The Wolf Gate a Little Red Riding Hood Retelling by Hanna Sandvig Review

With the upcoming release of author Hanna Sandvig's Cinderella book The Glass Gate I decided to reread her other books in the series before it came out. After enjoying her Beauty and the Beast retelling The Rose Gate, I decided to reread its prequel book The Wolf Gate a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. When I first read this book in 2021, I was reluctant to read anything having to do with the story of Little Red Riding Hood. It's a creepy story where the little girl in the red cape is eaten by the big bad wolf in the end. Even other versions like The Grimm Brothers tale where she is saved were still quite disturbing to me. So, it goes without saying that for some years I avoided reading any books based off the creepy fairy tale. However, I decided to give The Wolf Gate a chance since I had enjoyed reading its predecessor so much. I wanted to learn more about the land of Faerie (the books setting) as well as the men who were turned into wolves by the Unseelie Queen the main villain from the previous book. And it goes without saying this book did not disappoint.

The book introduces us to Audrey a recent high school graduate who gets stood up on a date by her boyfriend Dylan. She knows it's time to end their relationship since not only is this not the first time he's ditched her, but she doesn't really care for him. She has built walls over her heart since her previous boyfriend Gavin broke it. When her friend Neve asks her to deliver some cupcakes to her aunt Chloe Audrey agrees not knowing this trip would start a chain of events that would change her life forever. Miss Chloe the local librarian gives Audrey a red cloak (to give to Neve) and apologizes that she can't help more. Confused Audrey starts to go back home when she is suddenly attacked by a wolf. Trying to flee from it she accidentally goes through a portal and ends up in the land of Faerie and is met by none other than her ex-boyfriend Gavin. It turns out that Gavin is a Unseelie Faerie who has bound himself to the Unseelie Queen. He turns into a wolf every night and regains his human form during the day. As it also turns out her boyfriend Dylan is also a Unseelie Fae under the same circumstances but unlike Gavin his friendly manner was all a lie. In truth he is ruthless and calculating. Gavin is determined to protect Audrey from Dylan and get her back to her world. However, to do so they need to find another gate (aka portal) and the nearest one is a few days journey away. As Audrey and Gavin travel throughout Faerie they face all sorts of dangers along the way, but the biggest danger for Audrey is letting go of her anger and falling for the boy who broke her heart. Can she trust him with it again? You must read the book to find out. :)

Audrey was a very enjoyable main character who I preferred a little more than Isobel from The Rose Gate. Unlike Isobel, Audrey's problems from the start are based off her romantic relationships instead her family ones. Her breakup with Gavin really hurt her since he had previously said he loved her. Her anger towards him is what led her to start dating Dylan in order to make him jealous. However, it is obvious that she still is in love with Gavin and he with her. But even when she learns the truth about Gavin, she isn't ready to just forgive and forget. She remembers how heartbroken she felt after their breakup and is scared to love him again. I can completely understand where Audrey was coming from which made me relate to her more. That said it didn't stop me from wanting the two to end up back together despite the obstacles in their way. 

Similar to my opinion about Audrey I preferred Gavin as the main love interest than I did to Leith) in the previous book). Gavin is one of the Unseelie Queens minions who resents his situation but can't get out of it due to the magic binding him. He was brought to the human world to spy on a particular human alongside Dylan. While there he fell in love with Audrey and wanted to be with her despite knowing they could never truly be together. However even after their heartbreaking breakup and Audrey's hostility towards him he does everything is his power to protect her from Dylan and the dangers of Faerie. The only thing that annoyed me about him was that he believed a certain lie Dylan told him without doubting him. It confused me as to why he would believe him so easily especially since he knew how manipulative Dylan can be. Thankfully this did not detract much from the story.

My only other main complaint about this book is that Dylan (aka the more traditional big bad wolf wolf) was rather confusing. I don't know what he wanted with Audrey. He's determined to hunt her down, but you never know why. It's clear that he has sinister intentions towards her, but it's never explained in full detail what his ultimate goal was. Dylan fits the character of the evil wolf quite well I just wish the reader knew more about who he was and what he was after. 

Overall, this story was so enjoyable that it has become one of my favorite novella's. Not only that but it changed how I felt towards reading Little Red Riding Hood Retellings. Since this book I have also read The Princess Fugitive by Melanie Cellier and Of Wolves and Wardens by Sylvia Mercedes and have given them both high ratings. The Wolf Gate showed me that despite the fairy tales' creepy origins it can still be made into a charming story when written by the right author. I rate this book 4.5 out of 5 stars.