Scan barcode
A review by llmacrae
Wolfeater by Anthony Mitchell
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!