THE LURE OF WOLVES AND WHISPERS, by Amanda Connolly, Sarah Barley Books / Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, July 7, 2026, Hardcover, $21.99 (young adult, ages 16 and up)
A young woman offers her life in exchange for her sister’s in The Lure of Wolves and Whispers, a dark romantasy by Amanda Connolly.
On the mist-shrouded Isle of Eireann, buying magic comes with a price.
But when her beloved older sister is gravely injured, Maeve risks everything to buy the forbidden magic that might save her. In exchange, Maeve trades her life to a ruthless and dangerously alluring rebel leader. Bound to do his bidding, Maeve finds herself thrown into a deadly competition to become the next queen and stand beside a prince rumored to be more brutal than his tyrannical father.
With the isle on the brink of war, trust and survival come at a terrible cost—one that will tear Maeve’s world, and her heart, in two.
What would you sacrifice to survive? — Synopsis provided by Sarah Barley Books / Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
There’s much more to The Lure of Wolves and Whispers than the synopsis hints at, and that’s a good thing. There’s a lot packed into this 450ish-age book, and it mostly delivers.
At the center of the story is Maeve, a young woman whose family landed on the losing side of a rebellion. Since then, life has not been easy for the people on the Isle of Eireann. When Maeve is given a chance to not only save her sister but maybe make life better for those she cares about, she’s forced to look at her life in a new light.
Maeve is a strong protagonist that will appeal to most readers. And her two love interests are both appropriately broody and handsome. They’re buoyed up by some strong supporting characters that help the story feel full.
The Lure of Wolves and Whispers is a fantasy inspired by Irish lore, which adds some heft to the overall story.
And author Amanda Connolly has done a solid job balancing world-building with actual plot and pacing. She easily transports you to her world and adventure.
Mostly.
There are a few one-sentence instances where modern, contemporary phrases or words pop in and make you pause for a few seconds before returning to the action. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it’s jarring.
The Lure of Wolves and Whispers isn’t for everyone. The publisher’s suggested range is ages 16 and up, but an explicit, open-door scene, as well as some gruesome accounts of poisoning, torture, battle and murder, push my recommended audience close to the new adult/ adult fiction zone. That said, these issues may not be as big of a problem for readers who are more comfortable with sex and violence.
The Lure of Wolves and Whispers is the first book in The Martyred Isle series. It’s a well-written book that becomes more of a page-turner the further you get in. I look forward to seeing where Connolly takes it.
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