This had a lot of potential, but I had trouble really getting into it and enjoying the story, the pacing was off, the characters were flat, and I just expected more.

DNF - did not finish. I could not connect with the writing style/plot so I decided to not pick this one up. Thank you, NetGalley and publisher for the early copy!

Cute, fun, adorable, and with a great cover? I was sold before i even read it but this book holds up to hype!!!!

A mystical book full of magic, intrigue, girls who can thrive on their own intelligence— I can see many of my students grabbing this book.

Tanya has known life in her tavern until the owner dies and she is taken away with a rough bunch, who all seem to be protective of a wooden box. She soon finds out about a magic quill, which can call single-source objects of her choice to whim, but not without some form of price. Filled with witches, magic, royalty, thieves, and descriptions of medieval life, I see many young readers liking this protagonist. Thank you for the ARC, Netgalley and publishers.

I didn't manage to download this before it was archived, so bought the release edition and I wasn't super keen on the pacing. It felt difficult to follow in places and I was often confused as to what time period this was set in.

Fun, original read with great world-building. Female characters are particularly well-written. Wench is a fantasy book with a refreshingly flawed but likeable female protagonist. The system of magic Ms. Kaplan developed has constant consequences and costs, just like the more mundane actions of the characters. The characters were well-developed, and I hope there is a sequel that delves into what they do next and more of the background of the Queen.

I was honestly let down by this one. This was a hugely anticipated read for me, but from the moment I started it it started falling flat. The beginning chapters were disorienting and the writing felt juvenile. I found reading it similar to a reading a junior fantasy novel, except I had thought this was a modern day bar wench, not medieval. So I felt confused for most of my time reading. I really wanted to like this one, but it was just about okay.

Wench by Maxine Kaplan was my guilty pleasure read this winter, particularly because of its lighthearted, whimsical nature, and its feature of a prima donna protagonist full of strength and compassion. In many ways, Wench was reminiscent of Poison by Bridget Zinn, with a mix of character development, a sprinkle of humor, a smidge of romance, and a dash of magic. I really enjoyed the amount of work the author, Maxine Kaplan, put into the plot and the character development of her many supporting characters because even when the plot felt a bit lacking, the characters always managed to save the day. I was really impressed with the idea of a story that both embraced and challenged the reader’s idea of the stereotypical tavern wench, who is typically overlooked as a kick-ass leading character who could change the world, simply on a whim.

All in all, I enjoyed Wench immensely and heavily recommend giving it a read, especially if you are feeling down or in a bit of a reading slump. Wench can cure many an ailment, and I honestly cannot wait for others to fall in love with Tanya and company… Jana, the Queen, and Madame Moreagan are pretty nifty, complex characters, too! I could see a forthcoming follow-up adventure in the near future for Tanya, Jana, Darrow, Greer, and Riley…

A warm-hearted and much-appreciated thank you to ABRAMS Kids, Amulet Books, and NetGalley for providing an advance copy! Please make sure to pick up a copy of Wench at your local book depository.

Wench initially caught my interest with the cool setting and the promise of an "unapologetically feminist plot." Neither of those things let me down. The setting was interesting, but the pacing of the book really threw me. I couldn't stick with it in the way that I really wanted to. I kept having to drop it, read something else, come back. Reading it was not an enjoyable experience. It was a good idea, a great magical world, but it fell short of coming together in a way that made me want to read it.

This was super cute and fun. but there were a lot of pacing problem in the book. It didn't necessarily drag the book down for me but I did find myself zoning out once or twice.

This was okay. I much preferred the Life and Medieval times of Kit Sweetly. The pacing was a bit off and just overall disappointing.

The title was archived before I could download it on Netgalley. However, I managed to read an excerpt of the first two chapters, and the characters, as well as their relationships really intrigued me.

I tried to get into this one, but I couldn't. The world was kind of intriguing, but the characters were hard for me to like and the plot didn't draw me in. I do hope this book finds readers who love it, but I unfortunately didn't. Rather than sharing a negative review I'd rather skip reviewing this one because I do believe some people will love it and I don't want to dissuade anyone from giving it a chance.

Wench reminded me a little bit of Robin Hood, a little bit of Shrek, and that I cannot wait to get back to the Bristol Renaissance Faire this summer. I loved this book, and thought it was such a fun adventure.

Tanya, the tavern wench, was content to run her guardian's tavern. She was good at it. She was respected for it (and that's saying a lot, considering this is set during the Renaissance period). After the sudden death of her guardian, Tanya's life is turned upside down when she learns he didn't do anything to secure her in her role of the tavern-owner. When the tavern is taken from her, she decides she's going to talk to the queen about this so she can get her tavern back. And that's where the adventure really takes off.

Once she's on the road, Tanya will discover thieves, sorcery, magic quills, and larger-than-life characters. This twisty plot keeps the surprises coming. I loved the dialogue and banter, I loved the setting descriptions, and I loved--and was frequently inspired by--Tanya herself. It isn't easy to hold your own in a world so against women, but Tanya makes her voice heard. This is a welcome entry into the fantasy genre, and is funny to boot.

Content: There is some language, and Tanya's body is the frequent joke for many of the men. As other reviewers have mentioned, there is some self-harm in the performed magic.

First sentence: Tanya was good at many things, but her most useful gift was breaking up bar fights. The skill was one she had honed from her earliest days at the Smiling Snake, the biggest tavern in Griffin’s Port. When she was very small, all it had taken was stamping her foot and scowling. This stern-little-girl routine so amused the brawlers that they’d stop fighting to laugh, at least long enough for Froud to swoop in with a warm back-clap and a free round.

Premise/plot: Wench is a fantasy novel for young adults. Tanya, our heroine, loses her inn/tavern--the Queen and Her Council supposedly at least have taken it away from her--after her guardian, Froud dies early in chapter one. She sets off with the corps (led by Kiernan Rees) to the Capital to try to gain an audience with the Queen and the Council. But the trip is not an easy one. For the soldiers are hiding a secret...

Wench is action packed with some twists and turns (think the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie).

My thoughts: I have thoughts and opinions, I do. If I was rating this one based on the first half, then it would rate higher. I enjoyed the first half of the novel very much. The book kept introducing characters, and the characters weren't flat or cardboard-y. The plot seemed interesting--not particularly unique, but solid enough.

I did think it interesting that Tanya's supposed greatest strength--her fierce stubbornness that she can handle all situations completely on her own without any help or interference, because she is WOMAN--is her biggest weakness.

But the second half slowly but surely disappointed. Once she reaches the Capital, well, let's just say it goes downhill from there.

Wench by Maxine Kaplan
1/19/21

Quick summary: Wench follows tavern wench Tanya as she starts a journey to meet with the queen to hopefully win back the tavern she has called home for years after the owner, her father figure, dies suddenly without leaving instructions or a will. It has strong dungeons and dragons vibes and I would say is aimed at a younger YA audience.

What I liked:
Tanya was a like able main character, and I appreciated the bisexual representation. The premise of the book was interesting and fairly unique. I also appreciated the attempt at a more feminist leaning fantasy.

One thing I didn’t love:
The biggest problem I had with this book was the pacing. In my head, YA adventure stories should be fast paced and exciting, but this one was hard to push through at times and seemed to have a very stuttering pace, where it would speed up and slow down at random intervals.

Overall thoughts:
I was excited to read this one and it just didn’t quite live up to my expectations. It wasn’t a bad read by any means, it just didn’t hold my attention well and felt like it was lacking in a number of places. For instance, I appreciated the feminist bisexual main character, but I wanted to see more of each of those parts of her. We got small snippets of F/F attraction, but I wanted more, an actual relationship. And Tanya was definitely more progressive and feminist than some protagonists I have read, but it seemed like a “safe” depiction of feminism that didn’t push any boundaries or take any risks.

Overall, 3 stars. I would recommend this one to a younger YA audience.

The Smiling Snake, a tavern in Griffin’s Port, has been Tanya’s home for years. Adopted by the tavern owner as a child, she started working as a tiny tavern wench and grew into practically running the place by herself. She’s always known that the plan was for her to inherit the tavern, except when the previous owner dies suddenly, Tanya discovers that he left no records indicating that she was to receive ownership. Instead, the tavern is taken over by the Queen’s Guard, and the only way to get the decision reversed is to plead her case in front of the Queen and Council herself. That’s precisely what Tanya plans to do, but the journey is nowhere near as smooth as planned, as she ends up involved in the heist and recovery of a magical feather.

Wench is a solidly entertaining book, though it doesn’t get into deep characterization, plot twists, or world building. It’s an odd blend of modern sensibility and medieval setting, and it just about works. Tanya reminded me of Sophie from Diana Wynne Jones’ Howl’s Moving Castle: almost too aware of the fact that she is a character in a story and there are particular ways things should play out. It’s not the first book I would pull off the shelf when recommending something to a YA reader looking for historical fiction, but it does strike me as a good bet for the middle-YA market.

This book kinda missed the mark for me. I was hoping for so much more than I got. The chemistry between the characters wasn't believable to me. And the plot was a little thin

I wanted to like this book so badly. It was my most anticipated for January. Unfortunately the story was just very slow paced to me and it didn't keep my attention. I did like the strong female MC and that it gave me a D&D feel. I just wanted more action!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Tanya has known just one thing her whole life: how to run the tavern she grew up serving in, working at, tidying up, and breaking up bar fights in. So when her guardian, Froud, the owner of the tavern dies and Tanya is at risk of losing the one thing that gave her life purpose, she is devastated. But she is also determined.

For the first time since her mother dumped her at the beach and Froud took her in, Tanya explores alternative paths and different ways of living. She sees poverty, captivity, and luxury. She meets strange people, rude people, bad people, and good people. Her aim is simple: get to the Capital, request an audience with the Queen and Council, and get her tavern back.

Throughout her journey, she encounters a group of incompetent Queens corps, a gang of criminals, an ambitious Queen, a group of hostile wizards, and a cult of demon worshippers. Her one constant companion is a magical feather quill that only responds to her and none of the other, better trained magicians she meets.

With new experiences, Tanya begins to explore alternative paths she can take, realizing that she never considered anything other than being a tavern wench. She struggles, once again, to find her place in the world.

But it isn’t easy, especially since her powers with the quill attract vast, unwanted, and ill-intended attention. Now having to fight in ways she never had to before, Tanya does what she does best: she fends for herself.

Tanya ends up growing close to a tracker and thief, Jana, who she realizes she feels differently for. But with her life on the line and with her purpose still unclear, she doesn’t know if she should take it a step further.

I love to read and write about female empowerment and strong women in general. This book explored this topic in a different, insightful way.

Yes, Tanya wanted her inn back, and yes, she wished for a purpose. But she had a unique set of goals. She didn’t want money or prosperity, she just wanted her tavern back. This was nice to see.

The types of magic and the forms of people shown in this book were unique and well thought out. The plotlines were excellently devised and the characters were wonderfully written and fascinating. The book showed different kinds of people, different perspectives, and different goals.

Tanya was SUCH a badass. She wasn’t an assassin with a sword, she was a regular girl who came across a quill she had no idea how to use. But the way she prospered was unbelievable and immensely inspirational.

I liked that the main character was a plus-size woman, as it showed the varying struggles she had to face and obstacles she had to overcome. Yet, the way she demanded and attained respect was amazing.

I did, however, think that the story stretched on a little too long. Sure, it was nice to see Tanya overcoming so many obstacles, but some of the details could have been reduced and the book would still have been great.