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The Thirteen: Book One of the Andrift Chronicles
Stron “Bladeless” Broxton used to be a knight.
Desmrick used to rule the world.
Now they are both hunting the same prize.
A missing prince…
…and the poisonous magic inside him that humanity was never meant to have.
To save the prince, Stron must return to the kingdom that cast him out.
To stop Desmrick, he must face a power that once shattered the world.
And even with his infamous Thirteen at his side, Stron must survive bitter kings, treacherous allies, and his own judgment if he is going to bring everyone back alive.
Because if Desmrick wins…
Humanity will not survive the reckoning.
Desmrick used to rule the world.
Now they are both hunting the same prize.
A missing prince…
…and the poisonous magic inside him that humanity was never meant to have.
To save the prince, Stron must return to the kingdom that cast him out.
To stop Desmrick, he must face a power that once shattered the world.
And even with his infamous Thirteen at his side, Stron must survive bitter kings, treacherous allies, and his own judgment if he is going to bring everyone back alive.
Because if Desmrick wins…
Humanity will not survive the reckoning.
- GenresFantasy
404 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2026
About the author
Jeffrey Wolske
1 book8 followersJeffrey Wolske currently resides in the frozen tundra of Minnesota with his wife and three children.
He served in the US Navy before coming home to co-own an ill-fated game and hobby shop.
He is an avid reader, writer, sports fan, and world traveler.
The Thirteen - Book One of the Andrift Chronicles is his debut novel.
He served in the US Navy before coming home to co-own an ill-fated game and hobby shop.
He is an avid reader, writer, sports fan, and world traveler.
The Thirteen - Book One of the Andrift Chronicles is his debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 21, 2026
When I was halfway through this book I had plans of giving it a decently positive 3 star review. From the mid point on, the book crumbled. The majority of the book was pure dialogue between characters, with little in the way of world building, setting a scene, or even glimpses into the minds of what the characters were feeling through thoughts or internal dialogue. Unfortunately the dialogue between characters is pretty rough, especially coming from the dwarf and the archer.
Outside of the dialogue issues, plot holes became apparent in the latter half of the book, primarily revolving around travel, and motivation. If the easiest way to get to Telvekia was the pass through God’s Head, where there exists soul burners who were not yet husks, why did Desmrick single out Crit as the soul burner he needed? Additionally, wouldn’t Desmrick have known Jorn was still alive at God’s Head as it was the single most closest point to Telvekia?
Character motivations also seemed to be really lacking. After having finished the book I still do not understand the undying loyalty all of the thirteen have for Stron. We don’t know the backstory of the relationship Stron has with any of the members of his gang, how he earned their loyalty to begin with, and most importantly, how he maintains their trust and loyalty. That is just considering the original members prior. Crit’s loyalty to Stron and the thirteen is even more baffling. Her initial motivation to join the mercenaries was due to their reputation, albeit very outdated, as effective mercenaries so she could find retribution against those that hurt her family. Due to her losses she was painted as an untrusting, reserved, and cold. Makes sense. She, however, ends up being the person who sacrifices the most throughout the quest to assist Stron, who in my opinion, never once proved himself as a competent leader or as someone worth Crit placing her trust in.
My last complaint is a lack of consequence. I knew that none of the main characters were ever going to be in real danger. I knew that every predicament and every mistake would be easily resolved without punishment. So much of the book told the reader what was going on and more or less told the reader what to think, that even if there were consequences for characters based on their actions, that I don’t think I would have cared because I never developed my own connection to the characters.
Pookus was probably the most insufferable character that I have ever read. Everything that came out of his mouth made me want to throw the book at a wall.
Outside of the dialogue issues, plot holes became apparent in the latter half of the book, primarily revolving around travel, and motivation. If the easiest way to get to Telvekia was the pass through God’s Head, where there exists soul burners who were not yet husks, why did Desmrick single out Crit as the soul burner he needed? Additionally, wouldn’t Desmrick have known Jorn was still alive at God’s Head as it was the single most closest point to Telvekia?
Character motivations also seemed to be really lacking. After having finished the book I still do not understand the undying loyalty all of the thirteen have for Stron. We don’t know the backstory of the relationship Stron has with any of the members of his gang, how he earned their loyalty to begin with, and most importantly, how he maintains their trust and loyalty. That is just considering the original members prior. Crit’s loyalty to Stron and the thirteen is even more baffling. Her initial motivation to join the mercenaries was due to their reputation, albeit very outdated, as effective mercenaries so she could find retribution against those that hurt her family. Due to her losses she was painted as an untrusting, reserved, and cold. Makes sense. She, however, ends up being the person who sacrifices the most throughout the quest to assist Stron, who in my opinion, never once proved himself as a competent leader or as someone worth Crit placing her trust in.
My last complaint is a lack of consequence. I knew that none of the main characters were ever going to be in real danger. I knew that every predicament and every mistake would be easily resolved without punishment. So much of the book told the reader what was going on and more or less told the reader what to think, that even if there were consequences for characters based on their actions, that I don’t think I would have cared because I never developed my own connection to the characters.
Pookus was probably the most insufferable character that I have ever read. Everything that came out of his mouth made me want to throw the book at a wall.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 4, 2026
There's a dark side to this book, but that's well-balanced with high adventure and a surprising amount of humor – mostly in the form of witty dialogue. I laughed out loud a number of times.
The heroes' trek through mountains, woods, castles and across a mythical sea is paralleled by the introspective journey of disgraced, reluctant hero, Stron "Bladeless." The quests through essential fantasy terrain are exciting and full of action with unexpected, but sensible twists and reversals, while the journey of Stron's empathetic self-discovery, reflection and redemption has it's own thought-provoking twists and turns. There are some wonderful moral dilemmas, where we're forced to consider other perspectives and abandon some preconceptions. Not everything is as it seems!
Desmrick, a slightly alien, human-like being who's lost his magic is the story's main antagonist and he’s a delightfully wry villain. Probably my favorite character in the book. He's not evil for the sake of it like some mustache-twirling cartoon. His actions cause harm and death, no doubt, but it's all driven by a powerful motivation, so one can almost see his point of view... almost. Like all the best villains, he’s a tragic figure, doing what he feels he must.
The world, it's history, mythology and mysticism feel very well-developed and consistent, which is something I appreciate in a fantasy novel. I could keep my bearings and immerse myself in it because it's believable and not too unfamiliar.
As I mentioned, there is a dark side to the story, but it's not nearly as dark as I expected, based on the cover art and opening scenes. It's old-school sword and sorcery fantasy that I'd most closely compare in tone to the original Dragonlance series by Weiss and Hickman. There's a bit of romance, but not too much. A bit of darkness without brooding or nihilism. A lot of surprises, action, adventure and clever humor.
For Wolske's debut novel, it's an artfully crafted story and a fun read. Looking forward to the next book in the Andrift Chronicles.
The heroes' trek through mountains, woods, castles and across a mythical sea is paralleled by the introspective journey of disgraced, reluctant hero, Stron "Bladeless." The quests through essential fantasy terrain are exciting and full of action with unexpected, but sensible twists and reversals, while the journey of Stron's empathetic self-discovery, reflection and redemption has it's own thought-provoking twists and turns. There are some wonderful moral dilemmas, where we're forced to consider other perspectives and abandon some preconceptions. Not everything is as it seems!
Desmrick, a slightly alien, human-like being who's lost his magic is the story's main antagonist and he’s a delightfully wry villain. Probably my favorite character in the book. He's not evil for the sake of it like some mustache-twirling cartoon. His actions cause harm and death, no doubt, but it's all driven by a powerful motivation, so one can almost see his point of view... almost. Like all the best villains, he’s a tragic figure, doing what he feels he must.
The world, it's history, mythology and mysticism feel very well-developed and consistent, which is something I appreciate in a fantasy novel. I could keep my bearings and immerse myself in it because it's believable and not too unfamiliar.
As I mentioned, there is a dark side to the story, but it's not nearly as dark as I expected, based on the cover art and opening scenes. It's old-school sword and sorcery fantasy that I'd most closely compare in tone to the original Dragonlance series by Weiss and Hickman. There's a bit of romance, but not too much. A bit of darkness without brooding or nihilism. A lot of surprises, action, adventure and clever humor.
For Wolske's debut novel, it's an artfully crafted story and a fun read. Looking forward to the next book in the Andrift Chronicles.
June 9, 2026
3.76/5 stars - score updated
The cover is what initially drew me in but I stayed for the characters of the Thirteen. The Thirteen is a mercenary band but there are only six then seven of them. The novel starts with the crown prince being kidnapped and an exiled soldier tasked with finding him in exchange for a pardon. As we progress through the story we learn more about the world and how all the races came to be, an event called the Harrowing, I thought the way that Wolske created the different races was clever. I can’t remember if Ive ever read anything that so closely ties magic in the world to creating all the different fantasy races plus even some new races unique to this world. Essentially, a demon brought magic into the world and it was given to an immortal race because their regenerative properties can handle the toll of using magic which would age a normal human. When the demon is defeated a hundred years before our story starts, magic is released to the world, transforming some into giants, dwarves, and goblins (called Shrunken) plus a multitude of other races. Magic is also lost to the Sedethi, the immortals I mentioned earlier, and war ensues. What’s left of the Sedethi race goes into hiding as a result. I should also mention that humans were enslaved by the Sedethi and most of the Sedethi weren’t kind masters. But this is all background info that will be explored and expounded on in the book.
The prose is very modern and accessible making this a quick read for me. There was a fair bit of witty and humorous dialogue between the characters that worked well and earned a few laughs.
The characters are diverse. Stron Broxton, our protagonist is the exiled soldier now working as a mercenary with a heart of gold righting wrongs in the wilds. Katya the beautiful and brilliant female companion. The Witch, silent and mysterious with that can see some of the future. Pookus, smart mouth dwarven thief who along with the giant, Muck, are a comedic duo. Crit the newcomer to the Thirteen with a haunted past and blood-thirsty as all hell. Desmrick, the antagonist, is a complex character whose motives I wish had been explored further or at least explored the conflict within.
Certain choices were made at the end that made me feel they went against the character, or at least subverted my expectations - which is never a bad thing- but it also lead me to think that people are complicated and sometimes our choices/actions don’t make sense. It didn’t leave me mad about the choice or anything, I did enjoy the ending.
I love the cast of characters and Wolske wove in enough surprises to keep things interesting and never bored. This is his first novel and I’ll be reading his next one. An excellent start and I look forward to the sequel.
The cover is what initially drew me in but I stayed for the characters of the Thirteen. The Thirteen is a mercenary band but there are only six then seven of them. The novel starts with the crown prince being kidnapped and an exiled soldier tasked with finding him in exchange for a pardon. As we progress through the story we learn more about the world and how all the races came to be, an event called the Harrowing, I thought the way that Wolske created the different races was clever. I can’t remember if Ive ever read anything that so closely ties magic in the world to creating all the different fantasy races plus even some new races unique to this world. Essentially, a demon brought magic into the world and it was given to an immortal race because their regenerative properties can handle the toll of using magic which would age a normal human. When the demon is defeated a hundred years before our story starts, magic is released to the world, transforming some into giants, dwarves, and goblins (called Shrunken) plus a multitude of other races. Magic is also lost to the Sedethi, the immortals I mentioned earlier, and war ensues. What’s left of the Sedethi race goes into hiding as a result. I should also mention that humans were enslaved by the Sedethi and most of the Sedethi weren’t kind masters. But this is all background info that will be explored and expounded on in the book.
The prose is very modern and accessible making this a quick read for me. There was a fair bit of witty and humorous dialogue between the characters that worked well and earned a few laughs.
The characters are diverse. Stron Broxton, our protagonist is the exiled soldier now working as a mercenary with a heart of gold righting wrongs in the wilds. Katya the beautiful and brilliant female companion. The Witch, silent and mysterious with that can see some of the future. Pookus, smart mouth dwarven thief who along with the giant, Muck, are a comedic duo. Crit the newcomer to the Thirteen with a haunted past and blood-thirsty as all hell. Desmrick, the antagonist, is a complex character whose motives I wish had been explored further or at least explored the conflict within.
Certain choices were made at the end that made me feel they went against the character, or at least subverted my expectations - which is never a bad thing- but it also lead me to think that people are complicated and sometimes our choices/actions don’t make sense. It didn’t leave me mad about the choice or anything, I did enjoy the ending.
I love the cast of characters and Wolske wove in enough surprises to keep things interesting and never bored. This is his first novel and I’ll be reading his next one. An excellent start and I look forward to the sequel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 7, 2026
The Thirteen is the kind of fantasy novel that reminds you why you fell in love with the genre in the first place. Wolske delivers a story that feels both epic in scope and deeply personal, balancing action, humor, and philosophical weight in a way that keeps the pages turning.
What stood out most was the characters. The team dynamic feels lived-in and authentic-messy, funny, loyal, and complicated. Their banter adds levity, but beneath it runs a current of real emotional stakes.
The world building is rich without being overwhelming, and the moral gray areas give the story depth. Wolske doesn’t just give us a fantasy adventure-he gives us a meditation on redemption, loyalty, and the cost of survival.
If you enjoy character-driven fantasy with heart, humors and philosophical bite, The Thirteen is an easy recommendation. It’s adventurous, thoughtful, and packed with moments that make you pause, laugh, and reflect-sometimes all at once
Comment
What stood out most was the characters. The team dynamic feels lived-in and authentic-messy, funny, loyal, and complicated. Their banter adds levity, but beneath it runs a current of real emotional stakes.
The world building is rich without being overwhelming, and the moral gray areas give the story depth. Wolske doesn’t just give us a fantasy adventure-he gives us a meditation on redemption, loyalty, and the cost of survival.
If you enjoy character-driven fantasy with heart, humors and philosophical bite, The Thirteen is an easy recommendation. It’s adventurous, thoughtful, and packed with moments that make you pause, laugh, and reflect-sometimes all at once
Comment
April 16, 2026
This will go down as one of my favorite reads of 2026, already.
Lovable cast of characters, snappy and endearing dialogue, with a good adventure to boot!
This was a rollercoaster of a read, so much so that I blazed through it in a couple of days.
I want many more adventures with these characters, and new ones, until all the spots in The Thirteen are filled again and then some!
Lovable cast of characters, snappy and endearing dialogue, with a good adventure to boot!
This was a rollercoaster of a read, so much so that I blazed through it in a couple of days.
I want many more adventures with these characters, and new ones, until all the spots in The Thirteen are filled again and then some!
May 31, 2026
Great debut
A fantastic cover drew me in, but I stayed for the story, a really solid debut for a new author, looking forward to his future work.
A fantastic cover drew me in, but I stayed for the story, a really solid debut for a new author, looking forward to his future work.
April 6, 2026
Just got back from my Instagram break and I'm excited to share my latest read with you all! I was drawn in by the skull faced mountain on the cover, and I'm so glad I took the chance. This book is a breath of fresh air in the fantasy genre, with amazing characters that you'll fall in love with especially the team known as the thirteen. Yes, it's got dark moments, but you'll be rooting for them all the way. And the villain? One of the most likable I've ever read. Go support an indie author and grab a copy!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews