Wolf's Head

The Forest Lord

By: Steven A. McKay

Narrated by: Nick Ellsworth

Length: 10 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

"Well researched and enjoyably written, Wolf's Head is a fast-paced and original recasting of a familiar legend. McKay's gift as a storyteller pulls the reader into a world of violence, passion, injustice, and revenge and leaves us wanting more!" (Glyn Iliffe, author, The Adventures of Odysseus series)

When a frightened young outlaw joins a gang of violent criminals their names - against a backdrop of death, dishonour, brotherhood, and love - will become legend.

England, AD 1321: After viciously assaulting a corrupt but powerful clergyman Robin Hood flees the only home he has ever known in Wakefield, Yorkshire. Becoming a member of a notorious band of outlaws, Hood and his new companions - including John Little and Will Scaflock - hide out in the great forests of Barnsdale, fighting for their very existence as the law hunts them down like animals.

When they are betrayed, and their harsh lives become even more unbearable, the band of friends seeks bloody vengeance.

Meanwhile, the country is in turmoil, as many of the powerful lords strive to undermine King Edward II's rule until, inevitably, rebellion becomes a reality and the increasingly deadly yeoman outlaw from Wakefield finds his fate bound up with that of a Hospitaller Knight.…

"Wolf's Head" brings the brutality, injustice, and intensity of life in medieval England vividly to life, and marks the beginning of a thrilling new historical fiction series in the style of Bernard Cornwell and Simon Scarrow.

©2013 Steven A. McKay (P)2014 Steven A. McKay

Very entertaining and engaging - Bravo!

Would you listen to Wolf's Head again? Why?

Yes, I plan on doing just that. Once isn't enough.

What did you like best about this story?

A fresh and interesting story about how Robin Hood and his merry men got started. All of the characters are robust and very 'human.' I think I experienced every emotion possible while listening to this wonderful tale of struggle, hope, and determination.

Have you listened to any of Nick Ellsworth’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

First time. He did an amazing job making the story come alive.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I sure tried to do just that but my job got in the way.

Any additional comments?

I'm going to go find other stories by this author as soon as I finish typing. All too often I will plod through a book only to lose interest towards the end - sometimes stopping with only a chapter or two left. Not this book! I truly cared about Robin and all those he held dear. I wanted to see how every single story thread ended. I was hooked all the way to the very last sentence.

Very refreshing reinvention of an old friend...

If you could sum up Wolf's Head in three words, what would they be?

New Riveting Imaginative

What was one of the most memorable moments of Wolf's Head?

The moment that Robin's mentor does not return to the woods on time. And his subsequent meeting with the Sheriff...

What about Nick Ellsworth’s performance did you like?

Nick Ellsworth was GREAT! He portrayed each character with enough variation that you know by his voice who was talking. Amazing!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I was stunned and saddened during the law's visit to Much's house looking for Robin.

Any additional comments?

I am so looking forward to Part 2... I don't read or listen to many fiction novels, but this is a keeper.

My favorite Robin Hood story to date.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Awesome, but don't worry about spoilers here. The book cover's Robin entering a gang of thieves, known as Wolf's Heads, and progresses from there. It has a good back-story, and the main characters, I think, are pretty well developed and the ones that are supposed to be likable are, on the flip side, you hate the bad guys. Not as much as Viserys Tragaryen from Game Of Thrones; I don't think that is possible, but they are distasteful. A bit of language here and there, but far from excessive. It keeps a good pace, there's never a segment where something interesting isn't happening for long, but there's not so much going on you can't keep track. Has all of the staple characters, like Fryer Tuck and Little John.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Wolf's Head?

Hands down, the ending and the couple of twists in the plot. They are not M Knight Shyamalan earth shattering nor are they absurd. The main twist sets the stage quite nicely.

What does Nick Ellsworth bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Definitely an entertaining experience while driving, as reading a book and driving doesn't tend to go well.

If you could rename Wolf's Head, what would you call it?

Going into the book; I don't read the descriptions because they can contain spoilers, I had no idea it was going to be a Robin hood story and I was pleasantly surprised. The name is definitely distinctive, but changing it to give a tip-off to the fact it's about Robin Hood would set expectations in advance, with Disney and the ever entertaining Robin Hood: Men in Tights.

Any additional comments?

I would buy this again in a heartbeat, and at this moment the second book is out but not the audiobook. I may have to go old-school and buy another addition to my small library, I really want to know what's next. Yes, Amazon sells the second book.

Robin Hood for Grown Ups

I'm on a mythology/historical fiction run at the moment, and seriously, who doesn't love Robin Hood? Remember all those movies over the years giving different portrayals of the lovable rogue? This one is different. Quite different. This one goes mostly for historical accuracy, hence it's dark. But don't let that put you off.

We start with a young Robin (17 or so), not the heroic Knight Templar, but essentially a country bumpkin who takes umbrage with an abbot who tries to take his ladyfriend, Matilda, to work in his brothels. Robin escapes from the abbot's guards, but now has a price on his head, so he escapes to Barnsdale Forest (Yorkshire). He can no longer go home, so he seeks out the local outlaw bunch, with all the big names - Will Scarlet, Little John and so forth - who are led by the mysterious Adam Bell. They take him in and train him to be one of their gang. And the legend begins...

This is a interesting take on Robin. The mystical side, with Hearne the Hunter and so forth, is pushed rudely aside early on in favour of political intrigue and heists. This is a harsh world they live in. Food is scarce and the common people are starving, while the nobles live like fat cats in their castles. Robin and his men do steal from the rich and give to the poor, but it's not an act of charity, more a move to keep the people on their side. 

There is action aplenty, but not the silly sword fights we've become accustomed to. Blood is spilled, people die agonising deaths and even a scratch can be fatal. The cast are likeable, but there is no failure on the author's part to point out that they are killers, some more bloodthirsty than others. They are, in fact, little better than the actual bad guys.

I mentioned political intrigue. There is more than just anti-church (it is corrupt) sentiment here. This is post-Norman invasion Britain, where the Saxons resent the current status quo, while the Normans are at war with the pesky Scots. Caught in the middle, Sir Richard (aha!) is trying to organise a rebellion against the current King Edward (II).  

The author does take a couple of liberties with historical facts, but defends it well, in my opinion. I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator was rock solid, doing a great job with a lot of characters and handling the tone well.

Before I sign off - be warned! This is not your Disney Robin Hood. This is a bunch of boozy, sweary thugs and the story is bloody and bleak. In saying that, I loved the old Michael Praed/Jason Connery Robin Hood TV show back in the 80s, so this could be second favourite retelling yet. Roll on book two - 4.5/5 stars.  

amazing story but terrible production

The only reason I stayed with this book was cause of the story and that I could listen to it while working outside to drain out all the terrible background sounds. I couldn't decide while listening if it was the narrator or audio engineer that was at fault. in the end it has to be the sound engineer. you can hear the narrator licking his lips and smack while reading and sometimes papers shuffle. there was also a few time where the pause between chapters cause me to check to see if my app stopped working cause it was so long. all this falls on the production team. overall the narrator was quite nice and used different voices when he could. overall well done story for the beginning of robin hood.

Mostly a Bull's-Eye

Wolf’s Head is an engaging story that combines some familiar characters with several new ones in a fresh take on the forest legend. Since Robin Hood’s real historical origins are shaky at best, it’s hard to question the accuracy of the plot. There is a wicked sheriff and more than a few evil noblemen, along with a host of villagers, relatives, and tradesmen who are only too willing to collaborate with the colorful outlaws. The action is often more brutal than the childhood versions we remember.

Steven A. McKay’s writing is colorful and descriptive, but often falls victim to ponderous adverbs that hamstring its flow. The plot moves briskly most of the time. Sometimes the prescient insights of Robin and others approaches the level of magic, but there is no magician in this story. Nick Ellsworth gives a warm and enjoyable reading with a light touch throughout. Wolf’s Head is the first in a series, so some threads are inevitably left hanging at the end.

great series

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Ok so I am addicted to this series. I listen to Audiobooks as a farm. Makes hours on a tractor a great time. Stevens series is great and i enjoy the Preformance of the Narrator and cant wait for his latest to hit Audible. Yes I could read them but having followed this series with Nicks voice in my head I need to carry on even if I have to wait. I understand he has completed the series and look forward to the rest of the story. Whats next Steven I will be sure to read or have a listen.

Who was your favorite character and why?

John Little

Which character – as performed by Nick Ellsworth – was your favorite?

Any of the women he does a great job.

If you could take any character from Wolf's Head out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Will Scaflock and John Little

Any additional comments?

great series buy it and listen

a good listen/read

full disclosure: the author gave me a copy because I was down on my luck and had just gotten fired from my job and couldn't afford to buy a copy at the time. I will not let that effect my review.

being an avid reader, I've come across some lossy writing and a bunch of good writing, this book falls in the category of good writing and has introduced me to an author I am sorry I had not heard of until now.
If you want a fresh Robin Hood story, this should scratch your itch.

P.S. thank you Mr. McKay, this gift was the highlight of my week and a light in a dark time in my life.

Excellent start to a series, impeccable narration

Enjoyed every aspect of this audiobook. Story was engrossing an fun. Narrator was the perfect choice. On to the next book!

A Real Cool Take On A Classic

Looking forward to the next book. I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to all.