Valley of the Wolves: Ishkwandem

by Brock Farrow

Fifteen-year-old foster child Josh Redford's only friend in the world was an old Algonquin trapper who taught him the secrets of the wilderness. When the trapper dies, Josh runs away to a remote area of the rugged Laurentian Mountains, where he soon discovers that the trapper's tales of animal spirits are true, and that not all of them are friendly. Caught in an ancient war between good and evil, Josh's escape from grief quickly becomes a harrowing struggle to survive. Desperate and alone, he soon discovers the one secret the trapper never revealed.

Valley of the Wolves is a four-book series full of action and adventure that is rooted in Algonquin mythology. It is also the story of how colonialism nearly destroyed a beautiful people and their culture.

179 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 19, 2024

Reviews

[Sarah Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review: Valley of the Wolves (Book 1: Ishkwandem) by Brock Farrow

A Gritty Coming-of-Age Tale in the Wild
Brock Farrow’s Valley of the Wolves: Ishkwandem plunges readers into the turbulent life of fifteen-year-old Josh Redford, a foster child whose survival instincts are as sharp as the wilderness he navigates. The novel blends raw emotional vulnerability with the untamed beauty of nature, as Josh’s journey—from fractured foster homes to the literal and metaphorical wolves of the wild—becomes a poignant exploration of resilience, identity, and belonging. Farrow’s prose is unflinching, capturing both the brutality of systemic neglect and the fleeting moments of connection that keep Josh fighting.

Key Strengths
-Emotional Authenticity: Josh’s voice rings true, his anger, hope, and weariness etched into every page.
-Atmospheric Setting: The wilderness is a character itself, its dangers and solace mirroring Josh’s internal struggles.
-Thematic Depth: A nuanced look at trauma, trust, and the search for family in unexpected places.

Potential Considerations
-Pacing: The introspective moments may slow the narrative for readers craving constant action, though they deepen the emotional payoff.
-Dark Themes: The novel doesn’t shy from hardship, which could be intense for some audiences.

Score Breakdown (Out of 5)
-Character Development: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.5/5) – A protagonist who claws his way into your heart like roots through cracked stone.
-World-Building: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – The wild feels alive, though some secondary settings could use more texture.
-Emotional Impact: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) – A story that lingers like a campfire’s embers.
-Plot Cohesion: ⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5/5) – Occasionally meanders, but always with purpose.
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – A howl in the dark—equal parts defiance and longing.

Ideal Audience
-Fans of The Serpent King or Where the Crawdads Sing, seeking YA with teeth.
-Readers drawn to stories of survival, both physical and emotional.
-Anyone who believes healing is as messy as it is beautiful.

Gratitude
Thank you to NetGalley and Brock Farrow for the advance copy. Valley of the Wolves doesn’t just tell Josh’s story—it lets you live it, breath by ragged breath.

Note: Review based on an ARC; minor refinements may appear in the final edition.

[Stanley McShane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read his full review on Rosepoint Publishing.

Moving from group home to foster home wore heavily on Josh. He longed to be free and disappear in the Laurentian mountains of his ancestors. His only true friend is a dying Algonquin who is teaching him the old ways.

He is very proficient with a canoe, escapes on a foggy night, and heads downstream to cross into Canada. He knows that the officials will be looking for him and will put him in a juvenile detention facility if he is caught.

Josh read all of the books he could find on wilderness survival, building traps, and foraging for edible foods and tubers. This is a great book for young scouts and others to read. 4.5 stars – CE Williams

The first book in a new series that launches an enterprising and magnetic main character and a great start to the series. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book. Any opinion expressed here is my own.

[Gabby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for this e-pub!

I really enjoyed this coming of age story! Lots of action, well researched, and the twists keep you coming back for more.

15 year old Josh who has a gravitational pull towards the Laurentian Mountains, everything Algonquin, and is a foster child… decides to run away trying his hand at surviving the wilderness. He has a clever and well thought out plan but was never prepared for the constant curve balls that continue to prove that they are not of this world.

If you love found family, coming of age, survivalist, and native lore…. This is a book for you! This book was giving “My side of the mountain” and “Into the wild” with a heavy dose of “Awakening red feather”.

This is book one in the series… our MMC’s journey is not complete after this book concludes!

[Denice Langley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book in a new series is always a little slower paced than the books that follow. Sort of like an introduction to a party, you have to build up knowledge of the characters and the community while setting the hook for the plot line. As such, VALLEY OF THE WOLVES is a winner. The first book of a planned 4 book arch has a strong feel of the young man who is learning of the world outside his comfort zone at the same time he is grieving for the only true friend he had. As he travels further into the forest surroundings, he finds he is not alone. The spiritual guides that watch over their section of the world must decide if this young man will be accepted or rejected. Definitely a series to follow.

[Micki Pettit · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an honest review. When I first started reading, I was thinking I’m not going to like it. It isn’t my normal kind of book. I will say I was surprised by how much I did. I’m even looking forward to reading on in the series.

Josh was a very brave boy to go out on his own. He encountered many obstacles in his journey but overcame them with some help along the way. He showed great courage and determination. I like how he thought things out and didn’t do anything without thinking on the teaching of his old friend.

Would like to thank Goodreads for my free copy of the book. It goes to show that you can’t judge a book by the cover.

[ech0reads]

I received a review copy from Netgalley.

This was a beautifully crafted and very educational read. The main themes of finding belonging, the importance of keeping connections with the past, and the value of nature were weaved fantastically throughout the prose. I wasn't sure what to expect going into this because I didn't really know anything about the indiginous people of Canada but this was a very valuable insight about them and was informative as well as a lovely read.

[Kelly Boulton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good read! coming of age story, finding oneself, and heartwarming.
Josh being a foster child wants to find an old friend so decides to! Tries his hand at wilderness survival. Nice story with twists and turns.
Good read!

[Sharon Prelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

I enjoyed reading this book. I got to know the main character and experience the changes he went through. I am hoping there will be another book

[Stephanie Monk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a bit different from my normal reads but I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to see what comes next