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Sun Wolf and Starhawk #1-3
The Sun Wolf and Starhawk Series Books 1–3: The Ladies of Mandrigyn, Witches of Wenshar, and The Dark Hand of Magic
Three fantasy novels of war and wizardry by a “fabulously talented” New York Times–bestselling author (Charlaine Harris). In The Ladies of Mandrigyn, a brilliant mercenary must lead his army against the forces of the most powerful wizard alive. Gifted with courage, strength, and the intelligence to know when to fight, Sun Wolf is the greatest mercenary in a land overrun by war. With his first lieutenant, Starhawk, at his side, he has laid waste to countless cities, taking the best of their treasures for himself, and distributing the rest among his bloodthirsty crew. Then a woman comes to him, an emissary from the town of Mandrigyn, a lush port city recently sacked by a powerful, mad wizard of unmatched abilities. She offers Sun Wolf untold riches for the use of his army, but the captain is not fool enough to wage war against a magician. He refuses her offer, but that is not the end of it. The women of Mandrigyn can be very persuasive. In The Witches of Wenshar, to harness his newfound magical powers, Sun Wolf must cross the desert in search of a witch who can teach him the ways of sorcery. Accompanied by his lieutenant, Starhawk, he travels across the forbidding desert to the land of Wenshar, where witchcraft is said to flourish. There he seeks out a witch with powers far beyond her years, who is rumored to have mastered the ancient art of white magic. But when he and Starhawk finally reach her, there is evil in the air—an evil against which all their might is useless. Sun Wolf must learn to harness his newfound powers—or be taken by this sinister trap. In The Dark Hand of Magic, Sun Wolf must use his immature magical powers to rescue his old army from an evil wizard’s curse. A string of rotten luck has befallen his old crew’s latest campaign, and they have begun to suspect a curse. Their arrows break; their food rots; their tunnels cave in. They have heard rumors of Sun Wolf’s magical abilities, and beg for his help. But when he goes after whatever is targeting his men, he finds himself up against the deadliest force he has ever encountered.
1165 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 21, 2013
132 people are currently reading
251 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Hambly
205 books1,591 followersaka Barbara Hamilton
Ranging from fantasy to historical fiction, Barbara Hambly has a masterful way of spinning a story. Her twisty plots involve memorable characters, lavish descriptions, scads of novel words, and interesting devices. Her work spans the Star Wars universe, antebellum New Orleans, and various fantasy worlds, sometimes linked with our own.
"I always wanted to be a writer but everyone kept telling me it was impossible to break into the field or make money. I've proven them wrong on both counts."
-Barbara Hambly
Ranging from fantasy to historical fiction, Barbara Hambly has a masterful way of spinning a story. Her twisty plots involve memorable characters, lavish descriptions, scads of novel words, and interesting devices. Her work spans the Star Wars universe, antebellum New Orleans, and various fantasy worlds, sometimes linked with our own.
"I always wanted to be a writer but everyone kept telling me it was impossible to break into the field or make money. I've proven them wrong on both counts."
-Barbara Hambly
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
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January 24, 20181/24/18 Three book series, the trilogy, on sale for Kindle for $4.99.
March 16, 2019
Great reads that hold up over the years.
I haven't read this series in twenty years, and I'm so glad that they are as good as I remember. Intelligent characters, dire circumstances, and great writing.
I haven't read this series in twenty years, and I'm so glad that they are as good as I remember. Intelligent characters, dire circumstances, and great writing.
December 3, 2023
Definitely fits into the classic sword-and-sorcery genre; like Howard's Conan only without all the racism and sexism. That said, it's still a callously grim world, Hambly doesn't pretend that mercenaries are good or noble people. The people of this world would be entirely comfortable in the world of the First Law, or A Song of Ice and Fire (although these books don't rise quite to the level of graphic violence in either of those; the world is clearly as gritty and dangerous as either, but a lot of the violence takes place largely off-page).
There is character growth, though - neither Sun Wolf nor Starhawk are the same people by the end of the book, and there are some really great moments of tenderness and awareness even though both characters are aware they have no power to really change the world/system they find themselves in.
The third book is by far the grimmest, as the duo find themselves surrounded by mercenaries and war in a way they did not in the first two books (which are more about individual mysteries/adventures).
Hambly is excellent at depicting humans in these difficult situations; her John Aversin and Jenny Waynest of Dragonsbane are still two of my favorite characters in fiction, and while I think neither Sun Wolf nor Starhawk quite matches that level of depth I very much enjoyed their stories and had a hard time putting the books down.
There is character growth, though - neither Sun Wolf nor Starhawk are the same people by the end of the book, and there are some really great moments of tenderness and awareness even though both characters are aware they have no power to really change the world/system they find themselves in.
The third book is by far the grimmest, as the duo find themselves surrounded by mercenaries and war in a way they did not in the first two books (which are more about individual mysteries/adventures).
Hambly is excellent at depicting humans in these difficult situations; her John Aversin and Jenny Waynest of Dragonsbane are still two of my favorite characters in fiction, and while I think neither Sun Wolf nor Starhawk quite matches that level of depth I very much enjoyed their stories and had a hard time putting the books down.
February 7, 2021
The Sun Wolf and Starhawk books were first published in the 1980s, and to some extent it shows. There are a few odd bits where the modern reader raises an eyebrow and thinks, "She wouldn't get away with that nowadays".
The difference between these books and, for instance, the later Benjamin January books is also evident. Hambly has had another thirty years of experience as a writer, and it shows. The Sun Wolf books are simpler in both plot and characterisation - you can still tell that she's a talented writer, but not yet as skilled as she will later become.
Interestingly, Hambly doesn't shy away from allowing Sun Wolf (and Starhawk) to have committed the usual atrocities that mercenaries would be expected to commit during and after sieges - just part of doing business. They're (ex)mercenaries - it's what they do. And, of course, it allows for some character growth.
I enjoyed these stories - they're each an entertaining read, with a likeable pair of protagonists.
The difference between these books and, for instance, the later Benjamin January books is also evident. Hambly has had another thirty years of experience as a writer, and it shows. The Sun Wolf books are simpler in both plot and characterisation - you can still tell that she's a talented writer, but not yet as skilled as she will later become.
Interestingly, Hambly doesn't shy away from allowing Sun Wolf (and Starhawk) to have committed the usual atrocities that mercenaries would be expected to commit during and after sieges - just part of doing business. They're (ex)mercenaries - it's what they do. And, of course, it allows for some character growth.
I enjoyed these stories - they're each an entertaining read, with a likeable pair of protagonists.
March 14, 2021
Went looking for Fantasy with middle aged main characters. Tired of wonderteens. Star Hawk is actually supposed to be late twenties but reads more like mid thirties, Sun Wolf is in his forties. First time reading Barbara Hambly. Reminds me of Louis Mcmaster Bujold's fantasy, which isn't quite as good as Bujold's Sci Fi but still enjoyable. Hambly was probably a feminist writer at the time, though this series reads pretty old school now.
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September 29, 2022Mixed
The underlying story is interesting but the writing has a lot of tell vs show. Nice descriptions of people and places but I found myself skipping paragraphs to get to dialog that moved the story forward. The second book in this set felt very dark and repetitive. It was hard to get through.
The underlying story is interesting but the writing has a lot of tell vs show. Nice descriptions of people and places but I found myself skipping paragraphs to get to dialog that moved the story forward. The second book in this set felt very dark and repetitive. It was hard to get through.
August 20, 2019
I really liked the first book of the series and was glad I could just keep going. I felt a bit letdown by the 3rd book. Good writing, interesting plots and characters, and, to quote another review, "dire circumstances".
October 28, 2019
Unmatchable, Unforgettable
I don't know how many times I have read this book. All three of the novels in it are great additions to the worlds of fantasy.
Hambly is a writer I recommend to my writing students.
I don't know how many times I have read this book. All three of the novels in it are great additions to the worlds of fantasy.
Hambly is a writer I recommend to my writing students.
May 27, 2017
Good, character based writing
Two engaging protagonists and a vividly described setting. The best kind of classic fantasy. Kept me coming back for more.
Two engaging protagonists and a vividly described setting. The best kind of classic fantasy. Kept me coming back for more.
August 7, 2017
I remember reading these books back as a teen when they first came out. Still quite enjoyable :)
April 30, 2020
I love these characters
I love these characters and enjoyed rereading these books after 15 years. Hambly is such an outstanding world builder. Wonderful!
I love these characters and enjoyed rereading these books after 15 years. Hambly is such an outstanding world builder. Wonderful!
March 28, 2022
Great series
The characters are great as well as very different from her other series. All in all a great read and I am ready for more.
The characters are great as well as very different from her other series. All in all a great read and I am ready for more.
June 28, 2013
Three books in this volume:
The Ladies of Mandrigyn, The Witches of Wenshar, and The Dark Hand of Magic.
Sun Wolf begins this series as a tough mercenary fighter. He slowly realizes that he was born a wizard and begins to follow his 'destiny.' Starhawk, begins as his Lieutenant, and becomes his lover. Well-written complex plots. This is my favorite Hambly series as it is not as 'dark' as her Darwath series, for example. Great plots and excellent character development.
First paragraphs of the Ladies of Mandrigyn.
Chapter 1
“WHAT IN THE NAME of the cold hells is this?” Sun Wolf held the scrap of unfolded paper between stubby fingers that were still slightly stained with blood. Starhawk, his tall, rawboned second-in-command, glanced up from cleaning the grime of battle off the hilt of her sword and raised dark, level brows inquiringly. Outside, torchlight reddened the windy night. The camp was riotous with the noise of victory; the mercenaries of Wrynde and the troops of the City of Kedwyr were uninhibitedly celebrating the final breaking of the siege of Melplith. “What’s it look like?” she asked reasonably.
Hambly, Barbara (2013-05-21). The Sun Wolf and Starhawk Series: The Ladies of Mandrigyn, The Witches of Wenshar, and The Dark Hand of Magic (Kindle Locations 52-57). Open Road Media. Kindle Edition.
The Ladies of Mandrigyn, The Witches of Wenshar, and The Dark Hand of Magic.
Sun Wolf begins this series as a tough mercenary fighter. He slowly realizes that he was born a wizard and begins to follow his 'destiny.' Starhawk, begins as his Lieutenant, and becomes his lover. Well-written complex plots. This is my favorite Hambly series as it is not as 'dark' as her Darwath series, for example. Great plots and excellent character development.
First paragraphs of the Ladies of Mandrigyn.
Chapter 1
“WHAT IN THE NAME of the cold hells is this?” Sun Wolf held the scrap of unfolded paper between stubby fingers that were still slightly stained with blood. Starhawk, his tall, rawboned second-in-command, glanced up from cleaning the grime of battle off the hilt of her sword and raised dark, level brows inquiringly. Outside, torchlight reddened the windy night. The camp was riotous with the noise of victory; the mercenaries of Wrynde and the troops of the City of Kedwyr were uninhibitedly celebrating the final breaking of the siege of Melplith. “What’s it look like?” she asked reasonably.
Hambly, Barbara (2013-05-21). The Sun Wolf and Starhawk Series: The Ladies of Mandrigyn, The Witches of Wenshar, and The Dark Hand of Magic (Kindle Locations 52-57). Open Road Media. Kindle Edition.
March 27, 2020
I really enjoyed book one. This writer has a beautiful gift for describing places and things. The fantasy part was easy to follow and the romantic twists was unexpected and very enjoyable! Looking forward to reading more in this series!
October 19, 2021
It's official. I love Barbara Hambly. She's got a little bit of the Glen Cook feel, as she gets into the muck with the peons, but she does it with more skill and aplomb. Ultimately, she writes very engaging fantasy stories with flawed characters that struggle with very real issues and that's what makes her so great.
Sun Wolf and Starhawk are the main characters in this series, one a mercenary captain and the other a former nun turned mercenary. I can't help thinking of Thor and Trinity when I read about them, but whereas those movie characters are a bit wooden, the protagonists of Hambly's trilogy are quite the living, breathing pair. I don't want to give any spoilers, but the arc of this story is well done and I read the trilogy all in one go--it flowed pretty seamlessly.
If you haven't read Barbara Hambly then this is as good as any other place to start. Try it out--I think you will be entertained.
Sun Wolf and Starhawk are the main characters in this series, one a mercenary captain and the other a former nun turned mercenary. I can't help thinking of Thor and Trinity when I read about them, but whereas those movie characters are a bit wooden, the protagonists of Hambly's trilogy are quite the living, breathing pair. I don't want to give any spoilers, but the arc of this story is well done and I read the trilogy all in one go--it flowed pretty seamlessly.
If you haven't read Barbara Hambly then this is as good as any other place to start. Try it out--I think you will be entertained.
January 24, 2016
An excellent trilogy, from one of my favorite authors. I bought this for my Nook, as an omnibus. The novels were written(or rather published) over a six year period, from 1984-1990. Reading them back to back to back, it's like they were written at the same time. The characters, and the story itself, overlaps quite nicely. This is fantasy at it's best, by a master storyteller. Sun Wolf, and Starhawk, start out as mercenaries, in a world not at all like ours. He is the Captain of a mercenary army, and she is one of his lieutenants. They discover that they love each other, in the first book, as he gets drugged, and kidnapped, and she sets out alone, to find, and rescue him. Sun Wolf discovers that he is a natural wizard, which complicates things(of course), and the rest of the series is of various adventures, dealing with their relationship, and the problems caused by his magic.
Want to read
December 24, 20141 December 2014: $3.99 on Kindle
February 24, 2016
Reread for the first time since I was a teen. The sexual politics were invisible for me back then but a little too obvious for me now.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews