Telepathic wolves and humans interact in this science/fantasy trilogy that encourages readers to imagine a distant feudal world where technology is banned. Donovan and Krystal must battle to win the crown if their crew hopes to survive.
“The concept behind ‘Howl Of The Wolf’ is absolutely fascinating. Telepathic wolves have been the dominant sentient life-form on the distant planet of Drako for untold years, and each member of the pack carries within them the voices of their ancestors; many lifetimes of soul and memory on which they may draw. One day, a colonization initiative from Earth brings a strange new creature to the peaceful world – humans. They walk on just two legs and their minds are oddly silent, leading the lupines to conclude that these new arrivals are unintelligent.
Hundreds of years pass, during which time the human society on Drako descends into feudalism with a hierarchical class system and a deep-seated hatred of technology. The wolves observe, maintaining their distance, until after decades of isolation another space vessel unexpectedly makes planetfall. The crew of the medical ship Zebulon, on the run from the Machiavellian Institute, have been augmented by many spans of transferring their consciousness into new clone bodies, and each of them now possesses superhuman abilities. Will they make telepathic first contact with the wolves? And what of the menacing Institute agent that has secreted himself aboard the Zebulon and means to destroy its crew? The plot thickens deliciously as the ageing King Halder, consumed by anger over the murder of his family, surprises everyone by naming Donovan, captain of the Zebulon, as his successor.
‘Howl Of The Wolf’ is a richly imagined story which leads the reader on a journey through space and time, revealing a wonderful world that Diane lays out for us to play in. Characterization is clear-cut and highly communicative. The flow of the narrative is excellent… Highly recommended.” Review by Xander Richards, Author
Excerpt
Donovan meets the wolf, Kriegen, for the first time:
It was not a wolf of earthly variety but Donovan’s mind labeled the creature a “wolf” in honor of the animal it most resembled. The lean well-muscled canine body looked similar to its cousin. The head looked long and narrow with alert golden eyes and pricked ears that shifted with each new sound. The eyes displayed an intelligent depth of expression.
He noticed a marked difference between this wolf and its earthly cousin. The creature stood on its hind legs, easily the height of a healthy grizzly bear. Although it was more slender than a bear, its muscled limbs looked formidable. With almost scientific detachment, Donovan noticed elongated front paws as the wolf extracted a deadly blade from a sheath strapped to its rib cage, a challenge on any world.
Donovan met the wolf’s steady gaze, his thoughts racing. An intelligent species, this wolf looked ready to fight. What rotten luck! I wish I could communicate. How can I avoid bloodshed?
“Greetings friend,” he said in a nervous croak.
The sound caused the animal to shift its stance. Donovan thought he saw curiosity in the alert eyes. If any creature on this world had the right to be called king, this regal animal was the one.
We accept acknowledgment of our superiority and spare your life. The message formed inside Donovan’s head, not in words, but mental impressions that he translated into words.
The wolf sheathed his blade and “spoke” again. We are Kriegen, leader of the Forest Guardians.
The wolf lowered his body to all fours. Donovan sat—a fortunate choice as he later learned—since a standing position offered challenge. To avoid battle a weaker creature observed a subservient posture.
Professional Reviews
A Howl of a Good Story
I was a bit dubious as I began reading Howl of the Wolf. I don't read a lot of recent science fiction or fantasy, and I was having trouble seeing the 25th century world through the eyes of a sentient wolf-like creature living in a different solar system. I was completely hooked by the time I read the second paragraph, and I didn't even bat an eye when I found myself another thousand years farther into the future. Immersed in the story, I forgot all about the unreality of its situation.
Diane Rapp spins a good tale with a fascinating cast of well-developed characters. Her use of the wolf pack as an external vantage point was clever, as was the occasional intervention of the wolves in the timeless struggle between the protagonist and the antagonist.
The conflicts that arise when a small group of technologically advanced people are integrated into a much larger, well-established feudal society provides an interesting stage upon which to play out the conflicts between good and evil. Skillfully interweaving the sentient wolves in a role supporting the triumph of right adds spice to an already tangy story.
The differences in the way the wolves and the humans passed on their cultural heritage to succeeding generations was engaging, as well. Seeing two radically different but apparently successful approaches to accruing and dispersing lessons learned from the past made the interactions between the wolves and the humans over a thousand years or so (and, for that matter, between the humans and the humans) all the more interesting.
The pacing of the story is excellent; I read it straight through without wanting to stop, and was disappointed when I came to the end. Fortunately for me, the story resumes in The Havenshire Resistance. I'm ready to read it, but first, I wanted to say, "Nice work, Ms. Rapp." Charles Dougherty
Diane Rapp takes Sci Fi with a BANG!!!
I'm not usually a fan of science fiction, but when Diane Rapp starting writing in this genre, I had to try it. Diane Rapp has a magical style of writing that immerses the reader deeply into the story.
This tale takes place in the twenty fifth century on the planet Drako. It's a picturesque planet two moons, a bright and a dark, the latter providing night blooming flowers that perfume the air.
A society of telepathic wolves occupied the planet long before the humans arrived. They pass down wisdom from generation to generation. The peaceful integration lasted for lifetimes, with the highly intelligent wolves quietly observing the unique society. The primitive society is made up of colorful groups that include a royal kingdom, peasants and desert dwellers, to name a few. It's an outer space version of the wild west.
Things could change with the arrival of a handful of strangers. They gave up immortality. Will they regret that decision? The strangers represent all that the existing society hates.
Will they find allies in the wolves?
Can anyone stop the evil that is so powerful it can control minds & kill at will? Kathleen Patel
5 star review
Welcome to Drako, a planet inhabited by telepathic wolves. When mankind discovers this lush planet, they proceed to turn it into a tourist destination for the affluent. After many years the wolves have had enough.
This book has plots within plots which flow smoothly, along with well developed characters and engaging dialogue.
The story will pull you in with the first page and has the bonus of a dynamite ending which allows for the series.
I gave it 5 stars because I am still talking about it. Laura Thomas
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