Ava Reid’s The Wolf and the Woodsman is an atmospheric dark fantasy inspired by Hungarian history and Jewish mythology that blends political intrigue with a deliciously messy enemies-to-lovers romance. The story follows Évike, the only magicless outcast in her pagan village, who is betrayed by her own people and handed over as a sacrifice to the Woodsmen, who are holy soldiers serving a fanatical king.

Forced to travel alongside Gáspár, a disgraced and religiously conflicted prince, Évike has to navigate a treacherous journey across an unforgiving landscape.

The heart of the novel really lies in the dynamic between Évike and Gáspár. While Évike is a fierce, resilient protagonist, Gáspár was hands-down my favourite character in the entire book. Even though Évike is technically our lead, I didn’t particularly connect with her as much, whereas Gáspár completely stole the show for me. He’s the ultimate broody, morally conflicted hero, constantly torn between his strict religious upbringing and his growing affection for Évike.

Their chemistry delivers one of the most satisfying enemies-to-lovers slow burns I’ve read in a long time. The tension is subtle until Chapter 12, where an incredible scene in the woods finally breaks down the wall between them. The sheer chemistry in that moment, followed immediately by Gáspár’s signature brooding, conflicted reaction had me practically squealing at the page and completely locked me into rooting for them.

Beyond the romance, the book’s greatest strength is its rich worldbuilding. The landscapes, political layers, and historical context woven into the storytelling are complex and deeply atmospheric. It doesn’t shy away from heavy themes either, diving into religious zealotry, bigotry, and the painful feeling of being an outsider amongst your own people, all mixed together with wild magic and monsters.

That said, the way the lore is introduced can occasionally feel a bit clunky or like an info-dump, but it’s pretty easy to look past once the plot gets moving.

Overall, The Wolf and the Woodsman is a really solid dark fantasy that I thoroughly enjoyed. If you’re looking for a good read with pagan folklore, political themes, with a romance to top it off, this is definitely a book you should pick up.