First, the book’s description on Goodreads gives you a better idea of the book than I can…
A Heroka novelette and prequel to the novel, THE WOLF AT THE END OF THE WORLD
The Heroka are an ancient race of shapeshifters, drawing their powers and vitality from their animal totems.
Gwyn Blaidd, a Heroka of the wolf totem, has been a recluse ever since a deadly battle years ago with the Tainchel, the covert government agency that hunts the Heroka—a battle that cost him the only woman he ever loved.
But when Gwyn is asked by the head of the Heroka to stop an old friend from killing a powerful logging baron, it begins a chain of events that will force Gwyn to again confront the Tainchel—and his own dark past.
Okay, so why should you give this short story a chance? Because it stands out as a unique twist on the “shape-shifter” trope, because its setting is one we don’t see often in fantasy fiction, and because once you start reading, you can’t put it down.
I very much enjoyed this short but extremely well-written story.
The author is new to me, I found the recommendation somewhere online, but I am now a fast fan.
I appreciated the different perspective on shape-shifters, something I don’t read much of. I rather enjoyed the Canadian content, the tight writing, and the flow of events. As this story was a prequel to a larger work, “The Wolf At The End of The World”, of course, I had to go and look that up. So far, it is every bit as engrossing as this tale was, and I’m about halfway through.
If you like shape-shifter tales, mixed with a serving of First Nations lore, danger, and justice…this is the story you want to read next!
Splintered Realities 