I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and hones review. All opinions are my own.
A young girl must learn who to trust and what path to walk in author Catherine McCarthy’s “The Wolf and the Favour”.
The Synopsis
Ten-year-old Hannah has Down syndrome and oodles of courage, but should she trust the alluring tree creature who smells of Mamma’s perfume or the blue-eyed wolf who warns her not to enter the woods under any circumstance?
The Wolf and the Favour is a tale of love, trust, and courage. A tale that champions the neurodivergent voice and proves the true power of a person’s strength lies within themselves.
The Review
This was such a fantastic and thoughtful dark fantasy and horror story meets mythological tale. The rich and chilling imagery was brought forth by some highly detailed and creative writing on the author’s part, and the infusion of Welsh culture and dialect really helped bring a unique spin on the fantasy and horror genres.
To me, the heart of this narrative rested in the unique character development and world-building the author put into place. The author’s ability to make the protagonist neurodivergent and showcase their individual selves perfectly while also showcasing the challenges that both the protagonist and her parents face was so grounded and moving to read. Paired with the mystery of the good wolf versus the alarming wolf dilemma, the addition of the fantasy element with the witches also made the growth and development of these characters that much more impactful.
The Verdict
Memorable, entertaining, and richly developed, author Catherine McCarthy’s “The Wolf and the Favour” is a must-read dark fantasy and horror novel! The twists and turns in the narrative and the heartfelt connection that readers will draw to the cast of characters made this a memorable read. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
About the Author
Catherine McCarthy weaves dark tales on an ancient loom from her farmhouse in West Wales.
She is the author of the novellas Immortelle and Mosaic and the novel A Moonlit Path of Madness. Her short fiction has been published in various anthologies and magazines, including those by Black Spot Books, Brigids Gate Press, and Dark Matter Ink.
In 2020 she won the Aberystwyth University Prize for her short fiction.
Time away from the loom is spent hiking the Welsh coast path or huddled in an ancient graveyard reading Dylan Thomas or Poe.
https://www.catherine-mccarthy-author.com/