⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 Stars.

Howl of the Wolf ByT.C. Aucutt

The Howl is only the Start of the Call.

I had a little more than a first look into this story before it was available to the public, and now, after re-reading the finished product, I've returned to review it. Aside from my general appreciation for improvement and hard work, I simply enjoy the imagination that indie authors bring about. These feelings were still with me after reading this book, which is already a plus.

That being said, I did find a certain distaste for both Amy's best friend Jessica, and her brother, Zack, at the start. Mostly, as their attitudes were not to my liking (if a goal of the author then it is a job well done), and their inconsiderate behavior and words despite supposedly being close to the protagonist. The best thing about first impressions, however, is the ability to overcome them with time. And, I would say that they grow in character and behavior throughout the story. Albeit, by different measures. If not at least for this, added to their feats within the first book of this series, the two of them deserve praise.

Besides redundancies, more towards the beginning of the work than the rest, I also thought that there were a few times of exaggeration where the characters don't quite fit their personalities, or other times, mirror their previously-made decisions, but it was not enough to ruin an entire experience. No matter my short list of qualms, there are many things Aucutt does well that earned these stars.

The foreshadow work was a favorite, especially as I pay a lot of attention to small details. And seeing them come back into play during tension or to close out a plot hole, yet still leaving something for readers to anticipate in the series, was thoughtfully done. The semi-mysterious layers that is "The Candles" and how they're woven into the story's history, even playing a large role in who Talune has become long before he assists Amy and her family (it seems that more of that is being bricked-in for later books), was something I thought other readers would also like as much as I did. In addition to these, the action and visuals help bind everything together. Even if not perfect, it is no easy task.

By its end, I remained curious about how Amy would be able to face what has happened, how she might return to fix (assuming it is possible) what has been done, and what kind of person she and her friends and family would become. Will she come into a new power or would someone else dare to escape and shift their odds? I think I'll stick around to find out.