Wolf's Blood

Firekeeper Saga #6

by Jane Lindskold

Raised in the wild by intelligent, language-using wolves, in her teens Firekeeper was abducted back into the lands of men, where her upbringing as a wolf helped her survive the deadly intrigues of human beings.

One of the first things she learned in Hawk Haven was that magic was a thing to be feared and despised. Long ago, all the human kingdoms were ruled by powerful sorcerers. Then a plague came and the sorcerers died. Nobody misses them. Much was lost--but still, nobody misses them.

Yet as Firekeeper has travelled and grown wiser in the ways of human beings, she's learned that the true story was more complex. In coming to the country of the Liglim, she, Derian Carter, and Blind Seer discovered that magic is still working in the world, and that it isn't always the evil they'd been warned against. But it also turned out that the old plague specifically targeted magic users. And when Firekeeper and her friends learned to open the gates between worlds, the plague came back with them.

Firekeeper, Blind Seer, and Derian Carter survived the not unchanged, but still themselves. Now Firekeeper is determined to learn the nature of the plague--and if she can, to end it forever. What happens next will be the culmination of the remarkable fantasy epic that began with Through Wolf's Eyes.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, High Fantasy, Wolves, Science Fiction Fantasy, Magic, Animals

544 pages, Hardcover

First published March 20, 2007

About the author

Jane Lindskold is the author of more than twenty published novels, including the eight volume Firekeeper Saga (beginning with Through Wolf’s Eyes), Child of a Rainless Year (a contemporary fantasy set in Las Vegas, New Mexico), and The Buried Pyramid (an archeological adventure fantasy set in 1880's Egypt).

Lindskold is also the author of the “Breaking the Wall” series, which begins with Thirteen Orphans, then continues in Nine Gates and Five Odd Honors. Her most recent series begins with Artemis Awakening, released in May of 2014. Lindskold has also had published over sixty short stories and numerous works of non-fiction, including a critical biography of Roger Zelazny, and articles on Yeats and Synge.

She has collaborated with several other SF/F writers, including Roger Zelazny, for whom, at his request, she posthumously finished his novels Donnerjack and Lord Demon. She has also collaborated with David Weber, writing several novellas and two YA novels set in his popular ”Honorverse.” She wrote the short story “Servant of Death” with Fred Saberhagen.

Charles de Lint, reviewing Changer, praised "Lindskold's ability to tell a fast-paced, contemporary story that still carries the weight and style of old mythological story cycles."[1] Terri Windling called Brother to Dragons, Companion to Owls "a complex, utterly original work of speculative fiction." DeLint has also stated that “Jane Lindskold is one of those hidden treasures of American letters; a true gem of a writer who simply gets better with each book.”

Lindskold was born in 1962 at the Columbia Hospital for Women, the first of four siblings and grew up in Washington, D.C. and Chesapeake Bay. Lindskold's father was head of the Land and Natural Resources Division, Western Division of the United States Justice Department and her mother was also an attorney. She studied at Fordham, where she received a Ph. D. in English, concentrating on Medieval, Renaissance, and Modern British Literature; she successfully defended her Ph.D. on her 26th birthday.

Lindskold lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico with her husband, archaeologist Jim Moore.

Reviews

[Cloudwalker · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the finale of Lindskold's "Firekeeper" series, and while the author does a decent enough job of wrapping things up, you can tell she's either running out of ideas or is tired of the characters.

One the one hand, it's a shame, because the world Jane Lindskold created was a rich one, full of political intrigue, cultural diversity (how many sf and fantasy writers assume new worlds would have only one sort of society?) and sharply drawn inhabitants. On the other hand, it's good the author realized it was time to tie up as many loose ends as she could, instead of leaving her audience hanging (and to do so in a way that left the door open for more of Firekeeper's adventures, if inspiration hit again.)

Still, I got the sense that this last book was written more out of a sense of duty than passion. Characters from the earlier books are thrown in for cameos, a delicate love affair fraught with all kinds of potential dangers and closely monitored over the course of the series is suddenly resolved with marriage and a baby (and this news is reported by messenger in an almost off-the-cuff manner) and an entire group of new characters/countries is introduced hastily (at least in comparison to the earlier tales) to provide conflict.

All in all, "Wolf's Blood" is a kind of mulligan stew of a book. Could have been worse, but definitely could have been better too. Still, the series as a whole is worth reading, and I strongly recommend it.

[Viridian5 · Rating 2 out of 5]

It took me seven months to finish this book. That should tell you a lot. It didn't keep my attention. Too much felt pedestrian or like an info dump, and I didn't feel for any of the characters or feel that our protagonists are as high on their moral high ground as they and the writer think they are.

The ending really annoyed me. [*SPOILERS*] So much of the book was taken up by the search for the cure for querinaldo, but it seems to be forgotten by the end. The Nexans don't seem to realize that they really did force the Old World's hand in all this and could have avoided things with a simple explanation (or at least some cover story). They execute Tiniel, but they keep Virim, who killed and tortured at least thousands over the past 100 years, and the Meddler, who they know has pulled all kinds of crap, alive? When both of them are powerful and unreliable? That brief mention of "some might think it strange" didn't stop me from finding it strange! If they didn't execute anyone that might have made more sense.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!! Well, actually, I adored the whole series. It was simply wonderful!! This concluding volume definitely made for a fitting end and allowed for a reunion of many of the old characters that really added to the fun. But, as with any great series, I am definitely disappointed that this is the end! It was just so excellent and definitely up there with my favorite epic fantasies of all time! I am sucker for wolf stories in general and this one is just great! I will definitely be keeping a consistent eye out to see if Lindskold ever decides to add to the series - I sincerely hope that she does!! And even if she doesn't return to the rich world that she created, I am looking forward to returning to re-read and enjoy these terrific stories and great characters again in the future!

[Tanya Sousa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this series of books for the settings, the characters, and the relationship/bond between Firekeeper and the wolf, Blind Seer. Each book can stand alone, or be read in the collection, which is a lovely addition too. On the back of "Wolf's Head, Wolf's Heart", it says, "A tale of humane wolves, beastly men, and a brilliant heroine who must find her way in a dangerous world." True assessment! But Firekeeper is such a strong young woman, I think readers will be pleased to find she handles herself beautifully.

[MK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surpasses Wolf Hunting in my opinion but I was always one for well written battles. I loved how Lindskold didn't just stay with Firekeeper and Derian, how she moved between those two and the 'Old World' nations. A little predictable with the Meddler's love of Firekeeper but Firekeeper's love of Blind Seer though they shall never be. (oh the tragedy! ok sorry. no more sarcasm I promise)still a great read if you liked the rest of the series

[Férial · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

Honestly ? I'm glad it's over. I found that book a bit long (although I usually prefer long books). I think I've already mentionned why when updating my read.

Overall, it was a good enough series but the first 3 books were the best.

Not much else to say *shrug*

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

More like 4.8 stars. I found a few editing flaws that probably would only distract someone as pedantic as myself, mostly issues with repeated words. It was a fun conclusion to a fun series that tied things together nicely.

[Mary · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for punishment. I guess I have to read the whole series to find out what happens. And it didn't turn out well.

[annapi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firekeeper and her friends have settled for the moment in the Nexus Islands, the land that once was ruled by sorcerers. Having defeated them, the survivors establish their own fledgling government. But the problem of the plague called querinalo remains, and not wishing to potentially infect any outsiders, they decide to close the magical gates that connect the islands to other lands in the Old World while they attempt to find the cause of the sickness and a cure for it.

But the nations that had come to depend on the gates for commerce have not been told why they are suddenly refused their use, and their response is to come together to try and take control of the Nexus by invading.

This is a long story, but although there were a few parts where the pace slowed a little, overall it still captured my attention and proceeded at a brisk pace. Though it's been over a decade since I read the last book of the series and therefore have forgotten a lot of what went before, I had no trouble picking up where it left off and enjoying the book, even though I accidentally read it out of order as I finished book 7 first, having been halfway through that before realizing that I hadn't read book 6 yet. It's a good series and some day I may go back to the beginning and re-read them all, but the saga has not yet ended and I just hope book 8 will come out sooner than later!

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly found this one better than #3 and #4 because she didn't seem to drag as much. I find the author tends to go on unnessecary tangents, and describe things way too in-depth than is needed, but the story and characters themselves were so good, that's what kept me reading. This book had me actually needing to keep reading toknow what was going to happen. All in all, a good end to a decent series.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've greatly enjoyed this series overall. There were moments where I felt that it bogged down, but I think it was more that I got attached to certain characters more than others and so I was more invested in their parts of the story initially. As I got deeper into the book, that feeling of wanting to rush through some sections disappeared and I became hooked into the layers of storyline going on. All of this series is well worth reading.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good ending to the series. I wish everyone would take a page out of Tamora Pierce’s book and keep coming back to characters - I wish I knew how Sapphire and Chad were doing! The whole Seven Allies thing was a little complicated to try to shoehorn in - I got lost a little in there. But I wasn’t disappointed.

[Lydia Schmitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one definitely took me some time to get into. Fourth star added because the last 100 pages or so were so engaging and intense. Some tear jerker moments here and there with friends reuniting and Firekeeper’s continued growth. Major storyline plots have been wrapped up and I’m interested to see what’s next for our pack!

[Dallass · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s only taken me 12 years to find all the books in the Firekeeper Saga, and I am so glad that this series, with these amazing characters, came into my life - and while this wasn’t exactly the ending I wanted, it was the ending this series needed.

4 stars 🌟

[Accalia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do love a happy ending that ties everything neatly together.

[Lynda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another fine story in the series. I enjoyed seeing the continued growth of Firekeeper, Blind Seer & Derian, and hope there may be another in the future.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great addition to the series, though the overall story is still incomplete. I look forward to the next book.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess the streak couldn't last. Back to too much exposition and unnecessary conversations.

[LinHigley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an ending!

I was bound by each challenge the cast of this saga was thrown in to. What enjoyment to read something so complex and intertwined that all holds together.

[J.S. Nelson]

DNF

[Jennifer Palmer · Rating 2 out of 5]

The final book of the Firekeeper saga, while not a bad book by any stretch of the imagination, is by far the weakest of the series. Despite having an interesting plot and sound writing - typos aside - I did not enjoy this book as much as I did the first three books - or even the first five, though I believe the first three to be the strongest - of the entire six.

Aside from the characters in this final novel that have been present in the prior ones - the first one in particular - I didn't really care about any of them. I didn't really care for their motivations or what they felt they had to do to get what they wanted, even when those actions involved treachery. The twins introduced in book five, Isende and Tiniel, were key characters, and I didn't care for either of them, and in fact disliked both of them. Isende too 'good' and 'pure' and Tiniel too... 'close-minded' and withdrawn, for lack of a better way to put it. Too unwilling to look past his own hurts and problems.

I also found it irksome that for the majority of the book, Derian, a key character who has been present since the first book and one who I very much like as a character, regressed from how he'd been in the fifth instalment in the saga. At the end of that book, a large physical change had taken place, and while at the very end he'd seemed to accept it, for the vast majority of the book, he'd seemingly regressed and despite liking his character, I wanted to reach into the pages and slap him.

The weakest elements, in my opinion, are the romantic subplots. Which sadly are large and noticeable if ultimately less important than the main plot. Admittedly, this could be because the two characters I wanted to end up together did not, in the end, do so, but to my mind, they felt contrived and forced, even cliche. Even though they involved the three main characters, I didn't care about any of them.

I do appreciate that none of the characters focused on in this book, or even any of the books in this series, are completely flat. Isende and Tiniel being large exceptions, they all have noticeable flaws and virtues. Of particular note are the antagonists, as they all have a reason for feeling that they are in the right in their actions. I didn't agree with their reasoning, but I could understand it.

Had the twins not been included, or even if they hadn't been so crucial to the story, I likely would have enjoyed the book more. While Derian's actions still would have been cause for annoyance, it would have been only an annoyance. While only side characters, albeit important ones, my dislike of Isende and Tiniel definitely colored my negative impression of the story. This still likely would have been the weakest of the six even if they hadn't been included, but my enjoyment of the story would have been larger. As it was, I spent most of my time reading realizing just how much I didn't care for them, lowering how much I cared for any of the characters and their actions relating to them.

Again, this is not, by any means, a bad book. It knows what it wants to say, and tells the story it does well. But in my opinion, the series as a whole was strongest during the first three books, and likely would have been best served - for me - as a trilogy instead of a saga. Given that the third book is the longest of all of them, part of me wonders if that hadn't been the original intention, even if this sixth book has the most conclusive ending of all of them. I did not dislike it, and the entire saga is one I found highly entertaining, an impressive feat given how much focus is given to the politics of the world, especially in the first book. But this last book is, sadly, not a strong conclusion to the series as a whole, and while I didn't dislike it, I can't honestly say I liked it, either. This book, I would give a 2.5 out of 5, and the series as a whole, a 3 out of five.

[Megalion · Rating 4 out of 5]

As of now, the last book detailing the adventures of Firekeeper and Blind Seer.

This might be a bit of a spoiler but it's made clear at the end that the events of this book are just another segment in her life which is a long series of events where often her mere involvement proves a main catalyst itself.

So don't think of this book as being the end when you read it.

As for the story itself, it builds heavily on the events of the last book (#5) which was a self-contained story and didn't end on a cliffhanger but had left the door WIDE open for this one.

I wanted to know if Lindskold was done with the series so I looked it up. From her website:
-----------
2/26/08
I’ve been getting a lot of questions about the continuation of the Wolf Series. Yes. Wolf’s Blood is the final book in the series — at least for now, maybe, forever.

Why? Because I love that world and those people, and I don’t want them to ever become stale or flat — something that I fear happens to a series when it goes on for too long. I’m not saying “never,” but right now I’m working on a new project, the “Breaking the Wall” series. The first book, Thirteen Orphans, will be out in November of 2008.
-----------------------

Bummer but I have to agree. Terry Goodkind "ended" the Sword of Truth series with The Confessor... but his subsequently published stories don't merely exist in a distant (future) realm of the main series. The main series had started to get kind of bogged down with just how much bad stuff can happen to Richard and Kahlan. I however approve of the new books because it's an approach to the series from a very different angle and gives it new blood. But I digress...

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Wolf's Blood, Firekeeper and Blind Seer seek to end the magic users plague. They travel to other lands using the portal gates to search earliest records to see if they can find out where this disease came from. If they can find its origin, this might help them wipe it out.

This book is also about love and the fact that Firekeeper and Blind Seer are true life partners, even if they are physically different species. (As Firekeeper points out, even human couples do not always have children.)

This was one of the best takeaways from this novel (& this series) in my view. People should be able to freely choose who they love.

Yes, this is a fantasy book and no, Blind Seer is not telepathic. He just speaks in "the language of Beasts". As his wolf pack raised Firekeeper since she was a small toddler, she understands not only him but all intelligent Beasts just fine. And Blind Seer is a "royal" wolf, meaning much larger and very intelligent.

I had read Wolf's Blood years ago but I wanted to re-read book six because author Jane Lindskold has the first Firekeeper short story coming out in September 2019 and two more Firekeeper books coming out.

The author pointed out that the first six books have each been long books (book 6 is 544 pages). So, book seven is also lengthy. To get the first half of book seven published sooner, she's broken book seven into two books. As with many traditionally published authors these days, to continue the series she has gone to self-publishing.

The short story A Question of Truth will be in the quarterly DreamForge magazine in its third issue. The first half of book seven called Wolf's Search will be published in August 2019.

[Shazza Maddog · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been a very long time since I read this series - I am thinking at least ten years, maybe pushing fifteen at this point, because I recall reading the first two in the series and thought this was the last one. It is, which means I've actually missed a few books and ought to go back and look for them at some point.

We return to the worlds of Firekeeper and her beloved companion, Blind Seer. The pair of wolves have made their home on the Nexus Islands, where the gates allow instant teleportation throughout the world - at least where there are other gates to open up in that country. The Nexians have discovered the Fire Plague might well be transferred through those gates and don't want to risk anyone else catching it - so have shut down the gates.

Unfortunately, the continent's countries want to make use of the gates to deliver goods and people to other countries without the issue of actual, you know, travel, and when they are thwarted in their use of the gates, they decide to band together and take the gates back by force.

In the meantime, Firekeeper - through instigation by the Meddler, an ancient not-quite god who is also not-quite alive - thinks it would be a good idea to find out where the Fire Plague came from and possibly hunt down a way to cure/stop it. The only problem with that is the trail takes her far away from the Nexus Islands, into a part of the world she's never been in, where the Royal Beasts are sworn to protect a certain magic user who might be able to solve a lot of the problems currently cropping up in the Nexus Islands.

An excellent conclusion to a series with some amazing characters.

[Aela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've loved this Firekeeper series for a long while, but never read this last book until now. I think I was a little scared to be finally finishing the series. However, once I started it, I just couldn't put the books down.

There were so many unexpected plot twists, and included the surprising reappearence of many beloved characers from the earlier books. I especially loved that Firekeeper and Blind Seer could revist New Kelvin, a land that always intrigued me,especially in the Dragon of Despair. Also, during a battle between the two heros and other Royal or Wise beasts, I loved how Firekeeper was able to stop the fight by discussing lyalties and bonds; to masters or to oneself. Interesting implications that I kept thinking about throughout the book.

The ending of the book was very memorable and satisfying. I won't spoil it for others, but it was very well-written as far as endings go. It was a good conclusion to an amazing series, and really summed up all of the previous books. I was able to finally recognize how the titles of the books really give hints to the overall plotline: although Firekeeper continued to encounter new lands and new people, involved in adventures and battles, the books never loose sight of the true plot - her discovering herself as both a human and a wolf.

[Nicholas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I still can't believe I read this entire series 10 years ago. I remember so little of it.

But I definitely had to have, since I knew so many random details like the twins losing their magic connection and the one really lucky guy finding treasure when a building collapsed.

I find it interesting how many side characters pass through fire keeper's story, becoming more and more important. Derian always feels like a tier 3 character that is always there, but only about as important as like elation.

While Elise is like super important in some books, way more so than derian, then just vanishes completely.

The conflict in this one seemed a bit contrived. Going to war when you find out that ships are coming and armies are at the gate, when you could just negotiate a trade deal seems weird. I get that plik tried to explain it at the end, but still was silly. Ignoring that though, everything else was pretty fun.

The meddler romance also seemed like it was supposed to be a big deal, but didn't really pay off? I didn't really get where they were going with it.

Mostly what I left feeling was that I want to see the series where Citrine learns to be a spy master from peace

[Henry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another entry in the "Firekeeper" series. The protagonist was lost in the woods as a baby and was raised by wolves. That is, really big, telepathic wolves. The protagonist gained the name "Firekeeper" and could talk to the animals. (Kind of a Mogli meets Dr. Doolittle -- with a hearty dose of any given plucky #######.)

However, these aren't just any normal animals. They are fully sentient creatures capable of plotting and full rational thought.

This book continues the action from previous books. I hadn't read any of them in a year and, frankly, I spent many of the first 100 pages or so really confused. I couldn't keep the names, locations, gods, and political structures straight. After a while I was able to get back up to speed.

The best part of the story is the development of "Blind Seer" -- the wolf who has a better understanding of human society than Firekeeper.

But it kept me entertained, once I was able to remember what happened in the previous books.

[RealmsQueen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The last installment in the Firekeeper saga. It had a good run, and I'm not too sad to see it end. There was really no where else for them to go after this.

It took me a bit to get into because it had been so long between this book and the last, but it wasn't bad. A bit complex, maybe a bit convoluted as well in some places, but all in all a good ending to the series.

Firekeeper and Blind Seer go after the source of the magical fever that has been striking fear into the hearts of so many for so long. Their search takes them to places no one knew existed, and their faith in each other and their fellow Beats is put to the ultimate test.

All the loose threads are tied up quite nicely however, and pretty much everyone winds up with a happy ending.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I give the entire Firekeeper/Blind Seer series as a whole 5 stars - wonderful story, wonderful characters. I didn't care for "Wolf's Blood" much. The story dragged & the writing was rather wooden and stiff. I got the impression that the author was ready to finish this saga. which she apparently has. It was a chore to get through this book, but I had to, because I wanted very much to know how the story ended and I did like the ending. It left some room for expansion in case Lindskold ever decides to revisit it. I recommend that the series be read in order so one can get Firekeeper and Blind Seer's story from the beginning. If you start with this book, likely you'll be confused.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked this book more than the previous installment. The characters still continue to grow in depth and complexity. I would love to have seen more of the old world. Those characters and plots were glossed over very quickly. A couple of key characters were ignored almost completely, Doc and Elise, which disappointed me. The final battle was almost anticlimactic. This book wraps the series up nicely but I still want to read more of Firekeeper. I feel like there is more potential now that the Old World may now be open to exploration and new characters have been introduced.