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Hythrun Chronicles: Wolfblade #1
Wolfblade
Marla Wolfblade of Hythria is determined to restore her family's great name, but conspirators surround her: the Sorcerers' Collective, the Patriots -- even members of her own family. She must make sure her son Damin lives to be old enough to restore the Wolfblade name to its former glory.
Elezaar the Dwarf is a small man with big secrets -- but that doesn't matter to Marla Wolfblade. Her brother is the High Prince of Hythria, and, in this fiercely patriarchal society, her fate will be decided on his whim. She needs someone politically astute to guide her through the maze of court politics -- and Elezaar the Dwarf knows more than he lets on.
As Elezaar teaches Marla the Rules of Gaining and Wielding Power, Marla starts on the road to becoming a tactician and a wily diplomat -- but will that be enough to keep her son alive?
Elezaar the Dwarf is a small man with big secrets -- but that doesn't matter to Marla Wolfblade. Her brother is the High Prince of Hythria, and, in this fiercely patriarchal society, her fate will be decided on his whim. She needs someone politically astute to guide her through the maze of court politics -- and Elezaar the Dwarf knows more than he lets on.
As Elezaar teaches Marla the Rules of Gaining and Wielding Power, Marla starts on the road to becoming a tactician and a wily diplomat -- but will that be enough to keep her son alive?
640 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 30, 2004
About the author
Jennifer Fallon
56 books1,051 followersFallon is the author of 17 full-length bestselling novels and a number of published short stories in genres ranging from horror to science fiction.
In addition to 4 complete fantasy series - The Demon Child trilogy, The Hythrun Chronicles, the Second Sons Trilogy,The Tide Lords Quadrilogy and the Rift Runners series - Fallon has written both a tie-novel and short fiction for the TV series, Stargate SG1, an official Zorro story, a novella for the Legends of Australian Fantasy Anthology and has a superhero - The Violet Valet (CHICKS IN CAPES).
Fallon has a Masters Degree from the Creative Arts faculty of QUT. A computer trainer and application specialist, Fallon currently works in the IT industry and spends at least a month each year working at Scott Base in Antarctica.
In addition to 4 complete fantasy series - The Demon Child trilogy, The Hythrun Chronicles, the Second Sons Trilogy,The Tide Lords Quadrilogy and the Rift Runners series - Fallon has written both a tie-novel and short fiction for the TV series, Stargate SG1, an official Zorro story, a novella for the Legends of Australian Fantasy Anthology and has a superhero - The Violet Valet (CHICKS IN CAPES).
Fallon has a Masters Degree from the Creative Arts faculty of QUT. A computer trainer and application specialist, Fallon currently works in the IT industry and spends at least a month each year working at Scott Base in Antarctica.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 151 reviews
November 2, 2022
Evil scheming galore! Machiavellian shenanigans aplenty! Treacherous bastards by the dozen! All my favorite characters killed deadly dead one by one by Ruthlessly Ruthless Jennifer Fallon! YAY!
👋 To be continued and stuff.
➽ The Hythrun Chronicles:
(Publication and suggested reading order, each series can be read independently.)
· Demon Child Trilogy, Book 1: Medalon ★★★★
· Demon Child Trilogy, Book 2: Treason Keep ★★★★
· Demon Child Trilogy, Book 3: Harshini ★★★★
· Wolfblade Trilogy, Book 1: Wolfblade ★★★★★
· Wolfblade Trilogy, Book 2: Warrior ★★★★★
· Wolfblade Trilogy, Book 3: Warlord ★★★★★
· Standalone novella: First Kill ★★★
· War of the Gods, Book 1: The Lyre Thief · to be read
· War of the Gods, Book 2: Retribution · to be read
· War of the Gods, Book 3: Covenant · to be published
👋 To be continued and stuff.
➽ The Hythrun Chronicles:
(Publication and suggested reading order, each series can be read independently.)
· Demon Child Trilogy, Book 1: Medalon ★★★★
· Demon Child Trilogy, Book 2: Treason Keep ★★★★
· Demon Child Trilogy, Book 3: Harshini ★★★★
· Wolfblade Trilogy, Book 1: Wolfblade ★★★★★
· Wolfblade Trilogy, Book 2: Warrior ★★★★★
· Wolfblade Trilogy, Book 3: Warlord ★★★★★
· Standalone novella: First Kill ★★★
· War of the Gods, Book 1: The Lyre Thief · to be read
· War of the Gods, Book 2: Retribution · to be read
· War of the Gods, Book 3: Covenant · to be published
April 3, 2009
Ultimately I would rate this book a 4.5, but as that's not possible I'll go for the five. If you like sophisticated fantasy series with a political lean, 'real' relationships (and by real, I mean human) and characters you become invested in, you will really enjoy this book.
Fallon is not the best writer I've come across - that title currently belongs to Jacqueline Carey - but comes rather close, especially where feuding females (and I mean POWERFUL, INTELLIGENT females) are concerned. No 2-D Good Characters and Bad Characters here - everyone has a motive and this is characterised quite well. It's not as dark as the Kushiel trilogy, nor as bleak as the Farseer Trilogy, but it has that same quality of "things happen and people are as they are". Fallon isn't afraid to take a number of plot twists that will blow your mind, and I love her for it.
This is a well-written book, infinitely more sophisticated than many of the fantasy books I've read recently. I highly recommend her work.
Fallon is not the best writer I've come across - that title currently belongs to Jacqueline Carey - but comes rather close, especially where feuding females (and I mean POWERFUL, INTELLIGENT females) are concerned. No 2-D Good Characters and Bad Characters here - everyone has a motive and this is characterised quite well. It's not as dark as the Kushiel trilogy, nor as bleak as the Farseer Trilogy, but it has that same quality of "things happen and people are as they are". Fallon isn't afraid to take a number of plot twists that will blow your mind, and I love her for it.
This is a well-written book, infinitely more sophisticated than many of the fantasy books I've read recently. I highly recommend her work.
September 30, 2022
4 sterren- Nederlandse paperback
Recencie volgt later.
Recencie volgt later.
April 3, 2014
The Game of Thrones books have largely ruined Fantasy novels for me - most others I've read get compared to them and fall short. So it was a treat to read a low-magic Fantasy book with an emphasis on political intrigue, multiple characters with believable and opposing agendas, and surprises and deaths of major characters.
At some points it seemed like this was a sort of Game of Thrones ripoff; there is even a major character that is a dwarf, wise in the way of politics, but I'm ok with that. There is plenty of uniqueness. It's not as sprawlingly detailed as the George R R Martin books, but the world is crafted well enough to be complex enough for political action on multiple fronts. The plot takes place over several years, allowing for growth and change of the characters and for patient plotters to see their seeds grow into fruition.
The character noble surnames all seem to have some sort of animal, followed by a weapon - "Hawksword", "Eaglespike", "Wolfblade", "Lionclaw". The slaves all just have one name - "Elezar", "Corin". And the other middle classes have two names - "Ronan Dell", "Wrayan Lightfinger", etc. So it's easy to remember who is who. Best of all, there are no characters with random apostrophes put in the middle of their names (one of my longtime Fantasy pet peeves).
My only real disappointment with the book is that while I enjoyed about 90% of it, where human characters play out their schemes and lives in a solidly developed fantasy continent populated by multiple provinces and kingdoms, a few chapters focus on the gods and near immortals of the world, and I found them more of a distraction than an enhancement.
This was the first Jennifer Fallon book I've read, and even though it is a prequel to a different series, it reads just fine as a beginning point. I've already reserved book 2 of the series at the library and I will read other books by her as I continue my wait for the next Game of Thrones book.
At some points it seemed like this was a sort of Game of Thrones ripoff; there is even a major character that is a dwarf, wise in the way of politics, but I'm ok with that. There is plenty of uniqueness. It's not as sprawlingly detailed as the George R R Martin books, but the world is crafted well enough to be complex enough for political action on multiple fronts. The plot takes place over several years, allowing for growth and change of the characters and for patient plotters to see their seeds grow into fruition.
The character noble surnames all seem to have some sort of animal, followed by a weapon - "Hawksword", "Eaglespike", "Wolfblade", "Lionclaw". The slaves all just have one name - "Elezar", "Corin". And the other middle classes have two names - "Ronan Dell", "Wrayan Lightfinger", etc. So it's easy to remember who is who. Best of all, there are no characters with random apostrophes put in the middle of their names (one of my longtime Fantasy pet peeves).
My only real disappointment with the book is that while I enjoyed about 90% of it, where human characters play out their schemes and lives in a solidly developed fantasy continent populated by multiple provinces and kingdoms, a few chapters focus on the gods and near immortals of the world, and I found them more of a distraction than an enhancement.
This was the first Jennifer Fallon book I've read, and even though it is a prequel to a different series, it reads just fine as a beginning point. I've already reserved book 2 of the series at the library and I will read other books by her as I continue my wait for the next Game of Thrones book.
April 30, 2020
Ein grandioser Auftakt! Ich bin mittlerweile ein richtiger Fan von Jennifer Fallon, denn ihre Geschichten saugen mich so richtig in eine völlig fremde Welt!
Es geht sehr viel um Intrigen und eine Menge politischer Ränke bei die Herrschaft in Hythria. Denn Lernen Wulfskling, der an der Spitze der Macht steht, hat keinerlei Ambitionen, sich um sein Reich zu kümmern und frönt lieber seinen kostspieligen, sexuellen Neigungen.
Dadurch rückt seine jüngere Schwester Marla Wulfskling in den Vordergrund, deren Heirat mit dem König aus Fahrdonja Geld in die Kasse bringen soll.
Doch einige der Kriegsherren aus Hythria verfolgen ihre eigenen Pläne, denn die Verbindung zum verfeindeten Fahrdonja ist vielen ein Dorn im Auge.
Das mag jetzt etwas trocken klingen, aber ich liebe den fesselnden Schreibstil der Autorin, die die Welt der Mächtigen in all ihren Facetten großartig beschreibt. Die Konflikte, die aus all den Plänen entstehen, die Missverständnisse, die zum Tod führen, die Betrügereien, die falsche Hoffnungen wecken, und die Überraschungen, die sie immer wieder einbaut, sind grandios!
Total spannend finde ich ja ihre Idee der Court´esa. An sich sind diese Menschen ähnlich wie Prostituierte, allerdings haben sie ein sehr viel höheres Ansehen - auch wenn sie nicht mehr Wert haben als Sklaven. Sie dienen dazu, die Reichen und Mächtigen in der Kunst der Liebe auszubilden und sie auch weiterhin dahingehend zu unterhalten. Was auch bei Verheirateten nicht als Ehebruch angesehen wird, da sie nicht mehr Wert als ein "Besitztum" haben, also eher als Gegenstand zählen.
Eine grausame Vorstellung, aber der lebensrettende Punkt für Marla Wulfskling, die in ihrem Zwerg-Court´esa Elezaar zwar keinen Liebesdiener anwirbt, aber dafür einen getreuen Helfer in allen Dingen, um sie im Kampf um die Macht bestehen zu lassen.
Und den hat sie auch bitter nötig und so entwickelt sie sich vom behüteten, naiven Sprössling zu einer wissbegierigen jungen Frau, die ihr Schicksal selbst in die Hand nimmt.
Das System in Hythria ist ähnlich aufgebaut wie in den meisten Fantasy Romanen mit mittelalterlicher Kulisse, aber die Autorin hat interessante Strukturen aufgebaut, die zwar komplex sind, dadurch aber zu vielen spannenden Verwicklungen führen, die ich mit Begeisterung verfolgt habe.
Vor allem auch die Charaktere, die jeder für sich ihre eigenen Ziele verfolgen - zur eigenen Macht, für ihr Land Hythria oder auch nur fürs eigene Überleben.
Die Magie spielt natürlich auch eine Rolle, ist aber nicht so dominant. Die Harshini gelten ja als ausgerottet - magische Wesen, die als Verbindung zu den Göttern angesehen wurden und jeglicher Gewalt abweisend gegenüberstehen, ja solcher Gefühle wie Wut und Hass gar nicht fähig sind. Doch es gibt noch einige Menschen, die ein gewisses Talent für Zauberei haben und ihren Nutzen daraus ziehen.
Es hat vielleicht nicht so die Dynamik wie die andere Dilogie, die in der gleichen Welt spielt, trotzdem bin ich nur so durch die Seiten geflogen!
Die Ereignisse spielen ja zeitlich vor der Dämonenkind - Trilogie, aber da die Autorin diese Reihe auch später geschrieben hat, wollte ich sie auch in dieser Reihenfolge lesen.
Man begegnet hier sozusagen den Vorfahren der Figuren, die man aus der anderen Reihe kennt und lernt die Vorgeschichte kennen.
Weltenwanderer
Es geht sehr viel um Intrigen und eine Menge politischer Ränke bei die Herrschaft in Hythria. Denn Lernen Wulfskling, der an der Spitze der Macht steht, hat keinerlei Ambitionen, sich um sein Reich zu kümmern und frönt lieber seinen kostspieligen, sexuellen Neigungen.
Dadurch rückt seine jüngere Schwester Marla Wulfskling in den Vordergrund, deren Heirat mit dem König aus Fahrdonja Geld in die Kasse bringen soll.
Doch einige der Kriegsherren aus Hythria verfolgen ihre eigenen Pläne, denn die Verbindung zum verfeindeten Fahrdonja ist vielen ein Dorn im Auge.
Das mag jetzt etwas trocken klingen, aber ich liebe den fesselnden Schreibstil der Autorin, die die Welt der Mächtigen in all ihren Facetten großartig beschreibt. Die Konflikte, die aus all den Plänen entstehen, die Missverständnisse, die zum Tod führen, die Betrügereien, die falsche Hoffnungen wecken, und die Überraschungen, die sie immer wieder einbaut, sind grandios!
Total spannend finde ich ja ihre Idee der Court´esa. An sich sind diese Menschen ähnlich wie Prostituierte, allerdings haben sie ein sehr viel höheres Ansehen - auch wenn sie nicht mehr Wert haben als Sklaven. Sie dienen dazu, die Reichen und Mächtigen in der Kunst der Liebe auszubilden und sie auch weiterhin dahingehend zu unterhalten. Was auch bei Verheirateten nicht als Ehebruch angesehen wird, da sie nicht mehr Wert als ein "Besitztum" haben, also eher als Gegenstand zählen.
Eine grausame Vorstellung, aber der lebensrettende Punkt für Marla Wulfskling, die in ihrem Zwerg-Court´esa Elezaar zwar keinen Liebesdiener anwirbt, aber dafür einen getreuen Helfer in allen Dingen, um sie im Kampf um die Macht bestehen zu lassen.
Und den hat sie auch bitter nötig und so entwickelt sie sich vom behüteten, naiven Sprössling zu einer wissbegierigen jungen Frau, die ihr Schicksal selbst in die Hand nimmt.
Das System in Hythria ist ähnlich aufgebaut wie in den meisten Fantasy Romanen mit mittelalterlicher Kulisse, aber die Autorin hat interessante Strukturen aufgebaut, die zwar komplex sind, dadurch aber zu vielen spannenden Verwicklungen führen, die ich mit Begeisterung verfolgt habe.
Vor allem auch die Charaktere, die jeder für sich ihre eigenen Ziele verfolgen - zur eigenen Macht, für ihr Land Hythria oder auch nur fürs eigene Überleben.
Die Magie spielt natürlich auch eine Rolle, ist aber nicht so dominant. Die Harshini gelten ja als ausgerottet - magische Wesen, die als Verbindung zu den Göttern angesehen wurden und jeglicher Gewalt abweisend gegenüberstehen, ja solcher Gefühle wie Wut und Hass gar nicht fähig sind. Doch es gibt noch einige Menschen, die ein gewisses Talent für Zauberei haben und ihren Nutzen daraus ziehen.
Es hat vielleicht nicht so die Dynamik wie die andere Dilogie, die in der gleichen Welt spielt, trotzdem bin ich nur so durch die Seiten geflogen!
Die Ereignisse spielen ja zeitlich vor der Dämonenkind - Trilogie, aber da die Autorin diese Reihe auch später geschrieben hat, wollte ich sie auch in dieser Reihenfolge lesen.
Man begegnet hier sozusagen den Vorfahren der Figuren, die man aus der anderen Reihe kennt und lernt die Vorgeschichte kennen.
Weltenwanderer
January 13, 2018
Nope, nope and nope. DNF at over 30%. Bland characters, a foolish ‘heroin’ (I know she young but as a royal highness, she’s supposed to have had an education), plenty of nonsense and an average writing.
Like I said. Nope.
Like I said. Nope.
October 2, 2022
Exactly what I want from political fantasy. I was enamoured with the characters and how effortlessly their backgrounds were established, I was intruiged by the plot and the settings were quite vivid as well. There was one plotline that took we until the end to place within the bigger context and I wasn't as interested in that than the rest, costing the book a star, however I'm quite looking forward to were I think the story will go. There is more of the world, the magic and our characters yet to explore and there were some developements that show Jennifer Fallon isn't messing around, making this one of the few series' I feel I need to continue.
July 17, 2021
I have had this sitting on my shelf for over 10 years and only just got around to reading it. I can't believe I waited so long to read a book this good. I really loved it. I found it really difficult to put down and the political intrigues and maneuvering kept me interested right up until the end. It has been a long time since a book has held my attention like that. You are left in no doubt that, while the men hold the official power, it is the women you need to watch out for.
I also loved the character Elezaar. I look forward to seeing more from him in later books.
I will be reading the others in the series in quick succession and I will be recommending this book to others.
I also loved the character Elezaar. I look forward to seeing more from him in later books.
I will be reading the others in the series in quick succession and I will be recommending this book to others.
July 20, 2013
This review first appeared in The Specusphere in May 2006
Jennifer Fallon is one of the brightest stars in the constellation of Australasian fantasy writers. She is in good company: shining alongside her we find several women writers of international repute, including Sara Douglas, Cecilia Dart-Thornton, Lian Hearn, Glenda Larke, Fiona Macintosh, Karen Miller, Juliet Marillier and Marianne de Pierres. Each has a unique style, and all are worthy of recognition as fine writers by anyone's reckoning. One or two of them might prefer to be thought of as primarily literary or historical writers, but surely it's time for fantasy to stop being the genre that dare not show its face? Writers of their calibre can hold their heads up in any assemblage.
Fallon is not only a good writer but also a prolific one, often bringing out more than one book a year. Wolfblade is the first book of her third trilogy, The Hythrun Chronicles, a prequel to her earlier Demon Child Trilogy, and if Wolfblade is anything to go by, the series will be eagerly devoured by anyone who appreciated the earlier work. It features some of the same characters, including Lorandranek, King of the Harshini, and his champion, Brakandaran the Halfbreed. They figure in the subplot, which centres on Wrayan Lightfinger, a thief turned sorcerer turned thief again, with some good laughs being provided by a brace of eccentric shape-changing demons.
The doings of the otherworldly Harshini contrast nicely with the almost Machiavellian twists of the main story, whose central character is Marla Wolfblade, sister to the degenerate and perverted High Prince of Hythria. We see Marla forcibly married to a man not of her choosing, and over the course of the book we watch her grow from a silly teenager who can hardly open her mouth without putting her foot in it into a crafty stateswoman determined to become the real power behind the throne of Hythria. Along the way we are introduced to plenty of other intriguing characters, including a couple of frighteningly dysfunctional relatives-by-marriage of Marla's, and her devoted servant, Elezaar the dwarf, who teaches his mistress the subtle arts of deception and one-upsmanship essential to a ruler. All Fallon's characters are clearly and surely defined: we see how they affect events and how they are affected by them, so plot and characterisation bound along hand-in-hand. By the time I reached the book's surprise ending I was sorry to say good-bye.
I only have two small quibbles with Fallon's work, which is well-crafted, easy to read, pacey and gripping. First, she sometimes presents events from the point of view of a dying person. She is not alone in this once-unacceptable practice: the illustrious Guy Gavriel Kay is regularly guilty of it. For this reader, at least, it completely destroys suspension of disbelief. The other quibble is with her invented languages. Hythria must be on another planet, since we have never read about it in our history or geography books! How can it be, then, that its people have such an Indo-European looking vocabulary? 'Court’esa', meaning a slave trained in the sexual arts, is altogether too much like 'courtesan' for credibility as an Exotic Word. And names such as 'Bylinda', 'Frederak' and 'Mahkas' border on the ludicrous.
These criticisms apart, however, Wolfblade promises to be the first book of another captivating trilogy. (If only we were allowed give half-stars!) Long may the muse dwell with Jennifer Fallon!
Jennifer Fallon is one of the brightest stars in the constellation of Australasian fantasy writers. She is in good company: shining alongside her we find several women writers of international repute, including Sara Douglas, Cecilia Dart-Thornton, Lian Hearn, Glenda Larke, Fiona Macintosh, Karen Miller, Juliet Marillier and Marianne de Pierres. Each has a unique style, and all are worthy of recognition as fine writers by anyone's reckoning. One or two of them might prefer to be thought of as primarily literary or historical writers, but surely it's time for fantasy to stop being the genre that dare not show its face? Writers of their calibre can hold their heads up in any assemblage.
Fallon is not only a good writer but also a prolific one, often bringing out more than one book a year. Wolfblade is the first book of her third trilogy, The Hythrun Chronicles, a prequel to her earlier Demon Child Trilogy, and if Wolfblade is anything to go by, the series will be eagerly devoured by anyone who appreciated the earlier work. It features some of the same characters, including Lorandranek, King of the Harshini, and his champion, Brakandaran the Halfbreed. They figure in the subplot, which centres on Wrayan Lightfinger, a thief turned sorcerer turned thief again, with some good laughs being provided by a brace of eccentric shape-changing demons.
The doings of the otherworldly Harshini contrast nicely with the almost Machiavellian twists of the main story, whose central character is Marla Wolfblade, sister to the degenerate and perverted High Prince of Hythria. We see Marla forcibly married to a man not of her choosing, and over the course of the book we watch her grow from a silly teenager who can hardly open her mouth without putting her foot in it into a crafty stateswoman determined to become the real power behind the throne of Hythria. Along the way we are introduced to plenty of other intriguing characters, including a couple of frighteningly dysfunctional relatives-by-marriage of Marla's, and her devoted servant, Elezaar the dwarf, who teaches his mistress the subtle arts of deception and one-upsmanship essential to a ruler. All Fallon's characters are clearly and surely defined: we see how they affect events and how they are affected by them, so plot and characterisation bound along hand-in-hand. By the time I reached the book's surprise ending I was sorry to say good-bye.
I only have two small quibbles with Fallon's work, which is well-crafted, easy to read, pacey and gripping. First, she sometimes presents events from the point of view of a dying person. She is not alone in this once-unacceptable practice: the illustrious Guy Gavriel Kay is regularly guilty of it. For this reader, at least, it completely destroys suspension of disbelief. The other quibble is with her invented languages. Hythria must be on another planet, since we have never read about it in our history or geography books! How can it be, then, that its people have such an Indo-European looking vocabulary? 'Court’esa', meaning a slave trained in the sexual arts, is altogether too much like 'courtesan' for credibility as an Exotic Word. And names such as 'Bylinda', 'Frederak' and 'Mahkas' border on the ludicrous.
These criticisms apart, however, Wolfblade promises to be the first book of another captivating trilogy. (If only we were allowed give half-stars!) Long may the muse dwell with Jennifer Fallon!
July 8, 2021
This is just a really charming, but fairly standard, high-fantasy book. I love the characters, I love the magic system, there's really nothing I _don't_ like about it. Definitely looking forward to getting my hands on the next book.
September 26, 2008
I decided to read this series after reading Jennifer Fallon's Second Sons trilogy, which was phenomenal. I know I'm only one book in, but I am not as in love with this series so far.
My assessment may not be 100% fair, as I started the series with this book (the first book in the Hythrun Chronicles), which is the chronological start of the series, and not with Medalon (the first book in the Demon Child Trilogy), which was written first. So I may not be getting certain foreshadowing that I would if I had read the Demon Trilogy before this prequel.
The pacing is a little slow and it seems like all the action takes place "off-camera", and the narrative voice switches so frequently, it is hard to develop an emotional attachment to any of the characters. Riika and Wrayan were the characters I felt the closest to, and Riika was abruptly murdered, and Wrayan disappears halfway through the book.
Despite those reservations, the story is epic in scope and is a page-turner. I am also hoping the story picks up in Warrior, the next book in the series, which I've already started reading.
My assessment may not be 100% fair, as I started the series with this book (the first book in the Hythrun Chronicles), which is the chronological start of the series, and not with Medalon (the first book in the Demon Child Trilogy), which was written first. So I may not be getting certain foreshadowing that I would if I had read the Demon Trilogy before this prequel.
The pacing is a little slow and it seems like all the action takes place "off-camera", and the narrative voice switches so frequently, it is hard to develop an emotional attachment to any of the characters. Riika and Wrayan were the characters I felt the closest to, and Riika was abruptly murdered, and Wrayan disappears halfway through the book.
Despite those reservations, the story is epic in scope and is a page-turner. I am also hoping the story picks up in Warrior, the next book in the series, which I've already started reading.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 20, 2016
Awful. Managed to force my way through half but the pot holes became black holes and I couldn't stand it anymore.
Not sure what the fanfare for this author is unless she just really trashed her prequel. She's ruined her chances for me to try the series now.
Spoilers... But who is kidding you can see it coming a mile away despite protesting that no author would publish something like that??
Any protagonist moronic enough, while the author lauds his brilliance, to out his ward and half sister in the only castle in the only open pass between his country and the rival who is spitting mad cause our protagonist stole his bride...and it just goes on and on. I had more sense from an 8 year old's story. Granted he is actually smart while our non hero here is just a zero.
Not sure what the fanfare for this author is unless she just really trashed her prequel. She's ruined her chances for me to try the series now.
Spoilers... But who is kidding you can see it coming a mile away despite protesting that no author would publish something like that??
Any protagonist moronic enough, while the author lauds his brilliance, to out his ward and half sister in the only castle in the only open pass between his country and the rival who is spitting mad cause our protagonist stole his bride...and it just goes on and on. I had more sense from an 8 year old's story. Granted he is actually smart while our non hero here is just a zero.
April 17, 2015
I could not put this down. Once I stopped trying to figure out how this fit in with the other trilogy set in the same world, and decided it was a prequel, I was able to much better sort out events in my head, and follow the building story along to a climax, which while rather delicious led to some obvious plot twists, and while one scene did completely delight me, I would have preferred some closure with respect a few of the characters. However, I don't think that detracted much from the book, and I'm looking forward to continuing the series.
June 10, 2018
Amazing book. I loved being able to learn the backstory to Damin Wolfblade (even if it did not really involve him yet because he was just being born). Some may find the story slow in spots because there is a lot of explaining to due with politics and customs but I liked it all the same.
And Eleazer is awesome. :)
And Eleazer is awesome. :)
December 28, 2020
Okay,,, so,,, if I read this for the first time this would probably more realistically be a 4 star read but the nostalgia is strong with this one and I make the rules,,,
Also rereading this just once again confirmed to me that it was the right decision to put Marla on all my favourite female characters lists even if I hadn't read the book in years bc wheeeew talk about character development
Also rereading this just once again confirmed to me that it was the right decision to put Marla on all my favourite female characters lists even if I hadn't read the book in years bc wheeeew talk about character development
May 6, 2023
I found this a bit slow at the start but it got interesting and I really enjoyed it. Look forward to the next book in the series
September 21, 2017
I am still reading the third book in this series, and I initially wanted to write only a review based on the entire prequel trilogy at the end, but I decided against it, especially after letting the first two books sink in. Just an FYI, this review does has spoilers in it, but only for book 1.
March 27, 2018
03/18/2018 update:
Decided to re-read this series since the last time I was read it was 10 years ago. Remember really liking it and wondered if it would stand up. It does! Enjoyed it as much the second time and while I remembered some stuff, I'd forgotten enough that the reading was almost like new.
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As I sat and started to read this book, I found myself snuggling deeper into my comfy chair, asking my husband for a glass of wine and happy that the kids were occupied elsewhere. This is one of those fantasy books that is like comfort food. It is familiar, yummy, satisfying without being too heavy, and yet too much of it may not be very good for you.
It takes place in a typical fantasy setting, namely a vaguely medieval setting with royalty, sorcerers and a recognizable caste system. The cast of characters are very approachable with cool names life Wolfblade, Lionsclaw, Ravenspear etc. There are a few plot surprises, plus some great moments of understated humor to keep the story moving along.
The main protagonist, Marla Wolfblade, is quite a nitwit in the beginning, but she is gifted with a calculating slave who wants to survive at all costs. He believes that making sure she learns political craft is the answer to both their continued survival. It is nice to see Marla's growing and learning process. Until the end where the reader sees how very much Marla has learned about the politics of survival.
And even though, Marla is clearly the main character, she doesn't carry the bulk of the book. The book boasts a large cast of characters who all plot for gain or survival. Even the main villain has a reason for the things they do that isn't necessarily all evil. I always like it when a villain isn't just there for the sake of villainy.
As i was reading the book, I couldn't help but be reminded of Raymond Feist/Janny Wurts' Empire trilogy that featured a character named Mara. The plot of a young member of a ruling house have to learn deadly state craft in order to survive runs strongly through both series. And I think that anyone who liked that one would like this one too.
Decided to re-read this series since the last time I was read it was 10 years ago. Remember really liking it and wondered if it would stand up. It does! Enjoyed it as much the second time and while I remembered some stuff, I'd forgotten enough that the reading was almost like new.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
As I sat and started to read this book, I found myself snuggling deeper into my comfy chair, asking my husband for a glass of wine and happy that the kids were occupied elsewhere. This is one of those fantasy books that is like comfort food. It is familiar, yummy, satisfying without being too heavy, and yet too much of it may not be very good for you.
It takes place in a typical fantasy setting, namely a vaguely medieval setting with royalty, sorcerers and a recognizable caste system. The cast of characters are very approachable with cool names life Wolfblade, Lionsclaw, Ravenspear etc. There are a few plot surprises, plus some great moments of understated humor to keep the story moving along.
The main protagonist, Marla Wolfblade, is quite a nitwit in the beginning, but she is gifted with a calculating slave who wants to survive at all costs. He believes that making sure she learns political craft is the answer to both their continued survival. It is nice to see Marla's growing and learning process. Until the end where the reader sees how very much Marla has learned about the politics of survival.
And even though, Marla is clearly the main character, she doesn't carry the bulk of the book. The book boasts a large cast of characters who all plot for gain or survival. Even the main villain has a reason for the things they do that isn't necessarily all evil. I always like it when a villain isn't just there for the sake of villainy.
As i was reading the book, I couldn't help but be reminded of Raymond Feist/Janny Wurts' Empire trilogy that featured a character named Mara. The plot of a young member of a ruling house have to learn deadly state craft in order to survive runs strongly through both series. And I think that anyone who liked that one would like this one too.
August 27, 2016
Jennifer Fallon is one of my favorite authors. True she has nowhere near the level of talent as authors like Terry Brooks or Robert Jordan - but all the same - I enjoy her stories. JF books tend to learn more towards politically driven fantasy series but trust me when I say that they are really good reads.
Warlord is the 1st book in the Hythrun Chronicles & follows Marla Wolfblade, Princess of Hythria as she fights for the freedom to live her own life, to rise through the ranks of a male driven world & navigate through the divine intervention/manipulations of a few gods.
Having read the Demon Child trilogy first, I was anxious to read this series with the hopes of seeing & learning more of the gods & the Harshini (namely Brak!) Though this book is a little light on the Harshini, I was still pulled in & captivated with Marla & her story.
The world Fallon paints is a dark & twisted one, with well drawn characters, both loveable & hate worthy & a gripping overall story that sucks you in from the get go.
I love the dynamics between Marla & Elezaar. The knowledge he gives to Marla is priceless & empowering & I loved watching their friendship grow as Elezaar the Fool helps Hythria's princess grow into a force to be reckoned with. Marla may not have had the magic of the gods or the Harshini - but she definitely managed to make her mark on the world.
Warlord is the 1st book in the Hythrun Chronicles & follows Marla Wolfblade, Princess of Hythria as she fights for the freedom to live her own life, to rise through the ranks of a male driven world & navigate through the divine intervention/manipulations of a few gods.
Having read the Demon Child trilogy first, I was anxious to read this series with the hopes of seeing & learning more of the gods & the Harshini (namely Brak!) Though this book is a little light on the Harshini, I was still pulled in & captivated with Marla & her story.
The world Fallon paints is a dark & twisted one, with well drawn characters, both loveable & hate worthy & a gripping overall story that sucks you in from the get go.
I love the dynamics between Marla & Elezaar. The knowledge he gives to Marla is priceless & empowering & I loved watching their friendship grow as Elezaar the Fool helps Hythria's princess grow into a force to be reckoned with. Marla may not have had the magic of the gods or the Harshini - but she definitely managed to make her mark on the world.
October 15, 2011
This is the first book of a trilogy that's actually a prequel to the Medalon series. My definition of a prequel has always been that it's something a writer resorts to when they either can't come up with new ideas, or they're trying to squeeze book sales out of rewriting the same story about the same characters that made them a success. They're usually a waste of time for me. So, I ignored this trilogy and pretty much dismissed it. After all, I already know what happens.
I love being proved wrong about a book. It's a win-win situation for me. This book went far enough in the past that I didn't know what was going to happen. Sure I know a few things about one or two characters, but for the most part, this book has a fresh new story with great characters and packed with political intrigue.
I didn't want to do anything else while reading this book, and I pulled out my Kindle every spare moment I had on the train, during lunch, on the elevator. I didn't even want to cook because that just wasted valuable reading time. If only all books could be this way.
The Second Sons trilogy remains my favorite, but I'm excited to read the rest of this trilogy! Think I need to recover first though. What a ride. :)
I love being proved wrong about a book. It's a win-win situation for me. This book went far enough in the past that I didn't know what was going to happen. Sure I know a few things about one or two characters, but for the most part, this book has a fresh new story with great characters and packed with political intrigue.
I didn't want to do anything else while reading this book, and I pulled out my Kindle every spare moment I had on the train, during lunch, on the elevator. I didn't even want to cook because that just wasted valuable reading time. If only all books could be this way.
The Second Sons trilogy remains my favorite, but I'm excited to read the rest of this trilogy! Think I need to recover first though. What a ride. :)
Shelved as 'unfinished-reads'
September 3, 2014I heard about this book in a reddit thread about political fantasy novels, and it sounded like it was down my alley. I thought I'd dig it after the first couple chapters, but things ended up moving far, far too slow for my liking, and I just wasn't enjoying it at all. I could also blame a few specific books behind it on my shelf, but, ultimately, I was looking for something more engaging than what I got from this one at this point.
December 16, 2013
This is not my favorite of Fallon's books, but it is still good. It is kind of a prequel to Medalon.
April 14, 2018
This could have been so much better than it was. Good ideas but bad execution.
March 13, 2021
Game of Thrones-style fantasy book (heavy on the politics, light on the fantasy).
Got better towards the end but I wasn't fan of any of the characters.
Got better towards the end but I wasn't fan of any of the characters.
April 11, 2021
Wolfblade is evidence that my reading habits and tastes have changed over time. This story is, at its heart, really a soap opera set in a fantasy universe, with considerable make-up in the form of lore, legend, and politics. HOWEVER - any reader should be cautioned that any semblance of continuity and predictability in the world is really just window dressing. This is truly driven purely by relationship drama - especially sex and betrayal - first and foremost. Others can have what they want, but R-rated soap operas with bad endings for pretty much everyone are not what I want out of my fantasy.
Characters really do not matter. Many that seem important will be killed abruptly and even "off-screen". Those who persist (especially Elezaar and Marla), exhibit little growth or convincing depth. Marla's infidelity, insipidity, and foolishness make her a sure-fire throw-away main character, and utterly predictable in her inevitable adultery and double treachery. This book is mostly broken people doing bad things because they are selfish, and therefore spreading their misery around to everyone else. Nothing heroic.
The two small saving graces are Laran Krakenshield's brothers, Chaine and Mahkas. Chaine because he is refreshingly genuine, and Mahkas because he's evil, deceptive, and drives himself to insanity because of it. These two are more human characters that don't suddenly die with an arrow in the back or a harp string around their neck. But, neither is both likeable nor heroic, and so there really is almost no character to cheer on once Laran (who was the second main character) dies basically as a footnote.
Because of Fallon's obvious predisposition toward the value of relationships and her ability to dramatize events and characters' desires, I feel like there could have been a really special novel of court intrigue here, were the book not so obsessed with sexual deviancy - as is usual for modern fantasy, there's no way the nobility could have ever arrived believably in its present state given its absurd debasement. For the first several hundred pages. Fallon had me hooked and I thought I'd run into something special. Then the mass murdering and betrayals kicked in with no redeeming virtues, and I literally tossed the book aside.
This book was a clearance purchase from Half Price Books at some point long ago (I think), and was finally picked blindly for me to read by my wife when I wanted a surprise.
Characters really do not matter. Many that seem important will be killed abruptly and even "off-screen". Those who persist (especially Elezaar and Marla), exhibit little growth or convincing depth. Marla's infidelity, insipidity, and foolishness make her a sure-fire throw-away main character, and utterly predictable in her inevitable adultery and double treachery. This book is mostly broken people doing bad things because they are selfish, and therefore spreading their misery around to everyone else. Nothing heroic.
The two small saving graces are Laran Krakenshield's brothers, Chaine and Mahkas. Chaine because he is refreshingly genuine, and Mahkas because he's evil, deceptive, and drives himself to insanity because of it. These two are more human characters that don't suddenly die with an arrow in the back or a harp string around their neck. But, neither is both likeable nor heroic, and so there really is almost no character to cheer on once Laran (who was the second main character) dies basically as a footnote.
Because of Fallon's obvious predisposition toward the value of relationships and her ability to dramatize events and characters' desires, I feel like there could have been a really special novel of court intrigue here, were the book not so obsessed with sexual deviancy - as is usual for modern fantasy, there's no way the nobility could have ever arrived believably in its present state given its absurd debasement. For the first several hundred pages. Fallon had me hooked and I thought I'd run into something special. Then the mass murdering and betrayals kicked in with no redeeming virtues, and I literally tossed the book aside.
This book was a clearance purchase from Half Price Books at some point long ago (I think), and was finally picked blindly for me to read by my wife when I wanted a surprise.
August 27, 2019
I had good intentions in finishing this book. I got 40 chapters into it and the flow of the book was great. After chapter 40 it just seemed to gradually slow down to the point where I was forcing myself to read.
I got to chapter 50 and thought I can't read it anymore. It's got to the point where I can't even pick it up now.
First half of the book is amazing. The character build up is slow but you don't notice as there's a lot going on in the background.
I think maybe I was expecting too much from this book. It's just not for me. It's not very often that I don't finish a book. I feel like I should. I may come back to it in the future that's if it's still on my bookshelf. One positive is that it only cost me 50 pence so can't complain to much about it 😂
I would like to see where one of the characters ended up. As you would've wrote a separate book about him alone he was that interesting.
The best way I can describe is like a cheap knock off from Game of thrones. Which is incomparable as them books are amazing.
I like game of thrones (I actually love game of thrones) books/tv series. Wolfblade just didn't have that spark that it needed to keep me reading more.
I would give this 2/5 and that's me being generous.
I hope I haven't put anyone off this book. Remember this is my opinion only. This is the lowest mark I've left for a book and I don't feel to happy about it.
I got to chapter 50 and thought I can't read it anymore. It's got to the point where I can't even pick it up now.
First half of the book is amazing. The character build up is slow but you don't notice as there's a lot going on in the background.
I think maybe I was expecting too much from this book. It's just not for me. It's not very often that I don't finish a book. I feel like I should. I may come back to it in the future that's if it's still on my bookshelf. One positive is that it only cost me 50 pence so can't complain to much about it 😂
I would like to see where one of the characters ended up. As you would've wrote a separate book about him alone he was that interesting.
The best way I can describe is like a cheap knock off from Game of thrones. Which is incomparable as them books are amazing.
I like game of thrones (I actually love game of thrones) books/tv series. Wolfblade just didn't have that spark that it needed to keep me reading more.
I would give this 2/5 and that's me being generous.
I hope I haven't put anyone off this book. Remember this is my opinion only. This is the lowest mark I've left for a book and I don't feel to happy about it.
September 14, 2017
This is a good fantasy adventure novel for the early adult (high school/college level). It is actually more political intrigue than fantasy, only introducing the sorcerers, gods, and demons in the middle for a brief few chapters. Most of the 600 pages describe family members and their ties to the imaginary country of Hythria. There is murder, scandles, magic, naive princesses learning the hard lessons of diplomacy, and, of course, a very smart dwarf. Sounds familiar? Thankfully, no dragons...yet. I enjoyed it's sufficient and sometimes comical prose (well-written in that it gets the point across in short chapters) but got a little bored in the middle when we return to a magical world of the Hashini that were introduced in a previous trilogy by Fallon. This explains why I put the book down numerous times to read something else. But after finishing, I have decided I may continue the trilogy, regardless of how formula the players are. My few criticisms include the nonchalance of slavery to a fault, and that I'm not sure who I'm supposed to route for. Fallon forgot one cardinal rule of writing intrigue--make your protagonist suffer. I don't see enough suffering and a lot of winning. Maybe in the next book.
August 11, 2022
I wanted to enjoy this, I really did, but there were too many things that rubbed me the wrong way.
The language was simple, almost like a children's book, and clashed disconcertingly with all the sex, murder and political intrigue.
Parts of the plot were simply too ridiculous. For instance, the lord of however much of the land and father of the heir to the realm was busy on a raid to steal cattle?!
But my main gripe is that the characters are completely one-dimensional.
Marla is the spoiled sheltered princess trying make her way in life. Laran is the good, responsible, rational character. Riika is the good kind princess. Darilyn is her bitter, selfish sister. Alija is a career woman. Lernen is a sadistic dumbass. Hablet is a macho dumbass. Mahkas is an unfortunate dumbass. Barnardo is just a completely over the top dumbass. Nash is horny. Is he also a dumbass? Probably, but just about every single line concerning Nash in the book relates solely to his horniness. Brak is Geralt. Wrayan is a sidekick. Elezaar is the offbrand Tyrion Lannister, sans charisma and any actual importance.
It all just falls flat and fails to captivate.
I don't think I will continue reading this series.
The language was simple, almost like a children's book, and clashed disconcertingly with all the sex, murder and political intrigue.
Parts of the plot were simply too ridiculous. For instance, the lord of however much of the land and father of the heir to the realm was busy on a raid to steal cattle?!
But my main gripe is that the characters are completely one-dimensional.
Marla is the spoiled sheltered princess trying make her way in life. Laran is the good, responsible, rational character. Riika is the good kind princess. Darilyn is her bitter, selfish sister. Alija is a career woman. Lernen is a sadistic dumbass. Hablet is a macho dumbass. Mahkas is an unfortunate dumbass. Barnardo is just a completely over the top dumbass. Nash is horny. Is he also a dumbass? Probably, but just about every single line concerning Nash in the book relates solely to his horniness. Brak is Geralt. Wrayan is a sidekick. Elezaar is the offbrand Tyrion Lannister, sans charisma and any actual importance.
It all just falls flat and fails to captivate.
I don't think I will continue reading this series.
September 15, 2022
Wolfblade starts as a standard and uncomplicated YA fantasy. The initial dialogues lull the reader into a false sense of comfort, showing a romantic and young heroine forced into an unhappy marriage by her sense of duty, however the book offers so much more. As the story progresses, it delivers a number of twists, with deaths of main characters, shocking backstabbing and betrayals that come out of blind corners. One of these came so out of the blue that reminded me of Game of Thrones’s (and I don’t say this likely).
This novel isn’t without snags however, I didn’t particularly like the gods system with the little demons and the idea of Harshini’s hideaway was a bit on the juvenile side and out of my comfort zone, in addition, as already mentioned, the dialogues could have been more polished.
I did like Elezaar as a character, the astute political intrigue of the different provinces and the history of the old families very much. Marla displays good character development; from a young woman reluctant to enter a marriage of convenience to a serious ruler defending her son’s right to rule not only as her family legacy but for the future of Hythria.
This was my first Jennifer Fallon book and it won’t be my last. I will definitely continue this series.
4.5 stars
This novel isn’t without snags however, I didn’t particularly like the gods system with the little demons and the idea of Harshini’s hideaway was a bit on the juvenile side and out of my comfort zone, in addition, as already mentioned, the dialogues could have been more polished.
I did like Elezaar as a character, the astute political intrigue of the different provinces and the history of the old families very much. Marla displays good character development; from a young woman reluctant to enter a marriage of convenience to a serious ruler defending her son’s right to rule not only as her family legacy but for the future of Hythria.
This was my first Jennifer Fallon book and it won’t be my last. I will definitely continue this series.
4.5 stars
February 1, 2019
This is actually my second time reading it. I read this, really liked it then read the follow-up series, and now am back to read the other 2 books in this series because I didn't know the actual order the books should be read compared to the order they were written.
I really like this book, I quickly got attached to many of the characters. I love Marla once the dwarf starts helping her and she grows up. I hated Nashan from the start, his kind of character always makes me mad. Loved Laran, so basically, I felt for the characters exactly as they were supposed to be felt for.
I got so attached to the characters and knowing what was going to happen made some of the parts very difficult to read. (Die in a slow and firey pit of hell Mahkas. I blame you for everything).
The major point that I would find fault in the story is that there are too many characters with similar names. L names are very very popular and M names are not far off.
Either way, this pile of books is going into the 'Make boyfriend read' pile.
I really like this book, I quickly got attached to many of the characters. I love Marla once the dwarf starts helping her and she grows up. I hated Nashan from the start, his kind of character always makes me mad. Loved Laran, so basically, I felt for the characters exactly as they were supposed to be felt for.
I got so attached to the characters and knowing what was going to happen made some of the parts very difficult to read. (Die in a slow and firey pit of hell Mahkas. I blame you for everything).
The major point that I would find fault in the story is that there are too many characters with similar names. L names are very very popular and M names are not far off.
Either way, this pile of books is going into the 'Make boyfriend read' pile.
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