This was a fast read. It is not a book for everyone because of the violence and the sex, but I loved the intrigue, the politics of this rough world. ( )

To my vast amusement apparently I am reading a lot of books with explicit gay wolf sex lately. This one is not actually a werewolf story -- but the telepathic connection to the wolves/ embrace of wolfpack culture throws it in the same category for me. It's also more emotionally bisexual than flat out gay male. There are some major plot considerations (why are there no women among the wolfcarls? Do the wolves not like women? Is it the warrior thing?), but I feel as though the main character recognizes this and is working to change it in the future.

I have to say, I thought it was very well done on world-building and character identity development. It is quick paced and high adventure in a pseudo viking medieval world. I must direct you to Punk's review, as I think that covers it better than I ever could. Surprisingly enjoyable read. ( )

Sexy wolf-bonded magic warriors. Skirted on the edge of ludicrous but kept falling on the right side of that line for me. Looking for the next one now. ( )

If you're sensitive to homophobia, or confusing sexuality, or questionable consent, then this is not the book for you. Do I like it? As a fantasy and not a reality it is interesting. But it has major issues.

This one is set in a Norse-like fantasy world where psychic dire wolves bond with human(male) partners unto death. This came to being because Trolls regularly come through slaughtering people and the wolves, so they allied themselves for the cause. There's a catch though because only men bond with the wolves as it is described, and the men also end up bonding to each other when their wolves mate. This instills a sort of magical bisexuality in the guys that the main character is uncomfortable with because his father is homophobic and bitter and because as far as I can tell he's either straight or bi and deeply uncomfortable with it. So you have a main character who definitely needs therapy, in a world where he's not going to get it. On the one hand, interesting concept and I'd probably be less critical of it if this were written like a smut book, but on the other it isn't written like smut and there are some deep uncomfortable bits for the character and reader alike. I'm interested in how the world works, but at the same time confused as to what the author was going for with this world-building and plot. Maybe just an investigation of a patriarchal world in which sexuality and gender definitions outside the norm are recognized but not the way they are here? I don't know. Maybe in the second book we get something that shows us he's bi and just needed to work through his feelings on it, though even that is a bit uncomfortable to think about since he does have suitors and so on before he's really ready. I don't know.

I think I've talked myself into almost lowering the stars on this one even though I was kept in this story well enough to give it the four I originally put up. I'll leave the four, but be wary of this one. Interesting concept, but difficult themes. Only pick it up when you're in a good place to do so. ( )

I give it 4.5 but I rather round down than up.

I never wanted to stop. The concept was just fascinating and very well done. The writing was also very good. I felt like I was in the story most of the time. Sometimes the politics and everything was a little tiring but it was still interesting to read about because it helps shape the idea of the world. An enjoyable read. ( )