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New World Rising #2
Court of Wolves
It is the dawn of a new world. Henry Tudor has vanquished Richard III and claimed the throne of England, taking possession of a secret map. At the glittering court of the Medici in Florence, Lorenzo the Magnificent, ruler of the republic and head of the mysterious Academy, is engaged in a dangerous game of power with the Vatican. In Spain, the Catholic Monarchs, Isabella and Ferdinand, have declared a crusade against Islam, forcing the Moors from Granada. Europe stands upon the brink of war, at the edge of a discovery that will change everything.Jack Wynter is clinging to the wreckage of the life he dreamed of living, his father's execution by Richard III destroying his hope of overcoming his status as an illegitimate son. The map entrusted to him by his father is gone, stolen by his hated half-brother, Harry Vaughan. Outlawed by Tudor, all Jack can do is follow his father's last words - and seek out the man who has answers to his past that will determine his future, Lorenzo de' Medici. But in the serpentine politics and renaissance splendour of Florence, he finds only danger. Lorenzo may have trusted Jack's father, but he is now surrounded by threats and conspiracies on all sides - not least from the rising power in the city known as the Court of Wolves. Harry, meanwhile, heads to the Spanish court on a covert mission for Tudor, who intends to deflect Queen Isabella's interest in developing a trade route west with a sailor named Columbus.Once again, Jack must risk all to prove himself, while his sworn enemy, Harry, finds himself fighting through Spain, seeking all the time to ingratiate himself with Tudor, and bring his brother down.
481 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 9, 2018
17 people are currently reading
288 people want to read
About the author
Robyn Young
38 books490 followersRobyn Young is the Sunday Times bestselling author of the BRETHREN and INSURRECTION trilogies and the NEW WORLD RISING series. She also writes crime thrillers as Erin Young.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 1, 2020
Following my plunge into the first book in Robyn Young's New World Rising series, I immediately started the second one and was completely swept away.
COURT OF WOLVES picks up after the conclusion of "Sons of the Blood", with half-brothers Jack and Harry confronting the wake of their choices. Together with his crew of misfit mercenaries and enigmatic deaf girl Amelot, Jack arrives in Florence, Italy, where he's welcomed into the household of Lorenzo de' Medici, known as Il Magnifico, in hopes of uncovering the mysteries that upended his existence. But as overseer of Florence and one of the most powerful men in Italy, Lorenzo hides secrets of his own and Jack must tread an increasingly thin line between Il Magnifico's trust and attracting the elusive Court of Wolves, a sect of noblemen with a dangerous agenda that could hold the key to both Jack's urgent questions and the whereabouts of Amelot's vanished master.
Meanwhile, the new Tudor king, Henry VII - who has the stolen map - orders Harry to travel to Spain as his emissary and compel Queen Isabella to not support Christopher Columbus. Henry VII wishes to launch his own voyage based on the map, and Harry, determined to win the king's favor and regain his lost prestige, is willing to do anything. However, he hasn't contended with the wrathful presence in Spain of Edward Woodville, brother to Edward IV's queen and uncle of the missing princes in the Tower, who believes Harry knows far more than he's let on about the princes' fate. Nor is Harry prepared for the brutal crusade by Isabella and her warrior husband, King Fernando, to conquer Granada, last bastion of the Moors. As he's thrust into chaotic bloodshed, he finds himself tested to his limits, forced to keep Woodville at bay even as he must find some means to thwart Columbus' influence over Isabella.
Young excels in her skilled juxtaposition of the brothers, depicting the stark contrast between the serpentine intrigue of Medici Florence with the squalid tumult of the Catholic war against the infidel, which ended 300 years of Islamic dominion in Spain. Harry's ferocious determination to be better than what he is opposes Jack's insidious doubts about everything he thinks he knows. Scenes alternating between each brother allow for a compelling view of their struggles.
Unlike the first entry, COURT OF WOLVES maintains a tight hold on its POV, with only a few incidences featuring secondary characters. When these appear, they are very well done. Pope Innocent offers a chilling example of Vatican corruption, and Lorenzo's cold-blooded machinations are both admirable and fearsome. Young weaves her complex story with ease, never losing sight of its main threads. The scenes set in Spain are particularly gripping; we tend to forget how brutally uncertain the crusade to conquer Granada was, and how much it cost those caught up in it.
This is historical fiction at its finest, captivating and unique, weaving a fictional tale into actual events that captures the imagination. Once started, it's impossible to put down. I'm eager to read the third installment when it releases.
COURT OF WOLVES picks up after the conclusion of "Sons of the Blood", with half-brothers Jack and Harry confronting the wake of their choices. Together with his crew of misfit mercenaries and enigmatic deaf girl Amelot, Jack arrives in Florence, Italy, where he's welcomed into the household of Lorenzo de' Medici, known as Il Magnifico, in hopes of uncovering the mysteries that upended his existence. But as overseer of Florence and one of the most powerful men in Italy, Lorenzo hides secrets of his own and Jack must tread an increasingly thin line between Il Magnifico's trust and attracting the elusive Court of Wolves, a sect of noblemen with a dangerous agenda that could hold the key to both Jack's urgent questions and the whereabouts of Amelot's vanished master.
Meanwhile, the new Tudor king, Henry VII - who has the stolen map - orders Harry to travel to Spain as his emissary and compel Queen Isabella to not support Christopher Columbus. Henry VII wishes to launch his own voyage based on the map, and Harry, determined to win the king's favor and regain his lost prestige, is willing to do anything. However, he hasn't contended with the wrathful presence in Spain of Edward Woodville, brother to Edward IV's queen and uncle of the missing princes in the Tower, who believes Harry knows far more than he's let on about the princes' fate. Nor is Harry prepared for the brutal crusade by Isabella and her warrior husband, King Fernando, to conquer Granada, last bastion of the Moors. As he's thrust into chaotic bloodshed, he finds himself tested to his limits, forced to keep Woodville at bay even as he must find some means to thwart Columbus' influence over Isabella.
Young excels in her skilled juxtaposition of the brothers, depicting the stark contrast between the serpentine intrigue of Medici Florence with the squalid tumult of the Catholic war against the infidel, which ended 300 years of Islamic dominion in Spain. Harry's ferocious determination to be better than what he is opposes Jack's insidious doubts about everything he thinks he knows. Scenes alternating between each brother allow for a compelling view of their struggles.
Unlike the first entry, COURT OF WOLVES maintains a tight hold on its POV, with only a few incidences featuring secondary characters. When these appear, they are very well done. Pope Innocent offers a chilling example of Vatican corruption, and Lorenzo's cold-blooded machinations are both admirable and fearsome. Young weaves her complex story with ease, never losing sight of its main threads. The scenes set in Spain are particularly gripping; we tend to forget how brutally uncertain the crusade to conquer Granada was, and how much it cost those caught up in it.
This is historical fiction at its finest, captivating and unique, weaving a fictional tale into actual events that captures the imagination. Once started, it's impossible to put down. I'm eager to read the third installment when it releases.
September 14, 2018
This astonishing and entertaining book is the 2nd volume of the wonderful "New World Rising" trilogy from the author Robyn Young.
At first I like to mention that the historical details concerning this tale has been thoroughly researched and greatly implemented within the story by the author, and they are very well explained within the Author's Note which you can find at the end of the book, which also includes a Characters list with real historical and fictional figures as well as a Bibliography.
At the beginning of the book you'll notice two well-drawn maps, one of Andalusia of AD 1485, and one of Florence of AD 1485, because these two areas will feature very prominently within this fascinating story.
All the characters, whether they are real historical or fictional ones, come vividly to life within this tale in their own lifelike fashion and surroundings, especially Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand of Granada but most of all Lorenzo de' Medici and his extensive family, and Brotherhood which is called the "Academy", and not to forget a certain man who will also play an important part is called Christopher Columbus, a man who has his sight and dreams on the west.
Storytelling is of a top-notch quality, from an author who has the ability to make this once again a gripping tale of real human emotions, actions and devotions, especially when power and control comes to the forefront, followed closely with loyalty, betrayal, heroics and backstabbing.
The story continues as from AD 1485, now with King Henry VII of England on the throne, and its from that moment that we will follow our main fictional character James "Jack" Wynter, bastard son of Sir Thomas Vaughan, on his journey and exploits that will take him to Florence, to the Palazzo de' Medici and its ruler Lorenzo, Il Magnifico, and opposing Lorenzo de' Medici is a fierce lethal group who call themselves the "Court of Wolves".
What will follow is a most compelling historical story of political intrigue, where corruption is rife, and where in this world of mystery and war Jack has to decide which path to choose if he's to survive this dangerous world where power and murder is common, and that all for a secret map that will show them the way to a New World in the West.
Very much recommended, for this is another triumph and I look very much forward to its final part, and that's why in my view this book is: "An Astounding Compelling Sequel"!
At first I like to mention that the historical details concerning this tale has been thoroughly researched and greatly implemented within the story by the author, and they are very well explained within the Author's Note which you can find at the end of the book, which also includes a Characters list with real historical and fictional figures as well as a Bibliography.
At the beginning of the book you'll notice two well-drawn maps, one of Andalusia of AD 1485, and one of Florence of AD 1485, because these two areas will feature very prominently within this fascinating story.
All the characters, whether they are real historical or fictional ones, come vividly to life within this tale in their own lifelike fashion and surroundings, especially Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand of Granada but most of all Lorenzo de' Medici and his extensive family, and Brotherhood which is called the "Academy", and not to forget a certain man who will also play an important part is called Christopher Columbus, a man who has his sight and dreams on the west.
Storytelling is of a top-notch quality, from an author who has the ability to make this once again a gripping tale of real human emotions, actions and devotions, especially when power and control comes to the forefront, followed closely with loyalty, betrayal, heroics and backstabbing.
The story continues as from AD 1485, now with King Henry VII of England on the throne, and its from that moment that we will follow our main fictional character James "Jack" Wynter, bastard son of Sir Thomas Vaughan, on his journey and exploits that will take him to Florence, to the Palazzo de' Medici and its ruler Lorenzo, Il Magnifico, and opposing Lorenzo de' Medici is a fierce lethal group who call themselves the "Court of Wolves".
What will follow is a most compelling historical story of political intrigue, where corruption is rife, and where in this world of mystery and war Jack has to decide which path to choose if he's to survive this dangerous world where power and murder is common, and that all for a secret map that will show them the way to a New World in the West.
Very much recommended, for this is another triumph and I look very much forward to its final part, and that's why in my view this book is: "An Astounding Compelling Sequel"!
August 4, 2018
The New World Rising trilogy continues with this immersive, atmospheric adventure set in Florence and southern Spain in the last decades of the 15th century, when everybody wants a piece of the pie they except Christopher Columbus to discover when he sets sail. Beautifully, elegantly written as you'd expect from Robyn Young. Review to follow shortly on For Winter Nights.
August 15, 2019
I truly wanted to love this book. I waited for it to be released. I ordered from TBD rather than wait any longer for it to get to the US market.
I slogged through 219 pages... hoping something would really come together. Nope, it didn’t.
My husband & I loved the TEMPLARS trilogy. We loved the BRETHREN trilogy. We enjoyed the SONS OF THE BLOOD, the 1st in this trilogy. We really wanted to love this one.
So disappointed
I slogged through 219 pages... hoping something would really come together. Nope, it didn’t.
My husband & I loved the TEMPLARS trilogy. We loved the BRETHREN trilogy. We enjoyed the SONS OF THE BLOOD, the 1st in this trilogy. We really wanted to love this one.
So disappointed
September 14, 2018
The second book of the New World Rising Trilogy
From the first book, Sons of the Blood, Henry Tudor defeated Richard III and clinched the most important document – the secret map. Lorenzo de Medici fought against the Popes, who plotted to kill him. The Spanish monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella, crusaded against the Islamic Moors to drive them from All Spain.
James (also known as Jack) Wynter suffered from PTSD, because his father, Sir Thomas Vaughan, was executed by Richard III. His mother was burnt to death inside the house under the order from Pope Sixtus. Jack saw what happened to the princes in the tower. His father’s map was stolen by his horrible half-brother, Harry Vaughan. After being outlawed by Henry VII, Jack moved to the Florentine Republic and met Lorenzo the Magnificent who determined his future.
Henry VII sent Harry Vaughan to Spain on the covert operation – to poach Columbus from Isabella II.
A very stunning novel with espionages in England, Italy and Spain based on the historical event! Robyn Young is on par with Bernard Cornwell!
Caesar 13
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review
From the first book, Sons of the Blood, Henry Tudor defeated Richard III and clinched the most important document – the secret map. Lorenzo de Medici fought against the Popes, who plotted to kill him. The Spanish monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella, crusaded against the Islamic Moors to drive them from All Spain.
James (also known as Jack) Wynter suffered from PTSD, because his father, Sir Thomas Vaughan, was executed by Richard III. His mother was burnt to death inside the house under the order from Pope Sixtus. Jack saw what happened to the princes in the tower. His father’s map was stolen by his horrible half-brother, Harry Vaughan. After being outlawed by Henry VII, Jack moved to the Florentine Republic and met Lorenzo the Magnificent who determined his future.
Henry VII sent Harry Vaughan to Spain on the covert operation – to poach Columbus from Isabella II.
A very stunning novel with espionages in England, Italy and Spain based on the historical event! Robyn Young is on par with Bernard Cornwell!
Caesar 13
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review
September 1, 2018
Loved the first in this series so much, I couldn't wait to read this, and it wasn't a disappointment at all!! A lot of middle books in trilogies can be, but I loved the depth of character, the thoughtfulness of the plot and the colour brought to life in the rich history of fifteenth century Europe, a time of unprecedented change, upheaval and discovery. Can't wait for the third installment!
December 31, 2018
And it appears this will wrap up my reading for 2018 which means it's been - book wise - a pretty good year.
This is the second in Robyn Young's "New World Rising" series and features a cast of what seems like thousands: the Medici's of Florence, King Henry VII, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain, Christopher Columbus, Amerigo Vespucci, and assorted other characters from the Pope down to Katherine of Aragon (who, fortunately is only mentioned in passing). There were times when you almost needed a score card to keep track of who was who!
Central to the plot is a map supposedly showing a new land which some believed to be Atlantis - and of course which turns out to be the so-called "New World" or North America which had been visited before by the Templars, the Vikings, possibly the Chinese, ancient Romans and Phoenicians and perhaps even by the so-called "Lost Tribe" of Israel. In short, before Columbus, a lot of people had been on these shores, but the map and precise directions here form the crux of the story. And, there are also sub-plots involving Harry and Jack Wynter, half-brothers.....a secret society and political maneuvering by a number of people, not to mention a war against the Moors in Spain. Get that score card out to keep track of who's who! Not to mention it will help in figuring out who killed who and who is in love with who.
It's an interesting and fascinating tale, and I just wish there hadn't been the two year wait between the first one and the second one. Hopefully, we'll see volume 3 in 2019 and not 2020!
This book does not stand alone, you will want to read "Sons Of The Blood" before venturing forth into this tale, and with luck, the third volume will come along about the time you finish volume 2.
Well-developed despite all the characters and well-worth your time reading.
This is the second in Robyn Young's "New World Rising" series and features a cast of what seems like thousands: the Medici's of Florence, King Henry VII, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain, Christopher Columbus, Amerigo Vespucci, and assorted other characters from the Pope down to Katherine of Aragon (who, fortunately is only mentioned in passing). There were times when you almost needed a score card to keep track of who was who!
Central to the plot is a map supposedly showing a new land which some believed to be Atlantis - and of course which turns out to be the so-called "New World" or North America which had been visited before by the Templars, the Vikings, possibly the Chinese, ancient Romans and Phoenicians and perhaps even by the so-called "Lost Tribe" of Israel. In short, before Columbus, a lot of people had been on these shores, but the map and precise directions here form the crux of the story. And, there are also sub-plots involving Harry and Jack Wynter, half-brothers.....a secret society and political maneuvering by a number of people, not to mention a war against the Moors in Spain. Get that score card out to keep track of who's who! Not to mention it will help in figuring out who killed who and who is in love with who.
It's an interesting and fascinating tale, and I just wish there hadn't been the two year wait between the first one and the second one. Hopefully, we'll see volume 3 in 2019 and not 2020!
This book does not stand alone, you will want to read "Sons Of The Blood" before venturing forth into this tale, and with luck, the third volume will come along about the time you finish volume 2.
Well-developed despite all the characters and well-worth your time reading.
May 27, 2021
I wanted to like this book, but I have too many issues with it.
As always with Young, the world building is great! Maybe too much so. The book balances on the edge of sacrificing plot for world building. This becomes a problem due to the lack of other catalysts driving the plot forward. It does pick up some pace towards the end. However, by then I've unfortunately already lost interest in the plot.
It doesn't help that Jack is Young's most boring main protagonist ever. He's outright unlikeable and there's even a dog in the story with more personality than him. IMO the story lost its most interesting POV in the first book of the series with Richard III.
I also have one last complaint. I hate how the book changes POV mid chapter. It's unnecessary, confusing and brakes the plot even more it already is.
I still harbor hope that this series will redeem itself in its third and final installment. Because it is a good series! I just feel like it is lost and don't really know where it wants it go in this second book.
As always with Young, the world building is great! Maybe too much so. The book balances on the edge of sacrificing plot for world building. This becomes a problem due to the lack of other catalysts driving the plot forward. It does pick up some pace towards the end. However, by then I've unfortunately already lost interest in the plot.
It doesn't help that Jack is Young's most boring main protagonist ever. He's outright unlikeable and there's even a dog in the story with more personality than him. IMO the story lost its most interesting POV in the first book of the series with Richard III.
I also have one last complaint. I hate how the book changes POV mid chapter. It's unnecessary, confusing and brakes the plot even more it already is.
I still harbor hope that this series will redeem itself in its third and final installment. Because it is a good series! I just feel like it is lost and don't really know where it wants it go in this second book.
February 3, 2020
This is a ok novel, but not as good as the others I've read of the same author. My engagement as a reader, in the protagonists' struggles is not as strong as in the other books. It' not really exciting even though it is a well-written book with a lot of details and depth. It gets better in the second half, but the plot end feels boring and makes earlier parts of the plot feel pointless. 700 pages is probaly too much for this story.
Often the story jumps to something else when something important happens. Not like good cliffhangers, instead it gets more confusing as there is so much context you need to remember. Also swing of the plot feels very predictable, not exactly what's going to happen, but that "now things will get worse for the main characters just because we need some more drama here."
Often the story jumps to something else when something important happens. Not like good cliffhangers, instead it gets more confusing as there is so much context you need to remember. Also swing of the plot feels very predictable, not exactly what's going to happen, but that "now things will get worse for the main characters just because we need some more drama here."
September 26, 2019
I much preferred this book to the first in the series - I’m very glad I downloaded it and persevered.
I also didn’t realise it was part of a trilogy so was hoping to get to the conclusion of the story by the end of this book.
Robyn provides a really good cliffhanger at the end of this book to keep interest in the series going.
I really liked the character development of Jack and it was interesting to read more about renaissance Italy’s history. Robyn’s author note at the end explains how she’s slotted together the history with her fictional account.
I would definitely recommend this book and urge readers to stick with the first one.
I also didn’t realise it was part of a trilogy so was hoping to get to the conclusion of the story by the end of this book.
Robyn provides a really good cliffhanger at the end of this book to keep interest in the series going.
I really liked the character development of Jack and it was interesting to read more about renaissance Italy’s history. Robyn’s author note at the end explains how she’s slotted together the history with her fictional account.
I would definitely recommend this book and urge readers to stick with the first one.
May 17, 2020
This 400 page book took me a month and a half to read. I mention this only to underline how incredibly dull the majority of it is. The plot moves at glacier forming speeds, the protagonists are unlikable and nothing is ever resolved in a satisfactory manner. This is a book that tries to meld historical facts with a individual people's ficticious stories - as with the first book in the series, this unfortunately means that for most of the narrative, absolutely nothing happens.
January 14, 2021
In answer to my question, yes, I should have read Sons of the Blood first. However, while this didn't really detract from the story, I feel I want to read it before the next instalment. This novel was well researched, weaving its way easily between the fortunes of the two brothers with action taking place in the most powerful courts of the age.
September 15, 2018
Great Read
Always a great story .Ready for next adventure of James . When will it be available. Read all of her books now never disappointed.
Always a great story .Ready for next adventure of James . When will it be available. Read all of her books now never disappointed.
June 5, 2021
Fantastic read as usual. I need New World Rising book #3 NOW!
Want to read
August 1, 2018The publication date is postponed to 9 Aug. 2018.
July 30, 2018
I actually squealed when I got the confirmation from Netgalley that I had been chosen to give an impartial review. I had received Sons of the Blood (Book 1) of the series from the publisher on Goodreads for a review so was really, really hoping to get a first look at the second - my wish came true!
I devoured the first book in a weekend and did the same with this one. I fell in love with the action, the storyline, the characters...everything...all over again. Another rollercoaster ride in to early Tudor times and Florentine deception.
You cannot call yourself a true fan of historical fiction until you have read this series - can't wait for the next one
I devoured the first book in a weekend and did the same with this one. I fell in love with the action, the storyline, the characters...everything...all over again. Another rollercoaster ride in to early Tudor times and Florentine deception.
You cannot call yourself a true fan of historical fiction until you have read this series - can't wait for the next one
August 22, 2018
An adventurous novel set in turbulent times . The emerging Tudor dynasty; the court of Medici in Florencevying with the Vatican and the turbulence of Spain ruled by Ferdinand and a Isabella. Europe is on the brink of war. Two half brothers link the story together in their fight against each other, Harry is the “baddie” and Jack/ James his antithesis. The book moves at a steady pace and there is a lot to absorb in its unfolding but paints a clear picture of the times and issues
April 7, 2019
I enjoyed this book, the second in this particular series, though it's not what I call an aeroplane book i.e. easy to pick up and put down. You have to concentrate as the plot is complex, moving between countries and characters, and there are lots of names to get your head around. A couple of exciting passages in between some not quite so exciting but overall a good read - and the end is left pleasingly open for a follow-on !
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews