Well I devoured this book!

Synopsis:
Ox Matheson was 12 when his father left him and taught him he was dumb and people would give him sh*t for the rest of his life. But he had his mom and his father’s old employer, Gordo, who was as close to a friend and father figure Ox had.

He was 16 when the Bennett family moved next door. They’re clearly very different (I don’t think it’s too much of a spoiler - they’re werewolves). He quickly befriends the youngest boy, Joe, and brings him back to his whirlwind self after he was really hurt. He also learns that he can experience friendship, as he and his mother quickly become part of the pack.

Ox was 23 when tragedy struck. The pack is divided. The story really picks up from there, exploring what it means to be a friend, develop your family of choice, make hard decisions, and really have a mate.

My thoughts:
TJ Klune is brilliant! This was such a fast paced, enthralling book. I could not put it down. I also really enjoy his writing style and humor.

As usual, Klune’s story focuses on “outcasts” and shows that being different can be really good and that the right people will really love you. Not to mention- werewolves and witches! As always lots of LBGTQ+ characters. Also, this was the spiciest of Klune’s books!

The one thing I didn’t really like was the fact Joe was still underage when him and Ox got together. It’s less creepy in the context of the story and understanding it didn’t start off as sexual, but still - uncomfortable and could be triggering for anyone who has been abused as a child by someone only slightly older and in a position of power.

There are also lots of other trigger warnings: child physical abuse, child sexual abuse, torture, kidnapping, childhood emotional abuse, and death of parents.


Thank you to NetGalley and Tor publishing for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Ox's father walks out on him and his mother as a child, so Ox decides to work at the local car garage to support his mothers income. When walking home from work one day a sixteen year old Ox Meets a chaotic boy called Joe. Joe is immediately pulled toward Ox and takes him home to meet his family, and discovers that the family lives at a house at close to his. Ox is welcomed into the family and he discovers that Joe was kidnapped and held hostage as a young child and had not spoken in over 2 years. Ox and Joe develop a weird friendship and Joe becomes very attached to OX.

Ox finds out that the family is werewolves and that his substitute father figure Gordo is in fact a wizard and Ox's life is turned upside down as he navigates the world he thought he knew. Ox becomes part of the Pack over the years, and he brings his mother into the fold. Ox is told that When Joe was 10 he chose OX as his mate, and whilst the two of them cannot deny the electric attraction, Joe is hesitant to become involved. When the Pack is threatened and tragedy strikes at the heart of the Bennet Pack Ox's life is turned once again upside down and he struggles to adjust.

I really wanted to like this book and I love TJ Klune as a writer but I just didn't love this book. I'm not sure why this book was so long, it seemed unnecessary and I did have issues with certain parts of the book. The Age gap between Ox and Joe, had me feeling a little uncomfortable at times. I understand that Ox states that he wants to wait until Joe is 18, But the difference between an 18 and 24 year old are vast. Joe even states this is what he wants, but I cant help think about the underdeveloped pre-frontal cortex. I don't think I would have had an issue if they would have met at that age, but when they meet Ox is very nearly an adult and Joe is a child. It is really hard to view his as something other than a 10 year old.

I found the romance between the two uninteresting and inorganic, the connection that the two feel for each other didn't seem to be due to anything more than physical attraction. The interaction between the two as they are older, is very limited and it felt very underdeveloped.

I would have liked more about the backstory of Richard and his goals and just with the world/universe in general as there was very little substance in that area. I did enjoy the portrayal of suffering in the book, and it created a dark element to the book that I liked. Other than the tragedies that the characters encounter, there didn't seem to be a plot to the book. The Characters encounter tragedy - move on from it + a sprinkling of dominance and romance = what is the plot?

Overall this was very disappointing and I found this didnt really pull me in and make me want to read it. The majority of the ratings go to the execution of the characters trauma.

TJ Klune will always be one of my favorite authors. I did find I prefer his newer works.

Side note - this cover is stunning.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for the ARC.

Oh my word, so many tears, so many feelings! TJ Klune can do no wrong. I love the found family trope and oh my word, Ox, I feel so much for him.

The writing style is a little different but once I was into it there was no stopping me! The ending is beautiful.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

Wolfsong by T.J. Klune
🌕🌕🌕🌕/5

Summary: Ox Matheson was told he is simple, unworthy and had no extraordinary future ahead of him when is father left him at 12 years old. One day walking home Ox meets a young Joe Bennett who has moved in next door. The Bennetts are mysterious bunch. Ox is drawn in by their friendship and loyalty to family. When Ox discovers they are werewolves his life turns into something extraordinary. Soon Ox discovers his own inner wolf that sings for the love, loss and protection of his new pack. Through the years Joe and Ox will share a bond unlike any other but can they move past the trauma and tragedies that dare to split them apart.

What I Liked:
The way in which Ox’s character slowly evolves from a meek boy to a confident man.
It felt warm yet tragic. The characters of the Bennett family are admirable.
It had a “Twilight” feel to it but with more depth.
An exceptional love story that spans between two boys / men.

What Could Have Been Improved:
There was an excessive amount of introspection and dialogue that was not needed to carry the story.
The antagonist not as complex as I’d hoped for.

Final Thoughts:
This is a story about belonging, family, coming out and into one’s self. It is heartwarming and heartbreaking. T.J. always writes with such deep emotions and I’m drawn into every story. I recommend this fictional YA gay fantasy to anyone who is striving to find their place in the world with an additional supernatural twist.

Thank you to @torbooks for this new edition eARC.

Wolfsong is the first installment in the Green Creek series by literary mastermind T. J. Klune. Written in 2016, it began a beloved series, about a wolf pack and a young boy, who very much needed a pack of his own. My heart of course melted the moment I read the premise - and I had to wonder “do I want to read this book that is going to rip me in two today?” Emotionally, I was not ready. I know so many young men who are very similar to Ox, the main character, and the struggles are familiar. Once I began this book… I was shredded, in a very good way. Promise me you will have a copy of this in every library in America. We need this book, and anything else written by Klune.

Many thanks to Tor Publishing Group via NetGalley, for this wonderful arc. All opinions are my own while I voluntarily read this arc.

Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this advanced copy.

I loved TJ Klune's Cerulean Sea and was thrilled to receive this ARC. I couldn't recommend this book specifically to students due to subject matter, but I could wholeheartedly recommend Klune the author and would not dissuade anyone from reading this material. There is something for everyone and the themes are thought-provoking and important for those coming into who they are.

I had been truly putting off reading this book, due to the recent hype I've been seeing around it, but finally broke down and read the damn thing. OH boy, I am so glad I did! While I'm not the biggest fan of werewolves/shifter romance, this book changed my mind on the subgenre.

I had a bit of difficulty getting into the story at first, due to the style of writing Klune used, but it made sense for the character and a fourth of the way into the book I was hooked. 'Wolfsong' is a coming of age story that deals with loss, grief, and the family we choose to surround ourselves with in times of pain and need. I laughed and cried while reading this, plus the jokes about 'Twilight' were perfect. I will definitely be continuing this series, as the cast of characters were so enrapturing and I didn't want book 1 to end.

The greatest compliment anyone can give an author is that they made you feel. TJ Kune is such an author. Deep love, devotion, pain, betrayal and loss are keenly shared through Ox & Jo and rest of the pack. You want more and he delivers.
4 stars

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Wolfsong is a quiet, sneaky little book. I'll admit on opening the arc I recieved (many thanks to the publisher), I didn't expect to get on with the writing which felt stilted and staccato at the beginning. I discovered however there was a very good reason for that style. The story is told from Ox's perspective, reflecting back on his life growing up with the Bennett's, a pack of werewolves who move into the house down the road soon after his drunk, abusive father leaves. He quickly becomes entangled in their lives, drawn to the family and specifically the youngest Joe. Joe becomes his shadow as they grow up into their twenties and learn to stand by each other and fall into a deeper relationship with each other and those around them.
To get my one concern out of the way, there is a bit of an odd age gap between our main character Ox and Joe. Joe was very, very young when he met Ox and felt the call of his fated mate in him. Ox had no idea till he was into his twenties. For the most part I felt like it was handled fairly well, you could tell Mr. Klune was extremely careful with it and I ended up happy with the way it was handled but I think some will still find it uncomfortable. Besides that one concern I loved so much of this. It had me laughing out loud and then tense nearly crying at times.
The emotional vibrancy here was powerful. The perspective of Ox, a simple guy, really cut things into the basics and the conflicts in the book felt realistic and believable. Even seeing the path the story was going to take I was heartbroken when those things happened. There are a lot of violence and even two deaths on page. I'll list what I remember of the triggers below, as it can be intense.
I'd highly recommend this for fans of romance, paranormal and fantasy especially. I am most definitely purchasing my own hardcover (budget be damned) as this is a story I can and will reread to annotate and enjoy.

TWs:
Graphic: Violence, Abandonment, Death of parent, Death, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Death of parent, Child abuse, and Mental illness
Minor: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Sexual content

I'm putting this right at a two stars simply bc though it didn't do anymore for me in particular, it definitely will be someone else's cup of tea. Not only does this story contain cool werewolves, it's an M M romance and a story that is filled with emotion.

The issues I had mainly revolved around the ages of the characters. I find that I typically do not enjoy stories with MC's under the age of 18. Ox in the story is 16 and Joe in the story is 10 when they're "mated" and it gave me just enough of the "ick" not to enjoy it even though the true romance between them wasn't relevant until later in the story when they are older. However, I had already established the characters in my head as young children and even as they aged it was difficult for me to differentiate otherwise.

Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read this eARC.

It was harder for me to get into this book but once I did I absolutely loved it. My heart was so heavy for Ox and his struggles. I adored the themes of found family and forgiveness and the adventure and action made it so fun. The writing style wasn't for me but I was able to overlook it for how much I loved the story itself.

I didn't really enjoy this one. I loved Klune's standalones but this wasn't a soild first book ij the series. I gave it 5 stars as I liked the writing but the characters were very boring in my opinion.

Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this advanced copy.

I am a new fan of TJ Klune's books. The first book I read was Cerulean Sea, and I found myself loving TJ Klune's heartwarming wholesome stories. Yet, this book wasn't heartwarming at all. But, the "found family" trope was so good. This book had more angst vibes, and more spicy stuffs. More serious than Cerulean Sea, In The Lives of Puppets, and Whispering Door. Did I hate it? No. TJ Klune proved himself able to write any kind of stories.

Ox has felt stupid his whole life, and it’s only compounded when his father says as much as he’s walking out on Ox and his mother. A few years later Ox meets Joe and the Bennett family who he can’t help but be drawn too. And the Bennett family seems to see something in him that he doesn’t see in himself. The Bennett family have a secret though, they are werewolves and there is violence and danger headed their way.

I love Ox first of all. He’s such an interesting character and struggles so hard with himself and how he interacts with the other characters. There was so much going on with this story, but it never felt like too much. I want more. I still do. I enjoyed the drama and action, but I was also obsessed with the found family, and themes of acceptance and forgiveness. Definitely recommend to adult readers.

My experience reading this book was like that of hearing a wolfsong. Unsure at first and then consumed by its beauty. It catches your attention, grips your heart, and doesn't let go. I loved everything about finding your people and what works for your heart.

When Ox's father leaves the family. He must become the man of the house to help take care of his mother. Working at the mechanic shop his father used to he starts to help contribute. When a family moves down the street into the abandoned house, Ox develops a relationship with them unlike any other.

Klune's writing is great. Story kept my attention for sure, just not really my style.

It took me a little bit to get into this one. Klune’s writing is fantastic as usual but this story was just difficult for me. I’m not sure if I’ll read the rest of the series, but definitely would recommend to readers if they enjoyed Twilight!

I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book progressed with a slow-burn, lyrical intensity that sank its claws into me, pulled me in, and still hasn't released me.

The summary doesn't quite do the book justice, mostly because it's difficult to encapsulate over a decade of plot and relationship development into three paragraphs. It's not a book you describe; it's one you experience.

There were so many wonderful soul-deep friendships, groupships, packmateships, and family bonding. It was found family loyalty and strength at its finest, all the more satisfying because of the emphasis on choice throughout. I appreciated that the conflicts between characters, especially the main romance, weren't brushed aside just to get to a happily ever after faster. The reader experiences the same emotions as the characters and works through them together, sometimes over years. Klune paced everything perfectly and included just the exact right details to transport the reader into Ox's mindset.

The writing was simultaneously understated and so full between the lines. Klune used repetition of ideas and thoughts to maximum effect from page one. I lost count how many times my heart soared and ached, how many times I teared up from the beauty and tightness of the writing from the very beginning. The story was both deeply serious and ridiculously funny.

A couple minor issues I had: one, the age difference between the main characters, even though nothing happened until they were both adults. I did appreciate the delicacy the author handled it with, including the cheeky Twilight reference (thanks for acknowledging my exact thoughts, Klune). Two, I'm not sure how, in the end, one of the characters remained at his pack status after it was taken from him. That process wasn't consistent with an earlier one in the story.

Overall, this book was epic and awesome and felt like home. It's going to stay with me for a long time, and I can't wait to return to these characters and lose myself in the rest of the series.

You might like this if you like: the Aud Torvingen series by Nicola Griffith

I read the first few pages and finished the book in two days. Soon enough, I fell in love with Ox and the rest of the werewolves and humans in Green Creek. Life dealt them both bad cards and left them with no choice but to overcome them. I cried with them and smiled with them and immediately knew I was continuing the rest of the series.

Ox Matheson’s father told him he would get shit his entire life, and the little boy who looked up to his father listened with bated breath. Ox suffered losses that would forever mar him as a person, altering the way he viewed life. But Ox came out of his grief stronger than before. He built new ties and something of himself. Joe Bennett grew up faster than a kid should. He experienced cruel things, shifting his outlook on the world. The Bennett Pack endured tremendous losses, leaving Joe to do something no son would ever wish to do. In return, it left him with a memory that will forever stain his mind. As the alpha, Joe did what he believed he needed to protect his pack and his sanity.

I definitely believe Wolfsong is not a book for everybody, but I enjoyed every moment. The writing is just beautiful. “I thought I could shatter and the pieces would fall amongst the trees and all that would be left would be little fractals of light from the moon as it reflected off the shards that had been my life.” I loved just about everything. Despite not having any expectations, I came out with a new favorite.