The Hope of Aferi

The Wolf Queen #1

by Cerece Rennie Murphy

To fight for her future, she must first discover the magic of her past

Once great and powerful sorcerers, the Amasiti were hunted to the brink of extinction by the Hir and his followers. For four hundred years, their legacy faded from memory waiting for the hope of Aferi to be renewed…

In the Land of Yet

At the edge of the Forbidden Forest

A young woman lives alone.

Forced to fend for herself after the brutal murder of her family, Ameenah Yemini has made a life for herself as a master tanner and farmer, only venturing into the world to earn her living then return to the safety and seclusion of her home.

Until a chance encounter brings her work to the attention of the powerful Hir.

And her careful life begins to unravel.

Drawn to the hidden magic that lingers in everything she touches, the new Hir insists on having her for himself, using the people around her to force Ameenah into his grasp.

When she realizes that her greatest enemy may hold the key to a secret she thought lost to her forever, Ameenah is determined to reclaim her stolen past. But, at what cost? As an ancient power waits to be unleashed, Ameenah's choices will make the difference between awakening a new magic or delivering it into the hands of evil.

Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction Fantasy, Young Adult

244 pages, Paperback

First published October 4, 2018

About the author

My name is Cerece Rennie Murphy, but, among my 5 siblings, I am known and teased by my superhero name, Wonder Worry, (and yes, I am a little worried about your reaction to what I just said). While in my youth, I used my superpower to whip minor setbacks into epic tragedies in 60 seconds flat, I no longer have the time to hone the skills I once possessed, which were handed down to me VERY CAREFULLY by my mother and her mother before.

Instead of spending my days imagining worst case scenarios, I am now on the front lines of true disaster prevention – treading the fine line between boo-boos and permanent brain damage, fighting crimes of curiosity, omission, absent-mindedness and sleep deprivation. I carry others down the winding, bumpy road of youth that starts out at the nexus of unique and brilliant but intersects with narcissistic serial killer at some distant point I hope fervently to avoid. As you might have guessed, I am a wife and mother of 2 small children. Luckily, my family lights up the sky so I never stumble too hard or lose my way.

I would lament the luxury of needless worry, but alas, I don’t have the energy. As I write this, I am losing a battle fought between my trusty sponge and a hardened glob of half-eaten cheese that traveled from the kitchen to the living room rug in the palm of a very small, but mischievous hand. Its stronghold on the fibers suggests occupancy of at least 2 days, but I’ll never know for sure. Rather than despair, I’ve chosen to retreat to my keyboard, noting that I have won the war - most of the rug is un-cheesed.

Before I worried. Now, I write.

I look forward to slowly, quietly, in my own shy way, becoming a part of this community. If you would like to get to know me and my work a bit better, you can visit my website at www.cerecerenniemurphy.com

Reviews

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow - I did not see that ending coming! Just finished this imaginative, immersive fantasy - if you enjoy character driven fantasy with a strong female lead (in the vein of Tamora Pierce, Tomi Adeyemi and Robin Hobb) then you'll likely enjoy this book as much as I did. Loved independent farmer/craftswoman & loner Ameenah who is called to a magical destiny that might determine the fate of her world. Beautiful details, exciting action scenes, some light romance (with the swoonworthy Nasir), nice worldbuilding and a chillingly evil villain, as well as some exciting fantasy touches (the terrifying/ally Sri thing!) make this an enjoyable read. Enthusiastically recommended. #TeamSri (I hope that thing comes back in the next book!). Also, I'm a sucker for well-named chapters - loved this artful touch.

[Naleighna Kai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fluid, skillful, beautiful, and powerful. Those four words sum up this author’s writing style. The story blends a perfect parallel in what happens to be our current life ills of with centuries in the future will. The strong female lead, Ameenah, is not only admirable in her vulnerability, but in the steps she takes to find the courage to stand up to an evil waiting to rip their world apart despite everyone, including those she trusts, saying she should give in. Evil, in this story, takes the form of a man, more correctly, a series of men whose need for dominance takes on a clever cloak of peace-keeping and philanthropy—by making the people love them by showing grace and favor. My heart hurt watching the people of that kingdom embrace the lies and actions of a man so cold-hearted that he would use entire groups to bring one woman to her knees.

Ms. Murphy’s world-building is amazing. The place within felt as if it could have existed centuries ago, but it securely is a world that is a future landscape, rich textures of people who are balanced between history, magic, and folklore. The touch of romance is just enough to make our hearts soar and make us feel for a couple whose relationship seems doomed for several reasons—our heroine’s self-discovery and slated destiny, his affiliation with her nemesis, and time. I am waiting with bated breath to see how they are going to navigate the new developments in their lives. One of the most powerful women in this story is the heroine’s mother who exuded a strength and courage that, even in her sacrifice, made the story all the more believable and graceful.

Though the book is part of a growing series, I LOVE the fact that the author knows how to end the current book without leaving the reader hanging or forcing us to wait a kabillion years for a sequel to get answers. That’s a skill set that is sorely lacking these days.

[Don Foxe · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Wolf Queen is that fantasy tale that tricks you. In the beginning, Murphy takes her time introducing Ameenah and her world. For those who have years of scene-setting across European backdrops, discovering a new continent with a rich diversity of life and scenery requires this measured approach. Reading becomes education, and I was finding myself enriched and intrigued by this style of world-building.

I am personally not a fan of long narratives, and had a bit of difficulty staying involved during certain parts of the story. I prefer experiencing a story as opposed to being told a tale, but there is so much nuance to Ameenah and her world, without these explanations and insights, the novel could easily have become unwieldy. Thankfully, the wonderful descriptions and interesting characters are brought in often enough to maintain my attention. When action does occur, it comes fast and the frenzy is edge-of-seat reading.

The Wolf Queen’s world could be ours. The clash of powers and the reluctance of good people to act. Like most of us, Ameenah would prefer a simple life. Like the best heroes, forced into the fight, she blossoms. Her enemies are powerful and cruel. Her allies are faithful and flawed. And when she discovers her abilities, we journey from reality to fantasy in a totally believable leap of faith.

I wish we could view Ameenah through the eyes of more characters. Her development is continual and believable, but lacks some depth. Life changes her. Becoming something more than human changes her. Remaining true to her people and her duties anchors her. I want to know more.

A strong female protagonist surviving an exotic world filled with conflict that ebbs and grows over time. Love lost and found. Alliances built. A kingdom defended. Magic weaved throughout the tapestry without overpowering human nature.

The Wolf Queen is easily five stars. The things I would prefer did not prevent me from enjoying every bit of the read. It has enough traditional fantasy elements for the die-hard, and more than enough unique twists for the romantic-history fan.

[Nay Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read 9/19/20

This re-read was epic, my thoughts are coming shortly...

-----------------------------------

Received a copy for review from the author.

I am not new to Cerece Rennie Murphy's writing. I have read her Order of the Seers trilogy and I adored that trilogy. I was excited to see that she had another book that I could dive into. Her writing is still flawless to me. She always has a way of pulling me into the world she creates and making me fall in love for each character. I adored the magic system and different groups within this novel.

Ameenah is a strong-willed girl that grew up independent. She learned things on her own and didn't care much for help. She not only knew magic, but she was also wise in protecting herself and surviving. I like that she didn't slink from danger, but went head first with power. She not only showed strength, but she also opened up her vulnerable side as well. She was well balanced! She was such a strong heroine for me!

I loved that there was a hint of romance thrown in-between all the action that took place. The romance was a sweet addition to the story. It didn't overpower which I actually appreciated a lot more than I thought I would.

This story does have a lot more inner dialogue than I personally care for, but it didn't turn me off as much as I thought it would. The inner dialogue was interesting with all the inner thoughts and motives of the characters which drew me further into the story.

I am excited for the sequel to come out! Recommend!

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story itself is good, it just doesn't feel told well. I think this book hasn't really decided whether it's a folklore/fable story or it's a character driven fantasy. I really want to enjoy Ameenah and Nasir and her pirate friend and Ameenah's development from being a reclusive craftsman to involved in the fate of her people. But the narrative is constantly jumping between the thoughts and minds of characters in a scene. It's both too close and too far away from each character, somehow. Events just sort of chain together in a way that doesn't feel driven by causality. I really like what this story is, I just didn't enjoy reading it at all.

[Seregil of Rhiminee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally published at Risingshadow.

Cerece Rennie Murphy's The Wolf Queen: The Hope of Aferi is a welcome and fresh addition to the epic fantasy genre. I was pleasantly surprised by this novel and was impressed by the story, because it's a skillfully written tale of magic, hope, survival, independence, identity and freedom that has the power to mesmerise a wide range of readers.

I found this novel to be a rich and rewarding reading experience, because the author has created an immersive story that is filled with details and has plenty of subtext. I was especially taken by the author's way of writing about the world, because she succeeded in creating a rich and vibrant fantasy world that feels alive. She also wrote fluently about the protagonist, Ameenah, whose life is put into turmoil when she is drawn towards an ancient and hidden magic.

Here are a few words about the story:

This novel begins with Aferi, the last sorcerer of Elan, telling about the Amasiti, their way of life and the fall of the city of Elan. This strong prologue paves the way for what is to follow and introduces readers to the fantasy world. After the prologue, the events skip ahead four hundred years and the story centers around a young woman called Ameenah Yemini. Ameenah lives on the edge of the Forbidden Forest and tends to her farm. She also works as a master tanner whose work is adored and respected by tradesmen. One day, a wolf draws her attention to the Forbidden Forest and she enters it. What she encounters there leaves her wondering many things. Soon, she is visited by the evil ruler Hir who becomes interested in her and seems to want her fully for himself...

In fear of revealing major spoilers, I won't write more about what happens in the story, but I can mention that the unfolding story is fascinating and the ending leaves the reader wanting more.

The characterisation works well in this novel, because the author writes fluently about Ameenah and her life. Ameenah is a young woman who finds herself drawn to the hidden magic that lingers around her. She finds out that there are powers in the world that have not vanished, but have been kept hidden. She also has to face the Hir who has his own agendas concerning her.

The author writes intriguingly about the aspects of the story that are connected to Ameenah and the Hir, because Ameenah is not willing to have anything to do with the Hir, because she knows him to be evil, but has to endure certain things despite her feelings. Ameenah's inner struggle is handled well, because she knows that the things she must do may be dangerous.

When I began to read this novel, I noticed that the author writes captivatingly about things related to heritage, past and history. Her interest in history and heritage can clearly be seen in the story, because it's filled with minor details that add depth to the world. It was interesting for me to read about how she wrote about a woman's place in the word, because it reflects how our world has been and still is in some countries.

The worldbuilding is captivating and immersive. The world is based on the culture, language and traditions of the ancient northeast Africa (the African influences can be found throughout the story). The author writes excellently about the Amasiti, their powers and their connection to the God Amalaki. She also does an excellent job at gradually delivering information about the world and maintaining a sense of mystery regarding certain things.

The magic in this novel is fascinating, because the author explores female divinity and elemental magic, and writes about how magic manifests itself in Ameenah's life. The Amasiti have great powers that are connected to nature and all living things. They're healers and can help many people, but their powers can also be used to do evil things. The author's approach to magic feels delightfully mysterious, because she doesn't reveal everything at once.

I give this novel five stars on the scale from one to five stars, because it's an original and entertaining fantasy novel. I'll soon read the sequel (The Wolf Queen: The Promise of Aferi), because I want to find out how the story continues.

Cerece Rennie Murphy's The Wolf Queen: The Hope of Aferi is one of the most captivating fantasy novels I've read this year. It's not your normal kind of epic fantasy fiction, but something deeper and more meaningful. Although this novel has easily recognisable epic fantasy elements, it feels fresh and utterly compelling. I sincerely hope that readers will find this novel, because it's something different.

[Fiona Titchenell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Basics:

A powerful group of sorcerer women called the Amasiti once lived in the Land of Yet, helping the people around them with their healing, life-giving magic. That was long ago, but just as the Land of Yet is on the brink of civil war between a power-mad Hir and the people he has long abused and neglected, a reclusive young woman named Ameenah discovers that the legacy her mother left her may be older and more important than she ever imagined.

The Downside:

The plot of The Wolf Queen is slow to start, which is okay, given the richness of the opening worldbuilding, but it’s also fairly slight when it arrives. Even when Ameenah is given what seems to be an impossible task, she completes it almost immediately with luck rather than any steps of problem-solving. There are also the standard fantasy themes of the past being an ideal to return to, and of a person’s blood and gender and foretold destiny determining their potential, rather than their choices and efforts.

The Upside:

In spite of how little actually happens in it, The Wolf Queen is an engaging read from start to finish. Ameenah is coolly steadfast in her innate knowledge of her possession of herself, in the face of an entire country’s gaslighting insistence that she owes herself to the Hir, to the resistance, or to the false fairytale that both have spun around her. The setting stands out from the usual medieval-Europe fantasy backdrop, featuring magical creatures based on gazelles and secondary characters who’ve escaped from the nightmare of diamond mines. While traditional in some places, the themes also touch on the range of different kinds of power, and how those that are less violent, more constructive, and easier for the unscrupulous to co-opt and take advantage of aren’t necessarily weaker or less admirable.

Altogether a unique escape into a magical world that comes alive almost from the first page.

(This review and others originally posted on fjrtitchenell.weebly.com)

[Hans Cummings · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is much to enjoy with this novel: the world building, the protagonist, the pacing. It's well done and enjoyable. I was invested in Ameenah's story and enjoyed her as a protagonist. We don't often see fantasy fiction that's not based on a strictly western European frame of reference and that was very refreshing.

I did have one issue with the novel thought that I found jarring, and I don't know if it was a deliberate choice or a failure of editing: the point-of-view switching. This novel has point of view switches in the middle of sections, sometimes for just a paragraph. Yet, it is not written in a third-person omniscient point of view, so it's very jarring to suddenly be in another character's head when just a sentence before you were following along Ameenah's 3rd-person limited point-of-view. Unlike just about every other novel I can think of, there were no section breaks or any sort of indication that this was going to happen, leaving me confused the first several times it happened.

There are many ways to write a novel. There are many ways to tell a story. Perhaps, this particular technique is simply unfamiliar to me. It is different than anything else I've read and I'm not certain that I particularly like the technique. However, once I figured out that I needed to watch for it, it did not impede my enjoyment of the story too much; it's still a solid fantasy novel with vivid descriptions, an intriguing plot with good worldbuilding, relatable and believable characters, and a great pace.

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Wolf Queen is a young adult fantasy novel about a young woman named Ameenah who keeps to herself at the edge of the Forbidden Forest. She's a tanner and a farmer, and she sells her goods in the market in a city called Djobi. It's there that her carefully crafted loner life begins to crumble.
I honestly don't know what to say about this book except "Wow!"
The cover is stunning. The world-building and imagery crafted by the words is beautiful and magical. Ameenah is a strong, wonderful character you can easily get attached to. Everything about this story is fantastic.
The plot is paced nicely, and while I did keep going back to the map on occasion to make sure I could keep track of where the action was taking place, it's not really necessary. The world is immersive, and at times I wished I could live there.
One of my favorite things about the book was Ameenah's friend, Oorala, and her "pet lizard" Benbe. I immediately found myself drawn to them when they were introduced, and I'm really hoping for more of them in book two.
The Hir is easy to hate on. Evil. Nasty. Power-hungry. Couldn't stand him.
If you enjoy YA fantasy with strong female heroines, a hint of romance, lots of action, and amazingly vivid world-building, you'll want to get a copy of The Wolf Queen today.
5 stars!

[Allison Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is exactly the kind of book I would love to to see in my query inbox! It's got everything I adore—a strong, female character, lovely worldbuilding diversity, and, of course, wolves. (Side note: I don't usually like prologues, but this one was fantastic.) This is a character-driven story, and even though the pacing was slow, I enjoyed every page because Ameenah is such a refreshing protagonist. She just wants to be left alone to her little farm beside the forbidden forest, but her friends, her enemies, and even the forest spirits won't leave her be.

One thing I don't think works well is the point-of-view switching. The majority of the story is narrated from Ameenah's perspective, but occasionally, a paragraph will swap to someone else's. I wouldn't mind this if there was a narrative purpose to it, but I don't feel like it added anything. In fact, at one point, when it switched to the villain's perspective, it distracted me from feeling Ameenah's fear and uncertainty, because suddenly I knew exactly what the Hir was thinking. I wanted to be more afraid of the Hir than I was. Ameenah always seemed to escaped his clutches without much issue.

The quality of the writing itself is so good! Murphy has a command of prose and knows how to tell a riveting story. The ending was glorious, though it doesn't feel complete. Thankfully, there's a book 2.

[Leslee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read both books in this series and I definitely recommend reading both to get the full story. The first book ends in such a surprising (an interesting) state of things that I immediately reached for the second book to see how Ameenah would cope with it. I believe it was a surprise to her as much as the reader!

This first book spends a great deal of time setting the stage and introducing Ameenah, her world, and the characters in her life. She has friends who care for her, but she keeps them at a distance. It becomes apparent that she is destined for something important, but she pushes the responsibility away. The reasons for this are explained later, but it makes for an interesting moment when a certain package arrives from the bad guy (the Hir). The contents of this package, and its affect on Ameenah, kick the story into high gear. At this point she must take action, with no turning back.

Many wonderful characters are introduced in this first book, but they really blossom in the second book which allows them to take a bigger part in the story and have some character development of their own. No character is wasted from the first to second book. That's why I recommend reading both books in the Wolf Queen duology. Altogether it is an absorbing and satisfying story!

[D.K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Wolf Queen: The Hope of Aferi," tells the compelling story of Ameenah Yemini, who leads an isolated life on the edge of a forbidden forest. After a journey to sell her merchandise, a soldier is particularly interested in one of Ameenah's items. Soon after, the newly appointed Hir arrives with a handful of soldiers at her home, presumably en route to another destination. The Hir is immediately captivated by Ameenah, though her heart secretly belongs to someone else, feelings she has never dared to express.

Following Hir's visit, which she suspects hides ulterior motives, Ameenah's life unravels. She uncovers secrets about her past, including potential blood ties to the Amasiti, a magical people. As these revelations come to light, Ameenah's quiet existence is thrown into turmoil, setting the stage for an epic tale of self-discovery and adventure.

This is a beautifully written fantasy that Cerece Rennie Murphy has crafted and one of the best books I've read this year. I will definitely get my hands on the sequel. I highly recommend that you read it.

[Natasha Clark-French · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book hooked me right away. It was beautifully written and the character arc was well defined. I love Ameenah. She's strong with the perfect mix of humble/confident and she has a depth of loyalty that I admire. The world building is magical while completely believable. Some of the political stuff left me a bit bored and sleepy but it picked up quickly. I can't wait to experience more of this world and see where the story goes. I haven't had nearly enough of it.
I'll definitely continue this series and I highly recommend it to fellow readers.

*I volunteered to read and honestly review a Kindle copy of this book*

[Cecelia Isaac · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was our March/April 2020 Book of the Month selection. Read our full review on F-BOM.com: https://f-bom.com/2020/03/01/the-wolf...

"When you start reading The Wolf Queen you immediately know you are reading something special. Murphy takes her time telling this story and you must sit back and relish it. The pace is gentle, making the sweeping plot all the more jarring when it sweeps your feet right out from under you. The story begins with a prologue entitled The Fall of Elan, and I found myself holding it in my mind as I read through The Wolf Queen trying to piece it all together."

[Jami Wilkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought both books in the series when I came across Cerece’s booth at Comic-Con in Baltimore, Md. When I tell you that finishing this amazing story was thrilling and exciting but also saddening that it had to come to an end. I even let my coworker borrow it after talking about it non stop. The strength, the challenges, the entire plot. I loved everything about these books. This story made me fall in love with the characters and feel like I could do anything under sun. The way the Cerece takes you on this unforgettable journey and epic battle. No one will regret reading this.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lost in world of magic

Page turner alert! Warning- if you have important things to do don’t start this book! You’ll come down with a serious case of letting stuff go so you can read. The heroine and the story of her lineage is fascinating and riveting. The last scene was a stunning development I didn’t see coming. OMG. Looking forward to the second book sooo much!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I met Cerece Rennie Murphy at Balticon 53 and purchased this book. Best purchase ever 👌. Aferi finds that her beauty is not her only power. A magical matriarchal society the Amasiti is a forbidden long lost magic from 400 years ago. Aferi lives on the edge of the Forbidden Forest in the land of Yet. The Hir is out to conquer the Yet. I can't wait for the next of the series

[Jaycee Jarvis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meena is an amazing character--interesting and relatable and flawed all at once. I loved her independent life and the people she surrounded herself with. The world building in this novel is also second to none, with a complex history and dazzling magic system. My only complaint is that the book leaves me eager for more--I want book 2 right now!!!

[Mystie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Instinctively a wonderful voice inside my head told me to not start Book 1 until I had Book 2 in hand. Thankfully it was not a long wait for me and it was the BEST decision ever. Not only will this book steal you away, and make you forget everything else going on, but it gives you an ending that will leave you instantly craving more!
I finished this in a day around my job, it was just that good.

It is a beautiful coming of age story, with a new world filled with strong characters that create a place made to keep your imagination swirling in happiness. The world building is incredible, and you meet a young woman who is already stronger than she knows, but who also has this secret life hidden away waiting for the right time to just come out.

The backstories also give you just enough context to make you keep wondering and reading, all into the night. Strong female characters, surrounded by men who support without stifling them, and a villain who keeps things interesting.
I have no regrets reading this one, other than I wish I could go back in time and give it to a younger me.
Very much recommend this one and trust me...get book 2 the same time you get book 1.

[Raewynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book by Cerece Rennie Murphy that I have read BUT, it won't be the last.

I must admit that the first little bit was a bit of hard going but, once I got into the story, it was great.

Can't wait to read more.

[Christine Pauls · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, Wow, Wow!

As I’ve enjoyed Order of the Seers and To Find You, this was even more astounding. This read like cinema and I was truly in awe of how the story captivated me. I enjoyed it immensely. Bravo, Cerece! I hope the journey of The Wolfe Queen continues.

[CR · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW this was so amazing! This ending was like out of nowhere I didn't see it coming and I am so glad that I have book two!! I die hard love these and am so glad I have them! If you haven't read this you need to ASAP!

[Abey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a amazing book. Short fantasy book that has interesting world building. An amazing plot. Very easy to understand and love the main character in her journey. I cant wait to read the 2nd book and more from this author

[J. Else · Rating 4 out of 5]

The narrative is a bit heavy on the telling side to start but its a rich world to dive into. Intriguing adventure with an independent female lead and a secret power. I look forward to the next book.

[Raven · Rating 4 out of 5]

My only complaint is that I wish it were longer.

[Gggggggggg · Rating 4 out of 5]

gggggooood

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing! I can't wait to read the conclusion.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this fantasy tale and look forward to the next book in the series.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely imaginative. Great world building. Interesting characters. Intriguing plot.

[Nicole Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cerece Rennie Murphy is my favorite author of late. She weaves a magical tale that is as magnetic as the powers of the young main character, Ameenah. I am about to read book 2.