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4.3 AVERAGE
4.3 AVERAGE
If you're a fan of Narnia, Pilgrim's Progress, Chuck Black's Kingdom Series, or allegorical Christian fantasy in general, meet your new best book friend. Also, if you're looking for a Christian alternative to Harry Potter or Star Wars, this will serve rather nicely. But if you just want a Christian addition to HP and Star Wars, you'll probably fit well into this world too. Get ready for gorgeous fantasy aesthetics, hilarious character interactions, creative uses of allegory, enjoyably gross orcs, wise talking animals, and of course a big castle battle!
Now, the main character is pretty standard issue, and after Gandalf writes this David-like Luke Skywalker his Letter to Hogwarts, the chosen one attends magic school until he's ready to embark on his epic quest with his faithful fellowship, live up to his grandfather's legend, and slay the dragon. In other words, it's Fantasy Trope Land. There were several times in the story where I paused and thought, "Yep, of course that had to happen."
But the book's background gives that some context--it's a game tie in. I haven't played the RPG, but I imagine that Connor is more or less a stand in for the player. The whole point is using classic fantasy tropes for discipleship. And the truth is, I didn't find the tropes stale. They happen to be my favorite tropes. I honestly haven't seen some of them in a while because modern writers are starting to avoid them like the plague. I kinda missed them. They make me feel at home. The book has some pretty aesthetically creative ways of incorporating standard tropes.
Speaking of, can we talk about the worldbuilding for a second? There's a whole language! Sometimes I can easily recognize the words' roots in English, Greek, or Hebrew, but regardless, it's gorgeous and seems to have a pretty interesting construction. The world's backstory is interesting, I want to know more about the queensbloods (right now please?), something about the Havarra is oddly emotional for me, and just in general there are so many beautiful locations that are utilized in really cool ways. I find it fascinating that their are portals WITHIN this universe, and that the Christians and the non-Christians live in separate countries--basically different worlds within the world. The Assembly's decision about Lightraiders is thought-provoking.
The characters bring depth and honesty to the book that's missing in several allegories I've read. They ask hard questions, wrestle with hard situations, face strained relationships. Again, Connor is pretty stereotypical and his big decision at the 25% mark felt unnatural and forced to me. But I'd also say he developed as the book went on, and I liked how the story didn't go too easy on him even though he's Harry Skywalker. Dag is my favorite character, hands down! I thought he was going to be the stereotypical big guy who's super strong and always hungry, and he is those things, but he's also a bookworm? I love that juxtaposition so much. Dag is underrated. Tiran struck me as annoying at first, but just hang on, because his arc gets really interesting later. Lee is fantastic, I hope the tension between Teegan and Kara continues into future books, and while I thought it was a little convenient that the instructors always WANTED the students to find out what they found out through secret spying, I still thought Master Jairun was great. Connor's dad is interesting. I thought he was either going to be the classic Bad Dad or the classic Christian fiction stereotype of a perfect dad, but he definitely wasn't either.
The plot dragged for me in the middle section, which was basically magic (I know, it's not magic) school routine for a long time. I know the training was necessary for what the characters did later in the story, but I got tired of how many chapters started with all of them getting up in the morning and starting their studies and training for the day. Kara's chapters were what kept me reading at that part. By the last quarter of the story, I didn't want to stop reading. But that part felt a tad disjointed from the rest of it for me. It was almost like book 2 by that point, though I'm very glad we got it in book 1. Still, there's a singular throughline goal in the whole book, and in my opinion the ending brought it home very nicely.
One last note: the chapter endings are brilliant. And the chapters are so short that it's super easy to read just one more without noticing you're doing it. You'll probably want to read this in just a couple sittings.
I received a free ARC of this book, but I wasn't even required to review it in return. That's how awesome the author and publisher are. But none of that influenced my opinions.
Now, the main character is pretty standard issue, and after Gandalf writes this David-like Luke Skywalker his Letter to Hogwarts, the chosen one attends magic school until he's ready to embark on his epic quest with his faithful fellowship, live up to his grandfather's legend, and slay the dragon. In other words, it's Fantasy Trope Land. There were several times in the story where I paused and thought, "Yep, of course that had to happen."
But the book's background gives that some context--it's a game tie in. I haven't played the RPG, but I imagine that Connor is more or less a stand in for the player. The whole point is using classic fantasy tropes for discipleship. And the truth is, I didn't find the tropes stale. They happen to be my favorite tropes. I honestly haven't seen some of them in a while because modern writers are starting to avoid them like the plague. I kinda missed them. They make me feel at home. The book has some pretty aesthetically creative ways of incorporating standard tropes.
Speaking of, can we talk about the worldbuilding for a second? There's a whole language! Sometimes I can easily recognize the words' roots in English, Greek, or Hebrew, but regardless, it's gorgeous and seems to have a pretty interesting construction. The world's backstory is interesting, I want to know more about the queensbloods (right now please?), something about the Havarra is oddly emotional for me, and just in general there are so many beautiful locations that are utilized in really cool ways. I find it fascinating that their are portals WITHIN this universe, and that the Christians and the non-Christians live in separate countries--basically different worlds within the world. The Assembly's decision about Lightraiders is thought-provoking.
The characters bring depth and honesty to the book that's missing in several allegories I've read. They ask hard questions, wrestle with hard situations, face strained relationships. Again, Connor is pretty stereotypical and his big decision at the 25% mark felt unnatural and forced to me. But I'd also say he developed as the book went on, and I liked how the story didn't go too easy on him even though he's Harry Skywalker. Dag is my favorite character, hands down! I thought he was going to be the stereotypical big guy who's super strong and always hungry, and he is those things, but he's also a bookworm? I love that juxtaposition so much. Dag is underrated. Tiran struck me as annoying at first, but just hang on, because his arc gets really interesting later. Lee is fantastic, I hope the tension between Teegan and Kara continues into future books, and while I thought it was a little convenient that the instructors always WANTED the students to find out what they found out through secret spying, I still thought Master Jairun was great. Connor's dad is interesting. I thought he was either going to be the classic Bad Dad or the classic Christian fiction stereotype of a perfect dad, but he definitely wasn't either.
The plot dragged for me in the middle section, which was basically magic (I know, it's not magic) school routine for a long time. I know the training was necessary for what the characters did later in the story, but I got tired of how many chapters started with all of them getting up in the morning and starting their studies and training for the day. Kara's chapters were what kept me reading at that part. By the last quarter of the story, I didn't want to stop reading. But that part felt a tad disjointed from the rest of it for me. It was almost like book 2 by that point, though I'm very glad we got it in book 1. Still, there's a singular throughline goal in the whole book, and in my opinion the ending brought it home very nicely.
One last note: the chapter endings are brilliant. And the chapters are so short that it's super easy to read just one more without noticing you're doing it. You'll probably want to read this in just a couple sittings.
I received a free ARC of this book, but I wasn't even required to review it in return. That's how awesome the author and publisher are. But none of that influenced my opinions.
fast-paced
The set-up gave me hope for a decent story, but the book didn’t have a plot driven by a goal so much as a bunch of action scenes stuck together with duct tape and prayer.
Wolf Soldier book does not deliver on its premise. What dreams is Connor forced to give up to save his home? How on earth does Connor’s family history threaten to betray them? The “local girl” isn’t even introduced until nearly a third of the way in (surprise! she has a POV but you wouldn’t guess it from the synopsis, where she’s barely mentioned); and it takes even longer for her to actually meet up with the rest of the team. Don’t even get me started on the titular “Wolf Soldier”.
Wolf Soldier book does not deliver on its premise. What dreams is Connor forced to give up to save his home? How on earth does Connor’s family history threaten to betray them? The “local girl” isn’t even introduced until nearly a third of the way in (surprise! she has a POV but you wouldn’t guess it from the synopsis, where she’s barely mentioned); and it takes even longer for her to actually meet up with the rest of the team. Don’t even get me started on the titular “Wolf Soldier”.
Logistically, the plot is a mess. Who plans to reinstate a hero academy but doesn’t bring along more than oats, berries, and pork fat to feed a bunch of hard-working teenagers? What about the horses? What are they gonna eat in the mountains in wintertime? And then, after giving these teenagers a scant month of training, they get sent off with no guide, no help, no armor…nothing but canticles and some spiritual admonishment. (They are literally told “stop asking questions, don’t worry about the future, there isn’t a plan, just shut up and trust God’s guidance” which is no way to stop a war.)
The kicker? We don’t meet the villain until about ninety percent of the way in.
Yes, the book is action-packed, but there’s not much in the way of an emotional payoff. Every life-or-death situation is fixed with a literal deus ex machina wherein the characters have enough faith and say the right prayer and the God-equivalent of this universe magically fixes everything, right down to magical armor.
Overall, Wolf Soldier is showy without offering much substance. While the writing style itself is clean and precise, the characters are well-defined, the audio quality and narrator are top notch, and the action keeps things moving, it doesn’t ring true. It doesn’t get brownie points for being Christian when it cares more about feel-good spiritual fluff than telling a good story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Wolf Soldier really caught me by surprise. A mix of fantasy and Christianity, like I've never seen before.
We follow a group of young adults training to be lightraiders - the good that protects others from evil. Along the way they learn a lot about themselves as well as growing closer to their higher power. Dragons, orc's, goblins and other monsters are constantly attacking the cadets. Can they win the ultimate battle?
James Hannibal does an exquisite job at blending these two genres together. If you're not a Christian you wouldn't even realize the similarities between the Bible and some of the story, you would just see an incredible start to a new fantasy series. However if you are familiar you will notice the Armor or God, The Fruits of the Spirit and the gift of God's sacrifice for us.
Such a unique book that is worth checking out. I personally can't wait to read the next book in the series.
We follow a group of young adults training to be lightraiders - the good that protects others from evil. Along the way they learn a lot about themselves as well as growing closer to their higher power. Dragons, orc's, goblins and other monsters are constantly attacking the cadets. Can they win the ultimate battle?
James Hannibal does an exquisite job at blending these two genres together. If you're not a Christian you wouldn't even realize the similarities between the Bible and some of the story, you would just see an incredible start to a new fantasy series. However if you are familiar you will notice the Armor or God, The Fruits of the Spirit and the gift of God's sacrifice for us.
Such a unique book that is worth checking out. I personally can't wait to read the next book in the series.
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
"Spiritual battle has much in common with physical battle. No one should face either alone."
This is the first book by James R Hannibal for me and I can see why he has such a following. The author has created an intricate fantasy world where the supernatural and the natural meld; his gift with words really shines as he leads the readers through different languages, lessons in this complex world's history, reasons behind the mission, and what the future may hold. Though based on a game, you do not need to know about the game world to appreciate this world that the author has created. It reads like an allegory and I strongly encourage all readers to take the time to appreciate the Author's Note at the end. With relatable and lovable characters, fast-moving plot with plenty of action and twists, easy-to-read writing style, and fantastic backdrop of knights, dragons, orcs, and goblins, this book with draw you in from page one and leave you hungry for the second book.
I really enjoyed getting to know all the characters in the Lightraider class though most of this story was centered around Connor, Teegan, and Kara. I loved how each character had a strength and a weakness and how they became strong together to do the almost impossible. There are lots of faith lessons here that are truly encouraging.
I'm definitely looking forward to the next book! I received the book from the publisher via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are solely my own.
This is the first book by James R Hannibal for me and I can see why he has such a following. The author has created an intricate fantasy world where the supernatural and the natural meld; his gift with words really shines as he leads the readers through different languages, lessons in this complex world's history, reasons behind the mission, and what the future may hold. Though based on a game, you do not need to know about the game world to appreciate this world that the author has created. It reads like an allegory and I strongly encourage all readers to take the time to appreciate the Author's Note at the end. With relatable and lovable characters, fast-moving plot with plenty of action and twists, easy-to-read writing style, and fantastic backdrop of knights, dragons, orcs, and goblins, this book with draw you in from page one and leave you hungry for the second book.
I really enjoyed getting to know all the characters in the Lightraider class though most of this story was centered around Connor, Teegan, and Kara. I loved how each character had a strength and a weakness and how they became strong together to do the almost impossible. There are lots of faith lessons here that are truly encouraging.
I'm definitely looking forward to the next book! I received the book from the publisher via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are solely my own.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced