After reading the first three books in Tiffany Trent’s Hallowmere series, I wasn’t sure how I would feel about the fourth, Maiden of the Wolf , which Trent co-authored with Angelika Ranger, because it is told entirely from the point of view of Ilona. After reading three novels from Corrine’s perspective and liking her as a strong protagonist, I was wary to switch to the perspective of Ilona because I didn’t know much about her other than she likes to fight and is good friends with Christina. However, I must say that after the first few pages, I was hooked. Ilona defies the stereotypes of women during the Civil War era and even today. With her strength, courage, and determination to free the victims of the fey, Ilona has all the qualities I value in a great female protagonist.
At the end of Between Golden Jaws, Corrine and her friends must embark upon separate journeys into the raths to recover the missing rath stones. When Maiden of the Wolf begins, Ilona finds herself in a rath controlled by the cruel and beauty-obsessed Countess Bathory, who steals the blood of young girls to restore her own eternal youth. However, when Ilona is captured by a pack of soldiers, she must find a way to save these young girls while keeping up the guise of loyalty to the countess. There’s just one stumbling block in her way. Ilona never intends to fall for Lieutenant Varco–a soldier who loves her for the sword-wielding, fearless girl she is. The result is that Ilona and the man she loves will have to make life-changing decisions that will affect everyone and everything they hold dear.
Ilona is more than just a tom boy who hates dresses. Ilona is a fearless warrior, shunned by other females around her due to her ideals about the roles of women. As a result, Ilona serves as a great role model to young girls who would rather play basketball than wear a skirt and cheer on the crowd. Ilona is proof that girls can still be fearless competitors and hold their own against men while still being attractive and beautiful. Also, Varco’s character represents the fierce, adventurous type of man who can run alongside Ilona without feeling threatened by her talent and strength. I love this story because both characters are strong-willed, disciplined, and stubborn but share a love that is worth whatever they have to sacrifice.
I am glad to have discovered the Hallowmere series but am saddened to know that the series, which was originally expected to include ten books, will stop at book six. While it is upsetting that I will never know how Corrine and friends will wind up in the end, I have thoroughly enjoyed the existing books in the series. Trent and co-author Angelika Ranger creates settings that instantly activate the imagination, plots that leave your fingers busy turning pages, and characters you would love to have as the closest of friends. I find that I have found another kindred spirit in Ilona as she battles Countess Bathory alongside Varco and the Hallowed fey.
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