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Tomahawk and Saber #1
Language of the Bear
In the hostile wilderness of Colonial America, a young Native American warrior and a British officer are forced into a secret assassination mission.
With war rumbling on the horizon, Lieutenant Hugh Pyke arrives in the Pennsylvania Colony hoping to prove himself against the French. Instead, he finds himself blackmailed into a dishonorable mission to assassinate the cousin of the woman he loves.
Wolf Tongue, a brash warrior of a dying tribe, volunteers to guide Pyke through the dangers of both the landscape and its indigenous nations. Even as he fights to protect his people from European and Native invaders, he struggles to earn the respect of those he would save.
But when they learn their prey is more dangerous than they feared, can they complete their mission, protect a dying tribe, confront a madman, and still survive?
An action-filled, old-fashioned adventure, Language of the Bear is the first novel in the Tomahawk and Saber series.
With war rumbling on the horizon, Lieutenant Hugh Pyke arrives in the Pennsylvania Colony hoping to prove himself against the French. Instead, he finds himself blackmailed into a dishonorable mission to assassinate the cousin of the woman he loves.
Wolf Tongue, a brash warrior of a dying tribe, volunteers to guide Pyke through the dangers of both the landscape and its indigenous nations. Even as he fights to protect his people from European and Native invaders, he struggles to earn the respect of those he would save.
But when they learn their prey is more dangerous than they feared, can they complete their mission, protect a dying tribe, confront a madman, and still survive?
An action-filled, old-fashioned adventure, Language of the Bear is the first novel in the Tomahawk and Saber series.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
260 pages, Paperback
First published May 8, 2015
5 people are currently reading
661 people want to read
About the author
Nathanael Green
4 books146 followersNathanael Green is an assistant professor, freelance copywriter, and novelist, among other unmentionable things, living in upstate New York.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 14, 2015
3.5/5 stars
You can find all my reviews here
*Disclaimer: I won this book from Goodreads First Reads, all my opinions are my own.*
This is not my usual genre of book, but how in the world do you turn down a book about an English colonist and a Native American going on an assassination mission?! Such an interesting concept in my opinion, and the writing style was generally enjoyable which isn’t always so in books with multiple authors. Green and Ronan did a good job of working their styles together rather than having them compete for the limelight.
The characters were likeable, or quite the opposite depending on who we’re talking about, and their motives for their actions were clearly discernible. I can still clearly remember the scene that got me fully invested in the book:
“Omnia vincit amor.”
“Is this another saying of dead people?” he asked.
“It means we just might survive.”
The Latin phrase means love conquers all. He sees that because they are both there for the woman they love they stand a chance. Even most romance novels don’t make me aww like that scene did. From that point on I was rooting for Pyke and Wolf Tongue all the way. I hope you’ll give this book a chance if you enjoy historical fiction and let me know how you liked it.
You can find all my reviews here
*Disclaimer: I won this book from Goodreads First Reads, all my opinions are my own.*
This is not my usual genre of book, but how in the world do you turn down a book about an English colonist and a Native American going on an assassination mission?! Such an interesting concept in my opinion, and the writing style was generally enjoyable which isn’t always so in books with multiple authors. Green and Ronan did a good job of working their styles together rather than having them compete for the limelight.
The characters were likeable, or quite the opposite depending on who we’re talking about, and their motives for their actions were clearly discernible. I can still clearly remember the scene that got me fully invested in the book:
“Omnia vincit amor.”
“Is this another saying of dead people?” he asked.
“It means we just might survive.”
The Latin phrase means love conquers all. He sees that because they are both there for the woman they love they stand a chance. Even most romance novels don’t make me aww like that scene did. From that point on I was rooting for Pyke and Wolf Tongue all the way. I hope you’ll give this book a chance if you enjoy historical fiction and let me know how you liked it.
June 3, 2020
4.5 Stars
September 27, 2015
An English soldier, Lieutenant Hugh Pike, and a Native American Susquehannock warrior, Wolf Tongue (named as Isaac for a Christian name although he is clearly not a Christian), are thrown together on a mission. They are both disconcerted by the ultimate act they must commit – the assassination of a violent, capable killer who is trying to recruit fighters to defeat the English. Sounds simple, but it’s anything but easy!
To begin with both men have asked for a prize for the risk and completion of their task, a beloved lady – Damaris and Fox’s Smile respectively – each will wed after completing their job. But their task is an almost impossible one in which they will encounter and perhaps survive every possible danger in the Pennsylvania mountains and country. Their goal in this first of what will be a series is to find and deal with a man named Azariah or Storm-of-Villages.
What is fascinating, as this novel progresses are three aspects. One is the description of the beautiful land Pike and Wolf Tongue traverse, sometimes easily and sometimes with great challenges like climbing cliffs and fording fiercely moving rivers. One can almost smell the turning colors of leaves and pine of the forests. Both men are rugged enough to clear paths and camp comfortably even in the fiercest of cold weather.
The second intriguing portion is that Azariah actually has many supporters who believe in his mission to be rid of the English and restore the land to its native status. His charisma and cruelty bring his supporters to unbridled obedience and fear and it is believed that he is unconquerable.
Friends are really foes and vice versa in this plot that grows complicated because of our main characters never knowing who can be trusted and the crafty movements of their enemy.
The third engaging aspect is the relationship that develops between Pike and Wolf Tongue which includes what they truly believe. That difference both divides and eventually unites them. As they journey back and forth between their home territory and that of Azariah, they develop a friendship that will endure physical wounds, struggle in the territory that is untamed and their wavering, private reflections between courage and doubt.
All in all, Language of the Bear is a terrific read whose fans will be looking forward to the next novel in this story of pre-Revolutionary colonials and Native American residents. Nicely crafted, Ronan and Green!
To begin with both men have asked for a prize for the risk and completion of their task, a beloved lady – Damaris and Fox’s Smile respectively – each will wed after completing their job. But their task is an almost impossible one in which they will encounter and perhaps survive every possible danger in the Pennsylvania mountains and country. Their goal in this first of what will be a series is to find and deal with a man named Azariah or Storm-of-Villages.
What is fascinating, as this novel progresses are three aspects. One is the description of the beautiful land Pike and Wolf Tongue traverse, sometimes easily and sometimes with great challenges like climbing cliffs and fording fiercely moving rivers. One can almost smell the turning colors of leaves and pine of the forests. Both men are rugged enough to clear paths and camp comfortably even in the fiercest of cold weather.
The second intriguing portion is that Azariah actually has many supporters who believe in his mission to be rid of the English and restore the land to its native status. His charisma and cruelty bring his supporters to unbridled obedience and fear and it is believed that he is unconquerable.
Friends are really foes and vice versa in this plot that grows complicated because of our main characters never knowing who can be trusted and the crafty movements of their enemy.
The third engaging aspect is the relationship that develops between Pike and Wolf Tongue which includes what they truly believe. That difference both divides and eventually unites them. As they journey back and forth between their home territory and that of Azariah, they develop a friendship that will endure physical wounds, struggle in the territory that is untamed and their wavering, private reflections between courage and doubt.
All in all, Language of the Bear is a terrific read whose fans will be looking forward to the next novel in this story of pre-Revolutionary colonials and Native American residents. Nicely crafted, Ronan and Green!
October 14, 2015
The Language of the Bear is a pretty good adventure novel set in pre-revolutionary war America. Lieutenant Hugh Pyke, newly arrived in the colonies is sent on an assassination mission together with a young susquehannock warrior, Wolf Tongue that is supposed to be his guide. While traveling to accomplish their mission, they meet european colonists and various native-american tribes such as the Lenape (the Delaware) who naturally think highly of William Penn (the novel is set during his son, Thomas Penn's lifetime) but not so highly of the colonists they have to deal with now. The colonists are not portrayed in a favorable light by the authors across the book but maybe this will change in future books. Most seem disillusioned with the british crown and have an individualistic attitude where they mostly fend for themselves.
There is no great moral conflict across the book. The villain, Azariah Bennett (although a charismatic and persuasive man) is ruthless. He has been wronged in the past and he would stop at nothing from claiming what he sees as his rightful inheritance and place. What drives the book is the interaction (that evolves into a friendship) between the two main characters: Wolf Tongue and Hugh Pyke. Hugh Pyke has some scruples about assassinating Azariah at first but they go away after seeing the man in action.
I am looking forward to reading the future books in the series to see how the story shapes up. The authors gave us a glimpse of the tensions that are brewing between the French, English, and the different native-american nations. There's also a glimpse of that colonel from Virginia, Washington given by the alcoholic surgeon and I am curious if he will find his way into the story. Thomas Penn is also briefly mentioned in the book. The authors hint that he will have a greater role across the book series as Thornwood (the man Hugh Pyke duels at the beginning of the book) is his man.
There is no great moral conflict across the book. The villain, Azariah Bennett (although a charismatic and persuasive man) is ruthless. He has been wronged in the past and he would stop at nothing from claiming what he sees as his rightful inheritance and place. What drives the book is the interaction (that evolves into a friendship) between the two main characters: Wolf Tongue and Hugh Pyke. Hugh Pyke has some scruples about assassinating Azariah at first but they go away after seeing the man in action.
I am looking forward to reading the future books in the series to see how the story shapes up. The authors gave us a glimpse of the tensions that are brewing between the French, English, and the different native-american nations. There's also a glimpse of that colonel from Virginia, Washington given by the alcoholic surgeon and I am curious if he will find his way into the story. Thomas Penn is also briefly mentioned in the book. The authors hint that he will have a greater role across the book series as Thornwood (the man Hugh Pyke duels at the beginning of the book) is his man.
September 26, 2015
Hmmm...this was a bit different from most historical fiction I've read. It's pre-Revolutionary War Colonial US times, and a young officer of the Crown is sent on an errand by his Commander...accompanied by a Native American guide. They are unlikely comrades-in-arms for a period, though rough circumstances and heinous villains soon alter their relationship to each other a bit.
As the book progressed I found I was more engaged with the characters, and the action is certainly exciting and suspenseful. I guess I found it difficult to like our officer friend at the beginning, though I warmed to him a bit as time progressed. Wolf Tongue, the guide, was an engaging character from the first.
In the end, I enjoyed the book...a fun read. It looks like the authors intend this to be the start of a series. Not sure I'd want to commit to another book about the same characters.
As the book progressed I found I was more engaged with the characters, and the action is certainly exciting and suspenseful. I guess I found it difficult to like our officer friend at the beginning, though I warmed to him a bit as time progressed. Wolf Tongue, the guide, was an engaging character from the first.
In the end, I enjoyed the book...a fun read. It looks like the authors intend this to be the start of a series. Not sure I'd want to commit to another book about the same characters.
November 5, 2019
This novel, set during the Colonial period in America, has a fast moving, action-filled plot. The main characters: a British soldier named Pyke and Native American named Wolf Tongue, team up to track down a murderous revolutionary hiding out in the Pennsylvania wilderness with his band of rebels. Together they fight the weather, the rugged terrain, starvation and bodily injuries to accomplish their mission. The unlikely pair become friends and you can’t help but root for them throughout their adventure. If you enjoy action, battles, and great detail that makes you feel you are right there, you’ll love this book. Also this is a time period not covered much in historical fiction so I am eager to read more from the authors.
August 14, 2015
I received this book via Member Giveaway Group.
Thank you.
I do enjoy the cover for the book, the photo do characterise the plot.
The plot takes the reader far away from nowadays, suburbian area - to 100 years back to Native American and British Army time. It tells about culturally different friendship development via dangerous and secret special mission, interesting and adventurous journey through the woods. The characters are perfectly built for their roles, each of main characters helds a background story why they have taken decision to participate in this mission.
Thank you.
I do enjoy the cover for the book, the photo do characterise the plot.
The plot takes the reader far away from nowadays, suburbian area - to 100 years back to Native American and British Army time. It tells about culturally different friendship development via dangerous and secret special mission, interesting and adventurous journey through the woods. The characters are perfectly built for their roles, each of main characters helds a background story why they have taken decision to participate in this mission.
June 28, 2015
Fantastic!
August 1, 2015
An excellent colonial era story of an Englishman and a Native American being brought together to perform a secret mission for a colonel in the British Army. It shows how a friendship grows between two very different cultures when each learn that they have to depend on the other in tight circumstances. The story is a combination thriller and adventure with slight twists in the story that keeps the reader interested and wanting more. Pyke and Wolf Tongue play off of each other perfectly throughout the book and both go on this mission for the love of a woman.
Very interesting and read and I look forward to Volume 2.
Very interesting and read and I look forward to Volume 2.
April 1, 2016
I bought this book based on the setting and subject matter alone. The Colonial Era (pre-Revolutionary War America) is a fascinating period in American history and the backdrop of rugged wilderness and sprawling frontier is perfect for this historical fantasy. The story itself is tight and engaging, filled with mystery and intrigue, and the relationship that develops between the main characters (a British soldier and a Native American warrior) keeps the pages turning. Highly recommend, especially if you're a fan of historical epics like LAST OF THE MOHICANS. You won't be disappointed. Now on to Book 2...
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews