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Fiskardo's War
The Silver Wolf
The extraordinarily rich, dark, panoramic tale of an orphaned boy’s quest for truth and then for vengeance as war rages across 17th-century Europe.
Amidst the chaos of the Thirty Years’ War, Jack Fiskardo embarks upon a quest that will carry him inexorably from France to Amsterdam and then onto the battlefields of Germany. As he grows to manhood will he be able to unravel the mystery of his father’s death? Or will his father’s killers find him first?
The Silver Wolf is a tale of secrets and treachery and the relentlessness of fate – but it is also a story of courage and compassion, of love and loyalty and ultimately of salvation too.
Book One of Fiskardo’s War marks the start of a series of unforgettable, epic historical fiction for readers of Ken Follett and Kate Mosse.
'This is superb storytelling. Harvey handles a huge cast of characters and a mountain of research with enviable confidence, and gives us a gift of a hero. I am completely invested in Jack Fiskardo now, and will eagerly follow him through many more battles and beds, murders and mayhem, to reach his nemesis. Readers everywhere are in for a treat!' - Tracy Chevalier, bestselling author of Girl With A Peal Earring
'Outstanding' - S.W. Perry, author of The Jackdaw Mysteries series
‘A powerfully impressive debut. Multi-layered, compelling and intriguing, The Silver Wolf draws us into the murky underbelly of Europe’s Thirty Years’ War. Gripping stuff!’ – Minette Walters, bestselling author of The Last Hours and The Swift and the Harrier
Amidst the chaos of the Thirty Years’ War, Jack Fiskardo embarks upon a quest that will carry him inexorably from France to Amsterdam and then onto the battlefields of Germany. As he grows to manhood will he be able to unravel the mystery of his father’s death? Or will his father’s killers find him first?
The Silver Wolf is a tale of secrets and treachery and the relentlessness of fate – but it is also a story of courage and compassion, of love and loyalty and ultimately of salvation too.
Book One of Fiskardo’s War marks the start of a series of unforgettable, epic historical fiction for readers of Ken Follett and Kate Mosse.
'This is superb storytelling. Harvey handles a huge cast of characters and a mountain of research with enviable confidence, and gives us a gift of a hero. I am completely invested in Jack Fiskardo now, and will eagerly follow him through many more battles and beds, murders and mayhem, to reach his nemesis. Readers everywhere are in for a treat!' - Tracy Chevalier, bestselling author of Girl With A Peal Earring
'Outstanding' - S.W. Perry, author of The Jackdaw Mysteries series
‘A powerfully impressive debut. Multi-layered, compelling and intriguing, The Silver Wolf draws us into the murky underbelly of Europe’s Thirty Years’ War. Gripping stuff!’ – Minette Walters, bestselling author of The Last Hours and The Swift and the Harrier
560 pages, Hardcover
Published February 3, 2022
24 people are currently reading
326 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
April 19, 2022
I had been putting off reading this for a while because I wasn’t sure if it would be my cup of tea. But I’m kicking myself now because I actually really enjoyed this book.
The silver wolf is an epic tale that spans three different periods in time. It follows the story of Jack, an orphan who is trying to uncover what happened to his father. The first of three novels, this follows Jack from his childhood, through to his adulthood, in search of revenge.
The way this book has been laid out is wonderful. I love that each chapter starts with a small illustration and a quote, I felt this was such a unique thing to do. The book starts in the middle, around Jack’s teens, then jumps back to the beginning of Jack’s life, and finally to Jack’s early adulthood. With the start of each new time point I found it took me a little while to get used to it. But I found my way eventually and I actually really liked this structure for this story. There are a lot of characters in this book, but I didn’t struggle because it almost felt like separate books. I was mentally able to shut off most of the characters after finishing that section.
I fell in love with Jack, he is an incredibly complex character. He has a deep darkness in him that almost scares me. But he also has a deep sense of kindness, love and honour. I really felt the positives in Jack’s personality growing as he grew throughout the book. By the end, you could see the change he has been through. The only downside for me was one of the war scenes that was very strategy heavy. I find it hard to focus on things like this and found myself rereading these sections. But that is a personal issue specific to me which other readers may love! After being unsure to pick this up, I am now really looking forward to reading the next book in the series! I am so glad I stepped out of my comfort zone.
I would recommend this to fans of historical fiction who enjoy a tale of redemption and war. I want to thank Readers First, Allen & Unwin Publishers and J.C. Harvey for allowing me to read this book and give my personal thoughts.
The silver wolf is an epic tale that spans three different periods in time. It follows the story of Jack, an orphan who is trying to uncover what happened to his father. The first of three novels, this follows Jack from his childhood, through to his adulthood, in search of revenge.
The way this book has been laid out is wonderful. I love that each chapter starts with a small illustration and a quote, I felt this was such a unique thing to do. The book starts in the middle, around Jack’s teens, then jumps back to the beginning of Jack’s life, and finally to Jack’s early adulthood. With the start of each new time point I found it took me a little while to get used to it. But I found my way eventually and I actually really liked this structure for this story. There are a lot of characters in this book, but I didn’t struggle because it almost felt like separate books. I was mentally able to shut off most of the characters after finishing that section.
I fell in love with Jack, he is an incredibly complex character. He has a deep darkness in him that almost scares me. But he also has a deep sense of kindness, love and honour. I really felt the positives in Jack’s personality growing as he grew throughout the book. By the end, you could see the change he has been through. The only downside for me was one of the war scenes that was very strategy heavy. I find it hard to focus on things like this and found myself rereading these sections. But that is a personal issue specific to me which other readers may love! After being unsure to pick this up, I am now really looking forward to reading the next book in the series! I am so glad I stepped out of my comfort zone.
I would recommend this to fans of historical fiction who enjoy a tale of redemption and war. I want to thank Readers First, Allen & Unwin Publishers and J.C. Harvey for allowing me to read this book and give my personal thoughts.
January 10, 2023
A gripping tale of an orphaned boy who grows up at the beginning of the 17th century in most unfavourable circumstances and learns how to fend for himself. Jack Fiskardo treasures some memories which continue to haunt him and prompt him to seek revenge for the deaths of his parents.
The book has a strong plot and character development, with the main theme of military history focusing on The Thirty Years' War which is of some interest to me. Superbly presented life of soldiers and those who were in train of the troops, privation of daily life, cruelty at the battlefield and towards the civilians who happened to find themselves on the track of war. With the character of Jack's father, we are introduced to the period after the assassination of Henry IV and its aftermath.
Historical fiction at its best.
A superb Book 1 of the series and now I am looking forward to next instalment.
*A big thank-you to J.C. Harvey, Atlantic Books, and NetGalley for arc in exchange for my honest review.*
The book has a strong plot and character development, with the main theme of military history focusing on The Thirty Years' War which is of some interest to me. Superbly presented life of soldiers and those who were in train of the troops, privation of daily life, cruelty at the battlefield and towards the civilians who happened to find themselves on the track of war. With the character of Jack's father, we are introduced to the period after the assassination of Henry IV and its aftermath.
Historical fiction at its best.
A superb Book 1 of the series and now I am looking forward to next instalment.
*A big thank-you to J.C. Harvey, Atlantic Books, and NetGalley for arc in exchange for my honest review.*
December 29, 2021
The best way I can describe this book, is that it is a banquet of a story. A feast of a read. Regardless of whether you are interested or even know anything about the 30 years war, or history, you will be carried along by the momentum of Jack’s story. From childhood and adolescence, back to early childhood and onwards to manhood as he seeks out the men responsible for the fate of his parents. He is all that we could want in a hero, perfect but flawed, honourable, strong, moral but with humour, a little bit mischievous sometimes and an idealist. The man other men follow and emulate and a man that women can both love and respect regardless of age or status. What more could we want in a time when heroes are so thin on the ground in our lives?
I’m not going to recount the story, but I defy anyone not to pick this book up and not be carried away into another world and another time. J.C Harvey writes with energy and precision, she paints a world with the expert hand of a craftsman, there is depth and heart on every page, phrases you want to twirl around in your mouth for the taste and feel of them. I’m no historian so I don’t know how accurate the research is but my god it’s believable and written with such confidence and fluency, that I am there, I can taste, see, smell every street, or dockside, every battlefield, every tang of blood and every blade of grass.
I cannot wait for the next instalment. Five stars all the way.
I’m not going to recount the story, but I defy anyone not to pick this book up and not be carried away into another world and another time. J.C Harvey writes with energy and precision, she paints a world with the expert hand of a craftsman, there is depth and heart on every page, phrases you want to twirl around in your mouth for the taste and feel of them. I’m no historian so I don’t know how accurate the research is but my god it’s believable and written with such confidence and fluency, that I am there, I can taste, see, smell every street, or dockside, every battlefield, every tang of blood and every blade of grass.
I cannot wait for the next instalment. Five stars all the way.
February 8, 2022
From Boy to Man, we follow Jack's journey for truth, vengeance and redemption.#
This book (first of three) takes place during the course of the Thirty Years' War that ravaged Europe and basically caused a 50% decline in population in some parts Germany (this was something I didn't know).
Jack need for truth leads him through Amsterdam to the battlegrounds in Germany in hopes of finding the truth about his father's death. Admittedly, I am yet to finish this book but if it continues this ways, with the contextual writing, vivid descriptive landscape, mirrored characters and well written history-based scenery then I am sure I will adore this series. Jack as a character is so easy to love and root for. His confidence that builds through the book tells me there is more to come!
I could not for the life of me stop projecting Game of Thrones (battle scenes), Merlin (Architecture & taverns), and six of crows (Darkness & Gritty Atmosphere)
This book (first of three) takes place during the course of the Thirty Years' War that ravaged Europe and basically caused a 50% decline in population in some parts Germany (this was something I didn't know).
Jack need for truth leads him through Amsterdam to the battlegrounds in Germany in hopes of finding the truth about his father's death. Admittedly, I am yet to finish this book but if it continues this ways, with the contextual writing, vivid descriptive landscape, mirrored characters and well written history-based scenery then I am sure I will adore this series. Jack as a character is so easy to love and root for. His confidence that builds through the book tells me there is more to come!
I could not for the life of me stop projecting Game of Thrones (battle scenes), Merlin (Architecture & taverns), and six of crows (Darkness & Gritty Atmosphere)
February 3, 2022
The Silver Wolf is the first book in a planned trilogy featuring the feisty and resourceful Jack Fiskardo. He’s on a mission of vengeance and, as soon becomes apparent, it’s best not to get in his way. For those like me who’ve heard of the Thirty Years War but must have been asleep the day it was covered in their history class, the author provides a useful introduction to the political situation at the time. And, joy of joys, there’s a map as well showing Europe looking very different from the way it does today.
At first I wasn’t sure about the non-chronological structure of the book, which is divided into three parts, but it soon made sense. It’s May 1619 when the reader is first introduced to Jack. He’s a waif and stray, alone in the world but evidently capable of looking after himself if needed. In part two, the reader is taken back in time, finding out more about Jack’s childhood and the events that shaped him. These include the origin of his proficiency with a sword or knife, and his natural horsemanship. We also learn about the events that will fuel his relentless quest for revenge, a quest that will take him across the war-torn continent of Europe.
There’s a picaresque quality to the novel with Jack encountering many colourful characters during his adventures. Some of my favourites were tavern owner Magda and her partner Paola, or to address her by her full name, Paola di Benedetta di Silvia. ‘Woman soldier. Hippolyte. Battle-bitch. Freak.’ An elite swordswoman herself, Paola plays an important role in honing Jack’s swordsmanship, building on the natural talent that is already evident. She provides him with some life lessons as well.
The Silver Wolf positively oozes period atmosphere such as this description of the cosmopolitan clientele of The Carpenter’s Hat inn. ‘As they make their way across the room the two men pass a game of dice, another of backgammon, a dinner-party of Venetian merchants crooning madrigals a cappella, a pedlar attempting to sell the dinner-party a tiny trembling monkey in a tasselled bolero’ as well as the innkeeper’s daughter with her ‘face bright with fiery rouge’ and ‘breasts bared almost to the nipple’.
The third and final part of the book, set between the years 1623 and 1630, picks up the story from the end of part one. Having attached himself to a company in the army of General Tilly, commander of the Catholic League’s forces, Jack has his first experience of battle, and a bloody business it is too. The author conjures up the sights and sounds of the battlefield through the eyes of army sutler (victualler), Cyrius.
‘Nothing of it is as he had expected…. These roiling clouds of grey and white. These whirling clots and straggling lines of men. The appalling lightning-like flashes in the smoke. The riderless horses, seeming in their terror not even to know to put the battlefield behind them. The cannon, there on the bald rise, hurling their shot overhead; the crowd at the battlefield’s edge, God above, as if this was a prize-fight at a fair; and all about him, everywhere, this terrible noise, which is both one sound and has somehow distinguishable within it every scream and detonation of which it is made up… This is hell, Cyrius thinks. This is what it sounds like down in hell.’
In the years that follow, Jack’s prowess on the battlefield, in hand-to-hand combat and his seeming invincibility earn him a fearsome reputation as a so-called ‘hard out man’, marked by the silver pendant he wears around his neck. The desire to avenge his father spurs him on, determined that nothing or no-one will stop him, even if it takes years. He has a job to do and, have no doubt, he’s going to do it.
The Silver Wolf is a rip-roaring adventure story with a fabulous central character who, with his facility for getting himself out of tight spots, is a sort of 17th century James Bond. The book is jam-packed with historical detail, has some lively touches of humour and a compelling plot. At over 500 pages, it’s a chunky read but well worth the time investment as far as I’m concerned. I shall be eagerly awaiting the next instalment, an extract from which is included at the end of the book and which has the brilliant first line ‘Now – where were we?’
At first I wasn’t sure about the non-chronological structure of the book, which is divided into three parts, but it soon made sense. It’s May 1619 when the reader is first introduced to Jack. He’s a waif and stray, alone in the world but evidently capable of looking after himself if needed. In part two, the reader is taken back in time, finding out more about Jack’s childhood and the events that shaped him. These include the origin of his proficiency with a sword or knife, and his natural horsemanship. We also learn about the events that will fuel his relentless quest for revenge, a quest that will take him across the war-torn continent of Europe.
There’s a picaresque quality to the novel with Jack encountering many colourful characters during his adventures. Some of my favourites were tavern owner Magda and her partner Paola, or to address her by her full name, Paola di Benedetta di Silvia. ‘Woman soldier. Hippolyte. Battle-bitch. Freak.’ An elite swordswoman herself, Paola plays an important role in honing Jack’s swordsmanship, building on the natural talent that is already evident. She provides him with some life lessons as well.
The Silver Wolf positively oozes period atmosphere such as this description of the cosmopolitan clientele of The Carpenter’s Hat inn. ‘As they make their way across the room the two men pass a game of dice, another of backgammon, a dinner-party of Venetian merchants crooning madrigals a cappella, a pedlar attempting to sell the dinner-party a tiny trembling monkey in a tasselled bolero’ as well as the innkeeper’s daughter with her ‘face bright with fiery rouge’ and ‘breasts bared almost to the nipple’.
The third and final part of the book, set between the years 1623 and 1630, picks up the story from the end of part one. Having attached himself to a company in the army of General Tilly, commander of the Catholic League’s forces, Jack has his first experience of battle, and a bloody business it is too. The author conjures up the sights and sounds of the battlefield through the eyes of army sutler (victualler), Cyrius.
‘Nothing of it is as he had expected…. These roiling clouds of grey and white. These whirling clots and straggling lines of men. The appalling lightning-like flashes in the smoke. The riderless horses, seeming in their terror not even to know to put the battlefield behind them. The cannon, there on the bald rise, hurling their shot overhead; the crowd at the battlefield’s edge, God above, as if this was a prize-fight at a fair; and all about him, everywhere, this terrible noise, which is both one sound and has somehow distinguishable within it every scream and detonation of which it is made up… This is hell, Cyrius thinks. This is what it sounds like down in hell.’
In the years that follow, Jack’s prowess on the battlefield, in hand-to-hand combat and his seeming invincibility earn him a fearsome reputation as a so-called ‘hard out man’, marked by the silver pendant he wears around his neck. The desire to avenge his father spurs him on, determined that nothing or no-one will stop him, even if it takes years. He has a job to do and, have no doubt, he’s going to do it.
The Silver Wolf is a rip-roaring adventure story with a fabulous central character who, with his facility for getting himself out of tight spots, is a sort of 17th century James Bond. The book is jam-packed with historical detail, has some lively touches of humour and a compelling plot. At over 500 pages, it’s a chunky read but well worth the time investment as far as I’m concerned. I shall be eagerly awaiting the next instalment, an extract from which is included at the end of the book and which has the brilliant first line ‘Now – where were we?’
October 10, 2022
The Silver Wolf is the first book of a trilogy and takes place during the course of the Thirty Years' War that ravaged Europe and basically caused a 50% decline in population in some parts of Germany.
Anyone who enjoys sagas and historical fiction should read the book. We follow Jack's life and growth as he seeks vengeance while remaining a good and honorable man.
The book is packed with vivid characters, military tactics, conflicts, adventures, stories, and history.
It's rich, atmospheric, and beautifully written.
I am looking forward to the next one.
Anyone who enjoys sagas and historical fiction should read the book. We follow Jack's life and growth as he seeks vengeance while remaining a good and honorable man.
The book is packed with vivid characters, military tactics, conflicts, adventures, stories, and history.
It's rich, atmospheric, and beautifully written.
I am looking forward to the next one.
June 18, 2025
This was an incredible read for me. The world completely sucked me in and every chapter was beautifully written and such a treat to read. It was great to see the details of life during this period and in the Thirty Years War. The writing was subtle and clever, and the narrative-a young man growing up and his quest for revenge-followed twists and turns. The ending was good, but there is definitely still room for the later novels to really provide the ultimate satisfaction in seeing what happens to the villains.
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Still a 5 star on re-read!
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Still a 5 star on re-read!
February 13, 2022
My thanks to Atlantic Books Allen & Unwin for an eARC and to W.F. Howes for a review copy of the unabridged audiobook edition, both via NetGalley, of ‘The Silver Wolf’ by J. C. Harvey in exchange for an honest review. The audiobook is narrated by Peter Noble.
I found ‘The Silver Wolf’ an extraordinary work of historical fiction. It is Harvey’s fiction debut and Book 1 in the Fiskardo's War trilogy set during the Thirty Years War in Europe. It is the story of Jack Fiskardo, as he grows from boy to man against the backdrop of these turbulent years.
Jack is an orphan who is seeking to unravel the mystery of his parents’ deaths. Jack wears around his neck a token of a silver wolf, which is his only clue to the identity of their killers. Yet Jack is unaware that he is being hunted by the same killers.
The novel opens with an Authors’ Note providing the historical context of the novel and follows with a map and a very much appreciated Cast of Characters, divided into the three parts of the novel and their locations.
This was such a pleasure to read. It features numerous memorable characters, plenty of action and adventure, thrilling battle scenes. Yet there is also plenty of lively dialogue and earthy humour. Jack Fiskardo is an engaging hero, fierce and intractable yet with a kind heart when dealing with animals and the vulnerable.
I applaud J. C. Harvey’s skill in terms of storytelling and conveying a sense of the time and place. After such a wonderful experience I can hardly wait for the rest of the trilogy.
With respect to its audiobook edition, Peter Noble is the award-winning narrator of hundreds of audiobook titles. I have enjoyed a number of his audiobooks. He has a rich voice and I felt that he brought a great deal of skill to his narration, bringing the novel’s characters vividly to life.
This is the kind of novel that evokes the classic adventures of Alexandre Dumas. Fantastic reading.
Very highly recommended and an unreserved 5 star rating.
I found ‘The Silver Wolf’ an extraordinary work of historical fiction. It is Harvey’s fiction debut and Book 1 in the Fiskardo's War trilogy set during the Thirty Years War in Europe. It is the story of Jack Fiskardo, as he grows from boy to man against the backdrop of these turbulent years.
Jack is an orphan who is seeking to unravel the mystery of his parents’ deaths. Jack wears around his neck a token of a silver wolf, which is his only clue to the identity of their killers. Yet Jack is unaware that he is being hunted by the same killers.
The novel opens with an Authors’ Note providing the historical context of the novel and follows with a map and a very much appreciated Cast of Characters, divided into the three parts of the novel and their locations.
This was such a pleasure to read. It features numerous memorable characters, plenty of action and adventure, thrilling battle scenes. Yet there is also plenty of lively dialogue and earthy humour. Jack Fiskardo is an engaging hero, fierce and intractable yet with a kind heart when dealing with animals and the vulnerable.
I applaud J. C. Harvey’s skill in terms of storytelling and conveying a sense of the time and place. After such a wonderful experience I can hardly wait for the rest of the trilogy.
With respect to its audiobook edition, Peter Noble is the award-winning narrator of hundreds of audiobook titles. I have enjoyed a number of his audiobooks. He has a rich voice and I felt that he brought a great deal of skill to his narration, bringing the novel’s characters vividly to life.
This is the kind of novel that evokes the classic adventures of Alexandre Dumas. Fantastic reading.
Very highly recommended and an unreserved 5 star rating.
December 6, 2021
Review to follow
January 24, 2022
It's the time of the Thirty Years War and Jack Fiskardo sets out on a journey that will cross Europe from France, Amsterdam and finally Germany's battlefields.
As he grows to maturity he vows to finish his quest and solve the puzzle of just who killed his father.
But unbeknownst to him his murderers aren't that far away and it's just a matter of time as to who will find who first.
Can Jack avenge the name of his father or will he be doomed to follow in his footsteps.
A tangled tale full of secrets, great plot and characterisation.
This was a spectacular and sweeping saga and an epic start to a brand new trilogy, I can't wait for the next thrilling instalment to see what happens next.
As he grows to maturity he vows to finish his quest and solve the puzzle of just who killed his father.
But unbeknownst to him his murderers aren't that far away and it's just a matter of time as to who will find who first.
Can Jack avenge the name of his father or will he be doomed to follow in his footsteps.
A tangled tale full of secrets, great plot and characterisation.
This was a spectacular and sweeping saga and an epic start to a brand new trilogy, I can't wait for the next thrilling instalment to see what happens next.
December 15, 2021
I loved this book. It's an amazing achievement for a frst novel with plenty of great characters, plenty of action and set in a very interesting time in Eurpoean history. I really enjoyed the choppy writing style which keeps the reader on their toes. Some reviews mention too many characters and too much flitting about but it is a book in three parts. each covering ten years. Starting in the middle decade, then back to the first ten years and finishing with the last ten years. Not flitting at all but well structured. I am already looking forward to the sequel. With thanks to NetGalley. the publishers and the author for the opportunity to read and review and e-ARC of this title.
May 2, 2022
This book is the first in a planned tribology. It tells the story of Jack, who is trying to find out what happened to his father. The book is in three parts. The first in Jack's teenage years, the second in his younger years and the third as an adult. It is set during the thirty years war which I had heard of but knew nothing about so I found that particularly interesting.
There are a lot of characters which at first can get confusing but eventually you get to know them all quite well and find it really adds to the depth of the story as a whole.
Jack himself is an interesting character with lots of layers. Hes brave, impusive, and loyal. It's enjoyable to take the time to get to know him and all the people who are involved in his life.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in historical fiction. I'm looking forward to being able to complete the trilogy.
There are a lot of characters which at first can get confusing but eventually you get to know them all quite well and find it really adds to the depth of the story as a whole.
Jack himself is an interesting character with lots of layers. Hes brave, impusive, and loyal. It's enjoyable to take the time to get to know him and all the people who are involved in his life.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in historical fiction. I'm looking forward to being able to complete the trilogy.
May 14, 2023
The Silver Wolf is the story of Jack, from infancy to adulthood, told by those who encountered him as well as himself, set against the backdrop of the Thirty Years War. It's a tale well told, richly atmospheric and populated by a cast of memorable characters. Although it's not a fast read, it's fascinating and gripping from start to finish and I was never bored for a moment despite the length of the novel. Jack moves from one situation to another, always affecting the lives of those who experience him, a charismatic pariah who leaves his mark wherever he goes. Remarkable historical fiction for anyone who likes a good story, well told.
December 13, 2022
Always a pleasure to read novel about a period and setting that is less explored than, say, Tudor England. This is truly a pan European novel. The Silver Wolf is set across Europe riven by strife and major and minor states wage near constant war to gain power and prestige. At its heart are the Hapsburg empires. JC Harvey's novel digs deep into life across the classes in France, the Netherlands, Prussia and Italy, with an interesting emotionally scarred protagonist as its hero. An excellent read .
January 19, 2022
The Silver Wolf is the first in a new series, Fiskardo’s War, set in Europe during the Thirty Years’ War. This conflict, which took place between 1618 and 1648, is one I’m not very familiar with, so I thought it would be interesting to read a book set in a period that I don’t know much about.
This novel has quite a simple premise: an orphan, Jack Fiskardo (also known as Jacques or Jag to various people at various times) sets out on a quest to find his father’s killers and take revenge. However, the plot is anything but simple! Jack’s adventures take him from the French countryside to the home of an Amsterdam merchant and then to the battlefields of Germany and along the way we meet a huge cast of characters ranging from army scouts and soldiers to tavern keepers, farmers and noblemen. All of these people interact with Jack in one way or another and many of them have intriguing stories of their own, but it’s a lot to keep track of, so be aware that this is certainly not a quick, light read.
The Silver Wolf is divided into three sections: in the first, which begins in 1619, we meet Jack for the first time on the docks of Amsterdam; the second part takes us back several years to fill in some of the details of Jack’s childhood in the village of Belle-Dame near La Rochelle; and finally, in the third section we find Jack in Germany, playing his part in the events of the war while carrying out his private mission of revenge. My favourite was the middle section as it answered some of my questions and gave me a better understanding of what was going on. But although I thought the way the book was structured was quite effective, it did mean that lots of new characters were still being introduced very late in the novel, which I found slightly overwhelming.
The book is written in a lively, often playful style, and the author has opted to use modern speech and slang; I personally prefer dialogue in historical fiction to feel more ‘historical’, but I can see that the choice of language here probably suited the gritty, sometimes brutal, wartime setting. As for the Thirty Years’ War itself, as I’ve said, I previously knew very little about it, so it was good to learn more. The author’s note at the beginning of the book provides a basic outline of the war, why it was fought and the effect it had on the population of Europe, which I found very helpful!
Although I didn’t enjoy The Silver Wolf as much as I’d hoped to, for the reasons I’ve described above, I do think it’s an impressive and ambitious debut novel. I’m not sure whether I will read the second book, but I suspect it will be easier to follow than this one now that the scene has been set, so maybe I’ll be tempted!
This novel has quite a simple premise: an orphan, Jack Fiskardo (also known as Jacques or Jag to various people at various times) sets out on a quest to find his father’s killers and take revenge. However, the plot is anything but simple! Jack’s adventures take him from the French countryside to the home of an Amsterdam merchant and then to the battlefields of Germany and along the way we meet a huge cast of characters ranging from army scouts and soldiers to tavern keepers, farmers and noblemen. All of these people interact with Jack in one way or another and many of them have intriguing stories of their own, but it’s a lot to keep track of, so be aware that this is certainly not a quick, light read.
The Silver Wolf is divided into three sections: in the first, which begins in 1619, we meet Jack for the first time on the docks of Amsterdam; the second part takes us back several years to fill in some of the details of Jack’s childhood in the village of Belle-Dame near La Rochelle; and finally, in the third section we find Jack in Germany, playing his part in the events of the war while carrying out his private mission of revenge. My favourite was the middle section as it answered some of my questions and gave me a better understanding of what was going on. But although I thought the way the book was structured was quite effective, it did mean that lots of new characters were still being introduced very late in the novel, which I found slightly overwhelming.
The book is written in a lively, often playful style, and the author has opted to use modern speech and slang; I personally prefer dialogue in historical fiction to feel more ‘historical’, but I can see that the choice of language here probably suited the gritty, sometimes brutal, wartime setting. As for the Thirty Years’ War itself, as I’ve said, I previously knew very little about it, so it was good to learn more. The author’s note at the beginning of the book provides a basic outline of the war, why it was fought and the effect it had on the population of Europe, which I found very helpful!
Although I didn’t enjoy The Silver Wolf as much as I’d hoped to, for the reasons I’ve described above, I do think it’s an impressive and ambitious debut novel. I’m not sure whether I will read the second book, but I suspect it will be easier to follow than this one now that the scene has been set, so maybe I’ll be tempted!
March 29, 2022
Thoroughly enjoyed following Jack Fiskardo through from childhood to manhood as he searches for a ghost who haunts his life. His character is shaped by vengeance, his need for revenge taking us from country to country and army to army.
The Thirty Years War isn’t something I know a lot about, so it was an educational as well as entertaining read. The amount of detail in here about armour, weapons, modes of transport, victuals and shelter, is thoroughly mind boggling when you consider the research that must have gone into putting it all together.
But it never feels like you’re just getting a history lesson. The characters are well-rounded and full of life, there’s a gamut of emotions and it keeps you wanting to know what happens next.
It’s hard to believe this was JC Harvey’s fictional debut and good news for us all that this was just the first chapter in what I’m sure will be a much anticipated series.
The Thirty Years War isn’t something I know a lot about, so it was an educational as well as entertaining read. The amount of detail in here about armour, weapons, modes of transport, victuals and shelter, is thoroughly mind boggling when you consider the research that must have gone into putting it all together.
But it never feels like you’re just getting a history lesson. The characters are well-rounded and full of life, there’s a gamut of emotions and it keeps you wanting to know what happens next.
It’s hard to believe this was JC Harvey’s fictional debut and good news for us all that this was just the first chapter in what I’m sure will be a much anticipated series.
April 6, 2022
My thanks for this review go to J.C. Harvey, Atlantic Books, Allen & Unwin and NetGalley, for providing me with the pre-release e-book version of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Released as the first book in the Fiskardo's War series, The Silver Wolf appears to be a daunting and long read on first glance. However, the brilliant use of language and the decision to split the book into three distinct sections from author J.C. Harvey allows for a more accessible, yet still highly detailed and historically accurate, depiction of the Thirty Years' War in 17th-century Europe, whilst offering readers an intriguing and at times exciting story of vengeance, glory and finding oneself in the face of adversity.
One of the biggest strengths in The Silver Wolf is its rich use of vocabulary and how it transports its readers to a historical world that is fleshed out in technicolour. It is clear from the opening pages that, in addition to possessing a strong knowledge of 17th-century mainland Europe and its shifting societal and military status, J.C. Harvey also has a great understanding and judgement of the most effective language to use in a historical novel. The language that is used throughout the novel manages to seamlessly combine the language of the modern reader with phrases and the flow of the inner voice of a 17th-century individual, without coming across as pretentious or awkward.
Harvey's terrific use of language isn't solely used in bringing to life characters - the building of this world unknown to many readers is told in brilliant detail, to the point where readers can feel like they are transported when taking in the descriptive sections. From the ports of Amsterdam and the trading hub at Hertzberg, to the destruction at the Battle of Stadtlohn, each location is written with vibrancy yet uniquely. This is achieved by the focus of the author on small features of each location that are used as a kind of anchor to map the surrounding areas around it, an example of this being the mermaid clock in Hertzberg. As someone who does struggle to remember names, I greatly appreciated that the author included a cast of characters at the start, stating the relationships between them. The vast amount of information could have easily been a slog for the readers to break down, however Harvey's language allows for The Silver Wolf to have a great balance between accessibility for its readers and the building of a detailed and complete world.
I do like that the author has decided to create three sections, each with their own characters, settings and historical contexts, though I am glad that the cast of characters was on hand for me to flip back to. If I was to be critical about any aspect of the narrative layout, it is that readers may have already guessed what had happened to Jean Fiskardo before part two had even started, so the tension and any questions that were raised at the end of part one were diminished when the final part started. There could have been a play around with the length of parts one and three so that not too much was disclosed, or even the swapping of parts one and two around. Nevertheless, the way the novel's narrative was laid out ultimately added to its accessibility for its readers and allowed for three specific moments in history to be explored in detail, rather than a less fleshed out summary of events across the span of the narrative.
The Silver Wolf has been confirmed to be the first book in the Fiskardo's War series, and it overall was an enjoyable read. I especially appreciated the level of detail in the descriptions of characters and settings, and also the language used in the narrative voice to convey time and place, both of which allowed the readers to be transported to a vivid yet historically accurate depiction of 17th-century Europe. The book is on the long side, at 560 pages, though this is helped from being a slog by the separating of the narrative into three distinct sections. I would recommend that this is bought in physical copy, as the cast of characters at the start is more accessible for someone flipping between pages, and I found that it can be easy to lose track of how far you are in to a certain section or the book when reading it on a Kindle or another e-book device. This is a book I would recommend to any readers who enjoy historical fiction, who has an interest in political and military conflicts centuries ago, or readers who enjoy reading in detail the journey of someone who goes from a boy to a man who has found its place in the world. I am intrigued to see where J.C. Harvey takes the readers next on Jack's journey for vengeance.
Released as the first book in the Fiskardo's War series, The Silver Wolf appears to be a daunting and long read on first glance. However, the brilliant use of language and the decision to split the book into three distinct sections from author J.C. Harvey allows for a more accessible, yet still highly detailed and historically accurate, depiction of the Thirty Years' War in 17th-century Europe, whilst offering readers an intriguing and at times exciting story of vengeance, glory and finding oneself in the face of adversity.
One of the biggest strengths in The Silver Wolf is its rich use of vocabulary and how it transports its readers to a historical world that is fleshed out in technicolour. It is clear from the opening pages that, in addition to possessing a strong knowledge of 17th-century mainland Europe and its shifting societal and military status, J.C. Harvey also has a great understanding and judgement of the most effective language to use in a historical novel. The language that is used throughout the novel manages to seamlessly combine the language of the modern reader with phrases and the flow of the inner voice of a 17th-century individual, without coming across as pretentious or awkward.
Harvey's terrific use of language isn't solely used in bringing to life characters - the building of this world unknown to many readers is told in brilliant detail, to the point where readers can feel like they are transported when taking in the descriptive sections. From the ports of Amsterdam and the trading hub at Hertzberg, to the destruction at the Battle of Stadtlohn, each location is written with vibrancy yet uniquely. This is achieved by the focus of the author on small features of each location that are used as a kind of anchor to map the surrounding areas around it, an example of this being the mermaid clock in Hertzberg. As someone who does struggle to remember names, I greatly appreciated that the author included a cast of characters at the start, stating the relationships between them. The vast amount of information could have easily been a slog for the readers to break down, however Harvey's language allows for The Silver Wolf to have a great balance between accessibility for its readers and the building of a detailed and complete world.
I do like that the author has decided to create three sections, each with their own characters, settings and historical contexts, though I am glad that the cast of characters was on hand for me to flip back to. If I was to be critical about any aspect of the narrative layout, it is that readers may have already guessed what had happened to Jean Fiskardo before part two had even started, so the tension and any questions that were raised at the end of part one were diminished when the final part started. There could have been a play around with the length of parts one and three so that not too much was disclosed, or even the swapping of parts one and two around. Nevertheless, the way the novel's narrative was laid out ultimately added to its accessibility for its readers and allowed for three specific moments in history to be explored in detail, rather than a less fleshed out summary of events across the span of the narrative.
The Silver Wolf has been confirmed to be the first book in the Fiskardo's War series, and it overall was an enjoyable read. I especially appreciated the level of detail in the descriptions of characters and settings, and also the language used in the narrative voice to convey time and place, both of which allowed the readers to be transported to a vivid yet historically accurate depiction of 17th-century Europe. The book is on the long side, at 560 pages, though this is helped from being a slog by the separating of the narrative into three distinct sections. I would recommend that this is bought in physical copy, as the cast of characters at the start is more accessible for someone flipping between pages, and I found that it can be easy to lose track of how far you are in to a certain section or the book when reading it on a Kindle or another e-book device. This is a book I would recommend to any readers who enjoy historical fiction, who has an interest in political and military conflicts centuries ago, or readers who enjoy reading in detail the journey of someone who goes from a boy to a man who has found its place in the world. I am intrigued to see where J.C. Harvey takes the readers next on Jack's journey for vengeance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2022
I really appreciated the chance to read/listen to this book as I love historical fiction - the cover, with its striking red seal really drew me in and I was really keen to learn more about the Thirty Years War, a period of history about which I knew very little.
The story follows Jack Fiskardo who we first meet as a boy in the opening chapters of the novel. He is then drawn into a quest to find out the truth about his father - a quest that puts him in danger.
This is a huge book and one that covers a lot of ground, from the docks of Amsterdam to various parts of France and Germany as Jack embarks on his journey. While this is beautifully done and each setting explored well, it is a bit overwhelming in scale. Just listening to the book made it tricky to remember who was who - I'm glad there is a cast list in the printed copy!
There is a lot of brutality in this book and I did struggle a bit with Jack's aggressive nature - while this can be seen as admirable in terms of fighting for his own survival, I did find it took a while to warm to him after his actions at the start of the novel.
The brutality is somewhat tempered by some warm and sometimes humorous characters and events along the way. I really liked Cornelius at the start of the novel and the exploits of his cat, Catarina, and was quite sad when Jack left Amsterdam (and them) behind.
Personally, I found that the book was on too great a scale for me to really get to grips with the characters fully - I think I'm really motivated to read by insights into various characters, their motivations and emotions. While Harvey does this well, I found the cast too big and varied to really engage with as I wanted. I think this book would be better suited to readers who are more interested in plot as there is no shortage of that!
I did enjoy the narration, although I wondered at the choice of a male voice for a book written by a woman. Maybe the subject matter - a boy, war, fathers and sons - felt stereotypically 'masculine'. Either way, it was well read and engaging to listen to, although I did have to speed him up a bit (I often find audiobook narrators very slow).
I'd recommend this to those who like their history with lots of grit, violence and pace. It is well-written and researched, but ultimately was not really for me - although that shouldn't deter anyone from trying it for themselves.
The story follows Jack Fiskardo who we first meet as a boy in the opening chapters of the novel. He is then drawn into a quest to find out the truth about his father - a quest that puts him in danger.
This is a huge book and one that covers a lot of ground, from the docks of Amsterdam to various parts of France and Germany as Jack embarks on his journey. While this is beautifully done and each setting explored well, it is a bit overwhelming in scale. Just listening to the book made it tricky to remember who was who - I'm glad there is a cast list in the printed copy!
There is a lot of brutality in this book and I did struggle a bit with Jack's aggressive nature - while this can be seen as admirable in terms of fighting for his own survival, I did find it took a while to warm to him after his actions at the start of the novel.
The brutality is somewhat tempered by some warm and sometimes humorous characters and events along the way. I really liked Cornelius at the start of the novel and the exploits of his cat, Catarina, and was quite sad when Jack left Amsterdam (and them) behind.
Personally, I found that the book was on too great a scale for me to really get to grips with the characters fully - I think I'm really motivated to read by insights into various characters, their motivations and emotions. While Harvey does this well, I found the cast too big and varied to really engage with as I wanted. I think this book would be better suited to readers who are more interested in plot as there is no shortage of that!
I did enjoy the narration, although I wondered at the choice of a male voice for a book written by a woman. Maybe the subject matter - a boy, war, fathers and sons - felt stereotypically 'masculine'. Either way, it was well read and engaging to listen to, although I did have to speed him up a bit (I often find audiobook narrators very slow).
I'd recommend this to those who like their history with lots of grit, violence and pace. It is well-written and researched, but ultimately was not really for me - although that shouldn't deter anyone from trying it for themselves.
January 6, 2022
To my mind, this is a book of three distinct parts. The first third, sets the scene, that is the 17th century event known as the 30 years war. I found it to be really confusing, there were so many characters and places being named and introduced, and I’m not brilliant at this period of history, and despite my best efforts, I gave up reading for three days and thought about the story, would it / could it get better?!!
The second third, was so much better!! We were introduced to the story of young Jacques/ Jack/ Jag, and his family life. His father is Jean Fiskardo, a soldier, who is away from home for long periods. His mother is Sally, English, she and Jean met at Dunkirk, they married, and live on the island of Belle Dame. It is a simple, but hard life, but Jack learns to sail a boat, ride a horse and how to look after it, and when his father is at home, he learns how to engage in polite, well mannered conversations with ladies, learns manners, how to use a sword, and how to be responsible for his actions. Jack doesn’t know that they live so quietly, because his father fears for his life and doesn’t want his family to be placed in danger.
After his parents died , Jack goes away in search of revenge . This forms the bulk of this third section. There are plenty of skirmishes, betrayals and soldiering, scenes of death and destruction to come, it’s quite exciting, yet again, I found it hard to remember who was fighting for whom. We meet two very intriguing females, Magda and Paola, who continue his education, and assist him in his search for two men, Enric Madura and Charles the Ghost. We learn that Jag can certainly hold his own in battle and he’s good with horses. He makes many friends along the way, and settles scores with enemies he makes. The sights, sounds and smells of battle are vividly described and full of action.
This whole book is a challenge, but there are delightful episodes, where all makes sense. I do admire all the research that goes into a novel like this, it is very realistic regarding battlefield action and camp life.
I have rated this as a four star read. Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers Atlantic books for my digital copy, in return for my honest, unsolicited review. I will leave a review to Goodreads and other outlets later.
The second third, was so much better!! We were introduced to the story of young Jacques/ Jack/ Jag, and his family life. His father is Jean Fiskardo, a soldier, who is away from home for long periods. His mother is Sally, English, she and Jean met at Dunkirk, they married, and live on the island of Belle Dame. It is a simple, but hard life, but Jack learns to sail a boat, ride a horse and how to look after it, and when his father is at home, he learns how to engage in polite, well mannered conversations with ladies, learns manners, how to use a sword, and how to be responsible for his actions. Jack doesn’t know that they live so quietly, because his father fears for his life and doesn’t want his family to be placed in danger.
After his parents died , Jack goes away in search of revenge . This forms the bulk of this third section. There are plenty of skirmishes, betrayals and soldiering, scenes of death and destruction to come, it’s quite exciting, yet again, I found it hard to remember who was fighting for whom. We meet two very intriguing females, Magda and Paola, who continue his education, and assist him in his search for two men, Enric Madura and Charles the Ghost. We learn that Jag can certainly hold his own in battle and he’s good with horses. He makes many friends along the way, and settles scores with enemies he makes. The sights, sounds and smells of battle are vividly described and full of action.
This whole book is a challenge, but there are delightful episodes, where all makes sense. I do admire all the research that goes into a novel like this, it is very realistic regarding battlefield action and camp life.
I have rated this as a four star read. Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers Atlantic books for my digital copy, in return for my honest, unsolicited review. I will leave a review to Goodreads and other outlets later.
February 5, 2022
The story of Jacques 'Jag' Fiskardo, a French boy who becomes a Dutch 'dock rat' and then a scout and a captain in various armies in the Thirty Years War in central Europe during the mid-17th century. An expert fighter and horseman, he roams Europe on a mission to avenge the deaths of his parents. The story is told elliptically, scenes very much out of order, and sometimes we learn what Jag or his parents have been doing through the conversations of others. This makes Jag a particularly strong and living character, amongst a vast cast well-depicted people, mostly fictional though some (Christian of Brunswick, Cardinal Richelieu) are real.
Melding Bernard Cornwell, George MacDonald Fraser with the Thomas Pynchon of Gravity's Rainbow, Harvey has managed to create a rumbunctious, violent and very funny evocation of the Thirty Years' War. She admits in the Foreword that the true brutality of that war was beyond her creative imaginings. At times the soldiers she depicts do seem more like a jovial bunch of Sealed Knotters than real fighting men, but this only serves to make the fighting and killing all the more vivid. These characters are very human and at times extremely humorous. One favourite line (I could have chosen many others): 'With amazement Bromheim realises that Heinrich has dared present himself at his Colonel's table already drunk'. However the duels and the full-dress battle scenes are superbly written as well, the author hovering over the landscape like a hawk, and then zooming in on her characters in their particular part of the field. The effect of gunpowder in obscuring the view is very well evoked. I have only one criticism of historical accuracy, which concerns the guns in the book - there is a lot about flintlocks and wheellocks, but then towards the end the Swedes are shown with matchlocks as if they were something new, whereas in fact the chronology of development was the opposite. However the author may have meant to comment on the matchlock's superior reliability due to its simplicity.
I have to say that this review is based on reading a Netgalley proof copy which, though I was glad to have it, was poorly formatted and laid out.
However, when published, this will be a great read. I would rate it as the best historical novel I have read for a very long time.
Melding Bernard Cornwell, George MacDonald Fraser with the Thomas Pynchon of Gravity's Rainbow, Harvey has managed to create a rumbunctious, violent and very funny evocation of the Thirty Years' War. She admits in the Foreword that the true brutality of that war was beyond her creative imaginings. At times the soldiers she depicts do seem more like a jovial bunch of Sealed Knotters than real fighting men, but this only serves to make the fighting and killing all the more vivid. These characters are very human and at times extremely humorous. One favourite line (I could have chosen many others): 'With amazement Bromheim realises that Heinrich has dared present himself at his Colonel's table already drunk'. However the duels and the full-dress battle scenes are superbly written as well, the author hovering over the landscape like a hawk, and then zooming in on her characters in their particular part of the field. The effect of gunpowder in obscuring the view is very well evoked. I have only one criticism of historical accuracy, which concerns the guns in the book - there is a lot about flintlocks and wheellocks, but then towards the end the Swedes are shown with matchlocks as if they were something new, whereas in fact the chronology of development was the opposite. However the author may have meant to comment on the matchlock's superior reliability due to its simplicity.
I have to say that this review is based on reading a Netgalley proof copy which, though I was glad to have it, was poorly formatted and laid out.
However, when published, this will be a great read. I would rate it as the best historical novel I have read for a very long time.
July 25, 2022
‘The Silver Wolf’ by JC Harvey is first in the Fiskardo’s War series set in 17th century Europe during the Thirty Years War. If, like me, your history is a little hazy, the author’s note at the beginning is helpful. This was a time of sprawling wars and disputes, religious, political and national plus local personal grudges being settled. Into this soup of battle, Harvey has inserted the story of Jack Fiskardo. And what a story this is.
Young Jack is an orphan, surviving on his wits in the Amsterdam docklands. Around his neck he wears a silver token of a wolf. He knows neither its provenance nor its meaning. People who meet him and recognise it, look at him askance. Jack is a brilliant hero. Feisty, brave yet considered, he has a fondness for the bullied and those weaker than himself. And he is also something of a horse whisperer.
This is a long book – 560 pages, though not as long as Ken Follett’s ‘The Pillars of the Earth’ – and slowly we pick up hints about the relevance of Jack’s wolf necklace. There is a huge cast of characters, but a limited number in each place that Jack tarries awhile. All of the time, he is on the move, looking for answers to the mysterious deaths of his parents, seeking the murderer. He slips quietly into each new community, clearly different, attracting curious glances but earning respect and affection. And all the time, war is raging somewhere in Europe. Troops are on the move, battles are won and lost, soldiers must be fed and watered, billets found. Around the troop movements, a village of suppliers grows; food, alcohol, whores, horses, munitions. Jack slips in and out of groups, sometimes changing his name.
Once I stopped worrying about the true historical context and relaxed into Jack’s story, the pages turned easily despite the occasional lull in pace. There are occasional flashbacks to Jack’s childhood in the seaside village of Belle-Dame, near Rochelle in France. Some names are similar and therefore confusing – I constantly got Bronheim and Bertholt confused – others have names and nicknames.
Excellent. Such an ambitious novel for a debut. The research and world-building is extensive, but the real star is Jack. The series can only get better.
Read more of my book reviews at http://www.sandradanby.com/book-revie...
Young Jack is an orphan, surviving on his wits in the Amsterdam docklands. Around his neck he wears a silver token of a wolf. He knows neither its provenance nor its meaning. People who meet him and recognise it, look at him askance. Jack is a brilliant hero. Feisty, brave yet considered, he has a fondness for the bullied and those weaker than himself. And he is also something of a horse whisperer.
This is a long book – 560 pages, though not as long as Ken Follett’s ‘The Pillars of the Earth’ – and slowly we pick up hints about the relevance of Jack’s wolf necklace. There is a huge cast of characters, but a limited number in each place that Jack tarries awhile. All of the time, he is on the move, looking for answers to the mysterious deaths of his parents, seeking the murderer. He slips quietly into each new community, clearly different, attracting curious glances but earning respect and affection. And all the time, war is raging somewhere in Europe. Troops are on the move, battles are won and lost, soldiers must be fed and watered, billets found. Around the troop movements, a village of suppliers grows; food, alcohol, whores, horses, munitions. Jack slips in and out of groups, sometimes changing his name.
Once I stopped worrying about the true historical context and relaxed into Jack’s story, the pages turned easily despite the occasional lull in pace. There are occasional flashbacks to Jack’s childhood in the seaside village of Belle-Dame, near Rochelle in France. Some names are similar and therefore confusing – I constantly got Bronheim and Bertholt confused – others have names and nicknames.
Excellent. Such an ambitious novel for a debut. The research and world-building is extensive, but the real star is Jack. The series can only get better.
Read more of my book reviews at http://www.sandradanby.com/book-revie...
December 29, 2022
The Silver Wolf is divided into three sections: the first, which begins in 1619, introduces us to Jack on the docks of Amsterdam; the second, which takes us back several years to fill in some of the details of Jack's childhood in the village of Belle-Dame near La Rochelle; and the third, which finds Jack in Germany, taking part in the events of the war while carrying out his private mission of vengeance. The middle segment was my favourite since it clarified some of my questions and gave me a better picture of what was going on. However, while I thought the book's structure was pretty good, it did mean that many new characters were still introduced late in the story, which I found little overwhelming.
The novel is written in a vibrant, often funny tone, and the author has chosen to use modern speech and slang; while I prefer dialogue in historical fiction to sound more 'historical,' I can understand how the author's choice of language here certainly complemented the gritty, sometimes violent, wartime environment. a very good read!
The Silver Wolf is divided into three sections: the first, which begins in 1619, introduces us to Jack on the docks of Amsterdam; the second, which takes us back several years to fill in some of the details of Jack's childhood in the village of Belle-Dame near La Rochelle; and the third, which finds Jack in Germany, taking part in the events of the war while carrying out his private mission of vengeance. The middle segment was my favourite since it clarified some of my questions and gave me a better picture of what was going on. However, while I thought the book's structure was pretty good, it did mean that many new characters were still introduced late in the story, which I found little overwhelming.
The novel is written in a vibrant, often funny tone, and the author has chosen to use modern speech and slang; while I prefer dialogue in historical fiction to sound more 'historical,' I can understand how the author's choice of language here certainly complemented the gritty, sometimes violent, wartime environment. a very good read!
The novel is written in a vibrant, often funny tone, and the author has chosen to use modern speech and slang; while I prefer dialogue in historical fiction to sound more 'historical,' I can understand how the author's choice of language here certainly complemented the gritty, sometimes violent, wartime environment. a very good read!
The Silver Wolf is divided into three sections: the first, which begins in 1619, introduces us to Jack on the docks of Amsterdam; the second, which takes us back several years to fill in some of the details of Jack's childhood in the village of Belle-Dame near La Rochelle; and the third, which finds Jack in Germany, taking part in the events of the war while carrying out his private mission of vengeance. The middle segment was my favourite since it clarified some of my questions and gave me a better picture of what was going on. However, while I thought the book's structure was pretty good, it did mean that many new characters were still introduced late in the story, which I found little overwhelming.
The novel is written in a vibrant, often funny tone, and the author has chosen to use modern speech and slang; while I prefer dialogue in historical fiction to sound more 'historical,' I can understand how the author's choice of language here certainly complemented the gritty, sometimes violent, wartime environment. a very good read!
April 28, 2022
The Silver Wolf is part one a trilogy and I had free copy to review from The Reading Agency and the publishers Allen&Unwin. It follows the story of Jack Fiskardo and the initial first volume is split into three sections.
Initially I found the book slow going and couldn't quite work out why Mungo Sant took such an interest in Jack. However I keep going as I enjoyed the style of writing, I felt really drawn in by it and thought the author did a good job of sharing her imagination and allowing the reader to envisage the chaos of Europe at this time. The story speeded up as the chapters went on and it actually ended up being a very quick read.
Despite it been a quick read it did take some time to get use to the chapters that read like mini stories in themselves. I felt as though the author was trying to appeal to people who enjoyed the kind of TV shows that HBO make. It seemed to have have a similar feel, as I said each chapter felt like an 'episode' and then it would move on to an 'episode' with different character's. Part two confused me a little bit as it went back in time to Jack's early life and the order just seemed a little out of place, I did like that we got the backstory though.
Mostly I enjoyed the book and the character development of Jack, I also liked the imagery that the author managed to convey and the revolving cast of characters that come and go. I wonder if the second two parts of the trilogy would be as good or if it would just turn into another generic historical war book. I would read part two but part of me isn't convinced about the man Jack turns into based on the prologue but the writing style might just convince me to keep reading. I also felt that she could have put more information in about the 30 years war as it is a period of Europe that I know little about.
Initially I found the book slow going and couldn't quite work out why Mungo Sant took such an interest in Jack. However I keep going as I enjoyed the style of writing, I felt really drawn in by it and thought the author did a good job of sharing her imagination and allowing the reader to envisage the chaos of Europe at this time. The story speeded up as the chapters went on and it actually ended up being a very quick read.
Despite it been a quick read it did take some time to get use to the chapters that read like mini stories in themselves. I felt as though the author was trying to appeal to people who enjoyed the kind of TV shows that HBO make. It seemed to have have a similar feel, as I said each chapter felt like an 'episode' and then it would move on to an 'episode' with different character's. Part two confused me a little bit as it went back in time to Jack's early life and the order just seemed a little out of place, I did like that we got the backstory though.
Mostly I enjoyed the book and the character development of Jack, I also liked the imagery that the author managed to convey and the revolving cast of characters that come and go. I wonder if the second two parts of the trilogy would be as good or if it would just turn into another generic historical war book. I would read part two but part of me isn't convinced about the man Jack turns into based on the prologue but the writing style might just convince me to keep reading. I also felt that she could have put more information in about the 30 years war as it is a period of Europe that I know little about.
April 20, 2022
A brilliant book for me which told of the journey a young boy started out on a search for the killers of his parents suspected of knowing too much about the assassination of a member of a European Royal family. Divided in three sections the journey the boy (Jack Fiskardo) took covers several conflicts during the period of the Thirty Years War.
His hunt for the killers places him in several scrapes and escapes from the violence of war and individuals. Jack or later called Jag portrays a hard and confident character but with a vulnerable edge due to his having to mature very quickly within the battle-weary soldiers and officers. During the book, he grows from dockside general hand through to a scout for several varying armies ending up as a captain in the battle with the Swedes.
Playing through the story is his personal quest to seek out the killers of his parents which leads him into serious conflicts and quick-thinking escapes. He becomes a celebrated equestrian and is known for his swordsmanship which he has developed throughout his unusual lifestyle. Frustrations at being side-tracked in his real quest led him to make poor decisions which are a trait of his have had to become hardened from early years.
The book is in three parts, and I must admit to being pleased with the chronological listings of the many and varied characters within each section that provided within the book a mini who’s-who for each section.
As the first of a trilogy, I am eagerly awaiting book two and three which no doubt will develop Jag’s ultimate journey to seek out his parent’s killer or killers.
Peter Kerins
Methley Book Club Rated 5/5 star
His hunt for the killers places him in several scrapes and escapes from the violence of war and individuals. Jack or later called Jag portrays a hard and confident character but with a vulnerable edge due to his having to mature very quickly within the battle-weary soldiers and officers. During the book, he grows from dockside general hand through to a scout for several varying armies ending up as a captain in the battle with the Swedes.
Playing through the story is his personal quest to seek out the killers of his parents which leads him into serious conflicts and quick-thinking escapes. He becomes a celebrated equestrian and is known for his swordsmanship which he has developed throughout his unusual lifestyle. Frustrations at being side-tracked in his real quest led him to make poor decisions which are a trait of his have had to become hardened from early years.
The book is in three parts, and I must admit to being pleased with the chronological listings of the many and varied characters within each section that provided within the book a mini who’s-who for each section.
As the first of a trilogy, I am eagerly awaiting book two and three which no doubt will develop Jag’s ultimate journey to seek out his parent’s killer or killers.
Peter Kerins
Methley Book Club Rated 5/5 star
November 13, 2022
I know a thing or two about the Thirty Years' War, - and love historical novels, so I was really delighted when it turned out I was allowed to read and review the book.
I started with great enthusiasm, but was soon overwhelmed and bogged down with the names of the many characters
The list of many names was daunting and counterproductive for me personally. I think I would have handled it differently. I would have focused on a few main characters and left the other names as they were. What is the added value of what the son of a tavern-keeper in Saarland is called?
And perhaps the list should have been included at the back of the book, now the reader is quite overwhelmed beforehand; an overview of key periods, places, warring sides, and historical background information might have given the uninformed reader a little more insight into this long and bloody period.
I found the beginning of the story slow, and struggled to get into the story, which is thankfully made up for later. And It is clear that the author is an authority on the subject -
Despite the truly fantastic writing style and the fascinating period in European history, I still found it difficult to keep my attention on the story. Maybe the story is not quite my cup of tea after all, and I am not sure if I will read the sequels.
I do advise on not reading the story on a Kindle, the map and beautiful illustrations are nullified on a Kindle.
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for this review copy. I leave this review voluntarily. 3.5 stars
I started with great enthusiasm, but was soon overwhelmed and bogged down with the names of the many characters
The list of many names was daunting and counterproductive for me personally. I think I would have handled it differently. I would have focused on a few main characters and left the other names as they were. What is the added value of what the son of a tavern-keeper in Saarland is called?
And perhaps the list should have been included at the back of the book, now the reader is quite overwhelmed beforehand; an overview of key periods, places, warring sides, and historical background information might have given the uninformed reader a little more insight into this long and bloody period.
I found the beginning of the story slow, and struggled to get into the story, which is thankfully made up for later. And It is clear that the author is an authority on the subject -
Despite the truly fantastic writing style and the fascinating period in European history, I still found it difficult to keep my attention on the story. Maybe the story is not quite my cup of tea after all, and I am not sure if I will read the sequels.
I do advise on not reading the story on a Kindle, the map and beautiful illustrations are nullified on a Kindle.
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for this review copy. I leave this review voluntarily. 3.5 stars
January 4, 2022
If you're unfamiliar with The Thirty Years' War, or find things like character and/or information overload a little off-putting, then The Silver Wolf can be a sluggish story to get through and it can be difficult to keep up with what is going on.
However, once the scene setting and character background is over, we are introduced to the main character Jack when a captain of one of the dockyard ships needs help unloading a valuable horse. Jack aids the disembarkment with his equine knowledge, but soon needs help himself when he is gravely injured following a fight.
The sea captain takes Jack to the home of the trader he works for and, once nursed back to health, Jack is given a job at the stables where he befriends Cornelius (the housekeeper's son) who gets teased by the local boys. As the blurb promises, the rest of the book follows Jack's story from France to Amsterdam and then onto German battlefields as he attempts to uncover the mystery of his life.
In contrast to the detailed descriptions, the language is quite light at times - a blend of old language mixed with modern speech - to make for an easier read, while the ripped edges of the blood-splattered letter on the front cover reinforces the historical feel and brutal war setting.
However, once the scene setting and character background is over, we are introduced to the main character Jack when a captain of one of the dockyard ships needs help unloading a valuable horse. Jack aids the disembarkment with his equine knowledge, but soon needs help himself when he is gravely injured following a fight.
The sea captain takes Jack to the home of the trader he works for and, once nursed back to health, Jack is given a job at the stables where he befriends Cornelius (the housekeeper's son) who gets teased by the local boys. As the blurb promises, the rest of the book follows Jack's story from France to Amsterdam and then onto German battlefields as he attempts to uncover the mystery of his life.
In contrast to the detailed descriptions, the language is quite light at times - a blend of old language mixed with modern speech - to make for an easier read, while the ripped edges of the blood-splattered letter on the front cover reinforces the historical feel and brutal war setting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 6, 2022
The First of Three - Looking Forward to the Next Two!
This is the first book in a trilogy about Jack Fiskardo; the story details Jack's life during, and in the run up to, the Thirty Years War.
The book is split into three parts:
- The first introduces us to Jack as a young teenager, in the early years of the war, living rough and earning what he can at the docks;
- The second takes us back to when Jack was a small child, so we can learn what happened during his childhood to shape Jack as he is;
- The third part rejoins Jack in his late teens and early twenties as we follow him on his quest for vengeance.
This is quite a weighty tome, coming in at over 500 pages, and there is a lot of reading within those pages - you find yourself totally immersed within the scenes that J.C. Harvey depicts. You will also find familiar historical characters within those pages (e.g. Cardinal Richelieu), and although the author does admit in the Author's Note at the beginning of the book that she has 'played fast and loose with documented history', the things that the characters do seem in keeping with those times - nothing ever seems far-fetched, or too much of a stretch of the imagination.
I really enjoyed this book, and would thoroughly recommend it.
This is the first book in a trilogy about Jack Fiskardo; the story details Jack's life during, and in the run up to, the Thirty Years War.
The book is split into three parts:
- The first introduces us to Jack as a young teenager, in the early years of the war, living rough and earning what he can at the docks;
- The second takes us back to when Jack was a small child, so we can learn what happened during his childhood to shape Jack as he is;
- The third part rejoins Jack in his late teens and early twenties as we follow him on his quest for vengeance.
This is quite a weighty tome, coming in at over 500 pages, and there is a lot of reading within those pages - you find yourself totally immersed within the scenes that J.C. Harvey depicts. You will also find familiar historical characters within those pages (e.g. Cardinal Richelieu), and although the author does admit in the Author's Note at the beginning of the book that she has 'played fast and loose with documented history', the things that the characters do seem in keeping with those times - nothing ever seems far-fetched, or too much of a stretch of the imagination.
I really enjoyed this book, and would thoroughly recommend it.
November 24, 2021
I very much enjoyed the beginning of this novel - the descriptions of Holland and France felt very authentic and of the time. However as the story continued, partly because of the increase in characters and partly because it is told in sections that are not sequential there were too many characters to hold in my head. It might perhaps have been an easier read as a paperback rather than on a kindle.
The story is of Jag/Jack/Jacques who is orphaned at an early age when his parents are killed. At first he is surviving, washing up in Holland and moving to on to Germany but when he is 'found' by a friend of his father's and learns what happens to his family he sets off on a quest to find a killer.
Set across Europe and across the time frame of the Thirty Years war, the story is rich in historical details. I found the parts about the camp followers who provide food and services for the soldiers fascinating and the life Jag had in the house of a Jewish merchant in Holland was detailed.
The story is long, and I believe only the first of a series. I would definitely recommend a hard copy to settle down with.
The story is of Jag/Jack/Jacques who is orphaned at an early age when his parents are killed. At first he is surviving, washing up in Holland and moving to on to Germany but when he is 'found' by a friend of his father's and learns what happens to his family he sets off on a quest to find a killer.
Set across Europe and across the time frame of the Thirty Years war, the story is rich in historical details. I found the parts about the camp followers who provide food and services for the soldiers fascinating and the life Jag had in the house of a Jewish merchant in Holland was detailed.
The story is long, and I believe only the first of a series. I would definitely recommend a hard copy to settle down with.
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March 22, 2022Great Plot
The Silver Wolf is the first instalment in a proposed trilogy featuring Jack Fiskardo, a fierce and cunning character. He's on a vengeance quest, and it's best not to get in his way, as it soon becomes clear. The author provides an excellent introduction to the political circumstances at the time for people like myself who had heard of the Thirty Years War but must have been sleeping the day it was discussed in history class. And, joy of pleasures, there's also a map that depicts Europe in a totally different light than it does today. At first, I wasn't too keen on the book's non-chronological format, which is broken into three sections, but it quickly made sense. In May of 1619, the reader is first brought into Jack's world. Overall, the Silver Wolf is a thrilling adventure narrative with a fantastic lead character who resembles a 17th-century James Bond in his ability to extricate himself out of tight situations. The novel is densely packed with historical data, with vivid dashes of humour and a gripping plot. It's a big book, with over 500 pages, but it's well worth your time, in my opinion.
The Silver Wolf is the first instalment in a proposed trilogy featuring Jack Fiskardo, a fierce and cunning character. He's on a vengeance quest, and it's best not to get in his way, as it soon becomes clear. The author provides an excellent introduction to the political circumstances at the time for people like myself who had heard of the Thirty Years War but must have been sleeping the day it was discussed in history class. And, joy of pleasures, there's also a map that depicts Europe in a totally different light than it does today. At first, I wasn't too keen on the book's non-chronological format, which is broken into three sections, but it quickly made sense. In May of 1619, the reader is first brought into Jack's world. Overall, the Silver Wolf is a thrilling adventure narrative with a fantastic lead character who resembles a 17th-century James Bond in his ability to extricate himself out of tight situations. The novel is densely packed with historical data, with vivid dashes of humour and a gripping plot. It's a big book, with over 500 pages, but it's well worth your time, in my opinion.
November 14, 2022
Atmospheric tale of a 13 year old orphan boy working in the Amsterdam docks in 1600s who sets out first to discover who he is and then to avenge his parents' deaths. Super details, well researched and thestorytelling is superb - we flit from character to character who tell their story of Jacques/Jack/Jag's life at different times. (making it super easy to keep track on time and dates).
We move around Amsterdam, France, Germany and the Polish border; Cardinal Richlieu, King Gustavus Adolphus, Ferdinand, Frederick of Bohemia all spread their influence and we experience some of the clashes between the armies of General Tilly and Christian of Brunswick and Frederick of Bohemia. The warfare is superbly written and the characters are lively, real and very "swashbuckling"! (No pirates, lol, but I can't think of an equivalent word for soldiers!) The deaths are detailed and bloodthirsty. Very unusually written (compared to my usual fare) - the only weakness I felt was near the end when some soldiers seemed to be described as the next 'Mad Max ' crew - perhaps aiming for a Netflix adaptation?
We move around Amsterdam, France, Germany and the Polish border; Cardinal Richlieu, King Gustavus Adolphus, Ferdinand, Frederick of Bohemia all spread their influence and we experience some of the clashes between the armies of General Tilly and Christian of Brunswick and Frederick of Bohemia. The warfare is superbly written and the characters are lively, real and very "swashbuckling"! (No pirates, lol, but I can't think of an equivalent word for soldiers!) The deaths are detailed and bloodthirsty. Very unusually written (compared to my usual fare) - the only weakness I felt was near the end when some soldiers seemed to be described as the next 'Mad Max ' crew - perhaps aiming for a Netflix adaptation?
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