A Pack of Wolves

King Othrun faces his greatest trials yet in A Pack of Wolves, the fifth book in the epic fantasy series by P.L. Stuart, The Drowned Kingdom.

When a brutal northern invasion threatens Eltnia, High King Hert of Carthlughe calls on his allies to defend the besieged kingdom of Rogonhe. Rogonhe is the remaining stronghold against the ruthless Sanaavian rulers who covet control over all of Eltnia. King Othrun leads his formidable Eastrealm forces into battle alongside the rest of the Eltnish alliance. It’s the most important battle yet, but Othrun’s tormented by challenges. He’s battling personal demons and is torn by spiritual doubt. He’s also distressed about having to face a rival from the days of the great Atalantyx kingdom. Add to that, while Othrun knows all will not be easily lost under Hert’s powerful leadership, the odds are heavily stacked against the alliance. The plan is to set upon the enemy like a pack of wolves, and the stakes are high. And woe to anyone who believes they can outmaneuver fate.

The Drowned Kingdom series is high on my list of epic fantasy favorites, and A Pack of Wolves takes everything I love about the series and kicks things up a notch. Several notches, in fact. The characters are unforgettable. The storyline is relentless, driving the tension to the very last sentence. Deeper concentration on themes like slavery, power, moral compromise, religion and faith, and the cost of transformation makes for a book you won’t want to put down. Stuart’s handling of these themes keeps them rooted in the world of Eltnia while still echoing issues we face in our world today. It all comes together to make this the most defining book in the series so far.

Of all the themes, the reckoning with slavery left the deepest impression on me. Othrun has always viewed it as one of the greatest sins, but in this book, he starts to take action on that belief. It’s not without cost, but it certainly marks a profound turning point for his character. And for his brother.

And before he dies, Othrun is destined to do more good. And perhaps the most good he will do, is to liberate slaves. – p. 250 Kindle edition

The characters truly make this fantasy magnificent (for this character-driven gal, anyway), and I can’t get enough of King Othrun. I like him in spite of himself. He’s pretentious, narrow-minded, misogynistic, and unyielding in his beliefs. You might wonder how I can cling to him with such conviction while (let me be clear) thoroughly opposing what he represents? The main reason is that he’s on a personal journey of transformation, and I’m not even sure he’s entirely aware of it! Despite his rigidity, he is coming around and is someone you just want to root for. For all his flaws, he’s deeply loyal and dedicated to those he loves, and it’s actually his contradictions that pull you in.

Readers (especially those returning to the series) are in for a treat as Part One is told through Othrun the Younger’s point of view. It’s interesting to see the Great King from his eldest son’s perspective, and to learn more about him and his views. Young Othrun is everything his father is not, and the contrast between the two is revealing, especially in how each of them deals with their challenges. Let’s just say it isn’t easy following in the shadows of a great king, and Othrun the Younger has some big shoes to fill. He just wants to fill them differently.

The rest of the supporting cast continues to shine as well. The queens ruled in this book. Queen Lysi is more powerful than ever, and she leaves everyone speechless with her most vicious display of domination yet. Queen Ruppaa also flaunts her authority when she orchestrates a ruthless act involving Princess Hiris (dubbed the She-Wolf or Haughty Princess, depending on who you talk to). Hiris can hold her own as well, and she won me over with her attitude in the previous book, A Lion’s Pride. Othrun’s long-lost brother also makes a commanding appearance, and their confrontation is everything you might expect in a battle between the heir and the spare. 

But Udyn has to be the standout character for me in this book. Udyn is the King of the Gods and is a take-no-crap-call-you-on-your-sh#t, kinda God. And his commentary is hilarious snark. You know, I kinda like that in a King of the Gods, though I’m not sure Othrun or his brother would agree.

“You must be the daftest mortal I’ve met in millennia.” – p. 372 Kindle Edition

Of course, all of this would be for naught without the genius of P.L. Stuart’s writing. Every word is written with purpose, and nothing is ever thrown in just to sound epic. You can see the battles being played out in real time. The feasts are rich and more than a little indulgent, and will make your mouth water. The political manipulation will drive you as nuts as real-world politics. The gods and mages ooze with otherworldly power and scared me straight. Stuart’s voice is his alone, and it’s perfect for the world he has built.

A Pack of Wolves is simply stunning. The ending broke me, and I don’t know if I’ll ever get over it. It will be interesting to see what comes of it in the next book. Readers of high fantasy, this series is for you.