Recent Reads {The Wolf of Tebron}

The Wolf of Tebron by C.S. Lakin - My introduction to C.S. Lakin's "The Gates of Heaven" series came several months ago when I read the last book in the series, The Crystal Scepter.  I enjoyed that one enough to want to read the rest of the series.  It seemed like it took a long time to read The Wolf of Tebron, which is the first in the series, but it was an enjoyable read anyway. These novels are fairy tales for adult or young adult readers, and are full of fantasy and mythical elements, magic, and adventure.

Joran is the main character, and his desire is for a simple life in his little village, but when he realizes that his wife has disappeared on her way to her home, he encounters more adventure than he ever dreamed possible. And the adventures actually start in his dreams, for he is haunted by a dream that his wife Charris is trapped in a castle by a huge sea and his efforts to rescue her continually fall short. To his surprise, a strange old woman in his village seems to make reference to the dream when she tells him that he must make a long journey to rescue Charris because he is the one that has trapped her. Soon after Joran sets out, he is joined by a wolf that becomes his trusted ally and protector. Together they journey to visit the moon, then the sun, and finally the south wind; all the while trying to solve the riddle of the three keys that Joran is told he must loose in order to find Charris.

I didn't find myself in sympathy with Joran as easily as I did the lead characters in The Crystal Scepter.  I kept picturing him as being a young teenager, when in fact he was a married man. I expected to easily identify references to myths, fairy tales, and even Biblical stories as I had in the previous book I read, but that wasn't the case. There are many Biblical references, and when I read the Author's End Notes I found that most of the wolf's philosophical thoughts that had sounded familiar to me were quoted from great Christian thinkers such as C.S. Lewis and G.K. Chesterton. The wolf, Ruyah, provides wise advice and encouragement and is a faithful friend during Joran's pilgrimage, but the parts played by the moon and sun are less easy to understand. This is a story that emphasizes hope and forgiveness, and I found it a rewarding tale with a surprisingly happy ending.

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