The Sorcerer of the Wildeeps is the first novella published by Tor.com’s new program. Between Demane and Isa and from Demane’s perspective and voice we really know what he feels for Isa. Demane is big and strong whereas Isa is smaller, agile and his hair is covered at all times because without his headscarf, his hair would eat sunshine and he would become even stronger. Isa, who like Demane is a demigod, a descendant from immortal beings. He cares deeply for his comrades and above all for their Captain. This is a narrative that beautifully subverts expectations around warriors, around the idea of manhood and masculinity. I mention that Demane is a big bear of a man on purpose. In his own mind and his own language what he does, the way he cures, it is all science and physics. They joke, they fight.Īnd here we have this guy – the narrator – Demane, a big bear of a man, a warrior and also a doctor, a healer. They are all men (if there is one major criticism I have for this story is this one: where are all the women?) and they all support and are loyal to one another. The bothers all stem from different backgrounds, with different languages and cultures. It’s a story about brothers in arms, the army of warriors hired to defend the caravan. The Sorcerer of the Wildeeps follows a caravan traversing a dangerous road. Oh, look: my heart bleeding at Kai Ashante Wilson’s feet.

I wish to preface this review by saying I was entranced by this story and I loved it with all my heart – the same heart that was PULLED FROM MY CHEST AND STOMPED ON by its ending. Why did I read this book: Because of the cover, the blurb, the fact that it was Tor.com’s first novella, etc. How did I get this book: Review Copy from the publisher Demane may have to master his wild powers and trade humanity for godhood if he is to keep his brothers and his beloved captain alive. The one safe road between the northern oasis and southern kingdom is stalked by a necromantic terror. The two of them are the descendants of the gods who abandoned the Earth for Heaven, and they will need all the gifts those divine ancestors left to them to keep their caravan brothers alive. With his ancestors’ artifacts in hand, the Sorcerer follows the Captain, a beautiful man with song for a voice and hair that drinks the sunlight. Since leaving his homeland, the earthbound demigod Demane has been labeled a sorcerer. I finished reading The Sorcerer of the Wildeeps and on both cheeks I bore a delta of rinsed skin.Ĭritically acclaimed author Kai Ashante Wilson makes his commercial debut with this striking, wondrous tale of gods and mortals, magic and steel, and life and death that will reshape how you look at sword and sorcery.

The sorcerer of the wildeeps