The Wolves Of War: The Beckoning
T.L. Campbell (@TCampbellAuthor)
Reviewed by Matt Adcock (@cleric20)
“ …Songs of heroes and legends fed the ears of people throughout the city. Ale and wine ran thick and fast down the throats of all, even the special brewing that the Dwarves brought along with them… ”
OK fantasy nerds, pause watching House of the Dragon and The Rings of Power for a moment… Here’s a great fantasy book that is very much worthy of your time.
Meet young Prince Maxin, almost fourteen and instead of a PS5, his birthday present is to finally become a man… Yes as second in line to the throne behind his elder brother, Belthran, he is obligated to hand-pick his own ten-man army to command.
Maxin sees this as an opportunity to prove to his family and the kingdom of Ar'Gurd that he has what it takes to be a warrior, like his brother, and a leader, like his father. But is he tho??
His quest for recruits is rudely interrupted by a full-scale pirate attack - cue fights and fleeing through the Ar'Gurdian kingdom. Maxin has to journey to various cities with names like Paran-Dun, meeting other races including Dwarves, Elves and wet, wizards!? Will his brother stab him in the back or help him, what about his dad the King?
Maxin’s mission to raise those who can help fight sees him travel through a perilous wilderness is choc with fantasy staples like mystical woodlands and cavernous canyons, ravenous beasts to untrustworthy strangers.
The very fate of the kingdom rests on his young shoulders - will he make it and spawn a sequel? Only one way to find out…
I met Tommy (which is what the T in T L Campbell stands for) at the Tales on Trent event this year - he’s a good sort and I got to ask him some Q’s - so read on to get to know him a bit better:
Matt: If scientists ever managed to create a giant mecha version of you –
who or what would be your nemesis?
Tommy: Animal hunters.
Matt: What is the most disturbing fictional scene you’ve ever read or
watched in a book / film of any genre?
Tommy: The ending of The Mist(the film). It’s not so much disturbing, as i’m not so easily disturbed, but it’s one scene that I have always watched and though ‘that’s just brutal.’
Matt: You can bring back two people from the dead - who would they be and why?
Tommy: My dad, because I was really close with him, caring for him for 7 years, up until I was 17. It’d be nice to have that opportunity to spend time with him as an adult now. Stephen Hawking, because he for me, he is the smartest man to ever live. If we were ever going to truly find out about the magnitude of the Universe, and the ‘meaning of life’ so to speak, then Hawking would have been the man to do it. Plus I’d love to just sit there and talk science with him.
Matt: You’re in a strange town with £100,000 that you have to spend in a
single evening – talk me through what you get up to…
Tommy: Probably nothing too exciting(sorry to disappoint) I’m a man of food, so I’d find a buffet and eat my fill. I would then likely go shopping and waste my money on stuff that I definitely don’t need. If there’s any leftover at the end of the night, then I’d find a casino and stick the rest on Red(that’s if I get to keep what I win) if not, then I guess I’ll give the remainder to charity, maybe one supporting Marine life.
Matt: You’re asked for a line of ‘Wisdom’ that will be taught to every citizen on earth - what is your line??
Tommy: I would certainly steal from J.R.R. Tolkien on this one. ‘All we have to decide, is what to do with the time that is given us.’ It’s my favourite quote, and it’s such a powerful saying that is so true to life, and anything that you might be going through.
Matt: There’s a masked assailant with a gun to your head, who is most likely to be under the mask?
Tommy: Someone trying to steal my ideas for a new book perhaps?
Matt: What is the meaning of life?
Tommy: To live each day, and make the world flourish, and be sustainable for centuries to come. Enjoy the life you’ve been given, and respect the planet you live on.
Matt: What was the best gift you’ve ever been given?
Tommy: Life. It sounds cliche, but without it, I wouldn’t have the opportunity to experience everything this world has to offer.
Matt: If you could have a sidekick from a fantasy world – what would it be and do for you?
Tommy: Jason Voorhees. Everyone needs protection right? Although, I’m not sure how he’d feel about being labelled a sidekick.
Matt: What would you like written on your tombstone?
Tommy: All legends must come to an end. But their stories live on.
Out of a potential 5 - you have to go with a Darkmatters:
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