The Wolves of War

Wolfheart Chronicles #1

by John Gwynne

From king of heroic fantasy and New York Times bestselling author John Gwynne comes the start of an action-packed duology. Enter a world of dark forests and frozen rivers, of ancient myth and forgotten magic, where one family's courage will decide the fate of a kingdom . . . 

Genres: Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, Adult, High Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy, Adventure

575 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication November 3, 2026

About the author

I am the author of epic fantasy series The Faithful and the Fallen, Of Blood and Bone and The Bloodsworn Saga. I'm also a Viking re-enactor and enjoy nothing more than standing in the shield wall with my three sons, who are as passionate about swords and axes as I am (when I'm not stuck in my coat of mail; it's harder than it looks).
I live on the south coast of the UK with my beautiful wife, three sons and my daughter, and an assortment of animals (at the moment three dogs, a horse and a lamb who thinks she's a dog).
My dogs think I am their slave.

Malice, my debut novel, was published by Pan Macmillan in 2012 and went on to win the David Gemmell Morningstar Award for Best Fantasy Debut of 2012. That was a truly wonderful moment, as David Gemmell is a hero of mine and one of the reasons I write.

The following three books in the series - Valour, Ruin and Wrath, were all shortlisted for the David Gemmell Legend Award for Best Fantasy Novels of 2014, 2015 and 2016, with Wrath winning the 2017 BookNest Awards for Best Traditionally Published Novel.

My second series, of Blood and Bone, is set in the Banished Lands, the same world as the first series. Book 1, A Time of Dread, begins 130 years after the events of the first series. A Time of Courage, book 3 Of Blood and Bone, made the Spiegel Bestseller's List in Germany.

My latest book, The Shadow of the Gods, book 1 of the Bloodsworn Saga, will be published in May 2021. It is inspired by Norse mythology, Beowulf and Ragnarök.

I am represented by Julie Crisp.

Reviews

[Edward Gwynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

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...

[John Gwynne]

The cover art for THE WOLVES OF WAR has arrived...

You can order the signed & sprayed edition of The Wolves of War from Waterstones Here

[Mark Lawrence]

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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[♥Milica♥]

I'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.

[Shauna Lawless · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Liana Gold]

Making this my first John Gwynne book. (I know, I know! Better late than never)




Many thanks to NetGalley, Orbit Books and the author, John Gwynne for an early copy!

Publication date: November 3, 2026

[kassbookreviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

just know this book is perfect

[Youssra (semi ia- shelving books don't mind me)]

I don't collect books, but if I did, THIS WOULD BE THE FIRST BECAUSE WOW THAT COVER IS BADASS😭



Carrie x The Witcher with Slavic mythology and a sprinkling of vikings? The main character is inspired by his daughter who died😭😭😭😭

[₊ ˚ ale ࿓ ♡ ⋆｡˚]

‎ ‎ ⌗‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ──🐺🍋‍🟩🐈‍⬛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

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

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! 🐺🛡️

[LambchoP]

Love the cover art. So glad we have a release date!

John Gwynne is 10/10 for me, meaning I've given every one of his books five stars. I'm anticipating another banger read with Wolves of War, another Gwynne book to add to the favorite's shelf.

Now the wait for September begins....

[Carla McLaughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[K. Jesel · Rating 5 out of 5]

*ARC review, thanks to the pub sending one to my job 📚*
Eastern Europe in the Early Middle Ages is rife with change: descendants of Northman invaders expanding their territory, the Byzantine Empire at its peak, and common folk stuck in the middle. With war looming on the horizon, families will be torn, oaths shaken, and old magic awakened.

Our GOAT decided to dabble in historical fantasy and hit it out of the park. I’m no historian, but between the Acknowledgements and the Google searches I did every few pages (not out of necessity, just curiosity), it seems like Gwynne really prioritized historical and cultural accuracy. We follow four POV characters throughout the story: a ruler, a fighter, a father, and a girl who is more than she seems. Each storyline has such an array of strengths that I can’t choose a favorite. As usual, Gwynne weaves them all together with astounding intricacy and balance, giving us four unique experiences that become gradually more relevant to each other until they eventually form one complex tapestry. He even gives a little self-aware fan service, making fun of a term he’s used in other work that readers have… had notes about 🧠😂

Also, a “my WIFE!” In this economy??? 🔥

If you like his Bloodsworn trilogy, you’ll love this. I noticed a lot of similarities with tropes and plotlines, but that’s just because I read Bloodsworn pretty recently. Even with that, there are plenty of new elements, especially the factual setting and new mythology, that make this a fresh story for fans to obsess over.

[Abby Tait · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. 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!

[Ivana]

I heard the words “Slavic,” “witches,” “wolves” and “John Gwynne” and I am SEATED 🪑
Seems to be publishing on my birthday too, woohoo!

[Christine P · Rating 5 out of 5]

♾️⭐️

[Márcia]

I got an e-Arc of this today!! So I'm going to finish Malice and dive right into this one. I have no words. I'm so excited 🥹🥹

[Rebecca Blue · Rating 5 out of 5]

A huge thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced reader copy of The Wolves of War. I’m incredibly grateful to have experienced this book early and to share my honest thoughts.

…….

I’ve been a huge fan of John Gwynne for years, so beginning a brand-new series from him was something I was incredibly excited for. The Wolves of War did not disappoint. In fact, I think it may be one of my favorite things he has written yet.

There is an immediacy to this story that pulled me in from the very beginning. Gwynne wastes no time making you feel the weight of the world, the danger surrounding it, and the stakes for the people living within it. I was completely absorbed.

One of my favorite elements was the folklore. There is something deeply eerie about the mythology woven throughout this world, and the creatures in particular brought an almost folkloric horror to the story that I absolutely loved. I found myself stopping to research them as I read, which only made me more fascinated by the world Gwynne was building. Some of these creatures are genuinely unsettling, and I loved every second of it.

The political intrigue was another highlight for me. There is enough scheming, uncertainty, and shifting motivation to keep you constantly wondering what people are really planning. And the multiple POVs work beautifully. Each perspective adds something meaningful to the larger story, while also making you desperate to get back to the characters you’ve become attached to. I kept telling myself I would read just one more chapter before bed, only to immediately need another.

But what ultimately stayed with me most was the heart of this story.

Gwynne has an extraordinary ability to write about family, friendship, love, companionship, and courage in a way that feels incredibly genuine. His characters don’t simply exist to move the plot forward. They have lives, histories, relationships, fears, and people they would risk everything to protect. Their connections give the story its emotional weight.

There is so much hardship in The Wolves of War, but there is also so much love. And I think that contrast is what makes the difficult moments hit as hard as they do. Watching people find strength in one another, choose each other, and continue forward despite everything standing in their way was easily one of my favorite parts of the book.

And Halia.

Halia. Just… wow.

I don’t even know how to properly articulate how much I loved her. She is everything to me.

The Wolves of War is the kind of fantasy I love most: immersive and expansive, but ultimately grounded in its characters and the relationships between them. It is atmospheric, frightening, heartbreaking, hopeful, and incredibly human.

John Gwynne has once again reminded me why his stories mean so much to me, and I am already impatient to see where this story takes us next.

[Max I Like Fantasy Books]

At the request of the publisher I must wait to publish my review. I cannot believe have read this though!!!!!

[Nozomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love a badass yet loving family. And I normally love John Gwynne’s books. This one was fine, especially the first 65%. One of the storylines was far more compelling than the others, and that made it a bit difficult to be invested in the book as a whole. I felt like the world building was based on vibes rather than firmly rooted. The magic felt elusive. It was relief when the last portion picked up in pacing and the character connections became clearer. I will definitely be continuing on now that the quest is more defined.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕✨🗡️🐺

The Wolves of War is the kind of fantasy that makes you want to immediately disappear into its world and stay there. 🐺

This was my first John Gwynne book, which feels almost ridiculous considering how much I've heard about his work but after reading this ARC, I can safely say it won't be my last.

I went into this expecting an epic fantasy packed with battles, wolves and ancient magic and I got all of that. But what really surprised me was how much heart there is underneath the violence and the scale of the story.
The world has such a strong atmosphere. Slavic-inspired mythology, ancient traditions, strange creatures, witches, warring kingdoms, wolves, weapons, armour and battles all come together to create something that feels both brutal and deeply magical.

There is a constant sense that something much larger is beginning to unfold, and I loved that feeling of discovering a world whose secrets are only just starting to reveal themselves.

And then there is Halia.
I don't want to say too much about her story because I genuinely think she is a character readers should discover for themselves, but she completely stole my heart. She is one of those characters who makes you want to keep reading simply because you need to know where her journey will take her.

I also really appreciated the way disability is represented in the story. Halia's disability isn't treated as something that needs to disappear for her to become powerful or important. It is simply part of who she is, while her own abilities and journey develop alongside it. That made her feel like a much more authentic character to me, rather than falling into the familiar fantasy trope of magic simply "fixing" a disability.

One of my favourite things about the book was the family element. Beneath all the political conflicts, magic and violence, there is a very human emotional core built around love, loyalty and the lengths people will go to protect those they care about. Those quieter moments made the larger, more violent ones hit even harder.
The multiple POV structure also worked really well for me. At first, you're following different characters, places and conflicts, and there is this delicious feeling that all these threads are eventually going to collide. Watching the bigger picture slowly take shape was one of the most exciting parts of the reading experience.

And I have a feeling we're only seeing the beginning.
There are so many elements here that made me curious about what comes next: especially the wolves, the mythology, the magic and the characters whose stories still have so much room to grow. The book gives you enough answers to make the journey satisfying while leaving plenty of questions that had me immediately wanting the next part of the story.

The overall vibe?
The Witcher meets Vikings, with Slavic folklore, epic fantasy and a whole lot of wolves. 🐺⚔️

It's violent and tender, dark and imaginative, but above all, it has that feeling I love in fantasy: the feeling that once you've entered this world, there is still so much more waiting beyond the page.

And honestly, my biggest takeaway from this ARC might be that I now desperately need to read The Shadow of the Gods. 😂

If you're already a John Gwynne fan, this feels like one to have very high on your radar. And if you've never read him before, apparently I'm proof that you can start here and immediately become curious about the rest of his work.

The Wolves of War releases November 3, 2026.

I'm already counting down to the day everyone else gets to meet Halia.🤍

Many thanks to Orbit Books and John Gwynne for the early copy!

[Erin Gilmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Orbit Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. This review is my own. I cannot say enough about how incredible John Gwynne is at world-building and story-weaving. The Wolves of War is the first book in a new duology, featuring Slavic folk tales at its heart. The story is told from multiple points of view, all coalescing in a story with intrigue, betrayal, war, magic, and ancient forest-dwellers. This is high fantasy at its very, very best. Highly, highly recommend!!! One of my favorite books of the year.

[Bekah Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review

John Gwynne has done it again!

Wolves of War is a Slavic inspired fantasy that delivers an engaging plot and characters that you will love, or hate, in true John Gwynne fashion. I was captivated from the first page of this book. It had a great combination of action and heartfelt moments. Halia and Root will forever be 2 of my favorite characters. I can’t wait for the next book in this series.

Head and heart
Truth and Courage

[Richelle Warnock Kracht · Rating 5 out of 5]

Advanced Reader Copy (ARC). Thank you to @Orbitbooks_us and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book early.
A ‘No spoilers’ review.
I’m writing this review as a reader who doesn’t read spoilers, or seek out much context before starting a book. The joy is in the discovery—and wow, was this a joyous read.

John Gwynne’s mastery of visual storytelling, atmosphere, tone, and dynamic characterization makes The Wolves of War gripping from the very first chapter.

Multi-POV books can sometimes fall prey to comparison between perspectives. One storyline may feel less compelling, or a character arc may seem secondary to the others. That is absolutely not the case here. Every POV is thoughtfully developed, every character arc feels meaningful, and each thread proves vital to the larger story.
Gwynne is particularly deft at creating ensembles. His characters are rich in their own right, but they become even more compelling through their relationships—with both their chosen and inherited families. There is so much strength in these bonds, but also so much vulnerability, and that duality is one of the things that made this story so powerful for me.

This is a book I genuinely did not want to put down. And rarely do I ever finish a book and immediately want to read it again.

Until The Wolves of War.

A sweeping tale, exploring the duality of strength and weakness. Of Head and Heart.

5/5 ⭐️

[Lau]

So happy that I got approved for the ARC, yay!

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything you love about Gwynne, but more! Three POVs was the perfect cadence for this action packed story. I really enjoyed the Norse mythology too!

[Sarah Robins]

*quietly enters buffering mode until 08Sep2026*

[Emilee · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

Oh, Halia. I would end worlds for you.

In typical Gwynne fashion, this novel is full of fast-paced action, mythology, and characters that make your heart bleed. Halia—I’m looking at you. The Viking atmosphere ties the Slavic mythology together beautifully. The world-building is immaculate and had me imagining that I was within the story, seax in hand. The characters were well fleshed out, and the story contains pertinent disability representation. The reader can tell how much love Gwynne has poured into this story. At times, it’s an emotional read that tugs at your heartstrings. I highly recommend reading the acknowledgements (while having tissues on hand).

The only small caveat is that I connected with certain POVs more than others. As you may be able to tell from my previously mentioning Halia, her story truly resonated with me the most. I could read her POV for hours on end.

A beautiful start to a new series. I’m beyond excited for the next installment.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

[MidgeB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly thanks to NetGalley,John Gwynne and the publishers for the advanced copy of this book in return for my honest opinion .

Even though I have all this authors other series on my TBR this is my first book I have actually read after being lucky enough to receive an ARC to review and I have to say I was not disappointed. Although it took me a little while to get my head around all the characters after around 15% I was well and truly hooked . The story was so fast paced with battle scenes, witches,wolves and Slavic magic and folklore it was absolutely brilliant and I can’t wait to read the rest of this trilogy as well as his other series . 4.5 ⭐️ rounded up