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Duty and Honor
Culgan follows a young woman on the verge of discovering her destiny as a direwolf shifter, and a seasoned warrior and heir to the Freki clan who find themselves bound by fate, ancient prophecy, and a rising evil that threatens the balance of their realm. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
A previous series, The Titanian Chronicles, inspired me to see and write about the Freki World. In fact, some characters in Culgan appear in The Titanian Chronicles.
I find the world you created in this novel brimming with possibilities. Where did the inspiration for the setting come from, and how did it change as you were writing?
The secrecy imposed by universal decree on supernatural creatures was a critical aspect of the story. This helped me place and run their existence parallel to humans. Side by side, but the two shall never cross over.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The themes of duty and honor tied to power and abilities were part of the exploration. The gryphon comes into play, as the creatures symbolize purity, loyalty, and trustworthiness. They can’t accept an undeserving wolf. To ride a wolf must be worthy.
Where does the story go in the next book, and where do you see it going in the future?
The next book is in the editing process. This story delves deeper into the consequences of sin, greed, and amorality. How far up will someone go, breaking all the rules before the fall?
I have two more stories planned. But I haven’t seen the road yet.
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Long dreaming of becoming a gryphon rider and training to defend her clan, Roisin Hati is impatient for her sleeping inner wolf to awaken. She never expected a choking cloud of evil magic to do just that. When she finally opens her eyes, a huge black direwolf with stunning cobalt eyes is standing over her—Culgan, son of her beloved godparents.
Culgan freezes when he hears the first snarl of Roisin’s rising wolf in his mind, feels her fear in his bones. As a warrior defending the hidden Freki stronghold, bonding has never been a high priority. But something about the white-haired, dark-eyed Roisin rouses an irresistible drive to: Claim. Mate. Possess.
As Roisin navigates battle training, Culgan is at her side, guiding every step. The pull between them grows stronger until it ignites in a glorious mating union. But dark forces are gathering in the desert. A daemon hungry for revenge bargains with a goddess for the power to destroy the Freki. And the gryphon riders may have to make the ultimate sacrifice to save the kingdom.
Culgan, Freki Wolf Clan
Victoria Saccenti’s Culgan is a rich and magical tale set in a world where direwolves, gryphons, and ancient magic exist in powerful harmony. The story follows Roisin, a young woman on the verge of discovering her destiny as a direwolf shifter, and Culgan, a seasoned warrior and heir to the Freki clan. As a dark force reawakens in the world, Roisin undergoes her shift with Culgan’s help, and together they find themselves bound by fate, ancient prophecy, and a rising evil that threatens the balance of their realm. The narrative weaves romance, fantasy, political intrigue, and supernatural battles into a tight, emotional adventure.
I found myself drawn in almost instantly by Saccenti’s worldbuilding. Her ability to blend myth, lore, and visceral details into a living, breathing world is impressive. The Freki stronghold, the gryphons’ bond with their riders, and the mystical laws of the universe all come alive with elegant precision. But it was the emotional depth of Roisin’s awakening, the fear, the wonder, the pain, and eventual triumph, that left the strongest impression on me. Her transformation didn’t feel like just another magical puberty metaphor. It felt real. And Culgan, stoic and noble, struck the perfect balance between protector and partner. Their connection had a slow-burn warmth that felt earned.
At times, the story takes a pause to dive deep into the background and inner thoughts, which can slow the pace a little. And I felt some of the dialogue leaned toward the polished side, feeling a bit more formal than the story’s otherwise grounded and emotional style. Still, these moments felt intentional and helped flesh out the world and its history. But these moments were few, and the rest more than made up for them. The villains felt truly menacing. The magic felt ancient and consequential. And when Saccenti brings in darker themes like abandonment, manipulation, and power struggles, and she doesn’t sugarcoat it.
Culgan is a heartfelt and exciting fantasy that reads like a coming-of-age epic blended with a deep, magical love story. I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy immersive fantasy worlds with strong female leads, loyal found families, and just the right touch of romance. It’s perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas or Patricia Briggs, especially those craving more complex shifter lore and mythology. Saccenti writes with conviction, and her story pulses with emotion. I walked away from the last page feeling satisfied, hopeful, and more than a little tempted to dive back into her world again.
Pages: 294 | ASIN : B0F4KN8WJ4
LITERARY TITAN 