Format: Paperback, 512 pages
Release Date: October 13, 2020
Publisher: Mira Books
Source: Publisher
Genre: Epic Fantasy
AT THE EMPEROR’S COMMAND
Multiple races
carefully navigate the City of Elantra under the Dragon Emperor’s wing.
His Imperial Wolves are executioners, the smallest group to serve in the
Halls of Law. The populace calls them assassins.
Every wolf
candidate must consent to a full examination by the Tha’alani, one of
the most feared and distrusted races in Elantra for their ability to
read minds. Most candidates don’t finish their job interviews.
Severn
Handred, the newest potential recruit, is determined to face and pass
this final test—even if by doing so he’s exposing secrets he has never
shared.
When an interrogation uncovers the connections to a
two-decade-old series of murders of the Tha’alani, the Wolves are
commanded to hunt. Severn’s first job will be joining the chase. From
the High Halls to the Tha’alani quarter, from the Oracles to the
Emperor, secrets are uncovered, tensions are raised and justice just
might be done…if Severn can survive.
Set in the bestselling world of The Chronicles of Elantra, The Emperor's Wolves is a prequel spin-off based on a fan-favorite character Severn Handred, and broadens the beloved fantasy world with another action-packed tale of intrigue and magic. The plot is a mix of fantasy and mystery and the two genres work well together as we get to know about the Wolves and how they work. Handred is an interesting character, he basically has no ego, and has a keen investigative mind, but he's afraid to confront what happened between him and Kaylin Neya who we get a brief peek but nothing more.
Severn Handred grew up in the fiefs with Kaylin and vowed to protect her. He proved his willingness to do anything and everything to protect somebody (Kaylin) he loved after her marks started showing up all over her body. Now, he's trying to find a path through life, while carrying the guilt of his actions which tore them apart. His skills, determination, and personality make him a strong candidate for the Wolves. They, like the Hawks, are an organization that upholds the law in Elantra. However, they are considered to be a darker branch, and are frequently considered to be the assassins for the Emperor.
It doesn't take long before Severn, a probationary Wolf, finds himself in a case that should quickly have gone over his head. However, Severn has always been a quiet and confident character, and this tale shows how he grew into the character we all know him as. “To live as a Wolf, you must be true to the principles you have chosen to uphold. Those principles cannot be rocked or shaken by anger, by grief; they cannot be ignored when convenient. The act you commit, you commit for a reason,and that certainty is what hold you above the abyss.”
There's hints in this book that there is far more to Severn than anyone really suspects. Yes, Kaylin can be obtuse at times, but she is a Hawk. It's her job to ask the hard questions whether those around her like it or not. Why do you think the Emperor wanted her dead for so long? Why do you think Keela, a Barrani Legend, is so protective of her? Severn is a mystery waiting to be solved. His connection to Ybelline Rabon in this story is curious and I wonder how far it will go before the author catches up to her Cast In series.
Barrani Wolf Elluvian is a major player in this story and has a connection to the Eternal Emperor who just happens to be a Dragon. We also get a look into the remarkable Tha’alani, most especially Ybelline Rabon, who helps investigate a 20-year murder that shattered the Tha'alani's though of safety and security. The Emperor's Wolves is interesting on its own merit, but it's inextricably linked to the Chronicles of Elantra series. I recommend reading the first installment of the Chronicles of Elantra series first.
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