I cried like a damn baby when Iska got hurt. I was anxious the entire time reading this whenever she was hurt or taken. I have a German Shepherd who I call my little wolf and I kept picturing my dog the whole time. Immediately going into the sequel.

I thought this was a great debut! I didn’t realize that it was sci-fi but the writing made it so easy to get caught up in the story. It was a fun, adventurous read from start to finish and I adored the main character - she’s stubborn and headstrong and doesn’t back down. I loved watching her bond with the wolf throughout the story. Also, I definitely have to mention how beautiful the cover of this book is. Overall I really enjoyed this book.

I was really intrigued by this when I picked it and was looking forward to reading it, but it is just not striking my mood right. I will try it again it a bit- but for now it’s a no go.

“Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves" by Meg Long is a thrilling and immersive adventure set in a brutal, icy world where survival depends on courage, loyalty, and a deep bond with nature. The novel follows the story of Sena, a fierce and resourceful young woman who wants nothing more than to escape the dangerous planet of Tundar, where deadly races and unforgiving landscapes rule the lives of its inhabitants. But when she inadvertently finds herself entangled in the very race she despises, alongside a genetically enhanced wolf named Iska, Sena must confront her past and learn to trust others if she hopes to survive.

Meg Long excels at world-building, crafting a vivid and harsh environment that feels almost like a character in itself. The icy wilderness of Tundar is beautifully described, with its treacherous terrain and deadly wildlife creating an atmosphere of constant tension and urgency. The relationship between Sena and Iska is the heart of the story, evolving from wary alliance to a deep, unspoken bond that is both powerful and poignant.

The novel’s pacing is relentless, mirroring the high stakes of the race as Sena and Iska face both human and natural threats. Long’s writing is both sharp and evocative, drawing readers into the chill of the snow and the heat of the action. The story touches on themes of resilience, trust, and the fight for independence, making it not just an adventure but also a journey of self-discovery for its protagonist.

Sena is a compelling heroine—flawed, stubborn, and deeply human. Her struggle to reconcile her desire for freedom with her growing sense of responsibility makes her a character readers can root for, while Iska adds an element of loyalty and ferocity that complements Sena’s own journey.

*"Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves"* is a must-read for fans of gritty survival stories and rich, character-driven narratives. Meg Long delivers an unforgettable tale of friendship, endurance, and the wild, untamable spirit of both wolves and humans. This is a debut that promises more exciting adventures to come.

Top tier world-building and an amazing main character make this book an intriguing read. Perfect for winter, given the content, and it's slow pacing, Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves would be a perfect book to read in a cozy armchair, snow falling outside. I loved the scientific aspects of sled racing, as well. Our main character, Sena, has wonderful growth throughout the book, as well as a tragic backstory to fuel her determination. It's a well balanced story and has me intrigued to read Meg Long's next book!

3.5 rounded up to 4, with hopes for the author's next books!

DNF at 18%.

Thank you Netgalley and Wednesday Books for a copy of this book for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves follows Sena, who is desperate to get off a frozen wasteland. Except, after being orphaned when her parents died in a sled race, Sena is only willing to save up by job that don't involve racing. On their planet, that means... she's not willing to do... anything but steal from others.

That's pretty much all Sena did for the first almost 20%: mostly fail at stealthily stealing from off-world tourists, run away from people who noticed, whine that she doesn't want to work a racing-related job, and repeat. I didn't despise the writing, and would try another book by this author, but I didn't care for the MC or feel compelled to keep reading for any reason other than being curious who Sena saw in the woods.

A truly unique story line that had me reading through all distractions. When your life is on the line, you learn exactly who you can trust.

I really enjoyed this book. Never felt so cold reading a book in my life!

I was impressed with the world building and the storyline. Adding the relationship between Sena and the wolf made me love the story even more.

This book was so good that I quickly ran through book two when it became available. Meg Long does an excellent job describing the atmosphere where she places the story. You can feel the cold, just as much as you can feel the blistering heat.

Of the two books, this one was definitely my favorite. Excellent series.

This book was a story of adventure and survival in the best way possible. It tells the story a very brave young girl trying to find her place in the world and how to handles the loss of her parent.

I loved how much friendship and family and identity came up throughout this survival story. It would be a great book for young girls to read because finally we have an adventure story for girls similar to the one of Hatchet. Yes... there was no romance of any kind soooo that was kind of a bummer.

But the book world was very interesting and the bravery of main character really carried this book. It wasn't my cup of tea, but it was well written and a great story that gives young girls more options.

I really loved the setting of this book, which reminded me of many sci-fi properties that I enjoy. Admittedly, I prefer to read books with a dash of romance in them, but I still enjoyed this one!

Meg Long's "Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves" is an immersive journey beyond traditional survival fiction. Through expert storytelling, vivid landscapes, and multifaceted characters, Long weaves a captivating tale of resilience, despair, and the unbreakable human spirit.

From the very beginning, Long's writing sets the tone for the unforgiving terrains that play a crucial role in the narrative. The atmosphere becomes almost like a character itself, shaping and guiding the individuals who must navigate its relentless embrace.

The characters in "Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves" embody both the fragility of humanity and its ability to withstand nature's harshest elements. Long skillfully delves into their minds and emotions, painting a complex portrait of their inner struggles as they face primal forces both external and internal.

The pace of this gripping tale mirrors that of a fierce winter storm, constantly propelling the story forward with each chapter. Moments of tranquility are interwoven with heart-pounding action, creating a sense of unpredictability that mirrors the very essence of nature itself.

At its core, "Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves" is a profound exploration of resilience. Amidst all odds, the characters demonstrate incredible strength and determination to survive. Long delves deep into their psyche, revealing moments of vulnerability and quiet triumphs that add depth to their journey.
Wolves serve as both a metaphor for external threats and internal demons throughout the novel. This creates a thought-provoking reflection on the relationship between humanity and nature, blurring the lines between predator and prey in both realms.

Long's attention to detail not only paints a vivid picture of the harsh environment but also serves as a canvas for deeper meaning. The imagery in this novel immerses readers into the characters' struggle on a sensory level while also reflecting their inner turmoil.

Despite the bleakness of their situation, moments of hope and camaraderie shine through, highlighting the resilience of the human spirit. Long does not shy away from the grim realities of survival, but also shows that even in the darkest times, there is still light to be found.

The psychological toll of survival is a key aspect of this novel. As the characters face constant danger and uncertainty, they must also confront their own fears and insecurities. This adds another layer of complexity to the story, making it a thought-provoking psychological study.

Through the characters' journey, the novel raises existential questions about the unpredictable nature of life and the choices we make in the face of adversity. Long's masterful storytelling encourages readers to contemplate the intricacies of the human experience.

"Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves" is a literary masterpiece that goes beyond conventional survival fiction. With its intricate prose, rich atmosphere, and complex themes, it stands as a testament to the unbreakable human spirit in even the most challenging circumstances.

I received an ARC of this from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I’m a little late to the party since I’ve had this novel on my Goodreads reading list since 2022 but I finally decided to sit down and read it. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I’m happy to see that my waiting paid off. There’s now a sequel!

It was the perfect blend of sci fi, fantasy, nature, murder, mayhem and a race on an unforgiving, freezing planet that claims the lives of so many participants. I loved the world building, the characters, the plot, the anticipation of what was going to happen with the race, and the bond between human and wolf.

I have the next book in hand and I can’t wait to start on it. Great read.

Set in a frozen world, Sena struggles to make a life for herself, trapped by her choices until she embraces a volenwolf and a possible shot to leave her old life behind.

Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves surprised me. I knew from the synopsis that it was a survival story, but that didn't prepare me for what I read. Meg Long mixed a dystopian futuristic world with a nature survival story. It was such an intruiging mix. I didn't know if it would be successful, but the author pulls it off very well. I was drawn into Sena's world, rooting both for her and the wolf she becomes bound to, Iska.

Thanks to Netgalley and the St. Martin's Press for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

This gave me all the vibes of Julie of the Wolves from my childhood and I can't tell you how much I loved getting that feeling all over again. Except this had beasts that pose a challenge to the MC. I've always loved stories set in the wild and Alaska like locations so it's no wonder I enjoyed this novel too.

From the moment I picked it up, I was hooked and stayed up all night to read it. I appreciated how much thought was given to details of this whole new world. As a YA book, it is refreshing to have a main character not rely on a man or relationship for some kind of unrealistic strength. She relies on herself and builds strong bonds with others, especially her beautiful wolf.
Badass fight scenes too!

This was a quick and fun themed read, but I was so annoyed with the main character, Sena. She never really did anything, failed at all her tasks, suffered with self loathing, and honestly didn’t have any enduring qualities. Remy was so much more intriguing and had main character energy I was missing. I know the next book will focus on her, but idk that I’m interested enough to continue the series. I also felt like plot elements such as the race itself were barely fleshed out and thought that was irritating seeing that the whole book was centered on this race. A lot of things just didn’t make sense to me and I was left wanting.

LGBTQ+ rep: mention of F/F parents of main character

A story that is a little different fron the usual - and keeps you wanting more! This is a survival story that explores an unlikely friendship between a girl and a wolf born and trained to be a killer. The MC overcomes many obstacles, finds some answers to her questions, and discovers friendships. An excellent debut novel.

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

An exciting and action-packed survival story, a sci-fi Call of the Wild. I was fully immersed in Meg Long's world-building and I loved the relationship that developed between Sena and Iska. I'll be handing this one to my adventure loving teens who prefer no romance subplots in their books.

This YA sci-fi fantasy followed the usual plot recipe and included all the usual ingredients and tropes typical of the genre.

Our MC Sena is a 17-year old girl, orphaned of course, trying to steal enough money to get "off-world", but that's as far as her planning goes. Enter the villian, a crime boss who forces her to heal his fighting wolf. Of course the wild killer wolf becomes her friend and adventure ensues.

Sena then flees and joins up with a group of found family and is their only hope for completing a sled race that Sena swore she would never be a part of. Death is narrowly escaped many times, there is much self-doubting angst, there are many struggles which are overcome, and the bad guy is dealt with at the end.

The action moved along at a good clip, but it all felt very predictable to me. Overall, it was a solid entertaining read, but it didn't knock my socks off. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4