Holy Bananas Batman, yes to all of this novel from Meg Long.
Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves is a debut novel by Meg Long and it KNOCKS IT OUT OF THE PARK. I know, I’m raving, but I read this book in a day. Currently, I’m not sure if this book is first in a series or standalone. It’s too soon to tell.
If Meg is taking requests, I would love another book set in the same Science Fiction world. Her crafting of this environment and universe has made me a HUGE fan and I can’t wait to have more.
Fun note: Meg Long, along with a few other authors, debut this year (2022) and are using the hashtag #22debuts to highlight their novels!
HUGE thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday books for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
My review below may have mild spoilers as I can’t contain my joy BUT mainly it’s for content warnings. *cues dramatic music*
TO THE REVIEW
This book is crafted expertly and the world building is phenomenal. The way Meg Long describes the environment communicates the gritty beauty of our characters’ surroundings and the fierce animals that survive there, including themselves. My first thought after the plot got going is “This would make a kick booty movie!” It’s the right amount of emotion and action. The mixture of inspiring and survival. The reader is hooked early on with a non-stop action set to the finish.
Sena was my favorite with Iska coming in second. Meg Long has created Sena as a stunning combination of vulnerable and determined, with a smidge of ruthlessness. Her independence and survival jumps off the page and grips the reader’s heart through her obstacles. Honestly, I wouldn’t call her a hero character, she’s definitely more grey than white knight. However, that makes me love her all the more.
The writing is impressive and I highlighted quite a few quotes from this book. To share a few favorites:
“Nothing gets easier, Sena. You get stronger.”
“Groggily taking a p*ss in the negative forty-degree temperature is definitely one of the race stories that Mom failed to mention.”
“I squeeze my fingers tighter into Iska’s harness. She’s lying next to me, ever the co-conspirator.”
Fair warning for everyone, this book has INTENSE emotional moments and I cried. I cried like a baby and cursed the author in the process. (*shakes fist at the sky*) Major respect though for making me experience the full gamut of emotion in this rollercoaster of a novel.
Verdict
Ultimately, this book was fun, adventurous, action packed, and everything young adult readers need right now in the genre. (yes, that’s my bias opinion) If you enjoy science fiction and action stories, this is the book for you. Go grab Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves and shout out this amazing new author. We need her to write more… please… soon. LOL
Overall rating: 5
Plot: 5
Character Development: 5
Dialogue: 5
Writing: 5
Happy Reading,
Ash
1 Comment
Paige · January 18, 2022 at 8:01 am
This is a great review! Can’t wait to read it