Wolf by Wolf Review

Author: Ryan Graudin

Genre: Historical Fiction, Fantasy

Rating: 5 stars

Wolf By Wolf by Ryan Graudin is one of the greatest examples of a "what if?" story told well. That is an understatement. It is the best YA alternate reality novel I have read so far. This not because it was overly complex, it is actually the opposite. I fell in love with the simplicity of the world. It also scared me. How easy this world could have been ours. Graudin makes us remember and most importantly, acknowledge our own past history. 

She was going to cross the world and change it. Or die trying. 

In this alternate universe, Germany wins World War Two, the science experiments done on patients have actually succeed, and lebensraum is occurring in full force. A whole world is being oppressed with no one brave enough to try and change it. Yael sets out to change the world, not intentionally at first. Her destiny seems to be already written, her story sung through the howls of her wolves. She is not your typical heroine, who naturally has macho strength and an unwavering confidence in her goal. She is human, she has to work for everything, literally sweating blood and tears. She isn't infallible and her vulnerability adds so many layers to her personality. She is one of the strongest heroines.

The death camp’s song rose from every corner of the night. Not wolves. Just people. Crying and crying and crying. She howled with them. 

Yael's story begins at the concentration camps, where her and her mother are sent when she is young. From the offset, a doctor at the camp sees something unique in her, something Yael can't even see yet. He picks her out of the line immediately and she becomes his experiment. Every few days, drugs are pumped into Yael, changing her from the inside. Yael begins to experience the side effects of these drugs. She slowly loses her innocence and her identity within the concentration camp. It is hard to remember who you are when you existence is compounded down into numbers on your arm. 

She’d already lost her face. She could not let the rest of herself (however dark, however broken) slip away. So she traced and she named. She hurt and she raged. She remembered. 

However, Yael gets the opportunity to escape the camp and she takes it. She joins a rebel force that is planning on bringing an end to the Third Reich. Yael is essentially a lone wolf in the world. Being part of a cause lets her feel needed, wanted and most importantly seen. The only way the Third Reich can end is if Hitler himself dies. Now finding an opportunity to execute (pun intended) the plan presents itself in the Axis Tour, a motorcycle competition around the globe. 

"They need to know they’re not alone.” Not alone. It was a cruel irony that this was the message she had been chosen to deliver. She, the loneliest of all. The girl without a people. Without a face. The girl who was no one. Who could be everyone. 

Yael impersonates last year's victor Adele Wolfe and joins the game. The winner gets one dance with Hitler at the ball, which is the opportunity the resistance needs. She soon realises that this competition is the last of her problems. With Adele's love interest and brother watching her every move, her walls begin to crack. She has to win this competition, keep her secret from Luka and Felix, and ultimately save the world. 

"But there are two truths I’m sure of.”

“What?”

“I care for you.” 

It was the most sincere, unflinching thing Yael had ever heard him say. 

I honestly loved everything about this story down to its core. The themes of finding one's identity, sacrifice for the greater good, and love are poetically and beautifully presented inWolf By Wolf . There isn't much action or plot but a lot of introspection. It is psychologically and emotionally captivating. The side characters were all so unique and enigmatic. I honestly think they can all get their own story. This novel wouldn't have been the same without Felix's unwavering love for Adele and his family, Luka's charismatic personality, which constantly tested and confused Yael, and finally Yael's five wolves. 

“I decided I couldn’t be afraid of my own life. My own reflection. So every morning I make myself look in a mirror for five minutes. Face it all.” 

Wolf By Wolf is an extraordinary story. Ryan Graudin should be so proud. 

There was still beauty in this world. And it was worth fighting for.

Find this novel on Amazon and Goodreads.

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Holding You Review

Author: Jewel E. Ann

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Rating: 4.5 stars

Holding You by Jewel E. Ann, is just like all her other stories, EPIC. I honestly wonder how Jewel does it, because every single story I have read so far is so unique and engaging. She has definitely become one of my favourite authors in Contemporary Romance. Now if she would just release Dawn of Forever , I would be eternally grateful. 

I felt significantly insignificant, as if my presence in the world, albeit small, was still necessary. 

Holding You begins at the peak of life of Addy, a thirty year old vegan chef in Milwaukee. She has reached the point in her life where she is truly who she wants to be. She has an amazing best friend, Mac, and a great restaurant. She mediates, runs and sails.Her life has not always been perfect, but she is slowly allowing herself to live again. Addy loves being close to nature. One day, she steps out of her restaurant on to the street and allows the winds and the scenery around to carry her. In those moments, her life drastically changes. 

My soul is injured. My heart is shattered but won’t stop beating. You see the person I want to be, not who I am. I don’t fear death, I fear the pieces of my heart could be further shattered and it will still be beating. 

Quinn is a latin businessman from New York. He is visiting Milwaukee for a business venture. On his way to a meeting, he almost crashes into Addy who stands in the middle of the street embracing nature. He thinks she is crazy at first and belongs in the set of Sound of Music. This is the case where opposites attract. Quinn is money and power driven while Addy just wants to live her life. But Addy realises she misses being sexually attracted to a man. She then propositions him for sex.

“You’re like my favorite dessert,” I confessed.“I crave you constantly, borderline addiction, but I fear the consequences of overindulging.” 

This is where Addy and Quinn's story begins. It is a relationship purely based on sex at the beginning. However, the more time they spend with each other, the more comfort they gain. There is a companionship that is built. Both characters have dark pasts and are reluctant to fully commit. They are both damaged and slowly begin healing each other. It is a beautiful thing to watch. It is paradoxical that Addy and Quinn bring out the best and worst in each other. 

You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. “Te amo.” 

Jewel E. Ann wrote Holding You as close to a true relationship as possible. I could honestly believe this happens in real life. It isn't the type of HEA where everything is perfect after the characters are together. She shows the work, passion, drive and strength that goes into maintaining a relationship. She also highlights all the flaws and pain that can come from the same relationship. There was a lot of REALNESS going on. 

“Your caveman thoughts of jealously are the only distraction. They are distracting you from the naked woman trying to seduce you, so let it go, stop wasting time, and take me already.” 

Each character stole my heart! Mac, Addy's best friend, is a firecracker and adds humour to the story. She is as crazy as Addy and so intelligent and supportive of her friend and her family. Addy personality really made Holding You . She embodies all the strong characteristics a heroine should have. She is strong, self-assured and unique while still being vulnerable and personable. Quinn is literally sex on a stick. Despite his physical features, I fell in love with his emotional and contemplative side. He genuinely cared for his family and his friends, making him more swoon worthy. 

His expression was indifferent and his self-assured posture said he owned the place, and worse than that, his look said he owned me. 

While reading Holding You , I had permanent butterflies in my stomach. I genuinely cared for each of the characters wellbeing. I can't wait to start the second novel (it ended in a cliffhanger). I advise you all to read this. If you are looking for a contemporary romance with a twist, Holding You should be right up your alley. 

“I would … I would give it up for you. I would choose you with nothing, than everything without you.”


Find this novel on Amazon and Goodreads.

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