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Wolverine's Daughter #1
Wolverine's Daughter
"When a sword and sorcery book begins with humor, it's fairly well guaranteed to be an excellent read.... This book whips along with impressive fight choreography, excellent background descriptions, and fascinating plotlines." --Kliatt
~~~~
Kelyn of Ketura.
Daughter of a legendary warrior who left the mountains before she was born. Brave. Strong. Tempered by her struggle to survive in the hostile, craggy Keturan mountains. And plagued by moments of enormous and puzzling clumsiness.
"Find your father," the local wisewoman tells her. "To find your true self, find the Wolverine."
Angered by his abandonment, Kelyn doesn't care about her father--but the lure of adventure in the Out Lands calls to her, just as it called to the Wolverine before her, and she accepts the challenge.
New languages, new weapons. Magic. Witch hunts. The treacheries of civilization. She doesn't know just how much of a challenge it'll be.
~~~
"With this new book, Doranna Durgin ventures into classic sword sorcery -- and turns the subgenre upside down..... I like Kelyn, who could kick Red Sonya's steel bikini-clad butt from introduction to epilogue. Fantasy fans in general will love this book, but it has extra appeal for feminists and for warriors of the female persuasion." --Hypatia's Hoard
~~~~
Kelyn of Ketura.
Daughter of a legendary warrior who left the mountains before she was born. Brave. Strong. Tempered by her struggle to survive in the hostile, craggy Keturan mountains. And plagued by moments of enormous and puzzling clumsiness.
"Find your father," the local wisewoman tells her. "To find your true self, find the Wolverine."
Angered by his abandonment, Kelyn doesn't care about her father--but the lure of adventure in the Out Lands calls to her, just as it called to the Wolverine before her, and she accepts the challenge.
New languages, new weapons. Magic. Witch hunts. The treacheries of civilization. She doesn't know just how much of a challenge it'll be.
~~~
"With this new book, Doranna Durgin ventures into classic sword sorcery -- and turns the subgenre upside down..... I like Kelyn, who could kick Red Sonya's steel bikini-clad butt from introduction to epilogue. Fantasy fans in general will love this book, but it has extra appeal for feminists and for warriors of the female persuasion." --Hypatia's Hoard
ebook
First published January 1, 2000
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About the author
Doranna Durgin
115 books225 followersDoranna Durgin is an award-winning author (the Compton Crook for Best First SF/F/H novel) whose quirky spirit has led to an extensive and eclectic publishing journey across genres, publishers, and publishing lines. Beyond that, she hangs around outside her Southwest mountain home with horse and highly accomplished competition dogs. She doesn't believe in mastering the beast within, but in channeling its power--for good or bad has yet to be decided! She says, “My books are SF/F, mystery, paranormal romance, & romantic suspense. My world is the Southwest, and my dogs are Beagles!”
Doranna’s most recent releases encompass the three books of the Reckoners trilogy--a powerful ghostbuster raised by a spirit, her brilliantly eccentric backup team, a cat who isn't a cat, and a fiercely driven bounty hunter from a different dimension who brings them together when worlds collide.
Doranna’s most recent releases encompass the three books of the Reckoners trilogy--a powerful ghostbuster raised by a spirit, her brilliantly eccentric backup team, a cat who isn't a cat, and a fiercely driven bounty hunter from a different dimension who brings them together when worlds collide.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
December 30, 2015
I really enjoyed Wolverine's Daughter. A fast moving classic fantasy quest style book starring a tough female warrior type. It reminded me of a much beloved fantasy novel, Wrede's The Raven's Ring.
July 29, 2014
Another fantastic find from Book View Café—this one at a half-price sale, no less (which is sadly over now).
The world in the story was pretty straight forward. The main character, Kelyn, is from Ketura, a designation for both her homeland and the god associated with it. Each land has it's distinct features, all associated with an accompanying god. Ketura is a harsh land, wild and free and the people there are barbarians to most of the lands adjoining. So Kelyn is really good at surviving in the wild, not so good at diplomatic relations—a fact that becomes important as she leaves her homeland in search of her legendary father, Thainn (aka The Wolverine).
Complicating Kelyn's journey is the curse of her frequent bouts of clumsiness. She has fought all her life to overcome her awkward moments and has worked hard to achieve competence in her land despite it. The wise woman/witch of her people has told her that to overcome this awkwardness, she needs to find her father (who has wandered outside his homeland for decades, now).
I came to really like Kelyn. She's strong and brave and caring and a stranger to the lands she visits. She struggles to help people even as she tries to figure out her own path through customs and situations for which she has no training and little way to relate. This is particularly frustrating to her when she sees so much injustice and doesn't understand why she might be in trouble with the law for, say, stopping the beating of a woman at the hands of a much larger man.
The story takes a while to develop, but that fits the expectations started from the very beginning. You know going into the story that this is going to be a tale of a journey and that the plotline is going to spiral in a bit instead of anything so vulgar as a strictly linear progression. Since Kelyn is an amiable travel companion, and because the reader is mostly learning right along with her, the first half of the book progresses pleasantly as we get to know her and how she approaches problem solving (and no, that's not code for "she kills people because she can"). She's actually quite restrained, really, and several times left enemies alive when I'd have rather they had been killed (like an attempted rapist, though it's true enough he wasn't exactly healthy as he left and enough of his friends perished that he probably got the point).
Once you hit about the half-way point, though, (and Kelyn meets her father), the book settles in for a wild ride. Battles, escapes, magical beasts, witches, and the occasional McGuffin fail to crowd out a touching story of growth, relationships, and trust. All careering to an ending that I found simply perfect and that I wish would continue in an ongoing series.
Yes, I want more. Which is what finally bumped this from a solid 4.5 into my eventual five star rating.
A note about Steamy: this book is not steamy. There's sex, some of it really good sex, but it all happens off-screen. Some of the discussions are frank enough that I mention it here, but not so much so that I want to flag it as "steamy".
The world in the story was pretty straight forward. The main character, Kelyn, is from Ketura, a designation for both her homeland and the god associated with it. Each land has it's distinct features, all associated with an accompanying god. Ketura is a harsh land, wild and free and the people there are barbarians to most of the lands adjoining. So Kelyn is really good at surviving in the wild, not so good at diplomatic relations—a fact that becomes important as she leaves her homeland in search of her legendary father, Thainn (aka The Wolverine).
Complicating Kelyn's journey is the curse of her frequent bouts of clumsiness. She has fought all her life to overcome her awkward moments and has worked hard to achieve competence in her land despite it. The wise woman/witch of her people has told her that to overcome this awkwardness, she needs to find her father (who has wandered outside his homeland for decades, now).
I came to really like Kelyn. She's strong and brave and caring and a stranger to the lands she visits. She struggles to help people even as she tries to figure out her own path through customs and situations for which she has no training and little way to relate. This is particularly frustrating to her when she sees so much injustice and doesn't understand why she might be in trouble with the law for, say, stopping the beating of a woman at the hands of a much larger man.
The story takes a while to develop, but that fits the expectations started from the very beginning. You know going into the story that this is going to be a tale of a journey and that the plotline is going to spiral in a bit instead of anything so vulgar as a strictly linear progression. Since Kelyn is an amiable travel companion, and because the reader is mostly learning right along with her, the first half of the book progresses pleasantly as we get to know her and how she approaches problem solving (and no, that's not code for "she kills people because she can"). She's actually quite restrained, really, and several times left enemies alive when I'd have rather they had been killed (like an attempted rapist, though it's true enough he wasn't exactly healthy as he left and enough of his friends perished that he probably got the point).
Once you hit about the half-way point, though, (and Kelyn meets her father), the book settles in for a wild ride. Battles, escapes, magical beasts, witches, and the occasional McGuffin fail to crowd out a touching story of growth, relationships, and trust. All careering to an ending that I found simply perfect and that I wish would continue in an ongoing series.
Yes, I want more. Which is what finally bumped this from a solid 4.5 into my eventual five star rating.
A note about Steamy: this book is not steamy. There's sex, some of it really good sex, but it all happens off-screen. Some of the discussions are frank enough that I mention it here, but not so much so that I want to flag it as "steamy".
January 18, 2019
For me this started slow, but then the second half of the book picked up. overall an enjoyable story.
April 28, 2017
The story opens with action and pretty much keeps up the pace. The heroine is likable and "grows" throughout the book.
If you like a good yarn with a kick-ass woman in the lead, you'll love this one. I can't say too much more without giving away the fun parts.
If you like a good yarn with a kick-ass woman in the lead, you'll love this one. I can't say too much more without giving away the fun parts.
June 12, 2018
An enjoyable read. This tale rocks along with some great fight scenes as we follow a barbarian heroine on a quest. With a strong flavour of Conan, the author weaves a good story about an orphaned female hunter looking for her legendary father. Along the way we are drawn into the primitive world she is exploring and learning about herself.
There is great scope for a series, and I am looking forward to more.
There is great scope for a series, and I am looking forward to more.
December 30, 2016
Sword and Sorcery at its best!
This book was easily one of my favorite reads of the year. The plot was intriguing, and so I decided to check the story out...and am tremendously glad I have. Recommended for those who like realistic fantasy with strong female characters and interesting magic. Four stars!
This book was easily one of my favorite reads of the year. The plot was intriguing, and so I decided to check the story out...and am tremendously glad I have. Recommended for those who like realistic fantasy with strong female characters and interesting magic. Four stars!
February 6, 2013
Entertaining high adventure swords and sorcery fantasy with good characterization and a great female character.
There were some areas that might have been helped by a bit more explanation, but overall a good plot and good storyline that held up well.
There were some areas that might have been helped by a bit more explanation, but overall a good plot and good storyline that held up well.
April 8, 2025
I enjoyed Wolverine's Daughter by Doranna Durgin. It was a quick read with an interesting protagonist and supporting characters. It was a well written book and the author did not shirk from endowing her protagonist with flaws.
November 18, 2017
Wolverine’s Daughter is a solid sword-and-sorcery story with a strong female protagonist. Set in the “primitive” world of such stories, it contains all the trappings of fantasy tale-thrillers and shows Ms. Durgin’s comfort with the genre. The story’s strength is depicting its hero, Kelyn, as a woman in a role that is classically male. Its weakness is its fairly lame central plot and one-dimensional secondary characters. There’s enough heart in it, however, that I can recommend it to lovers of the sword-and-sorcery genre and of Ms. Durgin’s work.
The book’s title caught my eye, as I’m sure it does for many, because the intimation is that it’s a story about the daughter of the Marvel comic book and movie superhero, Wolverine. That’s not the case, but don’t let that put you off. Ms. Durgin explains that confusion and where it came from in an afterword. It’s probably better that she didn’t go in that direction, anyway, though it’s an interesting idea.
The premise of Wolverine’s Daughter is of a warrior-huntress, Kelyn, wandering through a roughly neolithic world on a quest to find her father who abandoned her and her mother. In the process, of course, she is finding herself. Kelyn’s character is interesting enough to carry the reader through her wanderings as she fights the usual bad guys and gathers the tools and helpers she’ll need to fight the boss bad guys later. She also has to deal with being the daughter of a famous warrior that everyone admires but whom she hates.
Kelyn’s journey shows the hero archetype applying to female heroes as well as males. In doing so, Ms. Durgin does not sacrifice any femininity in Kelyn and that is possibly the best aspect of the story. Often, female heroes in this genre are female in name only.
The lead male character is Kelyn’s father, Thainn, who is the well-known warrior called “the Wolverine” (though we’re never told why). This character type is usually presented as basically misogynist, but that’s tempered here with Thainn’s respectful, sometimes wistful, attitude towards Kelyn’s mother. It’s an interesting slant that actually could have been deepened.
While I enjoyed the book overall, I did find the plot losing my interest towards the end. I think the big reveal is not big enough to drive the thriller plot as it needs to. In fact, the plot’s driving situation regarding the intrigue around Abendar and his “court” is weak. I could forgive this if other elements, such as character back-story or some twist in the genre, were stronger but they aren’t. I also think the antagonist, Petissanji, is too one-dimensional and is introduced too late into the story. He needs development with more motivation to oppose Kelyn and/or Thainn, personally.
Thainn needs more development as well. A major hingepin of this story is his relationship to Kelyn, and it falls flat because we don’t know enough about him. He is supposed to be a larger-than-life character, but that doesn’t really come out enough. Or if we had more background on his exploits, that would help. Some of the story told from his point-of-view would also strengthen his scenes with Kelyn, and make the ending stronger.
Another area that needs to be stronger is the romance thread. Now, overall, Ms. Durgin handles it as it needs to be handled, but it still suffers from being too shallow. I just didn’t believe it. I think that’s because the male character is not developed enough to be convincing. Even so, the relationship did work out in the way it needed to for the story being told.
For all that, I did like the character of Kelyn and I think she is strong enough to carry a series. She just needs some better problems to tackle and a better defined quest. Still, if you are a fan of sword-and-sorcery fiction, and of Doranna Durgin, you’ll enjoy Wolverine’s Daughter.
The book’s title caught my eye, as I’m sure it does for many, because the intimation is that it’s a story about the daughter of the Marvel comic book and movie superhero, Wolverine. That’s not the case, but don’t let that put you off. Ms. Durgin explains that confusion and where it came from in an afterword. It’s probably better that she didn’t go in that direction, anyway, though it’s an interesting idea.
The premise of Wolverine’s Daughter is of a warrior-huntress, Kelyn, wandering through a roughly neolithic world on a quest to find her father who abandoned her and her mother. In the process, of course, she is finding herself. Kelyn’s character is interesting enough to carry the reader through her wanderings as she fights the usual bad guys and gathers the tools and helpers she’ll need to fight the boss bad guys later. She also has to deal with being the daughter of a famous warrior that everyone admires but whom she hates.
Kelyn’s journey shows the hero archetype applying to female heroes as well as males. In doing so, Ms. Durgin does not sacrifice any femininity in Kelyn and that is possibly the best aspect of the story. Often, female heroes in this genre are female in name only.
The lead male character is Kelyn’s father, Thainn, who is the well-known warrior called “the Wolverine” (though we’re never told why). This character type is usually presented as basically misogynist, but that’s tempered here with Thainn’s respectful, sometimes wistful, attitude towards Kelyn’s mother. It’s an interesting slant that actually could have been deepened.
While I enjoyed the book overall, I did find the plot losing my interest towards the end. I think the big reveal is not big enough to drive the thriller plot as it needs to. In fact, the plot’s driving situation regarding the intrigue around Abendar and his “court” is weak. I could forgive this if other elements, such as character back-story or some twist in the genre, were stronger but they aren’t. I also think the antagonist, Petissanji, is too one-dimensional and is introduced too late into the story. He needs development with more motivation to oppose Kelyn and/or Thainn, personally.
Thainn needs more development as well. A major hingepin of this story is his relationship to Kelyn, and it falls flat because we don’t know enough about him. He is supposed to be a larger-than-life character, but that doesn’t really come out enough. Or if we had more background on his exploits, that would help. Some of the story told from his point-of-view would also strengthen his scenes with Kelyn, and make the ending stronger.
Another area that needs to be stronger is the romance thread. Now, overall, Ms. Durgin handles it as it needs to be handled, but it still suffers from being too shallow. I just didn’t believe it. I think that’s because the male character is not developed enough to be convincing. Even so, the relationship did work out in the way it needed to for the story being told.
For all that, I did like the character of Kelyn and I think she is strong enough to carry a series. She just needs some better problems to tackle and a better defined quest. Still, if you are a fan of sword-and-sorcery fiction, and of Doranna Durgin, you’ll enjoy Wolverine’s Daughter.
June 24, 2017
When Tamera Pierce's anthology “Young Warriors: Stories of Strength" came out I read Doranna Durgin's short story about Kelyn - and I fell in love with the character. I even emailed Ms Durgin about if there were anymore stories about her and she directed me to this book (that she wrote first). I read this 10 or 11 years ago, and I loved it then and I love it more now.
I love the strong female character searching for herself. And since it had been so long since I'd read it, the story was almost new to me.
Basically, I love this book. Love Kelyn.
I love the strong female character searching for herself. And since it had been so long since I'd read it, the story was almost new to me.
Basically, I love this book. Love Kelyn.
June 18, 2023
It's actually surprisingly good - looks like something from about 1980, but reads like something from 2020, and it's actually somehow from 2000. Strong main character, well placed plot with lot of events. Super underdeveloped world though. Definitely not going to become one of the classics but was worth a quick read.
March 16, 2018
This particular book has been sitting on my reader for years. It was a great beginning to this series and just what I needed to read as it has been a long time since enjoying my last sorcery and sword fantasy book.
December 6, 2019
An enjoyable book overall. The plot at times was a bit contrived, but still managed to keep me interested.
I've had this p-book on my shelf for quite some time (January 2000) and I'm glad I finally got around to reading it.
I've had this p-book on my shelf for quite some time (January 2000) and I'm glad I finally got around to reading it.
October 8, 2017
Great Read
I would recommend this book. It keeps you reading right to the end. You don't want to put it down
I would recommend this book. It keeps you reading right to the end. You don't want to put it down
January 10, 2018
This book reminds me a lot of "Clan of the Cave Bear". I really enjoyed listening to it and Arika Escalona is an excellent narrator. She really brought it to life.
March 1, 2018
Fun read
Very entertaining read. The story moved along at a good pace. Definitely left room for further books that I will want to read.
Very entertaining read. The story moved along at a good pace. Definitely left room for further books that I will want to read.
April 2, 2018
Catchy Title
Title caught my eye, intro peaked my interest and off we went. Merry ride with likeable characters and good storyline. I enjoyed my time in the book. Easy read.
Title caught my eye, intro peaked my interest and off we went. Merry ride with likeable characters and good storyline. I enjoyed my time in the book. Easy read.
November 29, 2021
most probably 2.5.
January 11, 2016
I've been a casual fan of Doranna Durgin for a long time, and I'm always suckered into interested in her books when they pop up on the LibraryThing Early Reviewer lists. I won this a long, long time ago, and it suffered from the havoc my life disintegrated into… I'm playing catchup now, sheepishly and with apologies.
Kelyn's mother dies, and while she grieves she is also freed up to go explore the world. She figures part of that exploration will be to find her legendary father, known as (duh) the Wolverine, whose permanent absence Kelyn has always resented. Armed with a staff and her perpetual clumsiness, she sets off – and almost immediately finds herself rescuing a pair of children being menaced by a slaver. Through the children she becomes involved with the Traders, who bore a strong coincidental resemblance to Robert Jordan's Tinkers, and through the Traders becomes entangled in a bloody witch hunt which seems to be a cover for some other kind of hunt…
My prevailing impression of the book was of plain and straightforward writing. I don't remember other Durgin novels very clearly (it's been a while), but whether that is simply her style or whether it was intentional for Wolverine's Daughter, it works here. Kelyn is a considered a barbarian by everyone she meets – dressed in rough clothing, barefoot when she can be, simple of speech and uncomprehending when people exercise linguistic gymnastics on her. She has no patience for metaphor and poetic reference. The narration matches this, and after some of what I've read lately it took me a little while to get used to it.
The plot was a smidgen predictable, with everything clicking into place exactly where it ought to and no tremendous surprises. No real character growth, either, now that I think of it; Kelyn leaves home with one mindset, meets new people and has new experiences and is exposed to new ideas and new ways of doing things – and meets her father, which isn't really a spoiler, because that's the whole point of the book – and yet at the end the main difference in her is that she has adapted to footwear more often than previously.
Something that drove me a little crazy about the plot is that much of it hinges on Kelyn being blamed - and blaming herself - for something that was not her fault. She is given a caution toward the beginning of the book - a very unspecific caution. She absorbs it and alters her behavior accordingly. It turns out she does not alter it enough, and inadvertently causes major trouble. And everyone hates her guts because of it, and she is consumed with guilt because of it - and it's ridiculous. What she was told was so vague that I don't see how she could have known to do any different, especially as uninformed as she is about just about everything; it was like a child being told to be careful around a stove because it's hot and they might get burned, instead of being told to NOT TOUCH THE STOVE because it's hot and they WILL get burned. I would have been a little easier with the situation if Kelyn had reacted with indignation - "Well, you didn't tell me!" ... but she didn't.
Still, all in all, it's a good, solid fantasy read, with a fairly likeable heroine and a truly nasty villain. Enjoyable.
Again, this was won from LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program for an honest review.
ETA another favorite typo: "tankers of the thick ale". Now that's a lot of ale.
Kelyn's mother dies, and while she grieves she is also freed up to go explore the world. She figures part of that exploration will be to find her legendary father, known as (duh) the Wolverine, whose permanent absence Kelyn has always resented. Armed with a staff and her perpetual clumsiness, she sets off – and almost immediately finds herself rescuing a pair of children being menaced by a slaver. Through the children she becomes involved with the Traders, who bore a strong coincidental resemblance to Robert Jordan's Tinkers, and through the Traders becomes entangled in a bloody witch hunt which seems to be a cover for some other kind of hunt…
My prevailing impression of the book was of plain and straightforward writing. I don't remember other Durgin novels very clearly (it's been a while), but whether that is simply her style or whether it was intentional for Wolverine's Daughter, it works here. Kelyn is a considered a barbarian by everyone she meets – dressed in rough clothing, barefoot when she can be, simple of speech and uncomprehending when people exercise linguistic gymnastics on her. She has no patience for metaphor and poetic reference. The narration matches this, and after some of what I've read lately it took me a little while to get used to it.
The plot was a smidgen predictable, with everything clicking into place exactly where it ought to and no tremendous surprises. No real character growth, either, now that I think of it; Kelyn leaves home with one mindset, meets new people and has new experiences and is exposed to new ideas and new ways of doing things – and meets her father, which isn't really a spoiler, because that's the whole point of the book – and yet at the end the main difference in her is that she has adapted to footwear more often than previously.
Something that drove me a little crazy about the plot is that much of it hinges on Kelyn being blamed - and blaming herself - for something that was not her fault. She is given a caution toward the beginning of the book - a very unspecific caution. She absorbs it and alters her behavior accordingly. It turns out she does not alter it enough, and inadvertently causes major trouble. And everyone hates her guts because of it, and she is consumed with guilt because of it - and it's ridiculous. What she was told was so vague that I don't see how she could have known to do any different, especially as uninformed as she is about just about everything; it was like a child being told to be careful around a stove because it's hot and they might get burned, instead of being told to NOT TOUCH THE STOVE because it's hot and they WILL get burned. I would have been a little easier with the situation if Kelyn had reacted with indignation - "Well, you didn't tell me!" ... but she didn't.
Still, all in all, it's a good, solid fantasy read, with a fairly likeable heroine and a truly nasty villain. Enjoyable.
Again, this was won from LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program for an honest review.
ETA another favorite typo: "tankers of the thick ale". Now that's a lot of ale.
August 12, 2011
Classic sword & sorcery adventure!
This story follows Kelyn, brave warrior of the Keturans as she attempts to find her father, the “Wolverine”, and somehow break the curse of clumsiness that has been cast upon her. In order to accomplish this quest, she must leave the rugged mountains where she and her people live and venture to the Outlands and begin her search for her father, whom she’s never met.
If you’re a fan of sword and sorcery stories, then you’ll truly enjoy this book. Kelyn’s character reminds me of Xena, from the old tv series. She’s an excellent warrior who prefers solitude over civilization, yet her quest forces her to venture into several large cities where she experiences first hand the harsh reality that not everyone can be trusted. She is befriended by a group of Traders (reminds me of gypsies) and travels with them to continue her search.
I’m not the sort of person who’ll give away spoilers, so I won’t say what happens next, but I will say that it’s definitely worth checking out.
A few things… I know one of the major plot points was the curse of clumsiness that has befallen Kelyn, and it was mentioned several times, but not really in that much detail. I would have liked to have seen a little more explanation into the curse, why it was cast upon her, etc. I would have also liked to have seen a little more explanation on how the “Needle” was created, how it was used, how it was used to track them, etc.
All in all, a very satisfying story of high adventure. I very easily lost myself in it for a day. Good job, Ms. Durgin!
This story follows Kelyn, brave warrior of the Keturans as she attempts to find her father, the “Wolverine”, and somehow break the curse of clumsiness that has been cast upon her. In order to accomplish this quest, she must leave the rugged mountains where she and her people live and venture to the Outlands and begin her search for her father, whom she’s never met.
If you’re a fan of sword and sorcery stories, then you’ll truly enjoy this book. Kelyn’s character reminds me of Xena, from the old tv series. She’s an excellent warrior who prefers solitude over civilization, yet her quest forces her to venture into several large cities where she experiences first hand the harsh reality that not everyone can be trusted. She is befriended by a group of Traders (reminds me of gypsies) and travels with them to continue her search.
I’m not the sort of person who’ll give away spoilers, so I won’t say what happens next, but I will say that it’s definitely worth checking out.
A few things… I know one of the major plot points was the curse of clumsiness that has befallen Kelyn, and it was mentioned several times, but not really in that much detail. I would have liked to have seen a little more explanation into the curse, why it was cast upon her, etc. I would have also liked to have seen a little more explanation on how the “Needle” was created, how it was used, how it was used to track them, etc.
All in all, a very satisfying story of high adventure. I very easily lost myself in it for a day. Good job, Ms. Durgin!
July 23, 2016
From the description of the book on the LibraryThing Early Reviewers request page, I knew this was a book I would like. I wouldn't say that I loved the book, but I did very much enjoy it. It wasn't an earth-shatteringly amazing plot, but it was good and Kelyn is an interesting protagonist. I love that she had both skills and flaws; these made for a well-rounded character. It's an enjoyable read to watch her find her way in the world as she travels far from home.
The only real shortcoming I noticed with this book was that it was kind of slow to start. Once the plot got moving, though, it kept my attention. I finished this quickly, curious to see how it ended. I wasn't disappointed.
Overall I'll give this 4 stars out of five. It was so so close to getting 4 1/2 (although Goodreads doesn't seem to like half stars), but I couldn't help feeling as I was reading it that something was missing. I hate bumping it down because, as I'm sitting here typing this up, I can't even figure out what it was that it was missing, but it's almost like it had the potential to be even better than it actually was, but it just fell ever so slightly short. That said, I'm definitely going to be looking for more books by this author and would recommend this one for those who enjoy fantasy starring a competent- but still believably flawed- protagonist.
The only real shortcoming I noticed with this book was that it was kind of slow to start. Once the plot got moving, though, it kept my attention. I finished this quickly, curious to see how it ended. I wasn't disappointed.
Overall I'll give this 4 stars out of five. It was so so close to getting 4 1/2 (although Goodreads doesn't seem to like half stars), but I couldn't help feeling as I was reading it that something was missing. I hate bumping it down because, as I'm sitting here typing this up, I can't even figure out what it was that it was missing, but it's almost like it had the potential to be even better than it actually was, but it just fell ever so slightly short. That said, I'm definitely going to be looking for more books by this author and would recommend this one for those who enjoy fantasy starring a competent- but still believably flawed- protagonist.
June 18, 2014
first sentences
chapter 1
Kelyn ducked her head against the wind, spitting out long strands of black hair. It was a familiar scourge, this wind, whipping through the Keturan foothills unchecked by anything other than thin stands of trees fighting to sink roots into the rocky soil. This day, it served to dry her tear-wet cheeks, leaving them tight over her bones and tingling with cold. She stumbled, closing her arms more securely around her load of precious wood. She thought she'd been ready for this day— she'd certainly seen it coming— but the calm practicality that led her to gather the first of the pyre wood a full three years before Lytha's death had now utterly vanished. Three years and more it had been, that summer when the changes started. She shook her head at the thought of it, a minute gesture lost in the hair lashing around her face. In that time, her summer hunting pack had adapted to their fitful advance into maturity, holding together even as they grew to be different. They'd lost Mungo the previous year, but had otherwise remained successful and safe, and had even taken a handful of younger siblings on their easier forays.
Durgin, Doranna (2011-07-27). Wolverine's Daughter (The Wolverine's Daughter) (pp. 10-12). Blue Hound Visions. Kindle Edition.
chapter 1
Kelyn ducked her head against the wind, spitting out long strands of black hair. It was a familiar scourge, this wind, whipping through the Keturan foothills unchecked by anything other than thin stands of trees fighting to sink roots into the rocky soil. This day, it served to dry her tear-wet cheeks, leaving them tight over her bones and tingling with cold. She stumbled, closing her arms more securely around her load of precious wood. She thought she'd been ready for this day— she'd certainly seen it coming— but the calm practicality that led her to gather the first of the pyre wood a full three years before Lytha's death had now utterly vanished. Three years and more it had been, that summer when the changes started. She shook her head at the thought of it, a minute gesture lost in the hair lashing around her face. In that time, her summer hunting pack had adapted to their fitful advance into maturity, holding together even as they grew to be different. They'd lost Mungo the previous year, but had otherwise remained successful and safe, and had even taken a handful of younger siblings on their easier forays.
Durgin, Doranna (2011-07-27). Wolverine's Daughter (The Wolverine's Daughter) (pp. 10-12). Blue Hound Visions. Kindle Edition.
October 24, 2012
I've had this book sitting in my library for a long time - never got past the first chapter. I go through spells when all I can seem to read are fluffy (paranormal or historical) romances. Finally, I've climbed out of the oubliette of ennui. Although that's a little too melodramatic even for me. The point is, I've finally read and thoroughly enjoyed this book.
I really liked Kelyn. She's feisty and brave and foolish and always finds trouble.Her mother has died after a prolonged illness and Kelyn has been told by the local healer/witch to find her father to find herself.Her father who left before she was born and about whom her mother had no bad words.
Eventually she does find her father,their meeting was hardly an auspicious one. Eventually they get along well enough to fight and defeat an evil witch and then set out for more adventure.
Kelyn reminds me somewhat of Talia from "Arrows of the Queen" ( the first book in Mercedes Lackey's Valdemar series) I think that anyone who enjoys a smart mouthed,though brave and well meaning hero/heroine and a little swashbuckling will like this book.
I really liked Kelyn. She's feisty and brave and foolish and always finds trouble.Her mother has died after a prolonged illness and Kelyn has been told by the local healer/witch to find her father to find herself.Her father who left before she was born and about whom her mother had no bad words.
Eventually she does find her father,their meeting was hardly an auspicious one. Eventually they get along well enough to fight and defeat an evil witch and then set out for more adventure.
Kelyn reminds me somewhat of Talia from "Arrows of the Queen" ( the first book in Mercedes Lackey's Valdemar series) I think that anyone who enjoys a smart mouthed,though brave and well meaning hero/heroine and a little swashbuckling will like this book.
July 17, 2013
*****Spoilers****
I found it a challenge to read this book, though I stuck it out and read it to the end.
The story was a good one, about a girl raised by her mother in the mountains and a father that left before she was born. Now on her own she goes off to search for her father and befriends a group of traders and witches. Unintentionally she unleashes soldiers onto the group and all the witches are imprisoned by an evil man, now trying to right a wrong she sets out to help them and also to learn of her father.
What I found hard about this book was it either had both the poor grammar and punctuation or it was the way the story was meant to be read in a native tongue, I kept reading back over paragraphs to get the gist of it and I found it too long winded and barely holding my attention, and also the relationship she has with Endre is a real let-down from the so-called build up, which is a shame as this book has promise if more time tidying it up and putting more feelings and bonds in place with the characters.
I found it a challenge to read this book, though I stuck it out and read it to the end.
The story was a good one, about a girl raised by her mother in the mountains and a father that left before she was born. Now on her own she goes off to search for her father and befriends a group of traders and witches. Unintentionally she unleashes soldiers onto the group and all the witches are imprisoned by an evil man, now trying to right a wrong she sets out to help them and also to learn of her father.
What I found hard about this book was it either had both the poor grammar and punctuation or it was the way the story was meant to be read in a native tongue, I kept reading back over paragraphs to get the gist of it and I found it too long winded and barely holding my attention, and also the relationship she has with Endre is a real let-down from the so-called build up, which is a shame as this book has promise if more time tidying it up and putting more feelings and bonds in place with the characters.
November 8, 2011
Wolverine's Daughter by Doranna Durgin tells the story of Kelyn of Ketura. A young lady who has had to work extra hard to survive in her harsh mountain environment because she is cursed with clumsiness. When her mother, the only thing keeping her around, passes away she goes out in search of her father. The local wisewoman tells her that this is the only way to remove the curse of her clumsiness.
This is a pretty straightforward example of a sword and sorcery book. The characters aren't exceptionally deep and the plot is driven by the action more than anything. The story flows well and Wolverine was an interesting addition to the story and really helped advance the story of the curse. If you are a fan of action based stories than this should be right up your alley. It has all the elements of a classic fantasy tale: romance, evil wizards, mercenaries, and a main character trying to resolve some kind of personal flaw.
This is a pretty straightforward example of a sword and sorcery book. The characters aren't exceptionally deep and the plot is driven by the action more than anything. The story flows well and Wolverine was an interesting addition to the story and really helped advance the story of the curse. If you are a fan of action based stories than this should be right up your alley. It has all the elements of a classic fantasy tale: romance, evil wizards, mercenaries, and a main character trying to resolve some kind of personal flaw.
December 19, 2023
This is a fantasy of old-style storytelling and classic witchcraft and wizardry. Although it was a slow starter, I stuck with it and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Kelyn is a wonderful mixture of boldness and sass, with a strong sense of right and wrong. There is a comment made in the book that although she never goes looking for trouble, trouble always seems to find her! She sets off from home on a journey of discovery, both to find her father and to find herself with mishaps, battles, friendships and sorrow along the way.
This is a wonderful book that follows along the lines of sword and sorcery and an epic storyline.
* Verified Purchase ~ January 2013 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 24, 2013
Kelyn is a wonderful mixture of boldness and sass, with a strong sense of right and wrong. There is a comment made in the book that although she never goes looking for trouble, trouble always seems to find her! She sets off from home on a journey of discovery, both to find her father and to find herself with mishaps, battles, friendships and sorrow along the way.
This is a wonderful book that follows along the lines of sword and sorcery and an epic storyline.
* Verified Purchase ~ January 2013 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 24, 2013
July 28, 2014
Kelyn is a strong willed, downright stubborn girl, just as her father, rumored to be the legendary Wolverine, is said to be. After her mother dies, and her home is burned, she is filled with a need to travel. A witch from her village tells her that to find herself, she needs to find her father, but Kelyn has no use for the man that left her pregnant mother to raise her alone. On her journey, she discovers that being able to take care of herself does not mean she is invincible or even capable in new lands. She meets many new people, finds trouble left and right, and yes, catches up with a legend.
January 8, 2013
I really liked this book. The main character, Kelyn, reminds me very much of a character a friend of mine created. This character turned out to be a clumsy Northern tribesman. Kelyn has a problem with being clumsy and seems to be a bit on the barabarian side. That said, I still love the character. I also like Endre very much. Their relationship is amusing. The Traders are a very interesting people. I wouldn't mind reading more about them. Or more about Kelyn, or her father for that matter.
January 12, 2013
I would say this is one of my favorite Durgin books... except, they're ALL pretty much among my favorite books. I just like the way she tells a story - rich, vivid characters, but not a character study. There's lots of of well-paced action in an engaging plot, enough description to visualize the "place" where the action is taking place, but not so much that it reads like a travel guide, ya know? And this is true of all of her books, not just this one. But I have to say, I have a great deal of affection for Kelyn - Sometimes I think somebody must have put a clumsiness curse on me, too.
March 11, 2013
Started out very interestingly and only got better the further you read. An only child, a daughter, discovers more of herself as her adventures take her on a collision course towards finding her father, the Wolverine, towards her destiny. On the way she meets traveling traders composed of men, women, children and witches. The country they're now in hunts witches, believing them responsible for the kingdom's troubles. Our heroine meets her father haphazardly and together help heal the kingdom and right a terrible wrong.
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