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MY ⭐️ RATING: 5/5
Format: Advanced Reader Copy
I received an advanced reader copy, provided by the author for an honest review.
This did not impact my rating, in any way.
BOOK DESCRIPTION
Othrun of Eastrealm’s victories in battle have made him a warlord to be feared throughout the continent of Acremia. His formidable knights have wreaked havoc on his foes. Now, the ultimate test awaits him and his warriors, as the great existential threat of invasion from the north has finally come to pass. A confederacy led by the most ruthless Sanaavian rulers has besieged the tiny Eltnish kingdom of Rogonhe, a key strategic foothold the invaders covet in their plans to conquer all of Eltnia. King Hert of Carthlughe has long fought to keep Rogonhe free and secure. Now, Hert calls his vassal Othrun, and his other allies to march their spears north into the bitter winter, to face the deadly, marauding Sanaavians, for whom war is but a sport. Othrun’s situation has never been so dire. He is reeling from abandonment by his spiritual guide, marital troubles, and the core foundation of his beliefs being challenged by the pagan magic surrounding him.
Despite this, Othrun must face harsh weather, rampaging armies, and sinister druids, risking not only his own life, but the lives of his family, and his entire army, to be faithful to Hert’s summons. Othrun must also contend with the daunting powers and ruthless ambition of Queen Lysi, leader of the mysterious Coven of Mages, and his complicated relationship with her. And finally, an old, bitter rival awaits Othrun in the cold north, bent on bringing the proud former Second Prince of Atalantyx to his knees. But under Hert’s fierce leadership, all will not be easily lost for the Eltnish alliance. Hert plans to set upon his enemies like a pack of wolves, ripping them apart. Blood will be spilt in the snow, heroes will fall, and Othrun’s legend as a warlord is bound to only grow if he can survive the fight. But what price will Othrun pay for fidelity, and for glory?
MY REVIEW
From the masterful world building to the brilliant character work and gripping storytelling, A Pack of Wolves is the very best of Grimdark fantasy. I’m always astonished with just how this incredible story continues to evolve with every entry to the series. PL has ramped up the drama and the magical elements while answering many long running questions but leaving more in its wake with all of his intricate webs that he’s weaved throughout the first four books. Similar to its predecessor Lord and King, A Pack of Wolves story is separated into 3 parts, though there are no time jumps this time: part 1 is mostly through the point of view of Othrun the younger with a little bit of Laathre (Erthal) and Rupaa mixed in, then part’s 2 & 3 are mainly through the point of view of Othrun the older.
Stuart’s character work is one of the many things that stand out about his writing, Othrun is one of those characters that started out having a bit of a hard time to like, but the more the story progresses, the better he becomes. Still a very flawed morally grey character, he has grown leaps and bounds and it’s honestly one of my favorite things about the story. Othrun the younger is one that was likable from the get go, and continues to be that way throughout, he’s everything that Othrun isn’t, and that contrast of differences is what makes him so good. I really enjoyed his point of view watching their relationship grow stronger, and seeing how the younger got to realize the casualties of being a king, learning from both his father as well as King Hert, which made it all the more real. There are a bunch of characters in this series, and PL does a tremendous job of making you like and feel for them whether you like them or hate them, you’re going to feel what they feel.
“I was born, from a monster, in the skin of a man. So, it was time to play the offspring of a monster once more. It was time to become the dragon, to become the Destroyer I was predicted to be, a terror to my enemies.”
As much as I love the characters, the sprawling, complex world of Acremia that he’s created is by far one of the highest attributes I can give to PL. The world is so rich with a deep intricate history and described in such vivid detail. The places like Lynchun and Eastrealm being so different from places like Carthlughe to its northern places of Vikoon and its most southern places like Anglia, and that’s not even including the separate country of Anibia. It’s just such a rewarding experience to be transported into the world and be able to feel like I’m actually there with my own body experiencing exactly what the characters are. There’s also something a bit Star Wars-like as well, with a revelation that happens, which made me even more interested than I already was, if that’s possible, to find out what happens in book six!
One of the things that I love, is that this series has not hit a lull at any point, in my eyes, and just continues to leave me in awe with every book that he puts out. The essence of this story is that it’s based around religion and political machinations, which always leads to a war, and the fight for which religion rules all, the battles are bloody, and the casualties are deep. Though this world is quite grim, the beauty that PL leaves is based on truth and change, that may not be the overarching theme like revenge, betrayal, redemption, and loyalty, but change is what we all strive for. It’s an understanding that sometimes what we do or what we believe, may not be the right way, and sometimes it takes time to make that happen, and for PL, this is what he does with Othrun. That is the true beauty of this story, truth & change.
Wolfmantula.com 