Sandy M’s review of A Wolf Among Dragons (de Wolf Pack, Book 8) by Kathryn Le Veque
Historical Romance published by Dragonblade Publishing 7 Jun 18
I’ve been searching for some new historical authors to read over the last year or so. I didn’t know where to even begin, so when I saw this cover and then read the blurb, the story sounded like something that might work for me. And it almost did…
The biggest obstacle keeping this book from true enjoyment for me? Not enough romance and way too much history packed into too short pages. For a story like this crammed full of the era, it needs to be on a Diana Gabaldon level and it doesn’t come close. Now, that being said, there are some good moments throughout, and I do really like Blayth and his comeback. I have no idea if the story would have been better for me if I’d read the earlier books, instead of starting here with Book 9. I’m thinking not on this one, because previous characters aren’t met again until near the end.
James de Wolfe is struck down during a battle in Wales against Henry III. His father and brothers try to take his body with them as they flee a defeat, but the Welsh soldiers are too many and they must leave James behind. Then we meet Blayth, the most celebrated warrior of his time. He has no memory of his early life due to a head injury, of which he bears horrible scars. As his relationship with Moris ap Macsen begins to deteriorate, the man’s niece, a warrior in her own right, aptly named Dragon Princess, continues by his side and they start to figure out that all is not as it seems with the coming uprising.
Blayth and Asmara grow closer and, as they solve the puzzle of his past, fall in love. There’s so much that happens in between, of course. Too much. I know a lot of readers are all for historical accuracy, but for me a book gets bogged down, begins to read slow, and becomes laden with infinite detail that takes away from the romance, which happens in this case, with all that accuracy. It’s just too much to take in at one time.
Despite the fact I am not familiar with the previous characters, I have to say the reunion of James and his family is very emotional and heartfelt. Just enough so that I would like to read his brothers’ books, but I’m not sure that would be a good idea if those books are as full of historical minutiae as this one. But I was as joyous at James’ return as his family, especially his father. They all realize he’s not the James they used to know, but he’s alive and that’s all they could have prayed for. Even his former wife is happy he’s back.
And the demise of who, I assume, is a beloved character in the series is nicely done. Very lovely and emotional scenes between two best friends who have shared so much during their lives.
This book is well-written and, of course, the research is done very well. There are good points, despite my issue with the historical facts overtaking the romance, which is what I’m reading – not historical fiction. So if you’re a total history buff, you’ll probably like this book a bit better than I did.
Grade: C+
Summary:
The sons of William de Wolfe (The Wolfe) are immortal, so they say. Men who are known as ShadowWolfe… DarkWolfe… Nighthawk… are as legendary as their father. The eldest four sons – Scott, Troy, Patrick, and James have always run in a pack. They are all to each other, in both brotherhood and in strength. But in 1282 A.D., James de Wolfe, the endearing and gentle brother, is killed in Wales as the Welsh rebel against Henry III.
… or was he?
Five years later, tales of a Welsh warrior known as Blaidd Cryf, or Blayth the Strong, are making way to English ears along the Welsh Marches. It’s 1286 A.D., and a Welsh warrior who can somehow read the minds of the English armies is rising to power among the last princes of Wales. With Blayth leading the Welsh armies, the English are being handed defeat after defeat. No one knows who Blayth is, or where he’s come from, but the English warlords are coming to realize that they will lose Wales if Blayth and his brilliant tactics aren’t stopped.
Some even believe that Blayth (the phenetic pronunciation for Blaidd, meaning wolf in Welsh) may be the most deadly warrior Wales – and England – has ever seen.
Helping Blayth in stirring the rebellion is the great-granddaughter of the last king of Deheubarth. Called the ‘Dragon Princess’ by the Welsh, Asmara ap Cader is a fierce warrior in her own right. She fights in the rebellion and is deadly in her aim, and even as Blayth leads the Welsh, he cannot help but be attracted to the lovely Dragon Princess who fights so brilliantly beside him.
As the romance between Blayth and Asmara begins to blossom, rumors come from Wales that Blayth the Strong is none other than James de Wolfe. When William catches wind of this, he will stop at nothing to discover the truth to these rumors, including risking his very life to discover if his son has indeed risen from the dead. It’s all hands on deck as the House of de Wolfe returns to Wales to discover if the son they believed dead is indeed the man now raising an army against the English.
Discover the epic adventure of A Wolfe among Dragons, a complex tale of mystery, of hope, and most of all, of romance and redemption. When a dead son returns, it can be the greatest of joys and the deepest of tragedies. A Wolfe Among Dragons is truly a story for the ages.
No excerpt available.
See the de Wolf Pack series here.
