2.5 stars

Pro:
* Klune’s characters and their emotions are immediately round and complex and captivating
* Blends fantasy and realism seamlessly

Con:
* I didn’t realize it was a rerelease.
* Not nearly as good as his newer books
* More explicit than others I’ve read by Klune. Goes beyond “romance.”
* So disappointing - the second half of the book feels completely different from the first. All the nuance, humor, and complexity disappear, and it becomes gratuitous.

Thank you to TJ Klune, Tor Publishing Group, and NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

So, so good. I don't know why I haven't read this sooner!! That's what new cover art will do to a series haha. So glad I picked this up and can't wait to read more!

I'm very familiar with TJ Klune's books and had high expectations for 𝑾𝒐𝒍𝒇𝒔𝒐𝒏𝒈. This is the first time that I was disappointed by a TJ Klune book. Surely I'm not the only person thrown off by the age gap. This piece really threw the whole story off for me and took away from enjoying the spice and romance in the book. The writing style also felt different which was a bit of an adjustment.

⭐️4.75⭐️

TJ Klune has quickly secured a place as an author whose I will immediately purchase without knowing a thing about it. His ability to write such human characters (even when they're not human), flawed, broken, and imperfectly beautiful is more beautiful than I can find the words for.

Wolfsong follows the story of Ox and his journey into the lives of werewolves. I honestly didn't have high hopes for this being in the midst of a reading slump and werewolves not really being my thing, but 10 pages in I had tears in my eyes, 10 more and I was hooked.

In my attempt to give this book the review it deserves, my words keep seeming to fall flat. Instead, this book is for anyone who has ever felt lonely or not enough. Someone who feels like they don't have a place and has been told they'll never amount to anything. This book is home. This book is a reminder: You are worthy. You are enough.

I have been wanting to read this one for awhile and I was excited to see Tor was publishing it. This was a fun read for fans of werewolves and the supernatural. I was not expecting the spice.

I typically love TJ Klune's writing; this one, however, was not my cup of tea. In fact, I disliked this one so much, that I had to stop reading before the end.

Wolfsong follows Oxnard, who falls in with the Bennett family who moves in next door. Particularly, he forms a close bond with their youngest son, Joe. As the years pass and Ox becomes closer with the family (or, I should say, the pack), his connection with Joe becomes undeniable.

I really wish I could have loved this one. I tend to enjoy TJ Klune's stories, and the premise of this really intrigued me. A found family story centering werewolves - sign me up! Unfortunately, there were a few big things that prevented me from enjoying this story.

First, and most important, I had a hard time getting behind the age gap in this story. Ox is 16 when he first meets Joe, and they have a very strong connection from the beginning. Although, of course, it is possible for a friendship to form at these ages, the overwhelming connection formed at the beginning that turns into romance was an uncomfortable point for me. Secondly, I struggled with the writing style of this. The language the characters used was flowery to the point that I had trouble suspending my disbelief. Usually, this doesn't bother me, but it was so overblown here that I found myself groaning every time the characters spoke.

Ultimately, I do not think I would jump to recommend this title to others. I think the age gap will be a hard sell for many people. However, for those who are aware and do not mind, this would be a great story for fantasy romance enjoyers.

TJ Klune is a MUST buy author for me so I was thrilled to be accepted to read the first book Wolfing in the 4 book series.

Wolfsong is an M/M shifter romance. But it’s so much more than that. I wouldn’t want this amazing novel to be limited by such a restrictive description. Yes, it’s a love story and yes, one of the guys is a wolf shifter. But this story is about so much more. It’s about growing up, about family and trust. It’s about anger and loss. And love. Above all, it’s about love and not only the romantic kind.

I admit, for the first few pages I was a bit put off by the writing style. At a first glance, it appeared too crude and simple. Too abrupt. Almost child-like in the telling. But pretty quickly, I realized how wrong I was. The writing is nothing but brilliant. Apart from the fact that the short and concise style is the perfect fit for Ox’s personality and self image, and the fact that it’s a genius way to convey the world from Ox’s point of view, it also makes for some truly hilarious conversations. I high-lighted so many exchanges between Ox, Joe and his brothers just so I could go back and laugh some more. Simply brilliant.

This story is for everyone. It doesn’t matter if paranormal isn’t your preferred genre, it doesn’t matter if you’re skeptical to read about a love-story between two men. This read is a definite must-read. So emotional. So lovely. So raw. It’s a true slow-burn romance – and I mean sloooooow burn – it takes ages before they even kiss. But it’s magnificent. Personally, I would have liked some more hot man-on-man action, I mean who wouldn’t? But Wolfsong is pretty tame with the physical stuff and not very explicit. Basically the contrary to what I like, but it’s still one of the best books I’ve ever read.

Thank you to Tor Publishing Group & NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book

T.J. Klune continues to be my go-to author when I'm in the mood for a found family story. No one writes them quite like he does. Wolfsong is a bit darker than the cozier books I've been reading from Klune but I still really enjoyed this one.

Wolfsong focuses on Ox, a young man who had my whole heart from the first moment we meet him. From a young age, Ox's father had told him that his life would be full of hard times and that no one would ever understand him or see his worth. After drilling that into Ox's head, his father then abandons Ox and his mother. Ox's school life isn't much better. He doesn't have any friends, and only his size (He is as big as an ox) saves him from endless bullying.

When he turns 16, Ox's life changes forever when the Bennett family moves in next door. Ox doesn't realize it for a long time but the Bennetts are shapeshifters who can transform into wolves at will. Joe, the youngest Bennett family member, has been through a recent trauma and hasn't spoken in over a year, but when he meets Ox, suddenly he is willing to speak again. Recognizing that Ox is special, the Bennetts take him under their protection, treating him as one of the family, or pack I should say. Ox grows equally attached to all of the Bennetts, basking in their loyalty and friendship which he has never experienced before, but also becoming especially attached to young Joe.

I thought Klune did a wonderful job of having that connection between Ox and Joe grow and develop as the characters get to know each other over the years. Yes, this is an age gap fantasy romance, but nothing happens between Ox and Joe until they are adults. In fact, Ox doesn't even realize why he feels such a connection to Joe until tragedy strikes and Joe is forced to leave home for over three years. When Joe finally returns, now a man, it is then that Ox realizes the true depth of their connection.

As I already mentioned, the biggest draw for me in this book was the found family element and I loved that in this case, the found family is a wolf pack. I adored the Bennett family because of the way they treated Ox and his mom. I also thought Klune did a brilliant job of writing these characters so that they acted a bit wolf-like even when they were in their human forms. You'll have to read it and experience it for yourself, but it was truly unlike any other werewolf characters I've ever read about.

I don't want to say anything else since this one is best experienced for yourself knowing as little as possible up front, but it is a wonderful read filled with unforgettable characters.

"Wolfsong" by TJ Klune is a courageous exploration of the human spirit, wrapped in a gripping tale of werewolves and family. Klune's writing is raw and powerful, cutting through the noise with an unapologetic voice. The story unfolds relentlessly, immersing readers in a world where love and loss intertwine. Klune fearlessly delves into the complexities of human desire, including intimate moments not for the faint of heart. Klune's depiction of sexual scenes is both explicit and unapologetic, refusing to shy away from exploring the depths of passion and vulnerability. These moments are crafted with a raw intensity, reflecting the characters' raw emotions. Brace yourself for a provocative exploration of intimacy that leaves no detail unexplored.

Klune's narrative will leave you breathless, craving for more. Prepare to be captivated from the first page to the very last.

I adored this book! The way TJ Klune writes found family novels just resonates with me so much. Wolfsong is no exception and I loved all of these characters and the story so much.

I think this book just isn't for me.

Having read Cerulean Sea and Whispering Door, I was expecting an introspective cosy fantasy. This was decidedly not that.

Being an educator, the age gap really didn't sit right with me. They meet at 10 and 16 and Ox constantly thinks back to the 10 year old Joe throughout the book. As a result, I felt that Joe's character development was stilted and at pivotal times nonexistent. I also struggled with accepting some of the character development we are told about Ox midway through. Perhaps if they had met at the same developmental point, these issues would have been easier to overcome.

I can see that there is an audience for this book and certainly I do love a found family trope - plenty of that here. But I simply wasn't able to overcome the timing of the age gap.

If you liked Under the Whispering Door, In the Lives of Puppets, and House by the Cerulean Sea, you will find in Wolfsong the same themes of love, found family, and acceptance. You will laugh, cry, and you might possibly howl 🐺. You're definitely going to feel GREEN.

Ox was young when he and his mother were abandoned by his father, and that experience affected him deeply. When a new family moves in nearby and he makes a new friend, Joe, he starts to learn just what a family can be...a wolf pack!

TJ Klune is amazing at writing characters that are easy to fall in love with, and I fell in love with Ox, Joe, the Bennett family, the guys at the auto shop, Gordo the witch, and everyone in Green Valley. I already have the next book in the series, Ravensong, downloaded and I'm looking forward to reading it next.

Content warning: the age gap between Joe and Ox is cringe worthy at the beginning of the story. This book is a paranormal romance and there is one scene that is quite detailed. If you have read the other books by TJ Klune I mentioned, they are low on spice. Wolfsong rates quite high.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Books for providing a digital copy of Wolfsong for my honest review.

“The Bennett family has a secret:
They’re not just a family, they’re a pack.
Wolfsong is Ox Matheson’s story.”

This story.

This story.

This story is everything.

I mean, yes, this book is, I suppose, a Gay Werewolf Book, but that’s like calling Field of Dreams a Sports Movie or Shawshank Redemption a Prison Flick.

This work contains werewolves, and witches, and magic (oh my!) but it’s also deep, and tender, and funny, and poignant, and everything you don’t generally get from a bit of YA sparkly vampire fiction.

I’ll admit to being a little concerned about the age gap, but everything was 100% above board.

My only hesitation in suggesting this book to LITERALLY EVERYONE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 12 and 120 are the extremely graphic sex scenes.

If you like open door scenes, you’re going to love this. It’s sexy and tender and more than a little dirty.

Me? I’m getting cranky in my dotage, and tend to skip ahead.

This is my fourth TJ Klune, and it won’t be my last. Cannot wait for Ravensong.

8/10

Thanks to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for this tender ARC.

TJ Klune is a genius. Wolfsong is incredible. It's like gay adult Twilight but the wolves are the main characters, and there isn't an annoying emo girl character everyone is obsessed with.

Ox Matheson has been told his entire life he's nothing. He's 16 when he meets the Bennett family--his new neighbors and the kind of supportive, loving family he's always longed for. He develops a special connection with Joe, the youngest Bennett. The Bennetts, however, have a secret. Ox is 23 when tragedy strikes, and things get complicated from there.

Omg, I loved and hated and loved this book. I wanted to SCREAM at Joe for some of the decisions he made, while at the same time understanding why he made them. Ox, however, owned my heart from the first page. His character is really something special. I want to wrap him up in a huge hug and never let him go.

I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

Thank you to Tor Books and Netgalley for my ARC.

I really enjoyed this book! I've never read anything quite like it. The descriptions used in this book made me feel like I was right there in the story. I love how TJ Klune makes the characters come to life. I am working my way through this series. Who knew werewolves could be so exciting.

I've had this book on my TBR for a while now, and when I requested this ARC I didn't even realize this was a re-release. I've had mixed luck with TJ Klune thus far, but am always open to reading more from him, and I am happy that I did because I ended up loving this book. In fact, I was debating giving this 5 stars if wasn't for some things that happened at the end of the book.

I think what worked for me was the fact that this book read like fanfiction, and I mean that in the best way. Fanfiction, in terms of the format and themes, isn't for everyone, but it is for me, and the way the book was written allowed me to become really engrossed in the story. It was just more than the overall story though that worked, as I loved Ox and Joe right from their first interaction. Granted, it was odd at first reading it in the context of knowing that they would end up together even though Joe was only 10 when they met, but the relationship was platonic until way later on so it was fine.

Now, I know I just said I liked the way the story was written, but it wasn't perfect. The narrative was disjointed at times and the book itself was rather long and felt dragged out at points. By the time I was halfway through the book, it felt like the story should have ended. Was still enjoying myself though so it wasn't all that big of a deal. The text was also very repetitive at times, particularly when it came to Ox's trauma from his father. I understand why it was repeated, but after a while it got annoying.

One other concept I wished was more clear was the dynamics of the pack. Ox ends up becoming part of the pack, but as a human, I don't understand how he gains some supernatural abilities just because of that. In my mind, he is still a human and therefore should be able to hear their thoughts or see their auras. At the least, an explanation would have been nice for context.

Overall though, despite the ending which I didn't like, this was fantastic, and I can see myself re-reading this over and over again.

Thank you, NetGalley and Tor Books, for giving me the opportunity to review this in advance (even though I am posting this after the book was released.)

Series Info/Source: This is the first book in the Green Creek series. I got an eGalley of this through NetGalley to review.

Thoughts: I really loved the first part of this book, thought the middle was slow, but enjoyed the ending. Prior to read this I had read a number of Klune's other books. I really loved "The House in the Cerulean Sea", "Under the Whispering Door", and "The Lightning-Struck Heart". I liked, but didn't love, "In the Lives of Puppets". I have not read his The Extraordinaries series. For some reason I had no idea that the Green Creek series existed until I saw it up for review on NetGalley.

This story is told from Ox's POV. Ox is a bit slow and has had a tough upbringing, but all that changes when the Bennett family moves in next door and Joe (the youngest Bennet) chooses Ox as his. Ox doesn't know that the Bennetts are shapeshifters but he does know he is finally finding the family he never knew he needed. Years pass, Ox's feelings towards Joe start to become more, then violence strikes and Joe leaves town...leaving Ox to protect the territory and fight through trouble that plagues Green Creek...that is until Joe comes back.

I really loved the beginning of this book. Ox is a bit slow and the story is told in a very lyrical but stylistic way that echos Ox thinking. We find that it's not really that Ox is slow, he just thinks through things a bit differently than others. I enjoyed the writing style and found it very engaging and unique. There is a ton of humor as well, which had me laughing out loud numerous times. In fact I really enjoyed a lot about this book until Joe leaves. Then things just slow down a lot. There are some good action scenes but you really feel the loneliness and ennui that Ox is experiencing and it went on for too long for the reader. It just gets too serious and too slow.

Things pick up again once Joe returns and I enjoyed watching Ox, Joe, and Joe's family navigate through all the of the issues that were created both by Joe's leaving and by the evil werewolf and mage Joe is trying to hunt down.

I know that there have been complaints about the weirdness in the age gap between Ox and Joe. The age gap is really only 5 years, which isn't that big. The fact that Joe identifies Ox as his true love at the age of 10 is a bit weird, but not that weird considering the supernatural/paranormal aspects involved. Additionally, they end up being just very close trusting friends at this point. A point is made that Ox is a bit developmentally slow and Joe has had to grow up way too fast, so that evens the mental playing field some. Also, Ox and Joe aren't romantically involved until Joe is in his upper teens and Ox is in his low 20's. Even then it's mostly fooling around and not anything beyond kissing. They don't really get serious until both characters are in their 20's...so I guess I don't see the issue here. I mean my grandparents were 10 years apart in age and they did fine...5 years is nothing.

My biggest issue with the book was how much re-hashing of emotions there are throughout the story; this needs some editing to take out a lot of repetitive angsting over the same issues again and again. This book is a couple hundred pages longer than it actually needs to be. I ended up skimming a lot of parts where Ox was rehashing the same issues over and over in his head. Additionally, a lot of the plot hinges on the fact that Joe leaves, and Joe's decision to leave seemed a bit contrived to me and never made sense.

I did enjoy the complex characters and the way Ox finds a new family with the Bennetts. I also enjoyed Ox's friendship with the local car mechanics. The different aspects around the Alpha magic were very intriguing and the issues this created when Joe returned were also well done. This is definitely an adult book, there is gruesome violence and very detailed male/male sex scenes in here. Will I read the rest of the series? Not sure right now. I liked a lot of this but also felt like it was just too wordy and repetitive at points.

My Summary (4/5): Overall I enjoyed most of this book but thought the middle portion was too slow and depressing. The beginning of the book was fantastic with a lot of humor, intriguing characters, and a unique writing style that was engaging and fun to read. The book then got too serious and slow for me. There are some great action scenes in here and I enjoyed the plot around the evil werewolf/mage. I also really enjoyed the Bennett family and how they interacted with each other. I would recommend this to paranormal/werewolf story fans who don't mind a romance heavy story with some very explicit male/male sex. I am on the fence about whether or not I want to continue it.

There’s no doubt that TJ Klune writes absolutely beautiful. His stories are always magical and captivating. Wolfsong was an amazing read. I loved everything about it. I can’t wait to continue reading the series. Thank you so much NetGalley for giving me this amazing opportunity.

I really loved this book. Second book read by this author and I’m excited to read the next one in this series.

I absolutely loved the first book and can’t wait to read the sequel. I adore TJ Klune’s writing style.