Book Summary
“I almost think that if my reign had started without bloodshed and terror, they would have been disappointed.”
The Wolf of Oren-Yaro, the first book in a fantasy trilogy
In The Wolf of Oren-Yaro, Queen Talyien is the product of her harsh society. However, though she is tough on the outside, her heart lies with her family, her son and husband. The latter left her right before they were crowned King and Queen. Years later, Talyien promises her son she will travel to a foreign land and bring his father home. What follows is a journey of betrayal, desperation, and pure willpower.
Character Analysis
The characters are well-rounded and realistic. Villoso masterfully weaves the different character arcs together so we understand and relate to each person. We watch Talyien’s worldview change on her journey, and I like that she’s a witty, sarcastic character that makes no apologies. I’m not a fan of Talyien’s husband (and I don’t think I’m alone in the feeling), but Talyien is in love with him regardless. It’s annoying for the reader, but I also love the realism. How many people love someone with major flaws? Also, I think it’s a great portrayal of the strong and unyielding attachment we feel for our first loves. Now, that doesn’t guarantee it’s a life-long love…but you’ll have to read the story to figure out how Talyien’s works out.
Plot Analysis
The story plot is similar to a thriller—just longer. Villoso takes us from one heart-pounding moment to the next with little room to breath. Treachery. Assassins. Imprisonment. Lies. She doesn’t hold back on the world’s darker side, but she also doesn’t cross the line of showing too much. It was refreshing in our current world where delivering the “shock and awe” means crossing lines better left alone. Villoso does weave in plot twists, and, though the events seemed predictable to me, there were some characters who surprised me.
Setting Analysis
The world and society is very well crafted. There are different races, minorities, politics, and cultural differences that make the world feel real. The only downfall in the book’s setting is it didn’t live up to my expectations of an epic fantasy. There were mentions of magic and dragons, but very little use of them in the book. If the novel wasn’t advertised as a fantasy, I would have given the setting a higher rating. I just wish there was more wonder etched into it.
Theme Analysis
The book’s theme is subtle. Villoso doesn’t smack you in the face with her message, but there is a running theme of loyalty and duty throughout. Taylien’s people are referred to as wolves, and there is a strong idea of pack mentality. Living in the United States and its individualistic society, I enjoyed reading about a group minded culture that strives for honor.
Prose Analysis
Villoso’s prose is not flowery, but she portrays settings well and writes realistic dialogue. I love her high use of sensory details to draw the reader into the story. Her prose is direct and easy to read. I liked the neutral delivery so I could enjoy the story and not get distracted by the words. It was a good choice for the fast-paced plot.
Recommendation
Overall, The Wolf Of Oren-Yaro is one of the best books I’ve read this year. I would recommend it to anyone who likes character-driven stories that have a lot of action. It’s clean, gripping, and thought-provoking. The book reminds me of Robin Hobb’s Assassin’s Apprentice, but with an adult, female protagonist. They share similar themes of solitude, duty, and loyalty.
Mini Author Interview
I asked K.S. Villoso three questions about The Wolf of Oren-Yaro, and she was kind enough to answer them for my review.
1. What was the hardest scene to write in the book and why?
Some of the hardest scenes in the book to write were the parts where Talyien was alone and friendless. The emotional turmoil she was going through was extremely distressing to me, but at the same time I really wanted the readers to see that side of her. The story is about someone who’s been alone most of her life already, and it’s about to get worse. At times it was almost claustrophobic.
2. What’s a fun insider tidbit about one of the characters that didn’t make it into the book?
I believe they all actually made it. The first draft was quite tight, and I ended up adding more scenes instead of cutting them out.
3. Talyien loves her husband yet the reader gets the feeling he is not a great person. How did you manage those opposing views of him while staying in Talyien’s point of view the whole book?
I’m the sort of person who can be very honest about the positive qualities and shortcomings of people while keeping my feelings about them separate. Rayyel is one of my favourite characters ever, because I lifted several of his traits from people I know and love. Some of his faults, to me, are just quirks coupled with a heavy dose of misunderstanding. Talyien’s emotions also colour his personality, so that he sometimes seems worse than he actually is, and sometimes he seems better. That’s just how I approach every character I build—they’re always good people to some, and very bad people to others.