Sarah Monette & Elizabeth Bear, A Companion of Wolves

A Companion of Wolves

Sarah Monette & Elizabeth Bear

Tor, Oct 2007, $29.95

ISBN: 9780765318169

Wolfcarls are men who fight the trolls and wyvern when they come down from the north and are telepathically bonded with their warrior wolves. There has not been a major Troll excursion in almost a century so the ranks of men and wolves are below full strength. They live apart from the community as the wolfhealls and the males must bond.

Njall is picked as part of this year's tithe, an honor that makes him defy his father who orders him not to go. He bonds with konigenwolf Viradechtis, an alpha who will grow up to lead her own wolfheall along side of Njall, now called Isolfr. He learns what it means to be a wolfcarl, as major aspects of his life has changed, but his love for his wolf makes him feel it is worth any hardship. However, the trolls invade the land, killing all who stand in the way of their horde. Isolfr and Viradechtis risk their lives to stop the raiders, but will fail unless a recluse who wants no part of them helps; and even then they may still lose.

This collaboration between two greats has led to a fascinating and unusual fantasy. Although the story line follows much of the usual coming of age quest saga, the plot goes much deeper especially into the relationship between the wolfcarl and his wolf than most Scandinavian mythos based tales; thus the audience learns how wolf society works. Not for the squeamish. A COMPANION OF WOLVES is a delightful graphic (running the gamut) save the realm fantasy similar in some ways to Andre Norton's works.

Harriet Klausner