Review: A Bird Among Wolves

A Bird Among Wolves by Tracy Leonard Nakatani

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Wren’s story in A Bird Among Wolves by Tracy Leonard Nakatani begins with a desperate act: torching her past on her murdered elven father’s orders. Raised to fight and fade into shadows, she’s unprepared for the world she stumbles into. A realm stirred by the return of forest monsters, creatures woven from earth and spirit that haunt her dreams.

Wren's blood sings along with these old entities, making her a target for rulers, schemers, and enemies. Caught up in a web of magic and alliances, she must face a truth that could make or break her.

Nakatani imagines a world where roots throb with ancient magic and monsters creep through fog. Wren’s heart carries the tale with her quiet pain and courage, making her someone every reader roots for. The writing, plain but heartfelt, echoes Stephenie Meyer’s clear, emotional voice, with dialogue that feels like whispered confidences around a fire. It pulls us close, making the magic feel within reach.

The story dives into Wren’s heart, mixing the adventurous feel of high fantasy with the deep, personal questions we'd find in a YA novel. This debut is full of wild energy and will appeal to readers who enjoy tales about heroines finding their strength.

Yet the book trips over itself. The writing is warm but most times too plain, missing the depth needed to make big moments pop, and side characters' motives blur into one another. However, what bothered me most was the fact that the ending left too many strings untied, which was a letdown after such a vivid climb. I understand it was a setup for the next book in the series, but I was disappointed for simply being left with close to no answers.

I’d hand A Bird Among Wolves to fantasy fans who love heroines who grow through pain. If the Twilight saga stirred you, and you enjoy The Witcher's world, this book might spark something similar. It’s a great start for those who don’t mind waiting for a sequel to knot the loose threads and don’t expect all the answers now.  

I would like to thank Tracy Leonard Nakatani, three amigas press, and netgalley for this ARC.

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