Rise of the Wolf

by Curtis Jobling Narrated by Ciaran Saward

Overview

A swashbuckling new series for Ranger's Apprentice fans!

Imagine a world ruled by Werelords - men and women who can shift at will into bears, lions, and serpents. When Drew suddenly discovers he's not only a werewolf but the long-lost heir to the murdered Wolf King's throne, he must use his wits and newfound powers to survive in a land suddenly full of enemies. Drew's the only one who can unite the kingdom in a massive uprising against its tyrant ruler, Leopold the Lion. But the king is hot on Drew's tail and won't rest until he's got the rebel Wolf's head.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

In this thrilling middle-grade debut, first in the Wereworld series, British author/illustrator Jobling (the designer of the Bob the Builder TV series) creates a memorable new setting in which were-creatures rule. When Drew’s mother is attacked by a monster, Drew’s true nature as a werewolf is unleashed. Driven from his home through a misunderstanding, he goes on the run, finding trouble around every corner. As the last of the royal werewolf line, Drew has been marked for death by the werelion Leopold, who currently rules the Seven Realms. Trying to stay alive, with a wereboar scholar and a feisty werefox princess-to-be as his unlikely allies, Drew careens from one adventure to the next, almost accidentally sparking a revolution against the corrupt leaders of his nation. Jobling’s characterizations are solid, his world-building is complex and fascinating, and the combat scenes are suitably exciting. The book’s themes are familiar—lost prince in exile, voyage of self-discovery, young heroes rebelling against injustice and evil—but Jobling uses them to tell a thoroughly enjoyable adventure that makes particularly inventive use of its shape-shifter elements and mythology. Ages 10–up. (Sept.)

Kirkus Reviews

When a monster breaks into his house and kills his mother, and his father accuses him of the murder, 16-year-old Drew Ferran must leave home and find his own way in the world.

Drew lives in the wilds, and it turns out that not only does he not know where home is any longer, he doesn't really know who he is, though he has long suspected there's more to him than he had imagined. For Drew is a therianthrope, a lycanthrope, the last of the Werewolves, and in his land of Lyssia, there are many kinds of Werelords heading noble households—the Werestag, the Wereboar, the Werebadger, even the Wererat. But it's a kingdom ruled by King Leopold the Lion, who is ever eager to kill Drew and end the line of wolves. Jobling's debut initiates a sure-to-be-long series of Wereworld tales, pure fantasy adventure with plenty of horror in the mix. Though the writing is sloppy, with no shortage of wordy and awkward sentences, readers will no doubt be zipping along too quickly to notice. Familiar themes of home, identity, destiny, friendship, loyalty and taming the beast within will satisfy lovers of fantasy.

Pitched to an audience younger than Twilight's, this will find broad appeal among lovers of adventure fantasy, especially those mourning the end of John Flanagan's Ranger's Apprentice. (Fantasy. 10 & up)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940178123324
Publisher:	Penguin Random House
Publication date:	06/13/2023
Series:	Wereworld , #1
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	10 - 13 Years

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