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Imperium Lupi
A decade has passed since the last Howler War and the City of Lupa stands peaceful again under the choking clouds of the Ashfall. The wild hyenas have been conquered, the little beasts remain subdued, and the wolf packs preserve their uneasy oligarchy thanks to the noxious power of imperium. However, new threats fester within the Lupan Wall. There are those who would overturn the rule of the Den Fathers, if not the dominion of wolfkind altogether, by persuasion, murder, even genocide, if that’s what it takes. Imperium Lupi is a gritty, steampunk, fantasy adventure packed with intrigue and flexible morals. The true monsters are not the giant insects that stalk the wild world of Erde, but the beasts who don the mask of civility to cover their crooked convictions. "For the Republic Lupi!"
726 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 17, 2017
27 people are currently reading
104 people want to read
About the author
Adam Browne
2 books28 followersAdam Browne lives and works with his partner in Kent, England. Besides writing, his other pursuits include natural history, human history, futurism, and blocky old video games.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 23, 2018
Am I getting soft with all these 5 star reviews this past month or so? No, I've just been exceedingly fortunate.
This was my first anthropomorphic book since I was a kid obsessed with Redwall. Its premise and good reviews intrigued me but I was a bit stand-offish due to my usual suspicion on steampunk settings. I need not have worried. What 'Imperium Lupi' actually contains is some of the best world building I have ever come across. Fictional racial, regional, political, and class tensions come to the fore in a believable way in a setting as original and creative as any.
The plot is complex and I don't give spoilers so I will speak in the broadest of terms here. There is moral ambiguity and Machiavellian maneuvering. What is unique here, however, is the capturing of the powerful actors on all sides as both scheming and three-dimensional. Some of the most ruthless characters have very admirable qualities, and the more innocent characters sometimes let you down. This level of balance-while maintaining a healthy gray zone around most actors, is what makes even this fantastical setting so believable and worth investing in.
One warning for the sticklers out there, there are sound effects aplenty and an unfortunate tendency for inner dialogue to merge with third person narrative in a way that might make you do a double take at first, but you get used to it. Personally, such things don't really bother me.
I am normally not a person who likes series style fiction, but there were enough loose ends in such a thoroughly detailed setting that I can't help but suspect a sequel could, one day, appear. I would certainly read it were such to be the case. I too want to know what lurks in those dead cities.
P.S. To see how much work went into this world building, you can find concept art by searching online.
This was my first anthropomorphic book since I was a kid obsessed with Redwall. Its premise and good reviews intrigued me but I was a bit stand-offish due to my usual suspicion on steampunk settings. I need not have worried. What 'Imperium Lupi' actually contains is some of the best world building I have ever come across. Fictional racial, regional, political, and class tensions come to the fore in a believable way in a setting as original and creative as any.
The plot is complex and I don't give spoilers so I will speak in the broadest of terms here. There is moral ambiguity and Machiavellian maneuvering. What is unique here, however, is the capturing of the powerful actors on all sides as both scheming and three-dimensional. Some of the most ruthless characters have very admirable qualities, and the more innocent characters sometimes let you down. This level of balance-while maintaining a healthy gray zone around most actors, is what makes even this fantastical setting so believable and worth investing in.
One warning for the sticklers out there, there are sound effects aplenty and an unfortunate tendency for inner dialogue to merge with third person narrative in a way that might make you do a double take at first, but you get used to it. Personally, such things don't really bother me.
I am normally not a person who likes series style fiction, but there were enough loose ends in such a thoroughly detailed setting that I can't help but suspect a sequel could, one day, appear. I would certainly read it were such to be the case. I too want to know what lurks in those dead cities.
P.S. To see how much work went into this world building, you can find concept art by searching online.
April 28, 2024
Imperium is a mineral that contains enormous amounts of energy. At some point in the past, beasts figured out how to harness its energy by burning it. But there’s a catch: the waste it leaves behind is poisonous. It fills the sky with ash that rains down and chokes plant life and blocks the sun. Those living in the city are used to the constant smog, and they even accept it as necessary to enjoy a modern life.
A tiny percentage of the population has a different reaction when exposed to this imperium ash. Trace amounts of the poison build up in the bones, causing “the rot.” This means their bodies do not eject the poison but assimilate it. When exposed to the purest form of the mineral, their muscles take it in and use the energy, giving them strength and agility and the ability to direct the energy inside their bodies, channeling it into lightning strikes.
Each culture has a different name for such people. The wolves call them Howlers. It is great power, but at the price of their health. The black imperium waste accumulates in the bones and slowly kills them. The more they use their abilities, the faster they rot.
The wolves have embraced the power of imperium, and Howlers are recruited from the masses to enforce their laws, as well as bring other races under their control.
The ash from their industrial use of imperium has choked other cultures. It has ruined the land far beyond the wolf empire’s borders. Hyenas and hogs and rabbits do not want the future the wolves are forcing upon them.
_____
That’s just the worldbuilding. The bulk of the book is Wolf Politics™
Game of Thrones but with wolves in the upper echelons of society plotting and scheming to advance within the hierarchy. Everyone is strategically lying, questioning the motives of every action, trading favors with people in high places. Everyone is playing games.
But not every wolf is content with the way things are. Multiple factions are vying for control of the future not just of the government but the use of imperium.
Some whisper of equality between the races. Perhaps wolf dominance is not the natural order of things and other peoples will do just fine without wolves “keeping the peace.”
Some speak that those afflicted with the rot need not be forced into law enforcement—that there could be other uses for this power.
Some Howlers realize they are little more than slaves to a system that oppresses others. They see thousands of bright minds cut short and forced to join the wolf equivalent of the SS when they catch the rot. They believe imperium in its purest form should be distributed equally instead of hoarded by the upper classes to maintain an opulent lifestyle at the expense of the common folk. They want the empire torn down.
Some wolves dare to declare in public that the wolf empire’s treatment of other races is wrong—that wolves demonize hyenas for fighting them only because wolves are polluting their land with the industrial burning of imperium and forcing their ways onto them.
And some want things to go back to the way they were, before the last Howler rebellion, when the upper classes of the wolf empire acted with impunity and did not have to think of the consequences on other races.
Rebellion is brewing, both from below, and from above.
It’s a well-written story that does a fantastic job with its worldbuilding and doesn’t get too bogged down in politics. It has good action, the characters never get lost in the scope of the events, and each subplot is given due attention all the way through to the end.
_____
Now we come to the uncomfortable parts.
So many character arcs I can’t summarize all of them. There are so many no single person can be called the protagonist, but two stand out: Bruno, the emotional center of the story, and Rufus (age ~33), the intellectual Howler who sympathizes with the hyenas and is one of the few to step out in public to condemn his empire’s oppression of them.
Bruno is 16 (the website states he could be 15), and he is packed with muscle. Obviously afflicted with the rot, Rufus has befriended him so he can convince him to join his pack, the Bloodfangs. Bruno is sheltered and naive. His father is trying to hide him from the Howlers and protect him from being recruited, but he can’t hide Bruno forever. Whether he wants to or not, they will get him, and they will turn him into a monster for their own gain.
As for Rufus, he has a reputation among wolves. There’s no other way to put it. He’s a groomer, and I don’t mean that in an in-world sense. Let me explain:
_____
The use of German words to describe everything the wolves do is a little too blunt. Eisenglanz, Freiwolf, Gelb, Polizi. I think more in-world words were possible without resorting to Nazi terminology as a shorthand way to tell the audience we should not sympathize with the wolves or their empire.
In the latter half of the book, characters who had previously been so secretive suddenly become willing to talk about their plans to people they probably shouldn’t. It is quite a shift after the halfway mark, as the big climax approaches, how everyone is suddenly so open about their secret plans.
The final confrontation is a letdown:
_____
So, ahem, while I applaud the author for tackling some very heavy political subjects, I cannot recommend Imperium Lupi due to the undercurrent running beneath it.
A tiny percentage of the population has a different reaction when exposed to this imperium ash. Trace amounts of the poison build up in the bones, causing “the rot.” This means their bodies do not eject the poison but assimilate it. When exposed to the purest form of the mineral, their muscles take it in and use the energy, giving them strength and agility and the ability to direct the energy inside their bodies, channeling it into lightning strikes.
Each culture has a different name for such people. The wolves call them Howlers. It is great power, but at the price of their health. The black imperium waste accumulates in the bones and slowly kills them. The more they use their abilities, the faster they rot.
The wolves have embraced the power of imperium, and Howlers are recruited from the masses to enforce their laws, as well as bring other races under their control.
The ash from their industrial use of imperium has choked other cultures. It has ruined the land far beyond the wolf empire’s borders. Hyenas and hogs and rabbits do not want the future the wolves are forcing upon them.
_____
That’s just the worldbuilding. The bulk of the book is Wolf Politics™
Game of Thrones but with wolves in the upper echelons of society plotting and scheming to advance within the hierarchy. Everyone is strategically lying, questioning the motives of every action, trading favors with people in high places. Everyone is playing games.
But not every wolf is content with the way things are. Multiple factions are vying for control of the future not just of the government but the use of imperium.
Some whisper of equality between the races. Perhaps wolf dominance is not the natural order of things and other peoples will do just fine without wolves “keeping the peace.”
Some speak that those afflicted with the rot need not be forced into law enforcement—that there could be other uses for this power.
Some Howlers realize they are little more than slaves to a system that oppresses others. They see thousands of bright minds cut short and forced to join the wolf equivalent of the SS when they catch the rot. They believe imperium in its purest form should be distributed equally instead of hoarded by the upper classes to maintain an opulent lifestyle at the expense of the common folk. They want the empire torn down.
Some wolves dare to declare in public that the wolf empire’s treatment of other races is wrong—that wolves demonize hyenas for fighting them only because wolves are polluting their land with the industrial burning of imperium and forcing their ways onto them.
And some want things to go back to the way they were, before the last Howler rebellion, when the upper classes of the wolf empire acted with impunity and did not have to think of the consequences on other races.
Rebellion is brewing, both from below, and from above.
It’s a well-written story that does a fantastic job with its worldbuilding and doesn’t get too bogged down in politics. It has good action, the characters never get lost in the scope of the events, and each subplot is given due attention all the way through to the end.
_____
Now we come to the uncomfortable parts.
So many character arcs I can’t summarize all of them. There are so many no single person can be called the protagonist, but two stand out: Bruno, the emotional center of the story, and Rufus (age ~33), the intellectual Howler who sympathizes with the hyenas and is one of the few to step out in public to condemn his empire’s oppression of them.
Bruno is 16 (the website states he could be 15), and he is packed with muscle. Obviously afflicted with the rot, Rufus has befriended him so he can convince him to join his pack, the Bloodfangs. Bruno is sheltered and naive. His father is trying to hide him from the Howlers and protect him from being recruited, but he can’t hide Bruno forever. Whether he wants to or not, they will get him, and they will turn him into a monster for their own gain.
As for Rufus, he has a reputation among wolves. There’s no other way to put it. He’s a groomer, and I don’t mean that in an in-world sense. Let me explain:
_____
The use of German words to describe everything the wolves do is a little too blunt. Eisenglanz, Freiwolf, Gelb, Polizi. I think more in-world words were possible without resorting to Nazi terminology as a shorthand way to tell the audience we should not sympathize with the wolves or their empire.
In the latter half of the book, characters who had previously been so secretive suddenly become willing to talk about their plans to people they probably shouldn’t. It is quite a shift after the halfway mark, as the big climax approaches, how everyone is suddenly so open about their secret plans.
The final confrontation is a letdown:
_____
So, ahem, while I applaud the author for tackling some very heavy political subjects, I cannot recommend Imperium Lupi due to the undercurrent running beneath it.
February 3, 2019
Among the best books I’ve read in years
To be honest, I did not pick up this book with great expectations. Even as a fan of anthro characters, I imagined it would be another entertaining if hollow fantasy adventure to pass the time; a forgettable book. I’m very happy to say that I was completely wrong. Imperium Lupi is an incredible book that is definitely worth your time. I usually split any novel into different components to try and analyze it better, so here it is.
Plot: 9/10. I don’t remember the last time I read a book that handles so many storylines so well. There were moments when there might have been 5 different narratives going on, each following different characters and events, and each engaging and thrilling in their own way. There’s exciting action, complex intrigue, subtle romance, painful suspense and more. It is not easy to keep track of everything, and I sometimes had to backtrack to remember a certain event, but this is a compliment more than a criticism. I can imagine the amount of planning that must’ve gone into every single one of those storylines and I congratulate the author for it; I never would’ve been able to pull it off like he did, even if I felt lost occasionally. But again, the blame is mostly on me.
Characters: 9/10. Although there are heroes and ‘villains’, most characters are complex and end up doing questionable things for certain goals, even the most heroic. There’s some delicious grey morality that makes it almost impossible to label a certain character as ‘good’ or ‘bad’, and I love it (my favorite example of this is Janoah but I won’t say more!) Even the ‘villains’ willing to commit horrible deeds have understandable motives that fuel their hatred. With such a complex story I can’t even tell if there’s a real protagonist, multiple, or none at all; but that just adds to the novel’s originality. Every now and then I had to question a certain action by a character, wondering if maybe there wasn’t a simpler or safer way to reach an objective, but those instances were very rare.
Setting: 10/10. The world of Imperium Lupi is dazzlingly exotic, yet relatable and familiar. Even with giant insects, anthropomorphic animals, and almost-magic abilities, there are parallels to the environmental destruction, racial tensions and inequality that we know so well. After 720 pages I still crave more of this world, its history, religions, etc. Is it fantasy, sci-fi, or steampunk? Even though these tags give an idea of what Erde is like, in reality, it’s an original blend of these elements that feels surprisingly realistic without losing its fantastical appeal.
Writing: 8/10. Overall, the author tells his story very well. I could picture the characters, their actions and the world without much ado, and there are a handful of great quotes and passages. Nonetheless, there was some room for improvement in my opinion. I’m not a big fan of literal sound effects nor exclamation marks in an omnipresent third-person narration, but that’s my personal taste. In my kindle version I counted a total of four typos in the whole book. Considering this is all self-published I won’t be a jerk over it; we all make mistakes and it’s easy to oversee them. At the end of the day, none of these things spoiled my enjoyment in the slightest.
TL;DR: Original, thrilling and addictive, Imperium Lupi is a deliciously intricate story with multiple storylines and complex characters, set in a unique world that’s both exotic and familiar. Even if I personally would’ve changed a few sentences, reading this book has been an amazing experience and I recommend it to anyone who likes smart yet exciting stories. I congratulate the author for the massive amount of love and dedication that clearly went into this novel and I’m eager to see more of his work in the future.
To be honest, I did not pick up this book with great expectations. Even as a fan of anthro characters, I imagined it would be another entertaining if hollow fantasy adventure to pass the time; a forgettable book. I’m very happy to say that I was completely wrong. Imperium Lupi is an incredible book that is definitely worth your time. I usually split any novel into different components to try and analyze it better, so here it is.
Plot: 9/10. I don’t remember the last time I read a book that handles so many storylines so well. There were moments when there might have been 5 different narratives going on, each following different characters and events, and each engaging and thrilling in their own way. There’s exciting action, complex intrigue, subtle romance, painful suspense and more. It is not easy to keep track of everything, and I sometimes had to backtrack to remember a certain event, but this is a compliment more than a criticism. I can imagine the amount of planning that must’ve gone into every single one of those storylines and I congratulate the author for it; I never would’ve been able to pull it off like he did, even if I felt lost occasionally. But again, the blame is mostly on me.
Characters: 9/10. Although there are heroes and ‘villains’, most characters are complex and end up doing questionable things for certain goals, even the most heroic. There’s some delicious grey morality that makes it almost impossible to label a certain character as ‘good’ or ‘bad’, and I love it (my favorite example of this is Janoah but I won’t say more!) Even the ‘villains’ willing to commit horrible deeds have understandable motives that fuel their hatred. With such a complex story I can’t even tell if there’s a real protagonist, multiple, or none at all; but that just adds to the novel’s originality. Every now and then I had to question a certain action by a character, wondering if maybe there wasn’t a simpler or safer way to reach an objective, but those instances were very rare.
Setting: 10/10. The world of Imperium Lupi is dazzlingly exotic, yet relatable and familiar. Even with giant insects, anthropomorphic animals, and almost-magic abilities, there are parallels to the environmental destruction, racial tensions and inequality that we know so well. After 720 pages I still crave more of this world, its history, religions, etc. Is it fantasy, sci-fi, or steampunk? Even though these tags give an idea of what Erde is like, in reality, it’s an original blend of these elements that feels surprisingly realistic without losing its fantastical appeal.
Writing: 8/10. Overall, the author tells his story very well. I could picture the characters, their actions and the world without much ado, and there are a handful of great quotes and passages. Nonetheless, there was some room for improvement in my opinion. I’m not a big fan of literal sound effects nor exclamation marks in an omnipresent third-person narration, but that’s my personal taste. In my kindle version I counted a total of four typos in the whole book. Considering this is all self-published I won’t be a jerk over it; we all make mistakes and it’s easy to oversee them. At the end of the day, none of these things spoiled my enjoyment in the slightest.
TL;DR: Original, thrilling and addictive, Imperium Lupi is a deliciously intricate story with multiple storylines and complex characters, set in a unique world that’s both exotic and familiar. Even if I personally would’ve changed a few sentences, reading this book has been an amazing experience and I recommend it to anyone who likes smart yet exciting stories. I congratulate the author for the massive amount of love and dedication that clearly went into this novel and I’m eager to see more of his work in the future.
December 25, 2018
I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I started this book. I'd seen the artwork of characters before, but finally decided to give it a read. As I reach the end of this tale I find myself extremely full of information to digest about the world, and will be re-reading many times to make sure I didn't miss a detail. I am also very hungry to see more in this setting, especially to see if Rufus can actually get that expedition and search for the cure. The amount of world-building sprinkled over the plot like the eponymous Ashfall certainly gave enough to satisfy for now at least, while I appreciated the juggling of plot threads to the climax and the tying of them all together at the finale. Easily one of my favorite new stories I've read.
July 22, 2019
"Thank you for reading Imperium Lupi, I sincerely hope it was a worthy distraction."
You're most welcome! Splendidly written! It was worth every cent.
I accidentally came upon "Imperium Lupi". I was looking for an Italian novel, using the plural of "wolf" (i) lupi. And here I came across "Imperium Lupi". The cover page is strikingly impressive, should I read it? Why not? It's as if Google Books knew exactly what I wanted. So I bought it. In fact, I was waiting for reWritten in the mail from America, and decided to shorten the long wait. The pictures at Deviantart.com shocked me a bit, I wasn't expecting Linus to look so muscular. But, it does make sense, really.
I just didn't realize what a long book it is! :) But you don't want the book to end either. The characters are drawn from different angles, and as the wolves are promoted one by one, it seems the characters speak to one another in a more informal tone. Why not sooner? It might be because they suddenly share a common enemy/threat and everyone realizes they have to work together more closely?
Fine then, all's well that ends well. The case is closed and everyone is still alive (except for a few insignificant characters). Whether their personalities would change, I seriously doubt it.
Actually everyone wants, in his/her own way, in their short little lives: love, acknowledgement, acceptance, justice, promotion/ascendance (except Rufus)... and an offspring?
Of all the characters, I felt the closest towards Rufus Valerio (I would hang upon his philosophical lips all night long - and swap his wine for lemonade unnoticeably, so long as he's sober and keeps talking). To be overwhelmed by his charisma, his corona - warm, cushy, snug, confident, tranquil, "hygge". Like an electric blanket during winter. And just to get that feeling that someone is really interested in you for just that one given moment - as a best friend, as a being. Unfortunately, my love for Rufus ceased the moment Ivan acknowledged to Gunnar that Rufus writes off his so-called "Betas" the moment his interest is piqued by someone better or new potential (so typical ENFP?). Janoah didn't exaggerate. I even sense a bit of jealousy in Linus's last diary paragraph: "That young Steppes wolf, Tomek is supposed to be there with his pet ant. Rufus is full of praises for him and Sara says he's rather dashing, especially in a hat." Quite coincidentally Rufus joked with Linus: "Rufus winked at him: "Very dashing!" Perhaps I read too much into these words.
Perhaps Rufus is only giving his special attention to the newcomers (taking them under his wing), showing them the ropes, giving them confidence (they are merely struggling to find their feet, but no such thing as being asked to be a Beta), while the older ones feel they have overinvested in this relationship for nothing. Why hasn't anyone seen this pattern before? It will happen again and again? Ah, very well - it doesn't mean I can't swamp him with fan mail every week?
Speaking of which - 'Beta' is a vague term. Are you a mere companion or are there any low favours involved? In what way exactly did Vito abuse Uther? Sexually, verbally, physically, psychologically? Or a little bit of them all?
Nonetheless - this explains why Janoah is just the opposite of her husband. She keeps you at a distance with her sarcasm: she doesn't want to get hurt, but she doesn't want you to get hurt either in the long run. Where elephants dance, the mice are trampled upon. She saw what this has done to the morale of her husband's colleagues. But the problem is - you have to present yourself useful to her, before she might help you. That is the worst kind of INTJ I've ever came across in my life - and I am an INTJ myself!
But still, I see a pattern: Rufus is subconsciously looking for the perfect son/boy; Janoah brags about her trophy child (Rafe Stenton), which she otherwise couldn't have: motherhood. Only the best is good enough for her "cub". But why couldn't they just adopt a "cub"? After all, the Romans did it as well? Or, is it possible that "cubs" could be used as leverage? [*Cubs meaning infants, like Casimir adopted Bruno]
In my moment of trouble or need, I will head straight to Vladimir. Without undue delay.He might bite your head off, but I'd trust him with my life (when he has cooled off). If he likes you, he will move heaven and earth. I much prefer him above Janoah (she might just decide you are of no use to her anymore, at a whim). But just don't get on the wrong side of him - he'll write you off. Even though we don't see much of them, I also trust the friendly Duncan Hummel and the true gentlebeast, Silvermane.
Unfortunately, most of the characters are in their senior years - they are already developed. However, Linus Mills is still young and it is therefore understandable that he, in particular, shows the most development. No wonder he is one of the most loved characters in the story (of what I've seen at the Deviantart.com-poll). He deserves the award for bravery and initiative (Uther should be the one to deserve it, but yes).
But you actually have the most sympathy for Bruno/Rafe Stenton: he didn't ask to be in this world - he was dragged into this mess from the start, and his spirit/intellect has been subdued long before the Howlers got him. When Janoah lied to Vladimir, that Bruno is dead, I thought the whole story has collapsed. But I asked myself: why would a writer pay so much attention to a special character, just to kill it off for fun? Therefore, I kept on reading, and I was not disappointed. But still - despite the pathos - it would be difficult for me to work with Rafe. Someone with such an innocent, childlike heart - he deserves an IQ of 159, nothing less.
And there lies the problem. Do I really like the characters, or do I only pity them?
Yes, Uther is a go-getter, but also a proud, sanguine and shameless hedonist who lives for the moment (probably understandable). I have difficulty with these types (even though they are much needed for comic relief).
As much as I liked the story - I would hardly find a friend in any of them. Probably because I would feel intimidated by these wolves, perhaps because I can't see myself as an apparatchik in such a stiff organisation (and it isn't like they mingle that much with other Freiwolves [except at the Lupanar...]). Where would I find myself in the story? Probably as a character translating or compiling dictionaries. Someone has to develop the vernacular of the hyenas into a scientific language!
____________________
The book was a journey through language as well. I've constantly visited https://www.etymonline.com/ for lesser known words such as "callow" (just one example). I was quite surprised by its Germanic roots. "Callow" shares the same root as 'kaal' ("bald, hairless") in Dutch and German, and "stark naked" in Afrikaans. But in English the meaning has changed to "inexperience" and being "wet-eared".
I was quite impressed by the use of "lupanar", revitalised from the old Latin vocabulary. Lupa is of course a "she-wolf", with the added connotation of a "whore". A lupanar is a brothel.
____________________
The novel is good enough as it is.
But I would improve it in one way: regarding the absence of religion and churches.
Why?
It's just a bit too easy. It clashes with the laws of Spengler. We ourselves see how the wolves cry to a supreme being overnight, in fear. And how much more wouldn't that be true for the poor Little Beasts being suppressed every day of their lives? If they have lost everything, and have no hope for the future, they prepare themselves for a better afterlife. I'm writing from a third world country, so I know.
And how can you play a game of chess without a bishop? :)
I would say: stage a church or religious centre, but completely spontaneous and independent from the government. In real life, there used to be a battle in the 1800s between the church and state (a trope used quite dearly in Die Werwölfe). The government has its own plans, the church has its own crusade. By now it is also general knowledge that in the 1970s The World Council of Churches openly aided anti-Western and anti-Christian (yes, communistic!) Liberation Forces to undermine colonial rule. This same dynamic could've been used in the story. Perhaps there might even be guns deposited in the donation box for the poor, or money collected and sent to THORN?
Of all the characters (except Horst Jaeger, he is the worst!) Tristan is the poorest one. Character can be tested by the available resources, the circumstances and ingenuity. Tristan is just walking around aimlessly, only warns, distributes information from secondary sources, serves as a bargaining chip, but don't do that much - an anti-hero dragged through life with bitterness, the afflictions, etc. etc. For goodness sake, we have the glum Ivan! Do we really need this clone?
No, make a priest of Tristan. Affectionate, the giver of hope, sympathetic towards the Lesser Beasts. Make him the absolute antithesis of the Lupa state apparatus (and the enemy). Give him an enormous amount of charisma. Perhaps he should discharge himself from the Eisbrands after he was miraculously healed in an unexplainable way from the rot. Perhaps he felt called to stay in Lupa, where he is most needed. Of course, this might draw the attention of Dr. Josef Grau, but also the Elders realizing that the power of the tap of the White-Imperium is about to end. Hordes of beasts swamp the church of Tristan for this cure of the unbearable pain (but most won't get it). Thorvald still likes Tristan - maybe because he got cured?
Also, remember a church is a sign of tradition. It has it own archive with information dating back ages (hmmm... how about like the Dead Cities?). The church has its own information network spread across the whole Republic (aha!). Where would we erect Tristan's church? At the Common Ground - next to a Lupanar. Just across ALPHA HQ! (Wow! What a nerve!)
On the other hand, one could've used "Maria" from "Metropolis" (Fritz Lang, 1927) as an example. There are also spies in church. If Janoah shuts the church down, only 500 others pop up (so-called house-churches). Now that is a challenge for her! Just imagine Tristan almost dying a martyr on the torture machine (the rack)? The rage, the anger of the beasts! Or, what if he reaches the next level of consciousness thanks to Josef's contraption?! [I'm inspired by the loaded Jungian individuation symbolism in Madonna's music video "Die another day"]
Yeah right, Suidpunt, but what about all the other religions and beliefs out there? Well, you may have the one main church, or, you can go Dutch (early 1900s): verzuiling [pillarization] (a Catholic only buys from Catholic shopkeepers, Protestants only go to Protestant universities, Socialists only read socialistic newspapers). The epitome of Dutch tolerance. Well then - with so much division among the beasts, you don't need "divide et impera" among the "Little Beasts".
But what wolf members should join? How about Rufus and Linus?
I would say, you don't need to make Rufus a true believer - but at least a deist or ietsist. In that way, he has more leeway. Yes, he is loved by the academy (intelligentsia), yes, the newspapers wrote only the nicest things about him - but how does he get in touch with the Lesser Beasts on their level? How do they know him? On a personal level? On an informal level? The meeting place between "suppressor" and "oppressed"? The church could offer the facilities. And the soapbox for Rufus to vent his frustrations. As a church elder.
After all this fan fiction, we now turn to page 3541... (what? - on Google Play 1776 pages are a piece of cake!)
________________
Just a few questions to the writer (meant for your website, as no one seems to care about asking you any questions):
1. How long did it take to write the book? Clearly, this wasn't written on only one sunny Sunday afternoon?
2. Many writers like writing a series of books (probably for the money, or due to impatience). How did you manage to finish one huge, entire book?
3. Let's be frank: was Uther sexually abused by Vito? Yes or no?
4. Speaking of which - what privileges do Betas have?
5. Who is your most favourite character, and why? (Oh, come on - there must be one?)
6. If you would rewrite the story, what would you change? (Forget my rant above)
7. What process do you use when writing? Do you just roll along, or do you have an ending ready and then refine a twist in the storyline per chapter?
8. Do you ever discuss your book ideas with friends and acquaintances, or is it top secret?
9. It's probably to early to ask, but how many books have been sold?
10. As a character, what would be your occupation in the book?
11. Stings are perfectly illegal if a Howler gives it to someone else, but how about Royal Jelly (as a cure for, e.g., Rufus)? Theoretically, it seems there is a loophole in the legal system - if someone would be so smart to make a synthetic form, or even cultivate it themselves. In other words, if Linus would visit Rufus in the hospital and gave him a bottle of this concoction, nobody would bat as much as an eyelid?
You're most welcome! Splendidly written! It was worth every cent.
I accidentally came upon "Imperium Lupi". I was looking for an Italian novel, using the plural of "wolf" (i) lupi. And here I came across "Imperium Lupi". The cover page is strikingly impressive, should I read it? Why not? It's as if Google Books knew exactly what I wanted. So I bought it. In fact, I was waiting for reWritten in the mail from America, and decided to shorten the long wait. The pictures at Deviantart.com shocked me a bit, I wasn't expecting Linus to look so muscular. But, it does make sense, really.
I just didn't realize what a long book it is! :) But you don't want the book to end either. The characters are drawn from different angles, and as the wolves are promoted one by one, it seems the characters speak to one another in a more informal tone. Why not sooner? It might be because they suddenly share a common enemy/threat and everyone realizes they have to work together more closely?
Fine then, all's well that ends well. The case is closed and everyone is still alive (except for a few insignificant characters). Whether their personalities would change, I seriously doubt it.
Actually everyone wants, in his/her own way, in their short little lives: love, acknowledgement, acceptance, justice, promotion/ascendance (except Rufus)... and an offspring?
Of all the characters, I felt the closest towards Rufus Valerio (I would hang upon his philosophical lips all night long - and swap his wine for lemonade unnoticeably, so long as he's sober and keeps talking). To be overwhelmed by his charisma, his corona - warm, cushy, snug, confident, tranquil, "hygge". Like an electric blanket during winter. And just to get that feeling that someone is really interested in you for just that one given moment - as a best friend, as a being. Unfortunately, my love for Rufus ceased the moment Ivan acknowledged to Gunnar that Rufus writes off his so-called "Betas" the moment his interest is piqued by someone better or new potential (so typical ENFP?). Janoah didn't exaggerate. I even sense a bit of jealousy in Linus's last diary paragraph: "That young Steppes wolf, Tomek is supposed to be there with his pet ant. Rufus is full of praises for him and Sara says he's rather dashing, especially in a hat." Quite coincidentally Rufus joked with Linus: "Rufus winked at him: "Very dashing!" Perhaps I read too much into these words.
Perhaps Rufus is only giving his special attention to the newcomers (taking them under his wing), showing them the ropes, giving them confidence (they are merely struggling to find their feet, but no such thing as being asked to be a Beta), while the older ones feel they have overinvested in this relationship for nothing. Why hasn't anyone seen this pattern before? It will happen again and again? Ah, very well - it doesn't mean I can't swamp him with fan mail every week?
Speaking of which - 'Beta' is a vague term. Are you a mere companion or are there any low favours involved? In what way exactly did Vito abuse Uther? Sexually, verbally, physically, psychologically? Or a little bit of them all?
Nonetheless - this explains why Janoah is just the opposite of her husband. She keeps you at a distance with her sarcasm: she doesn't want to get hurt, but she doesn't want you to get hurt either in the long run. Where elephants dance, the mice are trampled upon. She saw what this has done to the morale of her husband's colleagues. But the problem is - you have to present yourself useful to her, before she might help you. That is the worst kind of INTJ I've ever came across in my life - and I am an INTJ myself!
But still, I see a pattern: Rufus is subconsciously looking for the perfect son/boy; Janoah brags about her trophy child (Rafe Stenton), which she otherwise couldn't have: motherhood. Only the best is good enough for her "cub". But why couldn't they just adopt a "cub"? After all, the Romans did it as well? Or, is it possible that "cubs" could be used as leverage? [*Cubs meaning infants, like Casimir adopted Bruno]
In my moment of trouble or need, I will head straight to Vladimir. Without undue delay.He might bite your head off, but I'd trust him with my life (when he has cooled off). If he likes you, he will move heaven and earth. I much prefer him above Janoah (she might just decide you are of no use to her anymore, at a whim). But just don't get on the wrong side of him - he'll write you off. Even though we don't see much of them, I also trust the friendly Duncan Hummel and the true gentlebeast, Silvermane.
Unfortunately, most of the characters are in their senior years - they are already developed. However, Linus Mills is still young and it is therefore understandable that he, in particular, shows the most development. No wonder he is one of the most loved characters in the story (of what I've seen at the Deviantart.com-poll). He deserves the award for bravery and initiative (Uther should be the one to deserve it, but yes).
But you actually have the most sympathy for Bruno/Rafe Stenton: he didn't ask to be in this world - he was dragged into this mess from the start, and his spirit/intellect has been subdued long before the Howlers got him. When Janoah lied to Vladimir, that Bruno is dead, I thought the whole story has collapsed. But I asked myself: why would a writer pay so much attention to a special character, just to kill it off for fun? Therefore, I kept on reading, and I was not disappointed. But still - despite the pathos - it would be difficult for me to work with Rafe. Someone with such an innocent, childlike heart - he deserves an IQ of 159, nothing less.
And there lies the problem. Do I really like the characters, or do I only pity them?
Yes, Uther is a go-getter, but also a proud, sanguine and shameless hedonist who lives for the moment (probably understandable). I have difficulty with these types (even though they are much needed for comic relief).
As much as I liked the story - I would hardly find a friend in any of them. Probably because I would feel intimidated by these wolves, perhaps because I can't see myself as an apparatchik in such a stiff organisation (and it isn't like they mingle that much with other Freiwolves [except at the Lupanar...]). Where would I find myself in the story? Probably as a character translating or compiling dictionaries. Someone has to develop the vernacular of the hyenas into a scientific language!
____________________
The book was a journey through language as well. I've constantly visited https://www.etymonline.com/ for lesser known words such as "callow" (just one example). I was quite surprised by its Germanic roots. "Callow" shares the same root as 'kaal' ("bald, hairless") in Dutch and German, and "stark naked" in Afrikaans. But in English the meaning has changed to "inexperience" and being "wet-eared".
I was quite impressed by the use of "lupanar", revitalised from the old Latin vocabulary. Lupa is of course a "she-wolf", with the added connotation of a "whore". A lupanar is a brothel.
____________________
The novel is good enough as it is.
But I would improve it in one way: regarding the absence of religion and churches.
Why?
It's just a bit too easy. It clashes with the laws of Spengler. We ourselves see how the wolves cry to a supreme being overnight, in fear. And how much more wouldn't that be true for the poor Little Beasts being suppressed every day of their lives? If they have lost everything, and have no hope for the future, they prepare themselves for a better afterlife. I'm writing from a third world country, so I know.
And how can you play a game of chess without a bishop? :)
I would say: stage a church or religious centre, but completely spontaneous and independent from the government. In real life, there used to be a battle in the 1800s between the church and state (a trope used quite dearly in Die Werwölfe). The government has its own plans, the church has its own crusade. By now it is also general knowledge that in the 1970s The World Council of Churches openly aided anti-Western and anti-Christian (yes, communistic!) Liberation Forces to undermine colonial rule. This same dynamic could've been used in the story. Perhaps there might even be guns deposited in the donation box for the poor, or money collected and sent to THORN?
Of all the characters (except Horst Jaeger, he is the worst!) Tristan is the poorest one. Character can be tested by the available resources, the circumstances and ingenuity. Tristan is just walking around aimlessly, only warns, distributes information from secondary sources, serves as a bargaining chip, but don't do that much - an anti-hero dragged through life with bitterness, the afflictions, etc. etc. For goodness sake, we have the glum Ivan! Do we really need this clone?
No, make a priest of Tristan. Affectionate, the giver of hope, sympathetic towards the Lesser Beasts. Make him the absolute antithesis of the Lupa state apparatus (and the enemy). Give him an enormous amount of charisma. Perhaps he should discharge himself from the Eisbrands after he was miraculously healed in an unexplainable way from the rot. Perhaps he felt called to stay in Lupa, where he is most needed. Of course, this might draw the attention of Dr. Josef Grau, but also the Elders realizing that the power of the tap of the White-Imperium is about to end. Hordes of beasts swamp the church of Tristan for this cure of the unbearable pain (but most won't get it). Thorvald still likes Tristan - maybe because he got cured?
Also, remember a church is a sign of tradition. It has it own archive with information dating back ages (hmmm... how about like the Dead Cities?). The church has its own information network spread across the whole Republic (aha!). Where would we erect Tristan's church? At the Common Ground - next to a Lupanar. Just across ALPHA HQ! (Wow! What a nerve!)
On the other hand, one could've used "Maria" from "Metropolis" (Fritz Lang, 1927) as an example. There are also spies in church. If Janoah shuts the church down, only 500 others pop up (so-called house-churches). Now that is a challenge for her! Just imagine Tristan almost dying a martyr on the torture machine (the rack)? The rage, the anger of the beasts! Or, what if he reaches the next level of consciousness thanks to Josef's contraption?! [I'm inspired by the loaded Jungian individuation symbolism in Madonna's music video "Die another day"]
Yeah right, Suidpunt, but what about all the other religions and beliefs out there? Well, you may have the one main church, or, you can go Dutch (early 1900s): verzuiling [pillarization] (a Catholic only buys from Catholic shopkeepers, Protestants only go to Protestant universities, Socialists only read socialistic newspapers). The epitome of Dutch tolerance. Well then - with so much division among the beasts, you don't need "divide et impera" among the "Little Beasts".
But what wolf members should join? How about Rufus and Linus?
I would say, you don't need to make Rufus a true believer - but at least a deist or ietsist. In that way, he has more leeway. Yes, he is loved by the academy (intelligentsia), yes, the newspapers wrote only the nicest things about him - but how does he get in touch with the Lesser Beasts on their level? How do they know him? On a personal level? On an informal level? The meeting place between "suppressor" and "oppressed"? The church could offer the facilities. And the soapbox for Rufus to vent his frustrations. As a church elder.
After all this fan fiction, we now turn to page 3541... (what? - on Google Play 1776 pages are a piece of cake!)
________________
Just a few questions to the writer (meant for your website, as no one seems to care about asking you any questions):
1. How long did it take to write the book? Clearly, this wasn't written on only one sunny Sunday afternoon?
2. Many writers like writing a series of books (probably for the money, or due to impatience). How did you manage to finish one huge, entire book?
3. Let's be frank: was Uther sexually abused by Vito? Yes or no?
4. Speaking of which - what privileges do Betas have?
5. Who is your most favourite character, and why? (Oh, come on - there must be one?)
6. If you would rewrite the story, what would you change? (Forget my rant above)
7. What process do you use when writing? Do you just roll along, or do you have an ending ready and then refine a twist in the storyline per chapter?
8. Do you ever discuss your book ideas with friends and acquaintances, or is it top secret?
9. It's probably to early to ask, but how many books have been sold?
10. As a character, what would be your occupation in the book?
11. Stings are perfectly illegal if a Howler gives it to someone else, but how about Royal Jelly (as a cure for, e.g., Rufus)? Theoretically, it seems there is a loophole in the legal system - if someone would be so smart to make a synthetic form, or even cultivate it themselves. In other words, if Linus would visit Rufus in the hospital and gave him a bottle of this concoction, nobody would bat as much as an eyelid?
October 24, 2018
First of all: I am Reaaally a picky reader. Till now NO book I have read , and I read a lot , has ever gotten 5 of 5.
Second: I usually do NOT read book with Anthropomorphic Animal Characters. Okay, I have read a number but most of them were of the same nature and I did not like them. This one here is different. It has not only a giant set of characters . It also has a big number of background and far more stories untold. Which alone is great. I could tell you more but I fear I woudl spoil it. So I just suggest giving it a try. It is really a diamond among the anthropomorphic and yes - also Furry literature ^^
Second: I usually do NOT read book with Anthropomorphic Animal Characters. Okay, I have read a number but most of them were of the same nature and I did not like them. This one here is different. It has not only a giant set of characters . It also has a big number of background and far more stories untold. Which alone is great. I could tell you more but I fear I woudl spoil it. So I just suggest giving it a try. It is really a diamond among the anthropomorphic and yes - also Furry literature ^^
August 29, 2018
Absolutely amazing read. Well described characters and well-written storyline. I recommend this to everyone that asks about it, and many that don't.
June 5, 2019
Imperium Lupi was not a book I was expecting to find. I found it on an accident, looking up reviews for another book. When I saw the story, saw the artwork, and the concept, I had to give it a shot – I trust when a book jumps out at me. Some of my favorite books have practically screamed at me from the shelf. This book is no different.
The length may be daunting to some readers but it’s well worth the time. This is a long book, but with well-developed characters, plot points, subtle undertones, and nuance. It not only builds a lush world, it also invites the reader to get to know the characters at a personal level; to worry about them, cheer for them, and cry for some. Even characters I wasn’t nearly as invested in toward the beginning I found myself wondering what was going to happen to them, will I see them again before the book ends, etc.
The way “magic” works in this book is grounded in quasi science and a cost/benefit usage that sets it apart from other settings where the rules are muddied and there’s seemingly no limits. That, to me, makes this world seem all the more real and thought-out. It’s both a blessing and a curse and simply a fact of life in this world.
Politics and manipulation are major aspects of the world, and draw you in as characters try to navigate through dangerous plots and intrigue. Not knowing who to trust and who might be a threat from within make for some of the best moments in the book.
All in all this is a fantastic book. I highly recommend it if you want a fun story with grounded rules, dynamic characters, and a fascinating world.
The only negative aspect? Giant spiders!
The length may be daunting to some readers but it’s well worth the time. This is a long book, but with well-developed characters, plot points, subtle undertones, and nuance. It not only builds a lush world, it also invites the reader to get to know the characters at a personal level; to worry about them, cheer for them, and cry for some. Even characters I wasn’t nearly as invested in toward the beginning I found myself wondering what was going to happen to them, will I see them again before the book ends, etc.
The way “magic” works in this book is grounded in quasi science and a cost/benefit usage that sets it apart from other settings where the rules are muddied and there’s seemingly no limits. That, to me, makes this world seem all the more real and thought-out. It’s both a blessing and a curse and simply a fact of life in this world.
Politics and manipulation are major aspects of the world, and draw you in as characters try to navigate through dangerous plots and intrigue. Not knowing who to trust and who might be a threat from within make for some of the best moments in the book.
All in all this is a fantastic book. I highly recommend it if you want a fun story with grounded rules, dynamic characters, and a fascinating world.
The only negative aspect? Giant spiders!
February 14, 2019
Imperium Lupi A Intricate story that tells us about the world of Erde and the struggles of its Many denizens years After The Last Howler war Between the Ash choked Wolf Packs of Lupa, The Nomadic tribe of the Jua-Mata Hyena's both watched by Big brother esque ALPHA designed to deal with corruption in Lupa and Deal with the Terrorism of the Jua-Mata in Lupa while Erde hangs Precariously Between Corruption and Utter Destruction. This story Features both sides of the story. No Good or Bad but a state in between them and tells Us about the Characters who try to bring Peace to Erde One way or Another....
February 16, 2024
Long review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Short review: the author is a good writer. His story engaged me from the onset and kept me turning the pages. Excellent dialogue, good descriptions, and solid worldbuilding marred by too many plot threads which fail to come together in the end. I wanted to like it but there too many red flags to ignore, how the protagonist has eyes for all the teenagers in this story. Musclebound teens who act like preteens. It's just creepy.
Short review: the author is a good writer. His story engaged me from the onset and kept me turning the pages. Excellent dialogue, good descriptions, and solid worldbuilding marred by too many plot threads which fail to come together in the end. I wanted to like it but there too many red flags to ignore, how the protagonist has eyes for all the teenagers in this story. Musclebound teens who act like preteens. It's just creepy.
November 22, 2022
I liked it and I recommend it.
The world feels extremely well built, so much so that by the end I was left wanting. I want to read more, and know more, and explore more. The main story is well told and well, but there is still so much that can still be explored, and that I was left interested and invested in.
The characters all feel different, and important, and like actual people and not plot devices. They all have backstories (that I would love to explore more!), and motivations and desires.
The story is contrived and complex, but it is presented naturally, and is easy to follow.
The end felt a bit rushed, but I'm not quite sure if it was because it was rushed, or just because there are so many things happening, so many different lines going in the same direction, so many plots and so many characters that end in such a short amount of in-world time. In the book's defense, even though it felt rushed, I was never lost. I managed to keep track of everything, and everything made sense and felt relevant.
The only thing that bummed be out was that I immediately became attached to the main character
The world feels extremely well built, so much so that by the end I was left wanting. I want to read more, and know more, and explore more. The main story is well told and well, but there is still so much that can still be explored, and that I was left interested and invested in.
The characters all feel different, and important, and like actual people and not plot devices. They all have backstories (that I would love to explore more!), and motivations and desires.
The story is contrived and complex, but it is presented naturally, and is easy to follow.
The end felt a bit rushed, but I'm not quite sure if it was because it was rushed, or just because there are so many things happening, so many different lines going in the same direction, so many plots and so many characters that end in such a short amount of in-world time. In the book's defense, even though it felt rushed, I was never lost. I managed to keep track of everything, and everything made sense and felt relevant.
The only thing that bummed be out was that I immediately became attached to the main character
April 13, 2019
Imperium Lupi is one of the best books I've ever read. Probably one-of-a-kind. The view of the story is unique and great. I like how the characters become 'unknown', when it goes to the view of another character, like how Janoah is first offered as 'red wolfess' first, in Olivia's view. And I like how most characters are dynamic, showing that they act as antagonists, but are actually protagonists, or the other way around. That makes the story thrilling, in the view of not knowing who to trust. And I can definitely see the anime-like elements, like Rafe (LMAO) and Uther and Linus under the cherry blossom. It all sums up to a story that not only furries will love, but almost anyone.
And you might have heard this before; I like how they have a definition of HANDSOME.
But the biggest thing that actually moves me, is the environment of Lupa. How polluted it is, how it rains ash almost every day (R.I.P WHITE GAITERS AND GRAND HOWLER CLOAKS AND WHITE-FURRED BEASTS). It reminds me of what might happen to our world. Something similar to the Ashfall can happen to us, only without the whole 'rot' thing. But even excluding the rot, the effects of pollution can make our life hard if not miserable and suffering. That's why kids, keep the streets clean green.
I hope I hear more of Lupi in the future. Prequel or sequel. Everyone who appreciates this work, including myself, will be waiting! And if it isn't Lupi, at least it will have elements similar to it. Can’t wait for more from Adam Browne, Lupi or not.
February 9, 2022
An absolutely intriguing world fueled by a well written and well paced plot, this is without a doubt the most entertaining book I've read in years.
Being a fan of both steampunk and fantasy (though not high fantasy), but generally not one to read books of those genres, the brief description piqued my interest. This led me to discovering the author's supplementary works and drawings online, where I became absolutely engrossed by the world details and character designs. Deciding to give it a shot, I picked up the book, and a few days later, here I am, with absolutely zero regrets.
Without giving too much away, the book most definitely delivers what it advertises. The world of Erde is lovingly detailed and the story itself is wonderfully balanced, mixing action with world building. Through it all, the titular "Imperium", an omnipresent substance as harmful as it is helpful, is used to great effect. It is at the heart of the plot - its very nature creates, destroys, and strains relationships throughout the various characters, factions, and species. Morals and loyalties are tested, and the lengths the characters are willing to go to in order to reach their goals are as varied as the species that inhabit the world.
Being a fan of both steampunk and fantasy (though not high fantasy), but generally not one to read books of those genres, the brief description piqued my interest. This led me to discovering the author's supplementary works and drawings online, where I became absolutely engrossed by the world details and character designs. Deciding to give it a shot, I picked up the book, and a few days later, here I am, with absolutely zero regrets.
Without giving too much away, the book most definitely delivers what it advertises. The world of Erde is lovingly detailed and the story itself is wonderfully balanced, mixing action with world building. Through it all, the titular "Imperium", an omnipresent substance as harmful as it is helpful, is used to great effect. It is at the heart of the plot - its very nature creates, destroys, and strains relationships throughout the various characters, factions, and species. Morals and loyalties are tested, and the lengths the characters are willing to go to in order to reach their goals are as varied as the species that inhabit the world.
October 22, 2018
Other reviewers here have gone into details of the premise of this novel and have said pretty much all I wanted to say, so I won't be getting into even more details to avoid spoilers. But I've got to say, this novel is splendid!
Although Imperium Lupi's target audience are fans of anthro fictions, it is an amazingly well written steampunk fantasy adventure that any teenager as well as anyone of older age groups can enjoy.
Although I should mention that readers that aren't used to third person omniscient narration may find it a bit disorientating at first, but you'll learn to get used to it quickly. Better yet, you'll learn to enjoy it quickly as well because reading this novel is like watching a good movie. The author has an amazing writing style and it is easy to visualise the scenes as you read along.
I highly recommend this novel to anyone who loves fantasy and adventure.
Although Imperium Lupi's target audience are fans of anthro fictions, it is an amazingly well written steampunk fantasy adventure that any teenager as well as anyone of older age groups can enjoy.
Although I should mention that readers that aren't used to third person omniscient narration may find it a bit disorientating at first, but you'll learn to get used to it quickly. Better yet, you'll learn to enjoy it quickly as well because reading this novel is like watching a good movie. The author has an amazing writing style and it is easy to visualise the scenes as you read along.
I highly recommend this novel to anyone who loves fantasy and adventure.
June 12, 2021
This standalone digital doorstopper by Adam Browne occurs in a steampunk world occupied by anthropomorphic animals, starting twelve years before its “present” with a rainstorm in the city of Lupa, where Werner the hog seeks Casimir the white rabbit, disease-afflicted wolf warriors known as Howlers on the move. A lupine cub named Bruno, his mother deceased, is found, and both the hog and rabbit take him to headquarters, the latter adopting him as his son. When the novel’s present arrives, the red wolf Rufus yearns for the countryside away from the polluted city of Lupa, interacting with his fellow Howler, the white wolf Ivan.
Ivan enters a restaurant known as The Warren, owned by Casimir, seeking Bruno and food on the way to headquarters. Ivan’s family, the Donskoys, had originated on the Great Steppes, a northern tundra of seasonal extremes. A key plot point is that hyenas receive treatment as second-class citizens and must live on reservations, with a magical terrorist attack perpetuated by one coming on the café. Ivan pursues the culprit, losing use of his monobike and briefly having to follow on foot, although he does get another from a ginger cat, Montague “Monty” Buttle, with the pursuit eventually occurring on a train.
The terrorist turns out to be the Chakaa hyena Prince Noss of the Jua-mata Tribe, and ultimately falls into the captivity of the Howlers. At headquarters, Grand Howler Vladimir Bloodfang Oromov calls out Ivan for stopping at the café, and another of the Howlers, the stocky Linus, for putting feline dignitaries such as the aforementioned Monty in danger. Meanwhile, two she-wolves, Sara and Olivia, care for a bee named Toggle, and worry for Bruno, who has been gone for weeks. The adopted son of Casimir ultimately gets into a brawl leading to his arrest, given his performance of a capital offense.
Noss, who comes down with the rot that mostly plagues male wolves, receives a sentence to the penal colony of Gelb, and Linus pursues a regal hog named Gustav who pinches the purse of his female companion Rosalina. Meanwhile, Casimir meets Sara in her flat and indicates that Bruno has come down with the rot, the country’s media “officially” stating that certain figures are deceased. Prince Noss proves resilient to torture, and talk also emerges of the potential restoration of lupine monarchy, with the Agency for Lupan Peace and Howler Accountability (ALPHA) keeping order.
The book contains interludes that provide looks into its various mythos, with the first being a codex about the Bloodfang pack of wolves, among the few able to have a record predating the Founders, Lupa, and the rot, with the chemical imperium then being a curiosity. There are also diary excerpts from the Howler Linus Bloodfang Mills, who initially tells of his fellow Howler Uther’s birthday. Further present are brief passages known as “blicks,” the first of which follows Rafe’s induction into ALPHA, although clear indicators such as their respective periods of occurrence would have been welcome.
The second part of the novel opens with Linus and Uther dealing with a hostage situation instigated by rogue hyenas unwilling to cooperate, with the porcine Politzi Constable Werner Schwartz volunteering to parley with the Chakaa. Uther finds himself captive of the hyenas, whose respective group THORN (The Hyena Organization for Recognition of Nationhood) raids a refinery. Rufus Bloodfang becomes a sympathizer of the hyenas, and Linus attends an academic meeting known as the Arkady Symposium. Rufus himself ultimately receives the accusation of smuggling white-imperium and receives a sentence to labor in Gelb.
The third subsection opens with Linus receiving instruction of how to ride a monobike, the wolf providing his backstory on how he caught the rot in the first place. At this time, the Chakaa are amassing a sizeable quantity of black-imperium to execute another terrorist attack, with Rufus becoming chummy with one of them, Madou. Rufus finds himself changing hands regularly in terms of captivity, with occasional scenes such as a battle against larger-than-average spiders, a trait shared by other bugs in the novel such as centipedes. Falsified death also continues to play part in the story’s key events.
The fourth part follows the endangerment of Den Father Vito, not to mention Rufus’ continued affiliation with the hyenas incarcerated at Gelb, making their escape. The final section involves the formulation of a terrorist plot by THORN to dump black-imperium on a city to poison and kill its population through use of an airship piloted by the feline Buttles, and plentiful action erupts and culminates in a satisfying conclusion, with a few twists in the mix, and a diary entry by Linus indicating what happens after the primary events of the story.
All in all, while the book somewhat overstays its welcome, I found it to be a very satisfying read, one of the most definitive furry novels I read, and very much one of the much-better digital doorstoppers I’ve experienced throughout my life of reading and reviewing. There’s largely no issue with remembering the species of the various characters, with good descriptions that give them plentiful appearance and distinction, and the action contains superb development, with various twists throughout the narrative. The editing job is a bit inconsistent at times, but I definitely wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this book to those in search of a great standalone story, provided they have the time to experience it.
Ivan enters a restaurant known as The Warren, owned by Casimir, seeking Bruno and food on the way to headquarters. Ivan’s family, the Donskoys, had originated on the Great Steppes, a northern tundra of seasonal extremes. A key plot point is that hyenas receive treatment as second-class citizens and must live on reservations, with a magical terrorist attack perpetuated by one coming on the café. Ivan pursues the culprit, losing use of his monobike and briefly having to follow on foot, although he does get another from a ginger cat, Montague “Monty” Buttle, with the pursuit eventually occurring on a train.
The terrorist turns out to be the Chakaa hyena Prince Noss of the Jua-mata Tribe, and ultimately falls into the captivity of the Howlers. At headquarters, Grand Howler Vladimir Bloodfang Oromov calls out Ivan for stopping at the café, and another of the Howlers, the stocky Linus, for putting feline dignitaries such as the aforementioned Monty in danger. Meanwhile, two she-wolves, Sara and Olivia, care for a bee named Toggle, and worry for Bruno, who has been gone for weeks. The adopted son of Casimir ultimately gets into a brawl leading to his arrest, given his performance of a capital offense.
Noss, who comes down with the rot that mostly plagues male wolves, receives a sentence to the penal colony of Gelb, and Linus pursues a regal hog named Gustav who pinches the purse of his female companion Rosalina. Meanwhile, Casimir meets Sara in her flat and indicates that Bruno has come down with the rot, the country’s media “officially” stating that certain figures are deceased. Prince Noss proves resilient to torture, and talk also emerges of the potential restoration of lupine monarchy, with the Agency for Lupan Peace and Howler Accountability (ALPHA) keeping order.
The book contains interludes that provide looks into its various mythos, with the first being a codex about the Bloodfang pack of wolves, among the few able to have a record predating the Founders, Lupa, and the rot, with the chemical imperium then being a curiosity. There are also diary excerpts from the Howler Linus Bloodfang Mills, who initially tells of his fellow Howler Uther’s birthday. Further present are brief passages known as “blicks,” the first of which follows Rafe’s induction into ALPHA, although clear indicators such as their respective periods of occurrence would have been welcome.
The second part of the novel opens with Linus and Uther dealing with a hostage situation instigated by rogue hyenas unwilling to cooperate, with the porcine Politzi Constable Werner Schwartz volunteering to parley with the Chakaa. Uther finds himself captive of the hyenas, whose respective group THORN (The Hyena Organization for Recognition of Nationhood) raids a refinery. Rufus Bloodfang becomes a sympathizer of the hyenas, and Linus attends an academic meeting known as the Arkady Symposium. Rufus himself ultimately receives the accusation of smuggling white-imperium and receives a sentence to labor in Gelb.
The third subsection opens with Linus receiving instruction of how to ride a monobike, the wolf providing his backstory on how he caught the rot in the first place. At this time, the Chakaa are amassing a sizeable quantity of black-imperium to execute another terrorist attack, with Rufus becoming chummy with one of them, Madou. Rufus finds himself changing hands regularly in terms of captivity, with occasional scenes such as a battle against larger-than-average spiders, a trait shared by other bugs in the novel such as centipedes. Falsified death also continues to play part in the story’s key events.
The fourth part follows the endangerment of Den Father Vito, not to mention Rufus’ continued affiliation with the hyenas incarcerated at Gelb, making their escape. The final section involves the formulation of a terrorist plot by THORN to dump black-imperium on a city to poison and kill its population through use of an airship piloted by the feline Buttles, and plentiful action erupts and culminates in a satisfying conclusion, with a few twists in the mix, and a diary entry by Linus indicating what happens after the primary events of the story.
All in all, while the book somewhat overstays its welcome, I found it to be a very satisfying read, one of the most definitive furry novels I read, and very much one of the much-better digital doorstoppers I’ve experienced throughout my life of reading and reviewing. There’s largely no issue with remembering the species of the various characters, with good descriptions that give them plentiful appearance and distinction, and the action contains superb development, with various twists throughout the narrative. The editing job is a bit inconsistent at times, but I definitely wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this book to those in search of a great standalone story, provided they have the time to experience it.
May 3, 2021
I don't believe I've read a furry book before, so this was interesting in that aspect. It was also steampunk-ish, which I like (I seem to like steampunk-ish more than actual steampunk).
Set in a fantasy world, this story was more worldbuilding and characters than plot (which is is a ratio I do enjoy, so that worked for me). The world had a form of mineral/radiation called Imperium. It exists in a rainbow of colors, each having a different amount of power (and damage it does). The "people" ("beasts" is the term the book uses) of the world use Imperium to power everything from light bulbs to trains. Using Imperium creates "ash" which poisons and eventually kills everything it touches: Plants, soil, beasts, everything.
All that is interesting enough worldbuilding for me to like it, but then you get to the "Howlers". Beasts who are born with more Imperium in them, so it makes them into "super men" kind of. When these beasts with extra Imperium in them are found, they're taken in by the government and injected with even more to make them even more super. But still, it's poison, so they have very short, painful lives.
All in all, the book was really a good match for me. Unfortunately there were quite a few issues as well.
Small things, like all the (few, few, few) times there was a female character, the animal name got an -ess on it. Wolfess. Catess. Etc.
There were nearly no female characters in the giant cast of characters. The one single female character with power, in the very first scene she was in, used sex to get her way. She repeatedly used sex through the book. Sigh.
Then the bigger issues, like the Howlers. In the beginning of the book, we learned that only men could become them (sigh). Female beasts didn't have the right genetics for it. In the middle of the book, we met a female Howler. By the end of the book (just a couple days later in story-time), it was stated that female Howlers were just uncommon. I think the author lost track of what he had said earlier on.
All the cops in the book were hogs (...pigs...).
And while it was never stated outright, I got an odd Nazi-ish feeling about things. One of the salutes was described as sharply lifting your arm, which sure could be other kinds of salutes, but there was word choice and a number of other things. Perhaps the author was aiming for fascism in general.
There was no need at all for the characters to be furry. They were just people. If they had been human, there would have been no difference at all to the story.
And last (but not least), there was the art the author posted. I could never get those "balloon muscle" images out of my head, through the whole story.
Even with all those issues, I did enjoy the book. There are a few more out in the series, but I'm going to move on to something else for now (I'm in the mood for something lighter).
Set in a fantasy world, this story was more worldbuilding and characters than plot (which is is a ratio I do enjoy, so that worked for me). The world had a form of mineral/radiation called Imperium. It exists in a rainbow of colors, each having a different amount of power (and damage it does). The "people" ("beasts" is the term the book uses) of the world use Imperium to power everything from light bulbs to trains. Using Imperium creates "ash" which poisons and eventually kills everything it touches: Plants, soil, beasts, everything.
All that is interesting enough worldbuilding for me to like it, but then you get to the "Howlers". Beasts who are born with more Imperium in them, so it makes them into "super men" kind of. When these beasts with extra Imperium in them are found, they're taken in by the government and injected with even more to make them even more super. But still, it's poison, so they have very short, painful lives.
All in all, the book was really a good match for me. Unfortunately there were quite a few issues as well.
Small things, like all the (few, few, few) times there was a female character, the animal name got an -ess on it. Wolfess. Catess. Etc.
There were nearly no female characters in the giant cast of characters. The one single female character with power, in the very first scene she was in, used sex to get her way. She repeatedly used sex through the book. Sigh.
Then the bigger issues, like the Howlers. In the beginning of the book, we learned that only men could become them (sigh). Female beasts didn't have the right genetics for it. In the middle of the book, we met a female Howler. By the end of the book (just a couple days later in story-time), it was stated that female Howlers were just uncommon. I think the author lost track of what he had said earlier on.
All the cops in the book were hogs (...pigs...).
And while it was never stated outright, I got an odd Nazi-ish feeling about things. One of the salutes was described as sharply lifting your arm, which sure could be other kinds of salutes, but there was word choice and a number of other things. Perhaps the author was aiming for fascism in general.
There was no need at all for the characters to be furry. They were just people. If they had been human, there would have been no difference at all to the story.
And last (but not least), there was the art the author posted. I could never get those "balloon muscle" images out of my head, through the whole story.
Even with all those issues, I did enjoy the book. There are a few more out in the series, but I'm going to move on to something else for now (I'm in the mood for something lighter).
August 3, 2019
- Imperium Lupi is set in a world where wolves reign supreme on the Lupine Continent. A great industrial revolution has taken place thanks to the wonder material known as "Imperium", however, it's not without its consequences as many beasts on the continent are uniquely affected by the imperium; granting them increased stamina, strength and what many could only describe as supernatural powers. Unfortunately, this power comes at a great cost...
We follow several characters as they try to unravel a plot that could send the entire continent back into the dark ages. With conspirators everywhere and time running out. It's anyone's guess as to how it all ends. -
I must admit I did not expect to be as engrossed in this book as I was when reading it - I couldn't put it down. At the end of every day I looked forward to being able to sit down and find out what would happen next in this incredible and engaging story. I was truly gripped and left me wanting more.
In this book you are going to be bombarded with amazing characters all of whom you will be astonished by how real and three-dimensional they are. Every character has a story, a motive, an agenda and it is a pleasure to watch as each of these characters, over the course of the book, slowly reveal who they are and how they have changed and matured.
To summarise, without exaggerating, this is one of the most engaging books I have read in a very long time. The combination of a steampunk, oligarchical society combined with anthropomorphic wolves was fresh and rewarding to read. This book would be for anyone who appreciates a complex and engaging story with twists around every page.
We follow several characters as they try to unravel a plot that could send the entire continent back into the dark ages. With conspirators everywhere and time running out. It's anyone's guess as to how it all ends. -
I must admit I did not expect to be as engrossed in this book as I was when reading it - I couldn't put it down. At the end of every day I looked forward to being able to sit down and find out what would happen next in this incredible and engaging story. I was truly gripped and left me wanting more.
In this book you are going to be bombarded with amazing characters all of whom you will be astonished by how real and three-dimensional they are. Every character has a story, a motive, an agenda and it is a pleasure to watch as each of these characters, over the course of the book, slowly reveal who they are and how they have changed and matured.
To summarise, without exaggerating, this is one of the most engaging books I have read in a very long time. The combination of a steampunk, oligarchical society combined with anthropomorphic wolves was fresh and rewarding to read. This book would be for anyone who appreciates a complex and engaging story with twists around every page.
June 28, 2019
Mixed feelings
I loved the setting for this story. The world building had me wanting more and most of the characters felt fleshed out. Only things I really didn't like was how certain plot points ended up being pointless because of a out of nowhere flip in attitude. Or how a character will do something horrible and it just get hand(paw?)waved away or a slap on the wrist seemingly just for the sake of the plot. Frustrating. Only reason it gets three stars from me. I love the book but those things left me feeling underwhelmed at the end.
I loved the setting for this story. The world building had me wanting more and most of the characters felt fleshed out. Only things I really didn't like was how certain plot points ended up being pointless because of a out of nowhere flip in attitude. Or how a character will do something horrible and it just get hand(paw?)waved away or a slap on the wrist seemingly just for the sake of the plot. Frustrating. Only reason it gets three stars from me. I love the book but those things left me feeling underwhelmed at the end.
August 10, 2019
700+ pages and I still want more. Not only does Imperium Lupi have rich worldbuilding and characters with depth and relatability (even the with the "bad guys"), but the paperback copy can also double as a blunt personal defence weapon.
What started with a piqued interest into Imperium Lupi turned into a rich exploration of the world known as Erde. A diverse cast of characters armed with unique methodologies striving toward a common goal- to serve, protect, and prosper for their people. Plotlines of political and conspiratorial intrigue weave together with an underlying theme of manipulation mixed with combat and confrontations. The pacing had me eagerly turning pages as a dull moment seemingly does not exist in this book.
It has a steampunk style setting with a twist of magic known as "imperium", a substance that stirs the plot and drives our characters to multiple goals and causes. "Dead cities' from the past exist suggesting previous civilizations thrived once upon a time and other countries and continents are mentioned but not explored. Overall, the book was a thrill to read and there is so much in the world of Erde that we have yet to see. I hope to pick up another book of his in the future to see what else is out there in Erde.
What started with a piqued interest into Imperium Lupi turned into a rich exploration of the world known as Erde. A diverse cast of characters armed with unique methodologies striving toward a common goal- to serve, protect, and prosper for their people. Plotlines of political and conspiratorial intrigue weave together with an underlying theme of manipulation mixed with combat and confrontations. The pacing had me eagerly turning pages as a dull moment seemingly does not exist in this book.
It has a steampunk style setting with a twist of magic known as "imperium", a substance that stirs the plot and drives our characters to multiple goals and causes. "Dead cities' from the past exist suggesting previous civilizations thrived once upon a time and other countries and continents are mentioned but not explored. Overall, the book was a thrill to read and there is so much in the world of Erde that we have yet to see. I hope to pick up another book of his in the future to see what else is out there in Erde.
June 13, 2020
It's such a pity that the book ends with so many loose ends unravelled thus with many character's lot incomplete too. But regardless that, it's still a great work of writing worth the time for it surely takes up a lot of it!
After the second reading my only advice to those who are reading the book for the first time is that it deserves to be read twice, for only it allows one to fully grasp all of the smithereens of details contained within.
After the second reading my only advice to those who are reading the book for the first time is that it deserves to be read twice, for only it allows one to fully grasp all of the smithereens of details contained within.
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