Culgan by Victoria Saccenti unfolds in the mighty land of the Hindu Kush. This land is protected by the Freki Clan, a group of direwolves forged by greatness. Roisin, the godchild of the Clan’s leader and oracle, is eager to uncover her true destiny. An eerie vision foretells the return of Egron, a treacherous daemon mage, and his new ally, Ishtar, the goddess of ruin and war. These devious villains are determined to leave chaos and destruction in their wake at all costs. Concurrently, Culgan, the future heir of the Freki Clan, discovers a young, injured boy from an unknown village and carries the child to his Clan. In passing, Culgan spots Roisin undergoing her direwolf transformation and guides her through this phenomenal change. As danger looms over the Clan, Roisin is sure of one thing: her world is rapidly evolving. Her world is quickly changing. She can either ascend with it or be consumed by it!

Culgan is an adventure-packed fantasy, finely blended with drama, action, and romance. Victoria Saccenti brings this captivating story to life on every page. The narrative delves into the importance of ancestry, power, and prophecy, where bloodlines are shaped by their destiny and birthright. At the heart of the tale is Roisin, the female protagonist who belongs to another clan by birth. Even so, her commitment to unleashing her true potential and defending the Freki Clan, along with Culgan and their loved ones, is what makes this tale unforgettable. Moreover, the combination of ancient lore, such as necromancers and the goddess Ishtar, with thematic elements of the direwolf transformations and the clans’ dynamic political entanglements, gives this narrative a lasting impact. If you are a fan of immersive fantasy novels with epic shapeshifting transformations and profound character interactions, Culgan was written with you in mind.

Culgan (Freki Wolf Clan Book 2) by Victoria Saccenti takes place in a mysterious world brimming with magic and otherworldly beings. Roisin, the main character, shares a heartfelt bond with the Freki clan and direwolves even though she belongs to the Hati clan. While visiting her godmother, Lady Cassandra, the latter receives an ominous vision that Egron, a corrupt daemon mage, has joined forces with the goddess of war. At the same time, Roisin's inner wolf begins to stir gradually. Meanwhile, Culgan, the Freki prince, is responding to the growing political tension spreading across the land. When Culgan and Roisin encounter each other, he helps guide her through her direwolf transformation. But Egron's dark influences are closer than they know. Culgan, Roisin, and the Freki clan must brace themselves for the imminent war that is about to unfold.

Culgan by Victoria Saccenti presents a superb blend of paranormal fantasy, coming-of-age, and romance. It is filled with ancient prophecies and supernatural lore, drawing fantasy enthusiasts deeper into the fates of Culgan and Roisin, chapter by chapter. The main protagonists' intertwined storylines beautifully navigate themes like fated mates, societal expectations, stunning shifter transformations, spiritual awakenings, and the battle between good and evil. Even the antagonists are just as intriguing and nuanced as the central characters themselves. I love the way Saccenti builds the many intricate layers of this magical world. She skillfully immerses the characters (and readers) in clan traditions and social hierarchies, directed by fascinating mythical concepts and political tension. Fantasy fans will take pleasure in this tale. I highly recommend it.