The Red Wolf Conspiracy (Chathrand Voyage)

This is the best fantasy novel I've read in years! The world Mr. Redick has created is rich and fully realized. It's also unusual--a real departure from the typical fantasy fare. As a reader who knows absolutely nothing about ships and sailing, Mr. Redick's rich prose allowed me to immerse myself in his world with total abandon. And isn't that a big reason we fans read scifi and fantasy? The plot is intriguing with lots of twists and turns, and the writer keeps it moving along at a quick clip. It's one of those books that make us stay awake all night long reading, because we just can't wait to find out what happens next. A lot of thinking has been going on here, and that applies to his characterization as well. The characters are all fully human in their personalities, motivations, strengths and weaknesses. And as the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of two little girls, I was particularly gratified to see the strong female characters Mr. Redick has created. In a nutshell, it all makes sense. And it serves up a heaping spoonful of tension and mystery as well. I can't wait for the second one!

Empires scheme and brace for war in this beautifully imagined, intricately plotted tale. Taking place aboard an enormous ship sailing to a foreign capital on a peace mission, The Red Wolf Conspiracy focuses on two young protagonists, from widely divergent backgrounds, who unearth a scheme that endangers their world. Also aboard are a mad ship's captain, a race of tiny, ferocious warriors, sentient animals, wizards, and others whose agendas are not at all what they seem. A great and entertaining read, this book's tremendous strength is in the comprehensive imagination of a world in all its fascinating detail. Redick gives us a glimpse of the workings of a vast, ravenous Empire reflected in the lives of characters ranging from peace emissary to political operative to near-slave. It reminded me of the experience of reading Dune for the first time, with throwaway details that hint tangentially at complex, fully-imagined institutions. Cumulatively, they yield a sense of a vast society that is at once fantastic and utterly plausible. This story is the first installment in the trilogy The Chathrand Voyage, and my one quibble with Book 1 was that it will make for a rather infuriating wait for Book 2. You get the impression this trilogy is elaborately designed, with many more twists and reveals on the way. - think "Lord of the Rings," and imagine how tough it must have been to await the release of those installments. I highly recommend this engrossing book and I'm eagerly awaiting the next one!

Fantasy can easily become cliche and too fantastical, but Redick's book manages to employ all the best qualities of fantasy. A believable execution of magic, fully developed characterization, and a beautiful crafted, suspenseful storyline made this book impossible to put down. Definitely word adding to one's library.

Excellent book. The character development is just right, there is enough mystery to keep you in suspense. Magic is preformed in the most convincing ways. Fast paced and exciting. I was very unhappy that the book ended. It is a book I will keep to read again, which is something I rarely do. I wish only that I had known this book was part of a trilogy and the next book won't be released until June 09. I have been caught in too many series that are still going on and am sorry I got caught up in this one as I won't be able to let it go.

I keep starting fantasy series after series waiting for Dance with Dragons to be finished. In a way I'm almost glad it's not done, I may have not given all these other authors a chance. Redick has created a wonderful world with all the things I love. Young heroes, unpredictable mystery and just enough magic. His words paint an unmistakable, detailed picture. I had separation anxiety when I wasn't reading it, it was hard to put it down.