. And I'm not just talking about the sudden wedding. Callan and Derek go from hating each other to endless sacrificing for the other after talking, like, two times. Another fifty pages or so would not have gone amiss to further develop their relationship. By the time we got to the midway point, I was thinking about how much better their relationship read as an established relationship. Then they would have been totally adorable and I would have been more emotionally invested in the obligatory break up scene. As it was I was thinking, "well, you did only know each other for like a week."

Quips about the romance aside, the rest of the plot is where The Wolf and the Sparrow shines. It's oddly reminiscent of Robin Hobb's The Farseer Trilogy at times. There are devastating coastal raids. There's a forbidden magic in the royal lineage that is best not to talk about in any company. Magic which Callan uses to commune with wolves on more than one occasion. I definitely could have used more world building, largely because i couldn't get enough of it. I'd be interested in hearing more about how the magic works, and how its going to be used going forward.

The minor characters were mostly forgettable. I couldn't remember how many siblings either of them had since none of them were remarkable. I was, however, upset about the fridging of a certain character, because it didn't seem like it added anything to the plot. Just something else for the main characters to brood about and had no lasting impact. All in all, The Wolf and the Sparrow is an enjoyable light read, that took only about four hours to finish.

Well, this was certainly a charming, if quick, read! I found the story very fast paced, perhaps a bit too fast at times, but it did mean I was rarely bored reading it and found myself looking forward to what came next.

I liked both the main characters, Callan and Derek, though I would have preferred to get to know them longer and found them both very sweet with each other.

I would say my main issue with this book was the length of it. There were so many characters that barely got the development or inclusion they could have, like Derek's youngest brother. I found that the MCs fell in favour with each other very quickly and I prefer a slower realisation. However, the book was well-written and I would certainly read another book by the author!

Thank you to NetGalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review!

This was an ok read. It kept my attention but I found some parts of it predictable and easily resolved. It was an interesting storyline and concept but it was slightly rushed.
It would have been nice to have a deeper exploration into the witches element as well as more background into the war and previous marriage.
Overall it was an easy and quick read.

Arranged marriage with the enemy is one of my favorite trope in romance so when I saw this title in the list, I didn't even hesitate!

But, maybe, I had high expectations.

The Wolf and the Sparrow is still a lovely romance between two misunderstood young men but there was no special spark to my opinion. The evolution of the mutual feeling and the understanding of each other are slow and very peaceful. I expected more with the few first page when the two main characters, their surrondings, and the reason of their conflict, are introduced.

I was kind of taken aback as well with the magic part when the world building is not evolving a lot around magic and the fact that we don't really learn a thing about it.

Otherwise, I was quitely fond of the characters and especially Callan. Derek and Callan are both gentle and kind. Their personalities well go together. Callan is a real sweartheart and the fact that he's been deeply hurt add something very fragile about him.

In conclusion, it was a good read but unfortunately too conventional and too easy to my taste.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 stars
**Thank you NetGally and Nine Star Press for sending me an arc for an honest review**
*
Do you need a new M/M romance in your life? Behold! The Wolf and the Sparrow was an entertaining and fast read! Release date is 11/25/2019!
*
This book wasn’t perfect by an means, but I enjoyed the read nonetheless. I wish there was at least another 100 pages of content, I could have used more angst or romance building... or hell, ever a more fleshed out magic system. But, this story is LGBT romance above all else, so I wasn’t expecting the fantasy elements to be that detailed.
*
This was less an “enemies-to-lovers” and more “begrudgingly-tolerated-to-lovers”... which was still entertaining enough! Two people forced into an arranged marriage for the sake of political gain will always be a trope that I adore.
*
Our poor characters never got a chance to relax in this story. I was tired for them. So much gets thrown their way in so few pages. This book is only 300 pages long (for my E-arc) and these guys didn’t get a chance to breath!
*
All in all, this book was a fun read. I finished it in a little over a day! Definitely a good book to get you out of a reading slump! Plus, the cover is GORGEOUS!!!
*

Title : The Wolf and The Sparrow
Author: Isabelle Adler
Genre:LGTBQIA romance
Rating: 3
Derek never wished to inherit his title as a result of a bloody battle. With the old count dead and the truce dependent on his marriage to the rival duke’s son, Derek has no choice but to agree to the victor’s terms in order to bring peace to his homeland. When he learns of the sinister rumors surrounding his intended groom, Derek begins to have doubts—but there can be no turning back from saying I do.
After the death of his wife, Callan of Mulberny never expected to be forced into another political marriage—especially not to someone like the new Count of Camria. Seemingly soft and meek, it’s only fitting that Derek’s family crest is a flighty sparrow, worthy of nothing but contempt.
Another war with the seafaring people of the Outer Isles looms on the horizon, and the reluctant newlyweds must team together to protect those caught in the circle of violence. Derek and Callan slowly learn to let go of their prejudices, but as they find themselves enmeshed in intrigue fueled by dark secrets and revenge, their tentative bond is all that keeps their world—and their lives—from plunging into chaos.

My thoughts
Would I recommend it ? Yes, but only to ones that read same sex romance.
Would I read anything else by this author? Maybe
This was my first time reading this author and I can see why some people like her stuff, she has away of bring her fantasy stories to life and the way she describes her world's are amazing ,so much so that it doesn't take anything from the rest of her story. As for the romance its self it was slow going but in some way it was just what this story need, and it helped make the story more enjoyable as well because it showed the characters had a chance to get to know one other better. With that said I want to say thank you to NetGalley as well as to the publisher for letting me read and review it exchange for my honest opinion.

<i>arc provided by netgalley in exchange for an honest review</i>

I didn’t really know anything about this book going into it besides the fact that it was fantasy and there were two queer princes and some type of conflict so I wasn’t sure what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised.

We follow Derek, injured and mourning the death of his father after he started a battle with an enemy kingdom. That enemy kingdom ends up wanting Derek to marry the Duke’s son, Callan, to broker for peace.

At first, I wasn’t too keen on Derek and Callan and their relationship just because a lot of it seemed very rushed. I liked them as characters individually but it wasn’t until much further into the story did I start to like them together as a couple. I was really glad that it wasn’t too insta-lovey. Their relationship still happened quickly, over the span of a week but it was somewhat believable, especially by the end of the book. They fit each other’s characters and each other’s personalities very well.

The plot and the world building were confusing at first as we were just thrust into the book right after a battle, not knowing the world and the conflicts. The plot still felt pretty rushed and I think it would’ve been a lot better if things had been dragged out more and we got to learn more about each kingdom and clan and learn each character better but for a standalone fantasy, it was still enjoyable.

I did really enjoy the writing and I would definitely try something else by this author.

3/5 ⭐️

TW: death, death of a parent, hints/details of torture

I loved this story. It is well written, entertaining and keeps you interested in what is going to happen next. Callan has married Derek after a hard fought battle and unknown to the two of them Callan’s father plans to have Derek murdered in order to start another war. I am not much into battles or fighting and even though that is a large part of this book it does not overwhelm or take away from the love story that unfolds. I have never read a book by this author but if her other books are of this caliber I will definitely read more. I would highly recommend this book as a great read.

*My thanks, of course, to the publisher for granting me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

The Wolf and the Sparrow begins with a marriage of convenience between Derek and Callan, who's territories have just come from a bloody spat over the location of a dam. Their interest in each other is non-existent, both believing the marriage can be ignored. When Derek is kidnapped by the vicious Agiennan, Callan gives chase and soon discovers things about himself and his own family that will change everything.

This book was chock full of tropes and ideas that I believe have much potential but simply were not executed to the best of their abilities. Enemies to Lovers is certainly a favorite of mine, but I found myself immediately turned off by Callan's behavior and his constant, bitter judgment of everyone around him. A common mistake made with this trope is that often people think that the characters have to be absolute garbage to each other before magically falling in love, and that is what happens here. The author had an odd habit of putting conditions on the attractiveness level of others through Callan's POV, often having him think things like "he could not be considered strikingly beautiful by any standard" or "she was no great beauty" is if allowing Callan to think someone beautiful before he'd fallen madly in love (again) was going to ruin it.

Simply put, I did not believe that Callan and Derek had romantic chemistry. Over the span of a week and some change, we are to believe that they overcome their disdain for each other through moments that really would have served to do little more than grant grudging respect, but certainly not love. Any tension brought between them could be boiled down to lust and adrenaline, but by the time they were professing love, I was distinctly just wanting them to be friends.

The magic, the witches, the commune with the animals — all concepts I adore— appeared to come as an afterthought in the story. Callan was obviously aware that he was different somehow and yet we do not hear anything about this power of his until well into the book, only for it to drop off again until it is convenient. I sorely wish this was explored in-depth, as it could have brought a new layer to Callan's character that I found him lacking.

I needed more, that is really the gist of it. I needed more development in all of the relationships, in the tension of the plot, in the conflict between characters(most of which were deflected far too easily), and more explanation about just why/how magic worked in this world. Just. More.

The basic premise: one of our protagonists has to get married to the other as part of a peace treaty between their nations. They initially don't understand or appreciate each other, with one of them having the requisite painful previous relationship experience (in this case, dead but perfect wife) until hijinks ensue and they come to Know One Another Better.

To be honest, this was just okay - a bit formulaic in parts but not the worst thing I've ever read. Unfortunately, I spent a good chunk of the later part of the book watching the page count rise and waiting for a plot twist to kick in (as well as thinking how I would have made it more exciting by doing so) and when it came I was disappointed.

My alterna-plot involved the dead wife, who wasn't really dead (the moment a body turns up too mangled to identify, that sets my suspicious nature going!) and who was kidnapped by someone who wanted her husband to suffer. She'd then turn up partway through this book, but after her husband has fallen for the new guy, cue lots of angst and guilt which is resolved by them eventually entering into a poly relationship and living happily ever after.

I should probably mention that now, thanks mostly to The Good Place, I am incapable of taking the name 'Derek' seriously. My brain kept going 'maximum Derek' at inopportune moments! This seemed a really weird choice for a second world fantasy character.

I liked the beginning and setup of the story; I think it helped that the world was kept small, fiefdoms instead of kingdoms make for a more intimate setting with smaller stakes.
While the writing was fine, the story is very rushed. Only about a month passes in between those 300 pages.
Derek can immediately tell that Callan has a cold exterior but a heart of gold who simply need love to be happy again. Callan can immediately recognize that there is a steel personality beneath his nice gestures. It's too obvious to both of them that they will be lovers. Derek is also too trustworthy, it would have been so interesting to see him struggle morewhether or not Callan killed his wife or not.
And everything is very conveniently or obviously laid out for the reader. The raiding, the possible magic, the suspected murder(s), I mean Logitt explains the twist of the novel! It was frustrating because the setting was very well developed and could have helped to develop the characters.
There was no actual development beyond the characters and it was unbelievable that they were in love after two weeks.

This book was in every way a Twinkie: light, fluffy, overly sweet, unfulfilling, and very artificial. None of the characters or world building was developed, the leads were overidealized and emasculated, the romance was an over dominant insta-luv cliche, and nothing interesting happened. The writing itself was bland to the point of being particular insubstantial and there were far too many overused phrases (e.g., 'wreak havoc').

Story: In a generic fantasy kingdom, sons of two Dukes are reeling from a recent war between their fathers that neither feel should have happened. To cement an alliance and end the war, Derek is wed to Callan. Unfortunately for both, Callan's dukedom is being threatened by islander pirates. The two must learn to work together to face this new threat. But Callan has a secret that could destroy their burgeoning relationship.

So...the usual tropes are here:

- Insta luv within a few pages. Our two leads go from indifference and antagonism to full on "I can't live without you." Completely underdeveloped
- A character will discover he/she has a magical ability that is forbidden - and so inexplicably no one knows how to use it and he has to figure it out on his own. And as is usually the case, it becomes a deus ex machina to 'save the world'.
- The leads are HIGHLY overidealized. Too good to be true and soppy in love, they have no other redeeming characteristic other than their shining goodness.
- An overweening white knight syndrome plot that dwarfs every other aspect of the book. Cue kidnapping so one has to save the other. Cue endless sacrifices to save the other. Endless.
- Previous love interest causing drama for the relationship. Can we PLEASE stop with this overused trope?

The writing itself is so banal as to be almost a fan fiction of generic fantasy romances. Each of the men felt more like women and there is a lot of tell rather than show to demonstrate these are two masculine men hard trained for war. Most of the time they are exploring their feelings or wondering about the other guy. Honestly, I thought this was written about two women since their actions and reactions were bog standard for bodice rippers and hackney romances.

Obviously, I did not enjoy this book and was disappointed. There needs to be so much more, including an original voice and nuanced characters and world building. Even as a romance, it failed in that there was no chemistry or organic development to make the attraction believable. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.