ARC Review Book Review by A Book Wanderer

ARC Book Review | Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves by Meg Long

Title: Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves
Author: Meg Long 
Genre: YA Fantasy
Published On: January 11, 2022
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Source: digital
Pages: 368

Synopsis:

After angering a local gangster, seventeen-year-old Sena Korhosen must flee with her prize fighting wolf, Iska, in tow. A team of scientists offer to pay her way off her frozen planet on one condition: she gets them to the finish line of the planet’s infamous sled race. Though Sena always swore she’d never race after it claimed both her mothers’ lives, it’s now her only option. 

But the tundra is a treacherous place, and as the race unfolds and their lives are threatened at every turn, Sena starts to question her own abilities. She must discover whether she’s strong enough to survive the wild – whether she and Iska together are strong enough to get them all out alive.

A captivating debut about survival, found family, and the bond between a girl and a wolf that delivers a fresh twist on classic survival stories and frontier myths.

My thoughts

(Spoiler free)

What a cool world Meg Long has created in Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves! This action-packed YA fantasy had me shivering on the edge of my couch. It felt like a mash-up of The Call of the Wild, The Scorpio Races, and The Hunger Games with the unforgiving weather, a yearly race that defined the city, and monsters—human and otherwise—lurking in the dark, including an evil boss trying to control the outcome.

This tale is plentiful with characters, but I was never confused. Long has done a good job of fleshing them out and making them memorable. Like any good hero, Sena is far from perfect but the reader is invested in her outcome. Long does a good job of laying the ground work for the characters AND the world, giving the reader an adequate understanding as we jump right into the action. 

“For once, I’m not alone in the woods. Beside me, Iska howls without breaking her stride. And the things in the dark howl back, raising goose bumps down my spine.”

Meg Long; Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves

At the heart of this story, and by far my favorite aspect of the book, is the relationship of Sena and her wolf Iska. Iska takes on an almost human role becoming one of the main characters, and I cared about her outcome as much as Sena’s. Much like the skittish wolf, Sena has her guard up, and watching these two break down each other’s walls was quite rewarding.

I was also a fan of the team aspect. I love a good book that involves a great cast of characters working toward a mutual goal and that’s what we have for part of this book. The ending did seem to wrap up quickly, but satisfactorily. And I’ll be very surprised if this one doesn’t become a series. Long left the ending fairly open with the possibility of future adventures and a few of the minor side stories have further potential, as well. 

If you’re a fan of fantasy adventure stories set in impossible terrains, found families, and down-on-their-luck strong female characters facing impossible odds, then you should appreciate Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves!

Thank you to the publisher Wednesday Books and Netgalley for providing me with an advance copy.

(All quotes are taken from the advance copy and are subject to change in final print.)

Rating:

Rating: 4 out of 5.

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About the Author

Meg Long
Meg Long

Meg originally wanted to be a spy. Instead she somehow found herself teaching overseas in China and Malaysia before ending up in Colorado, where it snows entirely too much.

She taught middle and high school for eight years before jumping into the tech industry as a content designer. Her debut novel, COLD THE NIGHT, FAST THE WOLVES, will be released in 2022 from Wednesday Books. She was a Pitch Wars mentee in 2018 and a mentor in 2020-21. 

When not reading or writing, she’s kicking things at her Muay Thai gym with her boyfriend, playing video games, or obsessing over Sailor Moon fanart.

Fun Facts: Meg likes Oxford commas, bossing her Roomba around, and people-watching at airports.

meglongbooks.com

A Song For A Book

When I started thinking about music that would accompany Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves, I immediately imagined a soundtrack by Ruelle playing as I read Sena’s adventures. I’ve chosen to highlight Ruelle’s “Game of Survival”.

Who’s in the shadows?
Who’s ready to play?
Are we the hunters?
Or are we the prey?

There’s no surrender
And there’s no escape
Are we the hunters?
Or are we the prey?

This is a wild game of survival

This is a wild game of survival

This is a wild game
This is a wild game, game of survival
This is a wild game
This is a wild game, game of survival

Will you be adding Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves to your tbr? Let me know in the comments!

Happy Wandering!

4 thoughts on “ARC Book Review | Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves by Meg Long”

  1. I always love seeing your song picks for these books! I enjoy Ruelle’s songs and it makes me want to give this one a try 😊 Plus, this cover and the title really has me intrigued too. Great review!

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