I cannot give a full review because (insert embarrassment) I did not realize when this ARC was being archived and assumed I had more time based on its publish date. With that said, I did not get to finish reading it. I was enjoying the story up to what I did read, and based on that, I feel like I would most likely give it 4 stars. Once this book is released, I will obtain a copy to complete and provide a thorough review.

Thank you so much for a gifted e copy of this in lieu of an honest review. I wanted to love this one so much but after 100 pages I decided I couldn’t go on and DNF’d

A Bird Among Wolves was really difficult to get into. I almost DNF'd this book multiple times and likely would have it I didn't get it as an ARC. That being said, the last 1/4 of the book really picked up and was much more interesting (although it did feel a bit rushed). I had a really hard time connecting to any of the characters in the beginning and the changing POV was VERY challenging to follow. I would've enjoy the book much more if the alternate POVs came later in the book, when I was already introduced to the characters.

The fantasy creatures were relatively predictable at times, but they kept me interested. The world building is not great and doesn't really occur until well into the book, which left me very confused. Once I fully understood the characters and the world, the pacing drastically increased. If you can make it past the first 50% of the book, the story becomes much more interesting.

Wren was very confusing for me. She had moments were she was very childish and seemed innocent and other moments, where nudity didn't bother her and she was cracking sexual jokes. This inconsistency made her difficult to connect with and relate to. Randon was the best character in this book, but he seemed to come out of no where for me. I really thought Faelan was going to be the romantic interest, so finding out he was not was a pleasant surprise. The romance was inconsistent and the nicknames were a bit awkward (Pup and Fae). Randon and Wren have this sweet, slow building romance, but it isn't enough in my opinion. Wren's best friend is just written off as she is swept up in her own problems. I had quite a few gripes about the characters in this story, however, I really LOVED the brotherhood found family vibes. The relationships within the group really saved the story for me.

Overall, this book was ok. It needs more editing and refining for me as it was a bit all over the place with pacing. It wasn't enough to draw me in for the next story.

Thank you NetGalley, Three Amigas Press, & Tracy Leonard Nakatani for this ARC. These are my honest opinions.

Wren has lived with her father, secluded in the forest for as long as she can remember. Her father taught her not to trust anyone and when she finds him murdered, she runs. Caught up with a group of rebels, she is arrested and sent to prison. When the prison is attacked by Forest Walkers and she narrowly escapes with her life, she doesn't know where to go.

She knows she has to stay hidden though and when she is offered a place among the warriors of Wolfsreach, she has to make a choice.

There are wolven and other creatures in the woods and she keeps having dreams that come true. What is happening to her?

This was a really fun book, I loved the characters and can't wait to see where the next one goes.

Thank you to netgalley for a copy to review.

This was dark and deep in themes of loyalty, family, and doing the right thing. Impossible choices arise and she's left to a world she doesn't know, with no one to help her survive.

Browsing NetGalley one day and stumbled on this beauty of a book, requested it and then got the email that it was available to read. It took me some time to read it but I finally picked it up at the first of the month. I was immediately hooked with the story, I really loved the multiple POVs and the world building, scratch that I loved everything about this story. 5 Stars easy. You guys need to read this one, it will not let you down. Its hard to choose which boy to love, you have the brothers Randon and Faelan and then you have the dark haired prince Marius, all good looking btw. Patiently waiting for book 2 which I know I will do re-read of book 1. Cant wait to dive into the Prequel of Marius. This books releases in 2026, so happy that I got to be ARC Reader. The last 100 pages had me feel all the feelings and I wasnt able to put it down. ADD TO YOUR TBR ASAP and then thank me later.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7701573721

Wolvern shifters, warring Kingdoms, Forest walkers and conflict! What a great start to a new series.

I really enjoyed this book. The author manages to create a clever fantasy world as we follow Wren as she seeks to understand her fathers death, who she really is and what she is capable of. And more importantly, who she can really trust. This is world of magic, ancient stories and warring Kingdoms and broken allegiances.

There's lots going on in this, but the multi POV chapters from the MCs make this easy to follow as we cross Kingdoms, allegiances and begin to unravel the plot.

I loved Wren. Tough and loyal she goes from being alone to finding herself in a group of formidable warrior characters with several others seeking her alleigence. Strong, fierce and determined she is torn who to trust.

I loved seeing the bond she formed with Randon and her relationship with Faelan and the rest of the Brotherhood.

Other all this was a well paced tale and I'm interested to see what happens next.

This book is a hard one for me to review honestly. While I did enjoy reading this, there were moments I found myself disconnected from the story and skimming through sections that just felt unnecessary. There was a heavy amount of world building politics which I always struggle to immerse myself in.

At times, especially towards the end, the story felt rushed and a bit messy. Regardless I don't regret reading this book and would still recommend this to any readers that love magical beasts and detailed fantasy politics!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7628087045
Sorry, I already posted this review and do not want to retype it

I wasn't able to finish this book, as I no longer have access to it (I didn't realise there was a time limit on it), but I thoroughly enjoyed what I read! I found it really gripping from the beginning and it gave me all the feels of a fantasy I'd love!

I'll definitely consider pre-ordering a copy on my kindle!

Apologies, for not finishing the book in time, but thank you for letting me read a sample!

I really loved the world and folklore/belief system in this book, and the last 30% of the book was “I can’t put this put this down” level of greatness. For those reasons, I’m going to round my 4.5 stars up to 5. It was just the beginning that had some issues. A lot of characters are introduced right away. The chapters change perspective (3rd person POV) which I enjoy, but I was overwhelmed in the beginning, because each change brought several new characters and political parties or history. Thankfully, this book does have a glossary. Once I saw that and referenced it for a few characters, I was good to go.

Readers are dropped right into action at the start of the book as our FMC, Wren, is about to be sentenced to death. Then the fort is attacked by a Forest Walker, a dragon-like creature with scales, feathers, and antlers. Wren escapes, and her one childhood friend convinces her to go speak to a king about the return of Forest Walkers as she is the only known survivor of the attack. Wren was raised in mostly solitude by her father. She doesn’t know who her father was protecting them from, but she knows she need keep running to try and stay safe. However, Wren agrees to see the king and is placed under the care of the Brotherhood while the king and other political leaders decided what to do with the information. Meanwhile, multiple people are trying to get to Wren for their own personal gains or political reasons.

I really like Wren. She’s resilient and was raised to trust no one. She approaches situations logically with the information she has instead of making rash decisions. I also loved some of the side characters, particularly the members of the Brotherhood. With the chapters changing perspective, it took me a while to figure out who I should be trusting. There are characters I want to trust more than Wren does. I thought I was figuring out secrets and reveals as I was reading, but more than once my first idea was wrong. In vague terms, there was also this element that ties the history of a couple characters together that was just beautifully done. I love when stories work in these moments that make things seem fated (without direct involvement of godly powers) and when they make you reevaluate a character and their actions. It makes me want to read it again!

I also really like this world; it’s complex and unique. There are dragon-like creatures but really they are a completely different type of magical creature. There are Wolven, but they aren’t like typical Wolven. The different elves and humans have a complicated past. The relationship with the gods and how the magical elements work is something I look forward to reading more about in the next book.

If you like a story with a lot of moving pieces, changing perspectives, and mysterious magic, I recommend giving this book try. Brace for a lot of characters in the beginning and know that the ending will leave you wanting more.

This was an interesting fantasy with a unique world. It did take me a little while to get into the story, but once it picked up, the banter kept me reading. It was an overall good first book of the series.

Thank you, Tracy Leonard Nakatani and NetGalley, for the eARC.

I had a hard time connecting with this one. I just ultimately didn't feel invested in the characters. They didn't feel all that complex. I also would have liked there to be more intrigue throughout the book, instead of revealing some things towards the end, only to finish with a non- conclusion. I hadn't known this was just a part 1 when going into it. But even so, I think that books should feel like they have a bit of a conclusion instead of feeling like the story keeps going, but it's just going to cut off here.

A Bird Among Wolves
By @wolfxlady

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book doesn’t just throw you into the deep end, it binds and gags you before chucking you off the side of the earth.

This book asks the question
“What if the forest fights back? What or who would be the weapon?”

There are multiple POVs, and threads from each roll into the other.
I think a lot of the early readers get lost in the near nonstop action but I found myself getting caught in the quiet moments of the book. I love a sound family book, even if it’s dysfunctional.

It was clear all of the characters are hiding things, things they fear will put people in danger but now they are in danger due to the secrets. The main group of the Brotherhood might have a shared secret and they all trust each other with their lives but can they trust each other with their more personal secrets?

This book is very much setting the stage the way Quicksilver was a lot of character set up and lore.

I imagine book two is gonna go deeper into the world building, the magic building, the romances, the seemingly unrequited love??? and the intertwining back stories.
While, the book is not cozy by any means I am left with a kinda calm even after the cliffhanger.

There is a ton of political intrigue and all those high ranking in the militaries, governments and monarchies are pretty darn snaky. So I’m expecting some *big* drama in the next book too!

Swipe to see the character art of our main girl Wren!
Who Tracy based off a girls she knew while teaching in Japan. She is mixed race, taught to hide half of herself to stay safe. Ostracized by both if she is found out, no place in the world.
A scary danger to some, she can’t be trusted
A weak, poor half breed to others

Where do you fit when you were born between two worlds…

Thanks Tracy and @netgalley

#abirdamongwolves #tracyleonardnakatani #fantasy #romantasy #arc #arcreader #arcreview #bookish #selkiereader

Rating: 3.75/5 Stars

At first, this book had me invested. The detail the author wove into A Bird Among Wolves had me hooked from the first chapter and her dialogue felt genuine.

That said, things started to feel a bit choppy once the chapters began switching between different characters. Before I could get fully immersed in one POV, the scene would abruptly shift to another, which made it hard to stay connected. Still, I kept reading because the story itself was engaging. I loved the banter, the secrets between characters, and the strong found family vibes. It reminded me of Road of Bones by Demi Winters, it gave off similar vibes.

Overall, the fantasy world was one of my favorite parts of A Bird Among Wolves. It had that tight-knit, loyal crew feel that I always gravitate toward. The pacing was fast, the stakes were high, and there was always something going on. That said, the writing could’ve used a bit more polish in how it transitioned between scenes and characters. It sometimes felt like too much was happening at once, which made it hard to focus on any one arc

This is a fantasy book with little to no spice, but it doesn’t play a huge role in the overall plot. I would recommend this to fantasy readers who like a fast-paced plot, found family, and high stakes.

Thank you netgalley for an ARC. These opinions are my own.

I love this book. If you’re a fan of true fantasy, world building and complicated character dynamics this is a read for you! I really enjoyed this book!

I actually really liked this! I will say that it’s DEFINITELY heavy world building. It took me till about 30% in before I was hooked. BUT the world building was obviously necessary for the story. I do really like the multiple POV and how all the characters are essentially on the same journey but still passing by each other.

My only very minor critique is that the glossary be at the start of the book. Not the end. I read on my kindle and sometimes I find it easier to dust over the glossary first for a smoother read. But otherwise I liked it!

Sadly, I had to DNF this one. The concept was intriguing, and the writing was detailed—it's clear the author put a lot of effort into building the world and characters. However, the pacing felt slow, and it took over 100 pages to really get a sense of who the characters were or understand their backgrounds. That lack of grounding made it hard for me to stay engaged. The multiple POVs may have also contributed to the disconnect; there were just too many threads to follow without enough early payoff. That said, I do think this book will find its audience—some readers will likely be fully engulfed in the story. It just wasn’t the right fit for me.

[NetGalley Read #39]
4.25 ⭐️

"Secrets were best kept in the hands of the dead."

Very good. Excited for the next book.

This started slow. And the writing felt a bit clunky at first. But as the story unfolded, it became better and kept getting better and better. Wren's time at the Wolfsreach is really well written. The mysteries and secrets surrounding Wren and her father, the Wolfsreach and the beasts, the kingdoms and the gods of this world were woven very well together. So if you feel like giving up on this book after reading the first few chapters, stick with it. Because it gets better. At least, it did for me. 🤷‍♂️

The characters, relationships and the dialogue were fun to read. Banter between the Order members, Wren and Randon's relationship, the relationship between the twins (Randon and Faelan), the backstories trickling in through Wren and the side characters and different factions vying for control over the stone, and in turn, Wren and Wren's mysterious relationship with the Nagendron and Akkavara. It was all very delightful to read.

I haven't read a fantasy series in some time. It felt good to really sink my teeth into (no pun intended) a good fantasy world with all of its intricate details and quirks. It reminded me of Witcher (Blood of Elves, specifically) with Wren's time at the Wolfsreach similar to Ciri's time at Kaer Morhen. Although with slightly different dynamics. There is also, I felt, a strong influence of A Song of Ice and Fire (and Star Wars (in a way)) with the rebels and the Kings and Queens and the power struggle and the grudges and backstabbings. Nagendrons, the soul stone, hyracons and the gods (Zol, Mona, Seton, and Akkavara) are what made this fantasy world unique for me. So props on the worldbuilding. Well done.

As fantasy novels go, it's in that sweet spot where it isn't too short or too long. 350+ pages. A good length for the first part in the series. Easy to read. Executes the fantasy tropes well. But more importantly, you don't feel like you're robbed of a story. Or you are told half a story and the real story will happen in the next novel. It's a character-driven book with Wren as, mostly, our main character and how she goes from living in seclusion to forming new bonds, learning new skills, trusting, surviving and discovering secrets about herself and setting out on a new adventure by the end of the book. Seeds are planted for other stories. For other characters. Hopefully, we'll get to read them soon.

Recommended. 👍

I received an ARC of A Bird Among Wolves by Tracy Leonard Nakatani from NetGalley. All thoughts are my own and I’m still reeling.

How can someone be so deeply lonely and yet so incredibly strong? That’s Wren for you. A character who carries the weight of survival like armor, while her world falls apart around her. Her journey isn’t just one of magic, it’s of identity, pain, and courage.

From the first page, I could tell this book was going to be different. A whole new plot, a richly imagined world, and a heroine you can’t help but root for. What I loved most? It didn’t feel like a recycled version of other fantasies. This world, its demons, and its magic are fresh, gripping, and layered with secrets that unravel slowly, each one more shocking than the last.

Wren’s emotional journey hit hard. Alone, hunted, unsure of who to trust, unsure even of her powers—it was painful and powerful to witness. And yet she never stops. She keeps going. And I adored her for that.

The supporting cast—Ulfred, Randon, Faelan, and Marius—are all beautifully written. Their reactions, their doubts, their strength, they felt like real people trying to navigate a world on the brink. Every character serves a purpose, adding emotional weight and depth to the unfolding events.

Yes, the pacing felt a little slow at times, but it worked. It gave time to build tension, for the emotions to sink in, for the world to expand naturally. And once it picks up—oh, it delivers.

This is the kind of fantasy that doesn't just entertain—it lingers. I’m already desperate for Book II.

Highly recommend this to fans of slow-burn, emotionally rich fantasy with strong female leads, unique lore, and breathtaking twists.