Book Review: The Wolf Queen by Tabitha Caplinger

I’m just coming out of a reading slump, and The Wolf Queen by Tabitha Caplinger was just what my soul needed. This is probably now my favorite book I’ve read so far this year – and it is definitely in my top favorite books of all time. It’s an easy 5 stars from me!

The Wolf Queen follows two main characters: Ylva, the leader of the Ibharung clan, and Rohan, prince of Valjalil. Ylva, also known as the Wolf Queen where she was raised by wolves, can see below the surface of men – she can see the light and darkness within them because of a gift from Lys, the Light. Prince Rohan thinks stories of Lys are no more than myth. The two cross paths, and bump heads, when the evil of Myrkr, the Darkness, infects the Four Realms and words of mere legend come to life – the dragon is rising.

I’m blown away by this book, truly.

Sometimes a lot of action in books (or even movies) can bore me, but Caplinger does a phenomenal job balancing the action of battle with character development. The author does a wonderful, wonderful job with her characters – I can’t begin to explain how much I connected with both Ylva and Rohan. I could feel what both characters felt, good and bad. And the inner struggles Rohan battles – I think everyone can relate to that.

To help showcase how awesome this Christian fantasy book is, I want to share some of my favorite quotes from the novel:

This is where it begins again.
We are all just a phoenix rising from the ashes of darkness and shadow.
Things are much easier when you begin to let go of who you thought you needed to be and become who you are.

The last quote from this list – it hit me right in the gut. How often have I held on to the picture of what I thought I should be, rather than just be who I am? I am made in the image of God, and I am loved and accepted by Him. He freely gives His love to me. I should become who I am, and who I am is God’s child. I don’t have everything figured out about who I am, but that’s enough. I have trust in Him and I should be still and let Him lead me instead of trying to force my own will.

There are beautiful themes woven throughout the story, many centering on light prevailing over darkness. One such lesson that resonated with me is that we have the ability to plant and sow seeds in others – of goodness or evil. Will will choose to ignore evil or will we counter evil with truth and goodness, for the sake of saving others?

But I digress! This book will be loved by all fans of fantasy, especially those that enjoy axe-wielding shield maidens, lupine guardians, slow burn romance, the chosen one tropes, and themes of light versus darkness. As a Christian, I greatly connected with the lessons in this book, but it was far from “preachy.” Yet, I feel stronger in my own faith; I feel more connected to God as I have reflected on my own inner light and darkness and taken the time to actively talk to God since reading this book.

I’ve read a lot of good books this year, but none that have impacted me quite like The Wolf Queen. I hope my future stories can impact other readers as this book has impacted me. I highly encourage you to pick up a copy today and read this amazing story for yourself.

“May the Light lead us, and the Darkness fear us.”