I am really enjoying this series. One of the things I really love about Palphreyman’s writing is that clues are laced throughout the book, so if you are really paying attention you can figure out the plot points that are coming. I love that attention to plot-building. Nothing is really a surprise, but you end up smacking yourself on the forehead and saying Of course! Why didn’t I see that coming!?
I started making little notes to myself when I was about a third of the way through, trying to figure out what was up with Arora. She is obviously different in a way that can’t entirely be attributed to the half-wolf heritage. It was the wolves shifting around her that made me realized that she was the Heart they were looking for, a person and not an object.
Meanwhile, Blake’s big reveal caught me completely by surprise and I was mad at myself because all the clues were right there!
I think Palphreyman did a good job of writing Arora and Callum’s relationship changes as the events progressed. They are both so passionate about each other, but you can see the seams starting to break. Callum can’t get past the rules that the wolves live by and Arora will never entirely forgive him for making choices she doesn’t like.
Meanwhile Blake drives her absolutely insane – and visa versa – and yet she knows he will always come for her when she’s in trouble. I absolutely loved the scene where she was in his mind and saving his life in the amphitheatre and they are cursing each other out the entire time.
Phillip was another surprised and I was really pleased to find out he wasn’t just the spoiled prick that Arora remembered. They do seem to come to a mutual respect by the end and I’m looking forward to learning more about him in the next book. (And I did not miss the offhand comment that Phillip has banged men. I love a bisexual Prince.)
My predictions for The Wolf Queen. Obviously Blake and Arora get together. I would love to see a polyam resolution to the love triangle if Callum can ever get over himself. Wolves might be possessive by nature, but she’s the actual heart of a Goddess, she can be loved by more than one man, c’mon people. (To be honest I often think that polyamory is the answer.)
I also can’t believe we’ve seen the last of Arora’s father – my prediction is that Bad Dad isn’t about to take his childrens’ rebellions lying down.
Now the book just has to come out! Apparently release date is May 2027, so I have **checks watch** ten months to wait.