Unfortunately I just didn’t find the writing and this story was for me. I found it difficult to get into and couldn’t connect.

DNF 25%

The Wolf’s Eye by Luanne Smith continues the story from the first book, The Witch’s Lens. This story begins as if both books were one complete manuscript and it was broken into two books, which wouldn’t be bad except this literally picks up right where the first book ends. In doing that, you’d expect the pacing to stay consistent to connect to the plot line of the first book, but it drops off immediately. The action just ends and goes into a state of recovery but with pressing plot lines left dangling. It completely changes directions and even introduces another narrative voice, breaking with the consistency of the first book.

I noticed this right away, especially at the first chapter from a different character’s voice, but I gave it some more to try to settle into the book. It did not entertain me the same way the first one did and I found myself unable to find any interest to read.

Like the first one, it is written well. I had no issue with the prose or the author’s idea for writing the book, I just didn’t connect.

Until Next Time,
MC


Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for access to the ARC.

This novel is a blend of history and magic and is a great addition to the series. I loved the characters and the loyalty and camaraderie of the group. The writing is beautiful and cleverly crafted
Many thanks to 47North and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Set during WW I on the eastern front, The Wolf’s Eye makes a strong follow up as the second book in Smith’s historical fantasy series. The magical main character Petra Kurková and her found family of fellow witches are assigned the hateful task of tracking down and killing soldiers cursed to transform each full moon into a kind of werewolf called vlkodlak. The central challenge for them is that one of their crew was bitten by a vlkodlak early in the war and fights the curse only with the help of an elixir that he no longer has. That they may need to kill him is especially hard for Petra who has fallen in love with Joseph.

With the full moon less than a month away, the magical group is running out of time to find a cure. They return to the hometown city and begin to uncover a way to save Joseph, using secrets from Petra’s past.

As with the first book in this series, Smith engagingly develops the themes of friendship, loyalty, and the value of the family you choose for yourself. The bashful and gradual romance between Joseph and Petra gives sweetness to this fairly dark book. For those who enjoy the revelation of the “scientific” mechanics of magic The Wolf’s Eye will be highly satisfying. Despite occasional slowdowns in the plot’s momentum, Smith builds characters the reader actively roots for and throws them into exciting danger that only their loyalty to each other can overcome. An entertaining, intelligent historical fantasy.

If you are a fan of Divine Rivals you will love this series, it’s soooo much better! It’s historical fiction in a wartime setting with the fantastical mix of magic & mystery and a touch of romantic intrigue. Engrossing from beginning to end.

Really enjoy the historical perspective and it makes this book stand out. I really enjoyed Petra's storyline!

I adored the first book in this series, so I was so excited when the second was going to be released! Unfortunately, I just didn't love it as much. It wasn't bad. The writing was decent, I liked the setting and the ideas, but there was something missing between the characters. I thought the love interests could have had more chemistry and I felt like the plot kind of dragged at times.

World War I, witches, werewolves, alchemy, and a burgeoning romance-The Wolf’s Eye has a little bit of everything. This was an entertaining second (final?) book in “The Order of the Seven Stars” series. This book was more slow build, character defining in the first half or so and plenty of action in the latter. This is the fourth book by Luanne G. Smith I’ve read. I enjoy her writing style and look forward to more from the author.

Well, this book wasn't quite what I expected. I thought it was going to be shifter fantasy - which it is, sort of.

It's actually more historical fiction mixed with fantasy. And it's actually more zombie than shifter romance.

It's not what I thought it would be, but it's a good read nonetheless.

Thank you NetGalley for the eArc copy of this book for an honest review.
I would like to start by saying, I have not read the first book and will be reviewing based on my limitations.

If you like historical fantasies. Witches in ww1- then you will enjoy what this book has to offer. I thought I would personally enjoy this book more, as I lean towards fantasy reads most often. It is an easier read when there is not so much world building, for days you just want to enjoy the genre. This would be a better read, if you have read the first book, to get a better idea of what is happening.

The premise of this story - a witch named Petra fights the undead in WWI. Overall, it was a good read, I just

The novel takes root in Prague and is a delicate blend of fantasy and historical genres with plenty of room to enrich the story with elements from a parallel universe. In this second volume of the saga, the story opens up a bit to emotions, though they remain subtle, a detail I greatly appreciated.

As a lover of mythology, I loved the care with which mythological elements were woven into the events, aiming to make the story as engaging and relatable as possible. Another detail I appreciated is how the author effectively concluded the duology of a series that could have continued but instead wrapped up by tying together all the threads and resolving all the issues presented.

However, I did find the first half a bit slow, decidedly less frenetic (in a good way) compared to the second half where the pace picks up and it becomes harder to put the book down. Finally, I found the first volume to be more engaging than this second book, but it could simply be that my expectations were higher after reading the first. It's a beautiful book, undoubtedly well-thought-out and worth reading and discovering.

The historical setting is perfect for this fantasy that weaves magic, folklore, and werewolves into World War I.  In book two, Petra’s team draws back from the front and returns to the city to find a cure for Josef.  Tainted by the vlkodlak (werewolf) curse, Josef struggles to control his wildness.  But the team believes there may a be a cure.

Fighting a vlkodlak kill order, Petra and the others team up with another group of magicians.  Academics who are hungry for knowledge and power agree to help as long as they are able to study Petra whose singular talent is coveted by everyone.  The academics are hiding something, keeping Petra close and delaying the discovery of a cure for Josef.  All the while, a violent, depraved lone wolf is closing in on the group, eager to join with Petra.

In The Wolf’s Eye, Petra will learn more about her father and how she came to be who she is.  Also, the development of the vlkodlak curse is revealed.

Magical horrors echo the real time war evils while spinning a character-driven tale filled with empathic heroines and heroes who charm the reader of this dark fantasy. 

Through Netgalley, the publisher provided a copy of this book. My review is my honest opinion.

Honestly, I didn't go past chapter 3.
I was really intrigued by the setting and the concept, but the actual execution of the story was extremely repetitive and (to me) quite boring. I couldn't connect with the characters at all. The writing felt like a synopsis rather than the real thing.
It's a pass for me.

In this excellent follow-up and conclusion to The Order of the Seven Stars duology, Petra, Josef, and their intrepid band are seeking answers to right wrongs and reverse curses.

While their orders to fight the undead are still active, the more pressing concern to find a cure for Josef's curse takes precedence, especially since the order has put a price on his head. With time against them, and threats from afar and closer to home, the team must find a solution, or die trying.

One thing I really love about Luanne G. Smith's writing is how atmospheric it is - you feel immediately transported to the worlds she creates. And this duology is no exception. I also think it would make an excellent movie!

While The Witch's Lens focused mainly on outward forces threatening the world, and our band of evil hunters, I found The Wolf's Eye a little more introspective. There seemed to be fewer intense fights, and more measured investigation. I liked both styles, and I especially enjoyed getting to know Petra more. Her life and background are so important to moving the story forward.

I also liked the discussion of magic as applied science. It is a really lovely idea, and worked well within this world Luanne G. Smith has so carefully constructed. While the supernatural (of werewolves and other monsters) seems somewhat removed from our modern age, the monsters of greed and love of power are very much a part of our modern world - and in many respects, the hubris of that greed is what creates so much terror and horror today. It is one of my most favourite things about fantasy and magic, that these genres allow us to explore those ideas and show their deadly consequences.

I also really loved how we got to see the team working together to achieve their goal. Each member of the team was necessary to reach their goals. I think this is also true for humanity today - unless we all work together, using our strengths in synergy, we won't make as much progress as we have the potential to.

I also found the ending very satisfactory, and it tied things together nicely. There is still a little room to add to the world as well, which is always nice if fate decides we get more books in this world.

Thank you to Luanne G. Smith and NetGalley for this eARC. All opinions and views are my own.

I just didn't like it as much as I wanted to. I don't think it's the book's fault though. Let's blame the werewolves? Yeah, let's blame the werewolves.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book. This was such a fun read! I'm normally a mystery/ thriller reader but this fantasy book description really caught my eye. I ma so glad it did! The story and characters were wonderfully done and I ma looking forward to more fantasy reads from this author.

Luanne G. Smith continues her tale of Petra Kurková, a witch with the unusual ability to turn one object into another, even turning something into gold. It’s World War I on the Russian side and in the first one the Russian troops were infected with two curses, zombies and werewolves. She and a small group of other people with special powers use The Witch's Lens (paper) of her ghost-seeing camera to stop the undead curse, now she has to look through The Wolf's Eye(paper from 47North) to help one of her teammates understand the curse he has to deal with and to stop a sociopath who uses his werewolf ability to murder. Along the way she learns how her father’s research led to her talent and more. This may have completed the tale, but I’d love to see more adventures.

This is a fantasy/steampunk-like novel that includes some historical aspects. This review is so difficult to write because I don't want to give a lot away, but I just want to splurge about everything that happened.
I do have to say that I did not read the first book, but the author provided a nice recap which allowed me to go through the second book without losing my way. There was growth in the characters and the novel wasn't repetitive at all.
The author did an amazing job at ending the novel, and the duology.

Werewolves & witches & alchemy - the follow-up/conclusion to The Witch’s Lens did not disappoint!

It’s a race against time to find a cure for Josef’s curse before the next full moon, but digging into the origins of its creation may show him & Petra that they’re even more connected than they think…

I really enjoyed getting to know Josef more in this second book, & learning along with Petra how she came to have her gift was fascinating. The sun & moon/gold & silver connections were intriguing & expertly plotted, & the students of the occult in an academic lab setting were a nice touch. If you enjoy magic & science with a dash of romance this book is for you.

Thank you to NetGalley & 47North for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is book #2 after The Witches Lense, I did read it last year and enjoyed it. I definitely think you should read the first book to better understand the characters and the scenarios that took place in the first book.

I'm not used to reading fantasy, so it unfortunately was hard for me to get a full grasp on the themes taking place in this book and the verbage being used to describe some of the magical creatures and the like. This made it a slow read for me for most of the book. But around 60% into the story, I didn't want to put the book down and became completely invested.

I was satisfied with the ending, although I wished there were romantic moments between Petra and Josef, since it was pretty clear they had feeling's for each other.

I thought it was awesome how committed, determined, and loyal Petra was to finding a cure for Josef. And how protective Josef intern was protective of Petra. Overall this was an interesting read and makes me want to dabble more into the fantasy realm.