Traitor Wolf by Leia Stone

The weapon that hasn’t chosen anyone in a thousand years has chosen me, a Dreg-born girl with no magic.

Forged by the Creator and feared across the realm, the King Killer was never meant for someone like me. But the moment I touch it, the wolves come running, snarling, fighting, and bleeding to claim me.

Only one survives.

A wolf with a traitor’s mark burned into his skin.

And now we’re bonded.

Last night, I was digging through trash in the Elite district when a dying highborn collapsed at my feet. With his final breath, he pressed his trial mark into my chest and gave me his place in a deadly competition I was never meant to enter.

If I win, my entire bloodline, all forty of us, gets magic. The Dregs will rise overnight and the Elites will never forgive it.

My bonded wolf says he doesn’t care about me, that he only wants my blade. But he guards me like I matter, trains me like I have a chance and when they try to kill me, he tears them down like I belong to him.

I didn’t ask for this, but I’m not backing down. Not even for the wolf who could break my heart.

My Review

I adore that a portion of the sales of this book goes to support the very cause it’s written about.

Brynn Brighton is the oldest of twelve siblings, and her family has fallen on hard times since her father’s unaliving three years ago. Living in the Dregs means food is scarce, danger is constant, and the consequences for stealing or breaking curfew often lead to the mines. As the oldest, she shoulders the responsibility of finding food, and I’m loving the dystopian vibe mixed with her fierce determination. It really makes you wonder if the risk of scavenging is worth the price.

While searching for food, she accidentally touches a highborn. Her panic is immediate, but his reaction is surprisingly different. This elite stranger is dying, and Brynn doesn’t understand why. Before he goes, he gifts her something she never expected: magic. Suddenly, she’s thrown into the Arcane Trials, a brutal competition offering real equality and opportunity if you win. She’s eighteen, magicless, and from the Dregs, but now she has a chance and a mission to carry forward.

The moment she steps into the trials, she bonds with a Wolfkin named Kaelric, and I am obsessed. She’s an outsider with a mysterious sponsorship, and the connection to the elite who chose her raises so many questions. The world-building is detailed and immersive, giving me “Hunger Games” meets academy fantasy vibes. Cassian, the truth-magic elite and brother of the man who sponsored her, adds even more intrigue to the storyline.

This story is riveting. The dual narrative, the cause behind the book, the poverty, famine, and desperation in the Dregs, and the magic system all build something special. Kaelric, the growly wolf shifter, is swoony, protective, and completely infuriating in the best way. And do not get me started on Valkeryn, the talking sword. She’s iconic. I’m listening on audio, and honestly, I want the ebook too, just so I can highlight everything.

The trials are intense and vividly described, almost giving a fae-magic energy. The slow-burn moments between Brynn and Kaelric made me swoon, especially when the forbidden romance angle started weaving in. Are they mates? Maybe. But the rules in this world make everything dangerous. Then the love triangle tension hits when Cassian steps in, and Brynn’s confusion feels so authentic. Both men are off-limits in different ways, and it adds so much drama.

I’m loving every minute of this book. It’s not your typical wolf-shifter romance, and the originality is refreshing. The action, the twists, the world-building, the emotional moments, and the paranormal elements are all so well balanced. Kaelric can be stubborn, and Brynn can show her youth, but that just makes them feel real. The romance builds slowly, with the focus staying on the story and the stakes, and I appreciate that so much.

There are some reveals I didn’t see coming, and the last few chapters hit hard. I found out this is a duology, and I’m thrilled because I’m not ready to leave this world. This story ends with unfinished business, and I can’t wait for the next installment. I might even reread this on Kindle before finalizing my review because I enjoyed it that much.

This book has earned its spot on my must-read list, and I’m already excited for whatever comes next. 

If you would like to read Traitor Wolf by Leia Stone you can find this book on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn on qualifying purchases,

If you like this book you may also enjoy books with these tags and categories: Dystopian, Fantasy and Enemies to Lovers.