Title: Wolf at the Door
Author: J. Damask
Year: 2013
Publisher: Katarr Kanticles Press
Date Read: 1st June 2013
“In my family, not being able to change into wolf form is not a dark secret nor a physical illness. The ability jumps generations and people who can’t change are not shunned. They are still wolf inside, in their minds, in their instincts.” - Jan Xu
The myths are true.
At least, in the world of Jan Xu and the Myriad,an alternative dimension where wolves, foxes, tigers, bears, elves, feys, and other mythological beings exist to protect our world from evil spirits and malicious creatures.
Jan, daughter of the leader of the Lang (wolf) clan, gets rubbed the wrong way when her sister, Marianne, returns from the United Kingdom (UK) with a new boyfriend, supposedly a wolf as well. The first of the Myriad series, this book gives a glimpse into Jan’s background, and opens the channel to the vast world of the Myriad.
Damask creates a fine balance between cultural and contemporary - injecting Singaporean influences and background into a contemporary, urban setting, without it making it feel like it’s too much either way. It was also refreshing to see a protagonist who was different from many others in a similar setting. (Jan is a mother of two, who has an excellent relationship with her children, husband, and family.)
The pace of the story goes fast enough to keep the reader engaged. However, Damask also peppers the story with an adequate amount of backgrounders and flashbacks to introduce the readers to the world of the Myriad. For example, the jiang shi (vampires) take senior positions in “blood-sucking” major corporations, while the elves work in non-profit, usually temple-affiliated organisations.
While the characters are interesting, one of the challenges I believe Damask has faced here would be to keep the essence of each member of the Myriad without them seeming to be a prop in the background. Variety may be interesting, but having too many characters for the sake of variety may dilute the focus or the impact of the problem at hand.
Last but not least, I think what strikes me the most would be Jan’s secret forest. Not only was it particularly enjoyable and fantastic, it gave a glimpse to the inner soul of our protagonist. Hence, you were able to journey with her while she explored her inner self, you got to grow with the character.
Wolf at the Door was published as a print book by Katarr Kanticles Press and is available on Katarr Kanticles and Amazon. It will be launched in Books Actually on July 5. For more information on the series, you can find out more here.
