I adored this book! It's fun and light-hearted whilst tackling a series of serious topics in a thoughtful, well considered way. I can't wait for this to be out so I can recommend this to every girl who comes into the store, I think it has something to offer everyone and is super accessible and enjoyable to read! I couldn't put this down, and I enjoyed the hyper-competence juxtaposed with her unwillingness to trust anyone to help her, which created a complex yet compelling protagonist. I really enjoyed the ending and the book as a whole, please do yourself a favour and read this book!!!

Wench feels like a classic YA adventure updated for more feminist values. The main character Tanya is complex, a little flawed, and undeniably a bad ass. Her personality shines and draws the reader into this magical world where an ordinary tavern wench uses her street smarts and tavern skills to thrive in a magical adventure. I really appreciate that it’s her practical skills that allow her to achieve wonderful things throughout the story. The other characters are also very well written and I enjoyed seeing Tanya’s relationships with them evolve throughout the book.
Overall the book is well suited for a range of YA readers the writing style is well suited for readers at the younger end of the spectrum and while there are mature elements it does not get into graphic descriptions. The overall theme of making ones way in the world and finding the support you need is great for readers throughout this age group and can resonate particularly well with older YA readers navigating their decisions as a young adult.

Wench was SUCH a fun, fast paced read. If you love a little historical action and a little bit ‘ol magic, Wench will give you an great time. The feminist aspect and Tanya’s character are both perfect.

Wench is a fun romp through an array of magical settings with assorted character sketches that work together to highlight the independent nature of the novel's heroine.

I enjoyed the fast-paced quest atmosphere the novel developed. The conflict was fun but also intensifies with deeper meaning as the plot progresses. It's a great read for anyone who enjoys fantasy OR action-packed quest novels with nods to historical fiction. Now, onto the critical review.

What I thoroughly enjoyed:
-The author's development of Tanya's connection to the tavern ESPECIALLY the hour-in-the-life style opening that would provide a fantastic and dynamic opening scene to a movie based on the novel.
-Part Two of the novel: The action picks up and Tanya's character begins to develop in a steady series of meaningful interactions.
-Tanya's initial relationship with the quill seemed oddly reminiscent of Dora the Explorer or Peter pan-style cartography. While this may sound like a critique of the novel, the nostalgic and campy nature of this scene provided a great foundation for her adventures learning her own strength in relation to the magic the quill provides.
-The fire & ice motif demonstrated in the development of the settings of Glacier and Bloodstone. The Glacier ice's power was intriguing and prevented the scenes from becoming too reminiscent of Disney's Frozen.

Why I didn't give this book five stars (even though I liked it immensely):
-Too much telling, not enough showing. Many of Tanya's thoughts are explicitly stated when they could be inferred by the reader.
-Many of the characters were seemingly forgotten about for large portions of Part One making it more difficult to emotionally connect with characters other than Tanya in Part Two.
-The novel has all the potential to be an empowering feminist narrative, but the realization of true, unaffiliated strength may happen too late with not enough time to land on its feet.

Again, read this book for an entertaining and magical quest novel that blends familiar tableaus of old taverns and port cities with new and exciting fantasy settings. You will be entertained!

Thank you to Amulet Books (An imprint of ABRAMS) and NetGalley for early access to this title for an honest review.

Wench is magical, funny and feminist novel that pulls you in from the first sentence. It's an epic tale that takes the reader on a journey with the main character as they discover who they are and just what it means to love themselves and trust others.

This was a pretty fun story! I actually would have liked a little more romance in it but the MC was super likable! The writing and dialogue was perfect too!

A beautifully written book about the journey of self discovery, Wench is simply delightful. We follow Tanya, the tavern Wench, as she finds her self worth, learns to trust, and finds true friendship in the unlikeliest places.