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Vincent Belmont is a hunter obsessed with killing the wolf known as the White Bane. That beast killed his wife and child, and he has sworn vengeance upon its head. In addition, he is suffering from the white plague, an incurable and deadly disease, and is haunted by the loved ones he has lost and left. After the death of his family, he didn’t believe he would ever find happiness again but found it in the loving arms of a thespian named Luna. However, a powerful man threatened to kill her and the sisters who had sheltered him when he needed it most if he didn’t flee the town of Thianor. He now takes refuge in the bottle and his desire for the wolf’s death. While looking for information on how to kill the wolf and trying to keep a roof over his head, Vincent takes odd jobs, including being a lighthouse keeper and a tavern worker. He meets interesting people but never allows his roots to get too deep. He knows White Bane isn’t a normal wolf. He has shot him more than once, only to see the bullet pass through the animal as the animal passes through his own body and leaves a chill in his chest. Included in Vincent’s quest for revenge is a mysterious boy who has a silent crow as a companion.
Allen is an author clearly influenced by his idols. His melancholic style of writing shows the direct influence of Edgar Allan Poe. Both in the tone of the language and the haunted inner reflections of the protagonist, Poe’s sway is apparent. In addition, readers familiar with Patrick Rothfuss’ trilogy The Kingkiller Chronicle will feel the stylistic similarities. Both authors feature a character who directly tells their tale to the audience as well as placing a heavy focus on the structure and sound of the narrative itself. Also, readers who have read Ray Bradbury’s excellent short story "The Lighthouse" will find interesting parallels between that narrative and Allen’s section describing Victor’s time as an apprentice in the lighthouse. That particular part of the tale is the highlight of the book’s three main portions.
In this work, Allen proves he has spent time and effort crafting a compelling narrative with the stylistic and tonal impact he intends. The presentation of the story itself carries the importance of the work, and in that, the author is successful. His depiction of the wolf is generally well done, both as an imposing creature and a symbol of the evils in man’s heart. This is a good book and easily stands among its peers, and many readers will happily lose themselves in the telling of Vincent’s tale. Although readers will likely early on figure out secrets that the protagonist takes too long to learn, and Vincent’s martyrdom could have been taken down a notch, the overall effectiveness of the narrative is easily seen. Those who enjoy fantasy and don’t shy away from longer titles will likely take this novel to heart and be moved by the ruminations of the main character and the adept storytelling found in Allen’s somber and engrossing book.