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A review by readerpants
Black Wolves by Kate Elliott
5.0
Well, that was epic! I gave myself a snow day and read the whole thing in one sitting, which is notable because it was VERY LONG.
I have to admit that I've tried a few other titles of hers in the past and wasn't terribly into them. But I think Black Wolves lives up to the hype. Fantastic characters, especially fantastic lady characters. A sharp interrogation of power, in terms of class, gender, and sexuality. Meaty, thoroughly drawn, and diverse worldbuilding. Oh, and queers, really well-done! And no sexual violence -- or even threat of sexual violence, I think, though after 700 pps I'm a little foggy on the details -- against women, although sex and violence are certainly part of the storyline and a male character is (shockingly) raped by another male character. (Lots to say about that part - need to think it through.)
I'd recommend it for the GRRM fans, I think, and others who like their fantasy epic, extremely detailed, political, and long. I'm looking forward to #2 in the series, though I have to say, I have no idea how I'll keep the convoluted plots in my head that long and I'm not eager to reread the whole thing. Hopefully there will be some very detailed reviews I can read closer to the pub date of #2 to remind me of all the details!
I have to admit that I've tried a few other titles of hers in the past and wasn't terribly into them. But I think Black Wolves lives up to the hype. Fantastic characters, especially fantastic lady characters. A sharp interrogation of power, in terms of class, gender, and sexuality. Meaty, thoroughly drawn, and diverse worldbuilding. Oh, and queers, really well-done! And no sexual violence -- or even threat of sexual violence, I think, though after 700 pps I'm a little foggy on the details -- against women, although sex and violence are certainly part of the storyline and a male character is (shockingly) raped by another male character. (Lots to say about that part - need to think it through.)
I'd recommend it for the GRRM fans, I think, and others who like their fantasy epic, extremely detailed, political, and long. I'm looking forward to #2 in the series, though I have to say, I have no idea how I'll keep the convoluted plots in my head that long and I'm not eager to reread the whole thing. Hopefully there will be some very detailed reviews I can read closer to the pub date of #2 to remind me of all the details!