Title: The Wolf Esprit

Author: Joseph Stone

Genre: Dark Fantasy

 

Return to the world of the Lykanos Chronicles in this latest installment by Joseph Stone, which takes readers back to 18th century France, where a young man named Esprit is about to embark on a journey of magic, passion, and self-discovery. Always on the outside looking in, never quite fitting anywhere, and perpetually misunderstood by those who claim to know him best, Esprit meets a couple who potentially held the key to unlocking his true self, if he managed to survive the threats and dangers that come along with it.

Because this book is part of a series, there was a need to weave storylines that took place in the previous books into the present, which is never an easy task. The same exposition that adds so many different layers to a story we thought we knew also, by necessity, slowed the momentum of the book, and when it intersected with the more action-packed elements, the pacing became somewhat uneven. However, readers who pick this book up as a standalone would appreciate the effort to add context and continuity to the burgeoning story.

There is a lyrical cadence to Joseph Stone’s prose that makes you forget how hefty this book is, in both the literal and metaphorical sense. There is a lot of violence in this book, hence the trigger warning at the start of the novel to give readers a heads-up that this novel contains graphic content. However, the good thing about having such a good author at the helm is that the graphic scenes felt necessary to the story, rather than coming off as a gratuitous gimmick slotted in for the sake of shock value.

This book is largely character driven. Fortunately, Esprit, the titular character, is someone who readers will immediately be drawn to, not just because his problems are extremely relatable, but also because it’s well-written. Joseph Stone allows Esprit’s story to unfold organically, with a lot of room and breathing space. The patience with which the author lays out the foundations of his character arc paid off every time Esprit’s life takes another turn in his journey to become the person he ultimately wants to be.

There are a lot of characters in this book, and with such a huge cast there’s always a risk of some characters becoming mere fillers or background noise, which fortunately was not the case in this book, due to the skill with which they were slotted into the story. A few more insights to the internal conflict and motivations of the more villainous characters would have added to the overall impact of the book. For example, there was a brief moment in the book where it seemed like Esprit’s abusive father seemed to show some semblance of humanity and understanding for his gay son.

That moment packed an emotional punch because it was such a contrast to his normal demeanor, and while it didn’t necessarily negate or forgive what came before, it’s always satisfying to read when characters you thought were so black-and-white turn out to actually have more depth than you expected. Esprit’s past, his baggage with his family, especially his father, was such a perfect foil for the moment when he finally met his people: Maximilien and Gabriella, who took Esprit in and were the first to show him how life could be different, and Duccio, who ultimately showed him that life could be beautiful.

The Wolf Esprit is dark fantasy at its finest, but what is more impressive is that for a book that is dominated by supernatural elements, Joseph Stone managed to tell a story that is real and relevant. It just goes to show that the struggle for acceptance and the fight to be free to be who you are, and love who you love, are universal themes that transcend time and genre. Ultimately, this book is about chances and opportunities and the infinite array of possibilities that are open to us when we are truly and wholeheartedly ourselves.

 

 

This Editorial Review was written by the Book Review Directory staff. To receive a similarly honest, professional review for one of your own books, click here.