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Legends of the Wolf #1
The Silver Wolf
An unwilling pawn in the plotting of the Rome of Charlemagne's time, Regeane is betrothed to an unknown barbarian lord. Unable to refuse in case she is betrayed as a shapeshifter wolf-woman, she is attracted to a dark wolf prowling outside the city gates.
460 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
153 people are currently reading
3401 people want to read
About the author
Alice Borchardt
14 books273 followersAlice O'Brien was born on 6 October 1939 in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. She was one of five sister of Katherine "Kay" Allen and Howard O'Brien. The O'Brien family moved to Richardson, Texas, when Alice was a teenager. She began her nursing career in Houston, where she met and married her husband, Clifford Borchardt. After a 30-year career as a licensed vocational nurse, Borchardt faced staff reductions at the hospital where she worked. Alice's sister, the writer Anne Rice, encouraged her, helped her find an agent, and wrote introductions to several of her books. She wrote seven books. She passed away on 24 July 2007 in Houston, Texas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 258 reviews
February 13, 2023
What a snorefest. I keep thinking about how to write a thoughtful review, but how do you write about something that you found tedious?
Borchardt's basic story is probably only 100 pages. The rest she rambles and rambles. She talks about the plight of women, about Roman history, Roman mythology, and Roman medieval politics. She writes about ghosts with skin peeling away from the skull that Regeane sees (but has nothing to do with the plot and is only there for shock value.) She goes into nauseating detail about Regeane’s family who are abusive, lewd, debauched and disgusting (they even pee the floor leaving yellow puddles.) Characters are brought in and introduced for no reason except ‘to chat’ and tell stories about love. And practically every chapter has an intricate list of what everyone is eating, all the way down to little side dishes and sauces.
The funny thing is, none of these food lists made me hungry. There’s no taste, smell, or texture…no vibrancy to her food. Borchardt’s writing lacks substance. And I think that’s the main problem with this book. Borchardt writes a lot of lyrical words, but they don’t pull you in emotionally. Her characters talked a lot, but had no personality. It’s not that I disliked her characters. I felt nothing all, except maybe for Regeane’s annoying Uncle (whom I detested ) but in truth probably added the most excitement to the book. There are a lot of historical tidbits, but never once did I feel like I was in medieval Rome. The ending was predictable.
I’m giving two stars. *yawn*
Borchardt's basic story is probably only 100 pages. The rest she rambles and rambles. She talks about the plight of women, about Roman history, Roman mythology, and Roman medieval politics. She writes about ghosts with skin peeling away from the skull that Regeane sees (but has nothing to do with the plot and is only there for shock value.) She goes into nauseating detail about Regeane’s family who are abusive, lewd, debauched and disgusting (they even pee the floor leaving yellow puddles.) Characters are brought in and introduced for no reason except ‘to chat’ and tell stories about love. And practically every chapter has an intricate list of what everyone is eating, all the way down to little side dishes and sauces.
The funny thing is, none of these food lists made me hungry. There’s no taste, smell, or texture…no vibrancy to her food. Borchardt’s writing lacks substance. And I think that’s the main problem with this book. Borchardt writes a lot of lyrical words, but they don’t pull you in emotionally. Her characters talked a lot, but had no personality. It’s not that I disliked her characters. I felt nothing all, except maybe for Regeane’s annoying Uncle (whom I detested ) but in truth probably added the most excitement to the book. There are a lot of historical tidbits, but never once did I feel like I was in medieval Rome. The ending was predictable.
I’m giving two stars. *yawn*
August 20, 2018
The Storyline
Regeane is a half-Saxon and half-Frankish woman without a father; her mother, Gisela is the cause of his death. After Gisela discovers that Woflstan, Regeane’s father, is a shape shifter and is able to take the form of a wolf she is convinced by her brother Gundabald that he must be the devils child and must be killed. Gisela is thankful that her daughter doesn’t appear to have any of the traits of her father; however, when she gets older she gains the ability to change into a wolf as well. Regeane had an extremely hard life as her mother attempted to ‘fix her’ and forces her to drink concoctions, pray for hours on end, and to swear that she would never change into the wolf. Nothing works.
When Gisela dies, Regeane is left in the care of Gundabald and his son Hugo who treat her horribly by keeping her locked in her room, feeding her scraps, and barely passable clothing. Gundabald informs her one day that she is to be wed to a wealthy mountain lord named Maeniel. Scared for her life she runs away from Gundabald and seeks solace in the care of Lucilla, the Pope’s mistress. Lucilla learns of her secret and promises to keep her as safe as possible from having her future-husband discover it as well. As Regeane says regarding Maeniel:
”I don’t plan to love him. I plan to survive him.”
The Characters
The characters were positively vibrant. Regeane was the epitome of strength and smart beyond her years. My favorite though? Maeniel. He has his own secrets just as Regeane and you can’t help but be entranced by him as well. Read it, you’ll see exactly what I mean. :) Regeane and Maeniel didn’t meet until close to the end of the book, but the passion and love that developed between the two was well worth the wait.
Just a Note
I feel the need to write a word of warning for this novel. Many of you who have briefly scanned over the summary of this novel and said, “Oooh! Werewolves!” Stop and listen before you read this, end up severely disappointed and end up rating it all kinds of awful. This is what I like to call a ‘big girl book’. You will not find any melodrama here nor any love triangles. The main character may be a teen girl; however, you will not find any typical YA storylines here. I think a lot of people have the wrong expectations when going into this book. This is like, werewolves being thrown into a Game of Thrones or Mists of Avalon type storyline. Very mature writing, very mature situations, just with a teen girl that turns into a wolf.
This book has been on my bookshelf for YEARS. Being a huge fan of Anne Rice I had always wanted to read her sisters writing as well. Yep, Alice Borchardt is the sister of Anne Rice. But as far as my first experience with Alice Borchardt’s writing? I was not disappointed in the least. This was truly a book to be savored rather than gulped down, so don’t let the fact that it took me forever to read it discourage you.
This was a very detailed and intricate story that was beautiful in its intensity. Alice Borchardt was an extremely talented writer and it’s a shame that she isn’t around to continue creating beautiful stories. I finished this book with a smile on my face and will most definitely be reading more from her soon.
My Favorite Quote
"Love is eternal. That is its terror and its final beauty. Love never ends. The joy may go out of it, and, in time, even the pain may end. But it lingers like a living thing and follows you every moment of your life."
Regeane is a half-Saxon and half-Frankish woman without a father; her mother, Gisela is the cause of his death. After Gisela discovers that Woflstan, Regeane’s father, is a shape shifter and is able to take the form of a wolf she is convinced by her brother Gundabald that he must be the devils child and must be killed. Gisela is thankful that her daughter doesn’t appear to have any of the traits of her father; however, when she gets older she gains the ability to change into a wolf as well. Regeane had an extremely hard life as her mother attempted to ‘fix her’ and forces her to drink concoctions, pray for hours on end, and to swear that she would never change into the wolf. Nothing works.
When Gisela dies, Regeane is left in the care of Gundabald and his son Hugo who treat her horribly by keeping her locked in her room, feeding her scraps, and barely passable clothing. Gundabald informs her one day that she is to be wed to a wealthy mountain lord named Maeniel. Scared for her life she runs away from Gundabald and seeks solace in the care of Lucilla, the Pope’s mistress. Lucilla learns of her secret and promises to keep her as safe as possible from having her future-husband discover it as well. As Regeane says regarding Maeniel:
”I don’t plan to love him. I plan to survive him.”
The Characters
The characters were positively vibrant. Regeane was the epitome of strength and smart beyond her years. My favorite though? Maeniel. He has his own secrets just as Regeane and you can’t help but be entranced by him as well. Read it, you’ll see exactly what I mean. :) Regeane and Maeniel didn’t meet until close to the end of the book, but the passion and love that developed between the two was well worth the wait.
Just a Note
I feel the need to write a word of warning for this novel. Many of you who have briefly scanned over the summary of this novel and said, “Oooh! Werewolves!” Stop and listen before you read this, end up severely disappointed and end up rating it all kinds of awful. This is what I like to call a ‘big girl book’. You will not find any melodrama here nor any love triangles. The main character may be a teen girl; however, you will not find any typical YA storylines here. I think a lot of people have the wrong expectations when going into this book. This is like, werewolves being thrown into a Game of Thrones or Mists of Avalon type storyline. Very mature writing, very mature situations, just with a teen girl that turns into a wolf.
This book has been on my bookshelf for YEARS. Being a huge fan of Anne Rice I had always wanted to read her sisters writing as well. Yep, Alice Borchardt is the sister of Anne Rice. But as far as my first experience with Alice Borchardt’s writing? I was not disappointed in the least. This was truly a book to be savored rather than gulped down, so don’t let the fact that it took me forever to read it discourage you.
This was a very detailed and intricate story that was beautiful in its intensity. Alice Borchardt was an extremely talented writer and it’s a shame that she isn’t around to continue creating beautiful stories. I finished this book with a smile on my face and will most definitely be reading more from her soon.
My Favorite Quote
"Love is eternal. That is its terror and its final beauty. Love never ends. The joy may go out of it, and, in time, even the pain may end. But it lingers like a living thing and follows you every moment of your life."
September 18, 2015
This is Part 3 of my Fall Wolf-a-thon, a sprint on four legs through six werewolf novels before the arrival of Halloween.
I'm abandoning The Silver Wolf after Chapter I.
Published in 2001, this novel -- written by Anne Rice's older sister Alice Borchardt -- seems to be set in the last days of the Roman Empire (details sketchy thus far, typical in mediocre writing). It looks to be a Cinderella story, chock full of antiquity and lycanthropes, with a wolfed out teenage girl named Regeane as the main character. Various evil bastards know that Regeane is a werewolf and have imprisoned her. There is a lot of telling about sunsets or scents. And Regeane's life.
One thing I cannot truck with in fiction is telling. In Chapter I, Borchardt tells the reader a lot of things, like a court stenographer entering a record. We're told that Regeane is a poor thing who doesn't fit in. We're told how Regeane's mother Gisela is her confidante. We're told that Gisela brought her to see the Pope to get her curse removed. We're told that Gisela died. We're told that Regeane is a silver wolf. We're told that Regeane is special.
What Borchardt is unwilling or unable to do is show me how close she is to her mother or show me how she was brought to kneel before the Pope and beg for her life. Chapter I reads like a laundry list of facts. Zzzzz. I'm 42. I have enough time to read, maybe, if I stay healthy, two thousand more novels. Life is too short to spend a week on a novel that bores and angers me in equal doses.
The other thing is that when authors of fantasy or science fiction create worlds where, say, werewolves are known to exist, or time travel is possible, or ghosts are accepted, it usually siphons the tension, the mystery and the sensuality out of the book. If werewolves are not a big deal, why should the novel be a big deal? I'm falling asleep just thinking about Borchardt's approach.
I'm abandoning The Silver Wolf after Chapter I.
Published in 2001, this novel -- written by Anne Rice's older sister Alice Borchardt -- seems to be set in the last days of the Roman Empire (details sketchy thus far, typical in mediocre writing). It looks to be a Cinderella story, chock full of antiquity and lycanthropes, with a wolfed out teenage girl named Regeane as the main character. Various evil bastards know that Regeane is a werewolf and have imprisoned her. There is a lot of telling about sunsets or scents. And Regeane's life.
One thing I cannot truck with in fiction is telling. In Chapter I, Borchardt tells the reader a lot of things, like a court stenographer entering a record. We're told that Regeane is a poor thing who doesn't fit in. We're told how Regeane's mother Gisela is her confidante. We're told that Gisela brought her to see the Pope to get her curse removed. We're told that Gisela died. We're told that Regeane is a silver wolf. We're told that Regeane is special.
What Borchardt is unwilling or unable to do is show me how close she is to her mother or show me how she was brought to kneel before the Pope and beg for her life. Chapter I reads like a laundry list of facts. Zzzzz. I'm 42. I have enough time to read, maybe, if I stay healthy, two thousand more novels. Life is too short to spend a week on a novel that bores and angers me in equal doses.
The other thing is that when authors of fantasy or science fiction create worlds where, say, werewolves are known to exist, or time travel is possible, or ghosts are accepted, it usually siphons the tension, the mystery and the sensuality out of the book. If werewolves are not a big deal, why should the novel be a big deal? I'm falling asleep just thinking about Borchardt's approach.
December 23, 2010
Regeane is a beautiful young woman with werewolf blood. Because of this, her nasty uncle has kept her captive and beaten and starved her. When she discovers that he plans to sell her to a wealthy barbarian she risks her life and escapes. The remainder of the book concentrates on Regeane's self-discovery and the other, often odd, sometimes depraved people she encounters. She's known she can shape-shift but she also learns that she has visions and can speak to the dead. Eventually she becomes embroiled in a dangerous political situation and meets her soul mate and all ends pretty happily ever after.
This book, set in Rome during the Dark Ages, is rough, meaty and often very dark. It's not a book for everyone because the author gets really graphic and vividly describes numerous vile acts including torture and assorted bodily functions. The book also goes off into tangents when the numerous secondary characters take center stage but their stories were interesting even though they rarely advanced the plot. My mind only started to wander during the times when the book got into heavy political details - which aren't my thing at all.
If you can get past all that, and don't mind a highly descriptive book you'll find a very interesting story that is often (at the most unexpected times) very hilarious in a morbid kind of way. I found this story, for the most part, very difficult to put down and am looking forward to the sequel which I hope ties up some loose ends.
This book, set in Rome during the Dark Ages, is rough, meaty and often very dark. It's not a book for everyone because the author gets really graphic and vividly describes numerous vile acts including torture and assorted bodily functions. The book also goes off into tangents when the numerous secondary characters take center stage but their stories were interesting even though they rarely advanced the plot. My mind only started to wander during the times when the book got into heavy political details - which aren't my thing at all.
If you can get past all that, and don't mind a highly descriptive book you'll find a very interesting story that is often (at the most unexpected times) very hilarious in a morbid kind of way. I found this story, for the most part, very difficult to put down and am looking forward to the sequel which I hope ties up some loose ends.
November 29, 2010
I found Alice Borchardt's The Silver Wolf during a library search on NoveList - it was recommended to me based on other books I have read and enjoyed. I was expecting a light, paranormal romance type novel, easily read and enjoyed, and just as easily forgotten. What I got from reading The Silver Wolf however, was so much more...
Hidden within the pages of The Silver Wolf is an expertly crafted work of historical fiction. Borchardt has created a world of political intrigue and deadly suspense with a splash of the paranormal thrown in for color. The "woman-used-as-a-tool-to-make-men-more-powerful" motif, which is ever present in works of historical fiction, becomes painstakingly real for the reader as she makes her way through the novel. I had to catch my breath more than once as Regeane was moved around on the proverbial chess board of life, without free-will and choice.
The Silver Wolf is a beautifully descriptive piece of fiction with a fascinating story and captivating heroine at its heart. I had no idea when I picked it up that it would end up being one of the best books I've read this year. I read it almost straight through in two days time, and now I wish I has slowed myself down a bit. I will definitely be picking up other Alice Brochardt novels in the future. She certainly was as gifted a writer as her sister, Anne Rice.
Hidden within the pages of The Silver Wolf is an expertly crafted work of historical fiction. Borchardt has created a world of political intrigue and deadly suspense with a splash of the paranormal thrown in for color. The "woman-used-as-a-tool-to-make-men-more-powerful" motif, which is ever present in works of historical fiction, becomes painstakingly real for the reader as she makes her way through the novel. I had to catch my breath more than once as Regeane was moved around on the proverbial chess board of life, without free-will and choice.
The Silver Wolf is a beautifully descriptive piece of fiction with a fascinating story and captivating heroine at its heart. I had no idea when I picked it up that it would end up being one of the best books I've read this year. I read it almost straight through in two days time, and now I wish I has slowed myself down a bit. I will definitely be picking up other Alice Brochardt novels in the future. She certainly was as gifted a writer as her sister, Anne Rice.
December 2, 2008
The Silver Wolf (Legends of the Wolves, Book #1) by Alice Borchardt was recommended to me by my friend Lainey as sort of a substitute for Anne Rice. Turns out that Alice Borchardt is actually Anne Rice's sister, or at least was Anne Rice's sister, as Wikipedia reports that Borchardt passed away in 2007.
Knowing that, there are some interesting similarities. Borchardt trends a bit voluptuous with her language, while still seeming to hold her characters at an arms length. Both sisters are happy to give you the protagonist's lofty innermost desires, but Borchardt's heroine always seem to be standing at the edge of the world with the wind blowing through her hair. It's easy to see why...
She's keeping her nose above the smell. In The Silver Wolf we're introduced to the Dark Ages...and not only the Dark Ages, but the Darkest of Ages. In the same chapter as the sun shining like an incandescent ball, the reader is brought down into the putrid existence of Regeane's childhood. Having recently lost her strict and religious mother, Regeane (a werewolf by birth) is left in the care of her disgusting uncle and his weak-willed son. Chained and often beaten, she mires in filth for several chapters: rotting ghosts, grimy prostitutes, and drunken winos. Throw in some lepers too.
After a while the plot introduces more refined company, but it seems like Borchardt intends to violate the senses. To be fair, her character is a wolf, but the effect can at times be a bit dizzying.
On the positive side, the story is filled with strong female characters. A majority of the people that Regeane comes across in her travels are women living without husbands. Lucilla, the extravagant courtesan is one of the more interesting supporting characters.
To those who are interested in fantasy I would say this is a decent book, though it leaves much of the story untold (typical of the first book in a saga). I actually enjoyed this more than The Witching Hour by Rice but it lacks a hook to draw me into the rest of the series.
Knowing that, there are some interesting similarities. Borchardt trends a bit voluptuous with her language, while still seeming to hold her characters at an arms length. Both sisters are happy to give you the protagonist's lofty innermost desires, but Borchardt's heroine always seem to be standing at the edge of the world with the wind blowing through her hair. It's easy to see why...
She's keeping her nose above the smell. In The Silver Wolf we're introduced to the Dark Ages...and not only the Dark Ages, but the Darkest of Ages. In the same chapter as the sun shining like an incandescent ball, the reader is brought down into the putrid existence of Regeane's childhood. Having recently lost her strict and religious mother, Regeane (a werewolf by birth) is left in the care of her disgusting uncle and his weak-willed son. Chained and often beaten, she mires in filth for several chapters: rotting ghosts, grimy prostitutes, and drunken winos. Throw in some lepers too.
After a while the plot introduces more refined company, but it seems like Borchardt intends to violate the senses. To be fair, her character is a wolf, but the effect can at times be a bit dizzying.
On the positive side, the story is filled with strong female characters. A majority of the people that Regeane comes across in her travels are women living without husbands. Lucilla, the extravagant courtesan is one of the more interesting supporting characters.
To those who are interested in fantasy I would say this is a decent book, though it leaves much of the story untold (typical of the first book in a saga). I actually enjoyed this more than The Witching Hour by Rice but it lacks a hook to draw me into the rest of the series.
February 9, 2023
Every time I read this book, I love it just as much as the first time. It is the perfect blend of supernatural and history and the writing is so lyrical and descriptive that you can easily imagine everything that happens.
August 10, 2016
This is the first book in the Legends of the Wolves trilogy. Borchardt, the sister of vampire maven Anne Rice, spins an amazingly descriptive tale set in the waning years of the Roman Empire as Charles struggles to become Charlemagne and Hadrian struggles to remain pope. Regeane is a shape shifter, woman and wolf, cursed and blessed, hunter and hunted. Distantly related to Charlemagne she is betrothed to a barbarian chieftain she has never seen to secure a mountain pass needed to keep Charlemagne on the throne and Hadrian on the seat of Peter. Caught up in events beyond her control she struggles to retain her humanity in a world almost totally bereft of human decency. Never have I read a tale so full of plots within plots within plots. It graphically describes the poverty, cruelty, and barbarism of the Dark Ages and the struggles of a young woman to find freedom, and perhaps love. The tale starts slowly; but if you stay with it through Borchardt's intense description you will find a satisfying tale filled with suspense, violence, and hope.
July 20, 2013
I started to like this book the first two pages and then absolutely loved it after the first chapter. I know that for those of you who loved reading Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles would find the heroine as intriguing and endearing as Rice's Lestat. Also, the fact that the heroine is one heck of a female who can kick ass like a warrior didn't hurt either. Women empowerment! Yay! And because I am a hopeless romantic, while I was reading this book, I couldn't stop thinking, "Please let it be him. Please let it be him..." I've read half of the book and still I thought, "Can't you just let it be him? Oh, God, just be him!" When I finally was on the last few chapters, I couldn't help but shout "YES! It's him! YES! (insert maniacal laughter) YES!" and fell in love with the story all over again. I couldn't wait to read the next books for this series. All in all, I am so glad that I went to that bookstore and accidentally bought this book. Yes, it was an accident and I couldn't be more happy. (=^_^=)
December 24, 2007
The one about the girl/wolf shapeshifter, set early in Charlemagne's reign.
I gave this one fifty pages for form's sake, but it began to lose me in the very first paragraph, where the setting sun is described both as "the fiery circle" and as "the incandescent ball." This is typical of the writing throughout: purple, pompous, full of epithets and 'poetic' sentence fragments, pretty much the fanfiction.net house style.
This sort of exaggerated Cinderella story is a kink, but it's not my kink. I don't know which bugged me more, each new piece of evidence of how Special the character is (ghosts speak to her! snakes pay homage to her!) or each new piece of evidence of how horribly mistreated she is by everyone and everything.
I gave this one fifty pages for form's sake, but it began to lose me in the very first paragraph, where the setting sun is described both as "the fiery circle" and as "the incandescent ball." This is typical of the writing throughout: purple, pompous, full of epithets and 'poetic' sentence fragments, pretty much the fanfiction.net house style.
This sort of exaggerated Cinderella story is a kink, but it's not my kink. I don't know which bugged me more, each new piece of evidence of how Special the character is (ghosts speak to her! snakes pay homage to her!) or each new piece of evidence of how horribly mistreated she is by everyone and everything.
May 7, 2008
I'm a sucker for historical fiction and for novels focused on protagonist character development, so I expected to enjoy this book. What surprised me was that Alice Borchardt went beyond introducing me to a time period I know little about (Rome in the time of Charlemagne) and to a heroine I could become attached to. Perhaps it is because she grew up telling stories in New Orleans with her sister (Anne Rice) - the dust jacket on my book seems to think so.
November 2, 2008
The offspring of human mother and werewolf father, Regeane displays the werewolf tendencies as she grows into adulthood.
I love werewolf novels but this one didn't do it for me. It fell flat, the characters did not come to life for me.
The sub-story is Regeane's love for Maeniel, who later is revealed to be a werewolf himself. Entirely to predictable for my liking. It had the potential to be a great novel but fell short of the mark.
I love werewolf novels but this one didn't do it for me. It fell flat, the characters did not come to life for me.
The sub-story is Regeane's love for Maeniel, who later is revealed to be a werewolf himself. Entirely to predictable for my liking. It had the potential to be a great novel but fell short of the mark.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2010
A romantic werewolf novel set in Roman times. It's not historically accurate - anachronisms abound, particularly in characters' attitudes and the way they behave. It's also written, it seems, with a screenplay in mind. I could almost feel like I was watching it on late night TV, right after Buffy or something. But, that said, I thought it was good fun & quite entertaining.
January 9, 2011
A werewolf story! I like the way Ms. Borchardt writes. The world she creates is rather complex and sometimes a bit too detailed. Still, this historical story reinterpreted with werewolves was interesting to me. Specifically since there aren't that many books out with decent mythology regarding werewolves. I sucked down this story in a night. I can't wait to read the follow up book.
May 22, 2011
As poorly written a book as you're likely to read.
January 5, 2024
Books one and three are good but I didn't like the second book. (which is a prequel, so you can easily skip it.)
March 29, 2018
This started out strong and I was immediately gripped by Regeane's miserable existence under the cruel rule of her uncle and cousin. The writing was elegant and vivid and I was emotionally invested in Regeane's struggles right away.
As things progressed, the plot got more confusing, with intricate ancient Roman politics coming into play and authoritative, powerful characters taking such an intense interest in Regeane and her marriage for reasons that weren't always clear to me. That, coupled with lengthy, flowery prose that bogged down the pace of what was supposed to be an action-packed, intense plot made me begin to lose interest. While the elegant writing style was what initially drew me in, it became cumbersome later on when the plot should have been picking up in speed and intensity.
I ended up taking quite a long time to finish this book because of these factors, but I'm glad I did finish it. The conclusion was exciting and drew me back in. I found myself eagerly turning the pages again, wanting to know how it ends. I'm also fond of shocking revelations and plot twists that change the dynamic of the entire story and I was not disappointed on that front, either.
Overall, it was a beautifully written tale steeped in rich history and fantasy that is worth picking up and reading at least once.
As things progressed, the plot got more confusing, with intricate ancient Roman politics coming into play and authoritative, powerful characters taking such an intense interest in Regeane and her marriage for reasons that weren't always clear to me. That, coupled with lengthy, flowery prose that bogged down the pace of what was supposed to be an action-packed, intense plot made me begin to lose interest. While the elegant writing style was what initially drew me in, it became cumbersome later on when the plot should have been picking up in speed and intensity.
I ended up taking quite a long time to finish this book because of these factors, but I'm glad I did finish it. The conclusion was exciting and drew me back in. I found myself eagerly turning the pages again, wanting to know how it ends. I'm also fond of shocking revelations and plot twists that change the dynamic of the entire story and I was not disappointed on that front, either.
Overall, it was a beautifully written tale steeped in rich history and fantasy that is worth picking up and reading at least once.
November 24, 2023
More a 3.5
I liked several things and I was surprised by how easy it was to read this story, for some reason I got the impression it would be a heavier type of story.
However, I think there were too many pages "wasted" on certain situations, when perhaps the plot could have advanced more quickly...
I liked several things and I was surprised by how easy it was to read this story, for some reason I got the impression it would be a heavier type of story.
However, I think there were too many pages "wasted" on certain situations, when perhaps the plot could have advanced more quickly...
March 7, 2025
Fans of Anne Rice's writing will love this author ....
April 3, 2012
This is the first book I've read by Alice Borchardt. I was drawn to this book for two reasons: one, for the cover. Two, because I've been itching for a good werewolf story and this seems the one to subdue a werewolf-fix. I will say this here and now....I didn't know that Miss Alice was Anne Rice's sister until after I was nearly done. Even though I like Anne Rice, my opinion will NOT be swayed. Just saying...
This book did subdue the need for a good werewolf story (for the moment). It was everything I expected and more. I just loved the different take on the werewolf that Alice Borchardt took. The werewolves did have a hint of the Twilight Saga werewolfiness to them, but the similarities are slim. Don't be looking at this book as a Twilight-ie book. The book is WAY, WAY different.
Which would bring me to my other great love of the book...it was a very dark tale at some points. Regeane (the heroine) is pretty much an orphan at this point and is left at the mercy of her Uncle Gundabald. She is also has to deal with the occasional evil demon or gruesome ghosts. She's just a child, like 17, so I feel horrible for her! My heart completely sank at the revealing of a pretty big secret. I had to literally shut the book for a few days. However, she didn't let any of these dark times and life changing secrets keep her down, she would jump right back up and keep fighting! I really liked Regeane and how strong of a female character Alice Borchardt made her; I do get rather exhausted of the pitiful women who sulk and what for the man to save them. However, Regeane would realize when she needed help and she would allow others (men or women) to step up and give her help. Yes, she was brave and tough, but she wasn't stupid about it.
Yes, this book did take me a rather long time to finish, but that's not an awful thing. I took my time, because this novel is one of those that need a little extra time. Alice Borchardt does tend to take a long time for some events. Some events would drag on and on and I would wonder if it would last forever! I had skim once in a great blue moon, just to keep my interesting because the author tend to ramble on and on. Don't get me wrong, I love ramblings (I am one)! A breaking-point does need to be installed at a certain point. That was one of my biggest issues.
Another issue was the darkness of the book. I know I had said I admired and liked how dark it was, which is true, but I still wasn't a fan. Maybe I'm mixing some emotions into this "dislike", but I felt like many points did get a little too dark for my taste. For example...when a certain character (can not mention names or the reasons why) was beaten pretty much to death near the end. The details and feel of that whole part really made me wince. This character was missing some fingernails and...well...the character was a bloody mess. It just really got to me for a little bit. Also, I was a little unsure about the extreme details that was given to the lepers. I'm pretty sure everyone who reads knows what a leper is. Why must there be horrid details that made me wince. Again, I do like dark stories and I liked how well Alice Borchardt brought in the dark at certain points. I must say though...there were a couple points that crossed a line for me.
Anyways, the biggest applaud must be paid to the details and the word usage. The details and descriptions were phenomenal! I really felt like I was there and with the characters in their world. It was simply great. The world was so vivid in my mind's eye and even though it was not the best of places in Rome during the 8th century, I still enjoyed the ride.
All-in-all, I really enjoyed this book. The world felt so alive, the characters felt real and 3D, the werewolves were pretty epic, and the darkness may have thrown me off track a little but I stilled enjoyed it. This book is a book for more of the mature readers and for those looking for a novel like Twilight or any of the others. This book belongs in a whole different genre. I do recommend this for those that need a nice werewolf or fantasy fix. This will fit many bills. ^.^ However, I probably will not continue to read on with the series, I feel like this was a good ending and I'm satisfied. Out of five stars, I grant this one 4 stars.
Favorite Character(s): Regeane (great female character) and Maenial (great guy, too bad he didn't have that much airtime in this one)
Not-so Favorite Character(s): Gundabald (SOB of the Year nominee for the year; he got the ending I would have wrote him if I was the author) and Basil (another nominee for the SOB of the Year)
This book did subdue the need for a good werewolf story (for the moment). It was everything I expected and more. I just loved the different take on the werewolf that Alice Borchardt took. The werewolves did have a hint of the Twilight Saga werewolfiness to them, but the similarities are slim. Don't be looking at this book as a Twilight-ie book. The book is WAY, WAY different.
Which would bring me to my other great love of the book...it was a very dark tale at some points. Regeane (the heroine) is pretty much an orphan at this point and is left at the mercy of her Uncle Gundabald. She is also has to deal with the occasional evil demon or gruesome ghosts. She's just a child, like 17, so I feel horrible for her! My heart completely sank at the revealing of a pretty big secret. I had to literally shut the book for a few days. However, she didn't let any of these dark times and life changing secrets keep her down, she would jump right back up and keep fighting! I really liked Regeane and how strong of a female character Alice Borchardt made her; I do get rather exhausted of the pitiful women who sulk and what for the man to save them. However, Regeane would realize when she needed help and she would allow others (men or women) to step up and give her help. Yes, she was brave and tough, but she wasn't stupid about it.
Yes, this book did take me a rather long time to finish, but that's not an awful thing. I took my time, because this novel is one of those that need a little extra time. Alice Borchardt does tend to take a long time for some events. Some events would drag on and on and I would wonder if it would last forever! I had skim once in a great blue moon, just to keep my interesting because the author tend to ramble on and on. Don't get me wrong, I love ramblings (I am one)! A breaking-point does need to be installed at a certain point. That was one of my biggest issues.
Another issue was the darkness of the book. I know I had said I admired and liked how dark it was, which is true, but I still wasn't a fan. Maybe I'm mixing some emotions into this "dislike", but I felt like many points did get a little too dark for my taste. For example...when a certain character (can not mention names or the reasons why) was beaten pretty much to death near the end. The details and feel of that whole part really made me wince. This character was missing some fingernails and...well...the character was a bloody mess. It just really got to me for a little bit. Also, I was a little unsure about the extreme details that was given to the lepers. I'm pretty sure everyone who reads knows what a leper is. Why must there be horrid details that made me wince. Again, I do like dark stories and I liked how well Alice Borchardt brought in the dark at certain points. I must say though...there were a couple points that crossed a line for me.
Anyways, the biggest applaud must be paid to the details and the word usage. The details and descriptions were phenomenal! I really felt like I was there and with the characters in their world. It was simply great. The world was so vivid in my mind's eye and even though it was not the best of places in Rome during the 8th century, I still enjoyed the ride.
All-in-all, I really enjoyed this book. The world felt so alive, the characters felt real and 3D, the werewolves were pretty epic, and the darkness may have thrown me off track a little but I stilled enjoyed it. This book is a book for more of the mature readers and for those looking for a novel like Twilight or any of the others. This book belongs in a whole different genre. I do recommend this for those that need a nice werewolf or fantasy fix. This will fit many bills. ^.^ However, I probably will not continue to read on with the series, I feel like this was a good ending and I'm satisfied. Out of five stars, I grant this one 4 stars.
Favorite Character(s): Regeane (great female character) and Maenial (great guy, too bad he didn't have that much airtime in this one)
Not-so Favorite Character(s): Gundabald (SOB of the Year nominee for the year; he got the ending I would have wrote him if I was the author) and Basil (another nominee for the SOB of the Year)
September 10, 2020
Excellent
I lost sleep reading this book. It has the richness of a great novel while being easy to read at the same time.
I lost sleep reading this book. It has the richness of a great novel while being easy to read at the same time.
September 17, 2016
2 1/2 stars. Liked the story. Liked the characters, though some were a bit too cliche. Didn't like the writing style. Besides sharing a childhood with sister Anne Rice, Alice Borchardt appears to also share her rambling verbosity in tales of supernatural horror. Except Anne Rice does it much, much better. Borchardt's tarrying-on often seemed gratuitously inserted in places where it interrupted the action. Want to spend 2 pages describing some relic? Sure, I'm OK with that. But, please, please, please, don't insert 2 paragraphs of a wolf's memories of running along snow-covered ground and gazing at the moon between the moment some act of violence is about to take place and the moment it actually occurs. Repeatedly. Because I get it. There's a duality of woman and wolf. But, really, now, these wolf memories are mere images in which nothing occurs and no one else participates. They're not exactly essential to the moment. Borchardt writes to see her own words, much like a person who loves to talk to hear her own voice. The words look pretty on the page and certainly create detailed imagery. At times they shock, horrify and attempt to titillate. But there's no real substance behind them to open the characters or move the plot. The dialogue often was cheesy, but there were some fair attempts at humor, if not in a terribly witty manner. And while I'm not a stickler for historical accuracy, I'd guess more than a few liberties were taken in a rather broad interpretation of the culture in the time period. But, this isn't historical fiction, it's fantasy. If I buy into shapeshifting and communing with the dead, I can't pick too many nits about historical culture. And yet, despite so many things I didn't like, I liked the story. Enough that I will go on to read Night of the Wolf. Go figure!
January 11, 2008
Do you ever have these authors that make you want to say, "She could be so great if she only applied herself"? Well, that's how I feel about Alice Borchardt, who is apparantly Anne Rice's sister (no resemblance in the writing, however, and may I be the first to say I don't find Rice's epics all that scintillating)?
Wishful thinking about the author aside, this book is arguably Borchardt's best to date (though I do find her Guinevere series compelling).
Set in the ruins of ancient Rome, our protagonist is a prototypical teenage werewolf: imprisoned by her evil tyrant of an uncle Gundabald and his henchson Hugo, Regeane is a young girl being bartered into a loveless marriage that will restore the family's sadly denuded fortunes.
When she isn't locked in the basement, Gundabald and Hugo coerce Regeane's compliance by threatening to turn her into the Church. Its a glorious vision of the fall of Rome, and even if you don't like the plot, the visions of the faded glory of the dying Empire are wonderful and (as far as I can tell) historically accurate.
I'd give it five stars if it didn't get quite as caught up in its own pretense. Borchardt is a bit too self-indulgent for my tastes.
Wishful thinking about the author aside, this book is arguably Borchardt's best to date (though I do find her Guinevere series compelling).
Set in the ruins of ancient Rome, our protagonist is a prototypical teenage werewolf: imprisoned by her evil tyrant of an uncle Gundabald and his henchson Hugo, Regeane is a young girl being bartered into a loveless marriage that will restore the family's sadly denuded fortunes.
When she isn't locked in the basement, Gundabald and Hugo coerce Regeane's compliance by threatening to turn her into the Church. Its a glorious vision of the fall of Rome, and even if you don't like the plot, the visions of the faded glory of the dying Empire are wonderful and (as far as I can tell) historically accurate.
I'd give it five stars if it didn't get quite as caught up in its own pretense. Borchardt is a bit too self-indulgent for my tastes.
April 29, 2009
Set in the Rome of the Dark Ages, Regeane is a shape-shifter, a gift inherited from her father. After her mother's death she is raised by her uncle, a cruel man bent on using Regeane, who is distantly related to the great Charlemagne, to better his own station in life. She is betrothed to a barbarian lord she's never met and surrounded by enemies on all sides while she struggles to accept the wolf half of herself.
This book was filled with too much political intrigue for my taste. I'm not really a fan of werewolves to begin with. Once another werewolf is introduced about three quarters of the way through the book the story picked up, but until then it's a dull recounting of how much this girl's life sucks. Not only does she have to deal with her cruel uncle, abusing her at every chance she gets, she's too stupid to get away from him until it's almost too late. And even then she returns to him, thinking that she has nowhere else to go. As far as characters go, Regeane lacks common sense, even while she uses her intelligence to deal with politics and her betrothal, not to mention magic as she attempts the impossible.
This book was filled with too much political intrigue for my taste. I'm not really a fan of werewolves to begin with. Once another werewolf is introduced about three quarters of the way through the book the story picked up, but until then it's a dull recounting of how much this girl's life sucks. Not only does she have to deal with her cruel uncle, abusing her at every chance she gets, she's too stupid to get away from him until it's almost too late. And even then she returns to him, thinking that she has nowhere else to go. As far as characters go, Regeane lacks common sense, even while she uses her intelligence to deal with politics and her betrothal, not to mention magic as she attempts the impossible.
May 15, 2016
She is Regeane, a werewolf, and a royal bastard, and her guardian, Gundabald and his son plan to profit by marrying Regeane off to a rich man and reap the money paid. Gundabald forces her into acquiescence by threatening to tell the Church what she is and in 8th century Rome, they would burn her at the stake. Her new husband travels to Rome, and meanwhile she uncovers she has allies in her quest to escape, but unfortunately for Regeane, she finds she has more than Gundabald to fear. She makes friends with some of the women where she is staying. In the end she finds her own courage to overcome her evil enemies, werewoman power!!
I LOVE a great werewolf novel, and I am a sucker for a strong female protagonist, so this book touched all the bases for me. From what I understand this author Alice Borchardt, is Anne Rice's sister! Yeah! I would love to see this woman do for werewolves what Anne Rice did for vampires!! She has a very unique and irreverent style of writing; even though it was set in the 8th century she found a lot of opportunities for laughs and humor. A solid four and a half stars; a good tail, um tale!!
I LOVE a great werewolf novel, and I am a sucker for a strong female protagonist, so this book touched all the bases for me. From what I understand this author Alice Borchardt, is Anne Rice's sister! Yeah! I would love to see this woman do for werewolves what Anne Rice did for vampires!! She has a very unique and irreverent style of writing; even though it was set in the 8th century she found a lot of opportunities for laughs and humor. A solid four and a half stars; a good tail, um tale!!
August 3, 2011
This is the first in a trilogy about a female werewolf, set in 8the century Roman times. Synopsis: "Regeane is a fatherless royal relation who happens to be a werewolf. Her guardian, Gundabald, and his venal son Hugo plan to recoup their fortunes by marrying Regeane to a wealthy bridegroom, even though she might inadvertently make him into a bedtime snack. Gundabald forces her into apparent compliance by threatening to reveal her secret to the Church, which would burn her at the stake. As the bridegroom, Maeniel, journeys to Rome to claim her, Regeane discovers allies in her quest to defeat Gundabald's machinations..." I enjoyed this because after reading so many modern urban fantasies with werewolves, it was refreshing to have a medieval setting. The plot has a good pace, and Regeane is not the typical "kick-ass" heroine; instead, she has a strong will to survive.
Wonderful book, from another of Anne Rice's relatives.
Wonderful book, from another of Anne Rice's relatives.
December 29, 2012
As 8th-century Rome dies, Regeane struggles to survive: a disenfranchised woman of noble blood--and also a werewolf--she's kept in poverty and forced into marriage. But, with the introduction of a few key players and an unknown wolf, she's beginning to take back control. The Silver Wolf is bombastic, artless, and overdrawn. Its grimdark setting never jives with its idealized protagonist or intrusive off-color humor, yet the book is full of good intentions: an unusual historical setting, realized in loving and disgusting detail; a blatant though often problematic arc of female empowerment. But all that could be good is drowned out by bad writing; rather than ponderous (and it easily could be), The Silver Wolf is simply pulpy. It has a Rician flair for the dramatic but not the gothic, the werewolves are run of the mill--which is to say that it's not even fun, indulgent pulp; it's just pulp, consumable but artless and empty. I don't recommend it.
February 15, 2010
Wow, Anne Rice's sister can write just as fantastically as she can! This was nearly epic. The writing was superb and gripping. It is a hellish and brutal tale that doesn't leave the truth behind in it's romance.
Best Quotes from the Book:
"I have no doubt the crabs that cluster around her source of income are sufficiently large and numerous to march on a walled city."
----Lucilla
"Without love we are as the painted images on the glass windows of a church are without the sun, only shadows."
----Cecilia
"For the earth is a beautiful soft woman, and the witch is her voice."
----Daedalus
"Love....lingers like a living thing and follows you every moment of your life." ----Rufus
Best Quotes from the Book:
"I have no doubt the crabs that cluster around her source of income are sufficiently large and numerous to march on a walled city."
----Lucilla
"Without love we are as the painted images on the glass windows of a church are without the sun, only shadows."
----Cecilia
"For the earth is a beautiful soft woman, and the witch is her voice."
----Daedalus
"Love....lingers like a living thing and follows you every moment of your life." ----Rufus
January 31, 2019
I chanced upon this book years ago at the library when I was looking for a different author. This is the first Alice Borchardt book I ever read, and it was a very good read. It's so rare to find books set in Dark Age Europe, since it was so... well, for lack of a better word, dark. Rome has fallen, and the glory of the Middle Ages is a long way off, but the people living in the remnants of Rome certainly made do.
The book starts off really well - always a good sign for a book - and left me intrigued as I read on to learn more of Regeane and what had happened to her, and just how she had ended up with her uncle. Overall it was a good book with a interesting array of characters like Lucilla and Antonius, but I especially liked Maeniel. Personally, this is my favorite book out of the Silver Wolf trilogy.
The book starts off really well - always a good sign for a book - and left me intrigued as I read on to learn more of Regeane and what had happened to her, and just how she had ended up with her uncle. Overall it was a good book with a interesting array of characters like Lucilla and Antonius, but I especially liked Maeniel. Personally, this is my favorite book out of the Silver Wolf trilogy.
January 11, 2012
What can I say about this book without coming across as mean-spirited and sarcastic? Uhm. It had good bones. It could have been a good book with a good editor behind it.
This book wandered around like a blind man. The story looped back over its self to little purpose. While I don't expect a high level of historical accuracy in a fantasy novel, the inaccuracies and liberties in this book really irritated.
I don't understand how this book is rated so highly by goodreads readers. To receive the rating it did, a significant portion of readers where blown away and experienced this book as a life-altering event.
I just didn't see it that way. I didn't finish the book and regret the purchase.
This book wandered around like a blind man. The story looped back over its self to little purpose. While I don't expect a high level of historical accuracy in a fantasy novel, the inaccuracies and liberties in this book really irritated.
I don't understand how this book is rated so highly by goodreads readers. To receive the rating it did, a significant portion of readers where blown away and experienced this book as a life-altering event.
I just didn't see it that way. I didn't finish the book and regret the purchase.
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