Don't Call the Wolf

February 1, 2020

Gr 9 Up-This novel reimagines the classic Polish story "The Glass Mountain" in a lush new setting that still maintains classic fairy-tale elements. Ren, a young queen, reigns over a forest that is slowly dying and being eaten away by the evil Golden Dragon, who spreads flames and new monsters. Ren works with Lukasz, the last remaining Wolf-Lord, to hunt the dragon and restore peace to her kingdom, while promising to help find the brother Lukasz lost. As the two form an unlikely alliance, each must trust that the other will fulfill their promises, as well as work through their budding feelings toward each other. This book immediately hooks the reader with its dark and twisted scenery and Eastern European stylization. The traditionally inspired creatures seen throughout the story are given modern characteristics while remaining recognizable with their classic names and descriptions. While the world is highly immersive, there are still elements with fewer descriptions, which adds to the magic of the story, but can also cause confusion. VERDICT In a genre full of retellings, this book sets itself apart with its homage to traditional storytelling. Perfect for fans of S. Jae-Jones's "Wintersong" duology.-Zoe Leonarczyk, Florida State University, Tallahassee

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2020
Unlikely allies battle a dragon in this myth-inspired fantasy. In a ravaged kingdom, a fierce golden dragon reigns supreme in the mountains after laying waste to the royal palace and devouring its occupants. Pestilence and darkness brought by its presence spread throughout the land, corrupting humans and drawing forth evil creatures. The kingdom's only hope for survival lies in a shape-shifting queen of the forest and a wounded soldier from the mountains. Wolf-Lord Lukasz is the last survivor among his siblings; all nine of his brothers supposedly died trying to kill the Golden Dragon; Ren, the queen of the animals, distrusts humans for their past cruelties and prefers remaining in animal form. Alternating between chapters set in the past and present, the narrative introduces central characters who must overcome the pain of their personal histories before they can be heroes. In her debut novel, Ross pulls from various mythologies to create a world teeming with mystical creatures and lurking dangers. The novel is a page-turner that suffers from its own excesses; so many creatures are introduced in the story that it is difficult to keep them straight. Readers aren't given sufficient time to bond with Ren and Lukasz as characters before they are swept into a grand adventure. Ren and Lukasz are pale skinned. An earnest first novel from a promising author. (pronunciation guide) (Fantasy. 15-18)

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March 9, 2020
Ross’s uneven Polish folklore-inspired debut opens 17 years after a seemingly invincible Golden Dragon kills Kamien´a’s royals and slaughters its military, facilitating invasion by assorted monsters. Lynx/human shapeshifter Ren, 17, endeavors to protect the forest animals who made her their queen but believes the Golden Dragon is causing evil to spread. Enter Lukasz Smoków, 21, who hails from a legendary clan of dragon slayers called the Wolf-Lords. Having nearly died while battling an Apofys dragon, Lukasz wants to return home to the mountains, like his brothers before him, but doesn’t know the way, as he left when he was four. Ren distrusts humans, who have been cruel to her and her friends, but out of desperation, she strikes a deal: if Lukasz will slay her dragon, she will guide him home. Formulaic plotting slows the narrative, and though Lukasz and the beings who accompany them lack complexity, robbing the tale of emotional heft, Ross delivers a fierce, fully fleshed heroine and a richly textured fantasy with a kind heart. Includes a pronunciation guide. Ages 13–up. Agent: Brent Taylor, TriadaUS.

March 1, 2020
Grades 7-10 In this novel based on the Polish version of the Glass Mountain fairy tale, Ren and Lukasz have different goals, but their path through Ren's evil-infested forest forces them together. They must overcome their mistrust of each other to rid that forest of a seemingly deadly golden dragon and locate Lukasz's brother?all while not falling in love. This is high-fantasy storytelling in the style of longer works like Pullman's His Dark Materials or Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogies, but steeped in the Polish fairy tales told by the author's grandmother. The language is rich and the setting well constructed and imaginative. It requires a dedicated reader to take it all in, as new characters are introduced quickly and the story moves between past and present. The payoff for staying with it comes in truly thrilling and horrifying monsters, one or two twists, and losses that will have readers reaching for tissues. Ross thoughtfully provides a pronunciation guide for Polish characters, places, and other frequently occurring words, as well as notes about her adaptation.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)