Wolf Soldier
The knights of the Lightraider Order disappeared nearly two generations past. Now, the Keledan have withdrawn behind their barriers, and the Dragon Lands of bordering Tanelethar are overrun with dark oppression. The people are living in disobedience to the Rescuer who freed them long ago.
A shepherd boy, Connor Enarian, and four young initiates rekindle the fires of the Lightraider Order in the hope of striking out across the mountains into Tanelethar to destroy a portal and stop an impending invasion.
Once in the Dragon Lands, Connor learns that the key to success lies with a missing Lightraider spy and his lifelong companion, a talking silver wolf. Can Connor and his friends find the spy before the portal grows too large to destroy? Or will a local young woman—or Connor’s own family history—betray them?
The dangers and secrets of Tanelethar test both trust and loyalty, and to save his homeland, Connor may have to sacrifice his innermost dreams.
Book 1 of the Lightraider Academy series.
Review of Wolf Soldier
A boy’s call to adventure comes quickly for Connor Enarian, who is recruited to join an ancient order and battle evil in James R. Hannibal’s Wolf Soldier. Four friends join Connor for initially slower-paced training at Lightraider Academy. Later the plot quickens as the party members start their quest versus creeping goblins, corrupt trolls, and one dragon who plans a greater game. Wolf Soldier expands the fantasy world once known as DragonRaid, now recast as the adventure learning system Lightraiders. Simple prose and candid heroes enjoin biblical truth, highlighting Scripture-like verses and faith as means of vanquishing external enemies.
Best for: Older children and teenage fans of allegorical action-adventure.
Discern: Mildly frightening evil creatures, representing sin’s corruptions in the world; moderate fantasy violence, usually against goblins and trolls that get sliced and slain by swords and arrows; prayer– and devotion-based magic-like events, clearly overseen by the Christ-representing Rescuer who works in his own time.
What say you?