Publishers Weekly
12/11/2017
This mixed debut evocatively depicts British werewolves in the Adirondacks, but crudely stereotypes the antagonistic relationships among the werewolves of the Pack, the independent shifter werewolves, and humans. Silver Nilsdottir, a disabled runt who was enslaved by the alpha couple of the Pack after her low-ranking partner was exiled, throws in her lot with injured shifter Tiberius Leveraux, hoping to teach him not to be such a “crappy wolf” so they can apply to the Pack for admission as a couple. Vale’s use of physical disability as a status-lowering device is lazy and thoughtless, and the derisive language used to describe Silver’s limitations is disconcerting. Human–wolf culture clash is a humorous highlight, though some scenes feel like set pieces. Sexual encounters are not centered enough in the story for many romance readers, but they strike a hot balance between human and feral. The climactic conflict between the shifters and the Pack werewolves arises and changes the mood too suddenly, and Vale doesn’t let Silver and Ti work as a team in its resolution, missing an opportunity to solidify the sense of coupledom. This is a capable work, but it does little to set up future sequels. (Feb.)
From the Publisher
"As Vale begins her The Legends of All Wolves series, her outstanding worldbuilding makes this sensuous tale of life and love in the Pack, a werewolf society, well worth reading. Spellbound readers will watch for the next installment, A Wolf Apart." — Booklist, STARRED review
"Cleverly conceived and thoughtful story...The unique, believable world-building, flashes of humor, and Old Norse references make this exceptional debut of a promising series a solid choice for all paranormal readers and collections. " — Library Journal
"The dark, rich world of Vale’s debut novel is instantly engaging, and will hold plenty of draw for fantasy and sci-fi readers, as well as readers of paranormal romance. Her wolf shifters have history and depth, and the individual members are all well crafted and compelling...the rich characters and their powerful connections still make this book a fascinating one that offers a good deal of promise for future books in this world." — RT Book Reviews
"a terrific world filled with hierarchy, devotion and rituals...a[n] enchanting unusual story." — With Love For Books
" Vale has created a world unlike any other that is full of mythical creatures and unlike any other stories I have read. I highly recommend THE LAST WOLF to anyone who loves a good paranormal romance that really stands out long after you read the last page." — Fresh Fiction
"The dark, rich world of Vale’s debut novel is instantly engaging, and will hold plenty of draw for fantasy and sci-fi readers, as well as readers of paranormal romance. Her wolf shifters have history and depth, and the individual members are all well crafted and compelling in their own right...the rich characters and their powerful connections make this book a fascinating one that offers a good deal of promise for future books in this world." — RT Book Reviews
"Debut author Vale has created a paranormal community in the modern world, and it's a standout...a dense, gooey chocolate cake in page form. A wonderfully descriptive paranormal romance that breathes some much-needed life into the subgenre." — Kirkus Reviews
From the Publisher - AUDIO COMMENTARY
"I liked how [Dulude] narrated this and I felt she got Silver right." -Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell
Kirkus Reviews
2017-12-12
Two lonely outsiders risk health and home to find love amid danger.Shifters and werewolves have been enemies for centuries. While wolves are forced to change with every full moon, Shifters can pick a form at will. As humans earned their place at the top of the food chain hundreds of years ago, Shifters chose to remain in their human forms. They have a history of attacking wolves while they're vulnerable, using human weapons to raid a wolf pack's supply of riches. In present-day upstate New York, the Great North Pack is pairing off its wolves in a celebration, known as "the Dæling," that ushers the juveniles into adulthood. Silver is the runt of the group, and, unpaired, she's destined for the role of servant to the Pack's ruling Alphas. But when a Shifter/wolf hybrid shows up on the land, gored and bleeding to death, Silver recognizes she has a chance to change her future of submission. If she chooses to help the stranger, she'll be exiled from her Pack, but she knows the risk is worth the reward of forging her own path. Silver and the hybrid, Tiberius, are thrust into complicated circumstances in which the elements, humans, and wolves alike are their enemies. Debut author Vale has created a paranormal community in the modern world, and it's a standout, though it would have been helpful to have a glossary for the unique terminology. The romance takes a back seat to wolf-pack dynamics and paranormal politics, but the scenes showing the dark, primal attraction between Silver and Tiberius can become addictive for readers —a dense, gooey chocolate cake in page form.A wonderfully descriptive paranormal romance that breathes some much-needed life into the subgenre.
