The Wolf and the Woodsman

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In this captivating debut inspired by Hungarian history and Jewish mythology, a young pagan woman and a one-eyed captain of the Woodsmen forge an unlikely alliance to confront tyranny. Évike, the only woman in her forest village without powers, is ostracized due to her corrupted bloodline, stemming from her Yehuli father, a despised servant of the king. When soldiers from the Holy Order of Woodsmen come to claim her for a blood sacrifice, her fellow villagers betray her. However, a monster attack leaves only Évike and the cold, one-eyed captain, Gáspár Bárány, alive. Gáspár, a disgraced prince, is desperate to thwart his cruel brother’s plans for a violent reign that threatens both pagans and Yehuli. As the son of a reviled queen, he empathizes with Évike’s outcast status, leading them to form a fragile pact against his brother. Their journey from the harsh northern tundra to the smog-filled capital reveals a growing bond, shifting from mutual disdain to affection, rooted in shared experiences of alienation. Yet, as Évike reconnects with her father and uncovers her own magic, they must navigate the fine line between trust and betrayal, ultimately deciding what sacrifices they are willing to make for a nation that has never accepted them.