The dark, eerie lands of 19th century Constanta, Moldavia, bordering both the home of Dracula, and the Black Sea, set the stage for the story of Prince Mihai Sigmaringen, the ill-fated young hero of award-winning author S.G. Cardin's new book, "The Wolf's Torment." A\s Prince Mihai prepares to assume his royal duties as heir to the throne of Moldavia, a werewolf bites his best friend Viktor. Viktor was like the brother Mihai never had, but the wolf bite changes their friendship forever. Slowly, Viktor begins to lose his humanity, turning into a werewolf, while Mihai takes on his royal duties as prince of Moldavia. Unlike many horror novels and films, "The Wolf's Torment" focuses on Viktor as a human, not just as the beast he becomes each month during the full moon.

iUniverse (2007)
ISBN 9780595417339
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (9/07)

“The Wolf’s Torment” takes you into Moldavia in the 1800s.  Crown Prince Mihai Sigmaringen is engaged to wed Theresa, a woman of royal blood, whom he has never met.  He has also just discovered that his lover is pregnant.  When he learns that she has been deceiving him about her feelings for him, he tries to shut his emotions off.  Returning home to Moldavia, and trying to do the right thing, he takes her with him to live near the castle.  He also brings his trusted friend Viktor with him.

When he meets his future bride, he realizes that she is a true treasure.  Neither he nor his bride is aware that she comes from a lineage of witches.  Still she seems to have some magical talents.  This disturbs Mihai, because his mother was killed by a witch.  When Viktor is bitten by a werewolf, he turns to Mihai for help.  Viktor complicates matters by having feelings for Theresa.  At times he finds himself unable to control the animal in him.  He also begins losing his humanity.  He is no longer someone to be trusted.
          
S.G. Cardin has created a wonderful werewolf story.  She also involves witches and vampires. In this book, werewolves have special and complicated ties to vampires and witches.  Moldavia is rich in supernatural lore.  Placing this story here, adds to the mysteriousness of the country.  The plot involves intriguing elements that include deception, greed, lust, and betrayal.  The key characters Mihai and Theresa are honorable and have good hearts.  What makes the story really interesting is how the people around them commit heinous acts to try to deceive them.  They catch themselves falling into traps set for them.  Sometimes it is too late.
          
I really enjoyed “The Wolf’s Torment.”  It is refreshing to read a novel that is different from the standard supernatural tales.  Taking away the supernatural elements, the underlying story is still really interesting.  Cardin puts you inside the heads of her characters and makes you feel their torment.  I look forward to the sequel.  Do not miss this one.