If only I could dive into the world of Ox...
I absolutely adored this novel. It was heartwarming, and heart wrenching. I laughed and cried in the same chapter and felt positively giddy at others.
Klune is an absolute master at melding story lines, positive social messages, and fantasy into one quick twist of a book. I will forever and always be a TJ Klune reader. Well done.

I find Klune's writing to be so cozy and comforting. This was no different, though the story itself wasn't my favorites of his work. I have a belief that people will have different books of Klune's that they love and relate to the best based on their own experience with the topic. I adored Under the Whispering Door due to my own grief and relationship with death. I think this novel is pretty similar; you'll love it if you can relate to this aspect.

While I can appreciate the detail and emotion that went into this story, it just didn't end up being for me. I love a paranormal/magical type romance, and have heard great things about this series and this book especially so I'm quite disappointed that I didn't end up liking it.

I do have to give TJ Klune a lot of brownie points for being so inclusive in this novel and making is so normal. It was never something that was made to seem like a pivotal talking point, people were just going about their lives and having both straight and queer relationships all in the same realm made it appear so much more natural than making a deliberate point of focusing on adding in inclusivity. 10/10 for that.

Really what ultimately just made me uncomfortable throughout this was the age differences. I'm not opposed to an age gap; in fact I think it can add a lot of depth to stories and make characters even closer. While I know that nothing really happened in this until all characters were above/at the age of consent, it just felt really really weird and uncomfortable to have those conversations even STARTING when they weren't at the age of consent. Like, yes. I know you can have thoughts and feelings at those ages. But if you are the adult and the other person is a MINOR you should never even be talking about it. That's weird. It was handled okay in this book, it just made me feel a bit off, which impacted my enjoyment of the book overall.

Wolfsong was originally published in 2016, and is now being republished with a brand new look on July 4, 2023. Thank you to TOR Publishing, NetGalley and the author for the digital advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Last year, I read and loved The House in the Cerulean Sea. That made me read other books by TJ Klune.

Wolfsong is just as amazing as the others I've read.

I wasn't sure what to think of the characters at first but they all grew on me. Such a uniquely written story with unique characters. I'm definitely looking forward to continuing this series.

I received a copy of this book for review from NetGalley. I have to admit; I have read this book before, but it has been enough years that reading this copy is like starting all over again. If you are familiar with TJ Klune from the Unofficial Kindness Trilogy (House in the Cerulean Sea, etc.), you may think that he only writes soft, lovely books. He does write soft, loving books, but this is not one of those.
This book is laugh out loud funny, and the characters are so real that they've lived rent-free in my head for years. This book will also rip your heart out, run it over with a tractor, and then back up and run it over again. Then it will toss your broken and weeping heart to a pack of wolves will who lovingly pat it back into shape. And then poke it with a stick a few times. I loved this book (and this series) with all of my broken heart, but do not read this if you are fresh off of mourning someone, or if you are feeling fragile. (Unless you are the type to find this cathartic.) It is well written, beautiful, loving, and has moments of exceptional sweetness to balance out the pain. The found family that Ox and Joe create is top-notch, and I adore the whole mess of them Pack pack pack.

It’s clear to me that this book was one of Klune’s earlier works, but now repackaged and reprinted. But I can also say that there was a pull into this story, a compelling characterization that made me want to keep reading.

Honestly I couldn’t tell if the writing style was good because it highlighted Ox’s more “simplistic” mindset and way of thinking, or if the writing style was amateurish. So many sentences were short and kind of choppy. Paragraphs were shorter as well. There wasn’t as much description. But…it made the pages read so quickly. Even though the writing was simple, it was still effective.

Ox sees the world a bit differently than any other protagonist I can recall in my somewhat recent reads. There are so many layers to him, so he is deeper than most would give him credit for, but he doesn’t spend time waxing poetic about things. He just describes things as they are, for the most part. But he also sees certain emotions as colors, which makes me wonder if that’s just the easiest way for him to describe them, or if he actually has a form of synesthesia.

It was interesting that this book covered such a large amount of time. We get some time when Ox is 12 and his dad leaves, then it jumps forward, showing how he and his mom pull together and move forward, before showing how things really start to change when the Bennetts move in.

Most of the first half of the book covers this period from when Ox is 16-23, when things get very intense and dramatic, and everything changes. The rest of the book covers the Bennett pack split up and eventual return.

While there are moments where everything is pretty high stakes, most of the story honestly just feels like friendship and found family and the bonds that connect us all. So much of it just feels kind of cute and fluffy and easy-going. Aside from the moments of pain and drama and intensity, most of this book just feels like a warm hug.

And okay, I should point out that there is a big age difference between Ox and Joe. When they first meet Ox is 16 and Joe is 10, and the connection between them is pretty much immediate…something that often happens in stories that feature supernatural creatures such as werewolves. It doesn’t negate the fact that for a chunk of the book Ox is an adult and Joe is a minor, and Ox is experiencing lustful thoughts and urges towards the young man, which feels a little…yuck.

Still, overall, I read this book fairly quickly, and there are a number of characters I would like to know more about…so yes, I will be continuing this series. I think the rest of the series features folks who are of a more similar age, which will feel a bit less problematic to me. And look, it’s not that age gaps bother me–I’m four years older than my husband. What bothers me is that for nearly half the book, one of the pair is an adult, while the other is a teenager, a minor. When I was studying to be a teacher in the beginning of my college years, if there was a two year difference in age and one person was an adult and one was a minor, then it was never considered to be consensual, and legally was considered rape. Thankfully, Ox doesn’t really act on his thoughts and feelings for Joe until Joe is about to turn 18, but still, it just felt weird to me.

I typically really enjoy TJ Klune but very different reasons I chose to rate this book low. The story was convoluted. The ethical relationships of the characters was not morally sound in my opinion. With this being said I chose not finish this book.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC! I am just such a huge fan of everything TJ Klune writes. I would recommend this for any sci-fi/fantasy fans!

(A Spoiler-Free Review)

Having read two other novels by this author I knew one thing going into it: I was guaranteed an interesting queer romance! It’s always fun to go into a story knowing that it will have some sort of supernatural or fantasy element to throw a twist on the typical tales of love we’re used to reading, and Wolfsong did not disappoint.

This novel follows Oxnard - Ox - Matheson, a boy who seems to be as normal as they come for all intents and purposes. His dad left while he was young and his mother raised him most of his life in a small town. He’s a little slower to process than most others and it’s interesting to read things through Ox’s perspective as a few obvious-to-the-reader things don’t always click right away for him. It’s also written in short, concise thoughts, with speech often written in smaller clips, longer bits broken up the way Ox processes it. The writing style is different, but in a way that absolutely works for the character and place the story is coming from. And it’s that simplicity that makes Ox so endearing. No mastermind, Ox is driven by instinct and a desire to be a good friend, family member, and maybe even pack member as things take a turn for him after meeting Joe Bennett.

Joe is part of a well-known family of werewolves who used to live in Ox’s town. Ox is sixteen when he meets Joe, who is only 10 years old. But even at 10, Joe knows that there’s something different about Ox, that Ox is meant to be important to him - to all of the Bennetts. Ox doesn’t learn their family secret until a year later. After that, he has a lot of important choices to make - not the least of which is whether or not he wants to be accepted into this family as a member of their pack, with all the danger and uncertainty that currently entails.

It’s a lot for Ox to process. It’s a lot to decide. And as he grows closer with the Bennetts, as he grows up with them, he starts to realize that the bond between himself and Joe was a decade in the making yet somehow manages to blindside him when the realization hits him.

It’s a slow burn on the romance side, but while the idea of werewolves and fated mates is a running theme it’s far from the driving factor of the narrative. The story itself focuses more on the bonds of family, friends, and the friends who become family. It’s about building your own pack and surrounding yourself with people who will support you no matter what - people you’d trust with your life.

I loved finding out how humans could fit into the world of werewolves here, and more specifically the way Ox pushed his way into their world and, even as a human, began to shift the roles and rules of the pack. It’s a great twist on the usual lore that kept me intrigued from start to finish.

All in all, Wolfsong is a found family story with a fantasy twist, and it was a lot of fun learning and growing with Ox along the way.

This one was not for me at all. I've liked T.J. Klunes stuff before but I'm not a fan of his backlist revamp at all.

I enjoyed aspects of this a lot. The way the main character finds belonging in an unexpected place is very characteristic of TJ Klune, and it's something I love about all their writing. That said, the first act of finding a lost pack-member drew me in a lot more than the wolf-pack drama of the second act did, I almost wondered if it would be better split into two shorter books.

I’ve liked some of TJ Klune’s other work and I’ve always found his writing very whimsical. I’m just not sure I liked this one? I thought the writing was very strong and Ox’s voice was really distinct, and there was some sections where he talks about his pack and Green Creek that were beautiful to read, almost poetic. I guess I felt like the plot wasn’t strong or structured enough to justify everything that was happening? This is great if you want a gay werewolf romance, I’ll say that.

packpackpack 🐺

Wolfsong releases in hardcover today. The book follows Ox, who is left by his father at a young age and basically tells him that he won’t amount to anything. In comes Joe, who won’t stop talking and touching Ox and claiming him first as his friend. The Bennett family treats Ox as one of their own, even bringing his Mom into their little pack.

There were a lot of characters, but they were all brought in at the right time with the perfect amount of back story. Not only do you fall for Ox and Joe, but you fall in love with the whole pack and root for them all.

Points of this book will make you laugh, other points will make you cry. But, in the end, the journey is worth it and you’ll want to sing your song and howl at the moon with them.

I can’t wait to start the next book - Ravensong!

Thank you Tor Books and NetGalley for the eARC… I’m on my way to buy a physical copy! 💗🐺

This was an interesting book. This is about werewolves who live in a very small country town. It includes a family of werewolves and neighbors that are not werewolves that are just human. The story is about the interaction of these humans who become part of this werewolf family. it is engaging. It’s interesting it’s fun it’s dark. It’s sad. It’s typical. The difference is that there is a sapphic romance that was good if you’re OK reading about sapphic romances. There was no love story between the other humans or werewolves. There is territorial fighting and domination by Alphas from other packs, that affect their lives. Overall, this is a very well written book typical of Mr. Klune. And I would recommend it if you like werewolf stories.
3.75 stars

After reading T.J. .Klune’s books Under the Whispering Door, The House in the Cerulean Sea, and In the Lives of Puppets, I was so excited to read some of Klunes works which predated these popular releases. I was so excited to be introduced to Ox, Gordo, and Joe and the Bennett clan. The welcome feeling felt warm and personal. I felt as though the Bennett family were the type of people who loved without question as long as their pack was safe; if you were loyal, they were loyal.
I wish someone looked at me the way Joe looks at Ox, smelling of “candy canes and pine cones and epic and awesome”. I will say I did not expect it to be as much of a romance read as it was, but I am not at all mad about it. I did think it would be more about pack, and family, loyalty, and survival and in many ways it is that as well. I feel like in the wolf pack, it does not matter if you are gay or bisexual and I really like that. There’s so much acceptance and openness about simply loving who you love. There are more negative connotations towards being human rather than a man loving another man and honestly, I can get behind that sentiment sometimes.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book if you are looking for a supernatural/ paranormal LGBTQIA+ romance with loyalty, heart, warmth, and a welcomeness towards all who offer good intentions. My one critique would be that some of the dialogue can be a bit campy but I really kind of think we all say dumb things when we are in love, don’t we?

TJ Klune’s writing is DEFINITELY in my top five of all time. It is moving and magical. It is thoughtful and provocative and honest. I always think and feel more when I read his books and Wolfsong was about love and loss and family and rawness that we all need and fits right into those empty spaces in our hearts. Ox goes on my list of all-time favorite characters. He’s lonely and lost but doesn’t hide that and his ability to love and the hope he has made me love him so much. There such beautiful and thoughtful themes explored in this book. There is found family and self worth and I adored all the amazing and gritty character development. As always I am in love with another Klune book and can’t wait to read the next book in the series, Ravensong!

4.5 stars

Thank you @netgalley and @torbooks for the copy!

As much as I've loved TJ Klune's other books, I wasn't sure how I'd feel about this one - paranormal romance is not my usual genre. I absolutely fell in love with the characters, though. The writing style he uses in Wolfsong is quite different from his other books, but clearly intentional - he allows us in to Ox's head, lets us see how he thinks and the many things he leaves unsaid. The narrative voice may be my favorite part of the book; it was unlike anything I've read, and used to great effect. Excited for the new cover and the re release of this book!

This was a sweet book that made my heart feel so full. I loved the relationships between the characters and it was a unique story that was incredibly well written. Definitely recommend!

I picked up this book because TJ Klune is a genius and I am so so so glad that I did. TJ has a way of bringing you into the world's they create and making them your own.


Ox grew up knowing one thing that his father bestowed to him... he was worthless and would never ever belong..When he was 12, his father left.

When Ox was sixteen, the Bennett family moved in next door which would change his life forever. For you see, the Bennetts are shapeshifters that can turn into wolves at will. Ox becomes immersed in this world of magic and fantasy and finds a true "pack" to belong to.

This book was so beautifully written and I wish I could experience reading it for the first time again! Be ready to be taken on the journey of a lifetime in this novel. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC, this book was phenomenal.

Goodreads 4.3 stars
Me: 4.5 stars

#tjklune #wolfsong #netgalley #romance #booksta #bookish #bookshelf #bookcase #library #reading #read #fiction #fantasy

Wolfsong by TJ Klune (published 7/4/2023!) is another “stayed up too late on a work night to finish it” book for 2023. I haven’t read a book about werewolves, witches, and young love in a long time and while much of this story was lore-adjacent with other writers and universes, it maintained a clear boundary between the world of Green Creek and other ‘creature’ series. I’m looking forward to diving into the second book Ravensong when it’s released August 1st

Positives: The best part about this book is that it was an action-packed werewolf love story where the romance, relationship, and attraction were key parts of the story, but it wasn’t a Romance Novel. The main characters were complex and flawed and sweet and relatable. The plot was well paced, and I never felt like I ‘missed anything’ or “would you quit belaboring the point”.

Wish List: I always appreciate the inclusion of sex scenes to further the narrative or mature a character, but the writing style in these sections was noticeably different from the rest of the story. The slight change in voice and style put me off balance to such a degree that it felt like reading a different story, and then jumping back into the main story. On the other hand, sometimes sex in real life feels like stepping out of the main story, and back in again so perhaps it’s all good. Either way, it made me think about writing and storytelling and relationships which is always an indication of a great story.

As always, I appreciate the opportunity afforded me to have an early read by netgalley.com and Tor Books . The opinions in this review are expressly those of ButIDigressBookClub and are intended for use by my followers and friends when choosing their next book. #butidigress #butidigressbookclub #wolfsong #netgalley #torpublishing @torbooks @tjklunebooks

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Publishing Review 7/3/2023