Although the plot is closer to a “slice of life” than high stakes and apocalyptic threats, it is not boring at all – quite the opposite, the story captivates with its apparent simplicity. The characters and their experiences come to the fore, which does not mean that world-building is treated with neglect. The reader is given what is most important in fantasy: an intriguing world (brilliantly used inspiration from Viking culture), a well-thought-out magic system, and interesting plot, constructed in such a way as to be an excellent introduction to the series - developed enough to interest, but not so much as to overwhelm with excessive exposition.
Such an approach would not make sense without characters who can carry the weight of the story, fortunately for the reader, there is no such problem here. Brynn and Cenric have plenty of charm, experiences that shape them, and depth. The narrative that jumps between their points of view (although remaining in the third person) allows us to learn additional context of events and their impact on feelings and mutual relationships. The side characters also do not give way to the main duo, and if people are not enough for someone, there is also a pack of telepathic dogs that you can't help but love.
Recently, fantasy with elements of romance (or romantasy) has been dominated by Fae and dragons. Eternal wars, fearless chosen ones, and immortal heroes – motifs played out until boredom. Any title with a slightly more “realistic” world with an interesting historical background is a nice change of pace and automatically gains an additional point from me. If it also has an engaging plot and likeable characters, there is a good chance that it will jump onto the list of my favorite titles. “Tears of the Wolf”, which I devoured in one afternoon, meets all these conditions. I can’t wait for the sequel.
