A wild moon is the latest book in Theodore Bruns The Wanderer Chronicles with Erlan Aurvandil, a crippled warrior tired of war and currently in the service of the Byzantine Emperor. It is set in the Byzantine year 718 AD. A wild moon is a fast-paced historical novel set in the Middle Ages and in countries full of conflict and battles.
My bar for historical fiction is high. Bernard Cornwell, Matthew Harffy, Ian Ross and others have created great works set in the same era as A wild moon but Brun’s work still managed to capture my attention and keep me hooked with this gripping narrative. After a sordid robbery, Erlan and his allies head north toward home in the hopes of reclaiming the stolen kingdom from his lover, Lilla Sviggarsdottir. Traversing Europe during a time of conflict and change with clashing religions and ideologies gives Brun plenty of material to play with. Add in a darker element with a focus on werewolf mythology and you have a fascinating narrative that feels fresh and unique. It’s fascinating to see Brun’s historical knowledge shine through in the story, with the down-to-earth twist with the wolf people being something I haven’t read in any novel of this kind before. The clash of old and new religions and the uncertainty that results from it adds another element of intrigue. Featuring a dark pagan cult, wolf warriors, and the demands of an ocean of blood, this is surely one for grimdark fans.
The characters in A wild moon feel real and mature. Erlan reads like a weary warrior who has been through a lot, but is nevertheless drawn into further battles where perhaps a moment or two to relax and think about the next steps would be worthwhile, but fighting seems to come naturally to him. He reminded me of Uhtred from The last kingdom sometimes he is no longer a fresh young warrior, but one who has seen a lot and can’t find a way out. As in all good historical novels, the characters feel like they live and breathe in their time, rather than modern people transported back in time. There is enough description to put the reader in the situation, but not so much that it feels forced and takes you out of the scene. The story moves along at a fast pace and there is plenty of action.
A great historical novel that adds to the list of greats. A wild moon is a dark historical tale full of intrigue, betrayal and blood. A journey worth taking for both new and old fans of Theodore Brun, and I’m already waiting for the next book in the series!
Read “A Savage Moon” by Theodore Brun
