The Wolf's Curse


Children - Fantasy/Sci-Fi
336 Pages
Reviewed on 06/20/2021
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite

The Wolf's Curse by Jessica Vitalis is a stunning portrayal of grief, death, and belief. Gauge has a problem. Ever since his grandpapa died, he's been cursed and no one believes him, which drives him to uncover shocking revelations. A Great White Wolf has prevented his grandpapa's soul from being able to find peace in the Sea-in-the-Sky and the only person he can turn to is his new ally named Roux. To prove the truth to everyone in the village, he embarks on a journey and engages in a plan to go up against the Wolf. The journey allows the two to explore their grief and find healing as they discover a startling truth.

The writing style has a stunning elegance and attention-catching charm with a setting that is a literary treat. The rich backdrop has in-depth culture and history woven into the plot, bringing this world to life through the eyes of the Great White Wolf. The Sea-in-the-Sky is the afterlife that Grandpapa was unable to journey to after the Wolf steals his soul and has a presence throughout the story. This moment is a catalyst and sparks Gauge on the journey to understand and work through his grief. The story is told from the perspective of the Great White Wolf who has a consistent commentary throughout and provides insight, humor, snark, and weariness. The perspective allows for a chance to connect with the Wolf and understand the humanity of the character. Rumors about the Wolf create this almost bogeyman-like figure for the villagers. Jessica Vitalis creates a perspective on the Wolf through its heart and emotions for a sympathetic character.

The Wolf is an ethereal character with heaviness and weariness in its presence that creates a sorrowful tone. The story weaves between the first-person perspective of the Wolf's insights and the third-person perspective of Gauge's journey, creating a dynamic between the characters even when they're not together. Gauge's journey is rooted in his grief and explores his need to heal, understand, and prove himself to the village. Grief is an essential part of the story and seen in each of the character's stories with the Wolf, Gauge, and Roux facing loss in their lives. The Wolf's Curse is a beautifully written story with an emotional core, an exploration of grief, and an adventure about friendship.