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Wolf of Vanaheim
The orphaned prince of Vanaheim, Baldur, grew up in a world raising their children to fight in a never ceasing conflict. After his parents were murdered, it sparked a civil war that would eventually engulf the entire planet. Upon graduation from the military academy, Baldur’s absent godfather reappears suddenly, offering him the chance to join a secret team with promises to end the war.
With every deployment, Baldur and his team seem to uncover more questions than answers about what is driving the war, and who is benefiting from its continuation. The Red Sky Corporation is profiting from selling weapons to both sides of the conflict, but when one of their most insidious operatives is discovered on planet, their involvement becomes more suspicious.
As Baldur closes in on the truth, his team is betrayed and become hunted by both sides of the war. Now only a known terrorist organization and group of priests can help him save his friends and give him the resources to bring those responsible to justice. Baldur’s moral compass is strained as he realizes that to defeat evil, he must sacrifice his humanity, his friends, and possibly his own life.
With every deployment, Baldur and his team seem to uncover more questions than answers about what is driving the war, and who is benefiting from its continuation. The Red Sky Corporation is profiting from selling weapons to both sides of the conflict, but when one of their most insidious operatives is discovered on planet, their involvement becomes more suspicious.
As Baldur closes in on the truth, his team is betrayed and become hunted by both sides of the war. Now only a known terrorist organization and group of priests can help him save his friends and give him the resources to bring those responsible to justice. Baldur’s moral compass is strained as he realizes that to defeat evil, he must sacrifice his humanity, his friends, and possibly his own life.
- GenresScience Fiction
341 pages, Hardcover
Published August 1, 2025
About the author
J. Von Swan
3 books27 followersJ. Von Swan retired from law enforcement as a Sergeant in 2024 after his first daughter was born. His career included serving on the SWAT team as well as the mental health unit, which now influence his writing and dark sense of humor.
J. Von Swan and his family live in Colorado where he spends his days enjoying the outdoors and imagining dragons that need slaying.
J. Von Swan and his family live in Colorado where he spends his days enjoying the outdoors and imagining dragons that need slaying.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 29, 2025
Wolf of Vanaheim is a novel in which its author, J. Von Swan, a former law enforcement officer, explores the themes of living in the shadow of a hero father, governmental malfeasance, and establishing a brotherhood among a team of tactical rogues.
Vanaheim is a backwater planet, the least advanced of the planetary federation, every other world’s poor cousin. Technology on Vanaheim is more advanced than present-day Earth, but not much more. There are gadgets and powerful vehicles and weapons, but people have everyday jobs; they drink beer and watch “crushball.”
Politically, the planet has been divided into two halves: the Commonwealth and Freeguard, which are gripped in civil war. Both sides are supplied with weapons produced by off-world corporations, most notably one called Red Sky. The only thing that makes Vanaheim uniquely valuable is that it is the only known source of xero metal, a rare metal with unique abilities.
The protagonist of this novel is Baldur, a twenty-one-year-old recent graduate of Freeguard’s military academy. More important than his pending military duty is his status as crown prince to a deceased hero king and the pressure that entails. Rather than go into traditional military service, Baldur is given the choice to become a member of a shadow unit, one with no paper trail. His digital existence is removed, and if captured, Freeguard will not avow him or his team. On missions, they would be on their own. He jumps at the chance.
First, there is brutal, intensive training. This is where the reader meets the colorful members of Baldur’s team: a large brute, two talented, secretive soldiers, a gregarious but violent man, and an underachiever. They are a new unit, and Baldur worries he is inadequate for the tasks ahead. After training, there is a celebration and the gift of a xero axe, whose anti-matter make-up allows the axe to slice through anything (each time it is used, however, some of the xero metal is used up).
They are sent on their first mission, which does not go well (several following missions are also sketchy), and members sustain injuries. There is also a mole in the team, who wreaks havoc. Through each failed mission, however, young Baldur gains confidence, even when he loses a limb and is forced to take sketchy animal DNA infusions from an exotic animal, which gives him unusual powers.
Further missions reveal political tinkering, including how his father actually died and who was responsible. The ultimate mission involves saving Vanaheim from a world-destroying bomb developed by an off-world greedy corporation.
I enjoyed Mr. Swan’s dialogues, which were natural-sounding, snappy, and clever, conveying much information without having to describe it. He uses a lot of dialogue, which works well. His description of action, particularly combat action, is clean and seamless. His writing style is consistent and easy to follow. There are moral quandaries requiring resolution; it is up to the reader to decide if the ends justified the means regarding the doomsday device.
Who should read Wolf of Vanaheim? First and foremost, this book has a lot of action. A lot: and those who enjoy fast-paced combat will enjoy this book. Those who enjoy gritty secret missions, stealth (and quite overt) combat, all with a light science fiction edge, will enjoy it. If you enjoy the “novice becomes master” motif, this book also has that, as well as a touch of boy meets (alien) girl.
Vanaheim is a backwater planet, the least advanced of the planetary federation, every other world’s poor cousin. Technology on Vanaheim is more advanced than present-day Earth, but not much more. There are gadgets and powerful vehicles and weapons, but people have everyday jobs; they drink beer and watch “crushball.”
Politically, the planet has been divided into two halves: the Commonwealth and Freeguard, which are gripped in civil war. Both sides are supplied with weapons produced by off-world corporations, most notably one called Red Sky. The only thing that makes Vanaheim uniquely valuable is that it is the only known source of xero metal, a rare metal with unique abilities.
The protagonist of this novel is Baldur, a twenty-one-year-old recent graduate of Freeguard’s military academy. More important than his pending military duty is his status as crown prince to a deceased hero king and the pressure that entails. Rather than go into traditional military service, Baldur is given the choice to become a member of a shadow unit, one with no paper trail. His digital existence is removed, and if captured, Freeguard will not avow him or his team. On missions, they would be on their own. He jumps at the chance.
First, there is brutal, intensive training. This is where the reader meets the colorful members of Baldur’s team: a large brute, two talented, secretive soldiers, a gregarious but violent man, and an underachiever. They are a new unit, and Baldur worries he is inadequate for the tasks ahead. After training, there is a celebration and the gift of a xero axe, whose anti-matter make-up allows the axe to slice through anything (each time it is used, however, some of the xero metal is used up).
They are sent on their first mission, which does not go well (several following missions are also sketchy), and members sustain injuries. There is also a mole in the team, who wreaks havoc. Through each failed mission, however, young Baldur gains confidence, even when he loses a limb and is forced to take sketchy animal DNA infusions from an exotic animal, which gives him unusual powers.
Further missions reveal political tinkering, including how his father actually died and who was responsible. The ultimate mission involves saving Vanaheim from a world-destroying bomb developed by an off-world greedy corporation.
I enjoyed Mr. Swan’s dialogues, which were natural-sounding, snappy, and clever, conveying much information without having to describe it. He uses a lot of dialogue, which works well. His description of action, particularly combat action, is clean and seamless. His writing style is consistent and easy to follow. There are moral quandaries requiring resolution; it is up to the reader to decide if the ends justified the means regarding the doomsday device.
Who should read Wolf of Vanaheim? First and foremost, this book has a lot of action. A lot: and those who enjoy fast-paced combat will enjoy this book. Those who enjoy gritty secret missions, stealth (and quite overt) combat, all with a light science fiction edge, will enjoy it. If you enjoy the “novice becomes master” motif, this book also has that, as well as a touch of boy meets (alien) girl.
October 26, 2025
*4.5 stars*
The Wolf of Vanaheim is an imaginative and fast-paced sci-fi story with strong roots in old-world Viking culture. Even though this isn’t usually my favorite genre, I was really impressed by the creativity and the amount of thought that clearly went into the world-building. For a self-published book, it’s written really well, and the action keeps the story moving from start to finish.
My main struggle was with the character development — some emotional moments, like relationships forming or characters dealing with loss, felt a little rushed. I sometimes wanted more time to really understand and connect with the characters before the story jumped to the next big event. Still, it’s a bold and original debut that shows a lot of talent and vision, and I’m excited to see what this author does next.
The Wolf of Vanaheim is an imaginative and fast-paced sci-fi story with strong roots in old-world Viking culture. Even though this isn’t usually my favorite genre, I was really impressed by the creativity and the amount of thought that clearly went into the world-building. For a self-published book, it’s written really well, and the action keeps the story moving from start to finish.
My main struggle was with the character development — some emotional moments, like relationships forming or characters dealing with loss, felt a little rushed. I sometimes wanted more time to really understand and connect with the characters before the story jumped to the next big event. Still, it’s a bold and original debut that shows a lot of talent and vision, and I’m excited to see what this author does next.
December 20, 2025
I won this in a giveaway
October 15, 2025
Wolf of Vanaheim by J. Von Swan is a gripping, fast-paced sci-fi/fantasy hybrid that throws you headfirst into a war-torn world and doesn’t let up. I was kindly sent this book by the author, and I’m glad I had the chance to read it.
The story centers around Baldur, prince of Vanaheim, whose life is upended when his parents are murdered in a single night—an act that sparks a brutal civil war across the planet. From there, Baldur is thrust into a military academy where survival is just as important as skill. He’s eventually recruited into a secretive task force made up of outcasts and rebels, all brought together by the promise of ending the war once and for all. But betrayal runs deep, and as the mission unravels, so do the group’s loyalties—forcing Baldur to question everything he believes.
Von Swan excels at keeping the stakes high. The plot moves at breakneck speed, with action sequences that are cinematic and intense. You’re never far from the next explosion, ambush, or twist—which makes this a true page-turner. The political intrigue and underlying themes of loyalty, identity, and sacrifice give the story real weight.
If I had one critique, it would be the pacing. The story moves so quickly that character development occasionally takes a backseat. While the characters—especially the members of the task force—are intriguing and likeable, we don’t get quite enough time to really know them before the plot pulls us onward.
That said, I thoroughly enjoyed the ride. If you’re into high-stakes action, moral gray areas, and a main character with a lot on his shoulders, this one’s worth picking up. I’d definitely be on board for a sequel.
The story centers around Baldur, prince of Vanaheim, whose life is upended when his parents are murdered in a single night—an act that sparks a brutal civil war across the planet. From there, Baldur is thrust into a military academy where survival is just as important as skill. He’s eventually recruited into a secretive task force made up of outcasts and rebels, all brought together by the promise of ending the war once and for all. But betrayal runs deep, and as the mission unravels, so do the group’s loyalties—forcing Baldur to question everything he believes.
Von Swan excels at keeping the stakes high. The plot moves at breakneck speed, with action sequences that are cinematic and intense. You’re never far from the next explosion, ambush, or twist—which makes this a true page-turner. The political intrigue and underlying themes of loyalty, identity, and sacrifice give the story real weight.
If I had one critique, it would be the pacing. The story moves so quickly that character development occasionally takes a backseat. While the characters—especially the members of the task force—are intriguing and likeable, we don’t get quite enough time to really know them before the plot pulls us onward.
That said, I thoroughly enjoyed the ride. If you’re into high-stakes action, moral gray areas, and a main character with a lot on his shoulders, this one’s worth picking up. I’d definitely be on board for a sequel.
November 14, 2025
Wolf of Vanaheim is a good read for fans of sci-fi and Norse-inspired stories. It offers an engaging adventure with strong themes and an imaginative world, making it a worthwhile book. The characters were interesting, especially the main character, who shows courage and growth throughout the story. Themes such as loyalty, survival, and destiny are clearly shown and add meaning to the plot. Look forward to more from this author.
August 30, 2025
This book is amazing! The descriptions of the characters are relatable and as you are reading, you’re able to picture them as they move through various trainings and missions.
I think it would be amazing to see an artists rendition, or an AI rendition of the characters as described.
I look forward to the audiobook!
I think it would be amazing to see an artists rendition, or an AI rendition of the characters as described.
I look forward to the audiobook!
October 30, 2025
This book was amazing! I couldn't put it down and finished it nearly a single sitting. The tactics and action are super realistic despite the scifi setting. I could tell the author knew what he was talking about and appreciated his authenticity. I am going to buy several copies of this for my friends and family because I need other people to discuss this with.
I highly recommend this book!
I highly recommend this book!
August 5, 2025
The Wolf of Vanaheim is creatively written and draws its readers in right from the start. I found myself connecting to the compelling main character Balder, but also enjoying the variety of all of the personalities in his friends and foes alike. There is plenty of battle scenes and drama to keep you invested throughout the book. Humor although it sometimes dark was also cleverly done and I chuckled out loud several times. As a girl reading Sci-fi there is even a little love triangle to round out the storyline. This book has a little bit of everything. I highly recommend giving it a read, you won’t be disappointed!
December 11, 2025
Wolf of Vanaheim is a tense and emotionally heavy military sci-fi story that blends battlefield intensity with a slow burn conspiracy. Baldur’s arc is the strongest part of the book his losses, the constant pressure of a world built on conflict, and the weight of uncovering what’s fueling the war all make him an easy character to root for.
The story widens with each chapter, revealing layers of corruption, betrayals, and blurred moral lines that keep the tension high. The Red Sky Corporation adds a chilling, real world edge to the plot, and the way the team becomes hunted from every angle gives the book a sharp feeling of danger.
It’s gritty, emotional, and full of high-stakes momentum a solid pick for readers who love military sci-fi with heart and conspiratorial depth.
The story widens with each chapter, revealing layers of corruption, betrayals, and blurred moral lines that keep the tension high. The Red Sky Corporation adds a chilling, real world edge to the plot, and the way the team becomes hunted from every angle gives the book a sharp feeling of danger.
It’s gritty, emotional, and full of high-stakes momentum a solid pick for readers who love military sci-fi with heart and conspiratorial depth.
October 16, 2025
I really enjoyed this story, but I could tell it was the author’s first book. The premise was intriguing and for the first half I could not put it down. As the story progressed, I wanted more character development and intensity. I expected more from the team that was trained so throughly. The world was unique and I would be interested in reading more books set in Vanaheim.
October 19, 2025
You should really do yourself a favor and read this book! I'm not generally into sci-fi but I'm really glad I decided to give this book a chance! Its twists and turns will keep you wanting more! I have to confess, the closer I got to the end, the slower I startered to read! I just didn't want it to be over! The world and characters were life like and engaging. Enough talking, read this!
December 26, 2025
interesting
This was such an interesting book. I never read anything with a plot quite like this. The characters were relatable, and the plot was unique. I hope to read more from this author in the future.
This was such an interesting book. I never read anything with a plot quite like this. The characters were relatable, and the plot was unique. I hope to read more from this author in the future.
November 18, 2025
Wolf of Vanaheim is a fierce, emotionally charged sci-fi war saga that blends mythic depth with high-stakes action, following Baldur’s gripping fight for truth amid a world built on endless conflict.
December 6, 2025
🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2025
Phenomenal book
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews