Book Review | Vulpini (The Remnants of the Old Gods #1) by Meg Pelliccio

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Ayse’s skill set includes thievery, sabotage, sleight of hand, and most importantly – the ability to shape-shift into a wolf.

Ayse must come to the aid of the Vulpini, the fox shapeshifter tribe who took her in and raised her in the country of Nevraah, but that means going behind enemy lines into the birthplace that she doesn’t remember. Oror – the enigmatic northern country, the legendary home of the werewolves, and the one place that no southerner has ever returned from. Yet it’s exactly where Ayse must dare to go…

The war between the two countries threatens to expose the true nature of werewolves and shifters alike to the world. Torn between helping her past tribe and the werewolves who hold the key to her future, Ayse attempts the impossible task of trying to save everyone. But ultimately, where will her loyalties lie?

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Meg lives in the beautiful countryside of Devon, where she is lucky enough to be close to both the stunning moorland and the picturesque seaside. By day, Meg works as a Content Writer, writing and editing copy, and by night she feeds her other obsessions of reading, gaming and creative writing. Heavily encouraged by her parents into fantasy fiction from a young age, Meg grew up on the likes of the Redwall series by Brian Jacques, J. R. R. Tolkien, Roald Dahl, and William Horwood. Other favourites include: Wind on Fire series by William Nicholson, The Black Magician series by Trudi Canavan, as well as authors such as Neil Gaiman, Sarah J. Maas, Holly Black, Jennifer Fallon, Charlaine Harris, Patricia Briggs, Kelley Armstrong, Karen Chance, and so many more! Meg studied English Literature at The University of St Mark and St John where she graduated with upper second class honours. She was delighted to receive a first for her dissertation, ‘The Evolution of the Vampire Myth’, which explored the way our perception of vampires has changed over the years due to its portrayal in literature and film.

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REVIEW

Long time no blog, last I posted was back in October. Just a quick life update before I go to the actual review – it’s the new year and I started out my year really energized which depleted right away. I’ve been at home for the last 2 days feeling really crappy and just over all low. Gave me time to do some journaling, and of course, blog. I might do a different post about my journal. We’ll see.

I was contacted by the author and didn’t see the message until a few months later when I decided to clean out my email. She was so nice in sending me an actual book which took another month or so I think to get to me. Vulpin, right off I loved the title. It’s different than what I normally see out there. You know, the “______ and ______” trend. I mean, there’s nothing bad about that, it’s just that everyone seems to be doing it so it’s refreshing to see a title as simple as that. This isn’t a thick book and I was hooked right away when I started it while I was on my way to work. The word building is so good. It transports the reader to the actual setting of the book and makes us feel what the characters are feeling. It gave me a slight Star Wars Tavern Scene feel without the aliens.

The plot had it’s fast and slow paced moments and there were parts I wished was described more and some less. The Characters was a different mix of people that I didn’t really get attached to any of them. Maybe if the book was a little bit longer that would have happened. The main protagonist Ayse reminded me of a lot of the usual YA heroines – reckless, brave, has anger issues, and it’s a good thing she wasn’t whiny. Also even if there was a hint of a possible romance with the childhood friend and the brooding lord it wasn’t really touched upon. Maybe in the second book? I’m just happy that it’s not insta-love.

I was probably 80% done when I realized I wanted more in this series and I look forward to reading the next books. I want to know if the revelation at the end was real or if it was just a ploy to kidnap Ayse. I want her to know who she actually is and if the old gods really had anything to do with her existence. not bad for the first book I read in 2021.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Since it’s so long since I did a review I feel kinda rusty and I was actually dreading doing this. But then it’s like riding a bicycle (even if I don’t know how to), the [brain] muscles remember. I’m reminded of how much I loved to this this. I’ll plan my next post for next week. I want to share the other hobbies I’ve been doing lately. And maybe do a catch up on my Asian Drama posts.