Wolfbreed [Paperback]

S. A. Swann (Author)

Book Description

Release date: August 25, 2009

In this captivating reinvention of the werewolf novel, S. A. Swann propels readers into the darkest days of the Middle Ages, weaving a rare blend of soaring romance, historical intrigue, paranormal thrills, and spiritual questioning to tell a story that forever changes those who hear it.

When a monk inadvertently discovers a lair of werewolf young, he unleashes what will become the Church’s most powerful–and secret–weapon. Clandestinely raised by the Teutonic Order, these lupine creatures serve as instruments of God against pagan unbelievers. Trained to slip into villages cloaked in human form, they are all but unstoppable. Only one, called Lilly, has cunningly fled her brutal master.

Uldolf is too young to remember the massacre eight years earlier that claimed his village, his arm, and his kin. But he knows the pain of loneliness. When he sees what appears to be a beautiful young woman, injured and cowering in the woods, he races to her aid. Uldolf and his adoptive family will do anything to protect the terrified girl, but the danger is greater than they can possibly imagine. For death is the only life Lilly has ever known–and if their humanity can’t pierce the darkness Lilly harbors in her soul, they’ll soon come to know it, too.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Religion and political intrigue turn an adolescent werewolf into a killing machine in this compelling novel of 13th-century Northern Europe. Eighteen-year-old Lilly is superhumanly strong, vulnerable only to silver and trained to help Christians subdue unrepentant pagans. When she slaughters a dozen Christian soldiers and flees into the wilderness, Uldolf, the son of Johnsburg's last pagan chieftain, takes her in. As they come to terms with their histories, the knight Erhard von Stendal comes to hunt Lilly down. Lilly's struggle to reconcile her split personalities—cold assassin and lonely girl—becomes a quest for redemption and love as she endures rape, amnesia and the knowledge of her own terrible actions in the church's service. Swann (Prophets) turns opposing viewpoints into sympathetic perspectives, clearly painting the complex political and religious dynamics of the time. (Sept.)
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Review

“Vivid and visceral, dark and delicious, this one kept me turning pages from start to finish.” —George R. R. Martin, author of A Feast for Crows

“Mesmerizing . . . an exciting, nonstop action-adventure . . . I adored this book.”—Mary Balogh, author of First Comes Love

“A thrilling, deeply moving journey that I never wanted to end.”—Robert Masello, author of Blood and Ice

“Swann’s exquisite werewolf historical brings the era vividly to life as the perfect setting for his conflicted, multidimensional characters. This may be the werewolf book of the year, for, filled with action, romance, gore, and political intrigue, it’s a fresh, page-turning take on werewolf tropes that is not to be missed.”—Booklist

“Religion and political intrigue turn an adolescent werewolf into a killing machine in this compelling novel of 13th-century Northern Europe...Lilly’s struggle to reconcile her split personalities–cold assassin and lonely girl–becomes a quest for redemption and love as she endures rape, amnesia and the knowledge of her own terrible actions in the church’s service. Swann turns opposing viewpoints into sympathetic perspectives, clearly painting the complex political and religious dynamics of the time.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Spectra; Original edition (August 25, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553807382
• ISBN-13: 978-0553807387
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.9 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #894,464 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

S. A. Swann is the pen name of Steven Swiniarski. He's married and lives in the Greater Cleveland area where he has lived all of his adult life. He has a background in mechanical engineering and --besides writing-- works as a Database Manager for one of the largest private child services agencies in the Cleveland area. He has published 18 novels over the past 15 years, which include science fiction, fantasy, and horror. See the author's website for more information: www.sandrewswann.com and also www.wolfbreednovels.com

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Moving and tightly-plotted historical fantasy August 31, 2009

By Kelly (Fantasy Literature) TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Lilly is one of a litter of werewolf children being raised by the Knights of the Teutonic Order in 13th century Prusa (later Prussia). The wolfbreed, as they are called, are subjected to horrifying abuses and trained to become brutal weapons of war. Their purpose: to help the Order massacre Prussia's remaining pagan strongholds.

A theological debate rages between the Order and the Church regarding the nature of the wolfbreed. Are they simply animals, soulless but trainable and possibly useful? Or, are they minions of Satan? The one possibility no one considers: human.

When Lilly escapes from her master in the town of Johnsburg, she is taken in by a farm family and treated as an ordinary young woman. Their kindness breaches Lilly's defenses, and she begins to look at herself through new eyes and to question her upbringing. Her peaceful time with them, however, is not to last. The Church and the Order are hunting her. The horrors within Lilly's mind may be even harder to escape. Can she forgive herself for the violence in her past, and would those who love her be able to forgive her if they knew everything she'd done?

This is a gritty, violent novel, yet there are themes of love and redemption that are often absent from the grittier sort of fantasy. S.A. Swann shows us the worst that humanity can do, but also the best. The surrounding horrors make the moments of beauty all the more effective.

The story is told through several alternating third-person points of view. The different point-of-view sections often overlap in time, allowing the reader to see the same event from different perspectives. This device works well in Wolfbreed, and all of the point-of-view characters have distinct voices.

I highly recommend this moving and tightly-plotted historical fantasy. It won't be for everyone; the gore, rape, and child abuse may be off-putting to some. I should also mention that many of the Christian characters are pretty unsavory, which also might not sit well with some readers. These aspects of the story didn't bother me personally -- I felt that they were realistic in the gritty medieval setting -- but your mileage may vary. As for me, I loved Wolfbreed. As soon as I finished it, I found myself recommending it to friends, and I'd say that's a pretty good sign!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book September 3, 2009

By H. rudd

Format:Paperback

I really enjoyed this book. You know when a book makes you tear up it is great. I usually read books based on what I read in reviews by romantic times. Luckily I hadn't read the reviews in the scifi section or this one would have been looked over (i only read 4 and above reviews generally). I saw this book in the sci-fi section yesterday, and read it last night. There is no way this is a 3 star book. It is very well written, has a different type of plot and characters from most werewolf books and very real moral and ethical conundrums despite the fantastic setting. This is well worth the cover price and I highly recommend it. 5 stars.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Paranormal Medieval Werewolf Tale (B Grade) October 11, 2009

By Katie Babs VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

A girl barely out of her teens is found bloody and naked by Uldolf, a one-armed young man who has been hunting in the forest. He lives with his adopted parents and a sister who took him in when he was just a child after the massacre that left his biological family dead. Uldolf barely survived and refuses to remember what happened. The strange girl doesn't seem to speak and is frightened. Uldolf won't allow her to die and takes her home where her mother will care for her.

The abused girl is Lily, a werewolf who has been held captive for years under the Knights of the Teutonic Order. Her master, Johannsburg, Erhard von Stendal, a knight of this order has made her into a killing machine where he has brainwashed her to thinking she kills for the good of god. He has killed her family and used torture to keep her in line. Lily has killed many and while her master is away, she is able to escape. She is very sacred but goes with Uldolf because he seems so kind. What Uldolf doesn't know is that Lily and he have met before when they were young children and that she is the reason he became an orphan.

As Lily recovers, Uldolf and his parents try to figure out what the best course of action with Lily. She is a very strange girl who doesn't seem comfortable with people, but is willing to help with household chores and keep an eye on Hilde, Uldolf's younger sister. Also Lily has become attached to Uldolf and wants to show him how much she has come to love him. Erhard is searching for Lily and will do whatever means necessary to find her.

Because Lily is being hunted, anyone she comes in contact with is in danger. Lily has no where to go and wants to stay with Uldolf. But when he finds out who Lily is and the terror she has brought back into his life, he must either forgive her or turn her over to her master who wants to destroy her once and for all.

Wolfbreed is a gritty and violent dark novel that deals with the aspects of religion in very scary ways. S.A. Swann has written a world in the thirteen century that is ruled by powerful and deranged men who use evil and torture to get what they want. No one is safe from these persecutions and so many innocent lives are lost. Lily, the poor half human, half shift changing wolf is so abused and scarred that she has two sides to her that cannot be controlled. One side is fragile and wants to be safe and loved. The other side is a vicious one that makes Lily lash out. This side tries to take over and it gets to a point where Lily can't stop it.

Uldolf is a wonderful character full of life and optimism. Even though his childhood was destroyed, he is able to overcome because of the husband and wife who took him in and treat him as their own son. This family unit becomes so important to this tale as well as how they treat and protect Lily.

Wolfbreed is all about redemption and forgiveness. S.A. Swann shows the best and the worst in people and the paths those take to either fight for good or turn to darkness to achieve great power. This story is for anyone who enjoys paranormals with a touch of romance and an action packed plot where the end is very much a mystery.

Katiebabs