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wordsofclover 's review for:
Wolf Hollow
by Lauren Wolk
I was sent a copy of this book by Penguin Random House Ireland in exchange for an honest review.
Wolf Hollow is set sometime around the World War Two era and follows the life of Annabelle whose life in a rural town in America is pretty quiet and peaceful until the arrival of another girl called Betty. Betty immediately begins bullying Annabelle and then accuses a local wanderer/war veteran Toby of a terrible crime. Annabelle knows Toby is innocent but then Betty goes missing and Annabelle must find her, and save Toby.
This was quite a gentle read for me. I really liked the way we were introduced to all the characters through the eyes of Annabelle and I found her a really nice character to follow along with and connect with. She was kind and gentle but at the same time, she was sharp and clever. She was able to stick up for herself and do what needed to be done. I like how through Annabelle we were intriduced to the townspeople, the school, the teachers and the other farmers and given some lessons here and there on to how things were run. I really loved Annabelle's family - with the exception of her Aunt Lily who was a bit of a wagon - and her relationship with her mom and dad was refreshing. Her quiet and protective love for her brothers was also great and something I could identify with.
Annabelle's connection and relationship with Toby was quite profound and I really loved their scenes together and how she seemed to be a source of comfort for him where he could talk about the demons from the war that haunted him. There was nothing odd or uncomfortable about their relationship - more like an older uncle and his niece, or as Toby said a man with a daughter he wished was his.
Betty was something else. She was really horrible and I'm kind of glad she got her comeuppance in the end. There was nothing redeeming about her, and in the end she didn't even seem to learn her lesson. Good riddance to bad rubbish.
The ending was bittersweet but I enjoyed Annabelle's acceptance of events and how everything was laid to rest. I really enjoyed this story - it gave me the same kind of small American town feelings that books like Shiloh did.
Wolf Hollow is set sometime around the World War Two era and follows the life of Annabelle whose life in a rural town in America is pretty quiet and peaceful until the arrival of another girl called Betty. Betty immediately begins bullying Annabelle and then accuses a local wanderer/war veteran Toby of a terrible crime. Annabelle knows Toby is innocent but then Betty goes missing and Annabelle must find her, and save Toby.
This was quite a gentle read for me. I really liked the way we were introduced to all the characters through the eyes of Annabelle and I found her a really nice character to follow along with and connect with. She was kind and gentle but at the same time, she was sharp and clever. She was able to stick up for herself and do what needed to be done. I like how through Annabelle we were intriduced to the townspeople, the school, the teachers and the other farmers and given some lessons here and there on to how things were run. I really loved Annabelle's family - with the exception of her Aunt Lily who was a bit of a wagon - and her relationship with her mom and dad was refreshing. Her quiet and protective love for her brothers was also great and something I could identify with.
Annabelle's connection and relationship with Toby was quite profound and I really loved their scenes together and how she seemed to be a source of comfort for him where he could talk about the demons from the war that haunted him. There was nothing odd or uncomfortable about their relationship - more like an older uncle and his niece, or as Toby said a man with a daughter he wished was his.
Betty was something else. She was really horrible and I'm kind of glad she got her comeuppance in the end. There was nothing redeeming about her, and in the end she didn't even seem to learn her lesson. Good riddance to bad rubbish.
The ending was bittersweet but I enjoyed Annabelle's acceptance of events and how everything was laid to rest. I really enjoyed this story - it gave me the same kind of small American town feelings that books like Shiloh did.