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The Wolf and the Wild King
High fantasy born of myth and folklore, of the dark and the trees and the winter’s cold, the flint blade’s edge and the secrets that are spoken only in dreams…
Assassin, executioner, shapeshifter, and dutiful son of the undying Queen of the land called only the Forest, Mairran is haunted by the voice of an Immortal long lost, who runs with him as a wolf in his dreams. More used to being the instrument of death than an arbiter of justice, he is dispatched by his mother to find the killer of an earl whose life was offered in an unsanctioned sacrifice to the Forest.
In an earlier age, the outlaw Lannesk swears an oath to follow the Grey Hunter and the Wild King, ancient guardians of the Forest, in a war against the invading dragon-kin and their sorcerer-priests, who seek to wake the great dragon long ago bound in sleep beneath the Lake. Past and present tangle around troubled assassin and mute outlaw, as a conspiracy of fell magic threatens the land and its people.
Evocative of a darker, grimmer McKillip, The Wolf and the Wild King is a brooding, lyrical new work from a master of epic fantasy.
***
“K.V. Johansen’s THE WOLF AND THE WILD KING is a lyrically rendered tale of intrigue and war enriched by two compelling central characters in a world that is both mythic and fully realised. A darkly beautiful book crafted in some of the finest prose it’s been my pleasure to read. Can’t wait for the sequel.” ~ Anthony Ryan, author of The Traitor
“A wonderful and timeless epic fantasy -- a book with wisdom, beauty and claws.” ~ Tom Lloyd, author of Stranger of Tempest
“With beautiful prose reminiscent of Patricia McKillip, Johansen paints a bleak and devastating picture of a cold world where humans, fey, and near-fey struggle for control of an unforgiving land. The magical system is deep and well thought out, haunting and resonant. The dual plotlines of the main protagonists braid together into an intriguing narrative that leads to an explosive conclusion. The Wolf and the Wild King will fulfill your desires for epic dark fantasy that is original and fascinating. I can’t wait for the second book in the duology!” ~ Jo Graham, author of Black Ships and The Emperor’s Agent
Assassin, executioner, shapeshifter, and dutiful son of the undying Queen of the land called only the Forest, Mairran is haunted by the voice of an Immortal long lost, who runs with him as a wolf in his dreams. More used to being the instrument of death than an arbiter of justice, he is dispatched by his mother to find the killer of an earl whose life was offered in an unsanctioned sacrifice to the Forest.
In an earlier age, the outlaw Lannesk swears an oath to follow the Grey Hunter and the Wild King, ancient guardians of the Forest, in a war against the invading dragon-kin and their sorcerer-priests, who seek to wake the great dragon long ago bound in sleep beneath the Lake. Past and present tangle around troubled assassin and mute outlaw, as a conspiracy of fell magic threatens the land and its people.
Evocative of a darker, grimmer McKillip, The Wolf and the Wild King is a brooding, lyrical new work from a master of epic fantasy.
***
“K.V. Johansen’s THE WOLF AND THE WILD KING is a lyrically rendered tale of intrigue and war enriched by two compelling central characters in a world that is both mythic and fully realised. A darkly beautiful book crafted in some of the finest prose it’s been my pleasure to read. Can’t wait for the sequel.” ~ Anthony Ryan, author of The Traitor
“A wonderful and timeless epic fantasy -- a book with wisdom, beauty and claws.” ~ Tom Lloyd, author of Stranger of Tempest
“With beautiful prose reminiscent of Patricia McKillip, Johansen paints a bleak and devastating picture of a cold world where humans, fey, and near-fey struggle for control of an unforgiving land. The magical system is deep and well thought out, haunting and resonant. The dual plotlines of the main protagonists braid together into an intriguing narrative that leads to an explosive conclusion. The Wolf and the Wild King will fulfill your desires for epic dark fantasy that is original and fascinating. I can’t wait for the second book in the duology!” ~ Jo Graham, author of Black Ships and The Emperor’s Agent
353 pages, Paperback
First published August 23, 2024
2 people are currently reading
177 people want to read
About the author
K.V. Johansen
29 books140 followersMostly, I write secondary world fantasy about people on the edges, with shapeshifters, demons, gods, and occasionally dragons. These days, I largely write for adults, though I've written many children's and YA fantasy novels and some children's science fiction, as well as picture books, plus I've been known to perpetrate literary criticism. I also write as Kris Jamison -- a contemporary lit book, Love/Rock/Compost.
My main scholarly interests are ancient and medieval history and languages, and the history of children's fantasy literature. What else can I say? My life is unexciting. I'm acquiring more guitars as I get older; music is very important to me even though I'm no good at it. I'm also, occasionally, an artist.
Here on Goodreads, I'm only rating/reviewing books I've really liked a lot. Sometimes I rate with stars, sometimes I don't, but a book is only on my Goodreads shelves if I liked it. For serious critical analysis from me, you'll have to turn to Quests and Kingdoms or Beyond Window-Dressing.
My main scholarly interests are ancient and medieval history and languages, and the history of children's fantasy literature. What else can I say? My life is unexciting. I'm acquiring more guitars as I get older; music is very important to me even though I'm no good at it. I'm also, occasionally, an artist.
Here on Goodreads, I'm only rating/reviewing books I've really liked a lot. Sometimes I rate with stars, sometimes I don't, but a book is only on my Goodreads shelves if I liked it. For serious critical analysis from me, you'll have to turn to Quests and Kingdoms or Beyond Window-Dressing.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 12, 2024
As usual I struggle to do this author's books justice, because they are so special to me. It's not your normal modern fantasy fare, it's timeless and true, lyrical and dreamy in a dark and dangerous way, perfect for winter closing in, yet full of heroism and hope. There are two parallel stories and I'm still not sure how or whether they connect, directly, but they balance wonderfully. The touches of real detail ground the flights of fantasy, the mythmaking at once original and familiar. I could go on but suffice to say I'm so happy to know there's a second part. Can't wait.
January 2, 2025
The Wolf and the Wild King
By K.V. Johansen
World
7.75/10
Welcome to a Norwegian inspired world that has a Queen who can transform into a dragon. While this world is cold and dark the stories and songs tell of a vibrant past that explains the world they are in now. A negative I can see with this world is outside a couple of towns the characters are in, it doesn’t seem that other towns and cultures exist. It is my hope that the final book will open the world up to a high that I believe this author can achieve.
Characters
8.25/10
The Wolf and the Wild King follows two POV characters Mairran and Lannesk.
Mairran is the only surviving child of the Queen, who has tasked her son to look into the suspicious death of an Earl and distribute the Queens justice to who ever he finds guilty. This task is way outside his wheel house because up to this point he has been the queens assassin. To make things worse Mairran has been experiencing visions or maybe nightmares that he can not explain.
Lannesk story is told from events in his childhood and how his widowed mother and siblings survive in a cruel world. These events will shape him into the brother and man that this world needs him to be.
Plot
7.75/10
This story at times can feel like it has no end goal. with time the plot will reveal itself and i promise you it is worth the wait. One moment you are with Mairran who is being taken out of his comfort zone with a mission his mother the Queen has given him. To a little poor child Mairran and how him and his family try to survive in a cruel world with no hope.
These individual journeys will take these characters to places you will not expect, with myth and legend becoming real.
Prose
10/10
K.V. Johansen is a master at language. There are many times within my journey of this book that I reread paragraphs that are beautiful and have a huge punch. I truly felt the cold and desperation throughout this world.
Pace
7/10
While the way that this story is told the pace can seem to suffer because of it. This choice of story telling becomes clearer when you come to the end of the book. This will make for a Fantastic reread. So if you give this book a chance, give it time to breath and you will be rewarded. I know I was.
Final score
8/10
By K.V. Johansen
World
7.75/10
Welcome to a Norwegian inspired world that has a Queen who can transform into a dragon. While this world is cold and dark the stories and songs tell of a vibrant past that explains the world they are in now. A negative I can see with this world is outside a couple of towns the characters are in, it doesn’t seem that other towns and cultures exist. It is my hope that the final book will open the world up to a high that I believe this author can achieve.
Characters
8.25/10
The Wolf and the Wild King follows two POV characters Mairran and Lannesk.
Mairran is the only surviving child of the Queen, who has tasked her son to look into the suspicious death of an Earl and distribute the Queens justice to who ever he finds guilty. This task is way outside his wheel house because up to this point he has been the queens assassin. To make things worse Mairran has been experiencing visions or maybe nightmares that he can not explain.
Lannesk story is told from events in his childhood and how his widowed mother and siblings survive in a cruel world. These events will shape him into the brother and man that this world needs him to be.
Plot
7.75/10
This story at times can feel like it has no end goal. with time the plot will reveal itself and i promise you it is worth the wait. One moment you are with Mairran who is being taken out of his comfort zone with a mission his mother the Queen has given him. To a little poor child Mairran and how him and his family try to survive in a cruel world with no hope.
These individual journeys will take these characters to places you will not expect, with myth and legend becoming real.
Prose
10/10
K.V. Johansen is a master at language. There are many times within my journey of this book that I reread paragraphs that are beautiful and have a huge punch. I truly felt the cold and desperation throughout this world.
Pace
7/10
While the way that this story is told the pace can seem to suffer because of it. This choice of story telling becomes clearer when you come to the end of the book. This will make for a Fantastic reread. So if you give this book a chance, give it time to breath and you will be rewarded. I know I was.
Final score
8/10
January 18, 2025
Not cohesive quickly enough for me. DNF at 10%.
November 30, 2024
KV Johansen’s THE WOLF AND THE WILD KING is a lyrically rendered tale of intrigue and war enriched by two compelling central characters in a world that is both mythic and fully realised. A darkly beautiful book crafted in some of the finest prose it’s been my pleasure to read. Can’t wait for the sequel.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews