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The Wolfsangel Cycle #1
Wolfsangel
The Viking King Authun leads his men on a raid against an Anglo-Saxon village. Men and women are killed indiscriminately but Authun demands that no child be touched. He is acting on prophecy. A prophecy that tells him that the Saxons have stolen a child from the Gods. If Authun, in turn, takes the child and raises him as an heir, the child will lead his people to glory. But Athun discovers not one child, but twin baby boys. Ensuring that his faithful warriors, witness to what has happened, die during the raid Authun takes the children and their mother home, back to the witches who live on the troll wall. And he places his destiny in their hands.
And so begins a stunning multi-volume fantasy epic that will take a werewolf from his beginnings as the heir to a brutal viking king, down through the ages. It is a journey that will see him hunt for his lost love through centuries and lives, and see the endless battle between the wolf, Odin and Loki - the eternal trickster - spill over into countless bloody conflicts from our history, and over into our lives.
This is the myth of the werewolf as it has never been told before and marks the beginning of an extraordinary new fantasy series from Gollancz.
And so begins a stunning multi-volume fantasy epic that will take a werewolf from his beginnings as the heir to a brutal viking king, down through the ages. It is a journey that will see him hunt for his lost love through centuries and lives, and see the endless battle between the wolf, Odin and Loki - the eternal trickster - spill over into countless bloody conflicts from our history, and over into our lives.
This is the myth of the werewolf as it has never been told before and marks the beginning of an extraordinary new fantasy series from Gollancz.
448 pages, Hardcover
First published May 20, 2010
About the author
M.D. Lachlan
11 books154 followersAka Mark Barrowcliffe.
MD Lachlan is a pen name - created after Mark Barrowcliffe, author of works such as Girlfriend 44 and Lucky Dog, felt himself irresistibly drawn back to fantasy after writing his Dungeons and Dragons memoir The Elfish Gene.
The Wolfsangel series draws on Norse Mythology to tell the story of a werewolf trapped in the schemes of the Gods, doomed to be reborn endlessly.
Mark also writes fantasy under the name Mark Alder - his Banners of Blood series is set in an alternate 100 Years War where angels and devils stalk the earth!
Series:
* Craw Trilogy
MD Lachlan is a pen name - created after Mark Barrowcliffe, author of works such as Girlfriend 44 and Lucky Dog, felt himself irresistibly drawn back to fantasy after writing his Dungeons and Dragons memoir The Elfish Gene.
The Wolfsangel series draws on Norse Mythology to tell the story of a werewolf trapped in the schemes of the Gods, doomed to be reborn endlessly.
Mark also writes fantasy under the name Mark Alder - his Banners of Blood series is set in an alternate 100 Years War where angels and devils stalk the earth!
Series:
* Craw Trilogy
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 197 reviews
August 18, 2011
Wolfsangel is the debut fantasy novel from M. D. Lachlan, a pen name for author Mark Barrowcliffe. Lachlan’s first foray into the realm of epic fantasy is a dark and enthralling alternative history involving Norse gods, sinister magic and a unique take on the werewolf mythos.
Wolfsangel begins with Viking King Arthun leading a raid against an Anglo-Saxon settlement. However, he and his men seek much stranger plunder than mere slaves or riches. Arthun acts to fulfill a prophecy of the child witch queen, Gullveig, who assures him that in doing so he will find not only the son and heir he so desperately requires, but one that will inevitably lead his people to glory. However, things do not go entirely as planned as Arthun finds not one child but twin boys, and has no way of knowing to which the prophecy refers. Furthermore, the witches have their own reasons for aiding the king, reasons that involve an eternal battle between gods, the monstrous Fenris wolf, and the death of the god Odin at Ragnarok. Thus begins a bloodthirsty conflict that will carry through the ages and sweep up many lives in its wake.
Vikings and mad gods
Overall, Wolfsangel is a tale of human rebellion against a callous and bloodthirsty god. Lachlan’s unique take on the Nordic pantheon was particularly fascinating and stirred in me a new-found desire to learn as much as possible about the fascinating gods and monsters that feature throughout the narrative. I also enjoyed the fact that the novel focused on a mythology that remains relatively unexplored throughout fantasy fiction, especially compared to that of some other cultures and religions (such as ancient Greek, Roman or Christian). Likewise, in much historical fiction, Vikings only appear as the bad guys, so it was a refreshing change to see a story written from their perspective.
A fascinating hybrid of history, horror and myth
One of Wolfsangel‘s greatest assets is Lachlan’s ability to seamlessly blend elements of history, mythology, fantasy and horror alongside a truly human story of love, jealousy and struggle against destiny. From all accounts, Lachlan pays close attention to historical detail and adds his own spin on Norse mythology instead of engaging in mere ‘lazy borrowing’ or resorting to cliché. The horror elements of the story are also masterfully done and genuinely disturbing. In addition, I have to give Lachlan credit for creating both witches and werewolves that feel original and are capable of unnerving the reader despite the fact that the horror impact of these fantasy staples has been diluted through many different incarnations in modern literature. The novel is also very well written and Lachlan excels in creating atmosphere, whether he’s describing the eerie and claustrophobic caves of the witches, the warm hearths of a cottage, or the wild lonely places. The prose is darkly poetic and flowing, though never overly wordy or distracting, thus allowing the reader to become fully immersed in the story and invested in the characters and the events that take place.
Disturbing yet intriguing magic
The bizarre and sinister magic system depicted throughout Wolfsangel is one of the most interesting and unique aspects of Lachlan’s worldbuilding. In order to obtain prophecy or perform magic one must bring themselves to the very precipice of death or madness. Only then may one walk the realms of gods and monsters. This erosion of sanity is usually achieved through pain and deprivation, and thus the witches frequently engage in various forms of self-torture. The gods, Odin in particular, also require devotion through pain and sacrifice. An exception is Loki the trickster: often an enemy to the gods but an occasional friend to mankind. Overall, I found this element of the novel particularly well-realized. Although such magic features heavily in the novel and is integral to the plot, its specifics are revealed slowly enough to maintain an air of mystery and allow new developments to still shock the reader.
Characters that come snarling to life
All in all, Lachlan’s characters are well developed and believable. The protagonists are believable and human while the antagonists are crafty and threatening. Our main viewpoint characters are Vali, an intelligent young prince who prefers the company of women to warriors and stories to warfare; Adisla, a strong-willed farmers daughter; and Feileg, a young man raised among wolves and wolfmen. Many characters, Vali and Feileg in particular, display varying degrees of moral ambiguity throughout the book. Although you may not always agree with their actions or their decisions, they manage to remain relatable and their motives are understandable within the context of the story. This attention to detail also extends to the minor characters throughout the novel, who also display quite distinctive personalities and never feel like empty plot devices. Another highlight came in the form of some particularly strong characters, both male and female, who do what they can to make their own destiny within the restrictions of their society and against overwhelming odds.
A brutal and surprising tale
Wolfsangel is a bold, gritty and thrilling work of fantasy with enough action to satisfy even those possessing shorter-than-average attention spans. It also has an admirable propensity to surprise the reader. Just as you begin to think you can see where the plot is heading, some new revelation will emerge, sink its teeth in your expectations and tear them to shreds. The events depicted throughout the novel are frequently violent and often quite gory, yet they make sense within the story and never seem to be included purely for shock value. Nevertheless, there are some particularly gruesome scenes that may not still well with more sensitive readers. Characters are also put into situations where they must make some exceedingly tough decisions. For instance, would you kill a loved one to spare them torment at the hands of raiders? Can you betray a kinsman if the occasion calls? Overall, I found these brutal elements provided contrast to the more tender moments, making them feel more poignant and helped define the characters and their relationships.
Lachlan contains a fast paced and complex story in relatively few pages so the reader must be sure to keep their wits about them if they are to keep pace with the narrative and experience this novel to its fullest. Consequently, although Wolfsangel is perfect for those who prefer their fantasy intricate, gritty and thought-provoking, I would not recommend it for light reading. Personally, I really enjoyed the ending of the novel; nonetheless, some readers may be slightly annoyed by the cliffhanger. Despite the fact that some conflict was left unresolved, I thought that this suited the overall story perfectly and set up some interesting issues for further exploration in the following books.
Why should you read this book?
All in all, Wolfsangel is a brilliant and fascinating novel that I would recommend to all fans of dark, epic or historical fantasy or those with any interest in Norse mythology. It represents a refreshing departure from more usual epic fantasy fare and breathes new life into some old fantasy staples. Lachlan’s excellent fantasy debut begins what promises to be an extremely unique and worthwhile series, and I, for one, cannot wait to get my hands on the next book.
Wolfsangel begins with Viking King Arthun leading a raid against an Anglo-Saxon settlement. However, he and his men seek much stranger plunder than mere slaves or riches. Arthun acts to fulfill a prophecy of the child witch queen, Gullveig, who assures him that in doing so he will find not only the son and heir he so desperately requires, but one that will inevitably lead his people to glory. However, things do not go entirely as planned as Arthun finds not one child but twin boys, and has no way of knowing to which the prophecy refers. Furthermore, the witches have their own reasons for aiding the king, reasons that involve an eternal battle between gods, the monstrous Fenris wolf, and the death of the god Odin at Ragnarok. Thus begins a bloodthirsty conflict that will carry through the ages and sweep up many lives in its wake.
Vikings and mad gods
Overall, Wolfsangel is a tale of human rebellion against a callous and bloodthirsty god. Lachlan’s unique take on the Nordic pantheon was particularly fascinating and stirred in me a new-found desire to learn as much as possible about the fascinating gods and monsters that feature throughout the narrative. I also enjoyed the fact that the novel focused on a mythology that remains relatively unexplored throughout fantasy fiction, especially compared to that of some other cultures and religions (such as ancient Greek, Roman or Christian). Likewise, in much historical fiction, Vikings only appear as the bad guys, so it was a refreshing change to see a story written from their perspective.
A fascinating hybrid of history, horror and myth
One of Wolfsangel‘s greatest assets is Lachlan’s ability to seamlessly blend elements of history, mythology, fantasy and horror alongside a truly human story of love, jealousy and struggle against destiny. From all accounts, Lachlan pays close attention to historical detail and adds his own spin on Norse mythology instead of engaging in mere ‘lazy borrowing’ or resorting to cliché. The horror elements of the story are also masterfully done and genuinely disturbing. In addition, I have to give Lachlan credit for creating both witches and werewolves that feel original and are capable of unnerving the reader despite the fact that the horror impact of these fantasy staples has been diluted through many different incarnations in modern literature. The novel is also very well written and Lachlan excels in creating atmosphere, whether he’s describing the eerie and claustrophobic caves of the witches, the warm hearths of a cottage, or the wild lonely places. The prose is darkly poetic and flowing, though never overly wordy or distracting, thus allowing the reader to become fully immersed in the story and invested in the characters and the events that take place.
Disturbing yet intriguing magic
The bizarre and sinister magic system depicted throughout Wolfsangel is one of the most interesting and unique aspects of Lachlan’s worldbuilding. In order to obtain prophecy or perform magic one must bring themselves to the very precipice of death or madness. Only then may one walk the realms of gods and monsters. This erosion of sanity is usually achieved through pain and deprivation, and thus the witches frequently engage in various forms of self-torture. The gods, Odin in particular, also require devotion through pain and sacrifice. An exception is Loki the trickster: often an enemy to the gods but an occasional friend to mankind. Overall, I found this element of the novel particularly well-realized. Although such magic features heavily in the novel and is integral to the plot, its specifics are revealed slowly enough to maintain an air of mystery and allow new developments to still shock the reader.
Characters that come snarling to life
All in all, Lachlan’s characters are well developed and believable. The protagonists are believable and human while the antagonists are crafty and threatening. Our main viewpoint characters are Vali, an intelligent young prince who prefers the company of women to warriors and stories to warfare; Adisla, a strong-willed farmers daughter; and Feileg, a young man raised among wolves and wolfmen. Many characters, Vali and Feileg in particular, display varying degrees of moral ambiguity throughout the book. Although you may not always agree with their actions or their decisions, they manage to remain relatable and their motives are understandable within the context of the story. This attention to detail also extends to the minor characters throughout the novel, who also display quite distinctive personalities and never feel like empty plot devices. Another highlight came in the form of some particularly strong characters, both male and female, who do what they can to make their own destiny within the restrictions of their society and against overwhelming odds.
A brutal and surprising tale
Wolfsangel is a bold, gritty and thrilling work of fantasy with enough action to satisfy even those possessing shorter-than-average attention spans. It also has an admirable propensity to surprise the reader. Just as you begin to think you can see where the plot is heading, some new revelation will emerge, sink its teeth in your expectations and tear them to shreds. The events depicted throughout the novel are frequently violent and often quite gory, yet they make sense within the story and never seem to be included purely for shock value. Nevertheless, there are some particularly gruesome scenes that may not still well with more sensitive readers. Characters are also put into situations where they must make some exceedingly tough decisions. For instance, would you kill a loved one to spare them torment at the hands of raiders? Can you betray a kinsman if the occasion calls? Overall, I found these brutal elements provided contrast to the more tender moments, making them feel more poignant and helped define the characters and their relationships.
Lachlan contains a fast paced and complex story in relatively few pages so the reader must be sure to keep their wits about them if they are to keep pace with the narrative and experience this novel to its fullest. Consequently, although Wolfsangel is perfect for those who prefer their fantasy intricate, gritty and thought-provoking, I would not recommend it for light reading. Personally, I really enjoyed the ending of the novel; nonetheless, some readers may be slightly annoyed by the cliffhanger. Despite the fact that some conflict was left unresolved, I thought that this suited the overall story perfectly and set up some interesting issues for further exploration in the following books.
Why should you read this book?
All in all, Wolfsangel is a brilliant and fascinating novel that I would recommend to all fans of dark, epic or historical fantasy or those with any interest in Norse mythology. It represents a refreshing departure from more usual epic fantasy fare and breathes new life into some old fantasy staples. Lachlan’s excellent fantasy debut begins what promises to be an extremely unique and worthwhile series, and I, for one, cannot wait to get my hands on the next book.
January 22, 2011
Let us start with getting one thing out of the way, I am Norwegian. And you get kind of wary of people stepping in and using your cultural heritage when you come from a small region like the Nordic, or Norse, one. To give you an example, there was some jealousy in Norway when the Disney film Hercules was announced, we have just as rich a pantheon of gods. But once the film was released, and the Greeks started complaining, people sighed in relief that we hadn't been Disneyfied. -This is what a foreigner who wants to use Norse legends and sagas as inspiration has to tackle. (To be fair, there is still lots of Viking blood in the British Isles.)
There's no slow start to this book. Chapter one has plenty of action, and throws you straight into the story. But although this book has plenty of action, that is not what is its real strength. What Lachlan does best is take you under the skin of the characters.
With few central characters he has time to let us really get to know them, and as the story progresses you get pretty intimate with the lead players. There were times where I really empathized with the characters in a way that few books make me do.
There's quite a bit of magic in the book. Thankfully Lachlan has stayed close to the shamanistic nature of Norse magic instead of using a AD&D based system. The magic here is very much a part of the story, and it is well integrated, and a Viking of the period would have no problem recognizing it.
Lachlan also integrates the other paranormal elements seamlessly into his story. And when gods are involved you get a bit of the paranormal.
The lack of the huge overt treat, that is the mainstay of much fantasy, does make the pace seem deceptively slow. But there is a lot going on, and there is no down-time to get you bored. The story has an inner drive that captures you, and keeps you reading.
While Lachlan gives us much information in the first sixty or so pages, he holds back a lot for the reader to discover later. The story has many twists and turns, and at times it will have you fooled as to what is going on. It draws to a satisfying conclusion, but promises there is more to come. And if you are like me, you will want to read more of this saga
Lets go back a bit, to where I started this review. Did Lachlan manage to stay true to the original Norse Sagas? -I think he did, in more ways than one. Not only has he gotten the feel of the sagas almost perfect, but he has stayed true to the Norse myths.
There is no doubt that Lachlan has done his research for this novel. -To be honest, I got to say that I know he's been to Norway before writing it. He has also obviously done extensive research on the historical period, what is known as the Viking Age [Vikingtiden] here in Norway.
Lachlan has managed to combine the sagas with fantasy and horror, and pulled off a magnificent novel. I am eagerly awaiting the follow up Fenrir, that is released later this year.
This review was originally published on my blog: http://weirdmage.blogspot.com/2011/01...
There's no slow start to this book. Chapter one has plenty of action, and throws you straight into the story. But although this book has plenty of action, that is not what is its real strength. What Lachlan does best is take you under the skin of the characters.
With few central characters he has time to let us really get to know them, and as the story progresses you get pretty intimate with the lead players. There were times where I really empathized with the characters in a way that few books make me do.
There's quite a bit of magic in the book. Thankfully Lachlan has stayed close to the shamanistic nature of Norse magic instead of using a AD&D based system. The magic here is very much a part of the story, and it is well integrated, and a Viking of the period would have no problem recognizing it.
Lachlan also integrates the other paranormal elements seamlessly into his story. And when gods are involved you get a bit of the paranormal.
The lack of the huge overt treat, that is the mainstay of much fantasy, does make the pace seem deceptively slow. But there is a lot going on, and there is no down-time to get you bored. The story has an inner drive that captures you, and keeps you reading.
While Lachlan gives us much information in the first sixty or so pages, he holds back a lot for the reader to discover later. The story has many twists and turns, and at times it will have you fooled as to what is going on. It draws to a satisfying conclusion, but promises there is more to come. And if you are like me, you will want to read more of this saga
Lets go back a bit, to where I started this review. Did Lachlan manage to stay true to the original Norse Sagas? -I think he did, in more ways than one. Not only has he gotten the feel of the sagas almost perfect, but he has stayed true to the Norse myths.
There is no doubt that Lachlan has done his research for this novel. -To be honest, I got to say that I know he's been to Norway before writing it. He has also obviously done extensive research on the historical period, what is known as the Viking Age [Vikingtiden] here in Norway.
Lachlan has managed to combine the sagas with fantasy and horror, and pulled off a magnificent novel. I am eagerly awaiting the follow up Fenrir, that is released later this year.
This review was originally published on my blog: http://weirdmage.blogspot.com/2011/01...
July 24, 2010
You know, there are times when publicity can work for a book and sometimes when it works against the enjoyment of a book.
Sadly, for me this was one of those occasions where the publicity did me, as a reader, no favours.
If I had been able to sit down and just read the book, with no preconceptions or advance notice of what was going to happen, I would’ve enjoyed it a whole lot more. Though I did enjoy it.
You see, this is one of those books that has a great plot twist about two thirds into the book – or at least it would be had I not known already, thanks to the Publisher’s Introduction at the front of the book, the blurb on the back of the book and the general comments made by other people on the Internet. To avoid this for you, no plot summary this time, as a result.
Despite this, there’s a lot I liked about the novel. This is a cracking read, a good page turner, where what begins as a historical Viking novel turns into a battle between ancient Gods and has a nice touch of horror along the way. (Again, there’s that dang plot twist.) The book is well written and fast paced, short-chaptered with logical and engaging characterisation and a soon-developed empathy for the lead characters. It’s a tale of Kings and Gods, of young love defying what destiny has foretold, of friendship and jealousy. There’s a few battles along the way which toughen up our hero from being a ‘why can’t we all get along’ kind of guy to an all-action, sword-fighting, throat-tearing kind of hero. With added issues. (Again, there I go again with that dang plot twist.)
On the negative side, some of the plot is a little predictable, if not convenient, and the beginning of the novel takes a little while to get going. Not too difficult to see around, especially in an early novel. (Though this is a debut Fantasy novel, the author under his real name has published before, though more observational non-fiction than outright Fantasy .)
What might be a deal-breaker for some is the magic system involved, which involves death, and particularly the death of children, to implement magic. It did leave me feeling a little uncomfortable, although its context is well explained and logically put, even if a little icky.
It’s quite refreshing to read a book that dips into other pantheons from the usual. There are elements here that you will recognise from Norse mythology, if you know it: for others it will be a pleasant surprise. There’s a wealth of background available for a writer to dip into, and it’s clearly something M.D. expects to use in future books in the series. The ending is not too surprising, though fairly self contained, if you want it to be.
Consequently, despite being a little spoiled for me, as a Fantasy debut this is a fine novel and one for me that punched above its weight. Consequently, I suspect it will do very well. As is often the case with a good read, despite the fact that I knew what was going to happen in the end, I finished the book caring about the characters and wanting to know what happens next. That is a good sign.
It further appears that I’m not alone in this view, though. Some other authors you may have heard of, such as Joe Abercrombie, Stephen Deas, and Graham Joyce seem to like it as well.
Expect to see more of this one. Recommended.
Sadly, for me this was one of those occasions where the publicity did me, as a reader, no favours.
If I had been able to sit down and just read the book, with no preconceptions or advance notice of what was going to happen, I would’ve enjoyed it a whole lot more. Though I did enjoy it.
You see, this is one of those books that has a great plot twist about two thirds into the book – or at least it would be had I not known already, thanks to the Publisher’s Introduction at the front of the book, the blurb on the back of the book and the general comments made by other people on the Internet. To avoid this for you, no plot summary this time, as a result.
Despite this, there’s a lot I liked about the novel. This is a cracking read, a good page turner, where what begins as a historical Viking novel turns into a battle between ancient Gods and has a nice touch of horror along the way. (Again, there’s that dang plot twist.) The book is well written and fast paced, short-chaptered with logical and engaging characterisation and a soon-developed empathy for the lead characters. It’s a tale of Kings and Gods, of young love defying what destiny has foretold, of friendship and jealousy. There’s a few battles along the way which toughen up our hero from being a ‘why can’t we all get along’ kind of guy to an all-action, sword-fighting, throat-tearing kind of hero. With added issues. (Again, there I go again with that dang plot twist.)
On the negative side, some of the plot is a little predictable, if not convenient, and the beginning of the novel takes a little while to get going. Not too difficult to see around, especially in an early novel. (Though this is a debut Fantasy novel, the author under his real name has published before, though more observational non-fiction than outright Fantasy .)
What might be a deal-breaker for some is the magic system involved, which involves death, and particularly the death of children, to implement magic. It did leave me feeling a little uncomfortable, although its context is well explained and logically put, even if a little icky.
It’s quite refreshing to read a book that dips into other pantheons from the usual. There are elements here that you will recognise from Norse mythology, if you know it: for others it will be a pleasant surprise. There’s a wealth of background available for a writer to dip into, and it’s clearly something M.D. expects to use in future books in the series. The ending is not too surprising, though fairly self contained, if you want it to be.
Consequently, despite being a little spoiled for me, as a Fantasy debut this is a fine novel and one for me that punched above its weight. Consequently, I suspect it will do very well. As is often the case with a good read, despite the fact that I knew what was going to happen in the end, I finished the book caring about the characters and wanting to know what happens next. That is a good sign.
It further appears that I’m not alone in this view, though. Some other authors you may have heard of, such as Joe Abercrombie, Stephen Deas, and Graham Joyce seem to like it as well.
Expect to see more of this one. Recommended.
September 25, 2017
Werewolves, Witches and Vikings galore. I think I bought this book due to the endorsement from Joe Abicrombe on the cover, author of the spectacular "The Blade Itself". The title implied to me that it would be a standard young adult fantasy, but although it featured the usual love triangle, it ended up being a much darker affair.
The novel got off to a slow start when a viking king kidnappes twin baby boys on a raid, intending for one of them to become his heir. We then skip 13 years into the future, and we see that this adopted boy, Vali, is not what the king hoped for. He is a pacifist, and is smitten with a local farm girl, unwilling to marry the princess he is betrothed to. This section is probably my favourite in the book, as we really see the main characters develop and we get to know them as characters. Then one day, the Danish invade and everything changes...
One thing that irritated me was that Vali in particular spoke like a modern teenage boy. It totally ruined the immersion for me. It was also a little too violent for me at some stages, but that is also what separates this from the usual fantasy novels I read.
I enjoyed this but I'm not sure if I would read the sequels, particularly as it sounds like
The novel got off to a slow start when a viking king kidnappes twin baby boys on a raid, intending for one of them to become his heir. We then skip 13 years into the future, and we see that this adopted boy, Vali, is not what the king hoped for. He is a pacifist, and is smitten with a local farm girl, unwilling to marry the princess he is betrothed to. This section is probably my favourite in the book, as we really see the main characters develop and we get to know them as characters. Then one day, the Danish invade and everything changes...
One thing that irritated me was that Vali in particular spoke like a modern teenage boy. It totally ruined the immersion for me. It was also a little too violent for me at some stages, but that is also what separates this from the usual fantasy novels I read.
I enjoyed this but I'm not sure if I would read the sequels, particularly as it sounds like
October 31, 2012
[7/10]
A good choice for a Halloween read: real scary and brutal, with a bodycount to rival the Rambo movies. Don't be misled by the angel in the title, the book is about the Norse pantheon, a bloodthirsty bunch with a feeble grasp on sanity, who treat humans as insignificant ants to be crushed underfoot for fun. There is a romance angle to the story, a good one that sends me back to some classical tales of doomed lovers like Tristan and Isolde, also some political developments between several Norse and Danish kingdoms, but the major tonality of the novel is the myth infused horror of said ants trying to break free of the Fate the Gods have already written for them.
I would use again the word "classic" to describe the love triangle between the main actors : Adisla is a peasant girl with an independent spirit, daughter of a healer, trying to decide between twin brothers who both love her truly. Vali is a king's son sent as hostage / knight in training to a rival kingdom where he shows a dislike for feats of arms and a predilection for learning and housekeeping, following the skirts of Adisla instead of drinking and brawling with berserkers. In the beginning I liked the way he used his brains to stay ahead of trouble and some flashes of humor that will not resist long in a story filled with pillaging and the slaughter of innocents. Feileg is the brother Vali got separated from at birth, who was left by his adoptive family to grow up among wolves, learning to kill with his bare hands and teeth, forgetting human language and customs. A witch hidden inside a mountain who has the power of prophecy and an elderly king who sacrificed everything in order to get an heir complete the list of major characters on the gameboard Loki and Odin throw their dice.
Things I really liked about the book:
- the actual plot: this is a darn good story, with some clever twists and good pacing leading to a big confrontation at the end
- the setting is very well researched both in terms of Vikings lifestyle and Norse mythology
- the main characters start out easy to relate to: young, likable, real fighters.
- the general dark atmosphere and understated romantic subplot.
- the werewolf and the witch are well constructed, disturbing and scary
Things that could have gone down better:
- the writing: hesitant in the first chapters, with some awkard jumps in the timeline when switching POV's, it delivers the story but it doesn't impress, doesn't have that extra "wow" ingredient or that deft touch at metaphor, at dialogue or at highly charged emotional scenes.
- prophecy: It's one of my major turn-offs when it is used to excess, and I felt this story is written around a predetermined path, that leaves very little room to the heroes for freewill, and ends up feeling just a tad contrived and predictable.
- the magic system involving runes, shamanism and human sacrifice isn't very well explained.
I am trying to develop a system when in doubt about 3 or 4 stars reviews: would I want to re-read the book or to jump right in to the next book in the series? In this case: not really, but I still recommend Wolfsangel as a solid story, well worth a try for fans of dark fantasy and horror.
A good choice for a Halloween read: real scary and brutal, with a bodycount to rival the Rambo movies. Don't be misled by the angel in the title, the book is about the Norse pantheon, a bloodthirsty bunch with a feeble grasp on sanity, who treat humans as insignificant ants to be crushed underfoot for fun. There is a romance angle to the story, a good one that sends me back to some classical tales of doomed lovers like Tristan and Isolde, also some political developments between several Norse and Danish kingdoms, but the major tonality of the novel is the myth infused horror of said ants trying to break free of the Fate the Gods have already written for them.
I would use again the word "classic" to describe the love triangle between the main actors : Adisla is a peasant girl with an independent spirit, daughter of a healer, trying to decide between twin brothers who both love her truly. Vali is a king's son sent as hostage / knight in training to a rival kingdom where he shows a dislike for feats of arms and a predilection for learning and housekeeping, following the skirts of Adisla instead of drinking and brawling with berserkers. In the beginning I liked the way he used his brains to stay ahead of trouble and some flashes of humor that will not resist long in a story filled with pillaging and the slaughter of innocents. Feileg is the brother Vali got separated from at birth, who was left by his adoptive family to grow up among wolves, learning to kill with his bare hands and teeth, forgetting human language and customs. A witch hidden inside a mountain who has the power of prophecy and an elderly king who sacrificed everything in order to get an heir complete the list of major characters on the gameboard Loki and Odin throw their dice.
Things I really liked about the book:
- the actual plot: this is a darn good story, with some clever twists and good pacing leading to a big confrontation at the end
- the setting is very well researched both in terms of Vikings lifestyle and Norse mythology
- the main characters start out easy to relate to: young, likable, real fighters.
- the general dark atmosphere and understated romantic subplot.
- the werewolf and the witch are well constructed, disturbing and scary
Things that could have gone down better:
- the writing: hesitant in the first chapters, with some awkard jumps in the timeline when switching POV's, it delivers the story but it doesn't impress, doesn't have that extra "wow" ingredient or that deft touch at metaphor, at dialogue or at highly charged emotional scenes.
- prophecy: It's one of my major turn-offs when it is used to excess, and I felt this story is written around a predetermined path, that leaves very little room to the heroes for freewill, and ends up feeling just a tad contrived and predictable.
- the magic system involving runes, shamanism and human sacrifice isn't very well explained.
I am trying to develop a system when in doubt about 3 or 4 stars reviews: would I want to re-read the book or to jump right in to the next book in the series? In this case: not really, but I still recommend Wolfsangel as a solid story, well worth a try for fans of dark fantasy and horror.
October 16, 2011
(Re-posted from http://theturnedbrain.blogspot.com)
I back and forthed about buying this book for the longest time. When it was only newly released I dismissed it mostly because of its cover. But then I read some good reviews of it. But then I read some bad reviews. But then I read a really good review that made it sound right up my alley, and I came really close to buying it then. But then the author came over all passive aggressive on twitter over a mildly poor review of his book, and it turned me right off. Finally my finance got sick of me picking it up and putting it back whenever we were in a bookshop and bought it for me.
And my yes/no relationship with the book was destined to continue, as for the whole time I was reading it I kept changing my mind over whether or not I liked it.
The concept was a tick in the like box, definitely. A Norse king with no sons follows a prophesy to a village where he plans to pillage himself an heir. Problem is, the prophecy promised one baby boy, and he finds two...
However I found it really hard to get into Lachlan's writing style. It was too detached for me, and too often leaned on telling rather than showing. At times it was more like reading a newspaper article than a novel. It was like a man with no personal involvement was detailing something that had happened a long time ago, and the lack of warmth and immediacy really stopped me from becoming invested in the book.
And it really stopped me from caring about the characters, which as you know, is where a book lives or dies for me. It was frustrating, because while in the narrative the characters were treated almost clinically, in the dialogue they shone. Lachlan's dialogue was pretty brilliant, infused with genuine wit and life. Which only made all those stuff outside the quote marks seem all the less so. The MC Vali, for example, had some really funny one liners in his dialogue, yet in the narrative there was hint of him being witty, or being anything at all really.
It didn't matter so much during scenes of high action, and really these were then scenes I enjoyed most throughout the book. Lachlan has the knack of taking complicated battles and making them easy to follow, and exciting to boot. But in the quieter moments where you might expect to see some character development the book was sorely lacking, and action will only take you so far.
By the end I found I was skimming over the text in the barest way possible. I wanted to see how the book ended, but I didn't really care how it ended, if that makes sense.
The unanimous opinoion seems to be that the book's sequel, Fenrir, improves massively upon Wolfsangel. So I may continue on this series, but then again I may not.
I back and forthed about buying this book for the longest time. When it was only newly released I dismissed it mostly because of its cover. But then I read some good reviews of it. But then I read some bad reviews. But then I read a really good review that made it sound right up my alley, and I came really close to buying it then. But then the author came over all passive aggressive on twitter over a mildly poor review of his book, and it turned me right off. Finally my finance got sick of me picking it up and putting it back whenever we were in a bookshop and bought it for me.
And my yes/no relationship with the book was destined to continue, as for the whole time I was reading it I kept changing my mind over whether or not I liked it.
The concept was a tick in the like box, definitely. A Norse king with no sons follows a prophesy to a village where he plans to pillage himself an heir. Problem is, the prophecy promised one baby boy, and he finds two...
However I found it really hard to get into Lachlan's writing style. It was too detached for me, and too often leaned on telling rather than showing. At times it was more like reading a newspaper article than a novel. It was like a man with no personal involvement was detailing something that had happened a long time ago, and the lack of warmth and immediacy really stopped me from becoming invested in the book.
And it really stopped me from caring about the characters, which as you know, is where a book lives or dies for me. It was frustrating, because while in the narrative the characters were treated almost clinically, in the dialogue they shone. Lachlan's dialogue was pretty brilliant, infused with genuine wit and life. Which only made all those stuff outside the quote marks seem all the less so. The MC Vali, for example, had some really funny one liners in his dialogue, yet in the narrative there was hint of him being witty, or being anything at all really.
It didn't matter so much during scenes of high action, and really these were then scenes I enjoyed most throughout the book. Lachlan has the knack of taking complicated battles and making them easy to follow, and exciting to boot. But in the quieter moments where you might expect to see some character development the book was sorely lacking, and action will only take you so far.
By the end I found I was skimming over the text in the barest way possible. I wanted to see how the book ended, but I didn't really care how it ended, if that makes sense.
The unanimous opinoion seems to be that the book's sequel, Fenrir, improves massively upon Wolfsangel. So I may continue on this series, but then again I may not.
January 10, 2011
Telah diramalkan, bahwa tubuh salah satu anak itu akan menjadi wadah bagi roh serigala, yang satu lagi akan menjadi makanan pemberi kekuatan bagi saudaranya
Jika rasa iri memasuki sosok seorang, takdir pun bisa direkayasa.
Buku ini mengisahkan mengenai kehidupan tiga manusia. Vali adalah seorang pangeran Viking yang telah melalui 13 musim panas , putra dari Authun Sang Serigala Putih, lalu Feileg yang diambil oleh penyihir dan tumbuh di alam liar sebagai serigala , serta Adisla seorang gadis anak petani. Kehidupan mereka menjadi kacau akibat campur tangan Loki, Sang Dewa Penipu yang mendapat bantuan dari Ratu Penyihir
Masalahnya tak sesederhana kisah cinta segitiga biasa. Ternyata Vali dan Feileg adalah saudara kembar. Sejak kecil Vali dan Feileg tidak mengetahui bahwa mereka adalah saudara kembar. Waktu yang membuat mereka bertemu. Wajah mereka yang terlihat sangat serupa membuat mereka mulai meraba- raba bagaimana hubungan diantara keduanya. Pertemuan mereka justru terjadi saat Vali harus memburu Feileg demi cintanya terhadap Adisla.
Semuanya bisa terjadi akibat rasa sakit hati Loki. Dalam Kitab Moster terbitan Penerbit Liliput, Loki (Loki Laufeyjarson) adalah seorang keturunan Jotun . Jotun adalah raksaksa, ras manusia perkasa dan memiliki ukuran tubuh yang besar dan kemampuan yang Menakjubkan. Loki terkenal suka mengacau dan mempunyai banyak tipu muslihat, putera raksaksa Farbauti dan Laufey, dan saudara angkat Odin. Ia bukan dewa, kedekatannya dengan Odin membuatnya dimasukan dalam golongan Aesir, golongan dewa-dewa utama.
Selain perkelahian yang dilakukan dengan seru tapi sedikit sadis buat saya, kitajuga akan diajak menyelami kisah kasih antara sang pangeran dan gadis papa, kisah standart percintaan jaman dahulu. Adisla sangat mencintai Vali, pangerannya. Ia bahkan memaksa Feileg berjanji untuk tidak mencelakai Vali. ”... Dan satu-satunya pengabdian yang aku inginkan darimu: bahwa kau tidak akan mencelakai dia, kekasihku yang membawamu ke sini,” kata Adisla
Mengingat berbagai adegan pertarungan yang cukup sadis, buku ini sepertinya tidak layak untuk anak-anak, atau harus mendapat bimbingan orang tua. Sosok Serigala di Wolfsangel juga terkesan lebih garang, mungkin karena ia merupakan putra seorang dewa dan ibu seorang manusia. Belum lagi rasa amarah para tokoh, Vali misalnya. Kemarahannya diungkapkan dengan menantang Odin, ”Aku benci kau ,Odin,” katanya, ” dan aku akan menentangmu dalam segala urusanmu.” Sungguh bukan cara yang baik untuk menyelesaikan sebuah masalah.
Saat membaca, saya sangat terbantu dengan adanya catatan kaki yang dibuat oleh penyusun. Saya jadi mengerti banyak hal yang membuat membaca buku ini jadi kian seru. Sayangnya keterbatasa daya ingat saya membuat saya terkadang harus membalik-balik halaman sekedar mencari kata yang dimaksud. Misalnya kemarin saat seru-serunya membaca, saya mendadak lupa akan makna Kenning dan berserker. Untung ada Silvero yang bersedia saya teror malam eh pagi-pagi. Andai ada sebuah Glosarium tambahan, tentu akan mempermudah pencarian saya.
Buku ini juga memuat bagaimana sebuah rune memiliki peranan yang besar dalam kehidupan seseorang. Rune bukanlah sebuah permainan yang digelar di pesta, rune adalah pengetahuan yang dikumpulkan orang-orang purbakala dan harus diperlakukan sedemikian rupa. Rune berarti rahasia maupun bisikan, mencerminkan kenyataan bahwa penyampaiannya diteruskan dari generasi ke genarasi-generasi selanjutnya secara lisan.
Rune merupakan karakter dalam alphabet kuno yang digunakan oleh bangsa-bangsa Norwegia, Anglo-Sazon dan Jerman pada abad kegelapan. Abjad runik purba hingga saat ini masih digunakan sebagai ramalan. Ada beberapa abjad runik yang diambil dari berbagai budaya, namun yang paling umum adalah Elder Futhark atau abjad yang lebih tua. Futhark diambil dari huruf-huruf uatama dari keenam rune pertama, feah, Ur, Thorn, Ansur, Rad dan Kenn.
Odin, Dewa Agung bangsa Norwegia adalah perumus rune, lambang-lambang yang diukir pada batu. Usahanya guna memperoleh pengetahuan membawanya kematian. Ia menyadari pengetahuan hanya diperoleh melalui pengorbanan, maka ia menggantungkan tubuhnya pada dahan pohon pengetahuan, Yggdrasil. Ia dilahirkan kembali dengan membawa bersamanya pengetahuan dari dunia seberang, rune. Interpretasi rune adalah hak peramal, gabungan antara pendeta dan penyihir.
Itu sebabnya rune dianggap sumber kekuatan sihir yang diberikan Odin, lebih tepatnya diambil dari dewa itu dengan cara menyakiti, menyiksa dan menimbulkan kegilaan bagi diri sendiri. Prosesnya sungguh menyeramkan! Bahkan Vali, sang pangeran sempat ketakutan saat Ma Disa seorang tabib terkenal, ibu keduanya, menyiapkan sebuah rune bagi dirinya. Ma Disa mengukir sebuah rune, Ansuz ke benak Vali yang sangat mempercayai kekuatan yang dikeluarkannya
Bagi masyarakat umum, rune dianggap sebagai simbol-simbol yang digoreskan untuk merekan pesan-pesan sederhana atau membuat daftar. Namun tidak bagi penyihir. Fungsi rune bagi penyihir lebih dari itu, bahkan lebih dari pada sekedar mantra bagi jimat untuk sebuah pertanian, atau sekedar pelindung dari bahaya belaka. Bagi mereka, rune adalah benda hidup yang berakar di benak dan tumbuh di alamnya, mengubah pikiran secara menyeluruh dengan melahap kewarasan yang lalu membuahkan sebuah sihir.
Membaca rune bisa membuat badan kita merinding. Simak saja rune yang dipahatkan pada batu besar di bawah Dinding Troll
Di antara waktu anjing
Dan waktu serigala
Di antara terjaga dan terlena
Di antara kilau dan kelam
Adalah pintu menuju bayangan
Masuklah, pengelana
Jangan berayal di ambangnya yang muram
Sang membuat cerita, Mark Barrowcliffe Lachlan atau biasa dikenal dengan M.D Lachlan merupakan pria kebangsaan Inggris yang lahir pada 01 Januari 1964. Saat ini ia bersama anak dan istrinya tinggal di
Brighton, Wolfsangel adalah karya fantasi-fiksi ilmiah pertamanya. Ia juga telah menulis dengan menggunakan nama lain.
Mereka berkata dengan mantra dalam lorong-lorong gelap
Sebagai penyihir dengan guna-guna, bekerjalah engkau
Dan dalam samaran penyihir di kalangan manusia, pergilah engkau
Tak manusiawi jiawamu pasti terlihat
Jika rasa iri memasuki sosok seorang, takdir pun bisa direkayasa.
Buku ini mengisahkan mengenai kehidupan tiga manusia. Vali adalah seorang pangeran Viking yang telah melalui 13 musim panas , putra dari Authun Sang Serigala Putih, lalu Feileg yang diambil oleh penyihir dan tumbuh di alam liar sebagai serigala , serta Adisla seorang gadis anak petani. Kehidupan mereka menjadi kacau akibat campur tangan Loki, Sang Dewa Penipu yang mendapat bantuan dari Ratu Penyihir
Masalahnya tak sesederhana kisah cinta segitiga biasa. Ternyata Vali dan Feileg adalah saudara kembar. Sejak kecil Vali dan Feileg tidak mengetahui bahwa mereka adalah saudara kembar. Waktu yang membuat mereka bertemu. Wajah mereka yang terlihat sangat serupa membuat mereka mulai meraba- raba bagaimana hubungan diantara keduanya. Pertemuan mereka justru terjadi saat Vali harus memburu Feileg demi cintanya terhadap Adisla.
Semuanya bisa terjadi akibat rasa sakit hati Loki. Dalam Kitab Moster terbitan Penerbit Liliput, Loki (Loki Laufeyjarson) adalah seorang keturunan Jotun . Jotun adalah raksaksa, ras manusia perkasa dan memiliki ukuran tubuh yang besar dan kemampuan yang Menakjubkan. Loki terkenal suka mengacau dan mempunyai banyak tipu muslihat, putera raksaksa Farbauti dan Laufey, dan saudara angkat Odin. Ia bukan dewa, kedekatannya dengan Odin membuatnya dimasukan dalam golongan Aesir, golongan dewa-dewa utama.
Selain perkelahian yang dilakukan dengan seru tapi sedikit sadis buat saya, kitajuga akan diajak menyelami kisah kasih antara sang pangeran dan gadis papa, kisah standart percintaan jaman dahulu. Adisla sangat mencintai Vali, pangerannya. Ia bahkan memaksa Feileg berjanji untuk tidak mencelakai Vali. ”... Dan satu-satunya pengabdian yang aku inginkan darimu: bahwa kau tidak akan mencelakai dia, kekasihku yang membawamu ke sini,” kata Adisla
Mengingat berbagai adegan pertarungan yang cukup sadis, buku ini sepertinya tidak layak untuk anak-anak, atau harus mendapat bimbingan orang tua. Sosok Serigala di Wolfsangel juga terkesan lebih garang, mungkin karena ia merupakan putra seorang dewa dan ibu seorang manusia. Belum lagi rasa amarah para tokoh, Vali misalnya. Kemarahannya diungkapkan dengan menantang Odin, ”Aku benci kau ,Odin,” katanya, ” dan aku akan menentangmu dalam segala urusanmu.” Sungguh bukan cara yang baik untuk menyelesaikan sebuah masalah.
Saat membaca, saya sangat terbantu dengan adanya catatan kaki yang dibuat oleh penyusun. Saya jadi mengerti banyak hal yang membuat membaca buku ini jadi kian seru. Sayangnya keterbatasa daya ingat saya membuat saya terkadang harus membalik-balik halaman sekedar mencari kata yang dimaksud. Misalnya kemarin saat seru-serunya membaca, saya mendadak lupa akan makna Kenning dan berserker. Untung ada Silvero yang bersedia saya teror malam eh pagi-pagi. Andai ada sebuah Glosarium tambahan, tentu akan mempermudah pencarian saya.
Buku ini juga memuat bagaimana sebuah rune memiliki peranan yang besar dalam kehidupan seseorang. Rune bukanlah sebuah permainan yang digelar di pesta, rune adalah pengetahuan yang dikumpulkan orang-orang purbakala dan harus diperlakukan sedemikian rupa. Rune berarti rahasia maupun bisikan, mencerminkan kenyataan bahwa penyampaiannya diteruskan dari generasi ke genarasi-generasi selanjutnya secara lisan.
Rune merupakan karakter dalam alphabet kuno yang digunakan oleh bangsa-bangsa Norwegia, Anglo-Sazon dan Jerman pada abad kegelapan. Abjad runik purba hingga saat ini masih digunakan sebagai ramalan. Ada beberapa abjad runik yang diambil dari berbagai budaya, namun yang paling umum adalah Elder Futhark atau abjad yang lebih tua. Futhark diambil dari huruf-huruf uatama dari keenam rune pertama, feah, Ur, Thorn, Ansur, Rad dan Kenn.
Odin, Dewa Agung bangsa Norwegia adalah perumus rune, lambang-lambang yang diukir pada batu. Usahanya guna memperoleh pengetahuan membawanya kematian. Ia menyadari pengetahuan hanya diperoleh melalui pengorbanan, maka ia menggantungkan tubuhnya pada dahan pohon pengetahuan, Yggdrasil. Ia dilahirkan kembali dengan membawa bersamanya pengetahuan dari dunia seberang, rune. Interpretasi rune adalah hak peramal, gabungan antara pendeta dan penyihir.
Itu sebabnya rune dianggap sumber kekuatan sihir yang diberikan Odin, lebih tepatnya diambil dari dewa itu dengan cara menyakiti, menyiksa dan menimbulkan kegilaan bagi diri sendiri. Prosesnya sungguh menyeramkan! Bahkan Vali, sang pangeran sempat ketakutan saat Ma Disa seorang tabib terkenal, ibu keduanya, menyiapkan sebuah rune bagi dirinya. Ma Disa mengukir sebuah rune, Ansuz ke benak Vali yang sangat mempercayai kekuatan yang dikeluarkannya
Bagi masyarakat umum, rune dianggap sebagai simbol-simbol yang digoreskan untuk merekan pesan-pesan sederhana atau membuat daftar. Namun tidak bagi penyihir. Fungsi rune bagi penyihir lebih dari itu, bahkan lebih dari pada sekedar mantra bagi jimat untuk sebuah pertanian, atau sekedar pelindung dari bahaya belaka. Bagi mereka, rune adalah benda hidup yang berakar di benak dan tumbuh di alamnya, mengubah pikiran secara menyeluruh dengan melahap kewarasan yang lalu membuahkan sebuah sihir.
Membaca rune bisa membuat badan kita merinding. Simak saja rune yang dipahatkan pada batu besar di bawah Dinding Troll
Di antara waktu anjing
Dan waktu serigala
Di antara terjaga dan terlena
Di antara kilau dan kelam
Adalah pintu menuju bayangan
Masuklah, pengelana
Jangan berayal di ambangnya yang muram
Sang membuat cerita, Mark Barrowcliffe Lachlan atau biasa dikenal dengan M.D Lachlan merupakan pria kebangsaan Inggris yang lahir pada 01 Januari 1964. Saat ini ia bersama anak dan istrinya tinggal di
Brighton, Wolfsangel adalah karya fantasi-fiksi ilmiah pertamanya. Ia juga telah menulis dengan menggunakan nama lain.
Mereka berkata dengan mantra dalam lorong-lorong gelap
Sebagai penyihir dengan guna-guna, bekerjalah engkau
Dan dalam samaran penyihir di kalangan manusia, pergilah engkau
Tak manusiawi jiawamu pasti terlihat
April 1, 2011
This was not at all what I expected from a fantasy "werewolf" novel. But one of the reasons why I did pick it up was for the mythology and its Viking/Norse setting, and knowing that it was going to have a dark and brutal story. None of that teen paranormal romance stuff for me, thanks!
Wolfsangel begins with a Viking raid on a small village, the leader a king who has seen in a prophecy that he was to kidnap a child to be his heir. But what he finds is not one but two infants -- twin boys whose origins and fates are entwined with the gods. Vali grows up as a Viking prince, while his twin Feileg is raised in the wilds with wolves to be the protector of a witch. Years later, the abduction of a simple farmer's daughter is the link between them that draws them together in this tale of savage adventure.
It was really difficult for me to rate this book. At first, I was taken with the story. It's easy to be drawn in right away, especially given the style of the writing which I felt was perfect for the novel's theme and background. I loved the Norse mythology and fantasy elements, as well as the imagery the writing invoked. The plot started in a pretty straightforward way, which I didn't have a problem with.
However, the further I got, the more lost I became. The author does have a way with words, but towards the end I felt all of it was getting needlessly confusing and complicated. All the subplots and characters that I had felt had supported each other so well near the beginning began unraveling, which made everything feel less coherent, more random and difficult to follow.
In sum - great opening and set up, but unfortunately starts losing its steam as it goes on.
Wolfsangel begins with a Viking raid on a small village, the leader a king who has seen in a prophecy that he was to kidnap a child to be his heir. But what he finds is not one but two infants -- twin boys whose origins and fates are entwined with the gods. Vali grows up as a Viking prince, while his twin Feileg is raised in the wilds with wolves to be the protector of a witch. Years later, the abduction of a simple farmer's daughter is the link between them that draws them together in this tale of savage adventure.
It was really difficult for me to rate this book. At first, I was taken with the story. It's easy to be drawn in right away, especially given the style of the writing which I felt was perfect for the novel's theme and background. I loved the Norse mythology and fantasy elements, as well as the imagery the writing invoked. The plot started in a pretty straightforward way, which I didn't have a problem with.
However, the further I got, the more lost I became. The author does have a way with words, but towards the end I felt all of it was getting needlessly confusing and complicated. All the subplots and characters that I had felt had supported each other so well near the beginning began unraveling, which made everything feel less coherent, more random and difficult to follow.
In sum - great opening and set up, but unfortunately starts losing its steam as it goes on.
October 24, 2011
Synopsis:
Authun a Viking king has a problem – he is childless. He is not just any king, mind you, he is Authun the Pitiless and his exploits are legendary. He must ensure his people will be led by somebody at least as good as him or better. In short his son. Acting on the prophecy of the witch queen Gullveig, he raids an Anglo-Saxon village looking for a promised infant. He finds twins instead, with their disfigured mother. One he keeps and names Vali; the other, Feileg, is kept by Gullveig herself to serve as her protector; the boy is sent to be schooled in the animalistic magic of the berserkers and wolf people. However, the prince and the wolf boy are entwined in the same web of destiny - over the years, the twins become pawns in the complex game of magical subterfuge that is the eternal war between Odin and Loki.
The tale moves forward. Vali is brought up in a peaceful village, leading a lifestyle which makes him value pursuits other than those expected of a son of Authun the Pitiless. He is known as Vali the Swordless for one thing and, to make it even worse, he falls for a simple peasant girl, Adisla, refusing to marry a princess designated to be his wife. In short Vali is a prince who doesn't want to play the role expected of him– he abhors fighting and he intends to lead a “normal” life (normal from our point of view of course). Unfortunately his fate will be a bit different.
The princess’s father, another local ruler, wants to get rid of Vali but he must do it in a very diplomatic way - the wrath of Authun can be deadly. He tricks the young prince (Vali is thirteen at that time but we are talking about a society in which a 35-year-old man is called old so, I suppose you can place Vali's age somewhere around 18) into bringing him a head of a werewolf or even better, capturing a live werewolf. Adisla’s life depends on it. Vali goes werewolf hunting and, quite unexpectedly even for himself, returns with his twin brother, Feileg, who, in the meantime, became a real beast of a man, hunting with his bare hands and teeth and living like a wild animal in the forest. Soon after Vali’s triumphal return Danes raid the village and, despite the heroic defense led by Vali, they manage to steal Adisla away. Vali finds out it was not an accident - they were looking specifically for the girl, even knew her name. What did they need a simple peasant girl for?
Vali, now an outlaw, with his faithful mentor and bodyguard, Braggi, and Feileg, who managed to fall in love with Adisla in no time, set out to rescue his beloved and find out more about the mysterious raid. He never imagines how the journey will change him.
What I liked:
This novel was a good page turner - it begins as a historical Viking story but soon it turns into a battle between ancient Gods and other magical powers, with a nice touch of horror along the way (nice meaning original, not pleasant - there are plenty of entertaining but brutal action scenes). Fortunately the author didn’t forget to add some sense of humour to the mix, making it all more palatable.
The characterization of main characters was excellent, particularly that of Vali and later his twin wolf brother, Feileg. It was easy to feel empathy for these two, even when their actions were brutal and bloody. It added to a dark atmosphere, a pervasive bleakness against which the characters had to strive; it also fitted perfectly with the Viking setting. There was a constant sense of an oppressive destiny bearing down on Vali, but the reader is kept guessing as to exactly what that is until quite far into the story. Also I admit the rivalry and suspense around the twin brothers was well-played – even the love triangle with Adisla didn’t annoy me as much as such ugly plot tricks usually do.
What’s more, the whole world building and, more precisely, the depiction of the use of magic and the Norse Runes I found truly excellent. Lachlan stayed close to the shamanistic nature of Norse religion and the effect was very powerful indeed. I am hardly a Norse mythology and culture expert so I might be mistaken but it somehow resonated right. I found the way that magic consumes and distorts those who use it particularly striking. For example the witch queen allegedly had enough power to kill her sisters without lifting her little finger and she could become a deity of a kind but she paid for it a horrible price – her body, seasoned to endure torture and hardship beyond belief, remained forever that of a child. You get nothing for nothing. Even the witches have to earn their magic in all manner of unspeakable ways, while the Gods do not bestride this novel as all-powerful beings — rather, they scheme and operate from behind the scenes, especially Loki, my all time favourite.
Speaking of Loki…I was very nicely surprised that, for a character who is barely present in the novel, he steals every scene he appears in. And very rightly so! I would love to see more of the Trickster God in subsequent novels! I loved his dialogues, like the one I am quoting below:
“You chose imperfection — what could be more perfect? You saw your imperfection was perfection and therefore remedied it by imposing an imperfection on yourself thereby becoming perfect again. The logic is imperfectly flawless.”
What I didn’t like:
Portrait of Loki via Wikipedia
Firstly, the character of Adisla, the main squeeze of two protagonists, was rather sketchy – I really was wondering what Vali and Feileg saw in that girl because neither her actions nor appearance didn’t justify sufficiently such deep feelings and everlasting devotion. She was kind and pretty, she swam like a seal, she was loyal but also a bit tame.
Secondly I found it sometimes really hard to get into Lachlan's writing style. It was too detached for me, and too often leaned on telling rather than showing. At times it was more like reading a newspaper article than a novel. The lack of warmth and immediacy really stopped me from becoming invested in the book as much as the story was worth.
Finally the fact that the magic system, presented here, involved so many deaths (and, more particularly, the death of children) to make things work, made me a little uncomfortable. It is true that the magical context was well-explained and logical but still…it doesn’t change the fact that these Norse witches were icky sadistic psychopaths and some ‘exploits’ of Authun and his son made me nearly nauseatic.
Final verdict
I finished the book caring about the characters and wanting to know what happens next. That is a good sign. Of course the book wasn’t flawless but, taking into account the fact that it is a debut novel, it really wasn’t bad. I am willing to continue this series. Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves Norse mythology and Viking stories with a dash of supernatural.
Authun a Viking king has a problem – he is childless. He is not just any king, mind you, he is Authun the Pitiless and his exploits are legendary. He must ensure his people will be led by somebody at least as good as him or better. In short his son. Acting on the prophecy of the witch queen Gullveig, he raids an Anglo-Saxon village looking for a promised infant. He finds twins instead, with their disfigured mother. One he keeps and names Vali; the other, Feileg, is kept by Gullveig herself to serve as her protector; the boy is sent to be schooled in the animalistic magic of the berserkers and wolf people. However, the prince and the wolf boy are entwined in the same web of destiny - over the years, the twins become pawns in the complex game of magical subterfuge that is the eternal war between Odin and Loki.
The tale moves forward. Vali is brought up in a peaceful village, leading a lifestyle which makes him value pursuits other than those expected of a son of Authun the Pitiless. He is known as Vali the Swordless for one thing and, to make it even worse, he falls for a simple peasant girl, Adisla, refusing to marry a princess designated to be his wife. In short Vali is a prince who doesn't want to play the role expected of him– he abhors fighting and he intends to lead a “normal” life (normal from our point of view of course). Unfortunately his fate will be a bit different.
The princess’s father, another local ruler, wants to get rid of Vali but he must do it in a very diplomatic way - the wrath of Authun can be deadly. He tricks the young prince (Vali is thirteen at that time but we are talking about a society in which a 35-year-old man is called old so, I suppose you can place Vali's age somewhere around 18) into bringing him a head of a werewolf or even better, capturing a live werewolf. Adisla’s life depends on it. Vali goes werewolf hunting and, quite unexpectedly even for himself, returns with his twin brother, Feileg, who, in the meantime, became a real beast of a man, hunting with his bare hands and teeth and living like a wild animal in the forest. Soon after Vali’s triumphal return Danes raid the village and, despite the heroic defense led by Vali, they manage to steal Adisla away. Vali finds out it was not an accident - they were looking specifically for the girl, even knew her name. What did they need a simple peasant girl for?
Vali, now an outlaw, with his faithful mentor and bodyguard, Braggi, and Feileg, who managed to fall in love with Adisla in no time, set out to rescue his beloved and find out more about the mysterious raid. He never imagines how the journey will change him.
What I liked:
This novel was a good page turner - it begins as a historical Viking story but soon it turns into a battle between ancient Gods and other magical powers, with a nice touch of horror along the way (nice meaning original, not pleasant - there are plenty of entertaining but brutal action scenes). Fortunately the author didn’t forget to add some sense of humour to the mix, making it all more palatable.
The characterization of main characters was excellent, particularly that of Vali and later his twin wolf brother, Feileg. It was easy to feel empathy for these two, even when their actions were brutal and bloody. It added to a dark atmosphere, a pervasive bleakness against which the characters had to strive; it also fitted perfectly with the Viking setting. There was a constant sense of an oppressive destiny bearing down on Vali, but the reader is kept guessing as to exactly what that is until quite far into the story. Also I admit the rivalry and suspense around the twin brothers was well-played – even the love triangle with Adisla didn’t annoy me as much as such ugly plot tricks usually do.
What’s more, the whole world building and, more precisely, the depiction of the use of magic and the Norse Runes I found truly excellent. Lachlan stayed close to the shamanistic nature of Norse religion and the effect was very powerful indeed. I am hardly a Norse mythology and culture expert so I might be mistaken but it somehow resonated right. I found the way that magic consumes and distorts those who use it particularly striking. For example the witch queen allegedly had enough power to kill her sisters without lifting her little finger and she could become a deity of a kind but she paid for it a horrible price – her body, seasoned to endure torture and hardship beyond belief, remained forever that of a child. You get nothing for nothing. Even the witches have to earn their magic in all manner of unspeakable ways, while the Gods do not bestride this novel as all-powerful beings — rather, they scheme and operate from behind the scenes, especially Loki, my all time favourite.
Speaking of Loki…I was very nicely surprised that, for a character who is barely present in the novel, he steals every scene he appears in. And very rightly so! I would love to see more of the Trickster God in subsequent novels! I loved his dialogues, like the one I am quoting below:
“You chose imperfection — what could be more perfect? You saw your imperfection was perfection and therefore remedied it by imposing an imperfection on yourself thereby becoming perfect again. The logic is imperfectly flawless.”
What I didn’t like:
Portrait of Loki via Wikipedia
Firstly, the character of Adisla, the main squeeze of two protagonists, was rather sketchy – I really was wondering what Vali and Feileg saw in that girl because neither her actions nor appearance didn’t justify sufficiently such deep feelings and everlasting devotion. She was kind and pretty, she swam like a seal, she was loyal but also a bit tame.
Secondly I found it sometimes really hard to get into Lachlan's writing style. It was too detached for me, and too often leaned on telling rather than showing. At times it was more like reading a newspaper article than a novel. The lack of warmth and immediacy really stopped me from becoming invested in the book as much as the story was worth.
Finally the fact that the magic system, presented here, involved so many deaths (and, more particularly, the death of children) to make things work, made me a little uncomfortable. It is true that the magical context was well-explained and logical but still…it doesn’t change the fact that these Norse witches were icky sadistic psychopaths and some ‘exploits’ of Authun and his son made me nearly nauseatic.
Final verdict
I finished the book caring about the characters and wanting to know what happens next. That is a good sign. Of course the book wasn’t flawless but, taking into account the fact that it is a debut novel, it really wasn’t bad. I am willing to continue this series. Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves Norse mythology and Viking stories with a dash of supernatural.
March 28, 2022
I tried. I really tried. But I gave up about 3/4 of the way through.
I know -- so close to the finish line! But this thing just degenerated the further along I got.
Just wasn't for me.
Really wasn't what I expected.
Even early in the book, I felt like the chapters about daily life and the chapters about the magic system were written by two different authors. They were radically different in tone and style.
The further along the book went, the more mystical it got.
I couldn't take it any more.
I know -- so close to the finish line! But this thing just degenerated the further along I got.
Just wasn't for me.
Really wasn't what I expected.
Even early in the book, I felt like the chapters about daily life and the chapters about the magic system were written by two different authors. They were radically different in tone and style.
The further along the book went, the more mystical it got.
I couldn't take it any more.
October 26, 2010
Pangeran, engkau tidak boleh
berbicara begitu
tentang aku,
mencela
bangsawan mulia.
Karena kau sendiri
melahap mangsa serigala,
menumpahkan darah saudaramu,
kausesap koyakan raga
dengan moncong dinginmu,
melangkahi mayat-mayat,
dan dibenci semua yang bernapas.
Puisi pertama Helgi Hundingsbani.
Kumpulan Puisi Nordik Kuno
Kisah Epic-Nordic-Saga yang sangat memukau dan membuat bulu kuduk merinding pada saat membayangkan mata hijau, taring, dan cakar sang serigala.
Jika pernah membaca novel atau buku-buku Jerman, atau di satu serial novel vampire juga pernah sedikit di bahas, istilah Wolfsangel menjadi tak asing bagi kita. Hitler pun pernah memberikan nama sebuah operasi militer-nya dengan istilah tersebut. Dan ketika saya cross-check, ternyata penamaan dengan istilah tersebut ada korelasinya.
Wolfsangel, buku pertama dari claw trilogi, mengisahkan tentang mitos werewolf atau serigala jejadian dari legenda Nordic dan sejarah Viking. Berbeda dengan werewolf lainnya seperti: Jacob (Twilight Saga), Alcide (Sookie Stackhouse/TrueBlood), Lawrence Talbot (Wolfman), Lucian (Underworld), Sam (Shiver), Beast (X-Men), dan serigala-serigala lainnya diluar sana. Serigala di Wolfsangel lebih buas dan mungkin dapat disetarakan dengan Hercules, karena ia juga putra seorang dewa, dan ber-ibu seorang manusia.
Inti cerita; dua anak-laki-laki-kembar, saling memburu dan di buru, karena salah satunya adalah serigala jejadian. Mereka reunian setelah terpisah sejak bayi dikarenakan takdir, lalu mereka jatuh cinta kepada seorang gadis desa.
Ternyata garis kehidupan ketiganya sudah direncanakan oleh Odin-raja para dewa, tetapi Loki-dewa penipu-yang memiliki dendam terhadap Odin-mengetahui rencana tersebut, dan menjadikan ketiganya sebagai alat untuk pemenuhan nafsu-balas dendamnya terhadap Odin. Dengan bantuan ratu penyihir dari dinding Troll, Loki-pun mulai menjalankan rencana balas dendamnya.
Nuansa epik-fantasi, sihir menyihir, dan peperangan ala Viking kental terasa pada novel ini, dan membuat saya membaca kembali The Sea Of Trolls karya Nancy Farmer. Nuansa percintaan juga eksis dan menjadi pemanis cerita.Istilah-istilah Nordic, Viking, dan Inggris klasik sangat banyak ditemukan, tetapi tertutupi oleh kolaborasi serta kerjasama yang baik penulis, penerjemah, dan editor buku ini. Jadi istilah-istilah tersebut tersampaikan dan terjelaskan oleh catatan-catatan kaki yang lugas.
Sebuah debut novel yang mengagumkan dari M. D. Lachlan, walaupun Wolfsangel bukan karya pertamanya, tetapi novel ini adalah novel fiksi-fantasi pertamanya. Daya tarik lainnya, novel ini juga memiliki unsur sejarah. Dan juga latar belakang tempat, Eropa timur lampau yang dingin, dideskripsikan secara apik oleh Lachlan dan menambah bintang tersendiri untuk novel ini.
Over all, buku ini recomended, terutama untuk pencinta mythologi dan fantasy (epic, dark, dan urban fantasy), karena ada kandungan sejarah dan percintaannya, penggemar fiksi-ilmiah dan romance juga recomended. Tetapi, harap diketahui juga, unsur Gore atau kekerasan dalam novel ini lumayan banyak, jadi sepertinya kurang recomended bwt anak-anak.
Wolfsangel is awesome, is a hybrid of darkness, epic-fantasy, and story of love sacrifices.
****,5
berbicara begitu
tentang aku,
mencela
bangsawan mulia.
Karena kau sendiri
melahap mangsa serigala,
menumpahkan darah saudaramu,
kausesap koyakan raga
dengan moncong dinginmu,
melangkahi mayat-mayat,
dan dibenci semua yang bernapas.
Puisi pertama Helgi Hundingsbani.
Kumpulan Puisi Nordik Kuno
Kisah Epic-Nordic-Saga yang sangat memukau dan membuat bulu kuduk merinding pada saat membayangkan mata hijau, taring, dan cakar sang serigala.
Jika pernah membaca novel atau buku-buku Jerman, atau di satu serial novel vampire juga pernah sedikit di bahas, istilah Wolfsangel menjadi tak asing bagi kita. Hitler pun pernah memberikan nama sebuah operasi militer-nya dengan istilah tersebut. Dan ketika saya cross-check, ternyata penamaan dengan istilah tersebut ada korelasinya.
Wolfsangel, buku pertama dari claw trilogi, mengisahkan tentang mitos werewolf atau serigala jejadian dari legenda Nordic dan sejarah Viking. Berbeda dengan werewolf lainnya seperti: Jacob (Twilight Saga), Alcide (Sookie Stackhouse/TrueBlood), Lawrence Talbot (Wolfman), Lucian (Underworld), Sam (Shiver), Beast (X-Men), dan serigala-serigala lainnya diluar sana. Serigala di Wolfsangel lebih buas dan mungkin dapat disetarakan dengan Hercules, karena ia juga putra seorang dewa, dan ber-ibu seorang manusia.
Inti cerita; dua anak-laki-laki-kembar, saling memburu dan di buru, karena salah satunya adalah serigala jejadian. Mereka reunian setelah terpisah sejak bayi dikarenakan takdir, lalu mereka jatuh cinta kepada seorang gadis desa.
Ternyata garis kehidupan ketiganya sudah direncanakan oleh Odin-raja para dewa, tetapi Loki-dewa penipu-yang memiliki dendam terhadap Odin-mengetahui rencana tersebut, dan menjadikan ketiganya sebagai alat untuk pemenuhan nafsu-balas dendamnya terhadap Odin. Dengan bantuan ratu penyihir dari dinding Troll, Loki-pun mulai menjalankan rencana balas dendamnya.
Nuansa epik-fantasi, sihir menyihir, dan peperangan ala Viking kental terasa pada novel ini, dan membuat saya membaca kembali The Sea Of Trolls karya Nancy Farmer. Nuansa percintaan juga eksis dan menjadi pemanis cerita.Istilah-istilah Nordic, Viking, dan Inggris klasik sangat banyak ditemukan, tetapi tertutupi oleh kolaborasi serta kerjasama yang baik penulis, penerjemah, dan editor buku ini. Jadi istilah-istilah tersebut tersampaikan dan terjelaskan oleh catatan-catatan kaki yang lugas.
Sebuah debut novel yang mengagumkan dari M. D. Lachlan, walaupun Wolfsangel bukan karya pertamanya, tetapi novel ini adalah novel fiksi-fantasi pertamanya. Daya tarik lainnya, novel ini juga memiliki unsur sejarah. Dan juga latar belakang tempat, Eropa timur lampau yang dingin, dideskripsikan secara apik oleh Lachlan dan menambah bintang tersendiri untuk novel ini.
Over all, buku ini recomended, terutama untuk pencinta mythologi dan fantasy (epic, dark, dan urban fantasy), karena ada kandungan sejarah dan percintaannya, penggemar fiksi-ilmiah dan romance juga recomended. Tetapi, harap diketahui juga, unsur Gore atau kekerasan dalam novel ini lumayan banyak, jadi sepertinya kurang recomended bwt anak-anak.
Wolfsangel is awesome, is a hybrid of darkness, epic-fantasy, and story of love sacrifices.
****,5
August 22, 2011
4.5 Stars
This is a delightful dark journey that is filled to the brim with historical fiction and old Norse mythology. It is a fast page turner that is filled with action and suspense. The book quickly moves the story from it's base that starts with the King to that of the story of the Prince brothers.
The magic system fascinated me and really elevated the dark feel to this book. Magic can only be achieved by one that enters the realm of death, either from dying, from madness, or from both. The magic was raw and dirty, and left the reader feeling a bit unclean...Great Stuff!!
The Norse mythology really worked and gave this book a really wonderful historical feel.
The two brothers were both likable even after a major plot twist changes the direction of this book and the series.
Lachlan's writing is fresh and sufficient.
"He waved the sword again, its blade bright in the light of the moon and the fire. The torches caught the jewels on the wolf’s eyes, turned the rings on the king’s arms to burning snakes, made the scabbard of his sword dance like fire itself. His cloak seemed alive with sparks and even his mouth, the teeth inlaid with tiny red sapphires, seemed to burn. Only the space where his eyes should have been seemed dead, dead and pitiless."
"Others saw a different meaning in the rune, one that it would bear down the centuries until one day someone gave it a name. Wolfsangel. "
What a breath of fresh air as M D Lachlan writes this book to be a completely unique take on the werewolf story, and make me really want to read more... Sorry Bella no love for you here...
A great fantasy debut that will be loved by readers of dark fantasy.
This is a delightful dark journey that is filled to the brim with historical fiction and old Norse mythology. It is a fast page turner that is filled with action and suspense. The book quickly moves the story from it's base that starts with the King to that of the story of the Prince brothers.
The magic system fascinated me and really elevated the dark feel to this book. Magic can only be achieved by one that enters the realm of death, either from dying, from madness, or from both. The magic was raw and dirty, and left the reader feeling a bit unclean...Great Stuff!!
The Norse mythology really worked and gave this book a really wonderful historical feel.
The two brothers were both likable even after a major plot twist changes the direction of this book and the series.
Lachlan's writing is fresh and sufficient.
"He waved the sword again, its blade bright in the light of the moon and the fire. The torches caught the jewels on the wolf’s eyes, turned the rings on the king’s arms to burning snakes, made the scabbard of his sword dance like fire itself. His cloak seemed alive with sparks and even his mouth, the teeth inlaid with tiny red sapphires, seemed to burn. Only the space where his eyes should have been seemed dead, dead and pitiless."
"Others saw a different meaning in the rune, one that it would bear down the centuries until one day someone gave it a name. Wolfsangel. "
What a breath of fresh air as M D Lachlan writes this book to be a completely unique take on the werewolf story, and make me really want to read more... Sorry Bella no love for you here...
A great fantasy debut that will be loved by readers of dark fantasy.
December 17, 2012
Why is it always so hard to write something when i really love the book? The ones that leave the most lasting impression are the ones that i have the most dilemma about what to say. I read this 3 days ago and it still plays in my mind and haunts me!
This book is a living contradiction.
-It is a debut novel, but it feels like something that came out of seasoned story-taller pen,
-It story is incredibly complex and has many twists, but at the same time it's not unnecessary hard to follow,
-The language is sophisticated and has that flavor of old myths, but it reads fluently.
So many contradictions and jet, the whole book felt so epic! To combine all that so nicely takes class. It had me forgetting myself in it, and the pages just seemed to melt:) This is a really good combination of well researched historical fiction, brutal fantasy, Norse mythology and pure awesomeness:))
SPOILER ALERT!
I still wonder if all that we are is just a dream that the Gods are having??
This dream takes a life of its own and in the end, is more real than all the days i remember as my own. It spans across endless lives in different times, always playing out its destiny. Are we all made of dreams?
This book is a living contradiction.
-It is a debut novel, but it feels like something that came out of seasoned story-taller pen,
-It story is incredibly complex and has many twists, but at the same time it's not unnecessary hard to follow,
-The language is sophisticated and has that flavor of old myths, but it reads fluently.
So many contradictions and jet, the whole book felt so epic! To combine all that so nicely takes class. It had me forgetting myself in it, and the pages just seemed to melt:) This is a really good combination of well researched historical fiction, brutal fantasy, Norse mythology and pure awesomeness:))
SPOILER ALERT!
I still wonder if all that we are is just a dream that the Gods are having??
This dream takes a life of its own and in the end, is more real than all the days i remember as my own. It spans across endless lives in different times, always playing out its destiny. Are we all made of dreams?
October 27, 2011
I have my cavils with the quality of Lachlan's prose, but he's managed to write a gripping and reasonably original historical/fantasy novel layered with real-world folklore and a hauntingly strange conception of magic. Good stuff, if a bit heavy on those Herculean ordeals and struggles against all odds for my taste. I'll definitely read the sequel(s).
August 28, 2010
Yes, it's another Gollancz Debut. What can I say? I enjoy them (well, most of them), and Gollancz send me them for free. If you too want your books to be read and reviewed, months late, on a blog nobody reads, get in touch! There's a couple of non-SF books coming up, I promise. Well, one. But I did the Jon McGregor recently as well!
Anyway...
I delayed reading Wolfsangel for a while and approached it a little more warily than I normally do, partly because I was a little burnt out from the previous book, and partly because I knew that M.D. Lachlan was a pseudonym (I don't know why that puts me off books, it just does). Still, it has an enticing cover (well, more enticing than the previous book, anyway), and I haven't read anything Viking-esque for a while, as far as I can remember. Oh, hold on, Meaney's Absorption had Vikings, didn't it? Ah well, I'm getting old. Anyway, Wolfsangel came with some good recommendations from people I trust, so in the end I delved in, and I'm quite glad I did. The opening chapter alone was enough to make me realise that I was going to enjoy the book, which is always a good sign - a fast-moving introduction to the Viking world, with a hard-edged King making a terrible decision which will, quite clearly, have terrible consequences. Before much longer we're introduced to Lachlan's most impressive idea, the weird and strange witches who live in a series of caves and tunnels under a mountain.
It isn't often that an author comes up with a new way of portraying the magic that every fantasy book has to contain, but Lachlan has done it here. Unless he's stolen it from somewhere I don't know about, which is possible, I suppose. I'm not all-knowing, alright? I'm going to assume that's he's been pretty original. Either way, it works - not very realistic, of course (what magic is?), but interesting and well-thought-through enough to be a real boon to the quality of the book. This magic feels difficult, is restricted to a very small group of characters, and might - just might - not be happening at all. I admit that's a bit of a stretch, but I rather like the idea that everything that seems to be happening is really psychotically induced mania. To be fair, though, that argument falls down a bit when you consider the fact that the Norse Gods appear to be making themselves known, interfering in the lives of the main characters. They never seem to do it by name, though - the reader will have to have a basic smattering of knowledge about the Norse religion, and I'm sure I missed some references.
I have a minor issue with some of the plotting - it felt like things got a bit out of the author's control towards the end - but it isn't a real problem, just a minor quibble. The dialogue is fun, although there's a fair amount of Viking chest-beating going on which might annoy the picky reader. I found it worked fairly well, though, and added to the feel of the book, plus there's plenty of humour to undercut the macho posturing, so no worries on my account. The scenes among the witches are truly creepy at times, and Lachlan manages to convey a real other-wordly feeling - perhaps his greatest success, although the main characters are human enough to balance it out. There's a bit of a narrative jump quite early on, which threw me a little, but I can't criticise the decision - it doesn't feel like we miss much information, and it doesn't take long to get used to the new(ish) array of characters. To be honest, those flaws are pretty much me picking at things so I have something to say...
The book has a fairly self-contained plot, but there's a bit of blatant 'next time on Norse Wolf Trilogy' at the end. I suppose I can forgive that, as I enjoyed the book so much, but is it too much to ask for a few more done-in-one fantasy novels? Anyway, overall, recommended if you fancy something a little different, well-produced and fun. I read a proof - started on holiday, finished at home - and the book is due out any moment, ISBN: 9780575089570.
Anyway...
I delayed reading Wolfsangel for a while and approached it a little more warily than I normally do, partly because I was a little burnt out from the previous book, and partly because I knew that M.D. Lachlan was a pseudonym (I don't know why that puts me off books, it just does). Still, it has an enticing cover (well, more enticing than the previous book, anyway), and I haven't read anything Viking-esque for a while, as far as I can remember. Oh, hold on, Meaney's Absorption had Vikings, didn't it? Ah well, I'm getting old. Anyway, Wolfsangel came with some good recommendations from people I trust, so in the end I delved in, and I'm quite glad I did. The opening chapter alone was enough to make me realise that I was going to enjoy the book, which is always a good sign - a fast-moving introduction to the Viking world, with a hard-edged King making a terrible decision which will, quite clearly, have terrible consequences. Before much longer we're introduced to Lachlan's most impressive idea, the weird and strange witches who live in a series of caves and tunnels under a mountain.
It isn't often that an author comes up with a new way of portraying the magic that every fantasy book has to contain, but Lachlan has done it here. Unless he's stolen it from somewhere I don't know about, which is possible, I suppose. I'm not all-knowing, alright? I'm going to assume that's he's been pretty original. Either way, it works - not very realistic, of course (what magic is?), but interesting and well-thought-through enough to be a real boon to the quality of the book. This magic feels difficult, is restricted to a very small group of characters, and might - just might - not be happening at all. I admit that's a bit of a stretch, but I rather like the idea that everything that seems to be happening is really psychotically induced mania. To be fair, though, that argument falls down a bit when you consider the fact that the Norse Gods appear to be making themselves known, interfering in the lives of the main characters. They never seem to do it by name, though - the reader will have to have a basic smattering of knowledge about the Norse religion, and I'm sure I missed some references.
I have a minor issue with some of the plotting - it felt like things got a bit out of the author's control towards the end - but it isn't a real problem, just a minor quibble. The dialogue is fun, although there's a fair amount of Viking chest-beating going on which might annoy the picky reader. I found it worked fairly well, though, and added to the feel of the book, plus there's plenty of humour to undercut the macho posturing, so no worries on my account. The scenes among the witches are truly creepy at times, and Lachlan manages to convey a real other-wordly feeling - perhaps his greatest success, although the main characters are human enough to balance it out. There's a bit of a narrative jump quite early on, which threw me a little, but I can't criticise the decision - it doesn't feel like we miss much information, and it doesn't take long to get used to the new(ish) array of characters. To be honest, those flaws are pretty much me picking at things so I have something to say...
The book has a fairly self-contained plot, but there's a bit of blatant 'next time on Norse Wolf Trilogy' at the end. I suppose I can forgive that, as I enjoyed the book so much, but is it too much to ask for a few more done-in-one fantasy novels? Anyway, overall, recommended if you fancy something a little different, well-produced and fun. I read a proof - started on holiday, finished at home - and the book is due out any moment, ISBN: 9780575089570.
July 14, 2010
M.D. Lachlan brings us a story from the North, where a Prince falls in love with a farmer’s daughter and goes to the far ends of the earth to rescue her from slavery. Vali is the Prince in question, a boy stolen by King Athun under the influence of prophecy. What begins as a straightforward tale of Viking politics and berserker raiding as Vali grows from boy to man becomes infinitely more rewarding — a novel dealing with secretive magic and an everlasting battle between the Gods Odin and Loki.
The strength of Wolfsangel lies in Lachlan’s superlative storytelling skill. He evokes the frozen wastes of the Viking kings. We feel the biting cold, see the bleak wilderness, hear the myths of the Gods. From the very first the characters are larger than life, yet still believable and easy to sympathise with. I particularly enjoyed exploring the twin brothers Vali and Feileg. Their growth and development through the novel is handled excellently, leaving the reader always keen to keep turning pages.
I also appreciated the magical elements of the novel, since they matched tonally with the rest of the novel, being brutal and very dark. The witches have to earn their magic in all manner of unspeakable ways, while the Gods do not bestride this novel as all-powerful beings — rather, they scheme and operate from behind the scenes, especially Loki.
Speaking of Loki, for a character who is barely present in the novel, he steals every page he cavorts across. I would love to see more of the Trickster God in subsequent novels! I loved dialogue such as the following:
“You chose imperfection — what could be more perfect? You saw your imperfection was perfection and therefore remedied it by imposing an imperfection on yourself thereby becoming perfect again. The logic is imperfectly flawless.”
Some of Lachlan’s prose is honestly beautiful, which is unexpected considering the rather martial nature of much of the book.
The mountain winds tearing through his mind, past-less and future-less, he lived caught in the moment with no more thought than a snowflake on the breeze.
What really struck me as I read this novel, in fact, was the remarkable similarity in tone to David Gemmell’s work — and THAT is a compliment as far as I’m concerned. The historical leanings of the book coupled with some fine martial descriptions and a sprinkle of mysticism had me cheering at the idea that finally someone has taken up the mantle of our finest heroic fantasy writer!
I had just two minor disappointments. One of these is that the “twist,” which would have been spectacular had it come upon the reader all unaware, is splashed all over the blurb on the back of the book and is fairly common knowledge for those picking up Wolfsangel. I appreciate the difficulty of keeping something of that magnitude secret once the book picks up readers, but I would have loved to read the novel without knowing about the werewolf slant.
The second is that at times the switch between no-nonsense all-action heroism and dreamlike prose can be a little abrupt. As a reader, it left me wondering a couple of times if I had accidentally skipped pages. The choppy nature was much more evident in the first quarter of the book. By the time I reached the explosive finale, it was smoother and easier to deal with.
I really enjoyed Wolfsangel. Despite the oftentimes dark aspect of the novel, it is anchored by a warm heart — the love story between Vali and Adisla that is destined to echo down the ages — and it is this that kept me reading long into the night. I can’t wait for the next in this series. M.D. Lachlan has penned a winner.
The strength of Wolfsangel lies in Lachlan’s superlative storytelling skill. He evokes the frozen wastes of the Viking kings. We feel the biting cold, see the bleak wilderness, hear the myths of the Gods. From the very first the characters are larger than life, yet still believable and easy to sympathise with. I particularly enjoyed exploring the twin brothers Vali and Feileg. Their growth and development through the novel is handled excellently, leaving the reader always keen to keep turning pages.
I also appreciated the magical elements of the novel, since they matched tonally with the rest of the novel, being brutal and very dark. The witches have to earn their magic in all manner of unspeakable ways, while the Gods do not bestride this novel as all-powerful beings — rather, they scheme and operate from behind the scenes, especially Loki.
Speaking of Loki, for a character who is barely present in the novel, he steals every page he cavorts across. I would love to see more of the Trickster God in subsequent novels! I loved dialogue such as the following:
“You chose imperfection — what could be more perfect? You saw your imperfection was perfection and therefore remedied it by imposing an imperfection on yourself thereby becoming perfect again. The logic is imperfectly flawless.”
Some of Lachlan’s prose is honestly beautiful, which is unexpected considering the rather martial nature of much of the book.
The mountain winds tearing through his mind, past-less and future-less, he lived caught in the moment with no more thought than a snowflake on the breeze.
What really struck me as I read this novel, in fact, was the remarkable similarity in tone to David Gemmell’s work — and THAT is a compliment as far as I’m concerned. The historical leanings of the book coupled with some fine martial descriptions and a sprinkle of mysticism had me cheering at the idea that finally someone has taken up the mantle of our finest heroic fantasy writer!
I had just two minor disappointments. One of these is that the “twist,” which would have been spectacular had it come upon the reader all unaware, is splashed all over the blurb on the back of the book and is fairly common knowledge for those picking up Wolfsangel. I appreciate the difficulty of keeping something of that magnitude secret once the book picks up readers, but I would have loved to read the novel without knowing about the werewolf slant.
The second is that at times the switch between no-nonsense all-action heroism and dreamlike prose can be a little abrupt. As a reader, it left me wondering a couple of times if I had accidentally skipped pages. The choppy nature was much more evident in the first quarter of the book. By the time I reached the explosive finale, it was smoother and easier to deal with.
I really enjoyed Wolfsangel. Despite the oftentimes dark aspect of the novel, it is anchored by a warm heart — the love story between Vali and Adisla that is destined to echo down the ages — and it is this that kept me reading long into the night. I can’t wait for the next in this series. M.D. Lachlan has penned a winner.
April 7, 2011
My thoughts:
I heard some buzz about this book and got intrigued, Vikings, magic and werewolves, that sure caught my attention. It isn't the easiest book to describe; it is a strange book, like a dream or a tale told long ago by the people living in the North. There Lachlan succeeded, I did feel the Norse Sagas over this story.
The book is dark and brutal. It tells the story of two boys, Vale who grows up not wanting to fight, and falling for a farmgirl. He is to become the Big Bad Wolf that can bring down a God. But in the beginning he is nice, and righteous. He does not want to look up to the Gods of War and instead he looks to Loki the trickster who laughs at the Gods. Even when he is plummeting into darkness I like him, and when I say dark, I mean pitch-black, crazy and lost. His brother is raised by Berserks and then by Wolfmen, he is also a Wolf. A bit crazy, also lost, and seems to be the violent one. This is a tale in which you do not know what will happen.
The magic in this one is true to its origin, runes, witches, and people nearing drowning for a glimpse of the future. It's magic that is real, but at the same time you just do not know, perhaps it is all a coincidence?
The book itself is about growing up, finding yourself, doing the right thing, and in the end, being a mere plaything for gods, or should we say the destroyer of them. Because at the end of time Ragnarök will come, the last battle where Odin is killed by the Fenris wolf. And in this book we meet the Fenris wolf, Odin, and Loki who fathered the wolf. But this book does not end the way you think it will, because there is a second book, though at the same time there is an end. Why? Well you will just have to read to find out.
Conclusion:
It was a good book, and if you like adventure, vikings, magic, and fighting then this is the book for you. It is fantasy dipped in reality, a strange dream and a time when Gods were real and present. A time where a new religion started to emerge in the North. And it's the story of the werewolf. It is the Norse sagas told with modern language, and with a totally new spin to things.
Rating;
I actually have no idea how to rate this book. Because it was just so different. He sure has a way of words. So to the point, a good book
I heard some buzz about this book and got intrigued, Vikings, magic and werewolves, that sure caught my attention. It isn't the easiest book to describe; it is a strange book, like a dream or a tale told long ago by the people living in the North. There Lachlan succeeded, I did feel the Norse Sagas over this story.
The book is dark and brutal. It tells the story of two boys, Vale who grows up not wanting to fight, and falling for a farmgirl. He is to become the Big Bad Wolf that can bring down a God. But in the beginning he is nice, and righteous. He does not want to look up to the Gods of War and instead he looks to Loki the trickster who laughs at the Gods. Even when he is plummeting into darkness I like him, and when I say dark, I mean pitch-black, crazy and lost. His brother is raised by Berserks and then by Wolfmen, he is also a Wolf. A bit crazy, also lost, and seems to be the violent one. This is a tale in which you do not know what will happen.
The magic in this one is true to its origin, runes, witches, and people nearing drowning for a glimpse of the future. It's magic that is real, but at the same time you just do not know, perhaps it is all a coincidence?
The book itself is about growing up, finding yourself, doing the right thing, and in the end, being a mere plaything for gods, or should we say the destroyer of them. Because at the end of time Ragnarök will come, the last battle where Odin is killed by the Fenris wolf. And in this book we meet the Fenris wolf, Odin, and Loki who fathered the wolf. But this book does not end the way you think it will, because there is a second book, though at the same time there is an end. Why? Well you will just have to read to find out.
Conclusion:
It was a good book, and if you like adventure, vikings, magic, and fighting then this is the book for you. It is fantasy dipped in reality, a strange dream and a time when Gods were real and present. A time where a new religion started to emerge in the North. And it's the story of the werewolf. It is the Norse sagas told with modern language, and with a totally new spin to things.
Rating;
I actually have no idea how to rate this book. Because it was just so different. He sure has a way of words. So to the point, a good book
February 20, 2011
Wolfsangel is a fairly brutal tale, based on the Norse mythology of the end-of-the-world world Fenris, and personalised by twin brothers who are caught on opposite sides of the godly struggle.
As suggested in the title of this review, Wolfsangel appeared right up my alley; epic fantasy of mythological proportions, violent werewolf battles, and just enough human element to form a connection.
M.D. Lachlan kept it up for most of the novel. However, perhaps under the mistaken assumption that one must fill a single volume novel (I assume and hope anyway) with all the various pointless characters that traditional multivolume series have, Wolfsangel's plot eventually buckles under unrememberable names and loosely linked scenarios.
Thats not to say Wolfsangel didn’t have its good parts, the background mythology was cool, the rivalry and suspense around the twin brothers was well-played, unfortunately these good parts were.... diluted by the weaknesses. It seemed like we were going to get a well honed story of love triangles, empires falling and our heroes stepping up to their destines, instead I felt like the plot was mostly a collection of semi-random happenings that eventually got us to the point where the conclusion happened.
I realise that perhaps if I sat down and memorised names and put some real effort into keeping track of places, the story might technically be more complete, but I have a philosophy that if a novel requires effort beyond what you’re willing to give, then it has failed.
Wolfsangel had a lot of potential, and perhaps more is to come from Lachlan. Based on this work, I will only be finding out if I suddenly grow a buttload more reading time.
As suggested in the title of this review, Wolfsangel appeared right up my alley; epic fantasy of mythological proportions, violent werewolf battles, and just enough human element to form a connection.
M.D. Lachlan kept it up for most of the novel. However, perhaps under the mistaken assumption that one must fill a single volume novel (I assume and hope anyway) with all the various pointless characters that traditional multivolume series have, Wolfsangel's plot eventually buckles under unrememberable names and loosely linked scenarios.
Thats not to say Wolfsangel didn’t have its good parts, the background mythology was cool, the rivalry and suspense around the twin brothers was well-played, unfortunately these good parts were.... diluted by the weaknesses. It seemed like we were going to get a well honed story of love triangles, empires falling and our heroes stepping up to their destines, instead I felt like the plot was mostly a collection of semi-random happenings that eventually got us to the point where the conclusion happened.
I realise that perhaps if I sat down and memorised names and put some real effort into keeping track of places, the story might technically be more complete, but I have a philosophy that if a novel requires effort beyond what you’re willing to give, then it has failed.
Wolfsangel had a lot of potential, and perhaps more is to come from Lachlan. Based on this work, I will only be finding out if I suddenly grow a buttload more reading time.
December 8, 2012
I have to give kudos to the author for being able to hold my interest enough to enjoy the book cover to cover. I read it all the way to the end AND gave it 4 stars. That was unexpected.
Despite reading a lot of fantasy many years ago, and one or two supernatural per year to date, I was still out of my comfort zone with Wolfsangel.
That's not to say the book was without flaws. It had flaws aplenty and many undulations in regards to writing quality, plot and character development.
So how did I still enjoy it and give it 4 fat stars with so many admitted flaws? I do like a Viking setting and do seek them out in the genre I am more comfortable in, (non fantasy) historical fiction and piled on top of that was an easy going tale that never really lulled.
Wolfsangel is the first book in a trilogy. At least I think it is a trilogy. And this book, being the first, was a promising beginning. Which is all it is in truth. A first book in every way. Where the main characters are developed and mixed up into a cocktail of witches, Vikings, Wolfmen and Norse Gods.
What spits out in the end is, as you all have guessed by the books blurb, a Werewolf. I will not tell you who it is, or how the transformation comes to pass, but I will tell you that it gets a little Pink Floyd in feel, a little Dark Side of the Moon in nature, so make sure you concentrate or it may go over your head.
Despite reading a lot of fantasy many years ago, and one or two supernatural per year to date, I was still out of my comfort zone with Wolfsangel.
That's not to say the book was without flaws. It had flaws aplenty and many undulations in regards to writing quality, plot and character development.
So how did I still enjoy it and give it 4 fat stars with so many admitted flaws? I do like a Viking setting and do seek them out in the genre I am more comfortable in, (non fantasy) historical fiction and piled on top of that was an easy going tale that never really lulled.
Wolfsangel is the first book in a trilogy. At least I think it is a trilogy. And this book, being the first, was a promising beginning. Which is all it is in truth. A first book in every way. Where the main characters are developed and mixed up into a cocktail of witches, Vikings, Wolfmen and Norse Gods.
What spits out in the end is, as you all have guessed by the books blurb, a Werewolf. I will not tell you who it is, or how the transformation comes to pass, but I will tell you that it gets a little Pink Floyd in feel, a little Dark Side of the Moon in nature, so make sure you concentrate or it may go over your head.
July 15, 2013
M.D. Lachlan brings us a story from the North, where a Prince falls in love with a farmer’s daughter and goes to the far ends of the earth to rescue her from slavery. Vali is the Prince in question, a boy stolen by King Athun under the influence of prophecy. What begins as a straightforward tale of Viking politics and berserker raiding as Vali grows from boy to man becomes infinitely more rewarding — a novel dealing with secretive magic and an everlasting battle between the Gods Odin and Loki.
The strength of Wolfsangel lies in Lachlan’s superlative storytelling skill. He evokes the frozen wastes of the Viking kings. We feel the biting cold, see the bleak wilderness, hear the myths of the Gods. From the very first the characters are larger than life, yet still believable and easy to sympathise with. I particularly enjoyed exploring the twin brothers Vali... Read More:
http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
The strength of Wolfsangel lies in Lachlan’s superlative storytelling skill. He evokes the frozen wastes of the Viking kings. We feel the biting cold, see the bleak wilderness, hear the myths of the Gods. From the very first the characters are larger than life, yet still believable and easy to sympathise with. I particularly enjoyed exploring the twin brothers Vali... Read More:
http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
January 10, 2017
„Капан за върколаци“ – в примката на скандинавската митология: http://azcheta.com/kapan-za-varkolats...
Изненада ме, сграбчи ме в челюстите си и не ме остави да си поема дъх до самия край. Нестандартно фентъзи, може би не е за всеки, но аз горещо го препоръчвам.
Изненада ме, сграбчи ме в челюстите си и не ме остави да си поема дъх до самия край. Нестандартно фентъзи, може би не е за всеки, но аз горещо го препоръчвам.
December 13, 2010
Wolfsangel adalah simbol rune bangsa Viking yang belakangan digunakan oleh Nazi sebagai lambang organisasi mereka: swastika.
September 13, 2011
4.5 stars
Highly recommended :)
Full review also published under The Ranting Dragon.
Wolfsangel is the debut fantasy novel from M. D. Lachlan, a pen name for author Mark Barrowcliffe. Lachlan’s first foray into the realm of epic fantasy is a dark and enthralling alternative history involving Norse gods, sinister magic and a unique take on the werewolf mythos.
Wolfsangel begins with Viking King Arthun leading a raid against an Anglo-Saxon settlement. However, he and his men seek much stranger plunder than mere slaves or riches. Arthun acts to fulfill a prophecy of the child witch queen, Gullveig, who assures him that in doing so he will find not only the son and heir he so desperately requires, but one that will inevitably lead his people to glory. However, things do not go entirely as planned as Arthun finds not one child but twin boys, and has no way of knowing to which the prophecy refers. Furthermore, the witches have their own reasons for aiding the king, reasons that involve an eternal battle between gods, the monstrous Fenris wolf, and the death of the god Odin at Ragnarok. Thus begins a bloodthirsty conflict that will carry through the ages and sweep up many lives in its wake.
Vikings and mad gods
Overall, Wolfsangel is a tale of human rebellion against a callous and bloodthirsty god. Lachlan’s unique take on the Nordic pantheon was particularly fascinating and stirred in me a new-found desire to learn as much as possible about the fascinating gods and monsters that feature throughout the narrative. I also enjoyed the fact that the novel focused on a mythology that remains relatively unexplored throughout fantasy fiction, especially compared to that of some other cultures and religions (such as ancient Greek, Roman or Christian). Likewise, in much historical fiction, Vikings only appear as the bad guys, so it was a refreshing change to see a story written from their perspective.
A fascinating hybrid of history, horror and myth
One of Wolfsangel‘s greatest assets is Lachlan’s ability to seamlessly blend elements of history, mythology, fantasy and horror alongside a truly human story of love, jealousy and struggle against destiny. From all accounts, Lachlan pays close attention to historical detail and adds his own spin on Norse mythology instead of engaging in mere ‘lazy borrowing’ or resorting to cliché. The horror elements of the story are also masterfully done and genuinely disturbing. In addition, I have to give Lachlan credit for creating both witches and werewolves that feel original and are capable of unnerving the reader despite the fact that the horror impact of these fantasy staples has been diluted through many different incarnations in modern literature. The novel is also very well written and Lachlan excels in creating atmosphere, whether he’s describing the eerie and claustrophobic caves of the witches, the warm hearths of a cottage, or the wild lonely places. The prose is darkly poetic and flowing, though never overly wordy or distracting, thus allowing the reader to become fully immersed in the story and invested in the characters and the events that take place.
Disturbing yet intriguing magic
The bizarre and sinister magic system depicted throughout Wolfsangel is one of the most interesting and unique aspects of Lachlan’s worldbuilding. In order to obtain prophecy or perform magic one must bring themselves to the very precipice of death or madness. Only then may one walk the realms of gods and monsters. This erosion of sanity is usually achieved through pain and deprivation, and thus the witches frequently engage in various forms of self-torture. The gods, Odin in particular, also require devotion through pain and sacrifice. An exception is Loki the trickster: often an enemy to the gods but an occasional friend to mankind. Overall, I found this element of the novel particularly well-realized. Although such magic features heavily in the novel and is integral to the plot, its specifics are revealed slowly enough to maintain an air of mystery and allow new developments to still shock the reader.
Characters that come snarling to life
All in all, Lachlan’s characters are well developed and believable. The protagonists are believable and human while the antagonists are crafty and threatening. Our main viewpoint characters are Vali, an intelligent young prince who prefers the company of women to warriors and stories to warfare; Adisla, a strong-willed farmers daughter; and Feileg, a young man raised among wolves and wolfmen. Many characters, Vali and Feileg in particular, display varying degrees of moral ambiguity throughout the book. Although you may not always agree with their actions or their decisions, they manage to remain relatable and their motives are understandable within the context of the story. This attention to detail also extends to the minor characters throughout the novel, who also display quite distinctive personalities and never feel like empty plot devices. Another highlight came in the form of some particularly strong characters, both male and female, who do what they can to make their own destiny within the restrictions of their society and against overwhelming odds.
A brutal and surprising tale
Wolfsangel is a bold, gritty and thrilling work of fantasy with enough action to satisfy even those possessing shorter-than-average attention spans. It also has an admirable propensity to surprise the reader. Just as you begin to think you can see where the plot is heading, some new revelation will emerge, sink its teeth in your expectations and tear them to shreds. The events depicted throughout the novel are frequently violent and often quite gory, yet they make sense within the story and never seem to be included purely for shock value. Nevertheless, there are some particularly gruesome scenes that may not still well with more sensitive readers. Characters are also put into situations where they must make some exceedingly tough decisions. For instance, would you kill a loved one to spare them torment at the hands of raiders? Can you betray a kinsman if the occasion calls? Overall, I found these brutal elements provided contrast to the more tender moments, making them feel more poignant and helped define the characters and their relationships.
Lachlan contains a fast paced and complex story in relatively few pages so the reader must be sure to keep their wits about them if they are to keep pace with the narrative and experience this novel to its fullest. Consequently, although Wolfsangel is perfect for those who prefer their fantasy intricate, gritty and thought-provoking, I would not recommend it for light reading. Personally, I really enjoyed the ending of the novel; nonetheless, some readers may be slightly annoyed by the cliffhanger. Despite the fact that some conflict was left unresolved, I thought that this suited the overall story perfectly and set up some interesting issues for further exploration in the following books.
Why should you read this book?
All in all, Wolfsangel is a brilliant and fascinating novel that I would recommend to all fans of dark, epic or historical fantasy or those with any interest in Norse mythology. It represents a refreshing departure from more usual epic fantasy fare and breathes new life into some old fantasy staples. Lachlan’s excellent fantasy debut begins what promises to be an extremely unique and worthwhile series, and I, for one, cannot wait to get my hands on the next book.
Highly recommended :)
Full review also published under The Ranting Dragon.
Wolfsangel is the debut fantasy novel from M. D. Lachlan, a pen name for author Mark Barrowcliffe. Lachlan’s first foray into the realm of epic fantasy is a dark and enthralling alternative history involving Norse gods, sinister magic and a unique take on the werewolf mythos.
Wolfsangel begins with Viking King Arthun leading a raid against an Anglo-Saxon settlement. However, he and his men seek much stranger plunder than mere slaves or riches. Arthun acts to fulfill a prophecy of the child witch queen, Gullveig, who assures him that in doing so he will find not only the son and heir he so desperately requires, but one that will inevitably lead his people to glory. However, things do not go entirely as planned as Arthun finds not one child but twin boys, and has no way of knowing to which the prophecy refers. Furthermore, the witches have their own reasons for aiding the king, reasons that involve an eternal battle between gods, the monstrous Fenris wolf, and the death of the god Odin at Ragnarok. Thus begins a bloodthirsty conflict that will carry through the ages and sweep up many lives in its wake.
Vikings and mad gods
Overall, Wolfsangel is a tale of human rebellion against a callous and bloodthirsty god. Lachlan’s unique take on the Nordic pantheon was particularly fascinating and stirred in me a new-found desire to learn as much as possible about the fascinating gods and monsters that feature throughout the narrative. I also enjoyed the fact that the novel focused on a mythology that remains relatively unexplored throughout fantasy fiction, especially compared to that of some other cultures and religions (such as ancient Greek, Roman or Christian). Likewise, in much historical fiction, Vikings only appear as the bad guys, so it was a refreshing change to see a story written from their perspective.
A fascinating hybrid of history, horror and myth
One of Wolfsangel‘s greatest assets is Lachlan’s ability to seamlessly blend elements of history, mythology, fantasy and horror alongside a truly human story of love, jealousy and struggle against destiny. From all accounts, Lachlan pays close attention to historical detail and adds his own spin on Norse mythology instead of engaging in mere ‘lazy borrowing’ or resorting to cliché. The horror elements of the story are also masterfully done and genuinely disturbing. In addition, I have to give Lachlan credit for creating both witches and werewolves that feel original and are capable of unnerving the reader despite the fact that the horror impact of these fantasy staples has been diluted through many different incarnations in modern literature. The novel is also very well written and Lachlan excels in creating atmosphere, whether he’s describing the eerie and claustrophobic caves of the witches, the warm hearths of a cottage, or the wild lonely places. The prose is darkly poetic and flowing, though never overly wordy or distracting, thus allowing the reader to become fully immersed in the story and invested in the characters and the events that take place.
Disturbing yet intriguing magic
The bizarre and sinister magic system depicted throughout Wolfsangel is one of the most interesting and unique aspects of Lachlan’s worldbuilding. In order to obtain prophecy or perform magic one must bring themselves to the very precipice of death or madness. Only then may one walk the realms of gods and monsters. This erosion of sanity is usually achieved through pain and deprivation, and thus the witches frequently engage in various forms of self-torture. The gods, Odin in particular, also require devotion through pain and sacrifice. An exception is Loki the trickster: often an enemy to the gods but an occasional friend to mankind. Overall, I found this element of the novel particularly well-realized. Although such magic features heavily in the novel and is integral to the plot, its specifics are revealed slowly enough to maintain an air of mystery and allow new developments to still shock the reader.
Characters that come snarling to life
All in all, Lachlan’s characters are well developed and believable. The protagonists are believable and human while the antagonists are crafty and threatening. Our main viewpoint characters are Vali, an intelligent young prince who prefers the company of women to warriors and stories to warfare; Adisla, a strong-willed farmers daughter; and Feileg, a young man raised among wolves and wolfmen. Many characters, Vali and Feileg in particular, display varying degrees of moral ambiguity throughout the book. Although you may not always agree with their actions or their decisions, they manage to remain relatable and their motives are understandable within the context of the story. This attention to detail also extends to the minor characters throughout the novel, who also display quite distinctive personalities and never feel like empty plot devices. Another highlight came in the form of some particularly strong characters, both male and female, who do what they can to make their own destiny within the restrictions of their society and against overwhelming odds.
A brutal and surprising tale
Wolfsangel is a bold, gritty and thrilling work of fantasy with enough action to satisfy even those possessing shorter-than-average attention spans. It also has an admirable propensity to surprise the reader. Just as you begin to think you can see where the plot is heading, some new revelation will emerge, sink its teeth in your expectations and tear them to shreds. The events depicted throughout the novel are frequently violent and often quite gory, yet they make sense within the story and never seem to be included purely for shock value. Nevertheless, there are some particularly gruesome scenes that may not still well with more sensitive readers. Characters are also put into situations where they must make some exceedingly tough decisions. For instance, would you kill a loved one to spare them torment at the hands of raiders? Can you betray a kinsman if the occasion calls? Overall, I found these brutal elements provided contrast to the more tender moments, making them feel more poignant and helped define the characters and their relationships.
Lachlan contains a fast paced and complex story in relatively few pages so the reader must be sure to keep their wits about them if they are to keep pace with the narrative and experience this novel to its fullest. Consequently, although Wolfsangel is perfect for those who prefer their fantasy intricate, gritty and thought-provoking, I would not recommend it for light reading. Personally, I really enjoyed the ending of the novel; nonetheless, some readers may be slightly annoyed by the cliffhanger. Despite the fact that some conflict was left unresolved, I thought that this suited the overall story perfectly and set up some interesting issues for further exploration in the following books.
Why should you read this book?
All in all, Wolfsangel is a brilliant and fascinating novel that I would recommend to all fans of dark, epic or historical fantasy or those with any interest in Norse mythology. It represents a refreshing departure from more usual epic fantasy fare and breathes new life into some old fantasy staples. Lachlan’s excellent fantasy debut begins what promises to be an extremely unique and worthwhile series, and I, for one, cannot wait to get my hands on the next book.
January 9, 2023
Wolfsangel is the fantasy debut of Mark Barrowcliffe, under the nom de plume M.D. Lachlan, and boy did he deliver! This novel takes a unique view of werewolf folklore, and ties it up neatly with Norse mythology to give a brilliantly fresh story.
We start with Authun the Pitiless, a ruthless and successful Viking king, who has yet to sire an heir. He follows the advice of Gullveig, the witch queen, in raiding an Anglo-Saxon village in the search for a promised child to take his throne. However, rather than one child he finds two: one, Vali, is kept to live as his heir; the other, Feileg, is raised under the view of the witch queen in the ancient arts of the wolf-people.
Vali is brought up in a small village to learn under the guidance of another ruling king, Forkbeard, while also being betrothed to his daughter. However, the simple life ensnares him and he falls for a peasant girl, Adisla, instead of the princess he is promised to. Vali has shown himself to be more at home at the hearth than with a sword, and for this reason Forkbeard wants Vali removed without incurring the legendary wrath of Authun. To prove his loyalty, he forces the prince to hunt and capture a werewolf, in the hope he will die in the process. Surprisingly, he is triumphant, and returns (unknown to him) with his twin brother Feileg, now a true wolf-man.
Soon after, the village is raided by Danes who take Adisla hostage. Upon finding this was not an accident, Vali, with the help of Feileg, sets out to claim her back and discover more about the mysterious raid.
Lachlan has clearly done his research for this novel. It begins as a historical Viking story and segues into a battle of Gods and magic. Let's be clear, the book isn't particularly happy. You feel real empathy for Vali and Feileg, even when they are ruthless and destructive. It fits in perfectly with the dark atmosphere of the Viking lifestyle, and the sense of helplessness and doom felt by the characters as the novel progresses.
The magic system was also clever, well thought through, and reminiscent of how I feel magic usage should be portrayed. The use of magic is not simple or easy, but must be gained through extreme sacrifice and pain. This is particularly in the witch queen, who has had her growth stunted by the constant torture of its use. It does involve a large number of human sacrifices (even children), that many readers may be uncomfortable with. However, these are not meaningless but logical, in an attempt to stay true to the sadistic traditions of Norse witches.
The only drawback is the novel can be extremely complicated. Many parts of the book had to be reread many times before I began fully understanding what was happening. This may also be a product of me trying to understand every little detail, however some may find this off-putting if looking for a simle, easy-to-read book. I quite enjoyed this however, and it didn't stop the book being fast-paced and enjoyable.
I would highly recommend this book to any fantasy reader, particularly those interested in Norse mythology. It is dark and brutal, and blends reality and mythology in a wonderful way. A truly engaging read, but probably not for the faint of heart!
We start with Authun the Pitiless, a ruthless and successful Viking king, who has yet to sire an heir. He follows the advice of Gullveig, the witch queen, in raiding an Anglo-Saxon village in the search for a promised child to take his throne. However, rather than one child he finds two: one, Vali, is kept to live as his heir; the other, Feileg, is raised under the view of the witch queen in the ancient arts of the wolf-people.
Vali is brought up in a small village to learn under the guidance of another ruling king, Forkbeard, while also being betrothed to his daughter. However, the simple life ensnares him and he falls for a peasant girl, Adisla, instead of the princess he is promised to. Vali has shown himself to be more at home at the hearth than with a sword, and for this reason Forkbeard wants Vali removed without incurring the legendary wrath of Authun. To prove his loyalty, he forces the prince to hunt and capture a werewolf, in the hope he will die in the process. Surprisingly, he is triumphant, and returns (unknown to him) with his twin brother Feileg, now a true wolf-man.
Soon after, the village is raided by Danes who take Adisla hostage. Upon finding this was not an accident, Vali, with the help of Feileg, sets out to claim her back and discover more about the mysterious raid.
Lachlan has clearly done his research for this novel. It begins as a historical Viking story and segues into a battle of Gods and magic. Let's be clear, the book isn't particularly happy. You feel real empathy for Vali and Feileg, even when they are ruthless and destructive. It fits in perfectly with the dark atmosphere of the Viking lifestyle, and the sense of helplessness and doom felt by the characters as the novel progresses.
The magic system was also clever, well thought through, and reminiscent of how I feel magic usage should be portrayed. The use of magic is not simple or easy, but must be gained through extreme sacrifice and pain. This is particularly in the witch queen, who has had her growth stunted by the constant torture of its use. It does involve a large number of human sacrifices (even children), that many readers may be uncomfortable with. However, these are not meaningless but logical, in an attempt to stay true to the sadistic traditions of Norse witches.
The only drawback is the novel can be extremely complicated. Many parts of the book had to be reread many times before I began fully understanding what was happening. This may also be a product of me trying to understand every little detail, however some may find this off-putting if looking for a simle, easy-to-read book. I quite enjoyed this however, and it didn't stop the book being fast-paced and enjoyable.
I would highly recommend this book to any fantasy reader, particularly those interested in Norse mythology. It is dark and brutal, and blends reality and mythology in a wonderful way. A truly engaging read, but probably not for the faint of heart!
December 26, 2010
This review first appeared in Vector 264, Autumn 2010
Acting on the prophecy of the witch queen Gullveig, King Athun takes twin boys from an Anglo-Saxon village during a raid. One, he names Vali and raises as his own; the other, Feileg, is kept by Gullveig to serve as her protector and sent to be schooled in the wolf-magic of the berserkers. Over the years, the twins become pawns in the complex game of magical subterfuge that is the eternal war between Odin and Loki. To say that Wolfsangel is a Viking fantasy with werewolves would technically be accurate but it would do a disservice to author Mark Barrowcliffe, whose debut fantasy (published under the name ‘MD Lachlan’) is a much richer book than that bald description suggests.
Wolfsangel pays its dues as a fantasy adventure story: the plot is suitably eventful, with twists and turns a-plenty, and Lachlan is a deft writer of action. But, while the violence in this novel may be brutal, it is not gratuitously so; the author brings home that violence plays a key part in the world of his story and he shows how harsh and restrictive it makes life for his characters. Vali is a prince who refuses to play the role expected of him by his society – he abhors fighting and his true love, Adisla, is a farm girl (who is far more resigned to the status quo than he). Perhaps his ultimate quest in Wolfsangel is to break free of those social strictures.
But Vali (and other characters) are bound in even deeper ways than they can imagine – and this is where magic comes in. Lachlan’s treatment of magic is interesting and distinctive, depicting a mysterious force that not even its ablest users understand fully (“a puzzle not a recipe” as one character puts it). Particularly striking is the way that this magic consumes and distorts those who wield and come into contact with it: the witch queen might have power enough to make her a goddess of sorts but the price she has paid is that her body will forever remain that of a child. Similarly, the magic of the berserks grants Feileg immense physical ability but it also twists his personality into something not quite human (“I am a wolf” he repeats, as though it were a mantra). The struggle to avert the destinies laid down by magic parallels Vali’s fight against society.
The whole world of Wolfsangel is suffused with the unknown. Gods are present in both divine and mortal aspects but aren’t necessarily aware of who they are. Magic floats through the narrative, with many seemingly unsure of where its reality stops and superstition begins. Even the geography, the very extent of the world, feels only half-known to most of the characters. It lends the book a real sense of strangeness, which runs alongside and rounds out the more conventional adventure story.
Wolfsangel is the first novel in a series that will move forwards through history; I’ll be interested to see how that works but, if the rest are a good as this one, it will be a series that needs reading.
Acting on the prophecy of the witch queen Gullveig, King Athun takes twin boys from an Anglo-Saxon village during a raid. One, he names Vali and raises as his own; the other, Feileg, is kept by Gullveig to serve as her protector and sent to be schooled in the wolf-magic of the berserkers. Over the years, the twins become pawns in the complex game of magical subterfuge that is the eternal war between Odin and Loki. To say that Wolfsangel is a Viking fantasy with werewolves would technically be accurate but it would do a disservice to author Mark Barrowcliffe, whose debut fantasy (published under the name ‘MD Lachlan’) is a much richer book than that bald description suggests.
Wolfsangel pays its dues as a fantasy adventure story: the plot is suitably eventful, with twists and turns a-plenty, and Lachlan is a deft writer of action. But, while the violence in this novel may be brutal, it is not gratuitously so; the author brings home that violence plays a key part in the world of his story and he shows how harsh and restrictive it makes life for his characters. Vali is a prince who refuses to play the role expected of him by his society – he abhors fighting and his true love, Adisla, is a farm girl (who is far more resigned to the status quo than he). Perhaps his ultimate quest in Wolfsangel is to break free of those social strictures.
But Vali (and other characters) are bound in even deeper ways than they can imagine – and this is where magic comes in. Lachlan’s treatment of magic is interesting and distinctive, depicting a mysterious force that not even its ablest users understand fully (“a puzzle not a recipe” as one character puts it). Particularly striking is the way that this magic consumes and distorts those who wield and come into contact with it: the witch queen might have power enough to make her a goddess of sorts but the price she has paid is that her body will forever remain that of a child. Similarly, the magic of the berserks grants Feileg immense physical ability but it also twists his personality into something not quite human (“I am a wolf” he repeats, as though it were a mantra). The struggle to avert the destinies laid down by magic parallels Vali’s fight against society.
The whole world of Wolfsangel is suffused with the unknown. Gods are present in both divine and mortal aspects but aren’t necessarily aware of who they are. Magic floats through the narrative, with many seemingly unsure of where its reality stops and superstition begins. Even the geography, the very extent of the world, feels only half-known to most of the characters. It lends the book a real sense of strangeness, which runs alongside and rounds out the more conventional adventure story.
Wolfsangel is the first novel in a series that will move forwards through history; I’ll be interested to see how that works but, if the rest are a good as this one, it will be a series that needs reading.
September 13, 2011
I've always found fantasy to be a bit of a "hit or miss" genre. You can either pick up a complete dud or a gem. Wolfsangel is one of the brightest of those gems. It is a gripping fantasy with one huge labyrinth of a plot. I had heard the book described as "unpredictable" before I read it, and truly; it was. Every time I thought I'd sussed the book out it would about turn and go down another route altogether. Lachlan does not do this in an erratic, unskilled way at all. In fact, the plot twists are executed perfectly. They give just the right level of surprise and curiosity without leaving you utterly perplexed.
One of the things I really love about the book is the insight into Norse mythology you get. It highlights the key reason (or so I think) faith eventually moved away from systems such as these - the God's are too brutal, too human. We can learn a little from this book about how Gods such as Odin would have been worshipped. The book seems [i]real[/i] - you can believe in the characters. The way they speak, their customs and thoughts. Each character is rounded and multi-dimensional. They cease to be just words on the page and begin to exist in your mind. When they die, you grieve a little for them. You feel angry at the nasty people and relate to the protagonists.
The book is a story about a werewolf, but it's a very unique take on the legend. There's no full moon, silver bullets or screaming blondes in this story (that I can recall anyway) The wolf develops over the course of the book, and you can never quite be sure who it's going to be. What is obvious in this book is wrong - when reading do not trust your instincts. Instead, let Lachlan take you on the journey in his own way.
It's a very enjoyable way in fact. The book is not too intense. I didn't hide from the world for a week like I'm often known to do. It's a book you can finish in your own time. At the foundations of Wolfsangel there is fantasy, there's not doubt about that; but the fantasy is beautifully entwined with horror, romance, humour and adventure. It's like a perfectly cooked genre-pie (godness, my similies are something awful.) This diversity and completeness is something I really relish. All too often I finish a book wishing there was a bit more of this, that and the other in it. However with Wolfsangel I got just the right dose of what I wanted.
To conclude, I'm now a big Lachlan fan. I know my local Waterstones currently stocks the sequel, Fenrir (I nearly bought it instead of Wolfsangel, not realising it was a sequel) and although I think the book works perfectly on its own, Fenrir is definately going to be my next read.
I would like to thank M.D. Lachlan, for penning a work of fantasic literature. I'd reccommend Wolfsangel to all of my friends who read, which sadly is none of them.
One of the things I really love about the book is the insight into Norse mythology you get. It highlights the key reason (or so I think) faith eventually moved away from systems such as these - the God's are too brutal, too human. We can learn a little from this book about how Gods such as Odin would have been worshipped. The book seems [i]real[/i] - you can believe in the characters. The way they speak, their customs and thoughts. Each character is rounded and multi-dimensional. They cease to be just words on the page and begin to exist in your mind. When they die, you grieve a little for them. You feel angry at the nasty people and relate to the protagonists.
The book is a story about a werewolf, but it's a very unique take on the legend. There's no full moon, silver bullets or screaming blondes in this story (that I can recall anyway) The wolf develops over the course of the book, and you can never quite be sure who it's going to be. What is obvious in this book is wrong - when reading do not trust your instincts. Instead, let Lachlan take you on the journey in his own way.
It's a very enjoyable way in fact. The book is not too intense. I didn't hide from the world for a week like I'm often known to do. It's a book you can finish in your own time. At the foundations of Wolfsangel there is fantasy, there's not doubt about that; but the fantasy is beautifully entwined with horror, romance, humour and adventure. It's like a perfectly cooked genre-pie (godness, my similies are something awful.) This diversity and completeness is something I really relish. All too often I finish a book wishing there was a bit more of this, that and the other in it. However with Wolfsangel I got just the right dose of what I wanted.
To conclude, I'm now a big Lachlan fan. I know my local Waterstones currently stocks the sequel, Fenrir (I nearly bought it instead of Wolfsangel, not realising it was a sequel) and although I think the book works perfectly on its own, Fenrir is definately going to be my next read.
I would like to thank M.D. Lachlan, for penning a work of fantasic literature. I'd reccommend Wolfsangel to all of my friends who read, which sadly is none of them.
September 7, 2017
Mi ero segnato questo libro come da comprare da così tanto tempo che non ne ricordavo più il motivo, né quindi sapevo cosa aspettarmi quando finalmente l'ho cominciato a leggere.
Wolfsangel è una storia ambientata al tempo dei Vichinghi, un intreccio intricato e riuscitissimo di fantasy, horror, storia e mitologia.
Abbiamo profezie, streghe, gemelli indicati come "prescelti", un principe che dovrà guidare alla gloria il suo popolo, un ragazzo cresciuto dai berserker e da un uomo lupo, un amore impossibile e qualche intrigo politico ad animare le cose.
Abbiamo la profezia del Lupo, che affondando le radici nel mito di Fenris, figlio di Loki, che alla fine dei tempi ucciderà Odino nella battaglia finale, si traduce in realtà nel nostro mondo, evocato dalla regina delle streghe per sconfiggere l'incarnazione di Odino e salvare così la sua stirpe.
E che Lupo... il licantropo!
Abbiamo l'animo dilaniato di due ragazzi sottoposti a dure prove in un mondo durissimo, e plasmati da incantesimi contro i quali sono impotenti. Abbiamo l'oscuro labirinto delle gallerie dove vivono le streghe, malvagio e letale, ingannatore e folle. Abbiamo la fonte della magia, le Rune, e il loro costo, un'immane e costante sofferenza, il sacrificio di sè stessi, così come fatto da Odino a suo tempo.
Abbiamo la ricostruzione dei costumi vichinghi, delle divisioni territoriali del nord europa, delle credenze e delle superstizioni. Ben prima che in tv arrivasse Vikings.
La superstizione di contadini e di guerrieri, le loro invocazioni alle diverse divinità, i clan di berserker devoti a Odino. La follia di Odino, la brama di guerra degli Dèi, e poi lui, il trickster, l'anomalia, Loki.
E sopratutto, la storia ti coglie spesso in contropiede.
Quando pensi di avere capito, di avere intuito quali siano i piani, chi stia giocando chi, chi svolga quale ruolo, quale sia l'esito cercato... niente, devi ripartire daccapo perché è cambiato tutto.
Non mi aspettavo di essere preso così tanto da questo libro, l'ho divorato. Sicuramente proseguirò la lettura della saga.
Wolfsangel è una storia ambientata al tempo dei Vichinghi, un intreccio intricato e riuscitissimo di fantasy, horror, storia e mitologia.
Abbiamo profezie, streghe, gemelli indicati come "prescelti", un principe che dovrà guidare alla gloria il suo popolo, un ragazzo cresciuto dai berserker e da un uomo lupo, un amore impossibile e qualche intrigo politico ad animare le cose.
Abbiamo la profezia del Lupo, che affondando le radici nel mito di Fenris, figlio di Loki, che alla fine dei tempi ucciderà Odino nella battaglia finale, si traduce in realtà nel nostro mondo, evocato dalla regina delle streghe per sconfiggere l'incarnazione di Odino e salvare così la sua stirpe.
E che Lupo... il licantropo!
Abbiamo l'animo dilaniato di due ragazzi sottoposti a dure prove in un mondo durissimo, e plasmati da incantesimi contro i quali sono impotenti. Abbiamo l'oscuro labirinto delle gallerie dove vivono le streghe, malvagio e letale, ingannatore e folle. Abbiamo la fonte della magia, le Rune, e il loro costo, un'immane e costante sofferenza, il sacrificio di sè stessi, così come fatto da Odino a suo tempo.
Abbiamo la ricostruzione dei costumi vichinghi, delle divisioni territoriali del nord europa, delle credenze e delle superstizioni. Ben prima che in tv arrivasse Vikings.
La superstizione di contadini e di guerrieri, le loro invocazioni alle diverse divinità, i clan di berserker devoti a Odino. La follia di Odino, la brama di guerra degli Dèi, e poi lui, il trickster, l'anomalia, Loki.
E sopratutto, la storia ti coglie spesso in contropiede.
Quando pensi di avere capito, di avere intuito quali siano i piani, chi stia giocando chi, chi svolga quale ruolo, quale sia l'esito cercato... niente, devi ripartire daccapo perché è cambiato tutto.
Non mi aspettavo di essere preso così tanto da questo libro, l'ho divorato. Sicuramente proseguirò la lettura della saga.
September 24, 2013
Take the mythology of the werewolf, and graft it with Norse mythology, Ragnarok, and the killing of Odin by the wolf Fenrisulfr. Stage it on earth, at the opening of the Viking Age, when the Norsemen are poised to explode onto the world scene. Twin brothers, Vali and Feileg, sons of the trickster Loki and key players in his scheme to revenge himself upon the Norse gods, are raised in very different circumstances, but brought together by fate and dark magics. As the world around them begins to change, and the lands beyond the frozen north begin to fear “the fury of the North-men”, Vali and Feileg set out on a quest to find the woman they both love, and defeat the mortal incarnation of Odin.
I liked the idea behind this a lot more than the actual execution. Vali is a little too smart-mouthed, and not in a way that I found endearing. Even if he is a prince, I couldn’t help but think someone would have given him a good smacking by now. The other brother, Feileg, was somewhat more interesting. I did like the relationship between Vali and Bragi, and the idea of Vali’s rejection of the swaggering machismo of Viking culture, but Vali himself fell a little flat. Trying a little too hard to be a snarky genius. The period details feel fairly authentic, it certainly seems that Lachlan has done his research the magic is well done, very dark and mysterious and bloody, fitting for a Viking story. It’s the prose that really let this story down, for me. It often tries to evoke the language of a Norse saga, but falls short. The prose is inelegant, striving for functionality and authenticity, and ending up as clunky and disjointed in parts. It does achieve something of the feel of a saga, but the writing was too unpolished for my tastes.
Somewhat disappointing, but it’s the first book in a series, and I’d be willing to try more to see if it improves. Take all this with a grain of salt, of course, as I didn’t finish it (gave up around the 70% mark)
I liked the idea behind this a lot more than the actual execution. Vali is a little too smart-mouthed, and not in a way that I found endearing. Even if he is a prince, I couldn’t help but think someone would have given him a good smacking by now. The other brother, Feileg, was somewhat more interesting. I did like the relationship between Vali and Bragi, and the idea of Vali’s rejection of the swaggering machismo of Viking culture, but Vali himself fell a little flat. Trying a little too hard to be a snarky genius. The period details feel fairly authentic, it certainly seems that Lachlan has done his research the magic is well done, very dark and mysterious and bloody, fitting for a Viking story. It’s the prose that really let this story down, for me. It often tries to evoke the language of a Norse saga, but falls short. The prose is inelegant, striving for functionality and authenticity, and ending up as clunky and disjointed in parts. It does achieve something of the feel of a saga, but the writing was too unpolished for my tastes.
Somewhat disappointing, but it’s the first book in a series, and I’d be willing to try more to see if it improves. Take all this with a grain of salt, of course, as I didn’t finish it (gave up around the 70% mark)
March 25, 2014
In the book Wolfsangel, written by Mark Barrowcliffe while under the alias M.D Lachlan, we meet many characters that play a key role in the plot.
Authun- A berserker king, known as the wolf king, who shows sympathy to those he feels is worthy of it. He is also the 'father' of Vali. Unfortunatley, unfavorable events occur which majorly affect him.
Adisla- A farm girl/peasant who captured the heart of Vali and later on, the heart of Feileg. She is a very strong character who is also kind and loyal to those she cares for.
Vali- The son of Authun. Even though he is the son of the Wolf King, he is called a weakling by many other kingdoms because of how he spares others' lives (unlike the many other berserkers that he worked with). He is a gentle man who would do anything for love. Sadly, just like his father, an event occurs in the story that changes his life. Whether it is for the better or not is up to the reader.
Feileg- A 'wolf' man who grew up in a peasant house, but was abandoned in his childhood. He was later found by a 'wolf' man who takes him in and teaches Feileg his ways. He later meets Adisla and starts to have feeling for her.
Gullveig- The queen witch of Troll Wall. She is the controller of all runes, unlike her 'sisters' who each control one rune. Like most witches she is crafty when she helps others.
Summary (brief so I don't spoil):
When Gullveig tells Authun of a prophecy, he hurries to try to stop it. Afterward, we follow the story of Vali who travels it other lands to settle a disagreement. Eventually, he meets up with Feileg and they make a few important discoveries. Finally, everything is revealed in the end.
Conflict:
conflict is a battle between supernatural forces. It is resolved once the battle is finished.
Personally, I really liked this book. Some points of it were slow and dragged, but the complexity of the characters and the allure of the plot is riveting and makes this novel a page turner.
October 3, 2019
This book lacked something, and I really can't put my finger on it, but the author's deep understanding of Norse Mythology and culture really made this an enjoyable, if at times confusing, read. I won't post any spoilers, but I love the way that the mythological myths were incorporated into this.
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