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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Read For Lindskold and Firekeeper Fans!, November 18, 2004
In this latest story, Derien, Firekeeper, and Blindseer are kidnapped and taken to another country where the humans and Wise Animals (intelligent self aware animals) live in respectful harmony, but obediant to their omens and interpretations of the divine. Firekeeper's ability to speak directly to the Royal Animals of her land has been noted and she and her companions are considered important to the future of Liglim where the Wise Animals are considered conduits of divine will -- but beneath the peaceful surface of the Animal Temples lies dark conspiracies in the Year of the Jaguar. Old enemies and new have joined forces to gain power and riches and power for themselves, and only Firekeeper and her loved ones stand between a coming dark age of blood sorcery and the people who are both captors and friends.
As well as the religious and political dangers that swirl about all our heroes, so too are there dangers to their hearts. The beautiful Raniseeta, servant of the Temple of Cold Ones (reptiles) has caught Derien's eye with both her spirit and strength, but will she choose the marriage bed of the exotic red haired foreign man or the needs of her country? Firekeeper too has her romantic troubles as a strong and beautiful wolf bitch Moon Frost makes her interest in Blindseer known. Though wolf in heart, Firekeeper despairs that her human form is too great an obstacle to the love that lies between her and her pack brother. Meanwhile, Dark Death, a prime male Wise Wolf with deep secrets of his own has seen the beauty and strength of Firekeeper and considers her worthy mate material, Blindseer too will meet challenges for the heart of Firekeeper, as in this new foreign land the difference and content of physical form matter less than those of heart and mind.
five stars from meeeeeeeeeeee... *heart, love, heart*
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Broadening of Horizons, November 19, 2006
Wolf Captured (2004) is the fourth fantasy novel in the Wolf series, following The Dragon of Despair. In the previous volume, Firekeeper was called by the Dragon and arrived midway through Melinda's incantation. While the others fought those enchanted by Melinda, Firekeeper, Citrine and Grateful Peace spoke to the Dragon.
After explaining the costs of commanding the Dragon to Citrine, Grateful Peace used the Dragon's correct name and ensorcelled the beast to himself. Melinda tried to attack him and Firekeeper permanently removed her from the scene. Even Citrine didn't object to the killing. Later Grateful Peace sent the Dragon back to its original environment and adopted Citrine as his daughter.
In this novel, strangers lure Firekeeper, Blind Seer and Derian from a public dance, capture them, and take them down the river to the sea. Firekeeper frees herself from her cage and breaks the chains and cage holding Derian and Blind Seer. Then they overcome their kidnappers, but the nearest ship holds more intruders and swiftly overtakes the riverboat. The three of them have little choice other than surrender.
One of those aboard the ship is Waln Endbrook, who has no love for the threesome, and a few other Islander sailors. The ship, however, is commanded and manned by members of an unknown colony far south of Bright Haven. As the ship sails south, Firekeeper and Derian are allowed to give their parole and taught some of the language of the foreign colony by Harjeedian, an interpreter of snakes, and Barnet, a former minstrel in the Islander Navy.
When the ship reaches Liglim, Firekeeper learns about the yarimaimalom, the Wise Beasts, who are the equivalent of the Royal Beasts such as Blind Seer. Yet these intelligent animals are much more integrated into Liglimom society. They had been hunted by the Old Country masters to use as sacrifices to the Deities. But the Divine Retribution of fever and death drove out the masters and forever changed the relationships between Liglimom and yarimaimalom.
The yarimaimalom are now seen as speakers for the Deities, but the disdum who interpret for the yarimaimalom don't always understand their meanings. Since the Liglimom first learned of Firekeeper, they have sought her out to teach them to speak with the yarimaimalom. Still, Firekeeper doesn't think that she can teach them to talk to the Wise Beasts in the way that she does.
In this story, Firekeeper and Blind Seer meet Truth, a jaguar who divines the futures by swimming through the possibilities. Truth tells her of Misheemnekuru, the Sanctuary Islands, where many of the yarimaimalom live and keep watch against the return of the masters from the Old Country. Soon Firekeeper and Blind Seer are on their way to Misheemnekuru to meet the Wise wolves.
Meanwhile, Derian meets Varjuna, the chief keeper of the Horses, and exchanges tales of horses and their care. Soon he is visiting u-Bishinti, the main stables of Liglim. There he is introduced to Varjuna's family. He is also offered a ride by Eshinarvash, a Wise Horse. Derian is thorough enchanted by the experience.
Derian receives another ride by Eshinarvash to meet a jaguar and a puma who have something for him to see. Outside the main city, hidden in jungle, is a short ziggurat being used to sacrifice animals to the Deities. After witnessing these sacrifices, Derian starts a conspiracy to destroy this cult.
This story broadens Firekeeper's experiences with humans and Beasts. She also learns something about herself and about her family. She even meets someone who knew her father and mother.
Highly recommended for Lindskold fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of intelligent animals, feral children, and magic.
-Arthur W. Jordin
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
fascinating fantasy , October 31, 2004
The Royal animals, sentient beings that use language to communicate with one another, are thought to exist only in myths and legends. Firekeeper knows that is not true as she was raised by wolves, who loved her and treated her as a pack equal. She believes that she is one of them trapped inside a human body. When people find her in the western lands, they take her and her wolf friend Blind Seer to Darien Carter, who teaches her how humans behave. She is adopted into the royal family and given a noble title.
In the south, the Liglimoshti people know about the Wise animals; Members of their priest caste kidnap Firekeeper, Blind Seer, and Derion because she is the only known human who can speak with the sentient animals. They want her to teach them to do so too. Derion must find a way to stop a blood sacrifice cult from flourishing. Firekeeper must refuse the one thing she wants most in the world of turning into an actual wolf because that requires blood sacrifice. At the risk of her life, she must also stop an old enemy from revealing truths that could harm the Wise animals.
Jane Lindskold has written a fascinating fantasy about a land where humans and animals, sentient and non-sentient, live for the most part in harmony with one another. The wise animals play an important role in human society, as they communicate portents and omens to the priest caste, whose superegos of importance prevent them from allowing Firekeeper to teach the commoners besides leading to unemployment. WOLF CAPTURED is another great installment in this fine series.
Harriet Klausner
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