The Wolf by Leo Carew
Roper, son of the Black Lord and leader of the Black Kingdom, finds himself in command during his first battle when his father is slain in battle which leads to the first Anakim defeat in more than a thousand years. The human Sutherners are led by an ambitious outsider, Bellamus, who aims to put an end to the Anakim once and for all. Roper retreats to his impenetrable walled fortress to regroup. While the Suthern army rampages throughout the Black Kingdom, Roper must find a way to defeat them while also fending off a challenge to his leadership from the Anakim hero, Uvoren.
The Wolf is historical fantasy at its best. The political maneuverings in the Black Kingdom are deep, twisty and intense. Roper is both clever and smart, but he is very inexperienced. He must consolidate his own power base before he can begin to attack Uvoren’s insidious attempts to take the throne out from under him. Bellamus’s manipulation of events in the Suthern kingdom are likewise fascinating, although less time is spent on them than events in the Black Kingdom.
The Wolf is historical fantasy at its best. The political maneuverings in the Black Kingdom are deep, twisty and intense. Roper is both clever and smart, but he is very inexperienced. He must consolidate his own power base before he can begin to attack Uvoren’s insidious attempts to take the throne out from under him. Bellamus’s manipulation of events in the Suthern kingdom are likewise fascinating, although less time is spent on them than events in the Black Kingdom.
Carew not only vividly portrays the frozen landscape of the north but describes how it informs the lifestyle of the people who live there. The Anakim’s relationship with their environment is a key factor in their civilization and lifestyle.
The battle scenes are well-described and intense. The story is filled with strong and interesting characters. They come across as real individuals with differing personalities and motivations. Good vs. evil is more a function of intentions that innate being. The women are no shrinking violets although I would like to spend more time with them, particularly Keturah of the Anakim and the Suthern Queen Aramilla.
The ending sets up for future installments. Enough hints are dropped about the world beyond that point to an expanding conflict. I look forward to spending more time with all of these characters. Leo Carew is the real deal. Highly recommended.
I was fortunate to receive a copy of this book from the publisher.
The battle scenes are well-described and intense. The story is filled with strong and interesting characters. They come across as real individuals with differing personalities and motivations. Good vs. evil is more a function of intentions that innate being. The women are no shrinking violets although I would like to spend more time with them, particularly Keturah of the Anakim and the Suthern Queen Aramilla.
The ending sets up for future installments. Enough hints are dropped about the world beyond that point to an expanding conflict. I look forward to spending more time with all of these characters. Leo Carew is the real deal. Highly recommended.
I was fortunate to receive a copy of this book from the publisher.
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