Return of the Wulfhedinn: Book Two of the Wulfhedinn Series

by Catherine Spader

"…Spader has created a realm that feels just uncharted enough for surprises to be lurking behind every tree.”
— Kirkus Reviews

782 AD War rages for the heart of Europe and the soul of a warrior.

Christians bargain with the Devil to ensure their domination. Pagans invoke ancient powers to defend their freedom. Between them stands Gerwulf, bastard son of a Christian woman and the formidable leader of the heathen resistance. Gerwulf wears the Christian cross, but his blood boils with his father’s savage wolf spirit. He is Wulfedinn.

King Karl, the legendary Charlemagne, needs the Wulfedinn to conquer the fearsome pagan Saxons. Surviving near-fatal wounds inflicted by the heathens, Gerwulf has broken free from Vala, their mystical shield maiden, the Walkyrie. He returns to the king with crucial knowledge of the rebels’ tactics.

Gerwulf is poised to become a hero of the new Christian order—if he can conquer the raging beast within and the beguiling Vala, who haunts his soul.

240 pages, Paperback

Published August 2, 2017

About the author

Catherine (Meier) Spader is the author of the award-winning dark fantasy Wulfhedinn series. Her first novel, Feast of the Raven, won a first place EVVY award from the Colorado Independent Publishers Association. Her second novel in the series, Return of the Wulfhedinn, was released in 2017. Both novels have received critical acclaim from Kirkus Reviews and BlueInk Review. Book three in the series will be published in 2018.

As owner of Quillstone Press, Catherine is an editor, writing coach, and ghostwriter. She is also a Registered Nurse who specialized in emergency and trauma care for twenty years and has published over 1,000 articles in healthcare journals, trade magazines, and medical websites.
Catherine feeds her inner wolf spirit by playing men's ice hockey. She and her husband Craig enjoy prowling the wild forests and historic sites of Europe and the American West to research and find inspiration for her novels.

Reviews

[Helen Starbuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is entertaining and educational. I don't often read historical fantasy, but the first book in the series Feast of the Raven hooked me and I had to see how the main character Gerwulf faired. I like the lyrical quality of the story and Gerwulf's dream-like thoughts and I learned more about early Germany and the struggle between paganism and Christianity. It's a well written series that I would recommend, especially if you are into historical fantasy.

[Einar Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Today I finished Book Two of Catherine Spader’s Wulfhedinn Series set in a context of the eighth-century Saxon wars in Northern Europe: Return of the Wulfhedinn. It continues the story of Gerwulf as he battles external influences and expectations to discover his identity and his soul. Christian or Wulfhedinn? Monastic Christian or Tyrant Christian? Selfish or selfless? The character’s external and internal struggles resonate with me more now that I’ve been doing my own work, although without the blood and beheadings of eighth-century Europe.

Spader explores Gerwulf’s relationships with other characters more effectively in this book. I’m disappointed in General Theodoric, not surprised by King Karl despite my sharing of DNA (based on my dad’s genealogical research), and both intrigued by and excited by Vala. Although I clearly have a favorite among the supporting cast, I’m still cheering for Gerwulf, too, especially after he finally refused to be exploited: “Test of loyalty? I had nearly died returning the Holy Spear to the king, and I had been forgiven my sins. I had cast off the wolf skin, shaved my face, and donned the woven tunic of a Christian nobleman. I had spied, scouted, fought, and killed in the king’s name. I had served faithfully and done everything asked of me and more. I had defied death and the demons of Wodan to return to my place among Christians.” Yet he still heard and felt his true calling: “Feed the Wolf, Feed the Raven.”

Now I am ready for Book Three.

[Amanda Langdon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how the title has multiple meanings. Does Gerwulf the Wulfhedinn return to King Karl after his ordeals at the Externstein, or do the Saxon Wulfhednar return with their rebellion? Tracker's loyalty to General Theoderic and King Karl is both rewarded and tested as the war for Saxony continues... as does the war for a man's soul. The only downside to this book is that book 3 is not yet finished! I want to know what happens next! Excellent read with heaps of historical accuracy that never gets in the way of fast-paced, action-packed storytelling and thoughtful psychological human insight. An incredible combination!

[Hannah Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Wulfheddin series and it is turning into a brilliant story. The story is based on the conflict between pagans and Christians in dark age Europe and centres on Gerwulf, a warrior who is fighting personal demons in every sense. The story develops a lot from the first book and and the characters have grown ever more intriguing. It is a compelling book with a unique voice and I can't wait for the next!