Hey there, folks! Welcome to this incredible audiobook brought to you by Penguin. Get ready to embark on a dark and enticing journey through a fantasy world steeped in Hungarian history and Jewish mythology. If you're a fan of the marvelous work of Naomi Novik and Katherine Arden, this is the tale for you.
Now, let's dive into the story. In a pagan village hidden within a mystical forest, we meet Évike, a woman without any power, an outcast believed to be deserted by the gods. To make matters worse, soldiers from the Holy Order of Woodsmen arrive to claim a pagan girl for a blood sacrifice to the king. And who do they choose? You guessed it, poor Évike. Betrayed by her fellow villagers, she is forced to surrender to these menacing soldiers.
But hold on tight, because things are about to take a wild turn. Monsters attack the Woodsmen and their captive while on their way, leaving only Évike and the cold, one-eyed captain alive. Now, they have no choice but to rely on each other. But get this – the captain isn't your ordinary Woodsman. He's none other than the disgraced prince, Gáspár Bárány. And, wait for it, his father desperately needs pagan magic to solidify his power.
Gáspár has his own troubles to deal with, fearing that his zealous and cruel brother plans to snatch the throne and pave the way for a violent reign that would leave the pagans and the Yehuli in ruins. As someone who has experienced the pain of being an outcast due to his foreign queen mother, Gáspár can relate to Évike's situation. And so, they strike a tense pact to put an end to his brother's machinations.
Their mission will take them from the freezing northern lands to the smog-filled capital, testing their limits and pushing them to the brink. As they travel, their loathing for each other slowly transforms into a heartfelt affection, fueled by their shared history of oppression and alienation. However, be warned, my friends, trust can crumble into betrayal at any moment.
As Évike reconnects with her estranged father and uncovers her own hidden magic, she and Gáspár must make a difficult choice. Will they stay true to each other and fight for a nation that has never shown them any care or support? Or will they turn their backs on the cause, sacrificing their own desires for a more self-serving path?
Oh, and just wait until you hear what people are saying about this extraordinary tale. Samantha Shannon, the brilliant mind behind "The Priory of the Orange Tree," describes it as a stunning debut that will wrap around your heart like a dark forest. And if that's not enough, Alex E. Harrow, the talented author who brought us "The Ten Thousand Doors of January," raves about the book's compelling gore, folkloric tone, and moral complexity.
But hold on, there's more! Katherine Addison, the incredible creator of "The Goblin Emperor," praises the assured storytelling and the richly imagined worldbuilding. And let's not forget Genevieve Gornichec, the mastermind behind "The Witch's Heart," who declares that this story possesses a timeless quality that will leave an indelible mark on your soul.
Religion, magic, and evocative language intertwine in Ava Reid's brilliant fantasy realm, creating a daring and imaginative world brimming with heroic moments. You simply won't be able to put this book down. Brace yourselves, my friends, for "The Wolf and the Woodsman" is one hell of a ride that will take hold of your heart and not let go.
So, what are you waiting for? Press play, sit back, and let Saskia Maarleveld's captivating voice guide you through this enthralling tale. Oh, and did I mention that the audiobook has a rating of 2.9 out of 5 stars and spans a whopping 13 hours and 9 minutes? That's more than enough time to get lost in this mesmerizing world.
© Ava Reid 2021 (P) Penguin Audio 2021
