Wolfsong
Ratings162
Average rating4.1
“Wolfsong” is, without a doubt, the best werewolf fantasy romance I've ever read. It's got everything you could want in a werewolf romance—an immersive world, intense pack dynamics, and a love story that will sweep you off your feet. But what sets this book apart is how masterfully T.J. Klune weaves themes of loss, grief, betrayal, and life into the narrative, creating an emotional depth that is rarely seen in the genre. Every page resonates with raw, heartfelt emotion, and you'll find yourself deeply invested in the characters and their journey. It's not just a story about werewolves; it's a profound exploration of what it means to love and live after devastating loss. If you're a fan of werewolf romance with substance, “Wolfsong” is an absolute must-read.
there is so much to say about how much i loved this book so firstly ill say my obvious critique. i definitely think the age gap in the main relationship could have been easily avoided and i am only choosing to look past it because of the paranormal fantasy nature of the character that it involves and how their relationship gets explained throughout the book. it is the one thing that i wish i could change the entire time because it was otherwise a perfect book for my interests. it was uncomfortable for a portion of the book and i just wish this part of the story was different.
other than this, i am properly obsessed with this book. this is one of those books that i am pained about never getting to read it for the first time again but simultaneously filled with love and joy to have gotten to experience it. this story, and specifically TJ Klune's writing, had me GRIPPED every time i picked it up. i knew that if i had decided to read it that night that i had to be prepared to have enough time to read at least 100 pages because i never wanted to put it down. there aren't enough words to say how much i adore the love, yearning, and PASSION that the two love interests have for each other and it is such a breath of fresh air to read about it in the context of a young gay relationship. the story was constantly moving and never dragging or slow but also never confused you by moving on to the next thing. it was filled with action but allowed so many moments of intimate stillness as well. i wish i could read a full series about the relationship of these two lead characters, i never wanted their story to end. i will truly miss getting to read another story through Ox's narrative.
PACK PACK PACK!! 😭🙌🏾💐
lemme go ahead and add this to my favorites list real quick.
The way this book had me giggling one moment and absolutely devastated the next. Wolfsong is PEAK found family, hardship, snark, and love. So glad I finally decided to randomly read it and can't wait for the next one.
Rating Description:
1.0 - DNF/Despise
1.5 - Almost DNFed and wish I had
2.0 - Almost DNFed but had redeeming qualities/just boring
2.5 - Alright with lots of notes
3.0 - Alright with notes but I'm not raving about it
3.5 - Technically good but I'm not raving about it
4.0 - Technically good, and/or I enjoyed it a lot
4.5 - Loved it, I wanted to highlight lines in the book but still with notes
5.0 - Loved it, I wanted to highlight lines in the book, and notes are very positive
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(Review Edited)
I decided to start reading books again and started with this book.
While I did like the plot, characters, flow, and writing style, I was not quite satisfied.
Maybe this is because I’ve been reading fanfic more than books these past few years, but I had difficulty picturing the characters. Sure, there were descriptions but it wasn’t specific enough for me. Or the descriptions were given but not repeated enough to stick in my head as I read. I honestly cannot remember much of how Ox looks like beyond the fact that he’s big. And he’s the lead character. Rico stuck out because of how he talks but Tanner and Chris…I can’t tell much. Carter and Kelly could be the Bobbsey twins, for all I know, given how they’re essentially just described as blonde and blue eyed.
The thing is, repetition was used in the book to hammer down certain things like how Ox feels like he’s nothing. That was heavily repeated to the point where it was getting tedious.
I also had issues with the pack dynamics. Here, the alpha’s 2nd was just the enforcer. The witch acted as the advisor. But not all packs have a witch. So does that mean no one is keeping the alpha in check? And sure, that set up may just be what happened to Joe and crew due to circumstances but they would have not wasted so much time if someone in that group just had the strength of character to say “no” and stuck to their guns or claws.
Oh and I found 2 mistakes in the book. Both seem to be typos where the author meant to use 1 word but mistakenly used another word.
But despite my notes above, I did enjoy the book and just had to read the next books in the series.
I picked this up because TJ Klune and gay werewolves, but I'm still not sure how I feel about it. There is something deeply unsettling about the age gap between Joe and Ox. So much so for me, that I couldn't shake it when I realized what was happening.
Which was a shame because the other relationships in the book were beautiful. The family that Ox discovered for himself and the non-romantic male relationships were strong and enviable. But the book did drag at times and felt much longer than it needed to be. I'm still not sure how I feel about Joe and Ox, but I would like to see what happens next.
There were things that I absolutely loved about this book and it had the potential to be an easy 5 star read.
However, I really disliked the completely unnecessary age gap and repetitive writing. I'm also still scarred from sjm's mating bonds and this was unfortunately also used in this book.
On one hand, I love this book so much and it has parts that made my heart ache. I loved Ox, I loved the entire Bennett family. I laughed with them and I mourned with them. On the other hand, there were parts of this story that made me so angry that I had to take a day or so before I continued reading.
Overall, I love the story, but it did not need the page length it had. At the start, I was having a great time watching Joe and Ox and the other Bennett boys grow up together. Then we hit a part in the story where everything changes and “the pack is split” as the summary puts it. That portion of the story DRAGS ON FOREVER. We have the same arguments for chapter after chapter with only a few notable things popping up and it got old. Also, in my opinion, both Joe and Ox were making the dumbest decisions possible when it came to fighting the antagonist. And I felt that they were only making those decisions because Klune had a very specific way he wanted the final fight scene to end so he had to do mental gymnastics to make Ox and Joe suddenly turn into the dumbest people alive whenever it came to fighting the villain.
I REALLY want to get to Gordo and Mark's story, but I don't know if my brain is ready to jump back into that 3 year time of separation again. And while Carter is my favorite brother I am very interested in how things are going to play out in Kelly's story. Overall, a solid 4 star read.
I buddy read this book with Jonny and we also did a Buddy Reads and Rants post talking about our thoughts on it. I've read and loved a couple of books by this author before picking this one up. I had high hopes for this one and it didn't disappoint. At this point I think this author can do no wrong. I've give all 3 of the books I've read a 5 star rating. He knows how to pull on your heartstrings. I have always loved books about vampires. They are my favorite. Saying that this book made me love werewolves even more than I used to. I have to say when I started this book I had an idea about where he was going with the romance and at first I was really nervous about it but I think it was handled really well and they are both well into adulthood before anything happens. Also this book is only a little over 500 pages and I've read more and more bigger books over the years but for some reason this one felt long but there was nothing that could have been taken out in my opinion. We needed everything he gave us. This will most likely make it onto my favorite books of the year post at the end of this book. Despite my 2 little complaints this book was perfect and I can't wait to continue on in the series.
This book was very good, but there were some VERY explicit parts which felt out of tone with the rest.
If you love(d) Twilight, this book has very similar vibes. I actually was recommending it to basically any friends I knew that liked that series, however after finishing the book I felt I had to caveat and warn people.
Were it not for the very explicit parts I would likely be running right on to the next book. However, it really took me out of the story and I just don’t know that I want to carry on and experience any more.
I wanted to love this book but it left me utterly disappointed. The writing was clumsy and read like fanfiction and reminded me of Twilight era angst and logic. So much about this story did not sit right with me, starting with the odd kid/teenager dynamic, the way too intese characters and the touchy wolves that way to quickly become family (this was the Twilght-iest thing. Almost expected Supermassive Black Hole to start playing when they met in the clearing).
Everything about this book was too predictable even the part after page 380 (which is how long it took to finally read past the synopsis???) and I could only roll my eyes when Ox proclaims for the millionth time “my daddy told me people were gonna give me shit” - honestly give the boy a bumper sticker, apparently that's his life motto.
Big sad nope from me.
I always include major spoilers (hidden), to help with my memory issues. Read them at your peril!
MM werewolf coming of age found family. Ox is slower than other people, and his dad convinced him early on that he's without value. Ox lives with his mum in a lonely house outside of an isolated small town. He works in the local garage as a boy to help his mum. The only other house on their road has been empty for years. And then it isn't. The new people are welcoming and kind and Ox feels like he belongs. He doesn't realise that the world is not as he thought. The Bennett's are werewolves . Their youngest son, who thinks Ox smells perfect has imprinted on him without his knowledge . His kindly boss at the garage is a witch , and a group of evil rogue werewolves want to destroy the Bennett's and rid the world of humans Betrayal, violence, and the inevitable mistakes of the young, when placed under too much pressure, ensue.
All I wanted to do was come home, because without you, I don't have a home.”
T. J. Klune has a way with words that stirs my emotions, and makes me want to return again and again to the stories he writes.
Wolfsong tells us the story of the kind and insecure Ox, who grows up to become something more. We see the story unfold only through his POV, but it is enough to see all characters change and develop along the years.
It's a story about family, love and what bounds as to humanity.
I was loving the book until I got halfway through, and started to feel that the story was dragging a bit. I think I was not a fan of the main action and conflict of wolfsong, but I found the romance beautiful and I believe this series it is worth reading just because of it.
3.5 stars ⭐️
Pretty cute, though the writing style annoyed me at times. To be fair the pairings in the sequels seem more interesting to me, so I'll probably keep reading the series.
This is the first TJ Klune book that I've read even though I've had two others sitting in my crate.
I'm in love with the writing in this book. I'm hoping his style of writing is similar to his other books!
I'm not 100% sure how to explain it, but to see the visual change in writing when tensions were high vs. Ox going through everyday life with pack was very pleasing. I'm sure there is a better way to explain it if you ever read it you'll see what I'm referring to!
The emotions and soul ties between the pack members is definitely going to be one of my favorite parts as I continue through the series.
One thing I did not appreciate is how long this book is... oh my goodness. It's almost 600 pages when it could have been 350-400 MAX. This played no role in my rating but I must let it be known 🤣🤣
Ravensong is next in the series and I'm freaking excited because it's about Gordo 😩I'm just waiting for Heartsong to be trad published before continuing on, and I can't wait 🫡
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The found family in this is so beautiful. It's a story of hardships, friendships, and romance but above all, it's about family. And I love that reminder of not needing to be blood to be family.
I just finished WolfSong By TJ Klune @tjklunebooks and here is my review.
Oxnard Matheson was told he wouldn't be anyone and he was sure that when his father said it, it must have been true, especially as his father left him and his mother.
Then they came.... The Bennett family. They saw what Ox was right from the beginning... Someone special... Someone who fits in with their pack.
The youngest Bennett boy, Joe instantly feels kinship with Ox and Ox is drawn to the magic and the family ties that this unusual shape shifting family has in spades.
Something awful happens and the pack leaves, leaving a gaping hole in Ox's heart. 3 years later they return and Joe is now a man.... Ox is left reeling when he realizes what Joe means to him.... The call of the wolfsong is tumultuous..
The book was super long and I was grateful for a book like this being as full as this one. Firstly, I am not much for werewolf books. I'm more witch/vampire vibes... This book shook my foundation and hit some of the highest notes in any read I have read this year! I loved it. I loved the family dynamic. I loved the way magic was incorporated into the storyline. It was gritty and raw with how it dug deep into the psyche of humanity and pack mentality.
This book follows Ox and his perspective. It was a little weird having a 10 year old wolf being in love with a 16 year old teen and it was a bit unsettling for me but TJ Klune did an excellent job of keeping it realistic and not creepy at all.
I did think that honestly, the book could have been split into 2 books and just a little more could have been added into areas but I see why it was done this way and it worked. The style of writing is exceptional and the storytelling is done with such grace you can't help become immersed in it.
4 stars, I already started Ravensong so review for that one coming next!!
Thank you @netgalley and @torbooks for my gifted copy. These books are being rereleased with new covers!!
Having decreed yesterday that I was done with TJ Klune, I come home to a copy of Wolfsong in my mailbox courtesy of Tor, who are reissuing the series with new covers. Its like the universe is mocking me.
I got about 50 pages in before I noped out. Sorry TJ, nothing personal.
Puedo decir que ha sido una de mis mejores lecturas de la vida. El mundo que desarrolla el autor es sencillo y a la vez hermoso porque existen los hombres lobo (los amo),
Reí, lloré, y sufrí la angustia de los sucesos en medio de una historia que me encantó. Conecté más con algunos personajes que con otros, pero aún asi creo que todos me gustaron mucho. Al principio me incomodó un poco el temita de la edad, y alguna que otra cosa, sobre todo viéndolo desde el punto de donde empieza la historia. Pero luego todo se “acomodó” y pude disfrutarlo plenamente.
Este libro es perfecto. Tiene todo lo que me gusta y más.
Sin dudas, sumamente recomendado.
I think it is a good book, in some respects it can seem a bit overwhelming, as well as the age difference sometimes becomes uncomfortable, but it is very enjoyable and follows a sense that gives a good plot.
It gave Twilight. It gave CW tv show.
It was melodramatic, the characters were too emotionally driven, they did the STUPIDEST shit.
Not fantastic, not lifechanging, some parts I even disliked.
But it was CAMP.
3.5/5 stars, no notes.
This book seems to be nearly universally loved so I'm disappointed that I didn't love it!
I definitely liked parts of it - I always love a found family trope and this found family was the best part of the book. I also liked the underlying story and setting.
The things that really annoyed me were the constant repetition of certain phrases and the writing style took some getting used to. It could have been a good chunk shorter if the middle portion had been trimmed of the repetitive dialogue and interactions.
And the thing which annoyed me the most was Ox, he spent so long being so angry and Joe and the other guys for leaving, took so long to forgive him then when it came to the final show down just went and did it himself! It felt so hypocritical and made all that anger pointless.
I definitely have an unpopular opinion here but it just wasn't a favourite for me, and I'm unsure if I'll continue in the series.