A Bird Among Wolves was a fantastic read and I throughly enjoyed the story. I’m giving it 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5. I will be honest, there were times that it moved around quite a bit and it would be easy to forget who’s who because there are many characters and different POVs. (The character list in the back of the book is helpful but I didn’t realize it was there until I was on chapter 50 😅). Others have mentioned this too but a map would be great for further understanding and immersion !

I really like Wren’s character and I can’t wait to learn more about her background and who she is. There is a great group of other characters too- especially those in the Brotherhood.

I would love to get my hands on a physical copy when it comes out so I can reread it and annotate along the way. I feel like I would pick up on more things the second time around. And of course as with any first book, there are a lot of unanswered questions and it ended on a bit of a cliffhanger so I’m looking forward to finding out what happens next!

Thank you to NetGalley and author Tracy Leonard Nakatani for this ARC copy 🤎

I enjoyed this romantasy. Found family, magical powers no one knows about, FMC who’s battered, physically strong and just trying to survive, a haunted forest populated by monsters. Let’s go!
The world-building took a bit of time to create, with characters and surroundings that are rich, lush, and mysterious.
Wren is a young woman who escapes death and immediately goes on a journey of self discovery and transformation. She finds herself a part of a brotherhood that’s hiding secrets, but hey, so is she.
The story has multiple POVs, which I really enjoyed. Randon, whom I love. Faelen, whom I really want slap across the face. Lots of chaotic twin energy with those two. 
Randon’s and Wren’s dynamic was fun to watch unfold, but of course this book ends on a total cliff hanger. I wish there had been a bit more time devoted to these two, and less of Faelen being…Faelen.
All in all, a nice read for those who enjoy the Witcher or LOTR.

A Bird Among Wolves by Tracy Leonard Nakatani is a captivating fantasy adventure that follows Wren, our fierce and determined main character, as she unravels the mystery behind her father's final secret. Swept into a world brimming with magic and extraordinary creatures, Wren must learn to navigate her newfound powers and protect them from those who seek to take them. Her journey leads her to unexpected alliances and choices she never imagined making.

The book opens with a gripping scene full of action and intrigue that immediately pulled me in—I was hooked by the urgency and eager to discover why Wren was in danger. The premise is truly compelling, with a magical system that feels fresh and worldbuilding that stands out for its richness and imagination.

While the multiple POVs made it a bit difficult for me to stay fully connected to the story and its characters at times, I can appreciate the ambition and complexity that structure brings. Readers who enjoy layered narratives and shifting perspectives may find this style engaging and immersive.

Overall, A Bird Among Wolves offers an imaginative and unique journey for fantasy lovers, with a powerful start and a vivid, well-crafted world.

This story is about Wren, she is trained by her father to fight and too flee. After her father’s untimely demise she follows through with his final request. Run. She is tossed into the world so foreign to her. Forest demons, she knows of them through dreams.

Councils and Royalty fight for answers, people wanting to know more of her special power, alliances shifting and changing, magic no body seems to know but want.

I liked this book! The characters were interesting and enjoyable to learn about. Although at some points of the book I felt I was dragging my feet. The continual switch of point of view often threw the book’s momentum off par. I’m interested in book 2 and learning more about this world.

Thank you to Net Galley and Tracy Leonard Nakatani for sending me an ARC copy of this book 🫶

Genre: Fantasy
APK: E-Book
Page count: 377
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice: 🌶️
Series: Ashes of Akkavara (Book 1)

A Bird Among Wolves is the first book in a series that I have no doubt will grip fantasy readers - you’re thrown straight into the deep end from the very first chapter!

The world is unique and the creatures are super interesting. I love how the world is set around and in the forest with a connection to a god.

The multiple character perspectives are super interesting to follow. To begin with, there is a lot of mystery about the characters and how they may come together. Our FMC has a nothing to lose mentality, which I love! In all great stories, we enjoy a love interest with a damaged past. This was so beautifully done: subtle and didn’t take away from the plot of the story (which was fab!).

There are a few moments between the forest walkers and the wolven that took my breath away. I could fully imagine what the scenes looked like, how the characters felt and you truly didn’t know what was going to happen next.

I thoroughly enjoyed Tracey’s writing style: easy to read, vivid imagery and humour woven throughout.
My favourite line:
“You don’t have to read to harness the power of words.”
“The illiterate poet.” Faelan snorted.

Hilarious.

If you’re looking for a unique world with interesting creatures, found families, a fierce FMC with secrets and heritage to discover, a trust no one plot and morally-grey characters, you’re in the right place! ✨

I would love a map in the next book that I could look at to double check in my mind I had all the right people in the right places.

Loved this book; can’t wait for the next!

I had the pleasure of reading an ARC of A Bird Among Wolves by Tracy Leonard Nakatani, and it’s a fantasy debut that left me both enchanted and craving more. This book dives into a gritty, immersive world of wolves, magic, and moral ambiguity, and I’m excited to share my thoughts for this Goodreads review. Here’s why I’m giving it four stars, with some pros and cons to keep it honest.

Pros:
The world-building in A Bird Among Wolves is breathtaking. Nakatani paints Norvera with vivid detail, lush forests, looming mountains, and a restless magic that feels alive and unpredictable. The multi-POV narrative, centered on Wren, a young woman on the run after her father’s murder, is gripping and keeps you on edge. Wren’s vulnerability and stubborn grit make her a protagonist you can’t help but root for, especially as she navigates a web of dangerous alliances with the Brotherhood and other morally gray characters. The lore of sleeping gods and fractured bonds between elves, humans, and deities adds a mythic weight that I loved sinking into. Nakatani’s prose is evocative, balancing action-packed scenes with quieter, emotional moments that hit hard, Wren’s grief over her father and her struggle to find her place really tugged at my heartstrings. The subtle incorporation of wolves, inspired by the author’s passion for them, feels organic and adds a unique flavor to the story. There’s no heavy-handed romance, which I appreciated, letting the focus stay on Wren’s growth and the looming threat of an awakening force.

Cons:
While the book is captivating, it’s not without flaws. The multiple POVs, though effective, sometimes made it hard to stay connected to secondary characters, as a few felt like they needed more depth to fully shine. The pacing stumbles in the middle, with some scenes feeling a bit drawn out, which slowed the momentum. The magic system, tied to ancient curses and the land, is intriguing but could use more clarity, I occasionally felt lost on how it worked or what its limits were. Some readers might find the writing style a touch dense in places, though I mostly enjoyed its richness. Finally, the ending sets up a sequel beautifully but left a couple of threads unresolved, which felt more abrupt than I’d hoped.

Overall, A Bird Among Wolves is a compelling fantasy adventure with a richly crafted world and a heroine who grows on you. Nakatani’s love for wolves and intricate storytelling shines through, making this a great pick for fans of epic fantasy with a darker, more grounded edge. I’m eagerly awaiting the next installment! Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC

I really enjoyed this story! This is first and foremost a fantasy, with just a hint of romance. I completely understand why this is described as being for fans of the Witcher and Princess Mononoke, both of which are stories that I love dearly. This is for readers who love forest elf autumnal vibes. The story was fast paced and kept me gripped the whole way through. The world building is rich and there are some really great concepts here! The plot summary really doesn’t do this story justice, there’s a LOT going on here. I also like the multiple POVs from a variety of characters, because it really helped understand the world on a larger scale.

All of that being said, the reason this book isn’t a 5-star read for me is because it’s trying to do a little too much and it moves just a little too fast. So many fantasy elements and concepts were added so quickly that about 50% in I felt like I was missing pages, because it was so messy and convoluted! There really needs to be just a hint more breathing room between scenes and a bit more explanation about the dozens of plot elements going on. I would expect this level of fantasy world building and plot complexity from a second or even third book in a series. I was left with more questions than answers, and not in an exciting way. I feel overwhelmed!

3 Star read for me. Wren's journey has a great beginning with a daring escape from certain death. A good take on multiple POV stories converging while keeping the main character clear, enjoyed that there appeared to be a 3D plan for these different parties with conflicting interests.

That being said, struggled a wee bit with the flow of the story, it did seem to jump from one idea to the next. I didn't find the Kings allowance for Wren to go gallivanting on side quests realistic in light of her being center of a unexplained attack.

RATING: 3.5 ⭐️

“A Bird Among Wolves” is a fantasy adventure that primarily follows Wren, a half-Demorian, half-human girl whose world is turned upside down after the murder of her father. His final instructions? Burn everything, run, and trust no one. But Wren’s flight is short-lived as she’s quickly captured and accused of a crime she didn’t commit. From there, she’s swept into a dangerous political web of factions, and ancient rivalries all while trying to uncover the truth about her heritage and the power she may hold.

Told from five perspectives, the story is largely told by Wren’s point of view. Her journey from a sheltered girl to someone more confident, resourceful, and strategic was compelling and I enjoyed watching her come into her own, using both wit and instinct to survive challenging situations.

While the multiple perspectives were initially a bit overwhelming, I found myself gradually appreciating the broader view they offered, especially Faelon’s chapters, even if he was stubborn (and occasionally infuriating!).

The worldbuilding took some time to settle into (around 60 pages) and I found myself needing to reread parts to fully understand the different elements at play. This may be more of a personal issue than a flaw in the writing, but it did impact the early reading experience for me. Some of the character perspectives felt more fleshed out than others; while a few added real depth to the story, others seemed to exist mainly to move the plot along and lacked the emotional connection I was hoping for.

Overall, this turned out to be a thoroughly engaging read. I'm invested in Wren’s path forward and especially curious to see which side she will ultimately chose to be on!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Thank you to Tracy Leonard Nakatani and Netgally for this ARC. I was thrilled to be approved and had the opportunity to read this book, and for that here is my honest/fair review on A Bird Among Wolves!

I gave this book a 3.5 stars. The rating came from various aspects of the book which I enjoyed such as the world building. A Bird Among Wolves follows multiple POVs but the main character Wren is the main protagonist. After her father is murdered and his mysterious warning before his death to run and never stop if he is ever gone has Wren on the run. Until she waltzes right into a fort prison and witnesses a brutal attack which she cannot run from. She is completely alone in this world when these series of events tangle her with messy, morally grey and outright dangerous people with Wren as the epicentre of it all.

The book itself is down to a tea the fantasy genre with little to no real romance subplots. This read would be perfect for those who enjoy watching the Witcher. The only reason I gave this book 3.5 stars was when first reading, the story progression felt very choppy and as if it was missing key bridging chapters.

The book ends with no resolutions to anything that occurred, real character developments or relationship arcs yet had all the themes of found families, enemies to I am not even sure lovers or friends. If you asked me it felt like it still had half a book to go once I finished reading or that the book itself was a very long prequel which really set the world building and partial background for multiple characters. It was confusing at the best of times and had no real plot progression that when it ended I couldn't tell you what happened rather than information I picked up during the journey.

I think this book series has a lot of potential, I really liked the concepts that were in this book but that's all it felt was like an abstract concept of what this book could be. The best way I can describe it is if you watched a tv show the book felt like the first episode. I do want to read on and see what happens next but I really wish the book was faster paced and definitely would have benefited from combining whatever the next book is into this one.

I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy slower paced and in dept world building.

The main character Wren, has been secluded her whole life. You, the reader, are learning as she is learning. Along with multi POV from a few other characters.

This book is heavy on the mystery of her father’s death and political aspects of the world. With some flirtatious moments between characters that I thought were fun. I am interested in book 2 to see if any of those grow into something more.

I enjoyed the found family and friendship with the Brotherhood. The end of the book ends on a cliff hanger.

I received an ARC and am voluntarily giving my review. I gave it 4 stars for the plot and creativity of the world. This book does not have much romance or spice.

Wren grew up isolated from the rest of the world. Her father, Seith, provided few details about her background or the outside world. She was trained to fight when necessary but taught to flee whenever possible. When her father is murdered, Wren is thrust into a world she’s unprepared to face, armed with only one friend and a storm of family secrets that start to unravel. Unsure of why her father was killed or whom she can trust, she must quickly adapt to survive.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Wren and the other characters turned out to be far more nuanced and enjoyable than other fantasy novels I’ve read. The world-building unfolded gradually as the story progressed—though I’ll admit it was a bit confusing at first, and I found myself flipping back and forth to the glossary. Side note: I discovered the author’s blog afterward, which included a helpful overview of the world and characters. Reading that first likely would have made things much clearer.

Although this isn’t classified as a romantasy, there is a romantic subplot that I very much hope will be explored further in the next book. I’m itching to see what happens and can’t believe I’ll have to wait for the next book.

Overall, would I recommend *A Bird Among Wolves*? Yes. And do I plan on reading the second book when it’s released? Sure do.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and Three Amigas Press for the ARC for review.

DNF at page 65. This was difficult to read because the writing itself was clunky. This isn’t normally a huge deal, but I found it distracting, and it limited my ability to engage with the story.

I liked that the story dropped me right into the action without a ton of exposition. The problem was that there wasn’t enough information provided at the right time to excite any curiosity in me. It just seemed like there was a bunch of random character introductions that I had no reason to care about.

This book was a lovely read, I particularly enjoyed the descriptive language used in it, and how well everything was always explained from everything to clothes to the smells that could be smelt. It felt I credibly immersive which I absolutely adored.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publishing company for allowing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Although it took me a little bit to get into it, I throughly enjoyed the set up. The multi person point of view is pretty great. There is so much left to this tale. I can’t wait to see what happens with Wren and the rest of the group.

*Fast, plot and character driven fantasy world filled with mysterious magic and an extensive world building political underlying tone.*

Rating: 4.5/5 stars (rated down to 4)

Found Family? Check. Mysterious Creatures? Check. Brooding men with a heard of gold? Check. FMC that can handle her own? Check. Magical powers that no one really knows about? Check.

When Wren (FMC) is suddenly forced to leave her home and run, she finds herself in the middle of a political war between the kingdoms, complicated by the fact ancient forest creatures are starting to terrorize the kingdoms. Finding temporary shelter with the Brotherhood, Wren must uncover how she is connected to these creatures, what her father has hiding/running from when he was murdered, and keep her true heritage a secret from those that are beginning to feel like family.

This book is told through multiple character POVs, which adds an interesting and dynamic insight to the different layers of plot that unfolds. Though there are multiple POVs, each character is defined enough in their own right that they genuinely feel like different people and each POV adds value to the overall story.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. Wren was a likable FMC and most of the story is told via her POV. The other characters really round out the dynamic cast, and none of them felt stale or boring. There were multiple things happening at the same time in different parts of the world, so having the differing POV kept the story moving and progressing, instead of having a lot of "off-screen" developments.

I thought the plot was interesting, very much enjoyed that not everything was spelled out for you right away. You are thrown right into the action, and discover things through each character slowly throughout the book. One downside in that technique is that sometimes things were confusing, and even by the end, I don't think I have a firm grasp on how the kingdoms work or how each kingdom relationship is with each other. However, this did not deter me from enjoying the political dynamics of the plot.

The reason I gave this book 4.5/5 stars is because some of the transitions were a little off (ex: one minute she is running through the woods, the next she wakes up in a bed having traveled some distance without any memory and this isn't really addressed). While the pacing throughout the book felt consistent, the last 20% felt like it went really fast with everything that was happening, and the traveling between cities taking no time at all, it that felt more rushed. The structure of the kingdoms and who is King, High King, ect. also felt still slightly confusing towards the end, even having read the glossary after reading the story.

That said, if you like books with great characters that have their own personalities, books that are plot driven and every scene contributes great information to drive the plot forward, magic that can either save or destroy everyone, and kingdoms that are on the edge of war, this book is for you! I will definitely be recommending it to my friends when the book is available.

Thank you to the author, Tracy Leonard Nakatani, the publisher Three Amigas Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to provide an ARC review. This review is completely my own thoughts and opinions.

From the opening chapter, it’s pure tension — one bad thing after another, like a cursed domino chain of emotional destruction. Poor Wren is out here taking hit after hit, and just when you think she might get a breather? Absolutely not.

But despite all the chaos, that’s what makes the story so addictive. It’s tightly paced, emotionally heavy, and impossible to look away from. Wren is fierce, battered, and still pushing forward through it all. She deserves a medal. Or five.

And Randon? We love a soft-in-a-world-that’s-harsh male lead. He’s one of the few people who shows Wren consistent kindness — not flashy, not performative, just solid and dependable. We need that kind of presence in a story this intense.

Now… Faelan. Let’s just say he’s got the ✨chaotic twin energy✨ that makes you side-eye the plot and wonder if things might shift later in the series. Not saying I’d be mad. Just saying 👀

If you like your fantasy sharp-edged, emotionally charged, and filled with characters clawing their way through impossible odds, A Bird Among Wolves is your next obsession. Bring snacks. Bring tissues. Maybe a stress ball.

I struggled to get into this one as found the plot to be a bit jumpy. Very fast paced but didn’t really like the writing style. DNF 24%

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an eARC of this book. I give it a 3.5⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was out of my comfort zone as far as fantasy, because I normally read my fantasies with a bit more romance. This book was basically all fantasy, and it grabbed me in at first with all the action and intrigue.
I noticed by the middle it was starting to fall flat. I found myself disinterested in most of the characters POV other than the FMC, and I was frustrated with Wren half the time because of her decisions. By the end of the book I found myself skimming to finish. And then it ended in a really weird kind of cliffhanger, not tying up any of the loose ends and adding more questions than the book even started with.
It was entertaining, and I definitely enjoyed it, but not enough to give it higher than a 3.5 star review.

First of all I’d like to thank the author, publisher and Netgalley for providing me with this ARC for an honest review
Dnf — 28%
In the beginning, I truly thought that this would’ve been one of my all time favourite reads this year based on the description, and I’m sad to say it isn’t. The writing felt slightly choppy to me, and it was hard to get into the story itself.

I like the multi-pov for all of the characters, which truly helped my understanding of the book further from multiple perspectives, but sometimes it got too much. I could hardly connect with one of the characters let alone many, due to the frequency in which the POV’s were changing.
I absolutely adore all things fantasy, and the way the story was constructed simply didn’t allow me to fully immerse myself in the story or world. Whenever something ‘mysterious’ was happening, I wasn’t given enough time to think or wonder what could happen next, as it was almost always revealed in the next page or chapter.

It IS very fast paced, which is what I think I didn’t particularly enjoy — given that it is a fantasy world and I feel as though, personally, they should be paced evenly throughout the book to fully allow readers to understand and ‘live’ in it along with the characters.

One thing I did like, however, was the character dynamics, banter and relationships between everyone. For example, Arlon and Wren. I liked their sibling-like relationship in the beginning a lot, and I also liked the way everyone interacted with each other. The dialogue didn’t feel robotic, only the writing did (because of the ‘choppiness’.)

regret to say I didn’t finish this, as I wish I could’ve given it a better chance, but I don’t have enough time to try and force myself to read this. 😕
Please, take my review with a grain of salt, as reading is purely subjective! No hate to the author or those who enjoyed it whatsoever.