Wolfsong (1) (Green Creek) Paperback – June 20, 2016

i sobbed through 70% of this book. i don’t even know how to comprehend this experience. i’ve gone to bed with horribly puffy eyes for three nights in a row. my coworkers have been genuinely concerned for my health. i was scared to read this book in public. what the heck tj? but also love you and sending hugs.please read this book. maybe i’ll actually say something comprehensive about this one day, but today is not that day. just, please read it.

Do I want to be writing this review right now? Quite frankly no. No, I don’t. I want to be reading Ravensong, but sometimes life throws you lemons and you write reviews. So, Wolfsong – I love books about family, especially when it’s the family you make along the way, so this book was destined to be a winner for me. There are so many things about this book that I loved, but I know I won’t remember them all. So I’m going to share some of the highlights:The entire Bennett pack. This is a family that, yes, has their issues, but they love each other. And I know – wolves and instincts, but still. The camaraderie between them was so precious. I loved their time together.The way this book highlights how important a positive male presence is in a young man’s life. Ox’s first experience with a male figure was his father, and let’s face it. The man was a wreck, and he had nothing nice to say about his son. But once Gordo became the main male figure in Ox’s life, he wouldn’t let Ox forget how special and important he was. And then, even with Mark Bennett, some of the first things out of his mouth were to tell Ox how amazing he was. And then Joe, doling out compliments (even if it was just about how good Ox smelled,) and then finally, Thomas Bennett. So warm and welcoming; this man had a capacity to love that was unparalleled. It was clear that just knowing how special Thomas was and that a man that special was able to love him was enough to shape Ox. In so many good ways. That he took the time to spend with Ox, that he made the effort to spend one on one time with him – it changed the entire course of Ox’s life. And I feel, in some ways, gave Ox life.The world building. I feel like the world building in this book was done so uniquely. A large portion of it was shown in how the Bennett’s interacted with each other vs. their physical surroundings, and I loved that. It was like you could feel the pulse of this world while you were reading the book. I loved every facet of it.Team Human and the way all the men at Gordo’s shop acted like brothers. They weren’t an actual pack, but their affection for each other was evident and adorable. They’d taken each other in and created their own family, and they dynamic was just amazing.The writing style and the way the foreshadowing slapped you in the face. I didn’t think this was my thing. I like subtle and hinty things that creep up on you. This author gives you the bones and then the meat, and it worked so well here; I loved the way it was done.The way things stick with us was illustrated in this book. There were things that were said to Ox, good and bad, that have stuck with him, and no matter how much good we do, no matter how much good we hear, the bad things still haunt us. It’s what we do with them and whether or not we accept them that can change us for better or worse. And in all of this, there was one simple scene with Ox’s mother that she probably never gave a second thought to, but he remembered the special moment over and over again, and it just emphasized how important the little things matter.Gordo and Mark. OK. Can we talk tension here? Gordo and Mark struck my fancy the moment Ox spied them walking into a theater together, and it only heightened as the book went on. I was hooked on them from moment one, and I couldn’t be more thrilled that they have their own story. And what a doozy it is so far!The slow burn between Ox and Joe. Holy smokes. It could not be any slower or burn any brighter. They have such chemistry, in every single interaction whether they’re being friends or more. I loved all their interactions, and I could never wait to read more of them.Could I find reasons to bring this book down to four stars? Sure. But I don’t think that would be an authentic rating. Anything that might not have worked for me in this book (and trust me – it was minimal) was outshone by how much I loved this story. This is, at its core, about family and loving someone as they are, and it touched me so much. And the funny thing is, despite this story being sweet for the most part, I found it to be such a page turner. My emotions ran high throughout the whole book; I couldn’t wait to see what next good thing awaited Ox, and I loved that he was able to find and receive such goodness. I could go on and on about what I loved about this book, but this review is so long you’ve probably already stopped reading. All I can say is read Wolfsong. And if you don’t love it – well, then. Our friendship is probably on the rocks.This review was originally posted on Books & Beauty Are My Bag.

So I was really on the fence about getting this book. I'm not a huge shifter book, but I have loved every Klune book I've read/listened to. I checked the audio and it's by a narrator that I'm not very fond of. I feel he is monotone. I think this book is far better than the audio because of that.Yes, there is a LOT of repetitive words. Many sets of 3, and a LOT of I said, He said etc. In audio form it gets on my nerves, it did even in ALSH. But here in written format, and for the type of book this is, I felt it fit. It was like an echo, of the instinct or the subconscious. So it actually made me feel more into the book, this particular time, although in audio format with out the exact right inflection, it would absolutely kill the book.Another issue many complain about is the length of time between meeting, joining the pack and the years they are apart. Every bit of those years are absolutely needed to be discussed and in depth. What happens to Ox during that time is really the actual heart of the story. I didn't feel this section dragged at all, and was actually my favorite part. Putting himself and others back together again, putting the Pack first.The final few chapters, after he is back is so heartbreaking and the hurt and pain is so beautifully expressed here, but the absolute and total love of the pack for Ox is by far the most beautiful thing.This was a very unique shifter story, at least from the ones I've read. Ox is so special and he can't see it. I think most of us are like that, special and we can't see what we mean to others.The other issue that a few have discussed is the age gap, it's SIX YEARS, that is nothing. Now, to be extremely and firmly clear, Ox does not even think or look at him as anything but the very best and closest friend he could ever have. He absolutely knows they have a special bond, more than he has with the other members. But it does not even occur to him until he is an adult. So, there is absolutely nothing inappropriate here. There isn't even a large age gap here. My husband is 19 yrs older than me. I wasn't even born yet when he graduated from HS, so 6 years isn't anything. When Ox was a teenager and young man and Joe is a kid, it's a close relationship, but absolutely ZERO attraction.I adored seeing the boys grow up, Ox become a part of the pack and discover he has someone who adores him exactly as he is. It was heartbreaking when the terrible things happened to take Joe away, and it was amazing to witness how Ox stands up and becomes what the town needs. The ending was beautiful and perfect.I felt every single page was needed here. Every interaction was needed, it made it hit home. Tj doesn't go into massive discriptions of the area, the looks beyond brief discriptions, he uses the feeling of what the place gives the character to set the scene and let's the reader/listener fill in the rest. I love that, it makes it hit your heart not your eyes.Some have said it is basically fanfiction of the Vampire/wolf book. Nope, not even the tiniest little bit. Yes, there are the mine, you are mine. But it's not an ownership thing, over and over and over they talk about how each character is given the choice. The choice to stay or go, and when the characters make those choices, they aren't allowed to say it isn't their fault at what happened. The Mine Mine Mine is not possession but connection. That if the other person were to cheat or leave or die that the others soul would be shattered. To me, that isn't any different than when you get married or have a child. They are yours and you are theirs. So NOT like those other books that several people have mentioned.The instinct and tethers were a wonderful part of this book, I have read others that were similar but somehow TJ just puts more heart into it, more importantance.All I can say is I hope you give this a chance, I hope that you give it a chance even if shifter books aren't your favorite, because this is about far more than that. As Bobby Singer always says, Family don't end in blood, and this book here could not have expressed that sentiment any more clearly or with more heart.

I've seen a lot of people reading this book/series recently and recommending it to everyone and after finishing it, I get the hype!Wolfsong is packed with SO. MUCH. EMOTION! I really didn't expect to be bawling my eyes out before we even got to the halfway mark of the book and yet Klune managed to turn me into a snotty sobbing mess curled up in bed over the pain I felt through what these characters experience. Holy granola!!! I both wanted the feels to stop and demanded more of it right away.This is a coming-of-age story. It's about learning to love and believe in yourself. It's about family and belonging and finding a home for your heart. This is a story where not a lot but a lot happens simultaneously. Told through Ox's perspective, we're taken through the days, weeks, months, and years and are shown everything from the mundane work days to the magical moments with the Bennett pack. Maybe that sounds a little boring but what makes this book so fantastic are its characters. There is a plot that gets clearer the further you read and which definitely escalates the action and drama but these characters—Ox, Joe, and all the pack members old and new—really carry this book and they do it so well! They all experience so much tragedy and endure so much trauma but together they evolve, they get back up again, and they heal and it is just. So. Beautiful.Ox was EVERYTHING. I can't even describe how much I loved his character. There's so much kindness and HEART that radiates from him and it made those "must protect at all costs" vibes activate in full force. He's shy and not great with words but there's so much depth that lies beneath the "dumb" exterior that most people project on him because all they see is this big lumbering guy who doesn't say much. His character was so endearing and there's no one more deserving of happiness (or a hug) than Ox! As a kid, his father used to make him feel small and would call him simple, like it was a bad thing, and it was heartbreaking to see how much he took his father's words to heart. It took time for him to shed the idea that his father knew best about him, about life, and about the world, so it was incredibly gratifying to see the kind of growth that he experiences by the end. Ox had a real glow up and it made my heart so happy to see him find his place, happiness, and home with the pack, especially with Joe. I loved him SO MUCH! 😍Joe was another character for who my heart hurt so deeply—this kid had gone through so much only to go through even more trauma and it was terrifying! We meet him as this sweet exuberant kid, who you wouldn't know had experienced so much trauma, simply because he lights up when Ox is around. From the moment they meet, it was like this lightning bolt of knowing! Joe definitely undergoes a lot of growth as well but since we don't get his perspective, we experience it as Ox does. I loved seeing Ox and Joe's relationship change over the years and how they navigate the awkward, tricky situations and of course, the sudden changes in their lives. They have such an achingly beautiful and pure relationship that even just thinking about it now makes my heart flutter with happiness.Aside from Ox and Joe, we have the rest of the pack who I absolutely adored adored adored! Carter and Kelly. Elizabeth and Thomas. Mark and Gordo and all the guys from the garage! Even Jessie and Robbie to a point(!). If you love the found family trope then Wolfsong won't disappoint you. All of these characters come together to form an odd mix of werewolves, witches and humans, and they add so much heart and emotion to the story. Despite not getting a lot of character development per se, all of them have such distinct personalities that it's always such a joy to read about them and the way they're written makes me feel like I know them just as well as Ox or Joe. I love how they come together for Ox and honestly, all of the connections the characters formed were so heartwarming and beautiful which made it hurt all the more knowing something bad was going to happen. I'm probably repeating myself at this point but I think the only way anyone can capture the magic of these relationships is by reading the book themselves and I highly recommend doing so.That said, I can definitely see how this book might not work for some. There were times the characters felt a little too much of whatever they were. Plus, the writing style was very different. Sentences were short and simple and Klune made liberal use of repeated words and phrases (though perhaps he was trying to channel what wolf minds are like?) and it took some getting used to. Either way, I'm surprised that I enjoyed it because it reminded me of a very popular YA series that was written in a similar way and I hated that, but this honestly just fit Ox's story and character so well and it was perfect!I can keep going but I won't. Overall, this was just a wonderful wonderful story full of heart and emotion and as much as it made me sad, it also made me so very happy! Klune is a master of creating stories with the found family trope and this one is no exception. I can't wait to continue reading the series! 😍

This book is the story of a boy whose life has been ripped apart by a monster waiting on an empty street. This book is also the story of another young man who has been led to believe is worthless, walking on the same empty street. One day, their paths cross and this is when all the magic start to happens. This is one of those books that make you smell the forest from within; that can knock you down to the bottom of your humanity and then elevate your soul to its highest. It’s a book about emotions; love; revenge; fighting; fantasy…a book that forces you to read one page after the other until that song, the only one that matter, invades you from head to toe. I don’t know how the author was capable of this, but I feel like I’ve walked with the characters of this story, suffered with them and then eventually found piece. It’s one of those masterpieces of literature that you can only love; a metaphor of humanity narrated through the voice of one of the most beautiful creatures in our world.

My first thoughts of the book: jesusf*ckingchrist, this is AWESOME!I picked this book up when I looked for similar books to the All for the Game trilogy and saw a comment that said GAY WEREWOLVES. Needless to say, it was decided that I NEED to read it! And ohmygod... it was soooo worth it!Wolfsong is an amazing urban fantasy/paranormal book. Our hero, who tells this epic story is Ox. A boy whose father only saw the little slow boy and not the amazing little man who was fierce and loyal. The father left and Ox started his amazing new life that he didn't know of yet.The epic adventure begins when a little tornado, 10 year old Joe Bennett appears on the dirt road leading home talking about pinecones and candycanes. And epic and awsome. Their lives intertwine from that moment.The book tells the happenings of ten years. It talks about friendships and family, about the supernatural... werewolves and witches and the calling of the moon, about pack and about challanges and enemies.The voice of the book is amazing and unique. Ox is a simple boy who sees the world in a simple, beautiful way and it comes through the text and how everything is described. We see into the innermost thoughts of the boy/man and go through all the emotions he feels from insecurity, loss, sadness, anger to relief, happiness and unconditional love.And besides this emotional, heartwrecking journey of two souls gravitating towards each other throughout years.. we see an unbelievable, breathtaking fantasy world. We have evil werewolves, humans thirsting for blood, leaders judging the pack for being so close to humans and the exceptional bond between the members of a pack.So many interesting and captivating aspects of the world. A ton of excitement. Amazing characters. Humour. Grief. Battles. Challanges. Just a whole bunch of awesomness.I don't think I can capture the uniqueness of this series. I don't have the right words for it without spoiling the fun for you.It's an amazing story with werewolves, gay romance, action and perfect, loveable characters!READ IT!

5 SINGING STARSI am seriously struggling on how to start my review. I could just say, it was a great story, I was engrossed the whole way through. But that doesn’t even come close to how much this story gripped me.This is the first time I have read anything by this Author, and it most certainly won’t be the last. I am eager for more. So much more.I love reading paranormal, shifters are a favourite of mine. So when I spotted this Author being shared on a blog, I investigated. I am thrilled beyond belief that I got to take this adventure of pure fantasy with some remarkable characters.Ox hasn’t had an easy life. He’s done and seen things that most others wouldn’t even comprehend. He’s always been special, many thought him to be slow, a retard. That comment almost did me in. By the time I heard that being spoken I was already knee deep emotionally invested, and I believe that comment was made in chapter two.Ox was surprised one day to see the empty house next to him had residents. It was empty for so long, he always wondered about it. When Ox met the Bennetts, especially Joe his life changed forever.Young Joe Bennett was the cutest, I giggled when he first spoke to Ox. “Candy canes and pinecones and epic and awesome.” That line right there will stay with you through the whole book. Joe knew that Ox was special to him, even from the age of ten. Ox was it, there would never be another. Unfortunately Ox never saw Joe as a grown man, well not straight away. The day that happened was something to laugh about.Ox and Joe lit up my world. I always say the best place to be is to lose yourself in a world of fantasy, and that’s exactly what I did.I fell in love with each character, Thomas, I shed tears for him. Elizabeth made me smile, Mark made his way into my heart. Kelly and Carter made me laughed. The guys from the garage made my day with their sense of humour. Even Jessie work her way into my affections.It wasn’t all love, fun and laughter though, far from it in fact. Joe has constant nightmares and it’s not surprising considering what he had to endure as a young boy. Many people are out to hurt the Bennetts, as much as Ox wants to keep them all safe, it’s an impossible task. When they mourned one of their own, I did too. When they laughed or cried I did also. I was almost nearing the end of the book when I couldn’t take it anymore. I was so close to reading the end before I even got to it. My heart was picking up speed, and I thought I needed to know sooner rather than later. But my husband stopped me. His words were, “You’ll regret it, what if you miss something important” Grrr!! True so I carried on.I could go on and on about how wonderful this story is, but I think you should just read it for yourself. If you love paranomal and shifters then don’t even give it a second thought. Hit the download button.TJ Klune a million times thank you for such an epic and awesome adventure.

4.5 Stars Honestly, I really wanted to just say f it and give this the full 5 stars, because it wasn't the book I was supposed to be reading today, but once I started it, I truly couldn't put it down. But the writing style kinda threw me. The sentence structure. And sure that might be a trivial thing but I did find myself constantly tripping out of my sheer enjoyment of the actual text by the stunted structure. But plot wise, romance wise, and character wise? Total gem. I get the hype because it is very much deserved. Ox and Joe had me by the neck and I couldn't fight them. It was epic and awesome and I'm so glad I picked this up today. I was immersed and didn't really wanna come up for air. But I'll be prepared for this type of WS for Ravensong.