🐺 Book Review: The Last Wolf by M.S. Kaminsky
A fast-paced YA urban fantasy where a lone wolf shifter must survive betrayal, blood magic, and a school that’s anything but safe—Book 1 in the Moon Shifter Academy series.
M.S. Kaminsky’s The Last Wolf kicks off the Moon Shifter Academy trilogy with a gritty, emotionally charged story about identity, survival, and supernatural politics. With a solid Goodreads rating of 4.09/5, readers praise its bold heroine, immersive worldbuilding, and high-stakes drama.
🧠 Plot Overview
Kat, a sixteen-year-old shifter, has spent her life suppressing her true nature with a drug called Diurnal. But when she finally gets the chance to attend the prestigious Moon Shifter Academy, she’s ready to embrace her wolf side.
Before school even begins, tragedy strikes—her parents are murdered, and Kat learns she’s the last female wolf shifter in existence. The academy, meant to be a sanctuary, is riddled with secrets and danger. The principal is obsessed with protecting students from blood mages, sworn enemies of shifters. But the blood mage who killed Kat’s parents is now hunting her.
Caught between two magnetic brothers—her ex, Eddie, and the brooding Artemon, both grandsons of her enemy—Kat must decide who to trust and how far she’ll go to avenge her family.
💬 Why Readers Enjoy It
- Strong Female Lead: Kat is fierce, flawed, and determined, making her a compelling protagonist.
- Academy Setting: Fans of supernatural school stories will enjoy the mix of magic, mystery, and teen drama.
- Romantic Tension: The love triangle adds emotional complexity without overshadowing the main plot.
- Fast Pacing: The story moves quickly, with plenty of twists and action to keep readers hooked.
⚠️ Critiques
- Some readers noted that the worldbuilding could be deeper, especially around the blood mage mythology.
- The romantic subplot may feel familiar to fans of YA fantasy, though it’s handled with energy and flair.
📣 Reader Praise
“A thrilling start to a new series—Kat’s voice is raw and real, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.”
“If you love shifter stories with bite, this one’s got claws.”
🏁 Final Verdict
The Last Wolf is a gripping YA fantasy perfect for fans of Vampire Academy, House of Night, or Shifter Academy. If you enjoy stories where magic meets danger and a lone heroine must fight for her place in a hostile world, this one’s worth the read.
