Elisabeth Wheatley has one of my favorite book-themed social media presences on the internet. At least once a week (but typically more), I have someone send me one of her videos. Her character Book Goblin is such a mood that my own inner book goblin's voice now sounds suspiciously like hers. However, while I came for the Book Goblin character, I was delighted to find out she was also an author. I had planned on starting with her Daindreth's Assassin series, until I found out her newest release had something I didn't know I needed: a telepathic dog. So obviously, Tears of the Wolf jumped the line, because I needed this dog in my life.
It was the correct decision.
Wheatley often talks about her historical research on her social media, and it shines throughout the novel. I adored how well I could easily imagine the buildings and towns because her attention to detail provided perfect mental images. It also gave details as to how the layout of the towns provided to the cultures at the time - showing how much of a relationship these two things had in the past. While it wasn't perfect, especially with the constant threat of raiding parties, it was easy to fall in love with it alongside Brynn as she discovered all of its charms.
The romance itself was also an interesting take on the arranged marriage trope. A lot of times, whenever I see this trope in romance, the couple is typically forced into the marriage. Brynn and Cenric, however, both want the arranged marriage. Brynn needs to get out of her first marriage and find someone who can protect her from the various political forces at work within the country. On the other hand, Cenric's people are in desperate need of a sorceress to help take care of his lands and people. The fact that they both go into the marriage willingly, even when it confuses everyone else around them, makes it a fun twist. They want their marriage to work, and even though love comes after, they learn how to communicate with each other healthily before then. It's a nice difference from how the trope regularly goes, and I loved watching their relationship develop.
However, the absolutely best part of the book was Snapper and his family. When I discovered there was a telepathic dog, I wondered what that was going to mean. Was the dog going to be able to converse with everyone? Was it going to sound like a human in a dog's body? Well, I'm happy to say Snapper sounded exactly how I imagine a dog would talk. His love for his person, his excitement for Brynn becoming his dog mom, and his general personality were a delight to read, and I cannot wait for more of him in the second book.
Overall, the book was a fun and cute read, though it ended with a hint at the darkness to come within the world. I loved the hints of political intrigue and the consequences that are to come. But most of all, I can't wait to see Cenric and Brynn's relationship continue to grow now that they've fully admitted their feelings for each other.