Geomancer: In the shadow of the Wolf Queen by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

In the Shadow of the Wolf Queen is the first in the Geomancer trilogy by Kiran Millwood Hargrave.  Set in a timeless, mythical, almost recognisable world, this story takes the reader on a breathtaking adventure and leaves them desperately waiting for the next book in the series. 

The book opens in Glaw Wood where Ysolda and her sister Hari live surrounded by trees and a peaceful village.  Hari can hear the trees and communicate with them which causes the Wolf Queen’s warriors to take her as they are collecting gifted ones from across the land.  Ysolda travels to the Wolf Queen’s palace to bargain for Hari’s life. 

And so, begins an epic adventure across the land with the Wolf Queen, who is a complex and fascinating character, portrayed as a villain but written as far more complicated than first thought; she is terrifying in her unfeeling nature but at the same time unpredictable and at times likeable.  Ysolda must use her wits and knowledge of people and the land to stay alive and search for earth-magic.  Ysolda is a complex character who yearns to be gifted like her sister, but in many ways has a far greater gift in her understanding and respect for nature and living in harmony with it.  She is joined on her journey by a sea hawk, Nara, who is bonded to her but free to fly. 

This story takes the reader along on a quest that is at times thrilling, dangerous and exciting.  The book perfectly combines danger and tension with lyrical descriptions of both the people and the places that they are travelling through. 

I was captivated by this story and found that I wasn’t ready for the book to end.  I am eagerly anticipating the next book especially Ysolda’s quest to save her sister and the world, but I am also interested to discover the motives for the Wolf Queen and her single-minded obsession with being the most powerful at the expense of all else. 

This book is brilliant, I would recommend it to anyone who likes fantasy, adventure or books that will draw you through complex characters.  A great read alone as the reader will need time to sit at times with the characters and situations and take time out.   It could work as a class novel as there is a lot to unpack but I think many readers would prefer to read at their own pace to get the most out of it.

Themes: Fantasy, Magic, Friendship, Family, Nature/Environment.

Mhairi Alcorn