Title: Run With The Wolves (Volume One: The Pack)
Author: T. C. Tombs
Publisher: iUniverse
ISBN: 978-1-949169-20-1
Pages: 420
Genre: Fantasy/Adventure
Reviewed by: Courtney Letourneau
Pacific Book Review
Run With the Wolves is a fantasy adventure piece of fiction set in the 15th century. Author T. C. Tombs takes the well worn and told werewolf and breathes fresh new life into it. He includes not only strong historical references but also refreshes the tried-and-true werewolf story with its darker fantasy elements as a brand-new narrative.
The story begins with the well-to-do Smythe family who are headed on a trip to the outpost. Keep in mind we are in the 15th century, so this type of travel consists of a long trip away from home. Willie is a boy who has essentially been adopted by the Smythes, though he pays his dues acting like an indentured servant. He is close with his adoptive family’s birth son, almost as close as brothers.
Willie is expected to tend to the farm and home when a group of Medinian Knights show up at Willie’s home. They barge in for some rest, relaxation and feasting. The interlopers had caused such a distraction to Willie that he didn’t realize he had forgotten to coral the sheep and cattle. On his trip to round up the animals, Willie is attacked by a large and aggressive pack of wolves. But these aren’t your average wolf pack, some of them are half wolf, half man. They walk upright like humans, coexisting and hunting with their four-legged counterparts. Here, Willie’s life is forever changed.
T. C. Tombs is a master of description and transporting the reader directly into the story. I found his visuals to be all encompassing and easy to imagine. He does a fantastic job at giving the characters distinct voices and personalities. I highly recommend this book to anyone. The story is invigorating, especially if you are looking for a new twist on the classical werewolf lore. Run With the Wolves is an interesting take on an old tale that kept me reading late into the night.
