See also: Robert V.S. Redick's blog REVIEWS “The Red Wolf Conspiracy
works in so many different ways to fire a reader's imagination that
it's difficult to enumerate them. The various levels of the plot
develop gradually so that while we always suspect that there is more to
the action than meets the eye, it's always a surprise when we discover
each new layer as its revealed. Perhaps even more interesting is the
ambiguity of the characters' nature. Is it so evil what the plotters
are doing in orchestrating the destruction of their Empire's enemies?
After all they are only carrying out the wishes of their government in
this matter, making them not very different from government operatives
in our own world.... In the end though what makes
this story so captivating is Robert Redick's ability to bring the world
it's set in to life. From storms at sea, everyday life aboard a ship,
to life ashore, every scene is so lovingly detailed that you can almost
smell the salt of the ocean, or feel the planks of the ship shudder
beneath your feet as it weathers a blow.” Blogcritics Magazine/Leap in the Dark. Full review. ------- “The pace and narrative are engaging and well-structured… An extensive effort has gone into world-building, developing interesting names and characters; Redick’s places are just excellent… This is a top-notch debut for a new writer and I’m on tenterhooks now waiting for The Rats and the Ruling Sea, the second in this trilogy. 4.5 stars.” Good Reading Magazine (print), May 08 ------- ‘Robert Redick’s The Red Wolf Conspiracy is a strong debut and a good addition to the ranks of novels challenging the fantasy genre and pushing its boundaries. As a maritime novel, it is reminiscent of China Miéville’s The Scar with its ever-growing and changing society, though there are also shades of Scott Lynch and Tad Williams.’ ‘Redick joins the ranks of writers challenging the fantasy genre and making it exciting again.’ The New York Review of Science Fiction #235, March 08. ------- “A richly drawn, highly original and superbly executed fantasy.” John Berlyne, SFrevu. Click for the full review. ------- "A potential bestseller...intelligently crafted, highly imaginative, and undeniably charming.” Fantasy Book Critic. Full Review. ------- "The world invented by Redick is incredible. Essentially there are two great empires and many small independent islands. Gradually these islands are being absorbed into one or another of the empires, who are themselves permanently at war with each other. Both empires appear evil, resorting to whatever means necessary to gain advantage over the other…. This book is essentially a quest novel. But it is far outside the normal formula. Yes it sticks with the familiar medieval weaponry and there are liberal lashings of magic and mages. But many of the allies are animals. Woken animals who are able to speak and communicate with humans. The heroes are all fallible and often internal bickering threatens to destroy their alliance."The climax is excellent. Certainly there was no putting the book down for anything once the red wolf was found. Be warned, you will need an uninterrupted block of time for the final 100+ pages." Lowly's Book Blog. Full Review. ------- "This outstanding debut novel centres around the Imperial Merchant Ship Chathrand, the mightiest vessel in the fleet of the Arqual Empire. With its colourful cast of inhabitants, which include a band of tiny, Lilliputian style warriors, sentient rates and archetypal ancient evil the Shaggat Ness, the Chathrand brings to mind The Scar's fantastical floating city, Armada. But while Redick shares Mieville's taste for the macabre he's not so willfully weird." SFX Magazine (April 08) ------- “It seems every year Gollancz discovers another new writing talent. So following on from Scott Lynch and Joe Abercrombie comes American Robert VS Redick with The Red Wolf Conspiracy. Firmly set in the contemporary fantasy heartland it neatly dissects Lynch and Abercrombie’s work by combining both a strong protagonist narrative within the rich framework powered by the geopolitical intrigue of two warring empires… tremendously action packed. The fantasy revival continues.” Edge Magazine (Feb 08) ------- “With such a vivid world to bring to life, Redick could perhaps be forgiven for relaxing on the plot side of things, but instead the storyline fairly rips along.... An extremely enjoyable epic fantasy tale set in a vivid, constantly inventive world.... I suspect that Redick will be 'the' big new fantasy author of 2008, and deservedly so.” Adam Whitehead, The Wertzone. Full review. •• RED WOLF NEWS • • PRESS RELEASE – Del Rey to publish Red Wolf and The Chathrand Trilogy in U.S. Susan Howe, Rights Director at Orion, has sold US rights to the Chathrand Voyage Trilogy to Random House's Del Rey imprint for a substantial six-figure sum, after a hard-fought auction negotiated by Editor-in-Chief Betsy Mitchell. You can read the full press release at agent John Jarrold’s website. • • Gollancz has published a new Q&A with Robert VS Redick on their website. You can find it here.• • Waterstone’s Books has created a Red Wolf Conspiracy info page. One highlight is a video of Robert VS Redick talking about the writing of the book and the future direction of the trilogy. • • The U.K. Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club has chosen Red Wolf as one of its "Cosmic Five" debut titles for 2008. • Jan 16: An extensive interview with Robert Redick by The Book Swede • SFX Interviews Robert VS Redick and Agent John Jarrold. • Fantasy and SF publisher MAG has obtained Polish language rights to Red Wolf from Gollancz. The MAG deal follows earlier arrangements with Spanish, German, French and Russian publishing houses. . . Click here for purchasing links. |