Book Review ~ The Gray Wolf Throne

The Gray Wolf Throne
by Cinda Williams Chima
A Seven Realms Series book, Book 3
Published by Disney Hyperion
ISBN: 978-1423118251
517 pages, Age 17+
$12.10 Amazon (Hardback), $9.89 (Kindle)

About the book:

Han Alister thought he had already lost everyone he loved. But when he finds his friend Rebecca Morley near death in the Spirit Mountains, Han knows that nothing matters more than saving her. The costs of his efforts are steep, but nothing can prepare him for what he soon discovers: the beautiful, mysterious girl he knew as Rebecca is none other than Raisa ana’Marianna, heir to the Queendom of the Fells. Han is hurt and betrayed. He knows he has no future with a blueblood. And, as far as he’s concerned, the princess’s family killed his own mother and sister. But if Han is to fulfill his end of an old bargain, he must do everything in his power to see Raisa crowned queen. 


Meanwhile, some people will stop at nothing to prevent Raisa from ascending. With each attempt on her life, she wonders how long it will be before her enemies succeed. Her heart tells her that the thief-turned-wizard Han Alister can be trusted. She wants to believe it—he’s saved her life more than once. But with danger coming at her from every direction, Raisa can only rely on her wits and her iron-hard will to survive—and even that might not be enough.


The Gray Wolf Throne is an epic tale of fierce loyalty, unbearable sacrifice, and the heartless hand of fate.






My thoughts:
The Gray Wolf Throne is Book 3 in the best selling Seven Realms series by Cinda Williams Chima. Full of action, great passages of description, intrigue, mystery and storytelling this book will catch your attention and imagination and keep you up to the end of the book (literally, I was up until 6 am reading this one).

The book opens with our heroine Raisa waiting at an inn for Amon her bodyguard to arrive to help her get home safely. Her mother is estranged and about to appoint Raisa's younger sister as the Princess Heir to the throne. If her mother dies before Raisa comes home Melanie will become the Princess Heir and eventually the queen. It's a race back to the castle before it's too late.

Amazon has this book set for kids age 12+. Personally I feel this book is for older kids. There are subjects and themes that are not suitable for younger teens. There are some pretty graphic murder scenes and a very light "love" scene although nothing occurs and the Princess and the boy separate upon being interrupted after some heavy petting and clawing at each other. There is also mention of women or "blue bloods" coming to the streets for one thing (I'll let you figure out what that is - I don't think kids would get it - but the innuendo is definitely there).

I would strongly suggest that you read this book before leaving it around for your kids to pick up. I purposely didn't put this book on Classic Children's Books due to the above reasons. I haven't read the first 2 books yet so I don't know if the "romantic" scenes are the same in those - I'm almost sure the battle/murder scenes are there though from what is talked about in Book 3.

Outstanding book - not for kids under 16-17 probably. I really liked the book personally (as an adult) and would love to read the other two books. Hopefully I'll be able to find them.

The Gray Wolf Throne - Click here to read chapter 1 (pdf file).

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