In the Kingdom of Durundal; hearts will be broken, loved ones lost and thrones burned – and only one thing is certain – there will be blood.
Lyall has lived and breathed nightmares since he was fourteen years old. He believed he knew every horror, and was beyond surprise. He was wrong.
When General Domitrius Corbulo launches a brutal attack on Castle Dru in Durundal, he slaughters everyone … slaughters everyone inside. Everyone that is – except a young prince.
Though two years after surviving the attack and finding salvation in a clan, Lyall is one of many captives captured and taken to Ataxata to fight in the Killing Games. However, the man who is training him to be a gladiator, is the same man who butchered and killed his parents. Fuelled with anger and hatred, there is only one person who can help Lyall escape and finally get retribution.
Yet as danger lurks at every turn, and guards prowl every corner, the situation seems hopeless.
But is it?
Sometimes only the direst need can teach us our own depths, and Lyall has yet to discover what he is truly capable of.
‘An intoxicating tale of monsters, heroes, and survival… as pure as a whisper, as delicate as a thought, as dangerous as a wolf in the dark.’
Deliciously epic, this second book in the series introduces a cast of characters that play a pivotal role in all eight books. Perfect for fans of Outlander and Game of Thrones.
Excerpt:
The weather seemed to change within minutes of them standing there. A rough wind brought clouds the colour of granite with sheets of driving rain, while the pallor of the November sky closed in upon the mountains cloaking them in mist and obscuring the moon. And for all the tightly secure windows, there must have been a small crack in one of the panes, because every now and again little tears of rain ran down the inside and collected in pools on the edge of the sill. Somewhere in the distance a wolf howled, Atemisia shivered, the king moistened his dry mouth. The lone wolf was mourning, and it hung like a shroud over the weeping castle.
Magical: ★★★★★
With stories as perennial and universally beloved as The Chronicles of Narnia and The Lord of The Rings – but also unlike anything but themselves – this book is perfect for those new to the Kingdom of Durundal series, as well as those who are well-acquainted with its enchanting magic: for to know the Kingdom of Durundal is to love it.
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A great read. Well written with great characters. You can’t get any better than that. A couple of interesting twists and I need to read the next one.
Rather than being a sequel to ‘A Hare In The Wilderness’, this is the parallel story that converges in some places with the first book, although is never repetitive as it is told from a completely different perspective.
Once again, Turner explores themes of human nature, perseverance and overcoming in this action-packed story which is as original as its companion volume. While there are certainly moments filled with despair and fear, the author focuses the reader on the positive mental strength and determination of the lead characters in enabling them to endure their trials.
Unlike the first instalment of the story, a good deal of the action of this story takes place at court, answering some of the readers’ questions and heightening their involvement in both levels of the story. Once again, the story is full of engaging and likeable characters, along with a few who are easy to detest, while the occasional blurring of those boundaries makes the story even more interesting.
While the most cetral character is male, there is also a very strong and resourceful female lead character who personifies the qualities of loyalty and teamwork in a way that is inspiring for all readers. Something I really like to see in a story is people being united by their challenges and working together for good, regardless of gender, class or anything else that might divide them.
With many positives woven into the one compelling story, ‘A Wolf In The Dark’ would work perfectly well as a standalone, but is even better enjoyed in the context of its companion story.
A Wolf in the Dark by S.E. Turner grabbed me at page one and never let go. A child’s nightmare comes true. Things get worse from there. Eloquent descriptions of the locale and events brought to mind vivid, flowing images of action and beautiful scenery. The characters were as human and driven by duty as any I have read elsewhere. A beautifully told coming of age tale.
This story runs parallel to book one, but tells the story of what happened to the captive boys, forced torta “entein” the emperor. It proves that females don’t have to take on the roles of men or behave in a masculine fashion in order to be bad-ass. Skyrah is one smart girl who knows the best way to defeat her enemy. This episode reminds me of Rome and the gladiators, although it’s more violent and death is the only end for each day’s battle. You get to experience a more humane side of the General, proving that there is good and bad in everyone. There’s also more great development of clan beliefs and customs in this book as well. Loads of research is evident in this story, adding so much depth to the fabulous tale as it unfolds.
Once again, I found the backdrop of Turner’s story to be riveting and inspiring, in A Wolf in the Dark, even more so, since a large part of the story takes place at the Emperor’s Court. The fact that the Clans people have so much wisdom, knowledge, and appreciation for the beauty of the earth stands in sharp contrast to the false assumptions and selfish ways of the wicked Emperor and his General. An admirable cast of characters including young men Lyall and Namir, Clan leader, Laith, and the heroic and ingenious Skyrah are knit together in ways that are both endearing and very satisfying. I loved the way Skyrah caused trouble and yet saved the day, allowing an exceptional young woman to shine. I loved that even the evil General had a tender side. The book explores complex themes and is very absorbing and engaging. I highly recommend this entire series.