Wolves and Daggers, Melanie Karsak
GoodReads Rating: 3.72 ⭐️
My Rating: 2.5 ⭐️
Spice: 🔥
On Kindle Unlimited?: No
Kindle E-book: Free
Paperback: $9.99
Length: 174 pages
Clemeny “Little Red” Louvel is a member of The Red Cape Society. A group commissioned by Her Royal Majesty Queen Victoria to take care of supernatural events, all while keeping it hidden from the general public.
Business is booming for her organization…unfortunately it comes at the cost of a pack of werewolves kidnapping all manner of academics for nefarious but as yet unknown purposes.
And when her partner is kidnapped and injured, The Queen assigns her a new partner: a werewolf, Sir Richard Lionheart. Sir Lionheart isn’t like other werewolves: he’s intelligent, kind, thoughtful, and in no manner a brute. It makes Clemeny maybe want to find a gentleman caller…
But before she can do that, she has to stop the wolf packs from uniting for this less than stellar purpose, and when an ancient enemy of the crown emerges at the center of the controversy, Clemeny needs to work twice as hard to keep her loved ones safe.
Will Clemeny be able take down the alpha? Or is she just another damsel in distress?
You’d think this book would’ve had a higher rating. I was hoping it would. But, the longer the story went on, and it didn’t go on very long, the more I thought of the question in this post’s title card: What are we doing here?
Turns out, we are subverting subverted expectations. And while I do try to avoid this, there is no avoiding it here: ⛔️ SPOILERS BELOW ⛔️
So, we have Clemeny, an agent for a secret society. Decidedly telling us that she’s focused on her work and family and doesn’t want any distractions. That’s great, except barely one-third of the way through the book we have Clemeny saying “I need a man,” for her, presumably, Victorian era bosom heaving levels of lust.
Okay, then what about Sir Lionheart? He’s a werewolf. That’s sure to add some intrigue to the tale. One would think; he’s a nonentity in the plot. When we do see him, we relearn what we already know: he’s a werewolf, but not like other werewolves, because he’s kind and genteel. He’s also a knight, loyal to the crown. Even at the end, when Lionheart and the rest of the knights arrive for the final battle, we don’t get to see him fight.
Okay, well what werewolves themselves? If they’re supposed to be a secret to people outside of The Society, then Karsak must have written them to be somewhat interesting. She did not. Male werewolves, save Lionheart and the big bad, are categorized as criminals and brutes with no redeeming qualities.
Female werewolves have it worse, being the lowest on the totem pole of society. They’re written as being extremely weak and good for nothing but sex. The only female werewolf our characters interact with is both the owner and “performer” at a brothel who Clemeny immediately compares herself to. Clemeny decides that while the she-wolf is better endowed, she is morally superior.
What about the big bad? Yeah, there’s barely a fight with him. He’s deus ex machina-ed by another character who’s in the book for barely five minutes. But don’t worry! Clemeny does get her fight with a villain! That leaves her scarred and worried that she’s now too ugly to find a man…
Somewhere between the internalized misogyny and speciesism I realized whatever hook Karsak was trying for did not catch me. Luckily, this series starter is free. I will not be reading the rest of "The Red Cape Society."
After diving into 'Wolves & Daggers,' it really got me thinking about what draws us to books about secret societies and mythical creatures. I mean, who doesn't love the idea of a hidden organization like the 'Red Cape Society' battling supernatural threats in a world that thinks they don't exist? For me, the allure of a secret society, especially one commissioned by royalty like Queen Victoria, is huge! It promises intrigue, hidden dangers, and a sense of exclusive knowledge that main characters often stumble into. It’s part of why I initially picked this book up, hoping for that exciting blend of historical fantasy and arcane mystery. Sometimes, though, that initial promise doesn't quite translate into a fulfilling read, and that's okay! It just means your expectations were set high, which is a good thing for readers. And let's talk about the 'Steampunk aesthetic' that the OCR mentioned – it's such a cool concept! I always imagine gears, airships, and Victorian-era fashion clashing with fantastical elements. When a book cover promises that, like the one for 'Wolves & Daggers' with its red-hooded figure and daggers, it really sets expectations for a unique and visually rich world. It makes you want to step into that alternative history where technology and magic intertwine. I've definitely been drawn in by 'cool book covers' myself, only to find the story inside didn't quite match the epic visuals. It’s a good reminder that a book truly shines when its content lives up to its cover art. When it comes to urban fantasy, especially with werewolves, I'm always looking for fresh takes on classic tropes. The idea of a 'werewolf, but not like other werewolves' is intriguing, but it needs to be executed well to truly stand out. What I often hope for is complex character development, where even the non-human characters feel truly multi-dimensional. I also pay attention to how themes like 'internalized misogyny' or 'speciesism' are handled. For me, a truly great story tackles these sensitive topics with nuance, offering characters who challenge societal norms rather than reinforcing them. It's about finding that balance between dark, gritty realism and empowering narratives. Sometimes, when I'm searching for my next read, I'll come across titles that sound incredibly similar, like 'Wolves and Daggers' and 'Dolls and Daggers.' It's always a good reminder to double-check the author and series to make sure I'm diving into the exact story I intend to. It also highlights how popular certain themes are – the blend of danger, folklore, and strong female leads (or the potential for them) is a constant draw. An 'open ending' can be exciting, hinting at more adventures to come, but I personally prefer a satisfying arc within each book, even if it's part of a larger series. Ultimately, finding a book that delivers on its promises, both in its intriguing cover and its compelling plot, is what makes reading such a joy. When a book doesn't quite hit the mark for me, I usually look for other recommendations within the same genre that reviewers rave about, hoping to find that perfect next read that truly transports me.