The Witcher Meets Carrie in a New Epic Fantasy Book
John Gwynne’s new fantasy novel, *The Wolves of War*, draws on Slavic mythology and is described by the author as “The Witcher meets Stephen King’s Carrie”. Set in a fantasy version of Kievan Rus, it follows a family caught in a war between two princes, with a supernatural forest shaping the danger around them.
The story centres on Ivan, who tries to protect his family, and his daughter Halia, who leaves her body in her dreams and encounters wolves and folkloric beings. Halia must learn to control her emerging powers if they are to survive. The book opens with Ingvar Ruriksson preparing to conquer new lands, then moves forward two years to Halia learning the way of the wolf; it is due out on 3 November.
In short
- John Gwynne’s next fantasy novel draws on Slavic mythology.
- Halia explores a forest of wolves and supernatural beings in her dreams.
- The story follows a family caught between rival princes.
Explained simply
Kievan Rus was a medieval realm in eastern Europe, centred around Kyiv, and its history and legends have inspired many later stories. Slavic mythology includes folk beliefs about spirits and other beings, often associated with the natural world.
In this fantasy tale, two princes are at war, and a family is caught between them. Ivan tries to protect his family, while his daughter Halia experiences strange powers in her dreams and encounters wolves and other folkloric beings.
The story’s danger comes from both the human conflict and a supernatural forest. Halia’s ability to control her powers becomes tied to her family’s chances of survival.