book review: amber wolf
Image: Amber Wolf
Friend. Guard. Orphan.
Lish Taylor thinks she knows who she is.
But when her team investigates a series of abductions, Lish finds herself guardian of a trembling little boy - one whose experience is unnervingly familiar. And the questions she’s harboured since she was a child, after witnessing the violent murder of her mother, flood to the surface. Lish’s answers lie just beyond the walls of her climate ravaged city; but chasing them means leaving behind the life she has built from nothing.
Captured by the brutal General Siosal, Lish must use her greatest secret to protect not only herself, but the General’s other victims. Aided by the mysterious and compelling Lochlain, Lish’s escape catapults her into the enchanting world of the Calahi, where magic is not something to hide, but a birthright and a gift from the land itself.
To avenge her mother’s death and stop Siosal’s reign of terror, Lish must work with Lochlain and his allies. But as their plans unfold and her connection with Lochlain grows, Lish begins to understand that in order to get what she wants, she may have to admit truths about herself that will change not only the course of her life, but the fate of a dying kingdom.
AMBER WOLF is a fast-paced, romantic fantasy following our heroine, Lish, as her search to uncover a kidnapper becomes a quest to find answers about herself and her mysterious past.
While I don’t want to give too much away, Lish’s world is complex, made of two realms. One suffers the consequences of climate change, and the other bears damage in different ways. Searson-Patrick writes evocatively of her setting, drawing clear inspiration from our own context and adding a chilling undertone to her fantasy narrative. I’m looking forward to seeing this aspect of the series developed further in the novel’s sequel.
Lish is a mature, loyal, and committed character, with a web of beautiful connections to her found family, both in the guard and those she finds during her adventures. Her relationships with those around her are gentle, respectful, and full of open communication and consent, and I really enjoyed the low level of angst this novel offers. Lish is brave and fierce when provoked, and those around her support her choices and respect her boundaries, letting her rely on herself and her own abilities as much as she does on others.
Searson-Patrick's prose is intimate and immediate, giving her readers a clear window into Lish's thoughts, complexities, and motivations. Her love for her characters and for Lish’s story is tangible throughout this debut novel, casting a warmth over the narrative that is hard to resist.
All up, this is an enthralling dual-realm fantasy adventure, complete with romance, mystery, magic, found family, destiny, and a dash of dystopia — what more could you want?
My thanks to the author for an ARC of this novel!