Spoiler-Free Blog
If you’re a fan of young adult, dystopian sci-fi, and historical fiction, then I have a unique one for you: Wolf by Wolf, and its sequel Blood for Blood.
What’s book 1 about?
This story takes place in an alternate 1950s. In this other reality, Hitler won the war and expanded his empire.
Yael, a concentration camp survivor with a unique ability, has one mission: assassinate the dictator. To do this, she enters a treacherous Hitler Youth motorcycle race that spans from Germany to Japan.
If she wins, she’ll dance with Hitler at the Victor’s Ball – and she can kill him on live television. But first she has to survive the race.
Wolf by Wolf was one of my favorite reads in 2022.
I genuinely enjoyed this book. I was on the edge of my seat for a lot of the story. The characters were multi-dimensional, and the main character faced challenges that pushed her beliefs and sense of self.
We got to experience the heartbreaking difficulties of her life before, as well as the action-packed race in the present.
This is the kind of multi-genre plot that can be difficult to execute well, but the author nailed it.
Blood by Blood was darker and more thematic.
While Wolf by Wolf was a fun, fast-paced adventure, Blood for Blood took on a darker tone that was more true to the war themes we explored in this installment. I liked book 1 more, but I don’t regret reading this one. It’s a different type of story that’s worth appreciating on its own, and I really liked the writing style.
I will say that there were parts in the second half that felt drawn out, and some adjustments in pacing might have helped me stay hooked. I also felt the final climax scene felt a little cartoonish in the reveal and interaction with the villain.
But I did still enjoy it, and thought it was a fitting conclusion to the story started in Wolf by Wolf.
Should you read it?
All in all, this is a satisfying duology for fans of YA dystopian, historical fiction, and badass, emotionally complex heroines.
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