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Wolfkin
Lord of Wind and Fire, Book One
  A kingdom on the eve of war. A queen held captive. A land in turmoil.
A shape-changer's heart.
Suchen's life as Steward of Kellsjard is a good one, if uneventful. But the arrival of the exiled wizard Ax threatens to upset her quiet existence. The task he sets for her seems simple on the surface: escort Trethya, a young noblewoman, from the southern reaches of the kingdom back to the safety of Kellsjard's walls.
Soon, however, Suchen and her companions-five warriors Sworn to the service of her lord-discover that the fate of the entire kingdom depends on keeping Trethya alive. For only Trethya is privy to a deadly secret: Rozah, Queen of Jenel, is held captive by her regency council. If she is not freed, the treacherous Council will force her into a marriage with a necromancer intent on making Jenel his own.
Pursued by enemies, attacked by shape-changers, and threatened by hidden traitors, their path seems doomed to end in death. But into this mix comes an unlikely ally: Yozerf Jonaglir, scion of the non-human Aclytese race, heir to a forgotten throne.
Haughty, bitter, and haunted by the darkness of his past, Yozerf at first seems the antithesis of everything Suchen has ever known. Yet from the first, she finds herself drawn to this wild stranger, finding in him an answer to the longings of her own heart.
But is Yozerf the friend he seems to be—or will the dark secrets he hides ultimately destroy them all?
About the Author
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Elaine Corvidae has worked as an office assistant, archaeologist, and raptor rehabilitator. She is currently earning her Masters degree in Biology at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte. She lives near Charlotte, NC, with her husband and three cats. Her first published novel, Winter's Orphans, was the recipient of the 2001 Dream Realm Award and the 2002 Eppie Award.
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Reviews
Rated: 4 stars Wolfkin is mysterious from beginning to end. Elaine Corvidae remarkably sets a mood and tone to this story that carries through. The characters are real and dramatic with an almost perfect balance. An unlikely hero emerges and is transformed through the course of events and no one involved will ever be the same again. Love is also found growing in impossible circumstances and defeats all barriers and prejudices. Wolfkin is a beautiful story and well written. I am looking forward to the up and coming sequels. This book is the first in the Lord of Wind and Fire series, it is a great beginning to a remarkable story. —Joy Spear, Reviewer for Karen Find Out About New Books and Coffee Time Romance.
Wolfkin is a great fantasy novel, addressing such modern day issues as prejudice and racism. These issues never overwhelm the storyline, but add to the strong natures of the characters and their motives. Ms. Corvidae created an in-depth world, populated by different cultures with different histories and beliefs, and then set her characters loose in this world. This background only serves to make the reader more interested and keeps them quickly turning the pages, waiting with bated breath to see what happens next. While some character actions or backgrounds were easy to spot, this didn't detract from the rest of the novel, just gave me a better opportunity to focus on Suchen and Yozerf. I highly recommend Wolfkin and look forward to reading the remaining books in the Lord of Wind and Fire series. —Sharyn McGinty
Blue Ribbon Rating: 5 Wolfkin is a wonderful fantasy tale, full of everything from dragons to wizards and shapeshifters. Not only is Wolfkin a great fantasy, Elaine Corvidae also teaches us about prejudicism from the victim’s point of view and it is not a pretty thing. The character Yozerf and his fellow Aclytese, as well as the Wolfkin, all have our sympathy as we read of their treatment at the hands of the humans. For him to open himself up to friendship is amazing. The plot is compelling, forcing us to continue reading and we are definitely surprised by some of the twists therein. I have been privileged to read some of Elaine Corvidae's earlier works and she just keeps better and better. I can’t wait for the rest of this series to come out! —Chere
Elaine Corvidae's Wolfkin surprised me. With a plot that seemed to rely so heavily on action and suspense, I didn't expect the characters to be so shrewdly developed. I felt for the characters while they struggled with their feelings and places in the world; I wanted to crawl into the book and give them a shoulder to cry on. The stories of their personal lives intertwined wonderfully with the adventure Yozerf, Suchen and her friends find themselves embroiled in, creating an action romance any lover of fantasy should read. I look forward to the upcoming books in this series.
—Patricia Weeks, Round Table Reviews
I didn’t know what to expect when I first started reading [Wolfkin] but I was pleasantly surprised by the characters...so real yet a fantasy. Ms. Corvidae takes you inside the minds of the characters...you become their demons and taste their fear. You watch as the Red Guard transform from human to beast, you follow Yozerf into death and feel the pull of the healermage as she restores him to life. Wolves and she-wolves stalk their prey and shift to human form...their victory assured. This is a masterfully crafted fantasy, full of surprises. The plots and sub plots kept me turning the pages as I read my way through one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. This is a must read for lovers of fantasy and shape-shifting and...for those who aren’t...you will be!
—Jozette Aaron, Blue Iris Journal
5 Stars! Delve into a world of shapeshifters and magic. Wolfkin really grabbed me. I read the book in one sitting and found myself wishing for another to continue Yozerf's tale. Yozerf was my favorite character, I always loved the idea of shapeshifters, but Suchen's part in the story was good too. I was shocked at what happened to Rozah, it really surprised me, which is unusual in a lot of fantasy. Some of the books I have read are so obvious that two chapters in I know what's going to happen in the end. Not so with Wolfkin. Get this book, you'll love it.
—Mark Cooper
With fantastic characterization and intelligent dialogue creation, author Corvidae has created a fantastical world with wide cultural diversity. For the lover of fantasy and fantasy romance, this book is definitely for you! A page-turner from start to finish, you won't want to miss Wolfkin.
—Amy L. Turpin, Timeless Tales
4 Stars! There is one plot twist near the end that ... really caught me by surprise, opening up the worldview for more books by this author. There is so much going on here that I would welcome more time to explore all the possibilities. I recommend Wolfkin as a compact fantasy read with a satisfying cross-cultural romance.
—Science Fiction Romance
4 Stars! A wild foray into a world of shape changers and sorcerors. Ms. Corvidae has written a stunning fantasy in this novel. Romance is definitely not the dominant theme, but it is woven in as a key part of the plot nonetheless. The characters are so vividly portrayed, one will see them everywhere around. They are realistic, forcing the reader to know them and empathize with them. They will also remain in memory long after the final page is turned. The plot is incredible and compelling; making the pages turn on their own accord. Secrets and surprises abound, always unexpected and never boring. The conclusion is shocking, leaving a few mysteries in its wake. This reviewer can only hope that is a hint of more adventure to follow in future books. Ms. Corvidae has made a diehard fan here, who now intends to run out and purchase the rest of her books.
—Kelley, Love Romances
Four and 1/2 hearts! I enjoyed this book immensely. The love story is so true to some of the problems men and women still face today. ..This is a wonderfully well-written story ...I will be watching for more of Elaine Corvidae’s work in the future.
—Diane T., The Romance Studio
...a wonderful romantic adventure story. Wolfkin was a definite one-sitting book. Once I started I couldn't put it down. Superb!
—Lesley, The Eternal Night
4 Stars! "With fantastic characterization and intelligent dialogue creation, author Corvidae has created a fantastical world with wide cultural diversity. For the lover of fantasy and fantasy romance, this book is definitely for you! A page-turner from start to finish, you won't want to miss Wolfkin."
—Amy L. Turpin, Timeless Tales
4 Roses! "Ms. Corvidae has written a stunning fantasy in this novel...The characters are so vividly portrayed...forcing the reader to know them and empathize with them. They will also remain in memory long after the final page is turned. The plot is incredible and compelling; making the pages turn on their own accord. Secrets and surprises abound, always unexpected and never boring."
—Kelley Hartsell, Love Romances
4.5 Stars "Wolfkin is a superb fantasy shapeshifter romance that will keep you turning the pages...Ms. Corvidae explores several themes within this tightly written novel, including prejudice and forgiveness. Ms. Corvidae has a vivid writing style that assaults the senses and makes you experience every detail of the Wolfkin world. ..If you're tired of the same old same old, give Wolfkin a try. The story and characters will remain with you and haunt you long after you've reached the end."
—Debora Hosey, The Romance Readers Connection
Wolfkin is a compelling story with wonderfully written characters brought to life by realistic conflicts woven into a rich fantasy setting. The romance that develops between Suchen and Yozerf will appease even the most romantic heart. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Yozerf's emotional journey as he came to terms with his birthright and the prejudice that has always surrounded his kind. Add to that the excitement of never knowing where the next turn would take you made for an excellent read. I sincerely hope Ms. Corvidae continues the adventures of the Wolfkin."
—Heather White, Road to Romance
"Corvidae launches her fantasy world with clearly defined customs and characters. Suchen struggles to hold a position generally only men wield, and Yozerf struggles to hang onto his sanity after a life of torture and debasement. Corvidae keeps the reader guessing with several shocks in store, and the explosive climax leaves readers begging for more."
—Melanie C. Duncan, The Bookdragon Review
"Wolfkin is much about prejudice and mistrust...There is a realism about this fantasy that is not usually found in fantasies. This is no heroic saga. These are no heros doing mighty deeds. Nor are these humble peasants raised up to do great and wonderful things. These are very real people struggling to be the best they can be within their all too human prejudices and failings."
—Linda Suzane, Vampire eBook Authors
5 Stars! Superb romantic fantasy. Fans of romantic fantasy will fully enjoy Wolfkin, a strong entry due to the fully developed key cast members and a realm filled with magic that seems to exist. The story line is filled with twists and turns so that the reader is never sure what will happen next, but Elaine Corvidae never loses sight of the prime theme of her tale. Readers will look forward to more adventures in the world of Jenel perhaps a final confrontation between an amoral magic practitioner and an angry young man with an ax to grind.
—Harriet Klausner, The Best Reviews, Amazon.com's #1 reviewer
"Borrowing from classic literature and modern high fantasy, Ms. Corvidae has created a rich world peopled with realistic characters that will not fail to move you. Suchen demonstrates the true meaning of beauty, while Yozerf manages to combine the popular brooding, tortured, angry hero archetype with the strong, kind alpha male readers love. Ax, though only a background figure, is an enigma, who I hope is used if there are future volumes. The door is left open for this to be a saga; may it be so."
—Amanda Killgore, Scribesworld
"Wolfkin is wonderfully written with characters that show tremendous growth. When mixed with the compelling suspenseful sub-plot and a few intriguing twists, Elaine Corvidae has produced a winner! "
—Karen Troxel, Ebook Reviews.net
"I will recommend this book to my friends, and will certainly add it to my 'Keeper List' 5 Stars for Ms. Corvidae's Wolfkin"
—Charlene Smith, Simegen.com
"The characters are so well written, that despite their special gifts, they could be your best friends. I empathized more with these characters than with many of the characters in my favorite books. This author has a real gift for storytelling and I hope she continues for a long time. Not using this gift would be a real shame, not to mention a sin. Five roses for Elaine Corvidae!"
—Irene Marshall, Escape to Romance
A very good story here! Well written, full of suspense, and a small romance to boot! Definitely worth your time to purchase and read this fantasy novel!
—Detra Fitch, Huntress' Book Reviews
Stand Back! A Trilogy Worth It's Wait in Dragons! And, no, I didn't misuse "wait" in the title of this review—I was talking about the wait for the next two installments of this trilogy, which, may the lares and penates of Yozerf, bring swiftly to fruition!) I once had a reviewer of one of my books say that I never met a descriptive adjective I didn't like. My plate's pretty full at the moment, but I think I'll add one more thing to it—I'm going to start a club—Lovers of Descriptive Adjectives and Proud of It! I get to be president (it is my club!) and Ms. Corvidae can be Vice-Prez and Treasurer. Descriptive adjectives abound on the first page of Wolfkin, the volume one of a new Fantasy trilogy, and so does the promise of a wonderful, rich, full, surprising story, a promise that Ms. Corvidae fulfills in every particular. I don't even like Fantasy—I never read Fantasy—but this book I loved. It wasn't just the twists and turns, the realistic romance, the complex main characters—nothing in this book disappoints. Ms. Corvidae even knows how to write! A descriptive adjective in the right hands and in the right place is a beautiful thing. It adds layering and texture. Only a writer of nonfiction, like the reviewer of my book, takes offense at the inclusion of more than a half dozen per hundred pages. And in Fantasy, where the world is not our own and the "people," be they human, shapeshifter or other, not our people, those descriptive adjectives, used with the delicate touch of Ms. Corvidae, are necessary to fill that world with color and tint like the Aurora Borealis in the skies over the northern pole. Her dialog is realistic, escaping the stilted -isms of so many fantasy writers, her characters are 3-dimensional, her storyline an original take on an old theme, and her story just plain fun to read. What more can a person ask of a book? So hurry with the next two volumes, Elaine, please! I'm giving you one of my precious Blue Roses for Wolfkin. For the whole trilogy, I just might send you the entire bouquet!
—Kenyon Charboneaux
Excerpt
Prologue
He crouched in the pose of a hunter: body taut, senses extended. His eyes glittered in the night, like gray ice set in a face the color of old bone. The wind scrabbled curiously at his threadbare black clothing, seeking to touch the thin flesh stretched tight over his ribs. Unkempt hair, the crimson of freshly-spilled blood, gusted across his face.
The wind smelled wrong, tasted wrong, he thought. More like the bitter wine of winter than the sweeter cider of autumn. He shivered with the dread of the lean, cold months that had been bred into the blood and bones of his kind.
He smiled sardonically at that thought. My kind? And what kind would that be?
The skeletal grasses rattled dryly around him, as if in commiseration. An enormous, dark shape moved nervously at the lip of the small dell in which he hid. Reaching out blindly, he laid a reassuring hand against the warhorse’s warm hide. Iron muscles flexed under his callused fingers, and a velvety lip brushed his skin. The animal’s familiar scent filled his nostrils, comforting.
It’s an ill night to be out on the Kellsmarch, he thought. Wide, canted eyes scanned the vast plains, which stretched off to every side. The ivory moon shone down, illuminating every blade of grass with silver fire. There’s no cover out here, nowhere to hide.
Damn your stony heart, Ax, where are you?
A pale shape gleamed suddenly on the other side of the dell. He leapt back, snarling, before realizing it was the wizard who stood there. A moment later, Ax’s scent—not exactly that of a normal human, but not really definable as anything else, either—wafted to him on the breeze.
Ax bowed slightly, and a mocking smile touched his withered lips. "Forgive me, Yozerf Jonaglir. I did not mean to startle you."
And I’m a human. Yozerf looked away, as if the wizard hardly concerned him. "Trihychyl. It’s Trihychyl."
Ax shrugged negligently. "It hardly matters to me what clan name your family chooses to skulk under these days."
Yozerf ground his teeth together in silent fury. But he was accustomed to bearing the offhand taunts of humans, and in this, at least, the wizard seemed no different from his brethren.
Pretending to ignore the jibe, Yozerf tilted his head to one side and glared balefully at Ax. "What do you want of me?"
"I think you know. It’s time for you to pay your debt to me."
Yozerf transferred his malevolent stare to his hands, which rested lightly on his knees. My debt.
If I can survive whatever task he has for me, I’ll be truly free for the first time in my life. No more wondering when he’ll come, what he’ll ask of me. Free.
But freedom through slavery? Is that even possible?
Wariness caused the hair to prickle on the nape of his neck. Ax smelled smug, but a sour whiff of fear tainted the wind as well. Anything dire enough to worry the wizard, let alone make him afraid, was likely to be perilous in the extreme.
Although he knew it to be a futile gesture, he met Ax’s stare with one of his own. Yozerf’s gray gaze was inhumanly cold, challenging the wizard’s deceptively mild expression. "And if I refuse to do your bidding?"
Ax inclined his head, and his smile sent a spike of ice through Yozerf’s heart. "You could try. Thirty-four years ago, I used my healing arts to keep death from claiming you before you even drew your first breath. I gave you your life. Therefore, it is mine to do with as I will."
Hatred clogged Yozerf’s throat, and he spat on the ground. "So you will throw me away as a pawn in some unfathomable game."
"My 'game' is unfathomable only to you," Ax said, and now his voice was steel and stone, all pretense of goodwill flung aside. "I work solely for the good of Jenel. Not for my own aggrandizement, not for power, not for revenge. For my kingdom."
"Jenel is nothing to me," Yozerf hissed. "Hel can come take this kingdom and everyone in it—it is no concern of mine."
A wall of force punched into him, heaving him off his feet and slamming him hard against the earth. All the air left his lungs, and for an instant he lay stunned. The warhorse behind him screamed, and its hooves cut across the stars above his head. Gasping for breath, he forced himself to roll away from the frightened animal.
No sharp pains accompanied the movement—at least Ax hadn’t seen fit to shatter his bones. Undoubtedly because I couldn’t perform his little task then. Chest heaving, Yozerf came up into a crouch. His head still spun with the force of the blow, and he had to stretch a hand out to the ground to steady himself. The taste of blood filled his mouth.
Ax glared angrily from the other side of the dell, not even looking wearied from his display. "Jenel is my kingdom, and I work to defend her," the wizard said in a low, dangerous voice. "And so will you. You will not question me, only do what I say."
Yozerf rose slowly to his feet, careful to keep any sign of pain from his face. "I will do as you ask," he said quietly. "I would have done so anyway. Whatever else you might say of me, I never reneged on a debt—not even one to a human. There was no need for force."
Ax chuckled softly, the sound melding with the sere rattle of the dead grasses. "Perhaps. But this way, you’ll never forget who owns you."
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