This novel is a fast paced and exhilarating thrill ride of a novel, set on a barely hospitable ice planet. Once a year, there is an infamous sled race, one our protagonist, Sena, despises because it claimed the lives of both her mothers. Sena, in desperate attempt to journey off the planet, makes a deal to participate in the race with a fighter-wolf, Iska by her side. The world building in this novel was so detailed and vivid and the development of the character’s so immersive, I went through an entire roller coaster of emotions while reading. This story truly captivates your heart and takes you on a journey of survival against predators both animal and human, all the while delivering on a beautiful found family trope that made my heart stop.

Exciting and Action packed adventure from start to finish. The story of Sena takes place on the ice world of Tundra where if the elements or predators don't kill you, the other humans might! Tundra's economy centers around the Race to mine a valuable mineral where wolves pull sleds with racers over the frozen Terrain. Sena lost her mothers to the race and wants nothing to do with it. The author does a great job of immersing us in this harsh world where any mistake may cost you your life.

This book had me hooked from the first page. I enjoyed the fast pace, and didn't want to put it down. The characters were well developed and seemed real. Although it is a fantasy book, the premise and the story line were very believable. I will be looking for more books to come from Meg Long.

I actually almost dnfed this one because I was having trouble connecting with the main character for the first 15% or so, and I'm SO glad I decided to give it another chance, because I ended up LOVING it.

Sena is hard and closed-off and a difficult character to know at first. She has had to be, living the life she has since her mothers died. She's alone and determined that that's the only way to survive on a brutal world like Tundar.

As the story progresses, however, Sena has to slowly grow to like, depend on, and trust others. it's slow going, and she makes a lot of mistakes trying to do things on her own, but her new friends don't give up on her and she learns not to give up on them -- or herself.

Iska, the wolf she rescues, is a large part of that growth. The bond between them was heartwarming and Sena and her new friends would never have survived without her.

The pace was relentless, and I found myself glued to the story, flipping pages much quicker than I otherwise might have. It was definitely an action-packed, heart-pounding book. In fact, I think it would make an excellent movie and I hope it gets picked up for film. It hits all the right notes of action, friendship, bravery, resilience, danger, and hope.

Tundar is a brutal world, where everyone must fight to scrape a life from the snow and ice. There are so many spine-tingling monsters -- and even the trees can kill you. There was a lot of blood and all of the monsters were put to good use. Nothing came easily as Sena and her friends raced across the ice.

I though the end was fitting, and now I want to read more books of Sena and Iska and Remy's future adventures.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for providing an e-arc for review.

Debut novel.
A bond between a girl and a wolf.
Predators both human and animal.
Stellar world building.
Creative and interesting ideas.

Some parts fell a little flat for me. I think this is mainly due to the pacing, which was a tad slow for the action of the plot.

I would totally read her next one to see how she continues to grow as a writer.

A frozen planet, a ruthless crime boss, a bond between a human and a wolf, and a sled race for survival.
Welcome to Tundar a frozen planet where a mineral called exocarbon is found. But the only way to get to the exocarbon is to participate in a dangerous sled race across the frozen planet to get to the dig site. If the dangerous weather conditions don’t kill you then you better watch out for the dangerous creatures that also live on this planet.
This story was very reminiscent of a Sci-fi Iditarod race. The story itself has some pacing issues. It took nearly 50% of the book to really pick up but once the race started it was action packed and I couldn’t put it down. Loved the found family and the survival story. The ending is kind of left open so it left me wondering if there will be another book or if it’s a standalone.

Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves is the kind of book I like to call perfectly acceptable. If she wants to leave her frozen planet, Sena Korhosen must compete in the sled race that previously took both of her mothers' lives. It's alright sci fi - it's got a unique setting, and a pretty unique plot. I honestly don't think I've read something in YA like this before, which is good because I love when YA takes risks. The atmosphere in particular is perfectly executed; every page of this book feels cold.

Actually, the worldbuilding was kind of incredible. I love sci fi worlds and I love cold, frosty tundras and this delivered on both aspects. The main character, Sena, is also pretty interesting, and while she's not my favorite protagonist of all time, I did enjoy her.

That said, this is bogged down by its pacing, and I think that would be fine if this weren't YA. There's just this bog of things to get through before the promise of the premise kicks in, and I don't think teen!me would've been patient enough to get through this. Maybe if this was sold as a "bonding and /then/ sled race" book instead of a "dangerous sled race" book. Basically this could've been a novella.

Three stars because the originality and prose of this debut were excellent and I'd 100% read more from this author, especially in this world. The pacing issues are a hit or miss, but since the positives outweigh the negatives I'm sure this'll be a favorite for many.

I struggled in a good way to review this book because I think, ultimately, it just wasn't for me.

It had everything I wanted! Bad ass ladies, wolves, daring adventure. But it ended up being that I couldn't truly connect with the characters, the world building, while immense and incredible, felt a bit confusing, and the pacing felt far slower than I wanted it to be. I struggled to stay focused on it because I could see it was going somewhere interesting; it was just taking longer than I anticipated.

Overall, not a bad book, and an interesting look at a tundra like world. I wish the villain had been a bit more dimensional beyond *evil* but alas.

Thank you Netgalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

The premise for the book is there and there was so much potential but i found the story fell flat I had troubled connecting and the pacing is sooo slow. I expected this booked to make my heart race but it was missing the urgency and fast pace youd expect from a fight for survival trope. The first part of the book really dragged on.

A survival/fantasy story set in the Winter and debuting when the Northern hemisphere can read it cozied up looking out their windows at snow? Perfection. What an adventure!

Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves is a true story of survival, a cinematic envelope that has you at the edge of your seat. Action-packed with intensely immersive moments of pure instinct that have you frozen -- white-knuckling the book, thinking “AHHHHHH! I would do the same exact thing!”

Sena is true main character energy, actively influencing her world, others around her, and the plot. Her past has you backing her up, her grit has you betting on her, and her loyalty has you ready to brave any storm by her side.

CNFW's unique combination of sci-fi and fantastical voice is enthralling. Meg's synergy of the intangible and "scientific" is consistent throughout the world and characters. I think CNFW embraces this quote by NK Jemison: "A lot of things we traditionally think of as science fiction are actually fantasy."

It'd be amazing to see on screen -- with all the raw intensity of vicious sabotage, murderous animal attacks, and one of the badassiest cast of characters (mostly womxn!) you will ever meet. I can't wait to see what she writes next!!

I really liked the world building, but the pacing felt too slow. The race doesn't begin until the second half of the book, and even then, the steady writing didn't seem to match the high stakes and danger the characters were facing.

4.5 ICY EXCITING STARS!

AN EMOTIONAL, MOVIE-WORTHY, DIVERSE, ICY ADVENTURE THAT READS LIKE STAR WARS MOVIE!

This was incredibly enjoyable! And soooo movie worthy!

“Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves” reads like a retelling of Star Wars with a setting similar to the ice planet Hoth and the adventures of Anakin Skywalker as a racer in Tatooine.

You would enjoy this book if you like Dystopian/Sci-Fi adventures like the The Lunar Chronicles", the "Dust Lands", and the "Wolf by Wolf" series. And well, of course, any Star Wars movie!

Just like Star Wars , this is an emotional, non-stop action, coming-of-age adventure, so It is impossible not to connect with orphaned Sena and root for her as she tries to overcome the grief of losing her mothers (yes it is also an LGBTQ read!) while trying to escape the dangerous, gang-ruled icy tundra of a planet where she lives.

The writing, pace, characterization and worldbuilding makes this book an exciting page-turner and the inclusion of relevant themes like ancestry, family ties, colonialism and bigotry makes is a well rounded read that will not disappoint both fiction and speculative fiction readers.

This was such an immersive experience I could swear I had either dreamt this world or lived here in other life! And, on top of all that, this is a treat for animal lovers! Sena is as devoted to her wolf Iska as she is to her family and friends. Their relationship is so precious you may need a box of tissues!

This book is perfect for this season since it is the ultimate wintry read and perfect to celebrate National Science Fiction Day. I can’t recommend it enough!

Sena’s on the run from a power-hungry crime boss after she steals his prized fighting wolf hybrid. She needs a way off her frozen planet, so when a scientific team offers to pay her, she agrees to aid them in a deadly sled race—the same one that claimed the lives of both of her mothers. Now she and the wolf must depend on each other to brave the wild and survive against other racers trying to sabotage them.

Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves by Meg Long presents a unique sci-fi spin on White Fang that'll satisfy your inner wolf girl (or boy).

I admit, the book does take a while to find its footing. It takes half of the book for the race to finally begin, but once it does, the book finally hits its stride. That’s where we get into the survival thriller elements with ice goblins, treacherous blizzards, and giant bears, and the stakes felt far more real to me.

It’s the crime boss, Kalba, that I found the weakest part of the story. He’s a bit of a joke to me. He has money and technology at his disposal, and yet, he seemingly can’t invest in high-tech locks or a surveillance system. People can just waltz right into his den with ease, which really ruins any sense of danger he might pose. I wish he had been either turned into a more convincing villain or the book had focused on the more believable threats posed by the world itself.

All in all, I wish the beginning had been polished more, but it’s cool to see a sci-fi YA novel again since we’ve had so few of them after the dystopian craze died down.

The wolves are coming. Running through the woods, fur flushing and puffs of cold breaths, these magnificent beings pound the Tundra ground. Although, this isn’t your typical frosty world - no, it’s your deadly ice planet.

It’s been quite a while since I thoroughly enjoyed such a cold-hearted world, and Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves isn’t simply a cruel world but one so refreshing it makes me shiver. With its gorgeous imagery and beloved friendships, I can’t help but end the book with awe.

The story follows young Sena, a despised scavver , who gets into trouble out of survival. After having lost her mothers in the wicked Tundra race, she refers to any means to obtain the chips necessary to escape this forsaken planet: thievery. Although, this realm is known for corruption and finding trouble with various powerful leaders is a big no. Unfortunately, she finds the biggest trouble with Kalba, the infamous and deadliest Corporate boss on the planet. Escaping with a prizefighting wolf, Iska, and deemed a threat, there is no asylum for her - that is until a team of scientists offers to pay her way off her frozen planet on one condition: she gets them to the finish line of the planet’s infamous sled race. Though Sena always swore she’d never race after it claimed both her mothers’ lives, it’s now her only option.

But the tundra is a treacherous place, and as the race unfolds and their lives are threatened at every turn, Sena starts to question her own abilities.

I could go on and on about how amazing the book is, with its ruthless world and gorgeously written development of friendship and family. The suspense that grips you from your shoulders and yanks you back to the dangers of the Splinter Woods is never-ending, encasing you with fear of what the next page will bring to Sena and her team. Of course, this book wasn’t written to endear reads with romance but with its wintery depths and deadly creatures.

Yet, for starters, the slow development of growth that Sena displays from the beginning of the book to the end of this beauty was spellbinding. It was written so smoothly and realistically, it is easily able to paint a holistic picture of how important and big her steps were - from being a lonesome orphan to a girl and her furry companion. Speaking of which, this bond that Sena and Iska have is undeniably incredible. Not only do we understand why so much distrust from both sides makes them the perfect match, but we also explore a bond so strong - it breaks all barriers either character have, making them the best duo. Overall, this tale was swift and the best story I have ever read. The dangers, the biting cold air, the sinister beasts that roam the woods, and the incredible prose of friendship and growth make this anticipated read one of the best debuts on my list.

Beautiful debut novel and an amazing author whom I can’t wait to read more of!

Rating: ❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️

I just had a good time reading this story!! The premise, setting and the characters made this an intriguing tale of survival and moving beyond tragedy to find friendship and purpose. The story takes place on the planet Tundar, a bleak and icy world full of nasty storms and a cutthroat culture. Sena is a young woman whose mothers were killed five years ago and she has struggled to survive as a thief and pickpocket, while trying to stay on the good side of the syndicate groups. The economy on Tundar is driven by mining one substance, exocarbon and every year there is a sled race where teams compete to get to the exocarbon dig sites to make their fortunes. Sena grew up in the world of the sled wolves and races but detests them now after the loss of her mothers and she refuses to have anything to do with wolves or racing. But a surprise encounter with a fighting wolf and some bad luck have put Sena right into the heart of what she hates, the annual sled race.
The whole setting of Tundar is really unique, with the culture all about wolves and racing, along with how difficult the climate is. The different characters that inhabit the various competing groups make for a story that keeps you engaged throughout and of course, a wolf companion is always a plus to the story!!

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves!

I really enjoyed this book! The best things about it are the world-building and the character development. I really loved getting to know the icy world of Tundar, and I felt like I was there along with Sena as she struggles to survive on such a harsh world after losing her mothers to the deadly race. I loved Sena's character, as well as many of the side characters, though I have to say that my favorite character is definitely the wolf Iska. I enjoyed watching Sena slowly come to trust Iska and some of the other characters, and one of the best features of the relationship-building in the book is that there is no romance at all. The story centers more around friendships and the relationship between Sena and Iska rather than on romance, and I found that to be extremely refreshing in this kind of YA book. The only thing that I found to be slightly less than perfect about the book was the pacing of the plot, since I felt like it dragged a lot at the beginning and then ended with too many moments of high action all in a row. Overall, though, the story is compelling, and I devoured it in one day!

Definitely recommend!!

3.5 Stars

I love a good story with an unshakable bond between animal and human! This book did not disappoint in that regard. The inevitable bond between Sena and Iska was heartwarming to watch grow, especially in the midst of such a cold cold world, and I mean that in every sense. Another big like for me with this story was the accomplished world building. Long really brought the tundra and all its many challenges, and some charms as well, to life. In this area, with all the expansive talk about the evil corpos, I wish a little more had been shown directly of their malfeasance. I mean, I definitely got the gist and how hard life on the tundra was for most was apparent, but you never really get to see a glimpse of the renowned wizard behind the curtain so to speak. Which was to me maybe a bit of a missed opportunity.

I quite enjoyed the ragtag crew of knowledge seekers Sena found herself a reluctant part of. Remy was maybe my favorite character in this story, second only to Iska of course! Oddly enough, we only get a little tidbit of Remy's life before she meets up with Sena but quite honestly it was one of the most intriguing things I heard throughout the whole book. I'm sad it was thrown out there almost nonchalantly and to be honest I'm dying to know more about Remy's past. Sign me up for that book please. I'll also gladly take a Remy, Sena and Iska's grand adventures story. Just sayin'.

Fast-paced and chillingly atmospheric, this book reminded me of one of my favourite childhood favourites (Wolf Brother by Michelle Paver) while giving Hunger Games meets Fast and Furious vibes! Found family, self discovery, survivor’s grief, and a Deadly Game that’s necessary for survival. Exhilarating and exciting and enraging, this book had me on the edge of my seat!
How far does one girl have to go to survive, when the system is against her and the planet is designed to kill her?

I think this is my favorite book I’ve read in 2021.

The world building in this story is impeccable, from the city to the frosty planet to the dangerous things in the woods. At first, I had some concerns about the fighting wolves, but the way Iska is portrayed had my pit bull loving heart grown three times its size. She’s a wolf, but the portrayal of her as a prized fighter but also the Goodest Girl Ever is perfect.

I was on the edge of my seat as soon as I began reading, but the racing had me holding my breath. CTNFTW is not for the faint of heart, and is super action packed from start to finish.