Review: Tears of the Wolf by Elisabeth Wheatley

Title: Tears of the Wolf
Author: Elisabeth Wheatley
Series: Wrath and Weeping #1
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Publisher: Self-pub/Book Goblin Books
Publication Date: February 20, 2025
Edition: Digital
Source: Library
Purchase: Amazon US | Author's Website | B&N | Bookshop |

Synopsis:

   After the murder of her child, Brynn of the Istovari wants nothing more than to escape the shackles of her birthright. As a sorceress and the last of a once-great bloodline, many still seek to use her for their own schemes. Brynn will do anything for the chance at freedom, even if it means marrying an upstart warrior from the far north.
   Cenric needs a wife—but not just any wife—a sorceress. Having recently reclaimed his inheritance after a youth spent across the sea, a sorceress will bring security and legitimacy in his estranged homeland.
A marriage gives both Brynn and Cenric what they want—for now.
   In the far northern reaches lies a land ruled by pride and strict codes of honor. As Brynn and Cenric struggle to navigate the aftermath of their hasty union, they soon realize that rival factions within the kingdom are on the verge of war once again.
   Alone, they will be destroyed by the coming storm. Together, they might stand a chance.

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   This is my favorite book of hers. I think it's because of the characters. Something about these characters I like a little more than the other series. Not to say that I didn't like the characters in the other series, just something about these characters felt more grounded and relatable. Likely due to the more "human" problems in this series than in her other series that I read.

 

    Brynn is a very easy character to relate to. I can feel and believe her grief. I haven't been in her situation, but her reaction and the way the grief is portrayed feels realistic. And I am once again astounded how this author can write motherhood in a realistic way without being one herself, (I follow her on YouTube and she's talked about this). There are authors who are mothers, who seem to struggle with writing about being a mother.
 

   Cenric is another character that I really like. It's nice when the love interest is a good person. He respects her boundaries, he's good to his people, he's overall kind. And I repeat, he respects her boundaries. So annoyingly rare in male love interests. Best part, he has a psychic link with a puppy. 

What I think why this series is working better for me, is that it's grounded in more human problems. In Daindreth's Assassin, he was possessed by a demon, and the whole series was focused on getting rid of the demons. And while that led to a very action-packed story, it made it harder for me to connect with the characters on a 'human' level. Their problems felt so detached, even the things that were related to family members, it was more or less due to magical reasons. This book, so far, seems to have more of a focus on over coming grief and finding a place of belonging. Something that most people can relate to in some way.

 

I am very much looking forward to reading the next installment of this series. More magical doggies!