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Mother of Wolves
Can't find ISBN;I got this book from Amazon, in a Kindle Edition(1.4.3).
167 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
6 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
About the author
Zoe Brooks
22 books59 followersI am a British writer and poet. I spend half my life in a partly restored old farmhouse in the Czech Republic, where I write all my novels and poetry. I aim to write popular books, which have complex characters and themes that get under the reader's skin. My fantasy adventure novel Mother of Wolves is available on Amazon. The three books (Girl in The Glass, Love of Shadows and The Company of Shadows of my Healer's Shadow Trilogy are also available and my long poem for voices Fool's Paradise, which won the EPIC prize for best poetry book.
I have two blogs. One is my personal blog http://zoebrooks.blogspot.com. The second is the magic realism blog, on which I read and review a different magic realism book a week, it's on http://www.magic-realism.net.
I also have a weekly online newspaper http://www.womens-fiction.net, which features the best articles about books by and for women.
I was a successful published poet in my teens and twenties, (featuring in the Grandchildren of Albion anthology). Then my son arrived and I was juggling motherhood and career and somehow there wasn't time for the writing. So many women will know how that feels. I regretted it of course and I kept on writing in my head.
I worked with disadvantaged people for about twenty years. It was emotionally hard work but very rewarding. But it took its toll and a few years ago I realized that I couldn't continue. I needed to start writing again.
In my career I had listened to so many brave women (and men and children), to their stories of the terrible things that happened to them and of their survival. I'd worked with asylum seekers, the homeless, abused women, people whose lives have been broken, women like the central character in Girl in the Glass. I have never had their experiences and I suppose the only way I could start understanding was to work it through using my imagination. Not that the central character in Girl in the Glass is any one woman, she isn't, her story is her own.
I have two blogs. One is my personal blog http://zoebrooks.blogspot.com. The second is the magic realism blog, on which I read and review a different magic realism book a week, it's on http://www.magic-realism.net.
I also have a weekly online newspaper http://www.womens-fiction.net, which features the best articles about books by and for women.
I was a successful published poet in my teens and twenties, (featuring in the Grandchildren of Albion anthology). Then my son arrived and I was juggling motherhood and career and somehow there wasn't time for the writing. So many women will know how that feels. I regretted it of course and I kept on writing in my head.
I worked with disadvantaged people for about twenty years. It was emotionally hard work but very rewarding. But it took its toll and a few years ago I realized that I couldn't continue. I needed to start writing again.
In my career I had listened to so many brave women (and men and children), to their stories of the terrible things that happened to them and of their survival. I'd worked with asylum seekers, the homeless, abused women, people whose lives have been broken, women like the central character in Girl in the Glass. I have never had their experiences and I suppose the only way I could start understanding was to work it through using my imagination. Not that the central character in Girl in the Glass is any one woman, she isn't, her story is her own.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 14, 2013
WALKI'S REVIEW
5 STARS
This is the story of Lupa, the Queen of the Lords of the Roads. More exactly, it is the story of how Lupa becomes Queen, and what qualities made her people choose her as a Queen, rather than choose another King. The title of the novel refers to Lupa, not just because she adopts two orphan wolf pups at some point, but also because she is very protective of her own children and of her people.
This is the story of the Lords of the Roads and how the Gypsy tribes unite under one Queen and how they win a war against a general, with Foresters as their allies. Lupa is a strong and intelligent woman, and so is Bessie the Wisewoman of the Foresters. While Lupa is the central character of this story, many characters contribute to the action and captivate the readers.
While 'Mother of Wolves' is an historical fantasy, it is based on typical persecutions that happened throughout human history and presents it from the Gypsies/Romanies' point of view and portrays them as the real people they are: articulate, knowledgeable, generous, intelligent, stubborn, imperfect, loyal, like any other human beings. With 'Mother of Wolves' Zoe Brooks gives us an enjoyable read, and if we are willing to learn, it is also food for thoughts.
SARAI'S REVIEW
4 STARS
Mother of wolves is one of those stories that will suck you in. Right away I was wondering about this woman named Lupa and this culture. I don’t think you are ever certain of what culture you are reading about as you read this and that’s okay. We know that Lupa is a tribal woman married to the King of the Roads and her husband is trying to get guns from the “Others” I can only assume others are white in this situation but they might not be. Lupa’s husband is betrayed by a member of the tribe and is killed by the others. This is a revenge story of a woman who wants to protect her three boys and pay back every person involved with the killing of her beloved husband Torro. And nothing will prevent her from stopping her revenge until every man responsible for the death is dead.
What worked for me:
Lupa worked for me she was simple in her motives, she was smart, and I fully believe she was capable. She struggled when it came down to killing innocents and one particular solider which showed us that she was a killing machine. I enjoyed the fact that Lupa isn’t some girl fighting for a man, she is in fact an intelligent woman who is fighting to protect her sons and to avenge the man she loves. She is unable to read yet very cunning and smart and I liked that she had this weakness. I really enjoyed how Lupa studied everything she didn’t just react on emotions alone she really studied her victims/prey and learned about them and their weaknesses before she attacked. That being said she was also a mother and woman so when her son falls sick we get to see the nurture side of this warrior come out. This story was believable even though it was fantasy.
What didn’t work for me:
The story line was confusing at times. At one point Lupa is Poppy a General’s wife yet I still have no idea how he found her a tribal woman and married her when he hates tribal people. I am still uncertain of how that happened. Was it a neat twist in the story line sure and it was interesting how she played the role but I would’ve like more information on that. There was also around chapter 12 or 13 a shift to a little girl name Dama in the North and it took a couple of pages and almost the whole chapter to figure just what in the world that random chapter was doing in there. The book was good just some of the transitioning between chapters or scenes was abrupt and choppy.
5 STARS
This is the story of Lupa, the Queen of the Lords of the Roads. More exactly, it is the story of how Lupa becomes Queen, and what qualities made her people choose her as a Queen, rather than choose another King. The title of the novel refers to Lupa, not just because she adopts two orphan wolf pups at some point, but also because she is very protective of her own children and of her people.
This is the story of the Lords of the Roads and how the Gypsy tribes unite under one Queen and how they win a war against a general, with Foresters as their allies. Lupa is a strong and intelligent woman, and so is Bessie the Wisewoman of the Foresters. While Lupa is the central character of this story, many characters contribute to the action and captivate the readers.
While 'Mother of Wolves' is an historical fantasy, it is based on typical persecutions that happened throughout human history and presents it from the Gypsies/Romanies' point of view and portrays them as the real people they are: articulate, knowledgeable, generous, intelligent, stubborn, imperfect, loyal, like any other human beings. With 'Mother of Wolves' Zoe Brooks gives us an enjoyable read, and if we are willing to learn, it is also food for thoughts.
SARAI'S REVIEW
4 STARS
Mother of wolves is one of those stories that will suck you in. Right away I was wondering about this woman named Lupa and this culture. I don’t think you are ever certain of what culture you are reading about as you read this and that’s okay. We know that Lupa is a tribal woman married to the King of the Roads and her husband is trying to get guns from the “Others” I can only assume others are white in this situation but they might not be. Lupa’s husband is betrayed by a member of the tribe and is killed by the others. This is a revenge story of a woman who wants to protect her three boys and pay back every person involved with the killing of her beloved husband Torro. And nothing will prevent her from stopping her revenge until every man responsible for the death is dead.
What worked for me:
Lupa worked for me she was simple in her motives, she was smart, and I fully believe she was capable. She struggled when it came down to killing innocents and one particular solider which showed us that she was a killing machine. I enjoyed the fact that Lupa isn’t some girl fighting for a man, she is in fact an intelligent woman who is fighting to protect her sons and to avenge the man she loves. She is unable to read yet very cunning and smart and I liked that she had this weakness. I really enjoyed how Lupa studied everything she didn’t just react on emotions alone she really studied her victims/prey and learned about them and their weaknesses before she attacked. That being said she was also a mother and woman so when her son falls sick we get to see the nurture side of this warrior come out. This story was believable even though it was fantasy.
What didn’t work for me:
The story line was confusing at times. At one point Lupa is Poppy a General’s wife yet I still have no idea how he found her a tribal woman and married her when he hates tribal people. I am still uncertain of how that happened. Was it a neat twist in the story line sure and it was interesting how she played the role but I would’ve like more information on that. There was also around chapter 12 or 13 a shift to a little girl name Dama in the North and it took a couple of pages and almost the whole chapter to figure just what in the world that random chapter was doing in there. The book was good just some of the transitioning between chapters or scenes was abrupt and choppy.
August 5, 2012
The rich descriptions bring this story alive, where myth meets history and good fights evil. I never give spoilers but I would say that everyone should read this book - good, believable characters within a fascinating world.
November 15, 2013
Mother of Wolves is a novel of magical realism that features a strong female protagonist in a native culture.
As the novel opens, Lupa is married to Toro, the king of their tribe, the Lords of the Earth. He has been offered a shipment of guns by the local guards, and he is readying a party of men to go to receive the shipment. Lupa has a bad feeling about the meeting -- and as it turns out, her fears are justified.
When Toro does not return home, Lupa goes to investigate. She uses superior tracking skills to determine that Toro's party was ambushed and her husband killed, leaving her with their children to raise alone. Her anger over his murder and her lust for vengeance fuel the rest of the story.
Time and again, men discount Lupa's intelligence and cunning. And time and again, it leads to their downfall. Lupa disguises herself and marries the commander of the guards responsible for Toro's death, and then bides her time until the day she can take her revenge. Later, sought for the commander's murder, she goes to ground in her people's territory, calling on the spirits of the land and her own ingenuity to evade those looking for her. And as the men of her tribe watch her carry out her plan, the Lords begin to examine their beliefs about Lupa -- as well as about the competence of women in general.
It's never quite clear where the novel takes place -- whether it's a specific location on earth or in a fantasy world. But it doesn't matter. The themes of the novel -- the treatment of native populations by their conquerors, and the treatment of women by men -- resonate no matter where the story takes place. I enjoyed Mother of Wolves and look forward to reading more of Brooks' work.
***
First published at http://hearth-myth-rursday-reads.blog...
As the novel opens, Lupa is married to Toro, the king of their tribe, the Lords of the Earth. He has been offered a shipment of guns by the local guards, and he is readying a party of men to go to receive the shipment. Lupa has a bad feeling about the meeting -- and as it turns out, her fears are justified.
When Toro does not return home, Lupa goes to investigate. She uses superior tracking skills to determine that Toro's party was ambushed and her husband killed, leaving her with their children to raise alone. Her anger over his murder and her lust for vengeance fuel the rest of the story.
Time and again, men discount Lupa's intelligence and cunning. And time and again, it leads to their downfall. Lupa disguises herself and marries the commander of the guards responsible for Toro's death, and then bides her time until the day she can take her revenge. Later, sought for the commander's murder, she goes to ground in her people's territory, calling on the spirits of the land and her own ingenuity to evade those looking for her. And as the men of her tribe watch her carry out her plan, the Lords begin to examine their beliefs about Lupa -- as well as about the competence of women in general.
It's never quite clear where the novel takes place -- whether it's a specific location on earth or in a fantasy world. But it doesn't matter. The themes of the novel -- the treatment of native populations by their conquerors, and the treatment of women by men -- resonate no matter where the story takes place. I enjoyed Mother of Wolves and look forward to reading more of Brooks' work.
***
First published at http://hearth-myth-rursday-reads.blog...
April 13, 2013
My thoughts:
Mother of wolves is one of those stories that will suck you in. Right away I was wondering about this woman named Lupa and this culture. I don’t think you are ever certain of what culture you are reading about as you read this and that’s okay. We know that Lupa is a tribal woman married to the King of the Roads and her husband is trying to get guns from the “Others” I can only assume others are white in this situation but they might not be. Lupa’s husband is betrayed by a member of the tribe and is killed by the others. This is a revenge story of a woman who wants to protect her three boys and pay back every person involved with the killing of her beloved husband Torro. And nothing will prevent her from stopping her revenge until every man responsible for the death is dead.
What worked for me:
Lupa worked for me she was simple in her motives, she was smart, and I fully believe she was capable. She struggled when it came down to killing innocents and one particular solider which showed us that she was a killing machine. I enjoyed the fact that Lupa isn’t some girl fighting for a man, she is in fact an intelligent woman who is fighting to protect her sons and to avenge the man she loves. She is unable to read yet very cunning and smart and I liked that she had this weakness. I really enjoyed how Lupa studied everything she didn’t just react on emotions alone she really studied her victims/prey and learned about them and their weaknesses before she attacked. That being said she was also a mother and woman so when her son falls sick we get to see the nurture side of this warrior come out. This story was believable even though it was fantasy.
What didn’t work for me:
The story line was confusing at times. At one point Lupa is Poppy a General’s wife yet I still have no idea how he found her a tribal woman and married her when he hates tribal people. I am still uncertain of how that happened. Was it a neat twist in the story line sure and it was interesting how she played the role but I would’ve like more information on that. There was also around chapter 12 or 13 a shift to a little girl name Dama in the North and it took a couple of pages and almost the whole chapter to figure just what in the world that random chapter was doing in there. The book was good just some of the transitioning between chapters or scenes was abrupt and choppy.
Mother of wolves is one of those stories that will suck you in. Right away I was wondering about this woman named Lupa and this culture. I don’t think you are ever certain of what culture you are reading about as you read this and that’s okay. We know that Lupa is a tribal woman married to the King of the Roads and her husband is trying to get guns from the “Others” I can only assume others are white in this situation but they might not be. Lupa’s husband is betrayed by a member of the tribe and is killed by the others. This is a revenge story of a woman who wants to protect her three boys and pay back every person involved with the killing of her beloved husband Torro. And nothing will prevent her from stopping her revenge until every man responsible for the death is dead.
What worked for me:
Lupa worked for me she was simple in her motives, she was smart, and I fully believe she was capable. She struggled when it came down to killing innocents and one particular solider which showed us that she was a killing machine. I enjoyed the fact that Lupa isn’t some girl fighting for a man, she is in fact an intelligent woman who is fighting to protect her sons and to avenge the man she loves. She is unable to read yet very cunning and smart and I liked that she had this weakness. I really enjoyed how Lupa studied everything she didn’t just react on emotions alone she really studied her victims/prey and learned about them and their weaknesses before she attacked. That being said she was also a mother and woman so when her son falls sick we get to see the nurture side of this warrior come out. This story was believable even though it was fantasy.
What didn’t work for me:
The story line was confusing at times. At one point Lupa is Poppy a General’s wife yet I still have no idea how he found her a tribal woman and married her when he hates tribal people. I am still uncertain of how that happened. Was it a neat twist in the story line sure and it was interesting how she played the role but I would’ve like more information on that. There was also around chapter 12 or 13 a shift to a little girl name Dama in the North and it took a couple of pages and almost the whole chapter to figure just what in the world that random chapter was doing in there. The book was good just some of the transitioning between chapters or scenes was abrupt and choppy.
September 16, 2012
Mother of Wolves Speaks to All
Mother of Wolves by Zoe Brooks will touch the chord of one’s being that eclipses heart and soul. The work is a fictional tale, by the author’s own pledge, but the happenings are nothing new to anyone who has studied Native history and interaction with the white military and society. The tales embedded within this work are heart-pumpingly enthralling.
The characters are wonderfully vivid and detailed, though a reader will not see the faces. The view is restricted to watching eyes that seek the forms out of the darkness of dreams. One will find the familiar literary guises of underestimated heroes, and villains who hold a banner of right and good; but will be, perhaps, pleasantly surprised to find a strong and effervescent warrior of a female hero by the name of Lupa. Thankfully, such power and humanity in a female hero is becoming more readily available to readers. Brooks has created a hero which is both wolf and chameleon, living her life as a warrior/leader exacting justice on those who think themselves above others and the karmic law that hold all accountable for his or her own actions.
The plot is well honed and written skillfully. The work encapsulates a number of stories, which are each an important portion of life experienced by the hero and those close to her. Mother of Wolves is an interwoven tapestry of life and all of the experiences and complications involved. A reader will view the landscape as those traveling the wilds, not for fun and adventure, but for continued existence and the life of all held dear.
Mother of Wolves by Zoe Brooks will touch the chord of one’s being that eclipses heart and soul. The work is a fictional tale, by the author’s own pledge, but the happenings are nothing new to anyone who has studied Native history and interaction with the white military and society. The tales embedded within this work are heart-pumpingly enthralling.
The characters are wonderfully vivid and detailed, though a reader will not see the faces. The view is restricted to watching eyes that seek the forms out of the darkness of dreams. One will find the familiar literary guises of underestimated heroes, and villains who hold a banner of right and good; but will be, perhaps, pleasantly surprised to find a strong and effervescent warrior of a female hero by the name of Lupa. Thankfully, such power and humanity in a female hero is becoming more readily available to readers. Brooks has created a hero which is both wolf and chameleon, living her life as a warrior/leader exacting justice on those who think themselves above others and the karmic law that hold all accountable for his or her own actions.
The plot is well honed and written skillfully. The work encapsulates a number of stories, which are each an important portion of life experienced by the hero and those close to her. Mother of Wolves is an interwoven tapestry of life and all of the experiences and complications involved. A reader will view the landscape as those traveling the wilds, not for fun and adventure, but for continued existence and the life of all held dear.
May 12, 2013
I really enjoyed this story, split into four parts, this is a story of the old ways, of tribals, healers, people of the earth, roads, forest and rivers and the guards and people who live in houses and to a social etiquette and they all surround a woman called Lupa.
Lupa a wife of the king of the tribal, brought up by a father with infinite knowledge of the earth, river and animals and also influenced by a man, her father’s blood brother, who was once a guard before changing his life and was accepted into a tribe by a blood bonding, is a very knowledgeable and wisewoman.
When her uncle betrays Lupa, her husband and her family, Lupa makes a vow that she will get justice for all who had a hand in it.
Fighting against the Guards that think themselves more superior than people of the tribes, Lupa shows them that she is a force to be reckoned with and not to be underestimated.
And when a rebel army starts killing tribal people and get the farmers and everyone who is not of the way of the tribes to turn their backs on them, Lupa is ready to defend her people and go to war with a united tribe.
This book gets you thinking just how easily it is to be prejudice of honest people who choose to live differently. Though this story is set in a land of simple use and means, you can relate it to our times. And it also gets you thinking of how we use to live before houses and electric and supermarkets and pharmacies.
The book is very well written and keeps you turning the pages. Zoe also has and extract from another of her books, a trilogy ‘Girl in the Glass’, this looks like a great story too and I would also love to read.
Lupa a wife of the king of the tribal, brought up by a father with infinite knowledge of the earth, river and animals and also influenced by a man, her father’s blood brother, who was once a guard before changing his life and was accepted into a tribe by a blood bonding, is a very knowledgeable and wisewoman.
When her uncle betrays Lupa, her husband and her family, Lupa makes a vow that she will get justice for all who had a hand in it.
Fighting against the Guards that think themselves more superior than people of the tribes, Lupa shows them that she is a force to be reckoned with and not to be underestimated.
And when a rebel army starts killing tribal people and get the farmers and everyone who is not of the way of the tribes to turn their backs on them, Lupa is ready to defend her people and go to war with a united tribe.
This book gets you thinking just how easily it is to be prejudice of honest people who choose to live differently. Though this story is set in a land of simple use and means, you can relate it to our times. And it also gets you thinking of how we use to live before houses and electric and supermarkets and pharmacies.
The book is very well written and keeps you turning the pages. Zoe also has and extract from another of her books, a trilogy ‘Girl in the Glass’, this looks like a great story too and I would also love to read.
June 3, 2013
Entertaining read with a fairly standard plotline, main female character in a male dominated society takes revenge on the people responsible for the death of her husband.
The format is a bit odd, written in three parts with the first part longer and more developed, second part, some years later, carries the plot further and the third part, the wrap-up, was the weakest of the three segments. The first part is the best written and most fully developed part while I actually found the third part somewhat unsatisfying.
The format is a bit odd, written in three parts with the first part longer and more developed, second part, some years later, carries the plot further and the third part, the wrap-up, was the weakest of the three segments. The first part is the best written and most fully developed part while I actually found the third part somewhat unsatisfying.
October 23, 2012
Strong women, People of the Earth and Road, and a story similar to "Braveheart." There is here a truly beautiful telling, a story of pride, integrity, leadership and humanity, from the perspective and strength of women, so often forgotten in history. Simple at times but in that simplicity there lies a great deal of meaning and purpose. Definitely worth reading.
July 2, 2013
Quite an interesting read. Periodically, author changed characters in mid-stride causing difficulty in keeping up. I eventually got used to it, even saw it as a unique style to her writing, was necessary as the story went along, and rather enjoyed it. Got so involved in the story, it felt like I was there! Sorry to see it end. Thoroughly enjoyed the book!
August 6, 2013
This is book is a good read that will keep you engaged until you reach the back cover.
April 12, 2016
Didn't care for the style of writing
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews