Wolf by Wolf by Ryan Graudin

Series: Wolf by Wolf Series (Book 1)

Title: Wolf by Wolf

Author: Ryan Graudin

Published: 2015

Genre: Historical Fantasy…?

Grade Level: YA

-Trigger Warning: Deals with childhood grief and childhood trauma

 

Audiobook:

Narrated by: Christa Lewis

Length: 10 hrs 31 min

Recommend: Yes

 

Blurb (from goodreads):

Her story begins on a train.

The year is 1956, and the Axis powers of the Third Reich and Imperial Japan rule. To commemorate their Great Victory, Hitler and Emperor Hirohito host the Axis Tour: an annual motorcycle race across their conjoined continents. The victor is awarded an audience with the highly reclusive Adolf Hitler at the Victor’s Ball in Tokyo.

The resistance has given Yael, a death camp survivor, one goal: Win the race and kill Hitler. Yael has the power to skinshift and must complete her mission by impersonating last year’s only female racer, Adele Wolfe. This deception becomes more difficult when Felix, Adele twin’s brother, and Luka, her former love interest, enter the race and watch Yael’s every move.

But as Yael grows closer to the other competitors, can she bring herself to be as ruthless as she needs to be to avoid discovery and complete her mission?

From the author of The Walled City comes a fast-paced and innovative novel that will leave you breathless.

My Scores:

Writing Style: Top Notch

Graudin is (of course) a top-notch writer! The way she builds suspense throughout the novel is masterful.

Characters: Memorable

I fell in love with the characters right from the start. Even though the plot of the novel through me for a loop, I decided to keep reading because I had to know what was going to happen to these characters. (My love for the characters is also what drove me to finish the sequel, Blood for Blood, so quickly.)

Plot: So Many Plot Twists

This plot is unlike anything I have ever read before and I’m not sure I would have given it a try if I hadn’t gone in completely blind. I was relying heavily on my love for the author’s previous work, The Walled City (which is a fabulously dark historical fiction novel).

Wolf by Wolf takes place in a historical time that almost happened. In this novel, the US never joined in WWII, and the Nazis are still very much in control of much of the world. (It’s actually quite scary to realize how close Hitler came to ruling the world, but in any case back to the review.)

I believe that the proper genre for this novel is historical fantasy because the MC has freaky sci-fyi powers given to her by the Nazis awful experimentation on Jewish children. I loved this idea, it sounded like an awesome origin story for the next marvel superhero.

 

Overall: Totally Obsessed

I had so much fun reading this novel! I went in completely blind, but I’m so glad I gave it a shot. It was full of suspense, plot twists, and memorable characters. If you’re looking for something a little different, I highly recommend this novel!

 

Messaging: Survival is the best revenge.

Goodreads Rating: 5 out of 5 stars