Hannah F. Whitten’s For the Wolf follows Red (short for Redarys), the second daughter of the Queen of Valleyda—a position that set her aside from birth as a destined sacrifice to the Wolf, a monstrous being residing in the magic and dangerous Wilderwood. Red has accepted her fate for years, knowing that at least inside the Wilderwood, she can’t endanger those she loves with the growing magic inside her. Her slightly older twin, Neve, however, refuses to let go of the sister she loves. When the time comes for Red to enter the Wilderwood, what she discovers inside, and the choices Neve makes outside, could save or destroy their kingdom.

What might at first glance seem like a twist on Little Red Riding Hood is actually more of a Beauty & the Beast retelling, which I loved. The world of the Wilderwood has a deep lore, and I like how Whitten portrays how that lore is twisted and miscommunicated through legend and history, both unintentionally over time and strategically for political gain. It was both mildly frustrating and believable watching the characters struggle to untangle the truth from what they thought they knew.

The Wilderwood itself is an interesting character, a literal force of nature bursting at the seams with magic. Is it dangerous or endangered? The rules it seems to follow and the balance it maintains—does it dictate them or serve them? I hope we get more answers about it in the sequel, but even if we don’t it makes for a great atmosphere and setting.

I will say, as interested in the sequel as a I am, it will have its work cut out for it given that it is expected to focus on two characters I found far less likable than Red and Eammon. I felt bad for Neve, and her choices are completely believable, but that didn’t make it any less frustrating to watch her make them.

All in all, I give For the Wolf 3.5 stars, though it’s possible the sequel could nudge that rating higher if it sticks the landing.