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Sembia, Gateway to the Realms #4
Black Wolf
When a rival house comes looking for blood, Talbot Uskevren, the second son in his family spends his days developing his swordfighting and acting skills, while fighting an inner battle.
312 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
9 people are currently reading
578 people want to read
About the author
Dave Gross
199 books138 followersDave Gross is the author of ten novels, notably the adventures of Radovan and the Count, including Prince of Wolves, Master of Devils, Queen of Thorns, and King of Chaos. Formerly the editor of such magazines as Dragon, Star Wars Insider, and Amazing Stories, Dave has also written novels for the Forgotten Realms and Iron Kingdoms settings. For more tales of Radovan and the Count, including free short stories, check out http://paizo.com/pathfinder/tales.
For more on Dave's current and upcoming projects and events, go to .
For more on Dave's current and upcoming projects and events, go to .
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 24, 2013
Top Notch....Really loved this one....hope to read more about Talbot.
May 16, 2010
Black Wolf by Dave Gross is the fourth book in the Sembia: Gateway to the Realms series. The story centers around Talbot Uskevren, the youngest son of House Uskevren. The events that occur in this book follow the events of Thirty Days, the short story in Halls of Stormweather anthology.
I’ll just simply reword what the description says on the back of the book. Talbot, also called Tal, is an actor in a theatre troupe with a secret. Infected with lycanthropy, Tal has to control the beast within to protect his family and friends. Two different god’s priests show up to give him answers, but as all help, there is a price.
Negatives:
1) Middle of the story. It was just confusing. There was a lot of jumping around. It was linear, but the events of earlier installments made it harder to follow. There isn’t a really easy way to explain what I mean without giving away things from the earlier books.
2) The awkward fight scene with the helmeted ‘stranger’. I can really give much more detail, but it just didn’t fit the story. It seemed more like filler then anything else.
3) Lack of character description. When we first met some characters, the descriptions were lacking. This is more prominent with the theatre troupe. You get little hints and small descriptions in the beginning but they all blended together. Up until the end, I didn’t know who was who and such.
Positives:
1) Strong beginning. The beginning was really well written. It really did capture my attention and hold it.
2) Talbot, Chaney, Feena, and Darrow. Talbot was a good, well thought out character. He seemed genuine. Chaney, Tal’s friend, was funny. The one liners and bickering between the two were hilarious. Tal’s and Chaney’s relationship seemed as though it could be a real one. Feena at first came off as a know it all and grated on my nervous. However, she really started to develop a little more and did get more interesting. Darrow was an odd character. He seemed to want to do good, but it always didn’t go the way he planned. I really did pity him towards the end.
3) The End. I liked how everything came together and wrapped up. It actually felt like the story was told and finished.
Overall: 3.75/5
* It would have been higher except for the middle not fitting to well. *
I’ll just simply reword what the description says on the back of the book. Talbot, also called Tal, is an actor in a theatre troupe with a secret. Infected with lycanthropy, Tal has to control the beast within to protect his family and friends. Two different god’s priests show up to give him answers, but as all help, there is a price.
Negatives:
1) Middle of the story. It was just confusing. There was a lot of jumping around. It was linear, but the events of earlier installments made it harder to follow. There isn’t a really easy way to explain what I mean without giving away things from the earlier books.
2) The awkward fight scene with the helmeted ‘stranger’. I can really give much more detail, but it just didn’t fit the story. It seemed more like filler then anything else.
3) Lack of character description. When we first met some characters, the descriptions were lacking. This is more prominent with the theatre troupe. You get little hints and small descriptions in the beginning but they all blended together. Up until the end, I didn’t know who was who and such.
Positives:
1) Strong beginning. The beginning was really well written. It really did capture my attention and hold it.
2) Talbot, Chaney, Feena, and Darrow. Talbot was a good, well thought out character. He seemed genuine. Chaney, Tal’s friend, was funny. The one liners and bickering between the two were hilarious. Tal’s and Chaney’s relationship seemed as though it could be a real one. Feena at first came off as a know it all and grated on my nervous. However, she really started to develop a little more and did get more interesting. Darrow was an odd character. He seemed to want to do good, but it always didn’t go the way he planned. I really did pity him towards the end.
3) The End. I liked how everything came together and wrapped up. It actually felt like the story was told and finished.
Overall: 3.75/5
* It would have been higher except for the middle not fitting to well. *
March 30, 2009
Black Wolf truthfully is a book in a genre I don't jump at but this book is very well wrote and once I picked it up I wanted to finish it. Dave Gross has a way of turning characters you thought where insignificant and making them a huge factor into the plot and emotional construct of the story. I suggest anyone into fantasy or even a really good captivating story should read this.
October 14, 2022
Actors, werewolves, noblemen and vampires. Good lore about the good and evil of lycanthrope.
sold
February 23, 2012Sold to Lewis White on eBay on 7-Jun-11:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI....
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI....
December 7, 2013
I didn't like the time jump backwards. I like when books in a series go in order however overall the story was still good.
July 16, 2022
A classic David Gross D&D average book, with cool ideas trying not to drown in completely average writing.
Positives:
Some characters - I particularly liked Chaney, Stannis and Radu, but Talbot is also good as a main character. Darrow was also an interesting character.
Negatives:
Writing - I think the writing style of David Gross, having read a few of his books, sticks out negatively. It's not very fluid nor artistic, and sometimes the characters act like they are in a cartoon. The realism of the interactions between Tal and Chaney was a breath of fresh air in this regard. Also, regarding the writing itself, the fact that I didn't annotate a single quote is pretty telling. After thinking for a while, I think another thing is he seems to "miss" on great story opportunities. Characters die or are forever changed, and it's written in the same way that food is described.
Ending - I will call this the Brandon Sanderson Syndrome (which feels unfair tbh, as some of Brandon's books have amazing endings, but I remember criticizing exactly this in the last book of his I read; also, he is in a totally different level as a writer) - the ending is too clean, too neat. I don't want to spoil it, but some big things happened that weren't really adressed. It wouldn't have pissed me off so much if it also didn't happen in his other books, but it puts me off reading them, to be honest. Also, why would you hype the villains so much, and have them be so interesting, only for the final fight to be so disappointing?
Positives:
Some characters - I particularly liked Chaney, Stannis and Radu, but Talbot is also good as a main character. Darrow was also an interesting character.
Negatives:
Writing - I think the writing style of David Gross, having read a few of his books, sticks out negatively. It's not very fluid nor artistic, and sometimes the characters act like they are in a cartoon. The realism of the interactions between Tal and Chaney was a breath of fresh air in this regard. Also, regarding the writing itself, the fact that I didn't annotate a single quote is pretty telling. After thinking for a while, I think another thing is he seems to "miss" on great story opportunities. Characters die or are forever changed, and it's written in the same way that food is described.
Ending - I will call this the Brandon Sanderson Syndrome (which feels unfair tbh, as some of Brandon's books have amazing endings, but I remember criticizing exactly this in the last book of his I read; also, he is in a totally different level as a writer) - the ending is too clean, too neat. I don't want to spoil it, but some big things happened that weren't really adressed. It wouldn't have pissed me off so much if it also didn't happen in his other books, but it puts me off reading them, to be honest. Also, why would you hype the villains so much, and have them be so interesting, only for the final fight to be so disappointing?
April 5, 2019
Closer to 3 1/2 stars. The expectations on this book were not high. Werewolves and vampires have been done too many times for me in the context of both Hollywood and fantasy to expect much from this book, but it was better than I expected all things considered. Well written, simple plot pretty much and it even had most of the cliches from myth in it such as everyone having a silver lined weapon in the fight scene towards the finish. I expected there to be a massive duel at the end and was somewhat disappointed that we did not get to see Radu’s skill and true character during the expected confrontation. It is my guess that will be another day. And while Tal was interesting enough to follow, I wanted more Radu at the end. I hope to get that in one of the later books.
August 3, 2018
"I think a parrot bit you. Your mouth is moving but all I hear are (his) words."
"...the ability to live completely beyond fear of consequences. It seemed like power."
"Too bold to hide."
"I just feel like I have to take care of everything these days, like I have to look out for everyone....I do like it...it's better than having other people trying to look out for me all the time...but it's a lot of work."
"...the ability to live completely beyond fear of consequences. It seemed like power."
"Too bold to hide."
"I just feel like I have to take care of everything these days, like I have to look out for everyone....I do like it...it's better than having other people trying to look out for me all the time...but it's a lot of work."
March 20, 2020
Surprisingly their were two main characters; Tal and Darrow, and we don't really get much of an ending for Darrow, I suppose he was a loose end through and through.
Apparently aquatic vampires are a thing?
Apparently aquatic vampires are a thing?
January 6, 2022
I found this book to be a fun and entertaining read. It has a lot of story but there is plenty of action to spice it up. The book didn't really need a love interest thrown in. I usually find books about vampires and werewolves tiring but this book spiced up the lore to keep it new and refreshing.
December 30, 2022
I really like the way D. Gross develops his characters. The concept of a weak and dependent person who is forced to face various life's challenges is particularly interesting in this regard. However, the ending of the novel seems a little disappointing.
December 12, 2020
This was the best of the stories so far! #4 is about Talbot Uskeverin and really gets into the realms and Sembian lore with explorations of Selune and Malar. An excellent read!
September 24, 2023
Why was Darrow's POV even included? There wasn't even a definitive ending for him, so what was the point? I wish it had focused on Feena or even Chaney instead. Otherwise, it was an okay read.
November 17, 2023
Finished listening to the Audible version of the book. Best one in the series so far, had my attention most of the time, and the narration was pretty good (unlike the previous book).
August 13, 2023
DNF.
Boring. Why is presumably 50% of the book NOT about a member of the Uskevren family? 50 fucking percent. Why should I care about the butler of a vampire?
---
That was my review when I first picked up the book however long ago, having giving it one star. I picked it up again after reading "Mistress of the Night", and wanted more from Feena. Changed my rating from 1 to 4 stars. I think I dropped the book at first because the book is slow to start, and that's because the story is hampered by the structure; alternating chapters between Tal, our werewolf Uskevren offspring, and Darrow, simpering butler to one of the antagonists (as a unique take on vampires). So, the structure is the main weak point of the book and makes the flow a bit artificial. With the negatives out of the way, the positives of "Black Wolf" are firmly in the characters, their interactions, dialogue and the comedy. Several laugh-out-loud moments between Tal, Chaney, Feena and Quickly, not to mention endearing moments involving the Uskevren clan. The bad guys are suitably, er, bad and range from sadistic and aberrant to brutal and grosteque.
Overall, a satisfying, fast and engaging read. Very recommended muchly.
PS: If you're thinking of entering into "Mistress of the Night" after reading this, bear in mind Tal does not make an appearance in that novel, which I feel is a detriment. Nonetheless, it's a still an entertaining and engaging read.
PPS: This book is critical if you're going to read Lord of Stormweather.
Boring. Why is presumably 50% of the book NOT about a member of the Uskevren family? 50 fucking percent. Why should I care about the butler of a vampire?
---
That was my review when I first picked up the book however long ago, having giving it one star. I picked it up again after reading "Mistress of the Night", and wanted more from Feena. Changed my rating from 1 to 4 stars. I think I dropped the book at first because the book is slow to start, and that's because the story is hampered by the structure; alternating chapters between Tal, our werewolf Uskevren offspring, and Darrow, simpering butler to one of the antagonists (as a unique take on vampires). So, the structure is the main weak point of the book and makes the flow a bit artificial. With the negatives out of the way, the positives of "Black Wolf" are firmly in the characters, their interactions, dialogue and the comedy. Several laugh-out-loud moments between Tal, Chaney, Feena and Quickly, not to mention endearing moments involving the Uskevren clan. The bad guys are suitably, er, bad and range from sadistic and aberrant to brutal and grosteque.
Overall, a satisfying, fast and engaging read. Very recommended muchly.
PS: If you're thinking of entering into "Mistress of the Night" after reading this, bear in mind Tal does not make an appearance in that novel, which I feel is a detriment. Nonetheless, it's a still an entertaining and engaging read.
PPS: This book is critical if you're going to read Lord of Stormweather.
November 9, 2015
I enjoyed this one a lot. A cool look at the Sembian city, and the underlying cultures there.
The characters are 3 dimensional and funny at times. Good language and decent plotline. I really liked the depth added to the gods Malar and Sulune.
A good addition to the Sembia series.
The characters are 3 dimensional and funny at times. Good language and decent plotline. I really liked the depth added to the gods Malar and Sulune.
A good addition to the Sembia series.
April 2, 2023
An exciting next chapter in the Sembia: Gateway to the Realms series.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews