Ravensong

TJ Klune
Completed 2/12/2025, Reviewed 2/13/2025
4 stars

This is the second in the Green Creek series, following Wolfsong.  It tells the story of Gordo, a human who is the witch for the Bennett werewolf clan.  I really liked the form, beginning in the middle of the last book when he and part of the clan went looking for the bad guy for three years.  We didn’t hear much of this story last time.  It fills in the gaps and at the same time, portrays Gordo’s younger years.  At first I was a little disappointed it didn’t follow Ox and Joe, but I became engrossed in his internal struggle with lifelong abandonment issues.  Like all Klune’s books so far, the theme is about family and kinship, love and loss, and it’s wrapped in supernatural action and conflict.  

Gordo’s father was the witch for the clan.  He had his son tattooed with sigils and magical art at a very young age so that he could build his power early.  But it was a horribly painful experience that was the first in a series of betrayals Gordon felt.  Later his mother died and his father left with the bad guys.  Gordo, at a young age, fell in love with the older Mark, the upcoming alpha’s brother.  However, because of the age difference, Mark never let Gordo too close, although he knew they would be mated.  Later, a group of religious fanatic hunters came and nearly obliterated the Bennett clan.  Alone, Gordo apprenticed as an auto mechanic from Marty, who eventually left the shop to him upon his death. Once the Bennett clan reorganized, they left Green Creek so that Thomas, the alpha, could take the role of alpha of all.  Gordo buried himself in his work, eschewing the remaining clan, especially Mark.  Years later, Gordo struggles with his huge resentments against Mark and the Bennetts as the new clan under the leadership of Ox and Joe rebuilds and faces new challenges from the new generation of hunters and an onslaught of magically-diseased Omega wolves.

Yes, another complicated tale.  But it exhibits the complex world building of TJ Klune.  The magic is not exactly well-defined, but it goes hand in hand with Gordo’s understanding of and growth in it.  Specifically, the magically-diseased Omega wolves are the result of ancient magic used by his father to destroy wolves.  Gordo has no knowledge of this magic, but by being genetically linked, his signature has some power.  The book also has several plotlines.  In fact, I felt like the book could have ended several times as each subplot gets some resolution.  It made the book feel a little long, but necessary as the complexity needed to be unraveled and overcome.  

My one real complaint with the book was five hundred pages of Gordo resenting Mark and fighting his true feelings for sooooooo long.  About two-thirds of the way, I was thinking, “Just join a twelve step program already and work through these resentments!”  However, they are also, oddly enough, motivation for Gordo’s defense of the clan as they fend off wave after wave of attack.  When the resolution comes, it’s a little too late, which is nice for a change, not wrapping up neatly.  But Gordo does grow, albeit gruffly.  

I really liked the continued presence, wit, and support of the other humans in clan.  They are mostly his mechanics from the shop and add color to Gordo’s dourness. With the gravity of the plots, they help break the tension with comical exchanges and sharp poignant insight.  Back on the wolf side, Elizabeth, Thomas’ widow and the matriarch of the clan, lends an intelligent and caring presence in her support of Gordo.  

I give this book four stars out of five.  It’s quick, engrossing, and devastating.  Another great book from Klune.  My only reason for not going five stars is the length and intensity of Gordo’s resentment.  It became old after a while, not giving the reader relief until the end.  The conclusion was very satisfying in its eschewing of a happy ending.  It sets the scene for the next book where the clan must overcome more obstacles to make everything right.  Will read the third book after a quick break for a book club book.