Rise of The Wolf by Curtis Jobling (Wereworld: Book 1)

9/10

I’ll admit that when Lee sent me my review copy I was sceptical about this book. Werewolves seem to have been defanged recently by the Twilight crowd, and when my friend saw my review copy in the pub he asked me why I was reading a “girly werewolf novel.” Rest assured that is not the case. I mention this because I wouldn’t want anyone else to, if you’ll pardon the cliché, judge this book by its cover. This is a book anyone (male, female, young, old) can pick up and enjoy and is a fine piece of high adventure.

Firstly, this is true high fantasy set within the seven realms of Lyssia (there’s even a map – the sign of a good fantasy novel). Yes boys there are the inklings of a romantic subplot but we won’t see that blossom until later books and the narrative cracks along at an exciting pace and fight scenes are brutal and frequent.

Jobling creates some stunning imagery, neatly describing the many and various locations. The action sequences are well written, the violence is occasionally gruesome. He also has a knack for intriguing plot twists, emotional sucker punches and warmly written characters. There are funny moments, scary moments, sad moments, tender moments, this a great rollercoaster ride.

This is also the first of a saga and as such there are some long passages which set up parts of the world that we won’t see until later books. However, the world building is deftly done and with a pace that doesn’t kill the pace of the story or at least, doesn’t do any lasting damage. Like many “on the run” stories, there is an episodic feel to mid sections of the book, but at the same time, characters are given the chance to develop and we learn more about the world of Lyssia.

There are a couple of other niggles. One sequence in which Drew must rescue Gretchen seems a little rushed and whilst it is used to change Gretchen’s opinion of Drew, it also clearly feels like set up for later. There is also some gender confusion over one of the characters which seems to serve little to no purpose, or, if it did, I missed it. The main villains are perhaps a little underwritten, but no doubt many of them will make a return.

The different types of werecreature are a delight, and I can’t wait to see what new beasts we’ll see in the future. The characters are warmly written, all of whom have many facets which are revealed over time. As I’ve mentioned, there is a lot of set up here, elements that will be explored fully in the next few books, and I can’t wait.