Scan barcode
qjbrown96's review
I don’t like to give bad ratings for self published books unless it’s just absolutely horrendous since it’s an uphill battle for them as it is, so I’ll just leave an honest review and leave out the rating.
I unfortunately did not like this book very much. One reason that isn’t this books fault is that I was reading it along with The Shadow Rising which is obviously light years better than this.
Another reason is because it’s too short for me to really feel anything for these characters. I did not like the Wolfeater nor care about what happened to him, the main character was annoying and the antagonist’s death was anti climactic to me.
The things that I really liked was the graphic action scenes and the wolf “Scar”. Other than that it just wasn’t hitting it for me. I’m quietly giving it 2 stars.
I unfortunately did not like this book very much. One reason that isn’t this books fault is that I was reading it along with The Shadow Rising which is obviously light years better than this.
Another reason is because it’s too short for me to really feel anything for these characters. I did not like the Wolfeater nor care about what happened to him, the main character was annoying and the antagonist’s death was anti climactic to me.
The things that I really liked was the graphic action scenes and the wolf “Scar”. Other than that it just wasn’t hitting it for me. I’m quietly giving it 2 stars.
argentrabe's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kitvaria_sarene's review against another edition
4.0
This an amazing grim and bloody story that still dangles enough hope in front of your nose to keep you hoked all the way through. This also works really fine as stand alone, which is rare in fantasy these days, which is a big plus in my eyes!
While the villain was really way over the top stereotype villainous, the rest of the cast more than made up for it. Having not just one, but three different groups of seasoned warriors on opposing sides also makes for enough friction outside of the bad guy problem.
We have a young woman on the path for revenge, who pairs up with a weary old warrior who has long since stopped seeing the glory of killing. I loved how those two balance each other out and the wolf companion also was a bonus for me!
We have another old warrior who is dying from lung rot in a quest to ask the gods why they would punish hin like that - and he's joined by his sort of adopted daughter who is a small, blind girl. While her body might be weak, her mind is sharp and her will is strong like iron. I really adored her POV, and I hope there might be another book telling her story in the future.
And then we have a group of warriors from his tribe who want to stop him from achieving his quest, as it goes against their rules.
The setting is a hard to live in land, with a very cold part, and I felt like I really vanished from my couch and instead wandered those frozen mountains right along with the characters. The bleakness, hunger and ice basically flowed from the pages, and was really well written.
The story has little actual plot besides the journey, but it's all the book needed. I quite enjoyed this closely focused story that had me griped right from the start. Instead it's much more about the characters, their motivations, and how they interact and change over the course of the story.
This definitely won't be my last book by the author!
While the villain was really way over the top stereotype villainous, the rest of the cast more than made up for it. Having not just one, but three different groups of seasoned warriors on opposing sides also makes for enough friction outside of the bad guy problem.
We have a young woman on the path for revenge, who pairs up with a weary old warrior who has long since stopped seeing the glory of killing. I loved how those two balance each other out and the wolf companion also was a bonus for me!
We have another old warrior who is dying from lung rot in a quest to ask the gods why they would punish hin like that - and he's joined by his sort of adopted daughter who is a small, blind girl. While her body might be weak, her mind is sharp and her will is strong like iron. I really adored her POV, and I hope there might be another book telling her story in the future.
And then we have a group of warriors from his tribe who want to stop him from achieving his quest, as it goes against their rules.
The setting is a hard to live in land, with a very cold part, and I felt like I really vanished from my couch and instead wandered those frozen mountains right along with the characters. The bleakness, hunger and ice basically flowed from the pages, and was really well written.
The story has little actual plot besides the journey, but it's all the book needed. I quite enjoyed this closely focused story that had me griped right from the start. Instead it's much more about the characters, their motivations, and how they interact and change over the course of the story.
This definitely won't be my last book by the author!
szeththeassassin's review against another edition
5.0
Please read my review at the following link:
https://escapistbookcompany.com/2023/01/02/wolfeater-tale-of-the-grey-crow-by-anthony-mitchell/
Thanks for taking the time to read my review. As always, happy reading and Stay Great!!
https://escapistbookcompany.com/2023/01/02/wolfeater-tale-of-the-grey-crow-by-anthony-mitchell/
Thanks for taking the time to read my review. As always, happy reading and Stay Great!!
szeththeassassin's review against another edition
5.0
Please read my review at the following link:
https://escapistbookcompany.com/2023/01/02/wolfeater-tale-of-the-grey-crow-by-anthony-mitchell/
Thanks for taking the time to read my review. As always, happy reading and Stay Great!!
https://escapistbookcompany.com/2023/01/02/wolfeater-tale-of-the-grey-crow-by-anthony-mitchell/
Thanks for taking the time to read my review. As always, happy reading and Stay Great!!
llmacrae's review against another edition
5.0
Obligatory advance apologies for any misspelled words/names etc., I listened to the (SENSATIONAL) audiobook.
This is one of the best books I’ve read in years, and I can see why it was a hair away from being a finalist in SPFBO7. It’s very much deserving of all the praise it receives and I hope more readers discover it.
Anthony Mitchell’s writing style is fabulous. It’s immersive, richly detailed, vividly described, with a great cast of characters tying it all together. The world building is excellent, even going to the trouble of detailing the physical differences between the two main tribes of this story: The Grey Crow and The Valar (Wolves) - the latter of whom are people with elongated/sharpened canines and heightened senses.
For a book set mostly somewhere cold, with ice, snow, and blizzards a constant occurrence, the writing effortlessly captures the bleakness and frigidity of the environment, as well as a strong sense of hope. Hope, which is so very necessary, because it’s a brutal story that does not shy away from the grim reality of not just surviving on the edge of the Whitelands (and travelling through it), but living in a constant war with other tribes.
It’s a harsh environment that paves the way for harsh characters, yet every one is so deeply human that you cannot help but care for them.
The story opens with Senya, dropping us into the midst of how difficult this bitter land is to survive, and shows us how villages are struggling, forcing people to desperate acts. Winter is tough, and this is one of the hardest ones for some time. Senya is an interesting character, one who is both stubborn to a fault, yet deeply compassionate for those she loves. It’s a tricky balance, and she could easily have become unlikeable, but those opening chapters with her show her history and help build such a bond that I completely understand why she was so driven. Though I often wanted to shake her into sense(!), she was a brilliant, strong character who stuck to her morals and yet was capable of change.
Radok, the titular Wolfeater, is seen through the eyes of many characters, as well as his own POV. He is a legend in his own right, having slain so many of the “Wolves” from an opposing tribe, and his reputation precedes him. I always love to see great characters on hard times, because you really do get the measure of them. Radok is no exception, and his story was deeply moving. Dying of a disease that is essentially rotting his lungs, he knows his time is limited. After everything he has done for his tribe, he does not understand why the gods punish him, and so is desperate to get an answer. Unfortunately, this act is forbidden, and his people turn against him.
Nyana, effectively Radok’s adopted daughter, is another equally great character. Blind, small, weak, and seen as little more than a burden by the Grey Crow tribe to whom she and Radok belong, Nyana is one of the more intriguing characters. Despite being physically weak, emotionally she is perhaps the strongest of any of them. She has so little and yet her determination is fiercer than those who have everything. To see her grow and flourish, and overcome self-doubt, is inspiring.
My favourite character probably has to be Mikilov. Known as the Grey Wolf, and with an animal companion to boot, he brought a lightness to the story (and Senya, especially), as well as offering a voice of reason. I am desperate to know more of his backstory, especially with some of the “friends” he has who pop up from time to time. I also would love to know more about how things were “in the old days,” despite the fact he has done many things he regrets. His scenes with Radok were some of the most memorable.
The side characters, too, are brilliant. From the maddening Talak to the stoic Jian (she’s another of my favourites, I loved her story so much), the Empty Faces and of course, the Seven Gods who make up the Will.
The way the magic is described is fantastic, and inspires a deep sense of wonder and awe - exactly what I want in any fantasy book. The action sequences in particular are fantastic, edge-of-your-seat reads, and the final climactic battle made me wince several times with how viscerally it is described.
It’s also a really nicely paced book, with plenty of tense moments, build ups, and mini-revelations scattered all the way through to keep you on your toes. Nothing feels forced or rushed, and even though plenty of the story involves travelling, none of it dragged.
I also cried at least twice (both happy tears and more upset tears), while reading this, so be warned you might need some tissues!
A final note - the audiobook narration was fantastic! Really enjoyed Harry Frost’s narration style.
I will 100% be reading more of Anthony Mitchell’s writing in the future, and highly recommend Wolfeater if you want a Viking-flavoured quest in a frigid landscape, gods and priests attempting to move people to their will, deeply flawed characters, and brilliant action scenes!
This is one of the best books I’ve read in years, and I can see why it was a hair away from being a finalist in SPFBO7. It’s very much deserving of all the praise it receives and I hope more readers discover it.
Anthony Mitchell’s writing style is fabulous. It’s immersive, richly detailed, vividly described, with a great cast of characters tying it all together. The world building is excellent, even going to the trouble of detailing the physical differences between the two main tribes of this story: The Grey Crow and The Valar (Wolves) - the latter of whom are people with elongated/sharpened canines and heightened senses.
For a book set mostly somewhere cold, with ice, snow, and blizzards a constant occurrence, the writing effortlessly captures the bleakness and frigidity of the environment, as well as a strong sense of hope. Hope, which is so very necessary, because it’s a brutal story that does not shy away from the grim reality of not just surviving on the edge of the Whitelands (and travelling through it), but living in a constant war with other tribes.
It’s a harsh environment that paves the way for harsh characters, yet every one is so deeply human that you cannot help but care for them.
The story opens with Senya, dropping us into the midst of how difficult this bitter land is to survive, and shows us how villages are struggling, forcing people to desperate acts. Winter is tough, and this is one of the hardest ones for some time. Senya is an interesting character, one who is both stubborn to a fault, yet deeply compassionate for those she loves. It’s a tricky balance, and she could easily have become unlikeable, but those opening chapters with her show her history and help build such a bond that I completely understand why she was so driven. Though I often wanted to shake her into sense(!), she was a brilliant, strong character who stuck to her morals and yet was capable of change.
Radok, the titular Wolfeater, is seen through the eyes of many characters, as well as his own POV. He is a legend in his own right, having slain so many of the “Wolves” from an opposing tribe, and his reputation precedes him. I always love to see great characters on hard times, because you really do get the measure of them. Radok is no exception, and his story was deeply moving. Dying of a disease that is essentially rotting his lungs, he knows his time is limited. After everything he has done for his tribe, he does not understand why the gods punish him, and so is desperate to get an answer. Unfortunately, this act is forbidden, and his people turn against him.
Nyana, effectively Radok’s adopted daughter, is another equally great character. Blind, small, weak, and seen as little more than a burden by the Grey Crow tribe to whom she and Radok belong, Nyana is one of the more intriguing characters. Despite being physically weak, emotionally she is perhaps the strongest of any of them. She has so little and yet her determination is fiercer than those who have everything. To see her grow and flourish, and overcome self-doubt, is inspiring.
My favourite character probably has to be Mikilov. Known as the Grey Wolf, and with an animal companion to boot, he brought a lightness to the story (and Senya, especially), as well as offering a voice of reason. I am desperate to know more of his backstory, especially with some of the “friends” he has who pop up from time to time. I also would love to know more about how things were “in the old days,” despite the fact he has done many things he regrets. His scenes with Radok were some of the most memorable.
The side characters, too, are brilliant. From the maddening Talak to the stoic Jian (she’s another of my favourites, I loved her story so much), the Empty Faces and of course, the Seven Gods who make up the Will.
The way the magic is described is fantastic, and inspires a deep sense of wonder and awe - exactly what I want in any fantasy book. The action sequences in particular are fantastic, edge-of-your-seat reads, and the final climactic battle made me wince several times with how viscerally it is described.
It’s also a really nicely paced book, with plenty of tense moments, build ups, and mini-revelations scattered all the way through to keep you on your toes. Nothing feels forced or rushed, and even though plenty of the story involves travelling, none of it dragged.
I also cried at least twice (both happy tears and more upset tears), while reading this, so be warned you might need some tissues!
A final note - the audiobook narration was fantastic! Really enjoyed Harry Frost’s narration style.
I will 100% be reading more of Anthony Mitchell’s writing in the future, and highly recommend Wolfeater if you want a Viking-flavoured quest in a frigid landscape, gods and priests attempting to move people to their will, deeply flawed characters, and brilliant action scenes!
frogggirl2's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
3.0
When you start the book off immediately in combat, I don't care about the characters or really know what's going on, so, I'm not invested. The book shifts POV, so then I have a whole new character to not care about. There desperately needs to be some world building early on.
"Her father once told her that some men were born to ride the storm, while others were crushed by it. There was no denying that the Wolfeater was such a man" (p. 154). Some weird writing here - I think the narrator means that the wolfeater is the former not the latter.
The bad guy is a mustache twirling stereotype and all of the characters goals are either misguided, change or conflict in ways that make one of the characters seem clueless. It takes away from the narrative thrust of the story.
It certainty gets better as it goes along. The POV characters are well characterized. The writing is pretty strong - the ambiance of the frozen tundra world really comes through.
"Her father once told her that some men were born to ride the storm, while others were crushed by it. There was no denying that the Wolfeater was such a man" (p. 154). Some weird writing here - I think the narrator means that the wolfeater is the former not the latter.
The bad guy is a mustache twirling stereotype and all of the characters goals are either misguided, change or conflict in ways that make one of the characters seem clueless. It takes away from the narrative thrust of the story.
It certainty gets better as it goes along. The POV characters are well characterized. The writing is pretty strong - the ambiance of the frozen tundra world really comes through.
hairymclary28's review
2.0
Pulled me in very quickly. I like the prose - it's easy to read and very visual. Some great characterisation when talking about grief from Radok's POV early in the book. Pacing was variable - good at the start and end but there was a long slow section in the middle. The main problem was that the book needed sensitivity readers. Personally I struggled with the magic blind girl with superpowers (particularly with the copious visual metaphors in her POV chapters) and with the bisexual woman who (it's heavily implied) has turned to women because men don't want her because she has lost her womb.
Despite these problems it was overall an ok read with some good concepts and worldbuilding. Sadly let down by some superficial exploration of deep topics and by inconsistent pacing. Points for disability (fictional - lungrot), POC and LGBT rep.
Despite these problems it was overall an ok read with some good concepts and worldbuilding. Sadly let down by some superficial exploration of deep topics and by inconsistent pacing. Points for disability (fictional - lungrot), POC and LGBT rep.