The writing felt very sterile and technical. I didn't connect much to Nena's narrative though there was always something interesting or horrifying going on.

The story is told through dual timelines before Nena became a killer and after. In the before, it's through first pov, so we witness her trauma through her own words. The after is through third person pov, so there's more distance between us and Nena.

The world isn't kind to women, so there is abuse upon abuse heaped upon the page. A shining example is when a brother, under gun point, is asked to rape his sister. Not for the weak of heart.

There's really nothing enjoyable about this story, and I didn't feel a sense of satisfaction when Nena hardened into a killer after all the intense trauma. The before is more engaging than the after, but it's of course hard to read. I think my lack of enjoyment stems from a lack of characterization. I kept being "told" things, but I didn't see it.

On that same note, I wish Nena had more bonding time with Cortland. They barely said a few words to each other, but this is the catalyst that encouraged her doubt in the Tribe? A single dad who blinked twice? They needed way more scenes together. Not gonna lie Keigel and Nena had way more chemistry. I thought Nena and Georgia's connection was handled better. 

 The story is really leaning into the wolves shapeshifting into humans all the time. While I liked the story about the kind-hearted wolf who took care of kittens, there were too many doggone characters. I kept losing track of who was who. We get a bit more of Senzou’s backstory. Mr. Fox ain’t been hardcore all his life. He’s also getting along much better with the tanuki.

This series is still fairly cute. 

I know this was intended to be a super emotional, heartwarming volume that gave some backstory to a few characters, but, man, was this boring to me. I was majorly skimming through pages 

Really good! Everyone looks like Disney characters here, and the palette is very colorful. I like Zuli a lot, and I wish I had book 2 already.

Really loved the colors and the cute art style. Buster is very much out of his element here with trying to protect his home, but some street cats, Chauncey and Nova, try to help him out. I enjoyed Chauncey and Nova a lot, especially their backstory.

I thought the book was going to touch on Buster's owner having

depression or at least a depressive episode,

  but that plotline never got resolved.

Overall, pretty cute. I would read a sequel