This book had the bones of something truly special—a story that could have been both emotionally rich and atmospherically consuming. The world was brimming with dark potential, layered lore, and a main character who almost had me. Wren, in particular, felt like she was on the edge of becoming unforgettable. Her struggle with belonging and disconnection, the way her trauma quietly bled through the pages—it all had the makings of a story that could stick with you. There were even moments where PTSD was handled with a rawness that genuinely struck a chord.

But despite all that promise, the execution held it back. The structure felt disjointed from the start, and I think the story would have landed much more effectively had it opened with her father’s death rather than her incarceration. The opening was confusing and rushed, and it didn’t give the emotional weight of the story the foundation it needed. Scenes jumped too quickly, characters blurred together, and many moments that should have hit hard ended up falling flat.

The writing itself felt almost robotic at times—like it was trying to emulate emotional storytelling without quite getting there. You could tell what the author was reaching for, but the jerky pacing and lack of fluid transitions made it hard to sink into. Everything moved too fast, too soon, and the result was a world that felt strangely small, even though it was clearly imagined to be vast.

That said, there’s something here. The heart of the story wants to shine—it just needs more time, more space, and more care. I really believe that with some reworking—especially in slowing things down and giving the characters and world the dimension they deserve—this could have been an unforgettable read. Here’s hoping future books take that potential and let it breathe.

This poor FMC. Each time I thought she was going to catch a break, more came rushing down. The true definition of resilience. The story is engulfed in action, though at times was tough to follow. There are multiple POVs for the characters which lead to better understanding the story. VERY fast paced fantasy, and makes you feel every emotion. If you like the Witcher, this will definietly peek your interest.

To be honest it was hard getting past the firat 40% not much was happening and you had no idea why there were so many POVs and how they interlinked.
But I was happy I pushed through as it got pretty good from 50% with the real story happening, more underatanding of all the characters and making them more exciting and real. No spice but I do feel some kind of love triangle coming up. Hopefully book 2 gets engaging from the start as the story has potential.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for allowing me to access this eARC. I picked this book up because I want to start new fantasy series and see what new types of fantasy books are ton the way to being published. The title and description of this book intrigued me because of its proposed focus on political intrigue its appeal to fans of The Witcher, which I am a big fan of. Unfortunately, I had to DNF at just past 10%.

I enjoyed that the book started right away with action, but I couldn’t picture any details of the world based off of descriptions or lore (and lack there of) provided by the world. As much as I enjoy multiple POVs in books, especially as it can expand the scope of the world and its lore, I found that the POV changes would happen just as I was getting comfortable and understanding one character. After changing to a POV of a completely different character, I would spend too much time confused, rereading passages or entire chapters to see if I missed something. The writing seemed disjointed and hard to follow to me as well, not being able to fully follow conversations or where characters were or what they were doing.

I try to give books at least a few chapters for the plot to get explained, whether “told” via dialogue and inner monologue or “shown” through actions the characters decide to take, but I did not feel the plot and lore of the world was well presented. Perhaps the plot and lore begin to gain depth later in the book, however I should not have to read >20% of the book for the main plot or lore to be presented in order to understand the setting. I think it it’s important to do so because some readers (including myself) need to be absorbed in the world and feel a sense of urgency to the main plot early on in the story to continue reading.

Unfortunately, this book started off too slow, did not capture my attention, and did not fully immerse me in the world I thought would be presented to me based off the book’s description.

"A Bird Among Wolves" is a fantasy adventure told from five different perspectives, though it primarily centers on Wren — a half-Demorian, half-human girl whose world is turned upside down when her father is murdered. His final instructions are: “Burn everything. Run. And don’t trust anyone.” Suddenly alone, Wren is pulled into a chaotic web of danger, surrounded by morally grey figures — with herself unknowingly at the center of it all.

This book left me with mixed feelings. Around 28% in, I almost DNF’d it. The pacing at the beginning is uneven, and the world-building is nearly nonexistent — I couldn't tell whether the characters were in a forest, a bustling city, or a quiet village. Everything felt vague and undefined. On top of that, the author seems oddly fixated on beards — nearly every man introduced early on has one, and they’re always described as filthy or unkempt. It became distracting and weirdly repetitive.

Another detail that didn’t sit right with me was the romantic interest referring to Wren as “pup”. It felt uncomfortable and undermined the dynamic between them. Still, I pushed through and finished the book.

While the story itself isn’t groundbreaking, there were elements I genuinely enjoyed. The found family theme and the evolving relationships between characters were compelling. Once I adjusted to the breakneck pacing — and it is fast-paced, with a capital F — I found myself enjoying the ride. That said, I do think the story could have benefitted from a few more chapters to flesh out the world and help balance the pace.

Thank you to Tracy Leonard Nakatani, NetGalley, and Three Amigas Press for the chance to review this book early!

3.5/5 stars rounded up. Overall, I had a good time reading “A Bird Among Wolves” and enjoyed immersing myself in the fantasy world.

What the book does well is set up an interesting fantasy world, create interesting characters where you aren’t sure who to trust and keep the plot moving. Wren was a great main character and I enjoyed how competent she was and her interactions with all the other characters. I will say I also don’t normally enjoy multiple POVs, but I didn’t mind them at all in this book.

My minor critiques are more around the pacing and overall structure. I feel that at time too much happened in a short time, causing the story to feel rushed. A novel trying to really build a deep and comprehensive world needs to take the time to breathe and do that.

All that said, I’m looking forward to reading the next novel and seeing where Wren’s story goes!

I haven’t just read a fantasy novel in a while and this one really scratched the itch. I really enjoyed Wren (most of the time) and loved Randon, hope to see more of him in the next book! I loved the story even if I didn’t understand what was happening a lot of the time. I would recommend this book to anyone that loves fantasy and female main characters!

Wow. I want to start off by saying thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book. The writing is amazing. The ending, leaves me wanting more. The main character, she is so awesome. Its so easy to put yourself in her shoes. Extremely relatable. There is a ton of depth in the story, lore wise. 5/5. Love it!

I feel awful for this but I DNF’d but will explain why, this is my honest thoughts.

The first few pages started out well, it had action and some mystery, but it went slow paced very quickly.

I realised this was a multi person POV however I also felt it was told by a third person and that’s sort of where it lost me because I felt like I couldn’t connect to a single character, and there seemed to be a lot of eye rolling which is slightly juvenile there was no quick background story it threw itself straight in which left me baffled by what I did read.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my review.

There’s something really wonderful here, however, I felt that the plot got in the way of a great story.
The story really should have started with her father’s passing instead of her incarceration. It made for too much confusion in the beginning.
I loved how the characters were connected, but unfortunately they were so connected the world started to feel very small.
If the author had scaled back on the plot, and took the time to build the world and the characters more, this would have been a near perfect book for me. Wrens belonging and not belonging really speaks to me. I thought that there were a few moments where PTSD was particularly well described.
I found myself saying that the story could have ended (and been well set up for the next) several chapters earlier, and still don’t feel like there’s a clear picture of the world or the characters motivations.
Like I said, there’s something really great here, it just needs some reorganizing and more dimension in the world.

A unique fantasy read with monsters, magic, and found family. *Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC copy! * Wren, a half elf, had been hidden away by her elven father, who trained her to fight, and above all, stay hidden. After the death of her father, she is mistaken for a rebel and ends up in a dungeon and sentenced to hanging - but after a VERY near-miss encounter with her own death, she escapes and is thrust into a world of creatures from her actual nightmares. Her abilities to “see” and sense these creatures make her a powerful bargaining chip that both kings and rebel forces want on their side, whether Wren wants that or not…
“Something old is awakening, and it knows her name”

I think this story has a lot of potential to continue to get better as it goes on and grow into something epic. For me, the writing in this first installment felt a bit confusing, it felt a bit like certain chapters had been omitted to avoid the story running long, but it ended up making the story feel a bit choppy in certain places. I appreciated the different POVs, but even with those adding context, it still didn’t flow as well as I would’ve hope, and it made it a little bit difficult to get through. I have high hopes for the next installments and am intrigued to see where the story goes from here!

It took me a while to connect with the story because, at the begining it doesn't feel like there was a defined plot.
It's a fantasy world in which the author defines a little the dynamics with the gods, the diferent magical creatures, and the conflicts for power that will happen in the next book, but in my oppinion she did it superficially. Some of those things were mentioned but no context about it.
In general it was a very introductory book, and because of this sometimes it was a bit tedious, but you finish it with the need of reeding the next one. I'll be reading the second one when published to have a better oppinion about the book.

{I am prefacing this review by stating I did not finish reading this book. My opinions are based solely on the first 15%. Please take this into consideration.}

The synopsis of the book was what interested me in requesting an ARC. I enjoy high fantasy with political intrigue and multiple POV’s, and I believe that the story most likely follows through on what is advertised. My DNF is based on the readability of the book.

The writing style is very disjointed and choppy, and I found it incredibly difficult to read. Because of the constant use of short sentences, I felt I had to keep stopping and starting, and it was very jarring and removed me from the flow. There is a lot of telling, rather than showing, which I believe also adds to the disjointed feeling. I believe that the sentences need to be re-formatted to flow better.

Onto the story itself: The book starts with an explosive hook, and I really enjoyed the introduction of fantasy elements from the beginning. There is clearly a lot of thought put into world building, as shown through the unique creatures and curated vocabulary. The strongest part, in my opinion, is the dialogue; I really enjoyed the interactions between the characters.

I struggled to follow the plot, as I found it very confusing to understand where the story was headed. The FMC also seems to have conflicting motives that appear to be due to an unclear character issue rather than an internal struggle. For example, when she is running from the guards, her goal is to find Arlon, then, when she finds him, she decides she needs to leave because it’s too dangerous to stay with him. This makes it difficult to have a clear understanding of her character and her thoughts/decisions.

Overall, I feel like the story has a lot of promise and I enjoy the characters I was able to meet. If the book is edited to be less choppy and the characters are given clearer motives, I would likely give the story another chance.

🗡ARC Review 🗡 A Bird Among Wolves by Tracy Leonard Nakatani @wolfxlady
Releases March 31, 2026.

Thank you to Netgally for allowing me to ARC read this story. This cover caught my eye, and I was hooked! The description mentions fans of Witcher, but for me, Wren's character brought to mind Arya from Game of Thrones - fierce and captivating. The story kicks off with non-stop action, plunging us into Wren's world of grief and discovery. As her old world crumbles, Wren embarks on a journey to uncover her true identity, navigating a web of secrets and stepping into a world she once thought was myth. The plot is gripping, and Wren's story is impossible to put down. I do hate that it has a cliffhanger, but I'll be waiting for the next!

(This review will also be shared on Instagram on Tuesday June 10th)

A Bird Among Wolves by Tracy Leonard Nakatani - ARC Book Review

3.5 ⭐️ | 🌶️🚫 - No spice

Thank you to Tracy Leonard Nakatani, NetGalley, and Three Amigas Press for the chance to review this book early! What follows is my honest and fair review.

From the first chapter, I was all in. I was so intrigued and it had such a good hook/premise. The story follows Wren, a half-human and elven-Demoran mix, who after the death of her father finds herself tangled in his secrets. He wasn’t just a man in seclusion but someone on the run who possessed an important artifact that can win a war. It is very apparent from the beginning that Wren is very much in the dark. Through a series of events, she finds protection from the Brotherhood (a group of wolven warriors) and finds a family she didn’t expect. But secrets are running amok, and people she loves are endangered because of this. Will Wren find her answers and save those she loves from the rest of the kingdom?

My Thoughts – Characters and Story

As I mentioned earlier, the story from the first page captured my attention. This novel reads like a video game and feels very much like you’re in it. Additionally, the author mentioned that it had Princess Mononoke vibes, and it really does. That was a major draw for me, along with the elven lore, which I am new to in fantasy. I enjoyed learning more about the various kingdoms and castes of people. By the end of the story, you can tell the author truly fleshed out this world for her understanding.

Now, let’s talk more specifically about the plot and characters. We have our key players and go through a rotation of POVs that expand the reader’s understanding of the world. The pacing felt fast as the story continued, and we were given just enough information to keep moving forward. Even with the addition of new POVs, the story itself remained somewhat ambiguous. I found that the continuity of the story was hard to follow at times. As I kept reading, and boy did I want to keep reading, all my questions were answered with more questions, which I know will be addressed in future books. I also admit that the flow of the writing was clunky at times, as if it was stuttering, but this wasn’t often enough for me to want to put the book down and not pick it up again. This is a debut novel, and I can’t help but be impressed with it.

Now, let’s discuss the characters! Our FMC, Wren, is everything you want in a leading character. She is intelligent, strong, and of course brash—like most FMCs in fantasy today. I found her to be stubborn and standoffish, which makes sense given her history. We know very little about her origins, and from the beginning, we have to rely on her limited knowledge of the world she lives in. I love the mystery surrounding our FMC, but I wish we had been given more initial information—perhaps a prologue or something from her father. I get that keeping secrets maintains the reader’s interest, but when the main character, who is your main perspective, doesn’t inform you of everything she knows, it creates a sense of confusion in the world-building and plot development.

There are many additional side characters in this story, ranging from her best friend Arlon to the rebel King Marius. Some of the POVs we received felt disruptive within the narrative. I found myself wanting to rush through to get to the POVs I cared about—the ones involving Wren, Faelan, and Randon. The interactions among these characters fueled the story forward for me. I loved the found family dynamic and the slow-burn romance brewing between a few of the characters.

Overall, this was a good story and a promising start to the series. I can only speak for myself, but I will definitely read the next one, as I MUST know what happens.

Shall this spill into your TBR? I think if you are interested in the premise and love elven lore with a dash of Studio Ghibli, go for it!

You’ll love this story if you enjoy…
🪄 High fantasy
Found family
🧝‍♀️ Elven lore
🤫 Family secrets
♥️ Slow SLOW burn romance

I had a rocky start with A Bird Among Wolves—the world-building in the beginning felt a little light, and I was confused about the political setup.
But once the story found its rhythm, I was completely drawn in.

From the beginning it’s a fast-paced ride filled with danger, secrets, and reluctant alliances. Wren is a fantastic protagonist—strong, layered, and easy to root for. Her bond with the Brotherhood, especially the found family vibes, was one of my favorite parts of the book.

The multiple POVs worked really well, adding depth without being overwhelming. I loved how each character had their own clear voice, strengths, and flaws. The slow-burn romance was also a nice touch—low on spice, high on tension, and it never took over the plot.

Emotionally, this book hits harder than expected. There’s grief, trust issues, and a constant sense of being on the edge of something bigger. And that ending? Brutal in the best way.

If you’re into fantasy with strong female leads, found family, buried secrets, and a hint of romance, definitely check this one out. I can’t wait for the sequel!

✨ Fantasy
🔥 Slow Burn Romance
🏹 Strong Female Lead
🛡 Found Family
📖 Multiple POV
⚔ Political Intrigue

The first half of this book I was quite lost. There wasn't any world building and I didn't understand the rivalry between the Noverans and the Demorans or how they differed from each other and the political structure.

As the story developed I got into it more and I enjoyed where it took me. I did really like how the relationship between Wren and Randon wasn't a main focus and they weren't put together too fast, so you can see how that progresses in the next book. Wren's story is bulk.


Thank you to Three Amigas Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC.

A Bird Among Wolves is a gripping, fast-paced fantasy debut that drops you straight into chaos from the very first page. Wren, our resilient and headstrong protagonist, is captured by mistake and nearly hanged—an explosive opening that sets the tone for a story brimming with danger, mystery, and magic. What follows is a high-stakes escape, a reluctant alliance with a warrior faction known as the Brotherhood, and a slow unraveling of long-buried secrets tied to Wren’s past.

This book is perfect for fans of The Witcher—with a richly imagined world, complex political tensions, and the kind of brooding, sword-wielding men that steal your heart when you least expect it. But don’t be fooled—Wren can handle herself. Raised in isolation by her secretive, overprotective father, she’s been trained to survive, not thrive. When he’s murdered, she’s thrown into a conflict far bigger than herself, with ancient creatures stirring and kingdoms preparing for war.

Told through multiple POVs, the narrative stays dynamic and engaging, giving insight into the broader world without ever feeling scattered. Each character voice is distinct and purposeful, and the shifting perspectives only enhance the story rather than complicate it. Wren’s arc, however, remains central—and she’s an easy heroine to root for: compassionate yet cautious, fierce yet vulnerable. And yes, there is a romantic thread (Randon, we see you), but it never overshadows the primary narrative. This is fantasy first, with just the right touch of tension and longing.

What really stands out is the emotional depth. This isn’t just a story of sword fights and secret powers—it’s about trauma, trust, and the ache of being an outsider trying to belong. The found family dynamic with the Brotherhood is incredibly well done, laced with banter and quiet moments that hit unexpectedly hard. And while some characters (looking at you, Faelan) are still enigmas, you can feel the groundwork being laid for bigger reveals and shifting alliances in future books.

There’s very little romance or spice in this installment, but the tension is there, simmering beneath the surface. And that cliffhanger? Brutal in the best way.

In short, A Bird Among Wolves is a sharp-edged, emotionally layered fantasy with found family vibes, mysterious creatures, hidden powers, and a female lead worth cheering for. It’s the kind of book that pulls you in and doesn’t let go—and leaves you counting the days until the sequel.

Review published on Goodreads

I was first drawn to A Bird Among Wolves because of the interesting title and the beautiful cover.

The story itself did not disappoint. I absolutely felt captivated more and more as I read it. I even found myself thinking about it when I wasn't reading it.

I enjoyed the variety of characters, & their different POVs giving the reader bits of the world, it's lore, and past/present questions and answers. I also appreciated that each character had their own strengths and flaws, without either being too unrealistic for a fantasy novel.

The pacing was fast, but still felt that you had time to learn about the world, the characters, and important aspects of the story progression. And the ending definitely left me wanting more in a good way.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and Netgalley for the opportunity to read A Bird Among Wolves.

A Bird Among Wolves is a fantastic first book in a new fantasy series. It starts shortly after Wren’s father is killed, and she is mistakenly arrested with a group of rebels. Then the Nagendron, long dragon-like creatures with antlers and the living embodiment of the forest’s energy, reemerge from myth to attack. And all in the first few chapters.

Things swiftly escalate from there, putting Wren right in the middle of plots and schemes spanning countries. Everyone wants to get their hands on Wren; some with good intentions, others not so much.

I was utterly enthralled by this book. The writing was so compelling, and the characters were complex and engaging, making mistakes and suffering the consequences despite (sometimes) good intentions. I was never bored. I constantly reevaluated what I thought I knew, which is a good thing because it means nothing was predictable. All in all, a great start to the series.