Book Title: Wolfsangel

Wolfsangel is an epic fantasy debut from M.D. Lachlan, reminiscent (and I’m assuming inspired by) the old sagas of the Norse. It takes the eternal struggle between Odin and Fenris the Wolf, son of the god Loki, and delivers a brand new twist.

If you have a liking of the old sagas you’ll enjoy the flow of this story. Although it does slow down in places and gets side tracked from the main story by little deviations designed to add a new layer, for the most part it’s a great read. Lots of exciting battle scenes and it gets so twisty there is no way you’re going to be able to work out who is the god Odin reincarnated to human flesh until the very end.

This is a BIG story, an epic story and it does get a little bogged down, but it also keeps the pages turning by creating an undeniable urge to find out what’s going to happen next.

It’s touted as being a werewolf story, but I think that’s just marketing to be honest. Yes, it is technically a story about a man/wolf, but it’s not a werewolf in the traditional sense, and particularly when you put it in the context of a Norse legend which is full of the world of berserks, the werewolf aspect becomes diminished, almost the norm.

‘Perilous courses are my favourite sort,’ said Forkbeard. Remember, kings are made for glory not long life.’

Witches, sorcery, Viking raids, mad gods and man/wolf beasts... Wolfsangel has a little bit of everything. It also combines this with the wonderful setting of early medieval Scandinavia, with the customs and actions of the period, so there is a real sense of being grounded in myth and legend.

Although this is the first in a three part series, the ending is complete. You can get a pretty good idea of how the next will start, but there isn’t any sort of cliff-hanger. Although, as we’re focused on primarily romance themed fantasy I have to point out: there isn’t a lot of loving going on. This is pure historic fantasy where the focus is NOT on the boy getting the girl.

M.D. Lachlan is the pen name for, journalist, comedian and author, Mark Barrowcliffe.