What do you think?
Rate this book
The Caledon Saga #3
Lion Cub
Lucius Dessida, the only son of Rhianwyn, has lived among the Gaians for nine years in a bid to maintain the Caledon’s peace, though his dual heritage means life in Tamora is more complex than he had thought. But Lucius’ city worries will soon be put into harsh perspective. Prosperity breeds envy, and easy times breed complacency, and the rich lands of the Caledon offer a ripe target to those who simply take what they want.
Winds of war blow from the north, and Merian of the Gorvicae will be first to feel their chill. The brutal Sarracs have attacked without warning, and Taliesyn seems content to leave the frontier to its own defences. With the Wildcat far away and her own chieftain unwilling to help, Merian may be forced to look elsewhere for aid…
Winds of war blow from the north, and Merian of the Gorvicae will be first to feel their chill. The brutal Sarracs have attacked without warning, and Taliesyn seems content to leave the frontier to its own defences. With the Wildcat far away and her own chieftain unwilling to help, Merian may be forced to look elsewhere for aid…
737 pages, Paperback
Published July 12, 2018
16 people want to read
About the author
J.P. Harker
8 books26 followersI often see author profiles that talk about being lifelong storytellers and coming up with wild ideas since they were kids. It'd be nice to say that of me, but that's not how it went.
When I was about eighteen a friend asked me, out of the blue, to help write some stories for a comic book he was working on and, while it never came to anything, trying it made me realise this was something I enjoyed.
I then spent many years intermittently trying to write books and short stories, none of which were particularly good and most of which were pretty half-hearted.
In 2014 I decided to have a proper go of it and wrote a massive tome that was far too long and bulky to publish, but which at least had the makings of a decent book. I hacked at it, abandoned it, came back to it again, abandoned it again etc, and eventually came up with my first fantasy novel.
Since then I've been writing and learning as I go along. 7 books out so far - hopefully there will be many more to follow, and each one better than the last.
Happy reading - share and enjoy!
PS - Cymru am Byth!
When I was about eighteen a friend asked me, out of the blue, to help write some stories for a comic book he was working on and, while it never came to anything, trying it made me realise this was something I enjoyed.
I then spent many years intermittently trying to write books and short stories, none of which were particularly good and most of which were pretty half-hearted.
In 2014 I decided to have a proper go of it and wrote a massive tome that was far too long and bulky to publish, but which at least had the makings of a decent book. I hacked at it, abandoned it, came back to it again, abandoned it again etc, and eventually came up with my first fantasy novel.
Since then I've been writing and learning as I go along. 7 books out so far - hopefully there will be many more to follow, and each one better than the last.
Happy reading - share and enjoy!
PS - Cymru am Byth!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 8, 2020
Buddy read with Cat (BrewsandReviews)! Still such a fun series to read together.
Lion Cub occurs several years after the events of Leaping Wolf. We mostly focus on Lucius/Lucan (the son of Rhianwyn), as well as a new character, Merian. Lucius has been living among the Gaians (and making poor choices, my goodness). Merian is one of the Gorvicae and must seek help when her people are attacked by the Sarracs (I think they're basically Vikings?).
HOLY TWISTS AND TURNS BATMAN! You'd think that, given how the previous books have been, I'd be prepared for this by now. But no. This series really keeps me on my toes! There are several shocking events that made me feel all the feels here. I really liked our new character Merian - she's very honorable and is trying to save her people. I appreciated how she's not necessarily comfortable with battle, but she does what she must. The battle scenes continue to be wonderful. J.P. Harker's writing is such that I can really picture what's going on. We do get to see more development with sorcery and the magic of the Druids in here, so that was fabulous.
The beginning of the book was uncomfortable to read at times. Lucius has been spending too much time with the Gaians! We definitely experience the hedonistic lifestyle of the Gaians (for example, there's basically a sex club that Lucius and his friends go to). Lucius is definitely an entitled jerk at the beginning of the book, but I'm pleased with his character development overall. He also has a very uncomfortable love interest. Now all this being said, I think we're intended to be uncomfortable with these particular scenes - it's definitely a stark contrast to the tribes of the Caledon. I certainly felt like the Gaians were hypocritical for thinking that they're superior when they're clearly not as noble as many of our characters of the Caledon.
While I do think that Leaping Wolf has been my favorite of the books so far, I still had a fantastic time with Lion Cub. I definitely recommend this series as a whole (though certainly be aware that this can be brutal at times). I absolutely can't wait for the next book!
Lion Cub occurs several years after the events of Leaping Wolf. We mostly focus on Lucius/Lucan (the son of Rhianwyn), as well as a new character, Merian. Lucius has been living among the Gaians (and making poor choices, my goodness). Merian is one of the Gorvicae and must seek help when her people are attacked by the Sarracs (I think they're basically Vikings?).
HOLY TWISTS AND TURNS BATMAN! You'd think that, given how the previous books have been, I'd be prepared for this by now. But no. This series really keeps me on my toes! There are several shocking events that made me feel all the feels here. I really liked our new character Merian - she's very honorable and is trying to save her people. I appreciated how she's not necessarily comfortable with battle, but she does what she must. The battle scenes continue to be wonderful. J.P. Harker's writing is such that I can really picture what's going on. We do get to see more development with sorcery and the magic of the Druids in here, so that was fabulous.
The beginning of the book was uncomfortable to read at times. Lucius has been spending too much time with the Gaians! We definitely experience the hedonistic lifestyle of the Gaians (for example, there's basically a sex club that Lucius and his friends go to). Lucius is definitely an entitled jerk at the beginning of the book, but I'm pleased with his character development overall. He also has a very uncomfortable love interest. Now all this being said, I think we're intended to be uncomfortable with these particular scenes - it's definitely a stark contrast to the tribes of the Caledon. I certainly felt like the Gaians were hypocritical for thinking that they're superior when they're clearly not as noble as many of our characters of the Caledon.
While I do think that Leaping Wolf has been my favorite of the books so far, I still had a fantastic time with Lion Cub. I definitely recommend this series as a whole (though certainly be aware that this can be brutal at times). I absolutely can't wait for the next book!
May 13, 2020
I was sent this book by the author for review.
This book was such a ride! I fee like all I can say is to expect the unexpected, as there are so many twists and turns in Lion Cub that I couldn't predict what would happen next.
There was a large time skip between this book and the previous one, and the beginning of the book was predominantly set in Gaian society. Personally, I didn't love the sections in Tamora because the way that the Gaians and people there would act was less than honorable - but I think that the story was well written to make me feel that way, particularly acting as a contrast after the previous book made me love Lurian society. I was definitely more invested in Merian's story than Lucan/Lucius', but it was so interesting to see his journey in the book. I was definitely not expecting the developments his character took and my feelings towards his character were flip-flopping all over the place (in a good way).
The end of Lion Cub was great, with another awesome battle to add to the list. I'm really enjoying reading about the magic that we still don't know the full extent of too. I'm now just really intrigued and eagerly waiting for the next book!
This book was such a ride! I fee like all I can say is to expect the unexpected, as there are so many twists and turns in Lion Cub that I couldn't predict what would happen next.
There was a large time skip between this book and the previous one, and the beginning of the book was predominantly set in Gaian society. Personally, I didn't love the sections in Tamora because the way that the Gaians and people there would act was less than honorable - but I think that the story was well written to make me feel that way, particularly acting as a contrast after the previous book made me love Lurian society. I was definitely more invested in Merian's story than Lucan/Lucius', but it was so interesting to see his journey in the book. I was definitely not expecting the developments his character took and my feelings towards his character were flip-flopping all over the place (in a good way).
The end of Lion Cub was great, with another awesome battle to add to the list. I'm really enjoying reading about the magic that we still don't know the full extent of too. I'm now just really intrigued and eagerly waiting for the next book!
August 21, 2018
Lion Cub blew me away. This one was probably the most intense of the saga. Not just because of the battle scenes, but because of the emotion behind the plot twists, and the way Harker showed us, as readers, the hard realities of the morality of the different sets of people in the Caledon world.
Not only were we brought back to the world, and story, of Wildcat and Leaping Wolf (Gawan), but we were taken to a new world of Tamora. Yes, we had been there before with Rhia (Wildcat), but times had changed. The people had changed. The reputations and principles of the people in this highly civilized city were constantly brought in to question, and compared to the brutal ways of the Sarracs, an inhumane tribe of men that enjoyed raping and pillaging while overtaking the land of other tribes.
Lion Cub was about greed, power, and bloodlust. It had a lot more sexuality than I usually like in a book, but it was the way those sex scenes were portrayed that showed the intense power lust and immorality of the two different sets of people in relation to Rhia's, and Gawan's (the honorable Gadarim), people. The Gadarim, and Rhia's tribe, were honorable, respectful people who, even though they weren't as advanced as the Gaians of Tamora, maintained a level of ethics and humanity among themselves.
This book had action, danger, heartache, and scandal. It was full of battle scenes, both emotional and physical. It was intense and thought provoking, and completely unpredictable! It was a long one for sure, but it never felt like it dragged, and Harker still managed to include history from the first two books in a way that tied in with the story. The Caledon Saga has been insanely powerful and has not lost its drive! I'd recommend the whole series at this point to anyone who enjoys epic stories like The Mists of Avalon. And, though I have not read or watched Game of Thrones, I do believe those fans of GOT would love this series as well!
Thank you to the author for sending me this free copy in exchange for my honest review!
Not only were we brought back to the world, and story, of Wildcat and Leaping Wolf (Gawan), but we were taken to a new world of Tamora. Yes, we had been there before with Rhia (Wildcat), but times had changed. The people had changed. The reputations and principles of the people in this highly civilized city were constantly brought in to question, and compared to the brutal ways of the Sarracs, an inhumane tribe of men that enjoyed raping and pillaging while overtaking the land of other tribes.
Lion Cub was about greed, power, and bloodlust. It had a lot more sexuality than I usually like in a book, but it was the way those sex scenes were portrayed that showed the intense power lust and immorality of the two different sets of people in relation to Rhia's, and Gawan's (the honorable Gadarim), people. The Gadarim, and Rhia's tribe, were honorable, respectful people who, even though they weren't as advanced as the Gaians of Tamora, maintained a level of ethics and humanity among themselves.
This book had action, danger, heartache, and scandal. It was full of battle scenes, both emotional and physical. It was intense and thought provoking, and completely unpredictable! It was a long one for sure, but it never felt like it dragged, and Harker still managed to include history from the first two books in a way that tied in with the story. The Caledon Saga has been insanely powerful and has not lost its drive! I'd recommend the whole series at this point to anyone who enjoys epic stories like The Mists of Avalon. And, though I have not read or watched Game of Thrones, I do believe those fans of GOT would love this series as well!
Thank you to the author for sending me this free copy in exchange for my honest review!
November 25, 2018
Woww this book is something else.
December 11, 2019
Trigger warnings for rape and violence.
The events of Lion Cub take place about 15 years after Leaping Wolf. Lucan has been living in Tamora with his Gaian aunt for the past nine years. Rhia is still leading the Caderyn and the Caledon. Gawan is an ornery old man. The Gorvicae are being overrun by Sarracs, who are butchering their people and taking their land while Taliesyn is holed up in his longhall with his cohort of the Dragon legion, like.. scared of his own shadow at this point, refusing to acknowledge this problem or offer aid to his people.
As usual, this book is told through multiple perspectives, mostly that of Lucan, a young Gorvicae girl called Merian, and Agmund, the leader of the Sarrac raiders. There were a few others, but these were the main ones.
So, all of the books deal heavily with war. The first two felt like they dealt a lot with different aspects of tribal politics, but I feel like this one seemed to deal heavily with sex and how it's viewed in different groups? Like, not so much with like the Caledon tribes because the way they view it has kind of been talked about in previous books. But like how the raiding Sarracs and the Gaians do.
The Sarracs are invading Gorvicae lands and taking cities trying to work their way toward the capital. So they are also taking any Gorvicae women they can back to their camp for all the warriors to have their way with. I don't recall this being a thing that any of the Caledon tribes practiced, at least not so notably and brutally, if at all. I want to say that maybe they aren't like this in their everyday, regular, not-raiding lives, but idk, they're a bad bunch. And Agmund wants the Gorvicae girl he took in battle to bear him strong sons, so they are probably awful all the time and not just sometimes.
The Gaians seem to be pretty free sexually, so long as their first time is with someone on equal standing to them, then they are free to do whatever with almost whoever. Like, Lucan and his friends frequent this sex club type place, but cannot partake of all of it's pleasures until they have been with someone of equal standing to them.
So that was all kind of interesting.
Character-wise, I really liked Lucan and Merian. Lucan is waiting for the day he's called back to Bryngarth to fulfill his duties to his people. He really does not seem terribly interested in this, he likes his life in Tamora. He likes his friends and doesn't want to leave his life there behind. It seems like whatever is going on in his life, he always has the little angel on one shoulder and the little devil on the other. He always seems to know what it is he should be doing and what is right, but can't always talk himself out of or resist temptations. He might make some questionable choices in his journey, but overall I think he does the right thing... after a lot of back and forth with himself. He seems to be a natural leader.
Merian is a warrior for the Gorvicae who is battling the invading Sarracs. She has watched many of her fellow tribesman, friends, and loved ones die and is doing whatever she can to help rid her land of them. After going to Taliesyn and telling him of exactly what is happening and why they need aid and getting a mostly unhelpful response, she gets sent to Tamora to go over Taliesyn's head to ask Lucan for help herself. She really seems to rise up to whatever challenge is put in front of her and gives everything her best shot, especially when her people are at risk and even if she's not particularly comfortable with the methods of the plan.
And Sagris. How has that horrible little sorcerer managed to survive three books?! Someone needs to knock him down like six pegs. He's entirely too confident. I can't tell if his little plans go south because unexpected things pop up or if he is planning for every little mishap in whatever it is he's doing in the long term. Whatever is going on, I don't like it.
There is a little bit of a romance in this book, but completely expectedly, none of it is good or happily ever after material.
If I was going to complain about anything, I would say that the beginning felt like it dragged a little bit. Like, all the stuff that was happening in Tamora. It was interesting, but felt long. But that could also be because I like parts dealing with the tribes better than the Gaians. But I did quite like Lucan's friend group, which helped.
Overall, this book was interesting, brutal, heartbreaking. It made me cry twice and I am actually terrified to like any of the characters because things just don't go well for anyone in this series.
I am definitely still excited to continue on with this series and can't wait for the next book!
The events of Lion Cub take place about 15 years after Leaping Wolf. Lucan has been living in Tamora with his Gaian aunt for the past nine years. Rhia is still leading the Caderyn and the Caledon. Gawan is an ornery old man. The Gorvicae are being overrun by Sarracs, who are butchering their people and taking their land while Taliesyn is holed up in his longhall with his cohort of the Dragon legion, like.. scared of his own shadow at this point, refusing to acknowledge this problem or offer aid to his people.
As usual, this book is told through multiple perspectives, mostly that of Lucan, a young Gorvicae girl called Merian, and Agmund, the leader of the Sarrac raiders. There were a few others, but these were the main ones.
So, all of the books deal heavily with war. The first two felt like they dealt a lot with different aspects of tribal politics, but I feel like this one seemed to deal heavily with sex and how it's viewed in different groups? Like, not so much with like the Caledon tribes because the way they view it has kind of been talked about in previous books. But like how the raiding Sarracs and the Gaians do.
The Sarracs are invading Gorvicae lands and taking cities trying to work their way toward the capital. So they are also taking any Gorvicae women they can back to their camp for all the warriors to have their way with. I don't recall this being a thing that any of the Caledon tribes practiced, at least not so notably and brutally, if at all. I want to say that maybe they aren't like this in their everyday, regular, not-raiding lives, but idk, they're a bad bunch. And Agmund wants the Gorvicae girl he took in battle to bear him strong sons, so they are probably awful all the time and not just sometimes.
The Gaians seem to be pretty free sexually, so long as their first time is with someone on equal standing to them, then they are free to do whatever with almost whoever. Like, Lucan and his friends frequent this sex club type place, but cannot partake of all of it's pleasures until they have been with someone of equal standing to them.
So that was all kind of interesting.
Character-wise, I really liked Lucan and Merian. Lucan is waiting for the day he's called back to Bryngarth to fulfill his duties to his people. He really does not seem terribly interested in this, he likes his life in Tamora. He likes his friends and doesn't want to leave his life there behind. It seems like whatever is going on in his life, he always has the little angel on one shoulder and the little devil on the other. He always seems to know what it is he should be doing and what is right, but can't always talk himself out of or resist temptations. He might make some questionable choices in his journey, but overall I think he does the right thing... after a lot of back and forth with himself. He seems to be a natural leader.
Merian is a warrior for the Gorvicae who is battling the invading Sarracs. She has watched many of her fellow tribesman, friends, and loved ones die and is doing whatever she can to help rid her land of them. After going to Taliesyn and telling him of exactly what is happening and why they need aid and getting a mostly unhelpful response, she gets sent to Tamora to go over Taliesyn's head to ask Lucan for help herself. She really seems to rise up to whatever challenge is put in front of her and gives everything her best shot, especially when her people are at risk and even if she's not particularly comfortable with the methods of the plan.
And Sagris. How has that horrible little sorcerer managed to survive three books?! Someone needs to knock him down like six pegs. He's entirely too confident. I can't tell if his little plans go south because unexpected things pop up or if he is planning for every little mishap in whatever it is he's doing in the long term. Whatever is going on, I don't like it.
There is a little bit of a romance in this book, but completely expectedly, none of it is good or happily ever after material.
If I was going to complain about anything, I would say that the beginning felt like it dragged a little bit. Like, all the stuff that was happening in Tamora. It was interesting, but felt long. But that could also be because I like parts dealing with the tribes better than the Gaians. But I did quite like Lucan's friend group, which helped.
Overall, this book was interesting, brutal, heartbreaking. It made me cry twice and I am actually terrified to like any of the characters because things just don't go well for anyone in this series.
I am definitely still excited to continue on with this series and can't wait for the next book!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews