Are you the kind of person that knows what they like? Are you comfortable sticking to tried and tested formulas? Do you value reliability over innovation? If so and you are struggling to find your next read, then The Wolf we Feed by P.A.Sheppard might be just the book you’ve been waiting for.

Trope and cliché become established in popular culture for one simple reason, they work. Nobody ever sets out to create a trope, but if a certain form or pattern resonates with readers it will be adopted and expanded until it verges on becoming a genre in its own right.

Foremost amongst equals is the ‘Chosen One’ trope. A character that, long before the tale begins, is singled out by greater powers and unwillingly set on a road to great challenge and accomplishment. It’s such a common and well loved narrative model that it has become almost impossible to pick up a Sci-Fi or Fantasy book that doesn’t represent it in some fashion. So, if one Chosen One is good for the plot, then two must be brilliant, right?

With exactly this premise in hand, the author launches into a helter skelter adventure as non-identical twins Drake and Tirith are first torn apart only to be sent back on opposing paths towards a final fatal collision. Along the way, the action is a constant stream of mishaps, misunderstandings and sudden shifts in the balance of power. If this were a film, it would be a jaw dropping widescreen spectacle full of panoramic landscapes, gore filled fight sequences, consanguineous treachery and even a city consumed by flames. It really does punch so many buttons. What could possibly go wrong?

As it turns out, plenty.

Though overflowing with potentially fascinating characters, the cast comes across as little more than cardboard cut outs with close to no character growth. The wholesome heroine, the wise tutor, the evil queen, the aggrieved traitor in the ranks, the noble knight, these and so many more are paraded before the reader, each one more obvious than the last.
Even this wouldn’t be so bad if the basic execution wasn’t so egregious. Forget editors, did anyone at all actually read it before publishing it? The prose are at best clunky and primitive, the grammar is more often off target than on and the plot convenience borders on Deus ex Machina.

Several self-contradictions and inconsistencies interrupted the flow of action and it was clear that at least one major plot hole had received a last minute patch up shortly before going to press. I was honestly shocked that a manuscript of this quality was released by a professional publishing house such as Prodigy Gold Books and I really had to grit my teeth to get to the end.

Nevertheless, perhaps you can see beyond my gripes and find the basic premise of the book appealing. If so, go snatch yourself a copy right after leaving a short comment to let me know what you think about my review.

Even better, if you have already read it, let me know if you agree with my assessment or if you think I have misrepresented something, but do remember NO SPOILERS! We don’t want to ruin it for others.

Find out more about P.A. Sheppard and his books at:

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