Ten Reasons Why I Love Wolfsong
(interspersed with some favorite quotes)
1. Ox
There's no other place to start than with main character Ox. He is one of those too-good-for-this-world characters who has no idea how special he is. From being verbally abused and beaten down by his father, to being accepted and loved for exactly who he was by the Bennett's, it was beyond satisfying to watch Ox find his place in the world.
“It should have been obvious what they were, but then I wasn’t looking for the incredible buried in the ordinary.”
2. All the emotions.
Wolfsong has them all. The span of the story and the character's journeys display the full range of the human experience: isolation, connection, hope, pain, rage, love, joy.
“Please just let me have you. Please. Nothing else matters if I can’t have you.”
3. Joe
Oh, how I loved Joe. His backstory was heartbreaking but it was Ox who brought him out of the darkness. From a child who was fascinated by Ox and glued to his side, to a man with staggering responsibilities on his shoulders, I loved Joe through it all.
"You gotta smell him and tell me why it’s all candy canes and pinecones and epic and awesome!"
4. The world-building.
Klune's creation of Green Creek, the small town in Oregon, and the power it held pulled me in from the very start. The werewolf mythology is viewed through the naïve eyes of Ox, making each revelation about this world that he didn't know existed even more remarkable.
“I’m a witch,” he said.
And I said, “You’re a wizard, Harry,” because I thought there was a very real chance I was caught in a dream.
5. The writing style.
Ox is a bit simple (in the best way possible) and his view of the world around him and the people in his life is wonderfully refreshing. Ox's POV means there is no purple prose, but neither is it overly simplistic. Klune created a vivid world while also making me feel deeply for each character. (For the record, I shed many tears.)
“I need you to know that I meant what I said."
"When you said what?"
"Everything I've ever said to you. Everything, Ox.”
6. Werewolves
I can't say that I am an avid paranormal/fantasy reader so it's not like I'm super familiar with werewolf lore. But I've found that I usually enjoy werewolves in my paranormal fiction over some other magical/mythical creatures (i.e. zombies, angels/demons, wizards, etc.).
“Monsters are real. Magic is real. The world is a dark and frightening place and it’s all real.”
7. Found family
Who doesn't love the found family trope? It was done beautifully in Wolfsong and went far beyond Ox's acceptance into the Bennett family. From Gordo and the guys at the auto shop, to Ox's mom and beyond, the love and acceptance found with those outside the bonds of the traditional family were front and center.
“Am I part of your pack?”
He said, “What do you think pack means?”
“Family,” I said promptly.
Thomas smiled. “Yes, Ox. You are part of my pack.”
8. Every secondary character is unique and necessary.
What a cast of characters! Each one so unique, with their own identifiable voice and purpose. Ox's friend Gordo, alpha Thomas Bennett, Joe's siblings, and all the rest... I adored them all.
“Oh my god, Ox, your life is like those shitty sparkly vampire movies. That I’ve never seen and don’t like at all, shut up.”
9. Perfect blend of character + plot.
I'm 100% a character-driven reader and will always choose character over plot. Wolfsong managed to deliver both and do them equal justice.
“All I wanted to do was come home, because without you, I don’t have a home.”
10. It's the first book in a series.
That means there's much more to enjoy! I've read Ravensong, the second book, so I still have two more opportunities to revisit the Bennett pack.
