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Wolfheart Chronicles #1
The Wolves of War
THE WOLVES OF WAR ARE BARING THEIR FANGS
The Clans once lived freely, honouring their gods and traditions. Then the northern invaders unleashed a tide of blood and fire. Now the Clans are a conquered people.
Ivan cares not for wars or kings. His only concern is the safety of his family, especially his daughter Halia, whom he would protect with his life. Halia has been trapped in her own body since birth, yet at night she has dreams of running with wolves and speaking with fae creatures of the forest. Many believe her cursed, but Halia's awakening powers may be the only way she and her family can survive the coming storm.
For the wolves of war are stalking the horizon. Two princes have become mortal enemies, and an iron-toothed witch haunts the shadows. As mighty nations clash, Halia must master her strange magic to protect those she loves. To do so, she must accept a terrifying truth.
Sometimes, the only way through the darkness is to embrace it.
The Clans once lived freely, honouring their gods and traditions. Then the northern invaders unleashed a tide of blood and fire. Now the Clans are a conquered people.
Ivan cares not for wars or kings. His only concern is the safety of his family, especially his daughter Halia, whom he would protect with his life. Halia has been trapped in her own body since birth, yet at night she has dreams of running with wolves and speaking with fae creatures of the forest. Many believe her cursed, but Halia's awakening powers may be the only way she and her family can survive the coming storm.
For the wolves of war are stalking the horizon. Two princes have become mortal enemies, and an iron-toothed witch haunts the shadows. As mighty nations clash, Halia must master her strange magic to protect those she loves. To do so, she must accept a terrifying truth.
Sometimes, the only way through the darkness is to embrace it.
496 pages, Paperback
First published November 3, 2026
About the author
John Gwynne
52 books22.4k followersJohn Gwynne is the New York Times, Sunday Times and Internationally Bestselling author of epic fantasy series The Faithful and the Fallen, Of Blood and Bone, The Bloodsworn Saga and the upcoming Wolfheart Chronicles. He is also a Viking re-enactor who enjoys nothing more than standing in the shield wall with his three sons, who are as passionate about swords and axes as he is (when he is not stuck in his coat of mail; it's harder than it looks).
His dogs think he is their slave.
John Gwynne's first series, The Faithful and the Fallen, is epic fantasy that spans four instalments. It is set in the The Banished Lands, as is his sequel trilogy, Of Blood and Bone.
John Gwynne's most recent completed series is The Bloodsworn Saga, an epic fantasy trilogy that has sold over one-million copies worldwide. In a land shaped by the bodies of dead gods and inspired by Norse Mythology, war is brewing.
His latest work and most personal to date is The Wolves of War, book one of a duology called The Wolfheart Chronicles. Set to be published on November the 3rd, the central character is inspired by his disabled daughter Harriett, the most heroic person he has ever known. Influenced by Slavic Mythology, this series is Carrie meets The Witcher.
He is represented by Julie Crisp.
His dogs think he is their slave.
John Gwynne's first series, The Faithful and the Fallen, is epic fantasy that spans four instalments. It is set in the The Banished Lands, as is his sequel trilogy, Of Blood and Bone.
John Gwynne's most recent completed series is The Bloodsworn Saga, an epic fantasy trilogy that has sold over one-million copies worldwide. In a land shaped by the bodies of dead gods and inspired by Norse Mythology, war is brewing.
His latest work and most personal to date is The Wolves of War, book one of a duology called The Wolfheart Chronicles. Set to be published on November the 3rd, the central character is inspired by his disabled daughter Harriett, the most heroic person he has ever known. Influenced by Slavic Mythology, this series is Carrie meets The Witcher.
He is represented by Julie Crisp.
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June 4, 2026I am excited to share that my full tour has been announced. If you like to attend then click here
You can order the signed & sprayed edition of The Wolves of War from Waterstones Here
You can order the signed & sprayed edition of The Wolves of War from Waterstones Here
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
First, the caveat! The copy I read is an Advance Reading Copy, sent to me for free by the publisher. I do not think this affects my opinion of this book.
Not quite 500 pages. First of the Wolfheart Chronicles
Fill in the Blanks
I loved __________ by John Gwynne. Any of his titles can be entered and this will still be a true statement for me.
This book is a delightful and magical mix of history and fantasy. And I do mean magical. There are multiple view point characters, with the POV announced at the start of each chapter so there is never any confusion. I found every character compelling.
There is weaponry and blood and wonderful food and battle and betrayals and, well, all the good stuff. There are new words to learn. Druzhina. Domovoi. And there are wolves. There is a family, as a family should be. True friends,as friends should be. Dark betrayals! And magical beings from olden days. All my favorite things, as if he had written this book just for me.
If you enjoy any of those things mentioned above, I think you will like this book. It won't be available until November 3rd, but in the meanwhile there are lots of other John Gwynne books to try out.
Perfect for reading on a wintry night in November, but probably also good to read in November in Australia.
By now, if you have been following my reviews, you know I eschew spoilers.
Not quite 500 pages. First of the Wolfheart Chronicles
Fill in the Blanks
I loved __________ by John Gwynne. Any of his titles can be entered and this will still be a true statement for me.
This book is a delightful and magical mix of history and fantasy. And I do mean magical. There are multiple view point characters, with the POV announced at the start of each chapter so there is never any confusion. I found every character compelling.
There is weaponry and blood and wonderful food and battle and betrayals and, well, all the good stuff. There are new words to learn. Druzhina. Domovoi. And there are wolves. There is a family, as a family should be. True friends,as friends should be. Dark betrayals! And magical beings from olden days. All my favorite things, as if he had written this book just for me.
If you enjoy any of those things mentioned above, I think you will like this book. It won't be available until November 3rd, but in the meanwhile there are lots of other John Gwynne books to try out.
Perfect for reading on a wintry night in November, but probably also good to read in November in Australia.
By now, if you have been following my reviews, you know I eschew spoilers.
December 28, 2025
IT HAS ARRIVED! So proud of my wonderful Papa Gwynne for writing this truly remarkable book. We all love him beyond words and are honoured how he has celebrated my dear sister Harriett with my new favourite character, Halia. I hope you all love this one ❤️
I just finished reading the proof, and boy is this a beautiful book. I can't wait for everyone to read thus.
I would say this is Papa Gwynne's most powerful book. The vibe is The Faithful and the Fallen meets The Bloodsworn Saga... I cannot say anything more...
I just finished reading the proof, and boy is this a beautiful book. I can't wait for everyone to read thus.
I would say this is Papa Gwynne's most powerful book. The vibe is The Faithful and the Fallen meets The Bloodsworn Saga... I cannot say anything more...
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June 23, 2026
It's hard to imagine a more John Gwynne book than this one.
Wolves, Vikings (abeit injected into Slavic culture in what's now Ukraine), arms, armour, battles in small and large groups, mythic creatures - all the good stuff. And on top of all that, the central family is strongly inspired by his own. Self-inserts can be annoying, but John has always seemed like he'd fit right into a fantasy book, and this works excellently.
There's clearly not a one-to-one mapping of the characters onto John, his wife, sons, and daughter - we can't assign each book attitude, deed, and thought to the real deal, but it's definitely fun to see the similarities, which are particularly strong in the interior art (at least in my ARC (Advance Reading Copy)).
The book has several point of view characters and they alternate chapters, but the star of the story is Halia - the disabled daughter in the Gwynne inspired family, and very clearly (confirmed in the acknowledgements) inspired by the author's daughter.
It's wonderful to see severe disability given representation in fantasy and in a natural way that feels like an organic part of the story. Additionally, I applaud the decision to have (very minor spoiler) the character's power not essentially counter their disability. I've seen a number of times when a character's inconvenient disability has basically become a prop because some magic power overrides its impact. That's not the case here.
As a quick aside, I've included profound disability in main characters in some of my work (The Visitor, The Visitor: Kill or Cure, Gunlaw) but not yet in a traditionally published book.
So, six cheers for John Gwynne getting this into the mainstream!
Some will start dribbling about WOKE and DEI, and those people should, sincerely, stick their heads down the toilet and try to flush away the stupid. This book really works. It's exciting, violent, tender, and imaginative, sometimes one then the other, sometimes all at once.
If you like John Gwynne books, you'll love this one. If you've not yet tried one, try this one.
As ever, given the author's passion for Viking reenactment, there's great attention to arms, armour, and combat, and it's all delivered in his thrilling style. There's a great deal of historical accuracy and regional inspiration, along with the magic and mayhem.
The book reaches several creshendos in its threads and there are satisfying mini-conclusions while the main conflicts remain open for book 2 and beyond.
It's a great read and I'm sure it will prove a big hit. I look forward to reading more of the series.
I hope to get the audiobook for my own very disabled daughter who I'm currently sitting beside in hospital (she's waiting for a scheduled minor operation) - I think she'll love it too.
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Review of advance copy received from Author
Who will be picking up The Wolves of War on publication day?
Yes I am lucky enough to be Papa Gwynne's son. But that does not take-away from how proud I am of him for The Wolves of War. His most personal book. Inspired by our family and mostly by my beautiful sister, Harriett. This is a blend of The Faithful and the Fallen and The Bloodsworn Saga. Mythology with immersion and action and most of all, heart. I would fight and fight for these characters.
Head & Heart!
Yes I am lucky enough to be Papa Gwynne's son. But that does not take-away from how proud I am of him for The Wolves of War. His most personal book. Inspired by our family and mostly by my beautiful sister, Harriett. This is a blend of The Faithful and the Fallen and The Bloodsworn Saga. Mythology with immersion and action and most of all, heart. I would fight and fight for these characters.
Head & Heart!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Exceeded my expectations from the very first page. We have Slavic mythology with a touch of Vikings, a 10th century Eastern European setting, a lot of political intrigue, multiple POVs, witches, wolves, fae and ancient magic… I mean this was such an awesome wholesome epic fantasy. I’m so glad I made this my first John Gwynne book. (I know, I know! Better late than never)
Whats it about, in short:
Ivan cares not for kings or wars. He only cares for his family and their safety. His daughter Halia has been trapped in her own body since birth and has been having dreams about running with the wolves and speaking with fae creatures. It’s obviously clear that she has strong powers but many think her to be cursed. Meanwhile there is a war on the brink of the horizon. Two princes are about to bud heads. Then there is a witch lurking the forests, introducing another sinister force into the political power play.
FULL REVIEW TO FOLLOW
Many thanks to NetGalley, Orbit Books and the author, John Gwynne for an early copy!
Publication date: November 3, 2026
Whats it about, in short:
Ivan cares not for kings or wars. He only cares for his family and their safety. His daughter Halia has been trapped in her own body since birth and has been having dreams about running with the wolves and speaking with fae creatures. It’s obviously clear that she has strong powers but many think her to be cursed. Meanwhile there is a war on the brink of the horizon. Two princes are about to bud heads. Then there is a witch lurking the forests, introducing another sinister force into the political power play.
FULL REVIEW TO FOLLOW
Many thanks to NetGalley, Orbit Books and the author, John Gwynne for an early copy!
Publication date: November 3, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
RATING BREAKDOWN
Characters: 5⭐️
Setting: 5⭐️
Plot: 5⭐️
Themes: 5⭐️
Emotional Impact: 5⭐️
Personal Enjoyment: 5⭐️
Total Rounded Average: 5⭐️
With characters based on members of his own family and some historical figures, it's no wonder this book had me so emotionally invested. One of the protagonists is a disabled young woman in a family of brothers and two loving parents, who are caught in the tension between clan rebellions and a conquering force. Based on Slavic mythology and featuring incredible monsters from folklore, the story has everything!
John Gwynne is a master at weaving multiple points of view, action, and intrigue. I never wanted to put it down. The Wolves of War explores themes of identity, agency, and power, and features family dynamics I would do anything to protect. No one feels safe, and the monsters are truly terrifying, but that's what makes the book so cinematic and gives the story incredible pacing.
This world is smaller scale than Gwynne's other series, and the story is more intimate, but the stakes feel just as emotionally compelling, as they're inspired by Gwynne's real life. I highly recommend this to readers who have loved Gwynne's other works, but I also think it's an amazing book to start with if you've never read this author.
Wolves of War is going to hit for Witcher fans, Sarah J. Maas fans who love found family and witches, and fantasy readers who enjoy incredible monsters and intimate character journeys. I loved it so much!
Characters: 5⭐️
Setting: 5⭐️
Plot: 5⭐️
Themes: 5⭐️
Emotional Impact: 5⭐️
Personal Enjoyment: 5⭐️
Total Rounded Average: 5⭐️
With characters based on members of his own family and some historical figures, it's no wonder this book had me so emotionally invested. One of the protagonists is a disabled young woman in a family of brothers and two loving parents, who are caught in the tension between clan rebellions and a conquering force. Based on Slavic mythology and featuring incredible monsters from folklore, the story has everything!
John Gwynne is a master at weaving multiple points of view, action, and intrigue. I never wanted to put it down. The Wolves of War explores themes of identity, agency, and power, and features family dynamics I would do anything to protect. No one feels safe, and the monsters are truly terrifying, but that's what makes the book so cinematic and gives the story incredible pacing.
This world is smaller scale than Gwynne's other series, and the story is more intimate, but the stakes feel just as emotionally compelling, as they're inspired by Gwynne's real life. I highly recommend this to readers who have loved Gwynne's other works, but I also think it's an amazing book to start with if you've never read this author.
Wolves of War is going to hit for Witcher fans, Sarah J. Maas fans who love found family and witches, and fantasy readers who enjoy incredible monsters and intimate character journeys. I loved it so much!
Want to Read
January 6, 2026I'm seated. The bookstore employees are scared and asking me to leave because it ‘hasn’t even come out yet’, but I'm simply too seated.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I want more, and I want it now!
Especially if characters keep making fun of "thought-cages".
I went in blindly, trusting John Gwynne's writing, and I'm glad I did. It's been a long time since I've been pulled so fast into a story.
If you liked The Bloodsworn Saga, do not pass on this one. If you're not familiar with Gwynne's work yet, you can start here.
It is connected to the previous saga, but no more than in passing mentions.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'll try to survive this cliffhanger.
Especially if characters keep making fun of "thought-cages".
I went in blindly, trusting John Gwynne's writing, and I'm glad I did. It's been a long time since I've been pulled so fast into a story.
If you liked The Bloodsworn Saga, do not pass on this one. If you're not familiar with Gwynne's work yet, you can start here.
It is connected to the previous saga, but no more than in passing mentions.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'll try to survive this cliffhanger.
July 20, 2026
When I picked up Wolves of War I knew it was going to be good. The Faithful and the Fallen is a favourite series of mine - as is the Bloodsworn Saga. John Gwynne has not disappointed with his newest series.
What are the vibes you ask?
Well, if The Witcher and the TV show Vikings had a book baby, this would be it! But at the heart of this novel is the theme of family and not letting go.
I don’t want to get into spoilers, but I will say this… be prepared for a new favourite heroine. Sweet Halia, you have my heart. I would follow you to the ends of the earth and beyond
Thanks for this arc @john_gwynne_author - it was a joy to read
What are the vibes you ask?
Well, if The Witcher and the TV show Vikings had a book baby, this would be it! But at the heart of this novel is the theme of family and not letting go.
I don’t want to get into spoilers, but I will say this… be prepared for a new favourite heroine. Sweet Halia, you have my heart. I would follow you to the ends of the earth and beyond
Thanks for this arc @john_gwynne_author - it was a joy to read
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⌗ ──🐺🍋🟩🐈⬛ᝰ .ᐟ read.
John Gwynne is expert in creating these memorable and fantastic and strong characters. i love halia so much! RTC
⌗ ──🐺🍋🟩🐈⬛ᝰ .ᐟ pre-read.
I GOT APPROVED FOR THE ARC, OMFG. PAPA GWYNNE IS BACK! 😭😭😭
I saw that Liana got approved for the arc and (besides the fact that I didn't know that Gwynne was publishing another book) I couldn't miss this chance.
thanks to netgalley, orbit books and john gwynne for an arc in exchange of an honest review
John Gwynne is expert in creating these memorable and fantastic and strong characters. i love halia so much! RTC
⌗ ──🐺🍋🟩🐈⬛ᝰ .ᐟ pre-read.
I GOT APPROVED FOR THE ARC, OMFG. PAPA GWYNNE IS BACK! 😭😭😭
I saw that Liana got approved for the arc and (besides the fact that I didn't know that Gwynne was publishing another book) I couldn't miss this chance.
thanks to netgalley, orbit books and john gwynne for an arc in exchange of an honest review
August 1, 2026
just know this book is perfect
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Wow, another absolute BANGER of a read by John Gwynne. I guess it should come as no surprise. This is my 11th Gwynne book and my 11th five star rating
I devoured this book in three days, I loved everything about it. The world building is cool and interesting without the slightest bit of info dumping.
The plot moves along at a fast pace with all of the action packed battles that the author is known for. We have war bands, witches, monsters and relics and I couldn't get enough.
One thing that really stands out in this book are the characters. This is definitely his best cast to date. Being that a lot of them are based on his real life family, you can feel the love and passion he has for these characters, especially little Halia who is my favorite!
If you've enjoyed his past series, especially The Bloodsworn you will undoubtedly love Wolves of War. Although this is only book one, I think I can safely say this is one of my favorite Gwynne books to date. Now I need book 2 and cannot wait to see how he wraps up this story.
Truth and Courage!
Head and Heart!
I devoured this book in three days, I loved everything about it. The world building is cool and interesting without the slightest bit of info dumping.
The plot moves along at a fast pace with all of the action packed battles that the author is known for. We have war bands, witches, monsters and relics and I couldn't get enough.
One thing that really stands out in this book are the characters. This is definitely his best cast to date. Being that a lot of them are based on his real life family, you can feel the love and passion he has for these characters, especially little Halia who is my favorite!
If you've enjoyed his past series, especially The Bloodsworn you will undoubtedly love Wolves of War. Although this is only book one, I think I can safely say this is one of my favorite Gwynne books to date. Now I need book 2 and cannot wait to see how he wraps up this story.
Truth and Courage!
Head and Heart!
October 27, 2026
”Your strength is quiet. Resilient. Like the daisies. It grows where nothing else can, in the slightest of cracks, and it weathers the frost, the deep cold. It survives.”
i fully believe this to be the authors best writing and storytelling yet. The Wolves of War is a family saga, that pulls you into the emotions of the characters at its core. Halia and Dagmar are my favorite characters that I’ve encountered reading a John Gwynne book. it does have a slower start and an abrupt ending, but the journey throughout was worth every single minute. i already can’t wait to get my hands on the sequel. loved this.
➳ many thanks to NetGalley, the author and Orbit for the arc, all opinions are my own.
i fully believe this to be the authors best writing and storytelling yet. The Wolves of War is a family saga, that pulls you into the emotions of the characters at its core. Halia and Dagmar are my favorite characters that I’ve encountered reading a John Gwynne book. it does have a slower start and an abrupt ending, but the journey throughout was worth every single minute. i already can’t wait to get my hands on the sequel. loved this.
➳ many thanks to NetGalley, the author and Orbit for the arc, all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
HUGE thanks to NetGalley & Orbit for a chance to review this arc! I love Orbit so much 🥹💗
Honestly, this novel was absolutely brilliant but I just wasn’t invested. I really wish this would’ve been a 5 stars read for me, but reading is subjective and I did feel that this novel didn’t have enough space to breathe.
It follows separate storylines and one of them was moving faster than the other. I did find that there was a lot of descriptions and sometimes not in the same style.
There was a lot of descriptions of hair & clothes and a fair amount of repetitive descriptive sentences.
It’s very focussed on father-children’s dynamics and so I think this will align to readers of this dynamic. I personally wasn’t called by this storyline but it might be because I don’t have a father figure. Regular human beings will definitely love this.
The research was there, I had to look up a few things and I do think the folklore and world was really well set up but I’m not an expert.
In my opinion, Halia was the only unique character & it makes sense with the author’s acknowledgment. I loved her a lot and she was my favourite to follow.
Plot wise, it took a while to get where it was going. I did feel that it was a bit directionless at time and I would’ve wanted it to get where it was going sooner rather than later. It picked up around the 60% mark for me.
Overall, I think it’s a really brilliant novel and the author is extremely talented. I really wanted to fall head over heels for this one but I know a lot of people will so I recommend it.
Honestly, this novel was absolutely brilliant but I just wasn’t invested. I really wish this would’ve been a 5 stars read for me, but reading is subjective and I did feel that this novel didn’t have enough space to breathe.
It follows separate storylines and one of them was moving faster than the other. I did find that there was a lot of descriptions and sometimes not in the same style.
There was a lot of descriptions of hair & clothes and a fair amount of repetitive descriptive sentences.
It’s very focussed on father-children’s dynamics and so I think this will align to readers of this dynamic. I personally wasn’t called by this storyline but it might be because I don’t have a father figure. Regular human beings will definitely love this.
The research was there, I had to look up a few things and I do think the folklore and world was really well set up but I’m not an expert.
In my opinion, Halia was the only unique character & it makes sense with the author’s acknowledgment. I loved her a lot and she was my favourite to follow.
Plot wise, it took a while to get where it was going. I did feel that it was a bit directionless at time and I would’ve wanted it to get where it was going sooner rather than later. It picked up around the 60% mark for me.
Overall, I think it’s a really brilliant novel and the author is extremely talented. I really wanted to fall head over heels for this one but I know a lot of people will so I recommend it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This review was originally published on Before We Go Blog
John Gwynne has long proven himself to be an absolute master at writing epic heroic fantasy with a tender human heart, but The Wolves of War takes that to the next level and is undoubtedly his most personal and intimately vulnerable work yet. I do have to admit that this might work better as a love letter to his own family than as a particularly strong Slavic fantasy in its own right, but there’s so much heart hidden in these pages that I still couldn't stop myself from devouring the whole thing in just two days.
Now, if you've been following Gwynne for a while, you'll probably know that the inspiration behind The Wolves of War was his late daughter, Harriett, who is embodied by Halia in the story. To me, she was the absolute shining light of this book for me, and experiencing her disability through her eyes, particularly her internal frustration over her physical limitations and the way outsiders perceive and judge her for it, absolutely broke my heart while also making me admire her beyond belief. She is genuinely the most beautiful, pure soul in this entire story, and I found myself becoming just as fiercely protective of her as her loving family was.
I was also completely enthralled by her blossoming magical abilities, which gave me almost Wit-bond vibes from Robin Hobb's Realm of the Elderlings, and I loved how her special connection with the family's snarky domovoi, Root, added so much levity into the story. What I appreciated most, though, was that her magic doesn't magically cure her disability or erase the difficulties she faces, but instead it gives her an escape, a sense of freedom, and, most importantly, a degree of agency that she so desperately wants in her everyday life. I thought that was such a beautiful and meaningful choice, and honestly, I could have spent the entire book following Halia around and watching her discover more about herself and her powers.
Unfortunately, Halia was also such a strong character that she completely overshadowed everyone else in The Wolves of War for me, and that lack of personality made most of the dialogue feel a bit contrived and hollow to me. And don't get me wrong, I did like seeing her through her father Ivan's eyes to realise that she is even more loved and cherished by her family than she probably understands herself, but the other two POVs of Dagmar and the rather antagonist-ish Ingvar, never quite managed to pull me in. And this is where my feelings become a little complicated, because I genuinely think I would have preferred a much more intimate family saga centred around Halia, her inner conflicts, and the hurdles that she and her family have to overcome together instead of going bigger.
The introduction of war, political conflicts, and external threats didn't really do much for me no matter how skilled Gwynne is at writing those aspects, and I actually felt that the action took away from the emotional development of almost all of the characters. And yes, knowing the personal experiences and the people who inspired this story undoubtedly added a bit of an emotional layer for me, but I don't think that should be a prerequisite for a story to hit as hard as it wants to. I wanted to feel more invested in the wider narrative on its own merits, and that connection just never quite materialised. Which is truly a shame, because there is simply no denying that Gwynne is a bloody good storyteller.
The worldbuilding was probably what kept me most grounded whenever the narrative lost me a little, because the Slavic folklore and historical richness are truly wonderfully immersive. There are also some really strong horror elements woven throughout The Wolves of War, and I honestly found all the terrifying creatures drawn from myth and legend considerably more compelling threats than the warmongering and political squabbling. Especially Halia's unique role in confronting these supernatural horrors took me by surprise in the best way, and I loved seeing her powers become such an important part of the story.
Now, there were some big, bold swings in those final chapters that I probably could and should have seen coming, but that didn’t stop them from hitting me in the feels more than I had expected. I think this is where the emotional core behind the story really shines through, because you can just feel how much of Gwynne's own heart and hurt has gone into these pages. I did feel a bit conflicted about a certain trope being discussed at the end, but somehow that has only made me more curious to see where things will go in the conclusion to the Wolfheart Chronicles.
Ultimately, I honestly feel like an absolute cold-hearted bitch for not loving this story as much as I desperately wanted to, but I am totally willing to accept that it’s a me-problem instead of a book problem. This might not be my favourite John Gwynne book, but I do think it's his most refreshing and emotionally raw one, and there's so much heart in it that I find it difficult not to love what it represents. At its heart, The Wolves of War is a tender story about family, disability, love, and finding your own strength in a world that doesn't always make room for you, and I'd absolutely recommend it if you're looking for a fantasy that is both utterly epic and tragically, beautifully human.
Thank you to Netgalley & Orbit UK for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review, all opinions are my own. Wolves of War is scheduled for release on 3 November, 2026.
John Gwynne has long proven himself to be an absolute master at writing epic heroic fantasy with a tender human heart, but The Wolves of War takes that to the next level and is undoubtedly his most personal and intimately vulnerable work yet. I do have to admit that this might work better as a love letter to his own family than as a particularly strong Slavic fantasy in its own right, but there’s so much heart hidden in these pages that I still couldn't stop myself from devouring the whole thing in just two days.
Now, if you've been following Gwynne for a while, you'll probably know that the inspiration behind The Wolves of War was his late daughter, Harriett, who is embodied by Halia in the story. To me, she was the absolute shining light of this book for me, and experiencing her disability through her eyes, particularly her internal frustration over her physical limitations and the way outsiders perceive and judge her for it, absolutely broke my heart while also making me admire her beyond belief. She is genuinely the most beautiful, pure soul in this entire story, and I found myself becoming just as fiercely protective of her as her loving family was.
I was also completely enthralled by her blossoming magical abilities, which gave me almost Wit-bond vibes from Robin Hobb's Realm of the Elderlings, and I loved how her special connection with the family's snarky domovoi, Root, added so much levity into the story. What I appreciated most, though, was that her magic doesn't magically cure her disability or erase the difficulties she faces, but instead it gives her an escape, a sense of freedom, and, most importantly, a degree of agency that she so desperately wants in her everyday life. I thought that was such a beautiful and meaningful choice, and honestly, I could have spent the entire book following Halia around and watching her discover more about herself and her powers.
Unfortunately, Halia was also such a strong character that she completely overshadowed everyone else in The Wolves of War for me, and that lack of personality made most of the dialogue feel a bit contrived and hollow to me. And don't get me wrong, I did like seeing her through her father Ivan's eyes to realise that she is even more loved and cherished by her family than she probably understands herself, but the other two POVs of Dagmar and the rather antagonist-ish Ingvar, never quite managed to pull me in. And this is where my feelings become a little complicated, because I genuinely think I would have preferred a much more intimate family saga centred around Halia, her inner conflicts, and the hurdles that she and her family have to overcome together instead of going bigger.
The introduction of war, political conflicts, and external threats didn't really do much for me no matter how skilled Gwynne is at writing those aspects, and I actually felt that the action took away from the emotional development of almost all of the characters. And yes, knowing the personal experiences and the people who inspired this story undoubtedly added a bit of an emotional layer for me, but I don't think that should be a prerequisite for a story to hit as hard as it wants to. I wanted to feel more invested in the wider narrative on its own merits, and that connection just never quite materialised. Which is truly a shame, because there is simply no denying that Gwynne is a bloody good storyteller.
The worldbuilding was probably what kept me most grounded whenever the narrative lost me a little, because the Slavic folklore and historical richness are truly wonderfully immersive. There are also some really strong horror elements woven throughout The Wolves of War, and I honestly found all the terrifying creatures drawn from myth and legend considerably more compelling threats than the warmongering and political squabbling. Especially Halia's unique role in confronting these supernatural horrors took me by surprise in the best way, and I loved seeing her powers become such an important part of the story.
Now, there were some big, bold swings in those final chapters that I probably could and should have seen coming, but that didn’t stop them from hitting me in the feels more than I had expected. I think this is where the emotional core behind the story really shines through, because you can just feel how much of Gwynne's own heart and hurt has gone into these pages. I did feel a bit conflicted about a certain trope being discussed at the end, but somehow that has only made me more curious to see where things will go in the conclusion to the Wolfheart Chronicles.
Ultimately, I honestly feel like an absolute cold-hearted bitch for not loving this story as much as I desperately wanted to, but I am totally willing to accept that it’s a me-problem instead of a book problem. This might not be my favourite John Gwynne book, but I do think it's his most refreshing and emotionally raw one, and there's so much heart in it that I find it difficult not to love what it represents. At its heart, The Wolves of War is a tender story about family, disability, love, and finding your own strength in a world that doesn't always make room for you, and I'd absolutely recommend it if you're looking for a fantasy that is both utterly epic and tragically, beautifully human.
Thank you to Netgalley & Orbit UK for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review, all opinions are my own. Wolves of War is scheduled for release on 3 November, 2026.
August 2, 2026
5 ⭐️ yet another book from John Gwynne that has pulled at my heart strings and attached me to these fictional characters who feel like family 🥹
I love every single crumb that we got of links to his other series. If you’ve read them you know… iykyk and it hits you everytime 😭
The way the wolves have been tied into this series I can’t wait to see them hold a bigger part of the next books. We started off with a focus on witches ‘striga’ and of course with everything there’s good vs bad.
We know John loves multiple POVs that are spread out in this world and linking them up later in the story. So watching it all start coming together makes me so excited for the next books in the series! 🐺🛡️
I love every single crumb that we got of links to his other series. If you’ve read them you know… iykyk and it hits you everytime 😭
The way the wolves have been tied into this series I can’t wait to see them hold a bigger part of the next books. We started off with a focus on witches ‘striga’ and of course with everything there’s good vs bad.
We know John loves multiple POVs that are spread out in this world and linking them up later in the story. So watching it all start coming together makes me so excited for the next books in the series! 🐺🛡️
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Shadow of the Gods meets The Witcher and A Tide of Black Steel in this exciting new series from John Gwynne.
A conquered clan face northern invaders while a father tries to protect his family, especially his paralysed daughter who is developing powers o her own, unbeknownst to her family. Then we have an ambitious War Lord and a warrior with a secretive past searching for treasure.
This book is a bittersweet love letter from John Gwynne to his family, but especially to his own. daughter. Knowing what I do about the Gwynne family, the utter devotion, love, and understanding displayed by the characters made my heart ache all the more.
The Slavic folklore suits Gwynne’s bloody, epic writing style. Not to mention, there is a growing tension with assassins and the changing religious landscape.
The world building is not the most immersive - any aspects of the world are introduced through deduction and appearances of new creatures. However, this kept up the fast pace. If you are familiar with Gwynne’s writing style and have read books with Slavic mythology before, you’re already half-way there.
If you have read The Shadow of the Gods, you’ll also be glad to know there are only three mentions of the ‘thought-cage’. It is apparent Gwynne or his editors accounted for the overuse of the word in the previous trilogy.
Overall, a fast-paced, exciting fantasy book balanced with quieter family moments such as sharing food and teasing. Whilst it does lack depth, I am excited to see where the series takes us.
3.75 stars.🌟
Arc gifted by Orbit.
Bookstagram
Tiktok
A conquered clan face northern invaders while a father tries to protect his family, especially his paralysed daughter who is developing powers o her own, unbeknownst to her family. Then we have an ambitious War Lord and a warrior with a secretive past searching for treasure.
This book is a bittersweet love letter from John Gwynne to his family, but especially to his own. daughter. Knowing what I do about the Gwynne family, the utter devotion, love, and understanding displayed by the characters made my heart ache all the more.
The Slavic folklore suits Gwynne’s bloody, epic writing style. Not to mention, there is a growing tension with assassins and the changing religious landscape.
The world building is not the most immersive - any aspects of the world are introduced through deduction and appearances of new creatures. However, this kept up the fast pace. If you are familiar with Gwynne’s writing style and have read books with Slavic mythology before, you’re already half-way there.
If you have read The Shadow of the Gods, you’ll also be glad to know there are only three mentions of the ‘thought-cage’. It is apparent Gwynne or his editors accounted for the overuse of the word in the previous trilogy.
Overall, a fast-paced, exciting fantasy book balanced with quieter family moments such as sharing food and teasing. Whilst it does lack depth, I am excited to see where the series takes us.
3.75 stars.🌟
Arc gifted by Orbit.
Bookstagram
Tiktok
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Received early via the publisher.
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The Wolves of War is a masterful tale blending family and valour, personal battles and looming wars. I can barely begin to describe how immediate the draw to this story was, that very first page a promise of a new favourite.
John Gwynne is known for his grand, epic scale stories, novels of wars won and monsters faced. Fans can be assured of the same with this book, various factions both human and monstrous forming a slew of battles to be fought. The slavic folklore infused in this story sunk its claws into me, my folklore-loving heart thrilled to see creatures from lore effortlessly woven in. It proved eerie, unnerving, and bolstered any unease about the 'unnatural' from the people we witness, and how difficult it may be to overcome.
Yet within the grand scale of battles and monsters lies a deeply personal story. It is incredibly clear Gwynne has laid his heart down in this book, and it's inconceivable that any reader wouldn't follow suit. 'Family' is the North Star to this story, its theme encompassing such a fierce love, determination, openness, courage and joy amidst the perils of their world. Each POV forms a deeply personal narrative for our characters that resonates with emotions we've all felt in some form - and just like that, Gwynne takes a story of epic scale and grounds it into something almost intimate, or understandable at least. You sympathise with everyone to an extent, and who do you root for in those cases? Now that's a complicated question.
I could harp on about this book for days. It has firmly solidified itself in as one of my favourite reads, and as my first of John Gwynne's work, I clearly need to backtrack and make my way through the rest of his catalogue. What an incredible undertaking this is - I cannot urge you enough to read this book.
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The Wolves of War is a masterful tale blending family and valour, personal battles and looming wars. I can barely begin to describe how immediate the draw to this story was, that very first page a promise of a new favourite.
John Gwynne is known for his grand, epic scale stories, novels of wars won and monsters faced. Fans can be assured of the same with this book, various factions both human and monstrous forming a slew of battles to be fought. The slavic folklore infused in this story sunk its claws into me, my folklore-loving heart thrilled to see creatures from lore effortlessly woven in. It proved eerie, unnerving, and bolstered any unease about the 'unnatural' from the people we witness, and how difficult it may be to overcome.
Yet within the grand scale of battles and monsters lies a deeply personal story. It is incredibly clear Gwynne has laid his heart down in this book, and it's inconceivable that any reader wouldn't follow suit. 'Family' is the North Star to this story, its theme encompassing such a fierce love, determination, openness, courage and joy amidst the perils of their world. Each POV forms a deeply personal narrative for our characters that resonates with emotions we've all felt in some form - and just like that, Gwynne takes a story of epic scale and grounds it into something almost intimate, or understandable at least. You sympathise with everyone to an extent, and who do you root for in those cases? Now that's a complicated question.
I could harp on about this book for days. It has firmly solidified itself in as one of my favourite reads, and as my first of John Gwynne's work, I clearly need to backtrack and make my way through the rest of his catalogue. What an incredible undertaking this is - I cannot urge you enough to read this book.
September 30, 2026
Surprising absolutely no one... John Gwynne manages to write another fascinating novel full of hard truths, the measure of men, and the deep, loving bonds of family.
Knowing a tiny sliver of his story about his family from what he has shared online, this book reads like a tribute to them (in the BEST ways). The loving bond they share and the horrible pain and tremendous joy that loving them brings. In this novel, he shows everyone that strength lies beyond what the eyes perceive. You can tell he loves with his whole heart and that shines through his words in this story.
He somehow manages to, in the same breath, detest horrid men and show how deeply the good ones can love and make a difference. He is also one of the only male authors I have ever read that writes women so incredibly well. Some of my favorite FMCs have come from this man's work and this book is no exception.
I cannot wait for the next book in this duology!
Knowing a tiny sliver of his story about his family from what he has shared online, this book reads like a tribute to them (in the BEST ways). The loving bond they share and the horrible pain and tremendous joy that loving them brings. In this novel, he shows everyone that strength lies beyond what the eyes perceive. You can tell he loves with his whole heart and that shines through his words in this story.
He somehow manages to, in the same breath, detest horrid men and show how deeply the good ones can love and make a difference. He is also one of the only male authors I have ever read that writes women so incredibly well. Some of my favorite FMCs have come from this man's work and this book is no exception.
I cannot wait for the next book in this duology!
August 17, 2026
4.75 ⭐️ ANOTHER BANGER FROM JOHN GWYNNE. Thank you to orbit for sending me an ARC. This is his strongest book 1 to a series by far. This was absolutely amazing. It’s darker and gorier than his other books but I loved it. I cannot wait to see where this story goes im so upset I have to wait
September 16, 2026
Easy five star.
The family dynamics here are just EVERYTHING. Found family is something we often see in fantasy, but this has family family AND found family. My favorite character is obviously Halia, she is so incredibly well written and she just makes my heart squeeze. She has the best heart imaginable and her relationship with others and her growth into who she is is just unmatched. I adore her. Each of the other characters are incredible in their own way, but you can see the absolute LOVE that was poured into writing Halia. She is unlike any character I’ve read before.
The world building and magic is fantastic, which isn’t a surprise…this is a Gwynne book after all. I love how his magic is woven in so naturally into the world and story.
I am so grateful to have received the eARC for this book and cannot WAIT to read book two.
The family dynamics here are just EVERYTHING. Found family is something we often see in fantasy, but this has family family AND found family. My favorite character is obviously Halia, she is so incredibly well written and she just makes my heart squeeze. She has the best heart imaginable and her relationship with others and her growth into who she is is just unmatched. I adore her. Each of the other characters are incredible in their own way, but you can see the absolute LOVE that was poured into writing Halia. She is unlike any character I’ve read before.
The world building and magic is fantastic, which isn’t a surprise…this is a Gwynne book after all. I love how his magic is woven in so naturally into the world and story.
I am so grateful to have received the eARC for this book and cannot WAIT to read book two.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A gloriously brutal and immersive blend of historical inspiration, folklore and fantasy where ancient magic stirs, monstrous things stalk the shadows and blood is spilled as readily in vengeance as on the battlefield, John Gwynne's The Wolves of War sinks its claws into you and refuses to let go. My thanks to Orbit for the arc.
Viking inspired cultures and northern invaders collide with the dark and eerie folklore of the Slavic world, where striggas, mythic creatures and treasures from the gods bring an old, wild magic to life. There’s a richness to the world building that makes this world feel tangible and lived in but never tames its wildness.
The violence is brutal, bloody and utterly cinematic. Epic battles, casual acts of retribution, dark betrayals and formidable enemies make for a story where danger feels real and nobody is entirely safe. The characters are vulnerable, the stakes are high and every confrontation carries the weight of what might be lost. There’s no coasting on the assumption that our favourites will make it through unscathed, and that uncertainty keeps the tension taut.
But for all its brutality, it’s full of heart. Families bound by fierce, unwavering loyalty. Friendships that run as deep as blood. Oaths freely given, whose ties endure long after they’re sworn. Across multiple POVs, Gwynne weaves deeply personal stories of love, loyalty and survival on different sides of the conflict, each thread feeding into a larger tapestry of war and political intrigue. These are the bonds that make you care, the people you find yourself fiercely rooting for and the reason every betrayal cuts so deep.
It is a slow burn with plenty of groundwork to lay before the individual plotlines really gather momentum. But personally I loved sinking into every detail. The patient world building makes everything vivid and immersive, and once those threads begin to converge, the story shifts into gear. By that point, I was completely invested, utterly locked in and ready to follow these characters on the rollercoaster to come.
Come for the monsters and the mayhem, stay for the characters who will make you bleed right alongside them.
Viking inspired cultures and northern invaders collide with the dark and eerie folklore of the Slavic world, where striggas, mythic creatures and treasures from the gods bring an old, wild magic to life. There’s a richness to the world building that makes this world feel tangible and lived in but never tames its wildness.
The violence is brutal, bloody and utterly cinematic. Epic battles, casual acts of retribution, dark betrayals and formidable enemies make for a story where danger feels real and nobody is entirely safe. The characters are vulnerable, the stakes are high and every confrontation carries the weight of what might be lost. There’s no coasting on the assumption that our favourites will make it through unscathed, and that uncertainty keeps the tension taut.
But for all its brutality, it’s full of heart. Families bound by fierce, unwavering loyalty. Friendships that run as deep as blood. Oaths freely given, whose ties endure long after they’re sworn. Across multiple POVs, Gwynne weaves deeply personal stories of love, loyalty and survival on different sides of the conflict, each thread feeding into a larger tapestry of war and political intrigue. These are the bonds that make you care, the people you find yourself fiercely rooting for and the reason every betrayal cuts so deep.
It is a slow burn with plenty of groundwork to lay before the individual plotlines really gather momentum. But personally I loved sinking into every detail. The patient world building makes everything vivid and immersive, and once those threads begin to converge, the story shifts into gear. By that point, I was completely invested, utterly locked in and ready to follow these characters on the rollercoaster to come.
Come for the monsters and the mayhem, stay for the characters who will make you bleed right alongside them.
August 26, 2026
HEAD AND HEART
John Gwynne is, without a doubt, one of my favourite authors, so picking up The Wolves of War was never going to be a difficult decision. And honestly, this is shaping up to be another perfect Gwynne series.
This book has everything I love about his writing: brutal battles, wolves, warriors, witches, monsters, mythology, and most importantly, characters I became completely invested in yet again.
The story is gritty, it’s violent, it’s atmospheric and at times genuinely brutal, but Gwynne never lets the action overshadow the heart of the story. Beneath all the bloodshed and war is a story about family, loyalty, love and just how far people will go to protect the ones they care about. The Slavic-inspired mythology and folklore give the world such a fantastic atmosphere too, and there are some seriously creepy creatures lurking in these pages.
I loved watching the characters separate threads slowly begin to connect. The multiple POVs work so well because you’re constantly desperate to get back to whoever you’ve just left behind.
Even the villains are amazing. Gwynne has that incredible ability to make his characters feel like real people rather than simply good or evil. There are characters you’ll love, characters you’ll hate, and characters you’ll absolutely love to hate.
But let’s talk about Halia. I would genuinely die for Halia.
She completely stole my heart. Her story is so beautifully written, and there is so much strength, emotion and courage in her character. She isn’t simply there to be protected by everyone around her, she has her own journey, her own power and her own voice. I could have read her POV forever.
The action is exactly what I want from a Gwynne book. It’s so bloody, visceral and cinematic. But what really got me was the emotional side of it. There are moments of tenderness and family love sitting right alongside some absolutely savage violence, and that contrast makes the darker moments hit even harder. Especially now with my own family.
The story also has that classic Gwynne feeling of knowing all these seemingly separate pieces are going to come together somehow. When things start clicking into place, it is so satisfying.
The Wolves of War feels like The Witcher meets Vikings, wrapped in Slavic folklore, epic fantasy and Gwynne’s trademark brutality. But underneath all of that, it has a huge amount of heart.
If you’re already a John Gwynne fan, I honestly don’t know what you’re waiting for.
And if you haven’t read him before, what are you doing?
Halia has everyone’s heart. The wolves have my attention. And John Gwynne has once again reminded me why he is one of my favourite authors.
John Gwynne is, without a doubt, one of my favourite authors, so picking up The Wolves of War was never going to be a difficult decision. And honestly, this is shaping up to be another perfect Gwynne series.
This book has everything I love about his writing: brutal battles, wolves, warriors, witches, monsters, mythology, and most importantly, characters I became completely invested in yet again.
The story is gritty, it’s violent, it’s atmospheric and at times genuinely brutal, but Gwynne never lets the action overshadow the heart of the story. Beneath all the bloodshed and war is a story about family, loyalty, love and just how far people will go to protect the ones they care about. The Slavic-inspired mythology and folklore give the world such a fantastic atmosphere too, and there are some seriously creepy creatures lurking in these pages.
I loved watching the characters separate threads slowly begin to connect. The multiple POVs work so well because you’re constantly desperate to get back to whoever you’ve just left behind.
Even the villains are amazing. Gwynne has that incredible ability to make his characters feel like real people rather than simply good or evil. There are characters you’ll love, characters you’ll hate, and characters you’ll absolutely love to hate.
But let’s talk about Halia. I would genuinely die for Halia.
She completely stole my heart. Her story is so beautifully written, and there is so much strength, emotion and courage in her character. She isn’t simply there to be protected by everyone around her, she has her own journey, her own power and her own voice. I could have read her POV forever.
The action is exactly what I want from a Gwynne book. It’s so bloody, visceral and cinematic. But what really got me was the emotional side of it. There are moments of tenderness and family love sitting right alongside some absolutely savage violence, and that contrast makes the darker moments hit even harder. Especially now with my own family.
The story also has that classic Gwynne feeling of knowing all these seemingly separate pieces are going to come together somehow. When things start clicking into place, it is so satisfying.
The Wolves of War feels like The Witcher meets Vikings, wrapped in Slavic folklore, epic fantasy and Gwynne’s trademark brutality. But underneath all of that, it has a huge amount of heart.
If you’re already a John Gwynne fan, I honestly don’t know what you’re waiting for.
And if you haven’t read him before, what are you doing?
Halia has everyone’s heart. The wolves have my attention. And John Gwynne has once again reminded me why he is one of my favourite authors.
September 4, 2026
I went into this fully expecting a five-star read because I am already such a huge fan of John Gwynne’s work, and I was definitely not disappointed. This is so fast paced and action packed, and as someone who can get easily overwhelmed trying to picture battle scenes in fantasy novels, I love the way Gwynne embraces and emphasizes the chaos of battle and seamlessly switches between POV’s so that you get the full picture. I was also not expecting this to be as creepy as it was, which I really enjoyed!
What makes The Wolves of War really stand out, however, is the heart and emotion poured into this book. You can feel how deeply personal this story is to the Gwynne family, and every tender moment between Halia and her family members felt like such a privilege and honor to read. I can’t wait to come back to these characters and see where this story goes next, I have a feeling this series is going to end up being a favorite!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Orbit for the advanced copy in exchange for my review!
What makes The Wolves of War really stand out, however, is the heart and emotion poured into this book. You can feel how deeply personal this story is to the Gwynne family, and every tender moment between Halia and her family members felt like such a privilege and honor to read. I can’t wait to come back to these characters and see where this story goes next, I have a feeling this series is going to end up being a favorite!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Orbit for the advanced copy in exchange for my review!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Truth and courage.
Head and heart.
This is a Slavic fantasy retelling that loosely draws on tenth century Europe.
Expect a host of terrifyingly magic myths and monsters, rigged and darkly locations, forests seething with beasts and snarling, evil.
But as always with John, expect family. Expect love and closeness. Expect promises made and the drive to keep them. Keeping the ones you love close and fighting tooth and nail to do anything for them because you hold them in your heart and would die for them.
I love the way John introduces, builds and develops his characters. The depth and emotional work he can bring to his cast of POVs is always so charming, and somehow works amazingly well to contrast the gritty and grim battling and violence.
I’d highly advocate reading the acknowledgments for this one.
John has very clearly drawn on a lot of personal experiences in this story, and it’s a beautifully touching example of how transcendent writing can be at allowing the memory of those we love, to last.
I am eagerly, and anxiously awaiting the second and final book in the duology.
*howls like a wolf*
4.5/5.0
Head and heart.
This is a Slavic fantasy retelling that loosely draws on tenth century Europe.
Expect a host of terrifyingly magic myths and monsters, rigged and darkly locations, forests seething with beasts and snarling, evil.
But as always with John, expect family. Expect love and closeness. Expect promises made and the drive to keep them. Keeping the ones you love close and fighting tooth and nail to do anything for them because you hold them in your heart and would die for them.
I love the way John introduces, builds and develops his characters. The depth and emotional work he can bring to his cast of POVs is always so charming, and somehow works amazingly well to contrast the gritty and grim battling and violence.
I’d highly advocate reading the acknowledgments for this one.
John has very clearly drawn on a lot of personal experiences in this story, and it’s a beautifully touching example of how transcendent writing can be at allowing the memory of those we love, to last.
I am eagerly, and anxiously awaiting the second and final book in the duology.
*howls like a wolf*
4.5/5.0
August 11, 2026
The Wolves of War is a brilliant and action-packed fantasy that never loses sight of the emotional core of its story. Gwynne finds the perfect balance of creating atmosphere with character- and plot-forward momentum, also including captivating Slavic mythology and folklore into the story. Brimming with cinematic action and great battle scenes, the book hits its stride early on and never lets up.
Halia, one of our main characters, is one of the most compelling characters I've ever read. Her characters is given a beautiful and expansive inner life, as well as a real sense of agency and power. It makes me emotional just thinking of how well Gwynne captured Halia's feelings, thoughts and frustrations, and then how she found independence and agency. My mom is an occupational therapy that works with many patients living with quadraplegia, parapalegia, neurodigenerative or neurodevelopmental conditions; her patients bring smiles to the people around them everyday. And I mention this because I truly believe that Halia's characters was an incredible moment of representation, in addition to being a beautiful ode to Gwynne's daughter.
I am definitely excited to better understand the political dynamics of this world in book two. It took me a second to understand who was who and who had power at the start because there are a lot of names at the beginning. I'm still not entirely clear on the motivations of all the political players involved right now (which is likely on purpose), outside of wanting power in the absolute sense, so I'm really intrigued to see how that unfolds.
This story was clearly written with so much heart. In addition to being technically great, it's emotional and thematic delivery is powerful. It is as much about courage and bravery, as it is about family and love. The Wolves of War really hit home that one of the most fierce things you can do is show up and protect the people you love.
The Wolves of War comes out November 3, 2026. Thank you to Orbit and Netgalley for an advanced reader copy!
Halia, one of our main characters, is one of the most compelling characters I've ever read. Her characters is given a beautiful and expansive inner life, as well as a real sense of agency and power. It makes me emotional just thinking of how well Gwynne captured Halia's feelings, thoughts and frustrations, and then how she found independence and agency. My mom is an occupational therapy that works with many patients living with quadraplegia, parapalegia, neurodigenerative or neurodevelopmental conditions; her patients bring smiles to the people around them everyday. And I mention this because I truly believe that Halia's characters was an incredible moment of representation, in addition to being a beautiful ode to Gwynne's daughter.
I am definitely excited to better understand the political dynamics of this world in book two. It took me a second to understand who was who and who had power at the start because there are a lot of names at the beginning. I'm still not entirely clear on the motivations of all the political players involved right now (which is likely on purpose), outside of wanting power in the absolute sense, so I'm really intrigued to see how that unfolds.
This story was clearly written with so much heart. In addition to being technically great, it's emotional and thematic delivery is powerful. It is as much about courage and bravery, as it is about family and love. The Wolves of War really hit home that one of the most fierce things you can do is show up and protect the people you love.
The Wolves of War comes out November 3, 2026. Thank you to Orbit and Netgalley for an advanced reader copy!
August 10, 2026
Review of Advanced Reader Copy received from NetGalley.
Wolves of War delivered on every area imaginable. I could not devour this book fast enough, and at the same time I was already dreading being done! Every component of this book was masterful. From the stunning cover art to the chapter headings and full-page illustrations within, I was blown away with all the details.
This book is known to be a love letter from John Gwynne to his family, but especially to his daughter Harriot. Halia may be my favorite female character ever written. John writes with such poignancy, love, and tenderness while crafting a wild, rolicking tale. The themes of the privilege of family are seeded so beautifully throughout, along with little nuggets of wisdom. Don’t be mistaken in thinking this is just a gentle good time, though. The setting is bloody and harsh, with this slavic inspired fantsasy. I was enamored by all the Slavic folklore throughout and found myself googling terrifying creatures throughout the whole book. There were also tears shed along the way!
The plot itself is gripping, and I really enjoyed the scope of the world. It was big enough to be referencing the map from time to time but also more intimate with character convergences that had me on the edge of my seat. The set up for book two delivers a solid promise, and I will be thinking an rereading Wolves until we get there.
Thank you, John Gywnne, for sharing your heart and soul with us in the most tender, enchanting, and at times horrifyingly gruesome way. An absolute triumph of a book, and I can’t wait to read the sequel.
Head and Heart!
Wolves of War delivered on every area imaginable. I could not devour this book fast enough, and at the same time I was already dreading being done! Every component of this book was masterful. From the stunning cover art to the chapter headings and full-page illustrations within, I was blown away with all the details.
This book is known to be a love letter from John Gwynne to his family, but especially to his daughter Harriot. Halia may be my favorite female character ever written. John writes with such poignancy, love, and tenderness while crafting a wild, rolicking tale. The themes of the privilege of family are seeded so beautifully throughout, along with little nuggets of wisdom. Don’t be mistaken in thinking this is just a gentle good time, though. The setting is bloody and harsh, with this slavic inspired fantsasy. I was enamored by all the Slavic folklore throughout and found myself googling terrifying creatures throughout the whole book. There were also tears shed along the way!
The plot itself is gripping, and I really enjoyed the scope of the world. It was big enough to be referencing the map from time to time but also more intimate with character convergences that had me on the edge of my seat. The set up for book two delivers a solid promise, and I will be thinking an rereading Wolves until we get there.
Thank you, John Gywnne, for sharing your heart and soul with us in the most tender, enchanting, and at times horrifyingly gruesome way. An absolute triumph of a book, and I can’t wait to read the sequel.
Head and Heart!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Hes done it to me again. John Gwynne has made me cry!
This is, without a doubt, Gwynne’s best writing to date. The prose, the storytelling, the action, the emotion, it’s all incredible. But what makes this book truly special, and what elevates it to a whole other level for me, is the characters.
I was lucky enough to meet John Gwynne last year and spend some time with him, his wife and two of his sons. What struck me most was the love and devotion he has for his family. He spoke with such warmth about them, and he also spent time talking about his beautiful daughter, Harriett.
Reading Wolves of War, I couldn’t help but feel that Gwynne has poured elements of his own family into these characters, and nowhere did that hit me harder than with Halia.
From the very beginning, there was something about Halia that completely got under my skin. Knowing what I did about Gwynne and his family made the character even more powerful for me. The way he has written her, the strength, innocence, vulnerability and sheer spirit of her. I was emotionally invested from the start.
I wanted to protect her.
I would have gone to war for her.
And that’s the magic of Gwynne’s writing.
I desperately want to avoid spoilers, so I’m going to be deliberately vague here, but that final third of the book
Goodness gracious.
It was sensational.
Gut wrenching. Powerful. Brutal. Beautiful.
I was completely caught up in my feels, with actual tears landing on my Kindle. There are very few authors who can make me feel that deeply about fictional characters, but Gwynne has done it again.
The battles are visceral and brilliantly choreographed, but it’s the emotional weight behind them that makes them hit so damn hard. Every clash, every loss, every desperate moment feels like it matters.
John Gwynne is in a league of his own when it comes to epic fantasy.
And he doesn’t just tell you a story.
He makes you feel it.
Wolves of War is a phenomenal book.
5 massive stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
And yes, John…
You made me cry again.
This is, without a doubt, Gwynne’s best writing to date. The prose, the storytelling, the action, the emotion, it’s all incredible. But what makes this book truly special, and what elevates it to a whole other level for me, is the characters.
I was lucky enough to meet John Gwynne last year and spend some time with him, his wife and two of his sons. What struck me most was the love and devotion he has for his family. He spoke with such warmth about them, and he also spent time talking about his beautiful daughter, Harriett.
Reading Wolves of War, I couldn’t help but feel that Gwynne has poured elements of his own family into these characters, and nowhere did that hit me harder than with Halia.
From the very beginning, there was something about Halia that completely got under my skin. Knowing what I did about Gwynne and his family made the character even more powerful for me. The way he has written her, the strength, innocence, vulnerability and sheer spirit of her. I was emotionally invested from the start.
I wanted to protect her.
I would have gone to war for her.
And that’s the magic of Gwynne’s writing.
I desperately want to avoid spoilers, so I’m going to be deliberately vague here, but that final third of the book
Goodness gracious.
It was sensational.
Gut wrenching. Powerful. Brutal. Beautiful.
I was completely caught up in my feels, with actual tears landing on my Kindle. There are very few authors who can make me feel that deeply about fictional characters, but Gwynne has done it again.
The battles are visceral and brilliantly choreographed, but it’s the emotional weight behind them that makes them hit so damn hard. Every clash, every loss, every desperate moment feels like it matters.
John Gwynne is in a league of his own when it comes to epic fantasy.
And he doesn’t just tell you a story.
He makes you feel it.
Wolves of War is a phenomenal book.
5 massive stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
And yes, John…
You made me cry again.
August 19, 2026
Wow. Just, wow.
This was my first John Gwynne novel, and boy I think I chose the right one to dive right in.
I would describe this book as a perfect mix between Vikings and The Witcher 🐺. An epic fantasy with ancient traditions, wolves, battles, and Slavic inspired mythology and folklore throughout. It also blends a little historical fiction in there as well, which was an added bonus.
You will follow multiple POV’s: a ruler, a warrior, a father and a heroine.
I was unaware of John’s personal story prior to reading, but did look into it after reading the acknowledgments. He has beautifully woven the spirit of his daughter Harriett into Halia. Without spoiling it, her character shines throughout and will steal your heart. You will experience intense family loyalty, and the lengths they go to protect their own.
Many many thanks to NetGalley, Orbit, and John Gwynne for the eARC! I cannot wait to dive into his other novels.
This was my first John Gwynne novel, and boy I think I chose the right one to dive right in.
I would describe this book as a perfect mix between Vikings and The Witcher 🐺. An epic fantasy with ancient traditions, wolves, battles, and Slavic inspired mythology and folklore throughout. It also blends a little historical fiction in there as well, which was an added bonus.
You will follow multiple POV’s: a ruler, a warrior, a father and a heroine.
I was unaware of John’s personal story prior to reading, but did look into it after reading the acknowledgments. He has beautifully woven the spirit of his daughter Harriett into Halia. Without spoiling it, her character shines throughout and will steal your heart. You will experience intense family loyalty, and the lengths they go to protect their own.
Many many thanks to NetGalley, Orbit, and John Gwynne for the eARC! I cannot wait to dive into his other novels.
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