Shadow of the Wolf: Fantasy Adventure in the Dark Ages of Scotland

by Malcolm Archibald

A dark force has awakened in the Highlands.

Scotland, 1388. After Fergus Scott of Eildon travels north to investigate reports of a malevolent presence, he encounters the ferocious Alistair Mor.

Drawn into battle against enchantment and death, Fergus is aided by the lovely but quick-tempered Seonaid. Meanwhile, Donald of the Isles and his army march to confront Alistair, and trouble is brewing as the witches of Scotland gather to recreate the Book of Black Earth.

But when the forces of good and evil collide, can Fergus save his soul and his country?

Inspired by the story of Alexander Stewart - The Wolf of Badenoch.

Praise from

★★★★★ - "An enigmatic tale of the darker past of the Highlands that believably fuses historical fact with Scottish myths and legends."

★★★★★ - "Shadow of the Wolf is a superb blend of historical fact and fiction and pulls no punches in its depiction of life in 14th century Scotland."

★★★★★ - "This author is a master of plotting and pacing... a gripping yarn indeed."

Genres: Fantasy

258 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2012

About the author

My primary interest is historical, either fiction or non fiction, but I can enjoy most anything from Jane Austin to Kipling to J K Rowling. I have been very quiet on this site, but I think I might be a bit more active now.
I also enjoy the stimulation of meeting people and finding out about them.

Reviews

[Michele Northwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shadow of the Wolf: Malcolm Archibald

I was drawn to this book because of the great reviews I had read about it. Yet, I was still a little unsure that this would be a good choice for me, after all, I´m a real girly girl and this book is a 14th-century tale of warriors in battle in Scotland, defending good against evil.

I was SO glad I chose to read it! Shadow of the wolf is a perfect blend of historical fact with myths, legends and dark magic which had me hooked almost from the first page.

The main character, Fergus Scott, goes on a quest, travelling north to find Alistair Mor, a warlord also known as “The Wolf”. He finds out that Alistair is heavily guarded by “The bodyguard”, a group of black knights who seem ephemeral and not of this earth.

Not wanting to give the plot away, I will just say that the battles and descriptions are brutally realistic and, in my opinion, perfectly fit the gory, animalistic times in which the main character was living.

His encounter with one of Alistair’s witches was enthralling and the description of how the Book of Black Earth was created was so good, I had to read it twice. It left a lasting effect on me.

I could quite easily see this tale making it onto the big screen. It was well written and informative at the same time. I finished the book feeling that although the main story was mythical I had also Iearnt something about Scotland too.

This is the first book I have read by this author, but I doubt it will be my last. Read it. You won’t be disappointed!
Highly Recommended!

[Berk Rourke · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written book is always a pleasure to read. And this book is extremely well written. Always, with Indie publishers or with traditional publishers there are errors in books, typos or some other form of minute error. I found none in this book. It is not as though I was looking for that sort of thing but it is usually very evident. So the proof reading and editing of the book was excellent as well.
The story is an epic Scottish fantasy of amazing deeds of bravery. It is also the age old story of good versus evil. And in a somewhat out of the ordinary ending in this case the "good guys" win. Fergus Scott, of the borderlands of Southern Scotland goes to the north to defeat evil. With the help of his friends Peallinaidh and Seonaid he is able to bring about the defeat of the evil lord Alistair. But derrng do, faith in his visions and in the words of a guide named Krista that he knows not, as yet, is an absolute necessity. Fergus rises to the task with the help of all the world of good.
I have no difficult awarding this wonderful story of fantasy five stars. I have never read anything by Malcolm Archibald before but I will be sure to do so again given the chance. This is a really good story told in a very professional manner. Thanks Malcolm.

[Mari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew this author would include Scottish folklore in his fantasy tale and he did not disappoint. I discovered they have uruisgs; a type of Scottish Sasquatch, and he becomes an important ally. Fergus is sent to combat an evil in the Highlands as he possesses the traits of a warrior and a seer. Someone or some entity lives in his head to give him visions and obscure clues. The one about two orbs and then a third have no meaning. He meets Hugh’s widow and she wants revenge against the highland clan leader. They travel together and meet the uruisg that can provide a needed sword. The uruisg joins them. They stay at a fortress and barely escape. When they reach the highlands they are captured. Fergus must fight a warrior for their freedom. The sword he received from the Uruisgs is too heavy and awkward. He reverts to his borderland fighting style and wins while sparing the other warrior. He joins this highland lord and falls under the spell of witch. He ignores the voices in his head. He fights in the battles and loses track of time. It isn’t until a disaster where he almost dies that the spell is broken and he realizes the Highland Lord is the Wolf of evil he is to destroy. Hugh’s widow and uruisg return and an ambush is set. The evil is protected by immortal bodyguards, but he manages an arrow shot. The armor deflects it and once again he barely escapes with his life. One more ambush is arranged and they watch with horror as a child is sacrificed and flayed for the skin. The summoned Witches inscribe the skin with the words of the Book of Black Earth; the evil spells will give the holder power to destroy all others and the Church. Now the spirit of the child joins the other voices in Fergus’s head. His ambush fails as the Moon orb betrays him and he is captured again and thrown into the water dungeon. The visons return. There is one more orb. The telling of his escape and the coming battle is a page turning adventure that holds one enthralled. You’ll have to read to find out if Hugh’s widow is avenged, the home of the Uruisgs safe, the child’s spirit set free, and who will rule.

[A.J. Griffiths-Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a real adventure, with the author using his expert knowledge of the highlands, 13th century history & Scottish mythology. The scenes are vivid, from the verbal exchanges between Percy & Hotspur to the crackling fires & advancing troops, each chapter perfectly deployed. With Archibald’s books, you always feel though you’ve learned something & even though the lines were blurred between fact & fantasy in this tale, I have closed the final page a good deal wiser about battles & legends. I very much look forward to the next one.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Wee Bit Too Tortuous

A bit too much time hanging about captive in dungeons and in hopeless situations. In some ways it reads more like a D and D game than a novel. You reach the next level and get powers back; especially at the end when all the good people come back to life. But the one thing that really got up my nose was the claymores on the back. Nobody in history slung a five foot sword across their back.

[P.S. Winn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Step back in time and head into a Scottish Fantasy. Fergus Scott of Eildon always had something special about him. Now, he is going to find enchantment, danger and more on a treacherous journey of good versus evil. The author does a great job with a time period piece (late 1300's) and with the area of Scotland he has placed this grand adventure in.

[John Turney · Rating 4 out of 5]

History meets Fantasy

This is an interesting blend of history and fantasy with enough swordplay to satisfy those who enjoy swashbuckling tales. It is the story of a hero turned bad and then is given a chance at redemption.

[Donia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gruesome but a well good tale.

Not my usual cup o tea but it kept my interest so I finished it within one day. I enjoyed the characters and the fight between good and evil. Interesting to find out the story is based off history.

[Isabel EAsson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

After I started reading this, quite by chance I was around the area described in the book, which made it almost come alive. I could easily see the characters running or passing me by on Dava Moor

[Jeanne Johnston · Rating 3 out of 5]

Torn between 3 and 4 stars. Excellent supernatural tale with plenty of basis in fact. After the crappy romance novels with ill-informed descriptions of battle, this was a real palate cleanser.

[Janet Marsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. Something different in fantasy and the sort of book you don’t want to put down.

[Helen Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It was fast paced and different. It was a mixture of action and mystery and some sorcery which suited me well. Pure fun and escapism but with a darkness in it that I found appealing. The main character, Fergus Scott was well written but I preferred the feisty, quick tempered female- probably because that is how I like to view myself.
There was a lot of horror in this as well and an endearing young girl.
Definitely one to read again.

[bex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my kind of book

Too violent and bloody for my taste. A long section where MC was not himself was excessively unpleasant to read and I struggled to keep myself from giving up. Mostly just not a kind of book I can enjoy, it turns out.