Title: The Silver Wolf
Author: Alice Borchardt
First published January 1, 1998
460 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780345423610 (ISBN10: 0345423615)
Rating: 3.92
Overview
Alice Borchardt’s The Silver Wolf takes readers on a thrilling journey to the opulent Rome of the Dark Ages. Regeane, a young woman with a mysterious past and the blood of royalty running through her veins, possesses the ability to shift into a wolf.
As she navigates the treacherous political landscape of Rome, she must also confront her primal instincts and the deadly enemies that seek to harm her. With vivid prose and intricate world-building, Borchardt weaves a mesmerizing tale of love, power, and survival that will leave readers breathless.
About the Author
On October 6, 1939, Alice O’Brien was born in the vibrant city of New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. She was one of five sisters, alongside Katherine “Kay” Allen and Howard O’Brien.
As a teenager, Alice and her family moved to Richardson, Texas. In Houston, she started her career in nursing and eventually tied the knot with her beloved husband, Clifford Borchardt.
Borchardt worked as a licensed vocational nurse for 30 years, but unfortunately, faced job cuts at the hospital where she was employed. Thankfully, Alice’s sister, the well-known writer Anne Rice, was there to encourage her, help her find an agent, and even wrote introductions to some of her books.
Alice O’Brien went on to write seven books before passing away on July 24, 2007, in Houston, Texas.
Editoral Review
The Silver Wolf by Alice Borchardt is a riveting historical fantasy novel that tells the story of Regeane, a beautiful and powerful sorceress who is cursed to transform into a wolf at every full moon. Borchardt, who was a skilled writer and a historian, masterfully blends elements of magic, romance, and adventure into a richly imagined world that is both fantastical and grounded in reality.
Set in 12th-century France during the reign of King Louis VII, The Silver Wolf takes the reader on a thrilling journey through the wild forests, treacherous mountains, and opulent courts of medieval Europe. The novel is filled with vivid descriptions of the landscapes, costumes, and customs of the time, as well as the political and religious conflicts that shaped the era.
Borchardt’s attention to historical detail is impressive, and she seamlessly weaves real-life figures such as Eleanor of Aquitaine, Henry II, and Thomas Becket into her fictional plot.
The story revolves around Regeane, a young woman who is born with the gift of sorcery, but also cursed with lycanthropy. She struggles to control her inner wolf and to find acceptance in a world that fears and hates her kind.
Along the way, she meets and falls in love with a handsome knight named Maeniel, who is sent to capture her, but ends up becoming her ally and protector. Together, they embark on a perilous quest to uncover the truth behind Regeane’s curse and to defeat an evil sorcerer who seeks to use her powers for his own gain.
Borchardt’s writing is richly poetic and atmospheric, evoking a sense of magic and mystery that permeates the entire novel. Her characters are complex and well-drawn, with their own motivations, flaws, and desires.
Regeane, in particular, is a fascinating protagonist, torn between her love for Maeniel and her fear of losing control of her wolf-self. Her struggle to find her place in the world and to embrace her true nature is both poignant and empowering.
However, the novel is not without its flaws. At times, the pacing can be slow, and some of the secondary characters feel underdeveloped.
Additionally, the romance between Regeane and Maeniel can be overly melodramatic and cliched, detracting from the overall realism of the story.
Despite these minor weaknesses, The Silver Wolf is a captivating and immersive read that will appeal to fans of historical fiction, fantasy, and romance. It offers a unique and imaginative take on the werewolf mythos, and explores themes of identity, love, and power that are still relevant today.
Borchardt’s tragic death in 2007 makes this novel even more poignant, as it stands as a testament to her talent and creativity. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys well-crafted historical fantasy with strong female leads.
Rating: 4 stars out of 5.
