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velosaraptor's review against another edition
5.0
i really enjoyed the characters, the story, and the prose as well. i don’t often find that the writing itself is as entertaining as the story, but i loved the style.
kathydavie's review against another edition
5.0
First in The Wolves of Elantra fantasy series (and 0.1 in The Chronicles of Elantra series) revolving around Severn Handred, the Wolf first assigned to work with Kaylin Neya in Cast in Shadow, 1.
My Take
Sagara has, er, had been making me wonder about Severn and how he ended up with the Wolves. Now, at last, we get to find out.
I love that we learn more about Kaylin's background from Severn's perspective. How her mother gave him a safe place and what he did for them and for Kaylin when Tara died.
It's an interesting puzzle Sagara has set with the emperor setting up these Halls of Law to protect humans, a race considered little better than animals by dragons, Barrani, and shifters. For Elluvian simply doesn't get it, why the emperor would want to protect them and Severn's actions give him a bit of insight.
Hmm, Sagara is setting up a mystery around Severn, and I'm'a wonderin' if there's gonna be a prequel to this prequel! That boy knows more than he should — language, weapons skills — even if he doesn't know how he learned so much. I love that he doesn't back down. He pushes. He pokes.
I also absolutely love how Severn — Sagara uses a third person global subjective point-of-view with the primary perspective coming from Severn — approaches the Tha'alanari. That boy always surprises, lol. It's such a sweet relief for the Tha'alanari what with the threats they've endured from everyone else.
Sagara does, however, confuse the heck out of me with her description of the Tha'alanari yet she talks about them as if they themselves don't know about the Tha'alanari. I think that the Tha'alaan, the group mind, are the people, but the Tha'alanari are those Tha'alaan who can reach out to protect those Tha'alaan whose minds are not strong enough to endure all that might come at them. I know. It's convoluted, and the best way I can think of to express what I'm thinking. Hmmm, scary.
The way the other Barrani treat Elluvian gives you a good idea of how their race works. Oy.
We do get a succinctly summarized history on An'Teela, and a lot quicker than the slow reveal we get in The Chronicles of Elantra, *grin*. She is a power! I am dying to read how an encounter goes when Severn meets Teela!
There are many tensions in this from the tricky games of the Barrani court, the tests set for Severn, the questions of the past, their fears . . .
She's created an intricate world with different customs, eyes that reflect the emotions of certain races, histories of each with their attendant hates and fears, and pulls it all together through Severn, helping us to see them through his eyes.
It's a mystery with action that's more of the intellect than via muscle with a cast of characters you can't possibly expect.
And it's a lack of information that can lead to so much horror.
The Story
A young orphan dedicated to his survival, young Severn Handred has crossed the river Ablayne, tracking a Hawk patrol — a not insignificant feat to go otherwise undetected — that finds Elluvian intent on recruiting the boy.
In order to become a wolf — even on probation — Severn must face the investigators most dreaded throughout the Empire: The Tha'alani, readers of minds. No secret is safe from their prying, no knowledge can remain buried. But Severn's secret, never shared before, is not enough to prevent the Wolves from adopting him as one of their own. All men have secrets, after all.
Severn's first job will be joining a hunt, but between the treacherous politics of the High Court, the almost unnatural interest of one of the Lords, and those who wish long-held secrets to remain buried forever, the trick will be surviving it.
And all due to a Barrani wanting a sense of belonging, the warmth of acceptance.
The Characters
Elantra, the heart of the empire, was created to watch over the seven fiefs. Dariandaros of the Ebon Flight is a dragon and the emperor of Elantra. Each dragon finds a hoard, and the emperor's is the city and the empire. I think the Dragon Flights were the dragon armies.
Severn Handred is a child of the fiefs who continues to protect Elianne.
The Halls of Law are . . .
. . . divided into three divisions: the Hawks, the Swords, and the Wolves.
The Imperial Wolves are . . .
. . . shadow executioners for the emperor who do not operate in secret, although some do retrieve escaped criminals to bring them to trial. Elluvian of Danarre, a Barrani and considered a friend by the emperor, still has no idea why the Wolves exist — and he's chosen them for centuries. Helmat Marlin is the Lord of Wolves, in charge of them. Renzo had been a Wolf until he went too far. Other Wolves include the now deskbound Rosen, the skilled but still immature Mellianne, Jaren, and Darrell, who had delusions of grandeur but allowed himself to be goaded.
Saidh Mankev is in charge of Imperial Security.
Dogan Sapson is a witness in jail. Jenson was an unfortunate witness.
The Imperial Hawks are . . .
. . . the police of Elantra and led by Lord Grammayre, an Aerian. Lord An'Teela of the Barrani High Court, who carries Kariannos, one of The Three, is also a Hawk. Her partner is Tain of Korrin, another Barrani. An'Tella has taken under her protection a young girl marked as Chosen, Kaylin Neya. Sergeant Marcus Kassan is a Leontine who mans the desk.
Nightshade is . . .
. . . is one of the seven fiefs in Elantra and is ruled by Lord Nightshade, Calarnenne, who carries one of The Three.
Tara had been Elianne's mother who died eight years ago when Elianne had been five. Jade and Steffi are those children whom Elianne brought into their little family. Benito, the son of a man who let them steal food, also had the marks, and he died. Tina was next. Then Anali, Amal, Shardan, Lina . . .
The Tha'alaan are . . .
. . . a race of natural telepaths with a group mind, forced to work for the emperor. The traitorous Adellos Coran'alani is the castelord. The Tha'alanari are a group of Tha'alaans who have demonstrated an ability to keep their thoughts from the group mind. Some of those who are Tha'alanari include Garadin; Scoros, who had taught Ybelline; Timorri, one of the emperor's examiners, who became disabled; Draalzyn, who works in Missing Persons; and, Ybelline Rabon'alani, whom we meet while she is still heir.
The Barrani are . . .
. . . nearly immortal and see themselves as superior to all others, and do they ever curse being ruled by Dragons. Their children are raised with the ambition to gain power, playing games that include murder. Their High Court is led by the High Lord. The West March is Barrani but not part of the emperor's hoard. An'Tellarus is ancient and powerful with many regrets. She also suspects Verranian of something to do with Severn. Hmmm . . . A possibility that Severn is an answer to her search? Corvallan is of the line Mellarionne, a younger cousin of the current An'Mellarionne. His wife, Cassandre, is of the line Casarre. Today's An'Sennarin is an elementalist with an affinity for water.
Alsanis is a Hallione who has become a jail.
The Humans
Who'd've thunk? Even the humans have a caste court. Lord Montrose is one of a limited number of lords who preside over the human caste court.
Evanton is the Keeper of an elemental garden, the Keeper's Garden, on Elani Street. The Arcanum is an ancient institute that predates the Empire where magic is studied. Their Imperial Mages serve the Emperor of whom Johannes is one.
At the heart of the fiefs is . . .
. . . Ravellon from whence the Ferals come at night. It was once the heart of the world with doors to entirely different worlds.
The Cold Case
Layan was the first victim. Teremaine had been the instigator.
Master Sabrai is in charge of the Oracle Hall where Random is an Oracle. Tessa, Jerrin, and Tobi are Tha'alani children. Ollarin, a.k.a. Sennarin, is a Barrani who visited Random. Teremaine had been the instigator.
The Cover and Title
The cover is soft in a nearly transparent beige of a mountain range with a deeper brown dovetail banner with its bottom split into two points hanging from a thick rod held up with tasseled cords suspended from a wolf's head in profile. On the banner is a building skyline with an Asian feel, pink clouds behind it, and a full moon glowing behind it all. At the top is the series info in brown with a double horizontal line below it, also in brown. The title, in black, begins halfway down the banner. Overlapping the flapping left tip is an info blurb in brown with the author's name immediately following in black.
The title is our introduction to The Emperor's Wolves and its latest recruit.
My Take
Sagara has, er, had been making me wonder about Severn and how he ended up with the Wolves. Now, at last, we get to find out.
I love that we learn more about Kaylin's background from Severn's perspective. How her mother gave him a safe place and what he did for them and for Kaylin when Tara died.
It's an interesting puzzle Sagara has set with the emperor setting up these Halls of Law to protect humans, a race considered little better than animals by dragons, Barrani, and shifters. For Elluvian simply doesn't get it, why the emperor would want to protect them and Severn's actions give him a bit of insight.
Hmm, Sagara is setting up a mystery around Severn, and I'm'a wonderin' if there's gonna be a prequel to this prequel! That boy knows more than he should — language, weapons skills — even if he doesn't know how he learned so much. I love that he doesn't back down. He pushes. He pokes.
I also absolutely love how Severn — Sagara uses a third person global subjective point-of-view with the primary perspective coming from Severn — approaches the Tha'alanari. That boy always surprises, lol. It's such a sweet relief for the Tha'alanari what with the threats they've endured from everyone else.
Sagara does, however, confuse the heck out of me with her description of the Tha'alanari yet she talks about them as if they themselves don't know about the Tha'alanari. I think that the Tha'alaan, the group mind, are the people, but the Tha'alanari are those Tha'alaan who can reach out to protect those Tha'alaan whose minds are not strong enough to endure all that might come at them. I know. It's convoluted, and the best way I can think of to express what I'm thinking. Hmmm, scary.
The way the other Barrani treat Elluvian gives you a good idea of how their race works. Oy.
We do get a succinctly summarized history on An'Teela, and a lot quicker than the slow reveal we get in The Chronicles of Elantra, *grin*. She is a power! I am dying to read how an encounter goes when Severn meets Teela!
There are many tensions in this from the tricky games of the Barrani court, the tests set for Severn, the questions of the past, their fears . . .
"If we accept that power is the only legitimate ruler, nothing changes. We are valued only in that we are useful to the powerful."I know, Sagara tends to write in a roundabout way, keeping you guessing and wondering what's going on, and it certainly keeps my brain engaged!
She's created an intricate world with different customs, eyes that reflect the emotions of certain races, histories of each with their attendant hates and fears, and pulls it all together through Severn, helping us to see them through his eyes.
It's a mystery with action that's more of the intellect than via muscle with a cast of characters you can't possibly expect.
And it's a lack of information that can lead to so much horror.
The Story
A young orphan dedicated to his survival, young Severn Handred has crossed the river Ablayne, tracking a Hawk patrol — a not insignificant feat to go otherwise undetected — that finds Elluvian intent on recruiting the boy.
In order to become a wolf — even on probation — Severn must face the investigators most dreaded throughout the Empire: The Tha'alani, readers of minds. No secret is safe from their prying, no knowledge can remain buried. But Severn's secret, never shared before, is not enough to prevent the Wolves from adopting him as one of their own. All men have secrets, after all.
Severn's first job will be joining a hunt, but between the treacherous politics of the High Court, the almost unnatural interest of one of the Lords, and those who wish long-held secrets to remain buried forever, the trick will be surviving it.
And all due to a Barrani wanting a sense of belonging, the warmth of acceptance.
The Characters
Elantra, the heart of the empire, was created to watch over the seven fiefs. Dariandaros of the Ebon Flight is a dragon and the emperor of Elantra. Each dragon finds a hoard, and the emperor's is the city and the empire. I think the Dragon Flights were the dragon armies.
Severn Handred is a child of the fiefs who continues to protect Elianne.
The Halls of Law are . . .
. . . divided into three divisions: the Hawks, the Swords, and the Wolves.
The Imperial Wolves are . . .
. . . shadow executioners for the emperor who do not operate in secret, although some do retrieve escaped criminals to bring them to trial. Elluvian of Danarre, a Barrani and considered a friend by the emperor, still has no idea why the Wolves exist — and he's chosen them for centuries. Helmat Marlin is the Lord of Wolves, in charge of them. Renzo had been a Wolf until he went too far. Other Wolves include the now deskbound Rosen, the skilled but still immature Mellianne, Jaren, and Darrell, who had delusions of grandeur but allowed himself to be goaded.
Saidh Mankev is in charge of Imperial Security.
Dogan Sapson is a witness in jail. Jenson was an unfortunate witness.
The Imperial Hawks are . . .
. . . the police of Elantra and led by Lord Grammayre, an Aerian. Lord An'Teela of the Barrani High Court, who carries Kariannos, one of The Three, is also a Hawk. Her partner is Tain of Korrin, another Barrani. An'Tella has taken under her protection a young girl marked as Chosen, Kaylin Neya. Sergeant Marcus Kassan is a Leontine who mans the desk.
Nightshade is . . .
. . . is one of the seven fiefs in Elantra and is ruled by Lord Nightshade, Calarnenne, who carries one of The Three.
Tara had been Elianne's mother who died eight years ago when Elianne had been five. Jade and Steffi are those children whom Elianne brought into their little family. Benito, the son of a man who let them steal food, also had the marks, and he died. Tina was next. Then Anali, Amal, Shardan, Lina . . .
The Tha'alaan are . . .
. . . a race of natural telepaths with a group mind, forced to work for the emperor. The traitorous Adellos Coran'alani is the castelord. The Tha'alanari are a group of Tha'alaans who have demonstrated an ability to keep their thoughts from the group mind. Some of those who are Tha'alanari include Garadin; Scoros, who had taught Ybelline; Timorri, one of the emperor's examiners, who became disabled; Draalzyn, who works in Missing Persons; and, Ybelline Rabon'alani, whom we meet while she is still heir.
The Barrani are . . .
. . . nearly immortal and see themselves as superior to all others, and do they ever curse being ruled by Dragons. Their children are raised with the ambition to gain power, playing games that include murder. Their High Court is led by the High Lord. The West March is Barrani but not part of the emperor's hoard. An'Tellarus is ancient and powerful with many regrets. She also suspects Verranian of something to do with Severn. Hmmm . . . A possibility that Severn is an answer to her search? Corvallan is of the line Mellarionne, a younger cousin of the current An'Mellarionne. His wife, Cassandre, is of the line Casarre. Today's An'Sennarin is an elementalist with an affinity for water.
Alsanis is a Hallione who has become a jail.
The Humans
Who'd've thunk? Even the humans have a caste court. Lord Montrose is one of a limited number of lords who preside over the human caste court.
Evanton is the Keeper of an elemental garden, the Keeper's Garden, on Elani Street. The Arcanum is an ancient institute that predates the Empire where magic is studied. Their Imperial Mages serve the Emperor of whom Johannes is one.
At the heart of the fiefs is . . .
. . . Ravellon from whence the Ferals come at night. It was once the heart of the world with doors to entirely different worlds.
The Cold Case
Layan was the first victim. Teremaine had been the instigator.
Master Sabrai is in charge of the Oracle Hall where Random is an Oracle. Tessa, Jerrin, and Tobi are Tha'alani children. Ollarin, a.k.a. Sennarin, is a Barrani who visited Random. Teremaine had been the instigator.
The Cover and Title
The cover is soft in a nearly transparent beige of a mountain range with a deeper brown dovetail banner with its bottom split into two points hanging from a thick rod held up with tasseled cords suspended from a wolf's head in profile. On the banner is a building skyline with an Asian feel, pink clouds behind it, and a full moon glowing behind it all. At the top is the series info in brown with a double horizontal line below it, also in brown. The title, in black, begins halfway down the banner. Overlapping the flapping left tip is an info blurb in brown with the author's name immediately following in black.
The title is our introduction to The Emperor's Wolves and its latest recruit.
laura_corsi's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this glimpse into Severn’s life independent from Kaylin. Very good!
katyanaish's review against another edition
5.0
I've had this book sitting on my kindle since it released. I was reluctant to read it, though I didn't have a really firm reason why. The Elantra series is one of my favorites ... and I love Severn. But I wasn't sure that I'd feel engaged with the story if it is missing all the characters I know (except Severn, obviously), and doesn't have Kaylin at the heart. So it sat and sat on the kindle.
Well, I finally picked it up, and I'm so glad I did. Severn's a great, tortured character, and getting to fill in the gaps on what he was doing in the years that he and Kaylin are separated is interesting. He's also so much more than he seems, which has always been dangled in the core Elantra series ... but is so much more present here. I want to know everything about him, about his childhood and parents. I want to know how this boy was so adult and self-possessed at 10 that he managed to take responsibility for a child. And love her utterly.
And I want Kaylin to know these things. I want she and Severn to stop dancing around each other, and their past hurts, and connect as they're meant to.
As an added bonus in these prequel books, we get more interaction with the Emperor. He's a fascinating character, and I like him quite a lot. He's got a surprising compassion for the people in his Empire - he structured the whole thing to protect mortals - and so the tension he must live with, having to make hard choices that hurt some of them in order to protect the whole, is great to see. He's a wonderful character, and honestly must have great compassion overall given that he hasn't wiped out the Barrani after they committed genocide against his people. The Barrani are - with a few exceptions - fucking terrible. Them in charge would be a nightmare for any non-Barrani. The dragons, though prickly, are truly the protectors of the world ... the Barrani are the monsters who consider everyone else beneath them, and so are the dragons' greatest foe. Individuals among the Barrani may be decent, but as a whole, they are a despicable people. Even core secondary characters - Nightshade, the Consort, much of the cohort - have repeatedly made choices entirely driven by selfishness or self-importance. That's not to say the dragons are perfect, but they seem to be, at heart, protectors. We see that with Bellusdeo and her people, and the more we see of the Emperor, the more it is clear he is the same.
Definitely enjoying it. Reading the second Severn book now, and that will probably lead into a re-read of the whole Elantra series, haha.
Edit to add: if you're new to Elantra, I DO NOT recommend you start with this book. Yes, chronologically it is the beginning, but it leans hard into the world-building already done in the primary series. If you want to start, start there. I'd say read at least the first 3 books before picking up these prequel books.
Well, I finally picked it up, and I'm so glad I did. Severn's a great, tortured character, and getting to fill in the gaps on what he was doing in the years that he and Kaylin are separated is interesting. He's also so much more than he seems, which has always been dangled in the core Elantra series ... but is so much more present here. I want to know everything about him, about his childhood and parents. I want to know how this boy was so adult and self-possessed at 10 that he managed to take responsibility for a child. And love her utterly.
And I want Kaylin to know these things. I want she and Severn to stop dancing around each other, and their past hurts, and connect as they're meant to.
As an added bonus in these prequel books, we get more interaction with the Emperor. He's a fascinating character, and I like him quite a lot. He's got a surprising compassion for the people in his Empire - he structured the whole thing to protect mortals - and so the tension he must live with, having to make hard choices that hurt some of them in order to protect the whole, is great to see. He's a wonderful character, and honestly must have great compassion overall given that he hasn't wiped out the Barrani after they committed genocide against his people. The Barrani are - with a few exceptions - fucking terrible. Them in charge would be a nightmare for any non-Barrani. The dragons, though prickly, are truly the protectors of the world ... the Barrani are the monsters who consider everyone else beneath them, and so are the dragons' greatest foe. Individuals among the Barrani may be decent, but as a whole, they are a despicable people. Even core secondary characters - Nightshade, the Consort, much of the cohort - have repeatedly made choices entirely driven by selfishness or self-importance. That's not to say the dragons are perfect, but they seem to be, at heart, protectors. We see that with Bellusdeo and her people, and the more we see of the Emperor, the more it is clear he is the same.
Definitely enjoying it. Reading the second Severn book now, and that will probably lead into a re-read of the whole Elantra series, haha.
Edit to add: if you're new to Elantra, I DO NOT recommend you start with this book. Yes, chronologically it is the beginning, but it leans hard into the world-building already done in the primary series. If you want to start, start there. I'd say read at least the first 3 books before picking up these prequel books.
lee25's review against another edition
4.0
This is the novel I have wanted since I started reading the Elantra series; Severn's story - and I can't wait for the next one. Severn has always been IMO the most enigmatic character from the Elantra series and, if possible, he has now become even more interesting.
I have loved the world of Elantra and the Hawks. Now, I can't wait to learn more about the Wolves.
My only (small) gripe is one I have had in each of [a:Michelle Sagara|7031278|Michelle Sagara|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1365192047p2/7031278.jpg]'s novels; it is not unusual to read pages of dialogue and not be sure which character is saying what - is it too much to ask for the occasional "Severn said" or "the Elluvian answered."
I have loved the world of Elantra and the Hawks. Now, I can't wait to learn more about the Wolves.
My only (small) gripe is one I have had in each of [a:Michelle Sagara|7031278|Michelle Sagara|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1365192047p2/7031278.jpg]'s novels; it is not unusual to read pages of dialogue and not be sure which character is saying what - is it too much to ask for the occasional "Severn said" or "the Elluvian answered."
mary_soon_lee's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first volume in The Wolves of Elantra, a spin-off series to The Chronicles of Elantra. I liked it very much indeed. The book centers on Severn, who is one of my favorite characters from the aforementioned Chronicles of Elantra. Stepping back a few years before the main series, it shows Severn first joining the eponymous Emperor's Wolves -- imperial executioners -- and the inflammatory first case that he is assigned.
I loved getting to see more of Severn, who is as wonderful as ever. Ybelline, another of my favorite characters from the main series, also has a major part. The interplay between Severn and Ybelline is especially appealing. Intriguing new characters are introduced; traumatic crimes are investigated; questions about justice are posed.
This is a lovely addition to the Elantra world. The moments of compassion are beautifully handled. Severn forever!
Four and a half out of five slain stars.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
I loved getting to see more of Severn, who is as wonderful as ever. Ybelline, another of my favorite characters from the main series, also has a major part. The interplay between Severn and Ybelline is especially appealing. Intriguing new characters are introduced; traumatic crimes are investigated; questions about justice are posed.
This is a lovely addition to the Elantra world. The moments of compassion are beautifully handled. Severn forever!
Four and a half out of five slain stars.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
heathermcintire13's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
sakiido's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
jayanih's review
5.0
Severn is my favourite part of the Chronicles of Elantra. To have a book centered around him is a dream come true!