Red and the Wolves is a dark, atmospheric graphic novel that takes familiar fairy-tale touchstones and reshapes them into something far more expansive and unsettling. Rather than relying on nostalgia, the story builds a layered mythos filled with monsters, gods, guardians, and a forest that feels alive with rot, magic, and long-buried secrets.

What stood out most for me was the worldbuilding. The lore unfolds gradually and trusts the reader to sit with uncertainty before everything clicks into place, and that patience pays off. The forest feels isolated and ancient, populated by creatures that are both strange and emotionally resonant. The absence of humanity gives the story an almost mythic loneliness, making every relationship, especially between Red and Sil, feel heightened and meaningful. The art is a major strength. It shifts seamlessly between expressive, simplified moments and darker, more detailed scenes, using visual language to convey emotion just as much as plot. Creature designs are particularly memorable, and the wolves, both central and secondary, add depth, tension, and occasional levity to the narrative.

The sapphic romance is handled with restraint. It grows quietly through shared moments, glances, and trust rather than grand declarations, which suits the tone of the story well. While it is not the narrative’s primary engine, it provides an emotional throughline that grounds the larger conflicts. I also appreciated the central twist, which I will not spoil here. While I did begin to suspect where the story was heading, the reveal still felt earned and satisfying. The groundwork is laid carefully enough that the payoff rewards attentive readers without feeling predictable or heavy-handed, and it deepens both the emotional stakes and the thematic core of the story.

If I had one reservation, it would be tonal consistency. At times, the dialogue feels younger than the themes suggest, which occasionally undercuts the weight of the story. That said, this feels less like a flaw and more like an area of growth, especially considering this is a debut. The ending deserves particular praise. Endings are difficult, especially in richly built fantasy worlds, but this one feels earned and satisfying, bringing both the emotional and mythological arcs to a close without overstaying its welcome.

Overall, Red and the Wolves is an impressive debut. It is visually striking, emotionally grounded, and confident in its storytelling. It works best when approached not as a strict retelling, but as an original dark fantasy that happens to echo a familiar tale. I am very interested to see where Cherry Zong goes next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing | Feiwel & Friends for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

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