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The Wolf and The Swan: Book 2 of the Winged Wolf Saga
After the victory at Shark's Tooth, Fionnuala Swann, Demeteria's rightful queen, leads her rebel army against the city of Balgriffin. If it falls, she will gain a mighty stronghold from which to threaten her usurper uncle's capital city and retake her family's throne.
Aiden Russ, rightful king of Selene-Morna, journeys south to meet the bride politics and prophecy have chosen for him, but his path pits him against ancient evils long buried, rival claimants to his crown, and the Holy Empire's deadliest servants.
The fate of two nations hangs upon this marriage alliance, but can Aiden and Fionnuala become everything the prophecy of the Winged Wolf insists they must?
Aiden Russ, rightful king of Selene-Morna, journeys south to meet the bride politics and prophecy have chosen for him, but his path pits him against ancient evils long buried, rival claimants to his crown, and the Holy Empire's deadliest servants.
The fate of two nations hangs upon this marriage alliance, but can Aiden and Fionnuala become everything the prophecy of the Winged Wolf insists they must?
541 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2026
About the author
Luke Courtney
6 books49 followersWho am I? My name is Luke Courtney, I’m a 33 year old Briton who by day works in a little military museum in London, and by night, works on writing an array of stories that I push myself towards getting finished and published.
Writing and story-telling has been a passion of mine since childhood; I was surrounded by books and stories at home, so I grew up on stories from Greek and Celtic mythology. I came to love reading tales of knights and heroes rescuing princesses from monsters and fighting evil tyrants to save the world, as well as making up ones of my own.
That love carried on when I was in school, but the real impetus for me to start writing properly came in 2010/2011, not long after I left university. One of my first jobs was working in a second-hand bookshop, and after handling and flicking through so many works of fiction, some better than others, I started thinking, surely I could write a story of my own and get it out there, and maybe get some readers as enthralled by my work as my favourite authors did to me.
I'm currently working on my two fantasy series of novels, the Phoenix Saga and the Argent Blade novels, as well as another high fantasy story that's been rattling around in my head for a while, The Girl Who Sings To Dragon (which is part of a long held desire of mine to write something involving werewolves- an interesting fact regarding my writing is that the protagonists of my novels tend to start out as werewolves, in the initial stages of my writing, only to change into something else. The protagonists of my Argent Blade novels went from being werewolves to vampires to the demon hunters they are in the completed story!)
Besides writing, my other interests include reading, painting, running, archaeology and palaeontology (both of which have been big inspirations) and a bit of gaming.
Check out my writing Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/lc90authorhub/, for more information on what I'm up to!
Writing and story-telling has been a passion of mine since childhood; I was surrounded by books and stories at home, so I grew up on stories from Greek and Celtic mythology. I came to love reading tales of knights and heroes rescuing princesses from monsters and fighting evil tyrants to save the world, as well as making up ones of my own.
That love carried on when I was in school, but the real impetus for me to start writing properly came in 2010/2011, not long after I left university. One of my first jobs was working in a second-hand bookshop, and after handling and flicking through so many works of fiction, some better than others, I started thinking, surely I could write a story of my own and get it out there, and maybe get some readers as enthralled by my work as my favourite authors did to me.
I'm currently working on my two fantasy series of novels, the Phoenix Saga and the Argent Blade novels, as well as another high fantasy story that's been rattling around in my head for a while, The Girl Who Sings To Dragon (which is part of a long held desire of mine to write something involving werewolves- an interesting fact regarding my writing is that the protagonists of my novels tend to start out as werewolves, in the initial stages of my writing, only to change into something else. The protagonists of my Argent Blade novels went from being werewolves to vampires to the demon hunters they are in the completed story!)
Besides writing, my other interests include reading, painting, running, archaeology and palaeontology (both of which have been big inspirations) and a bit of gaming.
Check out my writing Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/lc90authorhub/, for more information on what I'm up to!
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 17, 2026
I feel the review I will write won't do justice to this book one way or another but I will try!
This book is the perfect sequel to The Girl Who Sings to Dragons, with a good level of action but also emotion woven throughout the entire story. The way he handles big casts of characters is masterfully. The details. And even better, how it emerses you in the world so easily, even if it has been a while since you read book one. This is true to Luke Courtney's own style of writing and I love that. It had me sink into the story from the first page and kept me in its clutches all the way through the end. I was sitting on the edge of my seat. I was cheering for Fionnuala and Aiden and their relationship at every step.
I'm not going to tell you anything about the story because I'm afraid I will get to enthusiastic and give too many spoilers. But if you love high fantasy, with characters that aren't scared to tap into their own emotions, stand strong for what they believe and an world that seemlessly guides you in and wants to make you stay, then this series is a must-read.
This book is the perfect sequel to The Girl Who Sings to Dragons, with a good level of action but also emotion woven throughout the entire story. The way he handles big casts of characters is masterfully. The details. And even better, how it emerses you in the world so easily, even if it has been a while since you read book one. This is true to Luke Courtney's own style of writing and I love that. It had me sink into the story from the first page and kept me in its clutches all the way through the end. I was sitting on the edge of my seat. I was cheering for Fionnuala and Aiden and their relationship at every step.
I'm not going to tell you anything about the story because I'm afraid I will get to enthusiastic and give too many spoilers. But if you love high fantasy, with characters that aren't scared to tap into their own emotions, stand strong for what they believe and an world that seemlessly guides you in and wants to make you stay, then this series is a must-read.
May 21, 2026
I love how incredibly rich this is.
From the descriptions to the worldbuilding, the emotions and layered characters, i love how much depth there is to every aspect of the tale. The passion the author has for their world and the Fantasy genre is so clear on every page and i pray that this series finds its readers.
I love Fionnuala as a strong female lead who practically bleeds feminine strength. Very Daenerys coded which is great as a GoT lover as i know the author has used her as inspiration. She is intelligent and beautiful and capable and i love how much she takes charge within a world full of men and ultimately Aiden.
As for Aiden, he feels like a man written by a woman and i love that so much! Hes kind, respectful, a little unsure but always has the best interests of all at heart, still while being a sexy little broken boy and i love how well that comes across on page! Was i sad they didnt make the two backed monster in this instalment? Sure but i get it even if i was on Fionnuala’s side with that one! Lol
As ever the host of secondary characters and interwoven plots are incredible. All the great fantasy archetypes are here and are used to good measure. Heavy on the fights/battles as before but as i said before, this doesn’t take away from the sheer beauty of the craft around the various countries, kingdoms and personalities that Luke has created.
An excellent excellent book.
From the descriptions to the worldbuilding, the emotions and layered characters, i love how much depth there is to every aspect of the tale. The passion the author has for their world and the Fantasy genre is so clear on every page and i pray that this series finds its readers.
I love Fionnuala as a strong female lead who practically bleeds feminine strength. Very Daenerys coded which is great as a GoT lover as i know the author has used her as inspiration. She is intelligent and beautiful and capable and i love how much she takes charge within a world full of men and ultimately Aiden.
As for Aiden, he feels like a man written by a woman and i love that so much! Hes kind, respectful, a little unsure but always has the best interests of all at heart, still while being a sexy little broken boy and i love how well that comes across on page! Was i sad they didnt make the two backed monster in this instalment? Sure but i get it even if i was on Fionnuala’s side with that one! Lol
As ever the host of secondary characters and interwoven plots are incredible. All the great fantasy archetypes are here and are used to good measure. Heavy on the fights/battles as before but as i said before, this doesn’t take away from the sheer beauty of the craft around the various countries, kingdoms and personalities that Luke has created.
An excellent excellent book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
How does one do Luke's Winged Wolf Saga justice? I truly don't know, but I will try my best. The Winged Wolf Saga is a high fantasy series that's not just about the plot but also about the characters you'll come to care about and root for. It's a tale of epic quests, curses and prophecies, twists and intrigue, betrayals and newfound loyalties, and characters on a path of self-discovery and healing. These are characters you'll want to follow to see how they grow and change.
Not to mention Luke's masterful writing style that effortlessly transports you into the world he has created, without it ever feeling overbearing. No, it feels real and raw, intricate and emotional, captivating and thrilling. Luke introduces a unique magic system in which humans, dryads, shape-shifters, and dragons, each possessing both positive and negative traits, coexist in a delicate balance. This new fantasy world is constructed with such intricate details that it feels like a living, breathing entity. And every living, breathing entity changes and evolves, just as Luke's story does.
The Girl Who Sings to Dragons, Book One of the series, captivated me. Book Two, The Wolf and The Swan, made me fall in love with the story even more. Everyone I loved and everyone I loathed were still present, and somehow I found myself experiencing new twists and turns, alliances broken and reforged, and emotions formed and shattered.
I loved how beautifully the action was interwoven with emotion in every aspect, especially when it came to Aiden and Fionnuala. Luke brought their budding relationship to life, showing us that these two young people were more than mere instruments of a prophecy. They are just that, two young people finding themselves and each other. They are more than the Winged Wolf prophesied, and time will only tell what greatness will arise from their union.
The Wolf and The Swan is the perfect sequel to The Girl Who Sings to Dragons. I implore you, especially if you're a fan of high fantasy, character-driven stories, and intricate world-building, to give this saga a try. You will lose yourself in the pages of this incredible story, wanting to know more and eagerly awaiting what comes next.
Not to mention Luke's masterful writing style that effortlessly transports you into the world he has created, without it ever feeling overbearing. No, it feels real and raw, intricate and emotional, captivating and thrilling. Luke introduces a unique magic system in which humans, dryads, shape-shifters, and dragons, each possessing both positive and negative traits, coexist in a delicate balance. This new fantasy world is constructed with such intricate details that it feels like a living, breathing entity. And every living, breathing entity changes and evolves, just as Luke's story does.
The Girl Who Sings to Dragons, Book One of the series, captivated me. Book Two, The Wolf and The Swan, made me fall in love with the story even more. Everyone I loved and everyone I loathed were still present, and somehow I found myself experiencing new twists and turns, alliances broken and reforged, and emotions formed and shattered.
I loved how beautifully the action was interwoven with emotion in every aspect, especially when it came to Aiden and Fionnuala. Luke brought their budding relationship to life, showing us that these two young people were more than mere instruments of a prophecy. They are just that, two young people finding themselves and each other. They are more than the Winged Wolf prophesied, and time will only tell what greatness will arise from their union.
The Wolf and The Swan is the perfect sequel to The Girl Who Sings to Dragons. I implore you, especially if you're a fan of high fantasy, character-driven stories, and intricate world-building, to give this saga a try. You will lose yourself in the pages of this incredible story, wanting to know more and eagerly awaiting what comes next.
May 2, 2026
It always feels strange to review my own book, but like the one before it, The Wolf and The Swan has been the focus of my life for almost two years, the latest chapter in the writing project I consider my magnum opus, and while I am my own harshest critic, I am still proud of this story I have created...
A second book is always a unique challenge, particularly one that has a great romantic subplot than anything I've created before, but treading new ground with familiar characters and building the next part of the Winged Wolf Saga for those who've followed this story since the beginning makes all the challenges to get to this point worthwhile...
Picking up where The Girl Who Sings to Dragons ended, Aiden and Fionnuala continue the battle to free their homelands from Imperial tyranny, but new challenges await them on their journey: deadly new enemy warriors, traitors and rivals in their own ranks, and negotiating the ups and downs of a politically arranged marriage to seal an alliance between their peoples...
Inspired by the classical epic fantasies I read growing up like the Belgariad, with the political intrigue of A Song of Ice and Fire and the epic battles of the Bloodsworn Saga, if you enjoyed The Girl Who Sings to Dragons or just epic/high fantasy in general, I hope you'll enjoy returning to Demeteria and the struggle to fulfil the prophecy of the Winged Wolf in The Wolf and The Swan...
A second book is always a unique challenge, particularly one that has a great romantic subplot than anything I've created before, but treading new ground with familiar characters and building the next part of the Winged Wolf Saga for those who've followed this story since the beginning makes all the challenges to get to this point worthwhile...
Picking up where The Girl Who Sings to Dragons ended, Aiden and Fionnuala continue the battle to free their homelands from Imperial tyranny, but new challenges await them on their journey: deadly new enemy warriors, traitors and rivals in their own ranks, and negotiating the ups and downs of a politically arranged marriage to seal an alliance between their peoples...
Inspired by the classical epic fantasies I read growing up like the Belgariad, with the political intrigue of A Song of Ice and Fire and the epic battles of the Bloodsworn Saga, if you enjoyed The Girl Who Sings to Dragons or just epic/high fantasy in general, I hope you'll enjoy returning to Demeteria and the struggle to fulfil the prophecy of the Winged Wolf in The Wolf and The Swan...
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was another great novel in the Winged Wolf Saga by Luke Courtney.
The Wolf and the Swan picked up after The Girl Who Sings to Dragons (Book One) and didn't let up from page one to the last. I love the continued character growth and world building throughout the story - Aiden and Fionnuala are quickly becoming two of my favourite leading characters. It's refreshing to have a male main character who is both self assured in battle but completely lost when it comes to romance! To be completely honest, I wasn't sure when I started reading if I would be invested in Aiden and Fionnuala's love story but I have to admit I am now completely hooked! I also love how Luke makes more of Fionnuala's brothers, Aodh, Conn and Fiachra, and how he has set up their story for Book Three.
The politics of Demeteria were immersive and enthralling - I enjoyed every minute and really appreciated there being a good balance between battles and politics. I really enjoyed seeing the dynamics play out between the difference clans and races, particularly with Fionnuala's side of the story and her interactions with Luther in particular.
The Wolf and the Swan really expanded on the world building set up in The Girl who sings to Dragons which was a joy and I can't wait to return in Book Three!
I received an Advanced Reader Copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
The Wolf and the Swan picked up after The Girl Who Sings to Dragons (Book One) and didn't let up from page one to the last. I love the continued character growth and world building throughout the story - Aiden and Fionnuala are quickly becoming two of my favourite leading characters. It's refreshing to have a male main character who is both self assured in battle but completely lost when it comes to romance! To be completely honest, I wasn't sure when I started reading if I would be invested in Aiden and Fionnuala's love story but I have to admit I am now completely hooked! I also love how Luke makes more of Fionnuala's brothers, Aodh, Conn and Fiachra, and how he has set up their story for Book Three.
The politics of Demeteria were immersive and enthralling - I enjoyed every minute and really appreciated there being a good balance between battles and politics. I really enjoyed seeing the dynamics play out between the difference clans and races, particularly with Fionnuala's side of the story and her interactions with Luther in particular.
The Wolf and the Swan really expanded on the world building set up in The Girl who sings to Dragons which was a joy and I can't wait to return in Book Three!
I received an Advanced Reader Copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews