Wolves of the Dawn: A Novel

by William Sarabande, Louis S. Glanzman (Cover Artist)

As the Stone Age slowly gives way to the age of Bronze, a proud warrior clan faces the challenge of a new life in an alien land.  

Led by the great chieftain Fomor, once called the Wolf of the Western Tribes, the clan MacLir knows the limits of stone against the strange new weapons of their sworn enemy, Nemed MacAgnomian. And so the people of the Ax have settles in the fens of Albion, exchanging flint weapons for farm implements, trading the ways of the warrior for the path of peace. But prosperity has not followed on the heels of their decision, and many in the clan urge their lord to become the Wolf once more . . . or threaten to rise up against him.  

It is Fomor’s firstborn son, Balor, headstrong, and defiant, who receives the sign of the gods that the time of the Wolf is at hand—as the cruel Nemed and his raiders sail toward Albion's shores to wipe the clan MacLir from the face of the earth. And it is Balor who will take up the forbidden sword Retaliator to avenge the past . . . .

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Prehistory, Speculative Fiction, Prehistoric

464 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

William Sarabande is a pseudonym of Joan Lesley Hamilton Cline.

Reviews

[Jennifer Risley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the books that just stick to you. at lease it was for me. I remember the first time my grandma handed me Beyond the sea of ice, and fell in love with word-smithing of this author.

The last book i read from her, about 10 years ago. I have been looking for the sequel of the book. I am dishearten to find that here isn't one. I still think that you should read this! it's wonderfully written.

[Betty Silvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed reading this novel! It was strangely calming to become engaged in the lives stone age clan culture. I loved the main character, Baylor, the first-born son of the chieftain. He is in constant conflict over adoration of his father, and his rebellion of too many laws and customs of the clan.
There were many scenes of love, hate, jealousy and betrayal that kept me reading on to find our "what is going to happen next?" The characters were well developed with the complexities of good & evil. The ending was generally predictable, but it still held surprises. I wish there were a sequel as some questions we are left to ponder.
The authors notes at the end of the book says the novel was drawn from lore and prehistory of Ireland, Scandinavia and British Isles. He states that Balor was a real man as are Stonehenge and the Viking raids. Who is to deny the power of prophecy, destiny and the Mighty One? For a fiction novel written 30 years ago, it taught me a lot.

[Kissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I have read many Celtic historical fiction, this is my first time reading one set in the Bronze Age. The world was familiar as a result but felt new to me as I was reading it from a new perspective. This novel contains a great array of characters that were well-rounded, despite some having brief roles in the overall story. After finishing the book, I found myself a bit disappointed however. I kept feeling like we were being led to see the "Great One" rise and lead the reunited nations against their shared foe and defeating them; instead this novel felt more like the backstory and side quests leading up to what we were promised. I appreciated the ancient Celtic and Viking vibes but definitely felt let down by what we ultimately got out of this book.

[Jerald Hoskelis · Rating 1 out of 5]

DIDN'T FINISH.
DID NOT CARE FOR THE STORY..

[Rena Sherwood · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the sprawling saga of Balor and his tribe, nicknamed the Wolves. It goes on for hundreds of pages. Unfortunately, not much happens to Balor and/or his Wolves. Quite frankly, the backstory sounded a hell of a lot more interesting than this. It's all build-up and no pay-off.

[Angela Orman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always wished there had been a sequel to this book

[Caron · Rating 3 out of 5]

pretty good..ancient Britain..battles..ancient religions..heroes.

[Friedrich Haas]

I love the setting, the concept, the names, the cultures, the details, except, our hero is basically a dumb blonde who runs his life like a Soap Opera, and he annoys me. However, taking the villian as Agememnon, Huldre as Helen, we have a taste of the Trojan War as it actually was, a Pre-Greek, Celtic Sea Peoples War in England, not a Greek War in Turkey, which even the Greeks didn't get.