* Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review! *

Without a doubt, Hannah Whitten is a phenomenal writer. What I like most with For the Throne is the vivid imagery in the world-building. I could picture everything in every scene and felt like I was there. I'd even go so far as to say she's one of the best at building vivid imagery. This really helps the story's atmosphere, which leans more dark and woodsy. I do admire the story in that regard.

Unfortunately, I have more criticisms for this book. The book is long, but it doesn't feel like much at all happens in terms of plot. We see this story from Raffe, Red, and Neve's points of view. First, Raffe's point of view felt pointless, as he hardly had any scenes and virtually added little to the plot other than to introduce Kayu and settle everything between him and Neve. I feel this could have been done without him getting a couple of chapters. Red does very little in terms of conclusion and everything she finds out seems to get handed to her/told to her, and they even went on a meaningless journey that did little except tie loose ends with Kiri. Neve was actually doing stuff that furthered the plot but it all came very easily with little no actual high stakes. There was also just so much repetition of points and descriptions that I started skimming. It is emphasized so much that Kayu is short with black hair.

I also just don't feel very fond of any of these characters. All of the women and men are variations of the same character. Raffe, Solmir, and Eammon are all fiercely protective "alpha males" who love standing slightly in front of the women they like when facing danger. They're all martyrs in a way that feels a little misogynistic at times rather than fiercely protective. Kayu, Red, and Neve are all strong, independent women, as they often hint when they're arguing with the men in their lives. I think they are strong women but they never are just simply seen that way. It is reiterated time and time again. This, unfortunately, plays into a trope that I don't like, that the only women who are strong are the ones who are more closed off and stern as if being empathetic or emotional would make them weak. I also think that subconsciously these men make the women feel inferior so they often have to express themselves as strong, and it just doesn't appeal to me. Another thing that got repetitive and irritating was the use of sex to solve/cope with problems, or repeated mentions and hints that one of the couples had sex. I really just don't see the point and it doesn't help the problem with differentiating the characters.

There is also a way that Hannah writes sentences that bothers me and takes me out of the story. She tends to write really abrupt, short sentences that do not have a natural flow, and it is done so frequently. An example would be a point where she said, "A heartbeat. Two.," then progressed to the rest of the story. Instead of saying something like "Two heartbeats passed" or "A moment passed..." and then continued on. It feels like we are broken out of the story, and being told from an outside narrator's perspective rather than just continuing with the flow. I'm just not fond of it.

That being said, I do like how vivid this story is in detail, and even though I have a few criticisms of it, I think a majority of people will look past that and like it. It is beautifully written, and there are tons of tropes people like with characters that a lot of people would appreciate. It might not work for me, but I know that a lot of people will really like this story and find something with these characters. The most rewarding part of the story is the relationship between Neve and Red, and everything they have done, and continue to do, to save each other. There's a solid foundation there and it is nice to get a story that is so focused on the love between two sisters and the mistakes that can be made when it comes to that love.

The second part of this duology. I found with both of these books, the author has a very creative touch when it comes to world-building. I found myself completely immersed in this universe and it's altering scapes.

Where For the Wolf followed Red, the second sister, this follows Never, the first. Being twins, they are mirror images, and where Red took the path of light, Neve finds herself interacting with the darkness through a hellscape. Along the way she is thrown together with a noble villian and faced with hard choices.

Unfortunately, I really hate a hellscape (ex. Stranger Things, Shadowhunters, Coraline) and I really struggled reading through this based strictly on the setting. To be fair, I'm certain not everyone will have this issue, and it is very well written for what it is. I found myself not being able to put down book #1, but this one really had me trudging. If hellscapes are your thing, this is up your alley!

I will generously give 4 stars because I found the storytelling to be well done and captivating despite my reading preferences and aversions.

I received this book as an ARC, and I'm so grateful to have been chosen to receive this copy.

I was not a huge fan of the first book, I struggled to get into it and connect with the characters. I gave this one a shot in thanks to NetGalley for giving me an arc to read for free in exchange for my honest opinion. I did end up enjoying this second book in the duo more than the first, but I still had a hard time getting into it. As with the first, it was atmospheric, but it just wasn’t as dark and creepy as I expected and way more romance that I anticipated. Overall, if you liked the first book, you will undoubtedly like this book. If you didn’t like the first, you probably won’t love this one either. This was three stars for me.

And so we come to the conclusion of Hannah Whitten’s Wilderwood series. For The Throne switches the main characters, leaves the magic of the Wilderwood behind, and sinks into a nightmare realm trapping long-forgotten gods and treacherous Old Kings. This adventure is wholly different from the events in book one, and it does a fabulous job building on the world to give us a deeper understanding of the myth tying Red and Neve together.

For The Throne picks up immediately following the events of For The Wolf. After the battle to prevent a door to the Shadowlands from opening, Neve pulls the dark magic into herself and disappears into the realm alongside the traitorous, once-king Solmir. She arrives in a dying world leeched of color and filled with horrors. Neve discovers that she has an affinity for the dark magic swirling in her veins, but the more she uses it, the more monstrous she becomes. Unfortunately, her goal to get home aligns with Solmir’s plan to open another doorway, and she finds herself forming an alliance with the man who attempted to kill her sister.

Book one was Red’s story, and while Neve’s role was important, it was not the focal point. In For The Throne, the sisters switch places. With Neve leading the charge, we have a whole new world to explore and an entirely different magic system to make sense of. I had the same experience in both books—desperate to read the main character’s chapters while semi-dreading the switch to the other, less prominent sister. However, this time around, that POV switch was felt more prominently. Red’s adventure in this book feels aimless while Neve’s is action-packed and full of purpose. Even though there are some important moments for Red, it seemed like Whitten was trying to keep her occupied until Red’s story needed to align with Neve’s big moments. I loved seeing Red and Eammon, but I was all Team Neve and found her chapters to be more captivating.

Neve’s biggest struggle throughout the book is believing that she is bad and monstrous for the decisions she made to save her sister. It’s hard for her to accept the consequences of her actions. Unfortunately for Neve, she is reminded of her mistakes every waking moment because of Solmir, who played a part in her decision-making. All of this is set against the backdrop of the Shadowlands, and it creates a story wrought with anxiety, worry, and resignation. The interesting thing about Neve is that she doesn’t necessarily try to overcompensate and be good either. Between her and Solmir, this story is less about redemption and more about coming to terms with what has to be done.

My only small issue with this story is Neve and Solmir’s development. Whitten stitched Red and Eammon together so beautifully in book one, and that effortless grace was missing in For The Throne. Neve and Solmir are an entirely different dynamic, but I never quite bought into why either one remotely cared for the other. I enjoyed the hurdles of Red and Eammon’s relationship, but Neve and Solmir shied away from showing the reader those hard-earned moments. They leave a lot unsaid, which, quite frankly, is very appropriate for who they are as characters. However, their relationship constantly develops and regresses through their actions and no one actually says what needs to be said.

For The Throne was a satisfying and fitting conclusion to Hannah Whitten’s Wilderwood series. It complemented book one beautifully, and Neve was a fascinating inverse of Red. When shifting main characters between books I almost always have a favorite, but here my hands are tied. I thoroughly enjoyed the unique journeys both women had and consider this duology one you’ll want on your TBR.

Rating: For the Throne – 8.0/10

I devoured For the Wolf, but the end left me wanting, so FtT was one of my most highly anticipated reads this year!

For the Throne delivered the closure I was missing. I didn't think I would enjoy For the Throne as much as For the Wolf because I didn't really like Neve in FtW, I dreaded her chapters and found myself slogging through them.

Maybe part of why I enjoyed FtT more than FtW is because I didn't dread the chapters from Red's perspective because I love her and the Wolf! Seeing glimpses of them together were refreshing, especially compared to Neve's painful journey. I still love Red and the Wolf the best
<img src="https://media2.giphy.com/media/lYjA4tfvCc8UAju1Op/giphy.gif?cid=790b7611301eeceedd69c9af0c432c1c868e9a503d1b8f1c&rid=giphy.gif&ct=g"/>

I do wish there had been more Red and more Wolf and more of Red with her Wolf, but alas

While the <spoiler> romance between Neve and Solmir was entirely unexpected, I really enjoyed it! My major complaint here was that the romance between Neve and Raffe was so built up in FtW and then I felt like switching the romance in FtT came out of left field a bit. Also her reminiscing about Raffe and Raffe reminiscing about her how their love didn't fit anymore seemed to drag on and on. This was definitely my least favorite part of FtT. </spoiler>
<img src= "https://media1.giphy.com/media/tHJA1JRzcWDlzzMQ7F/giphy.gif?cid=ecf05e477jwlegswic8qrb6gvpn30sy8ska4mnpougm762g3&rid=giphy.gif&ct=g"/>

I did think that <spoiler> everything was a bit too tidy in the end, especially Arick - though I did feel terrible for him and wish he got a happier ending (or stayed dead) </spoiler>
<img src="https://media2.giphy.com/media/4Rva6oTJpqQGA/giphy.gif?cid=790b7611cc78fb78d958d3532fa97011772819a771bd96df&rid=giphy.gif&ct=g"/>

Overall, 3.5 stars! I really enjoyed Neve's journey more than I thought I would.

Disclaimer: ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

First off, thanks to Netgalley for an eARC of this book. This is the sequel to the book For the Wolf. In the book For the Wolf, we mainly follow Red and get some glimpses of what her twin, Neve, is doing after Red follows her calling to go to the Wilderwood forest and the Wolf. In For the Throne, we mostly follow Neve but we do see some glimpses of what Red and their friend Raffe are up to during the same time frame. For the Throne has a prologue that goes back to three years before For the Wolf starts and we get some new information that will come in handy as the story continues. After that prologue, we leave off where For the Wolf ends, but now we are following Neve. Both Neve and Red have specific roles that they are destined to fill that were prophesied years ago, but people only paid attention to the part of the prophecy, so Red and Neve are trying to figure out the rest of it and their roles in it. In the first book, Neve was trying to save Red from being sacrificed to the Wilderwood and the Wolf and in this book, Red is now trying to save Neve from the Shadowlands and Solmir. The bond between these two sisters is so strong. The bond they share is a very important part of the story. I don't want to give away too much so as not to spoil either book.

This book is an excellent sequel. Hannah did an awesome job wrapping up their stories. I have had a lot on my plate, so this book took longer for me to read as I haven't had much time to sit and read recently. I have been anxious to finish it, but then today when I got to the last five chapters I didn't want it to end. There were a few times I set the book down because those last few chapters were so intense and I thought my heart was going to be broken by the ending, but I was satisfied with how it ended.

In the high anticipated conclusion to the Wilderwood duology, we’re back following Neve and Red, and their journey back to each other. Hannah Whitten’s writing was just as beautiful as it was in For the Wolf, but my interest was not there. The story wasn’t as engaging, and I felt like the pacing was off. I felt disengaged from the characters. The ending was very disappointing, and I just think Hannah Whitten overcomplicated the world building and magic system in this one. That being said, I will be happy to read her next book!

This one was soooo much better than the first. Where the first struggled, this one thrived. It dragged me through a whole emotional rollercoaster, and I loved it for that.

I think the main reason for the improvement was a change in the focus. The first book was completely character-driven. It focused on character relationships, romance, and our characters themselves. While this one still developed them, it also had a plot. And the plot was fun! It allowed so much room for character arcs, which were done so well.

The character that was done most well was Neve. She really was the focus in this one, and i loved that for her. She was an amazing morally grey character. She stayed true to herself, even when it took her down some darker paths. The contrast between her and Red was great, especially with the focus on the mirrors/reflections.

As for the romance, I really liked it. It wasnt as soft and adorable as the romance in the first book, but it had its charms. It was very much a complicated romance, one with as many reasons not to as reasons to. Red and Wolf were cute, but Neve and Solmir were compelling. Love them both, probably couldn't choose a favorite, but really loved this couple.

So, despite being let down by the first book, I'd really recommend this one! It was the perfect mix of morally grey characters, complicated romances, and an intricately woven plot

Thanks to Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

For the Throne is the sequel to For the Wolf, a retelling of Red Riding Hood with more fantasy elements. I requested this book before I read For the Wolf because I liked the concept so much. I ended up listening to For the Wolf right before this and was excited to read the sequel!

I really enjoyed the new take on Red Riding Hood from For the Wolf. For the Throne expanded on the lore from the first book and gave more resolutions for the characters and setting. For whatever reason, I really struggled with getting through For the Throne. I felt like I knew what happened in For the Wolf, but upon starting For the Throne I felt really lost and didn't really recover. I'm still not really sure what the resolution was. I liked the characters and the overall dark tone, but I generally find stories that take place in an underworld kind of boring. I think this got me here and affected my enjoyment. It really leaned more into high fantasy as well, which is not typically my thing.

Overall, I thought this was an okay sequel, just not for me. If you really liked this book, definitely read this one! 2.5 stars from me. Thank you to Orbit Books and NetGalley for the electronic advanced reader's copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

In “For the Wolf”, I had complaints about the depth of the characters and the prose, which could lean towards weak. In its other half, “For the Throne”, my complaint is solely that the first half of the book seems to move almost glacially slow. Not slow enough for me to lose interest or for me to become disengaged (simply because that pace was consistent (meaning it wasn’t an uneven pace) and because I knew it wouldn’t last), but enough for me to become somewhat frustrated and to be slightly disappointed. For some reason I expected this book to move faster than the first. I expected the Shadowlands to be, well, a little more chaotic. A little darker. A little more sinister.

Thank goodness we had interludes from Red, Raffe, and the others every now and again to break up the bleakness. I don’t know what I would’ve done without them.

Thankfully, the issues with prose and characterizations between “For the Wolf” and this book seemed to have been resolved. It shows how Whitten has grown as a writer, because we get more depth and layers to each character and some great passages evoking fantastic imagery. Whitten had a talent at showing and not telling when it came to exposition that was evident from the start, and it continues into this book, which I’m immensely grateful for. Hearing someone drone on and on about exposition in this book would’ve been intolerable.

The immense talent at magic systems and world-building continues, also. Juxtaposition and eventual entropy? You’re speaking my love language. Philosophical questions about whether or not one can live without a soul, or even what a soul even is? Slay me. What does it mean to be human or god? Are gods even gods or are gods only gods in their own minds? I could think these thoughts the whole day through and be a happy camper.

I enjoyed both books immensely, and I highly recommend you don’t give up on “For the Throne”, even if you have a hard time holding on through the first half.

Thanks to NetGalley and Orbit Books for allowing me early access to this title in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Quotes
•“To anyone who grew thorns instead of flowers- You had your reasons.”
•“You’re worth reaching into the dark for.”
•“Being honest about how you feel isn’t failing.”
•”Saving someone else was a wall you couldn’t scale unless they threw you a rope.”

Quick thoughts
I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about this since I had some pacing issues with FTW. This one hooked me immediately. This book is written in multiple POV’s. While in FTW I didn’t enjoy the chapters from Neves POV, I found myself more drawn to Neve’s POV in this book and not caring much for Red’s or Raffe’s. I still had a little bit of pacing issue in the middle of the book but it didn’t last long before it picked up again. I loved the romance and I loved the sister dynamics.

Ever since the cliffhanger of the first book I knew I needed to get my hands on this one. I also am a fan of this author’s writing style as it reminds me of others that I have read and loved. Although there are good things to say about the sequel, there are also elements that I didn’t like. A mixed bag to say the least, but still not a bad read.

The book is told through multiple point-of-views, mostly coming from the two sisters. Personally, I liked Neve more. She was the star of the show and this was really about her journey through the shadow world and doing whatever she can to save her own realm as well as find a way to save her sister. If you know me, I love a good sister bond and it definitely shines through throughout the book.

One of the point-of-views could have been left out and it wouldn’t have made a different in my opinion. I won’t say who it was only so that it remains spoiler free for that part at least lol.

The plot with the shadow world was cool but not too unique as I have read other works that kind of had similar elements. I still thought it was good though, especially because Neve had a companion like Solmir. What a guy! It’s very clear from the beginning what he intends to do and it’s nice to see Neve not want to go along for the ride. She is very cautious around him.

You can find romance in this book from both sisters. I think that I liked one over the other but I can’t say for sure. They were both sweet in their own ways, but one had a plot twist I didn’t see coming.

Overall, this was a good read but also not exactly what I had expected. Her writing is still beautifully written and I still would recommend this duology.

After reading For the Wolf I was so excited to read about Neve’s own adventure. The world created during Red’s story fit so well with the one we visit in For the Throne. How everything fits together in the end is truly extraordinary. What makes this book (and this duology) so special to me is that the love needed to save them is the love of two sisters. We see just how far two sisters will go for each other, and what they’re willing to sacrifice.

Did you love literally everything about For the Wolf? Then you'll be glad to know that For the Throne takes all of it and brings a bigger, darker and more twisted sequel that neatly ties everything together in a bloody bow.

For the Wolf was one of my favorite reads of 2021, and For the Throne is currently in my top 5 for 2022. It is sharp and tender and violent and lovely all at once, with a story steeped in darkness that demands you hope (and fight) for tomorrow. I cannot say enough good things about it, and I don't want to spoil a single thing because it was stellar in every possible way.

Hannah's Whitten's grasp on prose, tension, and character arcs are all master class, and this is a book that is made for romantic fantasy fans, or those of us who love the place where romance, fantasy, and horror all meet up for a twisted little party.

I really enjoyed this duology. The first book will always remain my favorite but this was a solid sequel. I really liked getting all of the different perspectives and learning about everything. This was just so well done!

This duology will go down as some of the best fantasy books in the genre! This was a very dark followup, but oh so good! I also loved the sisterly dynamic within this story, while I don’t have sisters I do have a brother so I could really relate to the dynamic in that aspect. Overall I loved this book and Whitten has been added to my autobuy authors for myself and the library.

We Do What We Have to Do

Hannah Whitten returns to the Wilderwood duology, with an enemy to lovers’ story about the price of freedom. Neverah (Neve) has always been told her duty is to protect the kingdom at the cost of her sister, but she is sick of it. Imprisoned in the Shadowlands with Solmir, the traitor who trap her there, Neve has no other choice but to help him. She proved she would do anything to save her sister, and now she will fight for her own survival.

Solmir the fallen King is imperial and cruel, wanting everything from Neve. His intentions are secret and untrustworthy. With only one singular goal, kill the Old Kings. Neve made the mistake of trusting him before, and found only lies used to manipulate her. Neve struggles with her fear, deep anger, and the consuming desire to feel the power of shadow magic. Neve’s battle for control, and her struggle with an uncertain world is relatable. Her emotional turmoil carries this story to either love or ruin.

Hannah Whitten delves deep into all the inner struggles of her characters. As Red and Raffe desperately try to find a way to save Neve, they grapple with the turmoil that comes with the loss of a loved one. All her characters also struggle with deep change in a dark world. As well as identity in terms of monsters, and humanity. With a questionable definition of what a soul is. Also, a note that there are various curse words, and references to “beadsport”.

The Wilderwood was perilous, the Shadowlands are its darkest heart. This book has even more wonderfully spooky woods, and eerie atmosphere. Hannah Whitten raises the stakes with even more beasts, monsters, kings, and gods. Despite the messiness of uncertainty and change, love is their constant.

Okay I’m going to be honest here, I liked this book WAY more than I liked For The Wolf. It just seemed to flow better to me, but it also might be because I actually had a more firm grasp on the world that the story was set in this time around? I don’t even know, but I really enjoyed this book!

I loved how it didn’t only focus on Red’s side of the story as the primary POV this time around, but that we actually get more in depth with Neve’s side (which was so dark and haunting)! I loved the underlying themes of sisterly love that we get to see throughout each POV of the book. The way that Neve feels she can’t go back to Red until she’s accomplished what she needed to and the way that Red feels she needs to get back Neve no matter what just made my heart constrict with love!

I really loved the parallels we get to see in this book, hence the whole “mirror” thing we see throughout the book. But it genuinely was so cool to watch Neve and Red be the ultimate opposites of one another in their designated “world.”

I found Neve to be a much more full character than Red but maybe that’s due to her smaller role in the first book!

Can I just add that the men in these books are such an important part of the story and that Solmir and Eammon are also parallels in their own way was so cool to see. I do definitely love Eammon more, but maybe I’m just biased to how we got to see his love of Red portrayed in both books!

Overall, this was a really awesome sequel and I wish with all my heart that this could have been (or could be) a trilogy! You should definitely give this a read if you enjoyed For The Wolf!

Thank you @netgalley // @orbitbooks_us for this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review! All of the thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

For the Throne (Wilderwood, Book 2)
Hannah Whitten
Pub date: 6/7/22
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“Monstrousness is a curious thing. In it’s barest form, it’s simplest definition, a monster is merely something different than you think it should be. And who gets to decide what *should* be, anyway?”

It’s not often that I enjoy a second book more than the first, but it was just a stunning piece of storytelling. It gave me Snow White mixed with Hades/Persephone vibes because of the Shadowlands (i.e. underworld). A beautifully crafted and delicately woven mesh of magic, time, and inescapable destiny’s. Red and Neve are the heroine’s of the story and their connection and love as twins, was the perfect and necessary prescription to heal the broken world’s of the Wilderwood and Shadowlands. “…that’s what it takes. Matched love. A willingness to lay down your life for another”.

I loved the character redemption of Solmir and the self-acceptance for Neve. I don’t think I’ve ever tabbed a book as much as I did this one. The incredible dialogue and atmospheric settings had my imagination hooked and fully vested in the outcome of the story. I would definitely recommend reading these back to back because it really feels like one 900 page book, when they are read that way. It will help the reader have a better understanding of the world building, historical and magical components, and the characters.

Now, for Solmir and Neve. I loved that they found each other and had enough faith to choose each other, even in the darkness. “You’re worth reaching into the dark for”. And the I-love-you-so-much-I’ll-let-the-world-burn vibes are everyyyything, “…I realized I couldn’t kill you. Not even to safe the fucking world”. OH. MY. HEART.

Morally gray characters are my favorite because we are flawed. We all have demons and skeletons that are created based on our experiences and choices, and then we fight to hide and overcome those internal hauntings and regrets on our life’s journey. In the end, what matters is love, family, and friendship. That’s what this story is. It’s about the connections we have to the world and people around us. It’s interesting the way the book was ended. A happy-for-now, versus a true Happily-Ever-After; which is totally appropriate given the turmoil the characters went through. Happily ever after’s are not for this story, but you’ll fall in love nevertheless.

For the Throne is an epic journey that I was so excited for. This book is the second of the Wilderwood duology, picking up right where For the Wolf left off to tell Neve’s story as she searches for a way out of the Shadowlands with Solmir.

I loved falling back into this world!! These books are so beautifully written, and this one has some darker elements than the first, along with a dreamy, all-consuming atmosphere.

I was excited to revisit all of the characters from the previous book, to see how the story concludes. It was hard to imagine what the focus on Neve and Solmir would be, but it was a really nice exploration of darkness and light, and goodness and self worth. And I was happy to have just as much time with Red, Eammon, Fife, and Lyra.

I’m sad to have reached the end, but really enjoyed it!!