What a spectacular book! I got caught up in this epic struggle in the very first chapter, and didn't put the book down until I'd read it through. In this allegory, Joran, a simple young man, finds himself leaving the world he's always known in search of his wife, who was captured by some force of magic. He is joined by a wolf who accompanies and guides him on his quest. Their adventures force Joran to confront his inner demons and embrace who he was meant to be.

This is a book that can be enjoyed on many levels. Parents who read this to young children will find them hanging on every word as Joran journeys around the world to free his captive wife, having interesting conversations with animals as he goes. Older children will understand that the struggle goes beyond his fight to liberate her, and is actually a battle within his own self. Teens and adults will recognize themselves in the classic war between flesh and spirit.

Sprinkled on every page are pertinent proverbs from various sources, making this not only a wonderful work of fiction, but practically a manual for wise living. The characters are cleverly named, causing a bit of foreshadowing throughout the developing story. For example, the wife who is kind and forgiving despite her husband's failures, is named Charris, almost the Greek word charis, which means grace–unmerited favor. The South Wind is named Noommah, which is pronounced like its Greek counterpart, pneuma, meaning breath or spirit.

At the end are study questions, making this a perfect book club read or high school literature assignment. It would also make a wonderful family read-aloud, worth the effort to expound on the themes and discuss the practical applications. A must read!

Although this is book one of the Gates of Heaven series, it is the third one I've read. This series is nice, in that you do not have to read them in the order they were release. Although, having read book two when Joran, our young blacksmith, returns a horse to Jareth, I perked up as he is one of the characters in book two. But he is merely mentioned and it doesn't affect either story.

Once again as I read a fairy tale by this author I find myself transported into a land where a young man can mindspeak with animals. And although he was picked on his entire life he met a beautiful woman who became his wife. Joran's wife, Charris, is away visiting family and Joran is troubled by nightmares. Joran soon learns his wife never arrived at her destination and he must begin a search to find her and the source of his nightmare. Early in his journey he encourages a wolf who is caught in a trap. He rescues the wolf, thus indebting the wolf to Joran as a traveling companion.

This story is imaginative, especially with Joran's ability to mindspeak with animals. I found myself falling in love with the wolf who goes by the name Ruyah. His wisdom and sense of humor is both thought provoking and entertaining. This story also has some very touching moments that I found myself crying. Joran's journey to rescue his wife is a journey many of us travel where we explore our hearts and learn how God wants us to live. But remember it is a fairy tale through and through.

If you have the opportunity to read any of this series by C.S. Lakin, I would encourage to read one. The author does a wonderful job painting pictures the places Joran and Ruyah travel. Her writing style flows nicely.

Disclaimer: The ebook that I actually read did come from the publisher, but before that I did purchase a copy of this book so I could read it.

This is book one in "The Gates of Heaven" series by C. S. Lakin. The cover of the book states it is "a fairy tale." With that said, I was prepared to be drawn into a tale along the lines of the Brothers Grimm, C.S. Lewis, and others from my childhood. What I was not prepared for was the depth of emotion for the characters I would feel or for the mixture of allegory and metaphor blending fairy tale and scripture. The hero, Joran, lives in a small village called Tebron, working as an apprentice to a blacksmith. Joran has the ability to "mind speak" with animals and never really felt a complete part of his family. His wife, Charris, works as a weaver but Joran sent her away in a fit of anger. But Charris disappeared while traveling to her hometown and now Joran is troubled by terrifying nightmares every time he falls asleep. In the nightmares, Charris is trapped and he is unable to free her.Even though angered with Charris, Joran feels compelled to search for her after learning of her disappearance. He encounters a huge, silver-coated wolf with a foot caught in a trap. Joran rescues the wolf, named Ruyah, who becomes his traveling companion on what turns out to be a journey unlike any Joran could ever imagine. I could go on, but I am afraid I would end up giving away the story. This book is an experience and journey not just for the mind, but for the soul. As the story unfolds, the reader is entertained, mesmerized, & reminded that God loves us and is devoted to our personal growth and salvation. This book is one that will appeal to readers of all ages and I highly recommend it. I am very eager for the second book in the series to be released, "The Map Across Time."

The author, C.S. Lakin quotes C.S. Lewis "Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again" and Wolf of Tebron is one of those exciting tales. I enjoyed going on this heros journey with Joran and Ruyah, in this fantasy that contains elements of fairy tale and myth. Joran is an unlikely hero who sent his wife, Charris, away in a jealous fit, and Ruyah is a huge silver wolf who has long watched Joran from the woods and hills nearby.Joran does not know why, but he has the ability to talk with animals, whether a goat on his farm or a wolf or wild songbird.The outward purpose of the journey is to rescue Charris, who is magically imprisoned in ice in an unknown place. The author skillfully interweaves the hero encountering danger with passages where wisdom is shared and beauty is seen. Lakin includes lyrical descriptions, characterizing the essence of light itself as liquid joy, and the wolf leading the way as But he set his attention on Ruyahs tail, which floated on the fog like a disembodied swatch of fur.The travelers are forced to visit Cielle, the moons sister, then Sola, the suns mother, the South Wind and finally the Sea, and face despair, fights and the threat of death as they journey toward Charris. Sola says that the moon is a jealous being and wont give up Charris and she is right.

"The Wolf of Tebron" by C. S. Lakin is billed as a "fairy tale" and I would heartily agree, but a fairy tale with much allegory and deep meaning, along the lines of C.S. Lewis' "Chronicles of Narnia" series. The main character/hero is Joran, a young blascksmith's apprentice who, you find early on, has the ability to mindspeak with animals around him which plays into the story in meaningful ways throughout. Joran is soon on a quest to free his missing wife who comes to him in dreams or rather nightmares, wanting to be found. This quest is long and arduous and aided by "the wolf of Tebron", who he meets early on in the story. The wolf, Ruyah, is the voice of wisdom, help, and love as his friend and companion on this journey. It's a tough journey as he has to face things within himself that he needs to let go of in order to complete his quest.

This is one of those stories where you can't help but take a speculative look at your own life and wonder- "What are the things in me that I need to lay aside in order to be all that God is calling me to be?" I love when fiction has the power to reach in and accomplish some good in you. I highly recommend this book and as a side note- the next book in this series "Map across time" is due out soon. I, for one, will definitely be picking it up!