#hannah f whitten

[books-to-add-to-your-tbr]

Title: Wilderwood

Author: Hannah F. Whitten

Series or standalone: series

Publication year: 2021

Genres: fiction, fantasy, romance, retelling

Blurb: The first daughter is for the Throne; the second daughter is for the Wolf. As the only second daughter born in centuries, Red has one purpose: to be sacrificed to the Wolf in the Wood in the hope he’ll return the world’s captured gods. Red is almost relieved to go. Plagued by a dangerous power she can’t control, at least she knows that in the Wilderwood, she can’t hurt those she loves again...but the legends lie. The Wolf is a man, not a monster; her magic is a calling, not a curse. If she doesn’t learn how to use it, the monsters the gods have become will swallow the Wilderwood - and her world - whole.

[readtilyoudie]

“You’re worth reaching into the dark for.” Then he grabbed her chin and kissed her.

For the Throne (Wilderwood, #2) by Hannah F. Whitten

[beakys-book-hoard]

The Foxglove King by Hannah F. Whitten My rating: 4 of 5 stars I enjoyed this one. It ended up being one of those books I didn't want to put down. Was it predictable? Yes in a lot of ways, but I felt like it didn't take away from the reading experience. I did end up spoiling some of it a little over half way through when I went to add the second book to a wish list lol. It wasn't a big spoil for me though. I still plan on reading the next book, though after reading that one, I'll decide if I'll read the third when it's released. I hope we get to learn more about Lore's background, what she's supposed to represent and all that in the next book. I also hope we get to learn more about Bastian's, since it was only briefly entertained near the end. I also want more Gabe in general but especially character growth. He got his world shook and I want to see the repercussions. View all my reviews

[flaviathebibliophile]

The Hemlock Queen by Hannah F. Whitten (Review)

Title: The Hemlock Queen Author: Hannah F. Whitten Type: Fiction Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Romance Publisher: Orbit Date published: April 11, 2024 A complimentary physical copy of this book was kindly provided by Raincoast Books in exchange for an honest review. Note: This is the second book in a series. Beware of spoilers for the first book in the synopsis below. The corrupt king August is dead.…

[bmacreadz]

"For the Throne" by Hannah F. Whitten

"For the Throne" met my expectations in terms of romance, storytelling, and level of intrigue. Sadly, I can't say that I expected all that much, since I knew I didn't love its predecessor, "For the Wolf."

I can't really decide how to write this review because I still don't know how I feel about this book. So, if you think my review is all over the place, that's because it is.

"For the Throne" tells Neve's story as she journeys through the Shadowlands in search of a way to get back to her sister, Red - who we meet and follow in "For the Wolf." The overall story in "For the Throne" is told from three different perspectives: Neve's, Red's, and Raffe's. Since Red and Raffe were on the "other side," it was nice to get a better glimpse of what they were learning about Neve's situation in the Shadowlands. I have to admit, though, I was wholeheartedly less interested in what was happening with Red, Eammon, and the others. I could've done with a couple chapters, rather than half the book being told through the different perspectives. And this story was told in the type of switching perspective that would leave the reader hanging after something dramatic happened, to tell the other part of the story from the next person. This might sit well with some readers, but I was not thrilled when something exciting finally happened with Neve, the chapter ends, and then the next chapter starts with Red. Eventually, I found myself wanting to skip the chapters with Red and Raffe altogether and just focus on what was happening with Neve. You'll be happy to know that I DIDN'T skip them, despite my groaning and complaining.

What I did find myself doing towards the end was skimming. I have never, ever skimmed through a book before, but I was so OVER IT by the end of "For the Throne." It took Whitten an entire chapter to write Red walking through a tree. There was so much scene-description, explanation, and reflection that occurred during the most action-worthy parts of this story, and I just couldn't wade through it anymore by the end. It turned into an exhausting read, and I was entirely too impatient to get to the next tiny bit of action. So, I skimmed. I'm sorry, but also not sorry because I didn't really miss anything at all from the actual story by doing so.

"For the Throne" cleared up some of the mysteries that were left in "For the Wolf." However, I'm still very confused at some things, and I can't seem to wrap my head around the formation of the Wilderwood and the Shadowlands - or how the Kings came to be there, how Red and Eammon got their power, how Neve ended up in the Shadowlands... it's all a bit of a mystery, even now. I know it was explained - not very well, in my opinion - in "For the Wolf" (and only in "For the Wolf"), but I just can't make those pieces of this story fit together. The rational-thinking part of me was constantly trying to connect all the things, and ultimately failed.

What backstory the readers were privy to, was Solmir's. And his remembrance of the past painted some fairly clear pictures about the history of the Shadowlands and the Wilderwood. Admittedly, I understood more after his explanations, but still not enough to connect all those pieces.

The end of "For the Throne" was such a letdown for me. I don't want to spoil anything for those who haven't read it, but it was entirely unexpected - and not in a good way. I was so disappointed and it felt like such an anti-climax. I hate to say this, really, but this entire book felt like a waste of my time.

There were pockets of interests that made me hope, though. I really enjoyed Neve and Solmir's growing connection throughout the book, and reading them together is what kept me going. I really wanted to know what happened in the end, and how they got there. The story had so many interesting parts, that I just knew this would come together in a ground-breaking type of way. Needless to say, it didn't.

Hannah F. Whitten has created a story that I think some would love to read. Her writing is done well, and the suspense and tension in this story is gripping. The romance is also a huge positive in "For the Throne." And I didn't dislike this story enough to put it down and never finish it, because of these elements. However, personally, I don't think I will be reaching for any of her other books any time soon.

[libertyreads]

April TBR 2024--

This next month is set to be full of rereads, hockey romances, and new to me books. It is also the month I'm starting a certification program so it will probably be a bit of a struggle to get through this month's TBR. I don't even remember the last time I've thought that about a month's TBR. I really hope I have as much fun with this TBR as I'm expecting to. I've really been in the mood for these rereads and these hockey romance so I'm excited to finally get to it.

Silver in the Bone by Alexandra Bracken-- This is just one of a few rereads this month. Book two in the series comes out next month. I originally read this one as an ARC so I definitely need a refresher first. Tamsin Lark is a mortal with no magical talent who was never meant to break into ancient crypts or compete with sorceresses and Cunning folk for the treasures inside. But treasure hunting is the only way she could keep herself and her brother Cabell alive following her thieving foster father's disappearance. Ten years later she's looking for a ring that is supposed to save her brother from a curse. It's based in Arthurian legend.

Teen Titans: Beast Boy by Kami Garcia and Gabriel Picolo-- Another reread before a new book in the series. I remember enjoying this one slightly less than Raven's book, but I still enjoyed meeting a new character and getting their origin story. I also felt like it addressed an issue that isn't brought up a lot: male body image issues. We see it addressed a lot in fiction for girls, but there are boys who also go through this growing up. Plus it's beast boy and lots of green animals.

The Score by Elle Kennedy-- A hockey romance! I've been so in the mood for hockey romances this year. I don't know if it's because I found a few new to me authors and bought some kindle books for Christmas or what. In this one we follow Allie Hayes who is in crisis mode. Graduation is looming and she's dealing with a broken heart thanks to the end to her longtime relationship. Wild rebound sex is definitely not the solution to her problems, but gorgeous hockey star Dean Di Laurentis is impossible to resist. Just one though because even if her future is uncertain it sure as heck doesn't include Dean. It seems like he's going to pursue her after she puts him in the friend zone following their one night stand. I love it when the guy falls first or the guy is pursuing the girl so I'm looking forward to this one.

Stars and Smoke by Marie Lu-- The last of the rereads for this month. I'm so excited for the next book too. In this one we follow an international pop sensation named Winter Young who is brought into the world of spies when a major crime boss gifts his daughter a private concert with Winter for her birthday. Sydney Cossette is a member of the elite covert ops group who is forced to work alongside Winter to infiltrate the crime organization's inner circle. This was such a fun and quick read for me last year and I can't wait to go back into this world of glitz, glam, and spies.

Bad Men by Julie Mae Cohen (NetGalley)-- This one just sounded so good when I saw it on NetGalley. It's unhinged women at its finest. Saffy Huntley-Oliver is an intelligent and glamorous socialite; she also happens to be a proficient serial killer. Over the course of fifteen years, she's dispatched bad men--rapist, murderers, domestic abusers. But leading a double life has left her lonely. Dating's rough when your boyfriend might turn out to be your next victim. Saffy thinks she's finally found a truly good man in Jonathan Desrosiers, a true crime podcaster. This is a feminist thriller that asks if even a serial killer can have a happily ever after. My hopes for this one? Rich people drama and some mad women.

The Hemlock Queen by Hannah F. Whitten (New Release)-- The second book in the series is finally coming out. This series starts with Lore, who has a dark power and a hidden past, as we follow her into the intrigue of the Sainted King's royal court. The king and his priest manipulate Lore and have her spy on the prince in order to determine just who is killing the villages at the edge of the kingdom. We follow on from the events of the first book in this new one.

My Lucky #13 by Piper Rayne (Kindle)-- A hockey player who is going through a scoring draught is worried he's going to get traded before the deadline if he doesn't turn it around. Following a New Year's Eve with a woman, he has a waterfall of goals and knows he has to see her again. She wants nothing to do with him and he feels his has to change her mind. A hero falls first sounding story that I'm so looking forward to. I will say that there's a very obvious hockey error in the synopsis of this one and we all know I'm a little picky about hockey details. But I'll try to keep an open mind on this one.

Just Do This One Thing For Me by Laura Zimmerman (Library)-- I'm going to pull the synopsis straight from GoodReads since it's a Mystery/Thriller and those are hard to explain at the best of times: "'Just do this one thing for me.' Drew's mother says it more often than good morning. Heidi Hill has been juggling shady side hustles for all of Drew's seventeen years, and Drew knows that 'one thing' really means all the necessary things her mother thinks are boring, including taking care of her fifteen-year-old sister and eight-year-old brother. In fact, Drew is the closest thing to a responsible adult they've ever known. When their mother disappears on the way to a New Year's Eve concert in Mexico and her schemes start unraveling, Drew is faced with a choice: Follow the rules, do the responsible thing, and walk away--alone--from her mother's mess. Or hope the weather stays cold, keep the cons going, and just maybe hold her family together."

[darkcozyforest]

These have all been recommended to me aside from For the Wolf

Thoughts?

Opinions? On any of them?

If you’ve read them all what’s your favorite?

[edenblossom5]

"A forest in your bones, a graveyard beneath your feet. There are no heroes here."

[meeghanreads]

February 2024 book haul

Hello friends!! Welcome to the February 2024 book haul!! A post where I talk about all the books that I bought and received in the previous month. Ahh February… the shortest month of the year. Although this year it’s only the shortest by one day because it’s a leap year. Somehow I managed to purchase THREE TIMES the number of books I did in January though, so I more than made up for it being a…

[quoteablebooks]

When she thought about what might be left when all the artifice was stripped away, she came up blank. Like all the other things that made her were window dressings on an empty house.

The Foxglove King by Hannah F. Whitten

[belle-keys]

feb 17th: finished the arc and guess what: he's my new favorite disaster sunshine!

[guide-to-galaxy]

Top 5 (books with a costume party) Tuesday

I was never a big party teen. My friends and I would just meet up at each others’ houses. Braai (wood-fire cooking on coals. Never barbecue, we don’t use that word), games, music, and of course, tons of fun. Plus our town/family doesn’t celebrate Halloween so we don’t do that. But let’s see what’s in store for us here! Thanks to Meeghan @ Meeghan Reads for this prompt, and all the…

[readtilyoudie]

The moment of calm shattered with a sound of splintering wood. One of the white trunks, slowly splitting, like a smile cutting from one side of a mouth to the other. 

The trunk opened wider, gleaming with sap-dripping fangs. One by one, smiles cut across the other trunks, smiles full of teeth, smiles that wanted blood.

-  For the Wolf (Wilderwood, #1) by Hannah F. Whitten

[permanentreverie]

saw coco @sitpwgs do this in honour of book lovers day (aug 9) to know what books people have been loving lately/their all time faves!

classics:

les misérables by victor hugo

jane eyre by charlotte brontë

little women by louisa may alcott

the picture of dorian gray by oscar wilde

to kill a mockingbird by harper lee

contemporary romances:

the flatshare by beth o'eary

the seven year slip by ashley poston

out on a limb by hannah bonam-young

beach read by emily henry

the ex talk by rachel lynn solomon

fantasy:

six of crows by leigh bardugo

the night circus by erin morgenstern

divine rivals by rebecca ross

the cruel prince by holly black

the final empire by brandon sanderson

the poppy war by r. f. kuang

graphic novels:

lore olympus by rachel smythe

historical fiction:

pachinko by lee minjin

the book thief by markus zusak

babel by r. f. kuang

a thousand splendid suns by khaled hosseini

the guernsey literary and potato peel pie society by mary ann shaffer and annie barrows

literary fiction:

alone with you in the ether by olivie blake

if we were villains by m. l. rio

portrait of a thief by grace d. li

seven days in june by tia williams

middle grade:

ella enchanted by gail carson levine

the mysterious benedict society by trenton lee stewart

percy jackson and the olympians by rick riordan

howl's moving castle by dianna wynne jones

the tale of despereaux by kate dicamillo

new adult:

the foxhole court by nora sakavic

ninth house by leigh bardugo

for the wolf by hannah whitten

vicious by victoria schwab

nonfiction:

society of the snow: the definitive account of the world's greatest survival story by pablo vierci

miracle in the andes by nando parrado

i'm glad my mom died by jennette mccurdy

crying in h mart by michelle zauner

translated works:

kim jiyoung, born 1982 by cho namjoo

almond by sohn wonpyung

beartown by fredrik backman

diary of a void by emi yagi

young adult:

xoxo by axie oh

i'll give you the sun by jandy nelson

if you could see the sun by ann liang

[flaviathebibliophile]

The Foxglove King by Hannah F. Whitten (Review)

Title: The Foxglove King Author: Hannah Whitten Type: Fiction Genre: Adult, Fantasy Publisher: Orbit Books Date published: March 7, 2023 A complimentary physical copy of this book was kindly provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. When Lore was thirteen, she escaped a cult in the catacombs beneath the city of Dellaire. And in the ten years since, she’s lived by one rule: don’t…

[bmacreadz]

"For the Wolf" by Hannah F. Whitten

"For the Wolf" - if you didn't know - is a dark fantasy romance novel that is the first of two books in the "Wilderwood" duology.

This book follows Redarys - aka Red - as she is sent into the Wilderwood to be ravaged by the Wolf in an effort to keep her kingdom - and her world - from the wrath of the wolf. Once Red enters the Wilderwood, however, things are not as they have always been perceived. The wolf is not a monster, in fact, he's a man. An ornery man that, at first, wants nothing to do with her and would actually rather her leave the forest altogether.

Despite his disinterest in her presence, "The Wolf" - aka Eammon - begins his coexistence with Red at the Keep and mysteries begin to unfold. Red finds herself a part of a much larger world with a much more complex problem than she ever realized. All the while, her sister and friends back home are fighting for ways to save her from the Wilderwood and the Wolf and bring her back home.

"For the Wolf" is an incredibly complex story - one that is a little bit hard to follow, if I'm honest. The magic of the Wilderwood and how it worked didn't really make that much sense to me as I was reading it. I found myself having to go back in the story, trying to piece things together to get a better understanding. And even that didn't fully help me.

I can reconcile not fully understanding the mystery of something when the novel is part of a series, so I'm holding out total judgement for after I've read the second - and final - book, "For the Throne." I'm hoping it will answer some lingering questions, and really get into the mystery of the Shadowlands.

This book has been compared to "Little Red Riding Hood" and "Beauty and the Beast," but I can't seem to find correlations to those fairy tales anywhere. Besides the obvious of course, which is that there is a "wolf" who is actually a man, and a lady whose name is Red.

I liked this book mostly for the romantical element. I understood Eammon's fear at letting Red into his world and not wanting her to be involved. He was wracked with the centuries of guilt from his past failures with the other "Second Daughters," and he wanted to keep her clear of any harm. Though, it was a relief when Red finally started to understand her power and Eammon let her work with him to try and save the Wilderwood. Their connection flowed brilliantly, and I loved reading how Eammon slowly softened around Red.

I also really enjoyed watching Red's growth throughout the book. She had lived twenty years with a single purpose - to die for the wolf. When she found out that her life could be something more, she wanted to do everything she could to make it as meaningful as possible, and help solve an essentially unsolvable problem.

Overall, this story was good - not great. Despite the twists and turns of events, some things were still pretty predictable. Though, the ending was surprising and I'm excited to see where the story goes next.