On my eternal quest to promote my books – something I’m admittedly poor at – I have been seeking independent, trusted reviews. I was pointed to Readers Favorites, a site that reviews books by both established and independant authors. They are used by Penguin Random House, Simon & Shuster et al. They offer a free review service or, alternatively a chance to get express reviews by paying a modest fee. I chose the latter option, asking for three reviews to get a spread of opinion, and submitted The Seventh Friend.
This is the first review to come back.
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite
The Seventh Friend is a work of fiction in the fantasy, action, and adventure subgenres, and is the opening novel of The Sparrow and the Wolf book series. Penned by author Tim Stead, it is best suited to the general adult reading audience. This mesmerizing tale delves deep into the psyche of its enigmatic protagonist, Wolf Narak, as he grapples with the complexities of his past and the weight of his actions during the Great War. The narrative is rife with tension and intrigue as Narak receives a mysterious message that sets him on a path he can’t ignore. The impending war looms as a dark cloud on the horizon, and Narak must confront his past and embrace his destiny once more.
Author Tim Stead’s storytelling is richly layered, weaving together elements of fantasy and mythology in a beautifully constructed world that invites us into its bloody legacy from the very first page. Narak, the god of wolves, is a multifaceted figure, earning titles that reflect his duality as both a hero and a monster, and he is portrayed with close attention to his every thought and action to be sure that he remains sinister and complex from cover to cover. What makes this book truly exceptional for the fantasy genre is its exploration of moral ambiguity and the nature of heroism. Narak’s internal struggle and his quest for redemption are at the heart of the story, making him a deeply relatable character despite his god-like status because he is flawed, just like us. Overall, The Seventh Friend is a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant journey that fans of fantasy and introspective literature will savor, and I, for one, would highly recommend it.