Book Review: For the Throne

For the Throne
by Hannah F. Whitten
Book 2 in Wilderwood Duology
 My rating: 5 of 5 stars

First, book two and Neve’s story are leaps and bounds better than book one and Red’s primary narrative.

Two, I’m shocked that Orbit didn’t force this into a trilogy instead of a duology. I was tickled to find a huge climactic point about 70% of the way through the book! Those kinds of surprises are always nice to see; and in this case could easily have been the splitting point for a third volume (and a chance to capitalize more). But leaving this as a duology is such a nice change of pace; and feels more appropriate as For the Wolf is Red’s story; and For the Throne is Neve’s.

Three, I take back all my criticisms about the end of book one. I was wrong Hannah Whitten knew where she was headed and she killed it taking us deep into the Shadowlands, into the psyche of Old Gods and Kings; and shared the reality that we are all good and evil. Sometimes one of these at specific moments; but often both sides are affecting our persona’s, decisions, and beliefs simultaneously.

Fourth, the absolute best part of this series is that it embraces the idea that few are just ‘good’. And just because you are ‘good’ (in general) doesn’t mean your choices will reflect that. As a choice between awful and terrible doesn’t end in a good outcome. So often we are given bad choices to start with; and so we must live with having made them, even when we had to way out.

And finally, Solmir. Oh how I love thee. Oh how the tortured, brooding soul is always my favourite. From my teen days of Angel and Spike to now, at 40 years old, I have not lost my love of a tortured, weeping soul and how I bleed, cry, and despair alongside them. These characters always speak to me the most, men or women, and I always come out, from stories where they are well written, knowing that many more people in the world than I ever seem to notice hold some darkness inside of them, just as I do.

Thank you Hannah Whitten for sharing these souls (and soulless) with us and for acknowledging that good comes in many forms, and redemption is always possible.

Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
That said, I already have this book on my wish list when it comes out in paperback. This series is definitely being added to my home print library!

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