Book Review: The Wolf Esprit

IndieBookView

Dec 5

The Wolf Esprit

by Joseph Stone

Genre: Fantasy / Historical

ISBN: 9798864027479

Print Length: 458 pages

Reviewed by Alexandria Ducksworth

Lycans in 18th-century France? Joseph Stone with another of Tthe Lykanos Chronicles? I had no choice but to pick this one up. Lucky for me, Stone's The Wolf Esprit is just as captivating as his previous works.

Young Esprit Lenoir follows his traveling family of performers around the French countryside. Even though they're not Romani, they are still frowned upon for their peculiar lifestyle. Impressions count in every town they visit. Esprit does his best as an actor, always seeking his father's approval, but his sexual orientation marks him as a sinner. His father wants him to as a heterosexual man, while Esprit just wants to be himself, even if locals ridicule him for it.

One day, Esprit spots a handsome gentleman during one of his performances. This encounter leads him to a hidden world of powerful werewolf clans and centuries-old secrets. It will take him across countries, helping him understand the wolf inside him.

Reading Wolf Esprit is like reading Anne Rice's Interview with a Vampire—but with werewolves. Any werewolf fans (or general paranormal fans) will savor what I've read from the Lykanos Chronicles so far. If you've been following this series, you won't be disappointed.

I most enjoyed Esprit's growth in this novel. He is a sweet, strong-willed, and slightly naïve character. All he wants to do is stay true to himself: to dance, act, sing, and play his favorite instruments. He wants to love and be loved. But finding a man who loves men feels like finding a needle in an ocean sometimes. I really appreciated Stone's execution in conveying historical queer identity in this novel.

It's great to be able to see Esprit develop a deeper relationship with his inner wolf too. Pain ignites the wolf within, and from what he endures in this book, it's clear he needs the strength.

The werewolves in Stone's book are not the typical ferocious hairy mongrels running the woods attacking innocents at random. Stone's wolves are smart, sophisticated, and insanely powerful. Just another reason why the author's world is so intriguing. These wolves carry long-lasting histories stretching back to times before Christ. They hold high seats in wealthy cities all over the world. I am eager to see Stone expanding his Lycan world further beyond The Wolf Esprit.

Stone has the magical touch with his worldbuilding. I loved traveling with Esprit through rural France and in the lavish masquerade parties in Italy. Stone's historical knowledge brings the world to life, while the fantasy enthralls.

The Wolf Esprit is a wonderful addition to The Lykanos Chronicles. Esprit is a great protagonist who grows, and it's a special thrill to be able to see familiar characters from the previous books. Some character backstories may carry on for a little bit, but this does not stand in the way from the rich world much. Readers will be more than pleased with this dark historical fantasy.

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