An atmospheric, rich fantasy that draws on Polish folklore.

READ IF YOU…

• Want a rich fantasy
• Enjoy folklore
• Want an atmospheric, though not moody, read

Title: Don’t Call the Wolf | Author: Aleksandra Ross | Rating: 3.5/5

When the Golden Dragon descended on the forest of Kamiena, a horde of monsters followed in its wake.

Ren, the forest’s young queen, is slowly losing her battle against them. Until she rescues Lukasz—the last survivor of a heroic regiment of dragon slayers—and they strike a deal. She will help him find his brother, who vanished into her forest… if Lukasz promises to slay the Dragon.

But promises are all too easily broken.

I was expecting Bear and the Nightingale or Sisters of the Winter Wood, or even Bone Houses and found a story that seemed a mesh of all three. Don’t Call the Wolf  is based on Polish folklore, but it did somewhat remind me of the Russian folkloric themes in Bear and the Nightingale, especially with the bannik taking care of the home, or the river god. There’s something about the woods that brings out the feeling of something else.

The book was an average fantasy plot – whatwith slaying dragons, strange creatures, and betrayal. So I didn’t think from that perspective it was anything unique. But the writing itself and the folklore it drew from was worth the read.

I loved how Ren had a relationship with the river god, how she forged connections with other shapeshifters. I frankly wanted more of the folklore and less of Ren. I wish I had more time to learn about the creatures in the woods, who seem to be zombies of sorts, but with souls.

Overall, a good read if you want some woodsy magic and dragon slaying.