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Firekeeper Saga #5
Wolf Hunting
In Through Wolf's Eyes, Jane Lindskold introduced Firekeeper, the young girl raised by intelligent, language-using wolves. Abducted back into human society, Firekeeper found that, in the world of deadly human political intrigues, her training as a pack animal served her well.
Later, in Wolf Captured, Firekeeper and her lupine companion Blind Seer found themselves kidnapped and dragged overseas, to the unfamiliar land of Liglimon, where humans have a different relationship to intelligent animals. Now, still in Liglimon, Firekeeper and Blind Seer respond to a request for assistance from Truth, the soothsayer-jaguar.
Then, while helping Truth, Firekeeper and her companion come across evidence of elaborate investigations into kinds of ancient magics taboo in Liglimoshti culture. It appears more people in Liglimon are willing to flout this taboo than anyone cares to admit, and Firekeeper and Blind Seer decide their duty is to find out more.
But Truth knows more than she's telling. She can see and trace future timelines for particular individuals, which in the past has led her into madness. Since then, the Voice that guided her out of that madness has continued to speak to her, and it's not her friend.
Eventually Truth realizes that her Voice may well be a person the Liglimoshti call "The Meddler" -- a dangerous trickster figure. But Truth doesn't own up to this until far too late…
Compellingly told, rich with real people and real animals, WOLF HUNTING is the latest and strongest in an increasingly and rewarding sequence of fantasy epics.
Later, in Wolf Captured, Firekeeper and her lupine companion Blind Seer found themselves kidnapped and dragged overseas, to the unfamiliar land of Liglimon, where humans have a different relationship to intelligent animals. Now, still in Liglimon, Firekeeper and Blind Seer respond to a request for assistance from Truth, the soothsayer-jaguar.
Then, while helping Truth, Firekeeper and her companion come across evidence of elaborate investigations into kinds of ancient magics taboo in Liglimoshti culture. It appears more people in Liglimon are willing to flout this taboo than anyone cares to admit, and Firekeeper and Blind Seer decide their duty is to find out more.
But Truth knows more than she's telling. She can see and trace future timelines for particular individuals, which in the past has led her into madness. Since then, the Voice that guided her out of that madness has continued to speak to her, and it's not her friend.
Eventually Truth realizes that her Voice may well be a person the Liglimoshti call "The Meddler" -- a dangerous trickster figure. But Truth doesn't own up to this until far too late…
Compellingly told, rich with real people and real animals, WOLF HUNTING is the latest and strongest in an increasingly and rewarding sequence of fantasy epics.
605 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 4, 2006
34 people are currently reading
965 people want to read
About the author
Jane Lindskold
128 books654 followersJane Lindskold is the author of more than twenty published novels, including the eight volume Firekeeper Saga (beginning with Through Wolf’s Eyes), Child of a Rainless Year (a contemporary fantasy set in Las Vegas, New Mexico), and The Buried Pyramid (an archeological adventure fantasy set in 1880's Egypt).
Lindskold is also the author of the “Breaking the Wall” series, which begins with Thirteen Orphans, then continues in Nine Gates and Five Odd Honors. Her most recent series begins with Artemis Awakening, released in May of 2014. Lindskold has also had published over sixty short stories and numerous works of non-fiction, including a critical biography of Roger Zelazny, and articles on Yeats and Synge.
She has collaborated with several other SF/F writers, including Roger Zelazny, for whom, at his request, she posthumously finished his novels Donnerjack and Lord Demon. She has also collaborated with David Weber, writing several novellas and two YA novels set in his popular ”Honorverse.” She wrote the short story “Servant of Death” with Fred Saberhagen.
Charles de Lint, reviewing Changer, praised "Lindskold's ability to tell a fast-paced, contemporary story that still carries the weight and style of old mythological story cycles."[1] Terri Windling called Brother to Dragons, Companion to Owls "a complex, utterly original work of speculative fiction." DeLint has also stated that “Jane Lindskold is one of those hidden treasures of American letters; a true gem of a writer who simply gets better with each book.”
Lindskold was born in 1962 at the Columbia Hospital for Women, the first of four siblings and grew up in Washington, D.C. and Chesapeake Bay. Lindskold's father was head of the Land and Natural Resources Division, Western Division of the United States Justice Department and her mother was also an attorney. She studied at Fordham, where she received a Ph. D. in English, concentrating on Medieval, Renaissance, and Modern British Literature; she successfully defended her Ph.D. on her 26th birthday.
Lindskold lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico with her husband, archaeologist Jim Moore.
Lindskold is also the author of the “Breaking the Wall” series, which begins with Thirteen Orphans, then continues in Nine Gates and Five Odd Honors. Her most recent series begins with Artemis Awakening, released in May of 2014. Lindskold has also had published over sixty short stories and numerous works of non-fiction, including a critical biography of Roger Zelazny, and articles on Yeats and Synge.
She has collaborated with several other SF/F writers, including Roger Zelazny, for whom, at his request, she posthumously finished his novels Donnerjack and Lord Demon. She has also collaborated with David Weber, writing several novellas and two YA novels set in his popular ”Honorverse.” She wrote the short story “Servant of Death” with Fred Saberhagen.
Charles de Lint, reviewing Changer, praised "Lindskold's ability to tell a fast-paced, contemporary story that still carries the weight and style of old mythological story cycles."[1] Terri Windling called Brother to Dragons, Companion to Owls "a complex, utterly original work of speculative fiction." DeLint has also stated that “Jane Lindskold is one of those hidden treasures of American letters; a true gem of a writer who simply gets better with each book.”
Lindskold was born in 1962 at the Columbia Hospital for Women, the first of four siblings and grew up in Washington, D.C. and Chesapeake Bay. Lindskold's father was head of the Land and Natural Resources Division, Western Division of the United States Justice Department and her mother was also an attorney. She studied at Fordham, where she received a Ph. D. in English, concentrating on Medieval, Renaissance, and Modern British Literature; she successfully defended her Ph.D. on her 26th birthday.
Lindskold lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico with her husband, archaeologist Jim Moore.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
August 14, 2025
I read this because I wanted something soothing and low-conflict, and it is that. But it's also twice as long as it has any business being.
November 16, 2019
I really love this series! I can't even fully articulate, though, how much I wish that I had discovered these when I was younger and even more obsessed with the epic fantasy genre. I would have had even more fun, I think - and I am really loving these as an adult! The way Lindskold has introduced this love story so elegantly... it's truly impressive. I am just so impressed with this one! And I am really wondering where the last book will go - and how disappointed I am that there is only one book left! I just love this series!
March 1, 2015
3.5 stars.
Slower and a bit of boredom would loom from time to time.
I don't understand this meddler's thing and his utlimate motives (things might get clearer in the last book though, so there's still hope that I'll be enlightened).
Not much to say. A new journey for some of the main characters and quite a surprise for Derian at the end of it. Magic users are still depicted as evil even if we get hints here and there that there might be a bright side to the force ;)
I guess that in the last book, things will get cleanly wrapped up.
I certainly hope so.
Slower and a bit of boredom would loom from time to time.
I don't understand this meddler's thing and his utlimate motives (things might get clearer in the last book though, so there's still hope that I'll be enlightened).
Not much to say. A new journey for some of the main characters and quite a surprise for Derian at the end of it. Magic users are still depicted as evil even if we get hints here and there that there might be a bright side to the force ;)
I guess that in the last book, things will get cleanly wrapped up.
I certainly hope so.
June 24, 2007
Bought this book once it came out and read it in less than a week. It was a good book and not dissatisfying from the other Wolf books but I do like the first few a bit better though the Meddler seems up to some nice tampering with our hearos' lives...
October 31, 2020
Actual Rating: 3.25
April 29, 2018
The fifth Firekeeper book does an all-around good job of continuing the characters and exploring more of the world. It's been a while since I've read the previous books, so I can say that this one doesn't lean too heavily on them, though prior events get referenced a lot. In fact the biggest weak point here might be too much referencing of the previous background; in a couple places it felt repetitious.
After the sudden change of venue in the previous book, this one continues with exploring new lands, and ends up dealing with the foundational events of the setting: The 'divine retribution' plague that ravaged the old mage lord empire(s).
The politics and related plot lines of the first three books are completely gone, and more of the original characters effectively drop out of this book in favor of the new cast. However, the dangling threads from the fourth book are in force, and much of the action here revolves around the jaguar Truth, who lost her sanity at the end of that book. This ends up bringing in a few new characters, and pointers to the quest that underlies the bulk of the book.
And that quest manages to provide the mix of action, exploration, and the more complicated problems of power and how to use it that I enjoy in novels. So, while much of the series has been enjoyable for me, the, oh, say, second half of this novel has been my favorite part so far. I still think the change in direction was way too abrupt in the previous book, but this was more enjoyable on its own than the first three books. Better yet, Lindskold is digging into the backstory of the setting, and I'm sure there'll be more of that in the next book.
After the sudden change of venue in the previous book, this one continues with exploring new lands, and ends up dealing with the foundational events of the setting: The 'divine retribution' plague that ravaged the old mage lord empire(s).
The politics and related plot lines of the first three books are completely gone, and more of the original characters effectively drop out of this book in favor of the new cast. However, the dangling threads from the fourth book are in force, and much of the action here revolves around the jaguar Truth, who lost her sanity at the end of that book. This ends up bringing in a few new characters, and pointers to the quest that underlies the bulk of the book.
And that quest manages to provide the mix of action, exploration, and the more complicated problems of power and how to use it that I enjoy in novels. So, while much of the series has been enjoyable for me, the, oh, say, second half of this novel has been my favorite part so far. I still think the change in direction was way too abrupt in the previous book, but this was more enjoyable on its own than the first three books. Better yet, Lindskold is digging into the backstory of the setting, and I'm sure there'll be more of that in the next book.
January 22, 2019
Well, that was an interesting favour.
Just finished Wolf Hunting, and once again the author has swept me up in her story. Love Firekeeper and Blind Seer, and Derian is a sweetie - however Derian faces some serious changes that will affect his future. The Meddler was an interesting addition to the story, and after his manipulation of Truth, I wonder what plans he has for Firekeeper in the final book.
Can’t believe my journey beside Firekeeper and Blind Seer is coming to an end.
4 stars 🌟
Just finished Wolf Hunting, and once again the author has swept me up in her story. Love Firekeeper and Blind Seer, and Derian is a sweetie - however Derian faces some serious changes that will affect his future. The Meddler was an interesting addition to the story, and after his manipulation of Truth, I wonder what plans he has for Firekeeper in the final book.
Can’t believe my journey beside Firekeeper and Blind Seer is coming to an end.
4 stars 🌟
May 13, 2023
Definitely a builder book, and in all truth I tend to mix this book and the previous book together. We get some returning characters and a few cameos of others and some new. As I like the meddling sort of characters this does have one of my favorites. Also the growth in Firekeeper going from an impulse kid to a semi leader still slightly impulsive adult is a nice arc.
November 13, 2017
I was only mildly disappointed by the cutting of some of the less primary characters from this particular story in the series. The continuation of Firekeeper & Derian's growth and change does not disappoint at all.
May 24, 2019
This isn’t so much a review as commentary. I haven’t read these books in almost 10 years, but I found myself remembering certain parts with extreme vividness. It’s wonderful how such a well written book sticks with you.
April 23, 2020
Firekeeper, the wolf Blind Seer, Truth the soothsayer-jaguar, Darien the horsemaster, an intelligent horse, a priest, and Plik, a human/raccoon hybrid, quest across Liglimon’s neighboring lands for possible victims of “The Meddler”.
May 19, 2017
I still like the first three the books the most but this story did as they all did : it dragged me in and made me want to learn more.
January 17, 2019
Lindskold does it again, this is an amazing continuation of this series. Bittersweet knowing the next book in the series will be the last.
November 17, 2021
Dragged a bit about 2/3 through, getting bogged down in planning, but then the story picks up again nicely. Love this series!
October 21, 2025
dragged on a bit in places, but still a fun read! more focus on the new countries introduced. it seems that we will soon have answers from questions asked in the first few books!
May 5, 2021
Not the direction I expected. Getting good, though.
December 16, 2015
Meh... That's the best word I can find to describe this addition to the Firekeeper Saga. Was it good? No, it was Meh. Just plain meh.
Good things: The writing's improved and I feel like Lindskold did a better job at fleshing out the characters. In terms of substance, the Meddler was interesting at the beginning. The New World portals were also good.
Meh things: The pacing. Started out OK, lagged majorly in the middle, and the climax was a page long. A page! It happened so quickly if you blinked you would miss it.
MEH things: Firekeeper is a Mary Sue. I really hate to say it, but it's true. She jumps past spears and slays major spell casters without getting a scratch. Everyone is fascinated by her, even the rules of magic and a demigod seem to fawn over her. Not to mention, she pulled a Bella by being immune to the Sickness and having no adverse effects from contracting it. Firekeeper should have had to make the same decision as Derian, or give up her talent like every one else.
Speaking of which, Derian turning into a horse man. WHY? WHAT? HOW? All the other Once Dead had debilitating mutations when they chose to keep their talents, but Derian gets to be a horse man.
The missed opportunity with the Plague. How more interesting would it have been if the virus escaped into the New World? If that was the Meddler's goal? But no. Like all conflicts that one's easily sorted with no harm done.
And that's the main Meh problem with the book. Firekeeper and her friends fix everything neatly. Whenever there's a threat, you don't feel any fear for these characters because they always come out on top.
Good things: The writing's improved and I feel like Lindskold did a better job at fleshing out the characters. In terms of substance, the Meddler was interesting at the beginning. The New World portals were also good.
Meh things: The pacing. Started out OK, lagged majorly in the middle, and the climax was a page long. A page! It happened so quickly if you blinked you would miss it.
MEH things: Firekeeper is a Mary Sue. I really hate to say it, but it's true. She jumps past spears and slays major spell casters without getting a scratch. Everyone is fascinated by her, even the rules of magic and a demigod seem to fawn over her. Not to mention, she pulled a Bella by being immune to the Sickness and having no adverse effects from contracting it. Firekeeper should have had to make the same decision as Derian, or give up her talent like every one else.
Speaking of which, Derian turning into a horse man. WHY? WHAT? HOW? All the other Once Dead had debilitating mutations when they chose to keep their talents, but Derian gets to be a horse man.
The missed opportunity with the Plague. How more interesting would it have been if the virus escaped into the New World? If that was the Meddler's goal? But no. Like all conflicts that one's easily sorted with no harm done.
And that's the main Meh problem with the book. Firekeeper and her friends fix everything neatly. Whenever there's a threat, you don't feel any fear for these characters because they always come out on top.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 5, 2009
I know that Firekeeper and Blind Seer are the main characters of this series, but it would be nice to see more of the Hawk Haven, or even the Bright Bay characters. We do hear from Elise and Doc again in this book, which I admit made me squee. Those two are my favorite characters. And they've finally dealt with their relationship issues.
And poor Firekeeper, finding yet another way that might give her wolf shape, and again having to pass it by due to the high risk.
I feel so sorry for Derian. He's another favorite character of mine, but hopefully he'll be able to go back to his homeland in the next book. Seeing what everyone's reaction to the "new" him will be is going to be very interesting indeed. I doubt many of the reactions will be kind though, poor guy.
And yet another culture and language is introduced. I love learning about cultures and languages, even if they don't exist. It's fun either way.
And the Meddler... I had a hunch about what kind of favor he was asking for at the end, and I was right. Though I think there's more to it than the reason he gave. I bet he'll be pestering Firekeeper in the next book.
And poor Firekeeper, finding yet another way that might give her wolf shape, and again having to pass it by due to the high risk.
I feel so sorry for Derian. He's another favorite character of mine, but hopefully he'll be able to go back to his homeland in the next book. Seeing what everyone's reaction to the "new" him will be is going to be very interesting indeed. I doubt many of the reactions will be kind though, poor guy.
And yet another culture and language is introduced. I love learning about cultures and languages, even if they don't exist. It's fun either way.
And the Meddler... I had a hunch about what kind of favor he was asking for at the end, and I was right. Though I think there's more to it than the reason he gave. I bet he'll be pestering Firekeeper in the next book.
February 22, 2009
An excellent read, just like every other book in this series has been so far. I have to say, I did like the books set on the mainland (Through Wolf's Eyes, Wolf's Head Wolf's Heart, Dragon of Despair somewhat better than the ones set in Liglim [[book: Wolf Captured], Wolf Hunting, and possibly Wolf's Blood, I haven't read it yet), but even those I like less I still loved reading. I can't think of much else to say right now, besides that it was a great book!
August 2, 2011
Not the strongest book in the series but still a good read. I wholeheartedly recommend it. These books have very simple storylines and don't require alot of thinking. Great if you are looking for an easy light read. At this stage in the series the characters are growing in complexity and depth. You get emotionally invested in what happens to you favorite characters. There was some parts that seemed to jump around a bit and got a little bit confusing but those moments were few and far between. If you just push through them all will soon be clear.
These books serve as stand alone novels as easily as part of a series. Some things will definitely be more clear if you read them in series but its not necessary.
These books serve as stand alone novels as easily as part of a series. Some things will definitely be more clear if you read them in series but its not necessary.
May 13, 2012
Wolf Hunting is the penultimate volume in the series, and unlike most of the other books, it is not entirely self-contained. It really demands a sequel. In Wolf Hunting, Firekeeper, Derian, Blind Seer, and an assortment of human and animal companions go chasing off after a pair of mysterious twins who have uncovered some long-hidden magics. When Firekeeper and her group find the twins, they also make discoveries that bring them into contact with many things that had been lost to their world for over a century. As with all the Firekeeper books, the plot is well-paced and very interesting. The characters, both new and old, are intriguing. I especially liked the way this book brings an entirely new aspect of the world into play.
October 28, 2014
It's #5 in the Firekeeper series, and I would strongly encourage reading the prior ones before picking this up. Not because you'd get lost, but because there's so much interesting stuff going on in all of them. This was not quite as strong as the one before it, but I attribute that to the rather muddled ending. It was moving along quite strongly, but the end seemed to come at a time when another hundred pages or so would've done better. I get the feeling some of that plot was trimmed to put it in the next book. Regardless, it's still fun reading about the wolf-woman and her various companions. I am most interested in what the consequences will be for their actions at the very end of the book, but that will have to wait for a sequel. Recommended.
August 21, 2009
Firekeeper and Blind Seer are still in Liglam, living on the Island as Alpha's in their own little pack. About a year has passed since the events in Wolf Captured and everything is going well...that is until the Jaguar Truth starts going extremely downhill in her mental state and requests that Firekeeper help her regain sanity. A mysterious entity called The Meddler is in the background leading the group towards a destination in a neighboring country in a search to find two magically inclined twins but as always everything is not as it seems. I enjoyed this book their adventure is exciting especially after they find the portal to the Old World. Hard to believe the series is almost over.
April 28, 2009
Some of the wonder of the earlier books is gone, but it's still a solid, compelling novel. The thoughtful earlier themes of Firekeeper's interacting with a society that doesn't understand her, those are mostly gone. Instead, we get a not entirely interesting story of magic, of unseen manipulators who have twisted events throughout history. It's mainly the strength of the well-realized characters that keeps the story going.
May 3, 2023
I'd read books 1-4 years ago closer to their publication date but this and the last were new to me.
Firekeeper's adventures and travels were already that of an epic saga and Lindskold keeps it fresh with even more new territories and people for Firekeeper and Blind Seer to deal with.
My attention did drag at times but I suspect it was more to my own state of mind and not so much any lacking on the story here.
Firekeeper's adventures and travels were already that of an epic saga and Lindskold keeps it fresh with even more new territories and people for Firekeeper and Blind Seer to deal with.
My attention did drag at times but I suspect it was more to my own state of mind and not so much any lacking on the story here.
March 22, 2010
She has really hit her stride with this series! We get to see more of her incredible world-building and learn more about the magic system of her world as well as follow most of our favorite characters from past books into a new adventure! And at the end it is set-up for long story arc of new adventures with plenty of directions for the series to take.
August 10, 2010
OK, so, while the writing kept me engrossed, overall I didn't *like* the book. One of the major issues in the series is resolved off-screen, and I don't like what happens to people. Plus there's a new villain, and I'm not sure I care. Of course I'm getting the next one out of the library, but, well, it's with less enthusiasm than I've had for some of them. (Yeah, not exactly scathing.)
March 17, 2012
The first half of this book was awful. I kept reading and telling myself that it had to get better. I was so bored that I put this book away and read a bunch in between putting it down and when I picked it back up. The only thing that saved this book is the last 1/3 of the book was great. I'm so glad I kept reading but I hope the next book isn't so slow and boring in the beginning.
April 28, 2008
The best of the series since the first, and a return to the adventure and fast movement that made the first Firekeeper books so absorbing. They'd kind of gotten a little bogged down, but this shook the series up and got it moving again.
July 12, 2011
I had a little more trouble with this one. A disembodied trickster spirit... Plus, the story moves to a nexus island between the new and old worlds. New characters, but not as appealing or likeable. I've finished it though I am having problems starting the next. Maybe 3 and a half?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews