Warrior of the Altaii
Epic fantasy legend, and author of #1 New York Times bestselling series The Wheel of Time®, Robert Jordan's never-before published novel, Warrior of the Altaii:
Draw near and listen, or else time is at an end.
The watering holes of the Plain are drying up, the fearsome fanghorn grow more numerous, and bad omens abound. Wulfgar, a leader of the Altaii people, must contend with twin queens, warlords, prophets and magic in hopes of protecting his people and securing their future. Elspeth, a visitor from another world, holds the answers, but first Wulfgar must learn to ask the right questions.
But what if the knowledge that saves the Altaii will also destroy them?
Title: Warrior of the Altaii
Author: Robert Jordan
Genre: Fiction/Fantasy
Format: Audiobook
Publishing Date: 10/08/19
Publishing House: MacMillan Audio
ISBN: 1250252512 (ISBN13: 9781250252517)
Edition Language: English
Mini-Review
I was definitely drawn into this book by the foreword. I listened to this novel on audio and the narrator had full command of my listening using his amazing voice to read this story equally captivating and lingering in the right measure of speed.
Wulfgar is a respected warrior and the story of his people starts off slow in a drought-ridden land where others aren't as respectful about the current resources. Via authorized travel routes, Wolfgar rides his army into the city to have word with the council, only to be trapped and enslaved. And that for quite a long time. His army is held captive or killed, and Wolfgar is brought down to his knees via physical punishments, torture, and dominance over a long period of time. The main female leader expects Wolfgar to break down and obey her command. When this fails, she punishes him through starvation and arousal at her will. As an attraction between them can no longer be denied, she believes her methods of cruelty and seduction have the lingering effects to break Wolfgar to her will....or so she thinks. What she doesn't plan for is his cunning tenacity and training that will ultimately allow him to escape. A move that will turn the cogs of all factions involved, but first he has to solve the mystery of the strange woman that has shown up at his camp.
A story that's full of traitors, magic and bloody battles.
Unfortunately, this did not hold my love for it throughout as the beginnings so promisingly foretold. I liked the premise of the water drought and Wolfgar's persistence to get back at the factions. What did not work for me was the drawn-out tension of sexual dominance that made those parts entirely too long and repetitive. At first, I thought...oh, sexy...but then it became so much of the main focus, it brought everything else out of perspective.
This is the first book I read by the author. I know he has written other well-loved and successful fantasy books. I am not to dismiss such knowledge and will give another of his works a try, but this was a mixed bag for me. Unfortunately, I have read nothing else by him to compare it too, so I will keep my fingers crossed for another try of his novels.
Happy reading, you all :)
