First Lines Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words. What if, instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines?

The Rules:

• Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page.
• Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first.
• Finally… reveal the book!

First Lines:

“Ingvar Ruriksson stood in the space between the living and the dead.”

This is one of those first lines that has me ready to drop everything and start this novel.

Do you recognize the lines?

Here’s a hint:

This is the first book in a new epic fantasy series.

Still not sure? Here’s another hint:

It is by author John Gwynne.

The First Lines Friday book is:

The Wolves of War by John Gwynne.

About the Book:

• Title: The Wolves of War
• Author: John Gwynne
• Page Length: 496 pages
• Publication Date: November 3, 2026
• Publisher: Orbit
• Series: The Wolfheart Chronicles #1

Synopsis:

THE WOLVES OF WAR ARE BARING THEIR FANGS

The Clans once lived freely, honouring their gods and traditions. Then the northern invaders unleashed a tide of blood and fire. Now the Clans are a conquered people.

Ivan cares not for wars or kings. His only concern is the safety of his family, especially his daughter Halia, whom he would protect with his life. Halia has been trapped in her own body since birth, yet at night she has dreams of running with wolves and speaking with fae creatures of the forest. Many believe her cursed, but Halia’s awakening powers may be the only way she and her family can survive the coming storm.

For the wolves of war are stalking the horizon. Two princes have become mortal enemies, and an iron-toothed witch haunts the shadows. As mighty nations clash, Halia must master her strange magic to protect those she loves. To do so, she must accept a terrifying truth.

Sometimes, the only way through the darkness is to embrace it.

Links: Goodreads     

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