The Sun Wolves: A Novella

by Denver C. Binion

When Elya is accused of blasphemy and cast out from Talwich Abbey, the only home that she has ever known, mere days before the arrival of a bloodthirsty, maurading Horde of the barbarian Aarn, she believes her life to be over. That is, until sheer chance or perhaps fate itself causes her to cross paths with the most unlikely of

The Sun Wolves.

Legends. Heroes. Or just really famous killers.

Whatever the world may think of them, the fact remains that their exploits are renowned throughout Eran and beyond - and for Elya? She may just find herself the home she’s always longed for among them.

That is, if they can all survive the coming bloodshed.

148 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 17, 2024

Reviews

[Edward "Gryftkin" Myers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elya is an orphan and a Daughter of Ballian serving at Talwich Abbey - well, at least at the beginning of chapter one. See Elya thinks that they should be as smart as everyone else around them and hightail it out of there as there's an advancing Horde (capital H) coming their way and they don't have as much as an armed guard, but Mother Moira thinks that reeks of not trusting in their god and benefactor, Ballian (there's a whole Pantheon of gods and goddesses, but we're serving Ballian here), accuses her of blasphemy, and summarily ex-communicates her. Now Elya doesn't even have walls to protect her. Luckily she soon runs into Dorian, member of the mythical Sun Wolves (and probably the least serious soldier in the whole company). Given the welcome proposition of food in her stomach (she hasn't eaten in almost 24 hours), a cot to sleep on (also, 24 hours) and the safety of numbers, "Just Elya" (read the book, you'll understand) decides she's had worse offers and is soon travelling with the most famous mercenary band in the land, but something is off. They seem to know things about her that she doesn't even know. Questions will need to be answered, but first - first Elya is going to ask them a favor. To come with her to protect the very abbey that kicked her out. Elya is going to learn things about who she is, where she came from, and maybe, where she's going - if they all survive the fight that is. This little novella weighs in at about 144 pages and is a great palette cleanser if you're looking for something to fit in between fantasy chonkers. Also, the prose, language, and subject matter even makes it safe for a younger crowd without really spilling over into YA. One thing I will bring up, but only so it doesn't confuse people (I did reach out to the author so I think this is safe to say) - there is a line in the first chapter where Elya refers to Dorian as having saved her life (which made me think "when did he do that?"). If any of you have ever watched The Goonies, you know that the end of the movie they talk about a fight with a giant octopus that never happened during the movie. Same thing, a scene was edited, but a reference was left. It does not change or ruin the story, but I think you'll enjoy it more when you get to it if you're forewarned and not flipping back through the pages going "what? when?". I will absolutely be reading book 2.

[Caitlynne Nash · Rating 5 out of 5]

I give this a 5 stars, not only did my husband read this book very quickly, he refused to put it down. It grasped his attention from start to finish and was just a solid read all around. Will be ordering book 2.

[Steven Raaymakers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting dive into a dark world. The main character is banished (excommunicated, one might say) from her convent, and joins a famous group of soldiers. She is accepted into the group for various reasons, but primarily because she has access to a powerful magic. The story escalates from there.

The writing was quite good, and the characters were quite interesting. I would have preferred a little more complexity in the characters and their motivations, much like the leader of the group had. However, I understand that a novella is a short space in which to build up a full cast of characters, fresh worldbuilding, and all sorts of events.

4.25/5 stars. A solid entry into a unique world.