If you're unfamiliar with The Thirty Years' War, or find things like character and/or information overload a little off-putting, then The Silver Wolf can be a sluggish story to get through and it can be difficult to keep up with what is going on.
However, once the scene setting and character background is over, we are introduced to the main character Jack when a captain of one of the dockyard ships needs help unloading a valuable horse. Jack aids the disembarkment with his equine knowledge, but soon needs help himself when he is gravely injured following a fight.
The sea captain takes Jack to the home of the trader he works for and, once nursed back to health, Jack is given a job at the stables where he befriends Cornelius (the housekeeper's son) who gets teased by the local boys. As the blurb promises, the rest of the book follows Jack's story from France to Amsterdam and then onto German battlefields as he attempts to uncover the mystery of his life.
In contrast to the detailed descriptions, the language is quite light at times - a blend of old language mixed with modern speech - to make for an easier read, while the ripped edges of the blood-splattered letter on the front cover reinforces the historical feel and brutal war setting.
However, once the scene setting and character background is over, we are introduced to the main character Jack when a captain of one of the dockyard ships needs help unloading a valuable horse. Jack aids the disembarkment with his equine knowledge, but soon needs help himself when he is gravely injured following a fight.
The sea captain takes Jack to the home of the trader he works for and, once nursed back to health, Jack is given a job at the stables where he befriends Cornelius (the housekeeper's son) who gets teased by the local boys. As the blurb promises, the rest of the book follows Jack's story from France to Amsterdam and then onto German battlefields as he attempts to uncover the mystery of his life.
In contrast to the detailed descriptions, the language is quite light at times - a blend of old language mixed with modern speech - to make for an easier read, while the ripped edges of the blood-splattered letter on the front cover reinforces the historical feel and brutal war setting.