The Wolf’s Curse is an amazing middle-grade story about a 12-year-boy named Gauge who lives in a village with his grandpapá. The narrator of this story is a white wolf who’s seeking another to take her place. Villagers in the community believe that the wolf brings death and that witches call her. In truth, Gauge has had previous encounters with the wolf before, but nobody from the outside has a clue. After the sudden death of his grandpapá, Gauge is accused of calling the wolf, and his world is flipped upside down. Full of anger and confusion, he sets out on a venture to avenge them both.

I read beforehand that this story was a ‘Grim reaper’ retelling. I’ve always been a fanatic for retellings, and it’s what led me to this book, but this story is unique and nothing like what I expected. The narrator truly speaks to the reader and immerses you in the story.

Beautiful descriptions, perfect pacing, interesting characters, and a touch of mystery makes this one of my favorite middle-grade books this year. I personally thought the world-building was excellent and appreciated the way everything was buttoned-up in the end. With themes of death and grief, I might caution it for very young readers because it does have some emotion, but it’s dealt with gracefully. I’m sure that most readers of any age will enjoy this story, especially those who enjoy reading fantasy.

Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to TBR & Beyond Tours, Jessica Vitalis, Netgalley, and Greenwillow Books for this free copy. All quotes in this review are taken from the Advanced Reader Copy and may change in final publication.

I think I had even more of an appreciation for this novel after watching an interview with Jessica Vitalis talk more about her inspiration for this story. Knowing that some part of this was inspired by the narration of The Book Thief and using a character like Death to tell the story was really cool.

I enjoyed being able to see life through someone else’s eyes, and also getting to see just how much Gauge’s life has changed since everything happened. Of course, people don’t always believe a child when something happens, because apparently young people don’t know the difference between real and fake right? But luckily Gauge is able to work with another person in this quest.

I also really liked how Vitalis dealt with grief through the eyes of these characters, and I think that this was a beautiful story to read. This was also my first time reading a book from Vitalis, and I am curious to read future novels from her.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a free advanced copy of this book to read and review.

Multi layered and lyrical, this is a story of survival, story, belief, and, most of all, love. Highly recommend for readers of fantasy and fables.

Really loved the twist with the wolf and how the world is presented. Definitely a lesson to all writers that children's lit can be beautiful.

This was a cute reading, honest and beautiful that made me tear up in several parts. I would recommend this book both to adults and kids I feel that it teaches us a very important lesson.

I sat down and read this in one go. Definitely made me tear up in several places. It’s maybe a bit on-the-nose for me right now, considering the protagonist loses his grandfather. Still, relatable books are some of the best! I love middle grade books that tackle grief, and this one definitely does that. It’s a little dark, so maybe not for the younger crowd, but in a way that I think 8+ will understand and really relate to. Gauge is trying to find his place in the world while also mourning the loss of his grandfather. The world is magical and slightly dark, but filled with beauty too, and Vitalis does a marvelous job balancing the two.

I loved this story so much!!! Lyrical, poignant, and a page turner with a fantastic narrator. Children will appreciate the voice of the Wolf and the honest and beautiful way grief and friendship are woven throughout.

Loved the atmosphere, narrator, and setting for this book! An interesting look at death and the rituals that surround it in a way both kids and adults can appreciate. Lovely writing and compelling characters.

The Wolf's Curse by Jessica Vitalis is pure magic. The way Vitalis approaches subjects like death, grief, found family, tradition, and more is so skilled and invites young readers (and adults) to explore their feelings around these subjects, especially throughout the pandemic.

One thing I loved about this book is the accuracy of how it feels to be a young person in an adult's world. I instantly related to Roux and Gauge and their struggles to discover things adults left out in teaching them about the world. There are so many great moments throughout this book where both characters come into their own or stand up for each other, and I think those moments will be super powerful for young readers to read.

I thought it was clever of Vitalis to make the Wolf the narrator, and it reminded me a lot of Markus Zusak's The Book Theif. The Wolf being the narrator was such a great choice because young readers get to hear the voice of an adult, an adult who cannot interfere with Gauge and Roux's feelings, thoughts, and actions, throughout the trials and tribulations of the book. She gives so much insight into the fact that adults are not perfect either but trying their best. I think she also embodied the importance of time and that eternity isn't that grand if you can't spend it with your loved ones.

Overall, I thought this book was a fun read full of adventure and thoughtful moments. I know people say this often, but I mean it when I say I did not want this book to end. It was hard to pull myself out of Roux and Gage's world, and I will most likely be rereading this book because there is just so much to think about and explore within its pages. Having been a children's bookseller previously, I have a strong feeling young readers are going to LOVE the sassiness of the Wolf's narration. While kids will find many moments to giggle at, they will also find many moments to grow in their thoughts and feelings. Books like The Wolf's Curse make me feel good knowing kids will have such important stories to grab off bookshelves, and I can't wait for more people to read this wondrous book!

Thank you to Greenwillow for sending me an advanced copy of The Wolf's Curse. All of the opinions in this review are my own

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me this book in exchange for my honest review.

What a wonderful tale of death and grief with its varying stages of acceptance. I loved that the narrator of this book is a wolf, it brought a different and welcomed perspective to the story. It was also a nice change to see an animal in the role of a “reaper” and made it feel like its own lore. The author really tugged at the heartstrings with Gauge and how he lost his grandfather (his only family) and was ostracized from his very superstitious village because he is cursed to see the wolf, with no one to turn to until he meets a new friend who is going through a similar experience. With a very well executed POV and a unique world, this book is fast paced with a gripping story.

Would highly recommend this book to upper middle grade reading levels due to the sensitive subjects touched on in this book. Overall, an absolute joy to read and look forward to more by Jessica Vitalis.

The Great White Wolf and I give this four "lanterns in the sky" ✨This story was such a unique one to explore the theme of grief and finding the will to live after tragedy. The snarky wolf narrator plus the folklore were obviously great bonuses for me.
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“𝘈𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯, 𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦, 𝘩𝘦 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘴𝘰 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘭𝘺.”

Read full review at our blog - link provided. We'd like to thank the publisher for giving us a copy in exchange for a review!

From the very first pages, the unique voice of this story narrated by a wolf draws you in and doesn't let go. I've heard it compared to the narrator Death in The Graveyard Book and that is a completely apt comparison. On the surface this is an update of The Boy Who Cried Wolf, but as you plumb its depths, you find a poignant and often heartbreaking meditation on death, culture and what it means to be human. I know readers of all types will discover this story and by the end will find some aspect that will stay with them for a long time.

Absolutely beautiful story about death and grief. Absolutely beautiful. Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for sharing.

Thanks to NetGalley & Greenwillow Books for the early copy in exchange for an honest review. I was unable to finish the title at this time.

I really couldn't get into this book at all, thanks to the confusing writing style. The point of view changes constantly and it's just hard to get into as a result. Not the book for me. I also don't know if any of the middle schoolers are desperately lining up for more dead guardian books, lol. The cover kind of makes it seems like it's a really in-depth fantasy book but it's not, it's mainly about grief.

The Wolf's Curse by Jessica Vitalis is about a boy, girl and a wolf belonging to a fictional town. I was interested in this book, but I was waiting for a big event until the end. Nothing much happened until 75% of the book. The wolf was too hesitant to approach the boy. The town did not seem as corrupt as the author intended so the ending felt expected.

This is an absolutely gorgeous book. It's told from the perspective of an enchanted wolf whose job it is to help souls cross over to the afterlife. The wolf is wry and charming, a perfect cozy narrator. She tells the story of Gauge, who is an outcast in his village because he can see her but no one else can. As Gauge struggles with his grief and his search for love and acceptance, you'll find yourself totally wrapped up in this fantastical world. It's a deep reflection on death, but handled in such a sensitive and gentle way. The characters are vibrant and emotional and earnest, the worldbuilding is lush and immersive, and the storyline is super unique. Perfect for middle-grade readers, and frankly grown-ups too!

The Wolf's Curse is an imaginative, unique fantasy about a 12 year-old boy called Gauge who lives in a hard working village by the sea in a land called Gatineau. Gauge lives with his grandfather, the village's master carpenter. The story is told from the point of view of a magical wolf who helps transport souls to the afterlife. The villagers think the Wolf causes death and those who can see her (called Voyants) are evil. Gauge lives in hiding because he once revealed that he could see the wolf. and the villagers have ostracized him. When Gauge's beloved grandfather dies, Gauge, wracked with grief, finds a friend in the blacksmith's daughter and discovers some startling truths about his town, the Wolf, and death itself. The clever Wolf makes for an insightful and humorous narrator. The Wolf's Curse is a fast-paced adventure but also addresses death, grief and the rituals that surround it thoughtfully and sensitively for middle grade readers. The world building is beautiful and immersive, and the characters relatable and vibrant. #BooksForwardFriends

This middle grade book would be enjoyed by a reader capable of balancing several characters while keeping the theme and plot of the story at hand. Told from the point of view of a soul-searching, afterlife-guiding Wolf, only seen by one character but feared by many, this is the story of adolescents dealing with loss and traditions of the afterlife. Gauge and Roux must keep Roux from being discovered whole figuring out the truths of the Release and finding peace with the death of their loved ones. Readers who enjoy historical context with a twist of fantasy will follow Gauge and Roux’s journey and friendship eagerly.