Shadows Over Cold Coast

Drew Ferran, a sixteen-year-old shepherd, lives a quiet life on the windswept Cold Coast with his family. He is different from his twin brother Trent—smaller, darker, more attuned to the wild. Drew's instincts warn him of a lurking predator, and his unease grows as his sheep act strangely. One stormy night, a monstrous beast invades his home, killing his mother and leaving Drew grievously wounded. In the chaos, Drew's own body transforms into something inhuman—a wolfish beast. His father, believing Drew to be the murderer, attacks him. Wounded and heartbroken, Drew flees into the night, leaving behind the only life he's ever known.

Blood and Betrayal

Drew's world shatters as he is hunted by his own father, Mack Ferran, who cannot accept the monstrous truth about his son. The trauma of his mother's death and his father's betrayal haunt Drew as he escapes, wounded and alone. The revelation that he is not like other boys, but something more—something feared—marks the end of his innocence. The seeds of vengeance, guilt, and a desperate need for belonging are sown deep within him.

Into the Wild Dyrewood

Drew's flight leads him into the vast, haunted Dyrewood, a forest feared by all. Here, he battles hunger, the elements, and the beast within. His lycanthropic nature emerges in fits and starts, making him both predator and prey. He survives by instinct, living as an animal, until a chance encounter with Whitley, a young scout apprentice, and Hogan, a seasoned ranger, changes his fate. Mistaken for a wildman, Drew is captured, but his humanity and pain begin to resurface.

Captured by Fate

Bound and drugged, Drew is dragged through the forest by Hogan and Whitley, who are both wary and curious about their strange captive. Drew's wounds heal with unnatural speed, and his wildness is tempered by Whitley's kindness. When Wyldermen attack, Drew's warning saves his captors, and Hogan, recognizing something extraordinary, decides to bring Drew to Duke Bergan, the Bearlord of Brackenholme, for judgment.

The Wolf Unleashed

Drew's struggle with his inner beast intensifies. When the group is ambushed by Wyldermen, Drew's lycanthropy erupts in a violent, barely controlled transformation. He saves Whitley and Hogan, but the horror of his own power terrifies him. The line between man and monster blurs, and Drew realizes he is both a danger and a protector.

Allies and Enemies

As Drew, Whitley, and Hogan journey to Brackenholme, bonds of trust and gratitude form. Whitley, revealed to be Duke Bergan's daughter in disguise, becomes Drew's first true friend. Yet, Drew's presence draws the attention of powerful enemies. In Brackenholme, he is imprisoned, interrogated, and ultimately betrayed to Prince Lucas, the king's cruel son, who orders Drew's transport to the capital, Highcliff.

The Boarlord's Refuge

En route to Highcliff, Drew is tortured by the sadistic Ratlord Vankaskan, but finds an unlikely ally in Hector, a gentle Boarlord healer. Hector, risking his own safety, helps Drew recover and escape during a Wylderman attack, aided by Duke Bergan's covert intervention. Together, Drew and Hector flee toward Redmire, Hector's homeland, seeking sanctuary.

Foxes, Foes, and Family

In Redmire, Drew finds brief respite among Hector's family and Lady Gretchen, a proud Werefox betrothed to Prince Lucas. Tensions flare between Drew and Gretchen, but mutual respect grows. Political intrigue and betrayal follow them—Vincent, Hector's brother, betrays them to the Lionguard. Redmire is destroyed, Baron Huth is slain, and Drew, Hector, and Gretchen escape down the Redwine River, fugitives once more.

The Redwine Escape

The trio's journey down the Redwine is fraught with peril. Drew and Gretchen's antagonism softens into camaraderie, and Hector's loyalty deepens. They learn of the Werelords' ancient history, the politics of Lyssia, and Drew's possible royal lineage. When Gretchen is kidnapped by Wyldermen, Drew and Hector risk everything to rescue her, venturing into the cursed Wyrmwood.

Wyrmwood's Deadly Embrace

In the haunted Wyrmwood, Drew and Hector confront the Wyldermen and the legendary Wereserpent, Vala. Hector's forbidden magicks help them track Gretchen, but nearly cost him his life. Drew faces Vala in a brutal battle, embracing his wolf nature to save Gretchen. The trio barely escape, wounded but alive, and make their way toward the coast, pursued by enemies on all sides.

Pirates and Prisoners

Seeking passage to safety, Drew, Hector, and Gretchen are betrayed by the charming but treacherous Count Vega, a Wereshark pirate. Drugged and imprisoned aboard the Maelstrom, they are delivered to Highcliff as trophies for King Leopold. Drew's heroism in saving a young crewmate earns Vega's respect, but not his freedom. The trio's fate is sealed as they are handed over to the Lion.

The Lion's Court

In Highcliff, Drew is paraded as a monster before the assembled Werelords and the people of Lyssia. King Leopold, a tyrant who seized the throne by slaughtering Drew's family, plans to execute him as a warning to all. Allies like Duke Bergan and Manfred of Stormdale plead for mercy, but the king is unmoved. Drew learns the truth of his parentage: he is the last son of Wergar the Wolf and Queen Amelie, making him the rightful heir to the throne.

Execution and Uprising

On the day of his execution, Drew faces the jeering crowd and the king's blade. At the last moment, disguised Wolfguard soldiers—led by his adoptive father, Mack Ferran—stage a desperate rescue. Chaos erupts as Werelords and their followers rise against the Lionguard. Drew, wounded and transformed, battles King Leopold in a savage duel, but is overpowered.

The Last Wolf's Stand

As the city descends into civil war, Drew is hunted through the castle by Vanmorten, the monstrous Wererat who murdered his mother. In a brutal, fiery battle atop the battlements, Drew avenges his mother's death, but is mortally wounded. With the castle ablaze and enemies closing in, Drew chooses to leap from the walls into the sea, preferring death to capture.

Sacrifice and Survival

Drew's fall is broken by the sea, and he is rescued by Count Vega, who has a change of heart. Drew's adoptive father dies in his arms, finally understanding and forgiving his son. The city celebrates the Lion's defeat, and the people hail Drew as their savior. Drew is reunited with his friends, but is gravely injured and uncertain of his future.

Truths Revealed

Nursed back to health aboard the Maelstrom, Drew learns the full truth: Queen Amelie is his mother, and he is the last of the royal Werewolf line. Whitley, revealed as Duke Bergan's daughter, and his friends urge him to claim his birthright. The people of Lyssia, weary of tyranny, look to Drew for hope and leadership.

The Wolf's New Dawn

As the city celebrates and the Werelords gather, Drew stands at a crossroads. He is no longer just a farm boy or a fugitive—he is the symbol of a new era. With the support of his friends, his mother, and the people, Drew must decide whether to embrace his destiny as the true king of Lyssia, or to remain the lone wolf he has always been. The story ends with the people chanting for their king—the Wolf has returned.

Characters

Drew Ferran

Drew is a sensitive, resourceful farm boy whose life is shattered by violence and betrayal. Marked by a deep empathy for animals and a sense of being different, he discovers he is a therianthrope—a shape-shifter, specifically a Werewolf. Haunted by guilt, loss, and the fear of his own monstrous nature, Drew's journey is one of self-discovery, trauma, and reluctant heroism. He is torn between the beast within and his desire to do good. As the last son of Wergar and Queen Amelie, Drew is the rightful heir to the throne, but he is deeply ambivalent about power and destiny. His relationships—with friends, enemies, and family—are marked by loyalty, forgiveness, and a longing for acceptance.

Hector

Hector is a Boarlord, the son of Baron Huth of Redmire, and a skilled healer and magister-in-training. Compassionate and scholarly, Hector is the moral heart of the group, often acting as Drew's conscience and confidant. He is haunted by the loss of his father and the betrayal of his twin brother, Vincent. Hector's journey is one of courage, self-sacrifice, and the struggle to reconcile duty with personal loyalty. His knowledge of magicks and healing is crucial to the group's survival, and his friendship with Drew is transformative for both.

Gretchen

Lady Gretchen of Hedgemoor is a sharp-tongued, proud, and fiercely independent Werefox, betrothed to Prince Lucas. Initially antagonistic toward Drew, she is forced by circumstance to travel with him and Hector. Beneath her haughty exterior lies vulnerability, intelligence, and a capacity for growth. Her journey from spoiled noble to reluctant ally mirrors Drew's own transformation. Gretchen's evolving relationship with Drew is marked by conflict, respect, and a hint of unspoken affection.

Whitley

Whitley, initially believed to be a boy, is revealed as Duke Bergan's daughter, training as a scout in disguise. Intelligent, brave, and resourceful, Whitley is one of the first to see Drew's humanity beneath his beastly exterior. Her friendship and loyalty are instrumental in Drew's survival and in forging alliances. Whitley's struggle for acceptance in a male-dominated world parallels Drew's own quest for identity.

Duke Bergan

Duke Bergan of Brackenholme is a powerful Werebear, a former ally of Wergar, and a father figure to Drew. He is a leader torn between duty, regret, and the desire to do right by his people and the memory of his old friend. Bergan's wisdom, strength, and political acumen make him a key architect of the resistance against King Leopold. His mentorship helps Drew accept his true nature and destiny.

King Leopold

Leopold is the ruthless Werelion king who seized the throne by slaughtering Wergar and his family. Charismatic and brutal, he rules through fear, manipulation, and violence. Leopold's hatred of the Wolf line is both personal and political, and he is determined to eradicate any threat to his power. His relationship with Drew is one of predator and prey, but also of twisted kinship, as both are sons of Queen Amelie.

Prince Lucas

Lucas, Leopold's son and Drew's half-brother, is a spoiled, sadistic, and ambitious Werelion. Betrothed to Gretchen, he is both a political pawn and a dangerous adversary. Lucas's insecurity and need for approval drive his cruelty, and his rivalry with Drew is both personal and dynastic.

Count Vega

Vega is a charming, cunning, and self-serving Wereshark pirate. Initially an antagonist who betrays Drew and his friends, Vega is ultimately swayed by Drew's heroism and the tides of change. His shifting loyalties and ambiguous morality reflect the chaos of Lyssia's political landscape.

Mack Ferran

Mack is Drew's stern, war-scarred adoptive father, a former Wolfguard. Unable to accept Drew's monstrous nature, he becomes both pursuer and, ultimately, redeemer. His final sacrifice to save Drew is an act of love and forgiveness, bringing closure to their fractured relationship.

Vanmorten

Vanmorten, the lord chancellor and one of the Rat King brothers, is a monstrous, cunning, and vengeful Wererat. He is responsible for the murder of Drew's mother and is the embodiment of corruption and cruelty in Leopold's court. His final confrontation with Drew is both personal and symbolic—a battle between past trauma and the hope of healing.

Plot Devices

Lycanthropy and Shape-Shifting

The central device of therianthropy (shape-shifting) is both literal and symbolic. Drew's struggle to control his wolf form mirrors his internal battle with trauma, rage, and self-acceptance. The various Werelords' animal forms reflect their personalities, strengths, and flaws, and the politics of Lyssia are shaped by these inherited powers. The device allows for dramatic action, but also for deep psychological exploration of what it means to be human, monstrous, or both.

Hidden Lineage and Lost Heir

Drew's true parentage is concealed from him and the world, making him both a target and a symbol. The revelation that he is the last son of Wergar and Queen Amelie transforms his journey from survival to destiny. The lost heir trope is used to explore themes of legitimacy, belonging, and the burdens of leadership.

Betrayal and Loyalty

Throughout the story, characters are tested by betrayal—familial, political, and personal. Drew is betrayed by his father, Vincent betrays Hector, Vega betrays the group, and the Werelords are divided by old wounds. Conversely, acts of loyalty—Hector's healing, Whitley's friendship, Mack's sacrifice—are redemptive and transformative. The shifting web of trust and treachery is a key engine of suspense and character development.

Political Intrigue and Rebellion

The narrative is structured around the rise and fall of rulers, the machinations of court, and the brewing rebellion against tyranny. The execution scene and subsequent uprising are the climax of these tensions, using spectacle and public violence to explore the costs of power and the possibility of change.

Trauma and Healing

Drew's journey is marked by trauma—loss, violence, and the fear of his own nature. Healing, both physical and emotional, is a recurring motif, embodied in Hector's magicks and the slow mending of relationships. The story suggests that true healing requires both self-acceptance and the support of others.

Foreshadowing and Prophecy

Prophecies and old magicks foreshadow Drew's role as a potential savior or destroyer. The tension between fate and free will is explored through his reluctance to accept his destiny, and the repeated warnings that the world is on the brink of darkness or renewal.

Analysis

Rise of the Wolf is a dark, emotionally charged coming-of-age fantasy that uses the werewolf mythos to explore trauma, identity, and the struggle for justice in a corrupt world. Curtis Jobling crafts a narrative where the monstrous is both a curse and a source of power, and where the line between hero and villain is blurred by pain, loss, and the need for belonging. The novel interrogates the nature of leadership—whether true kingship is inherited, earned, or thrust upon the unwilling. Through Drew's journey from hunted outcast to reluctant symbol of hope, the story examines how personal wounds can become the seeds of collective change. The lessons are clear: healing requires facing the past, true strength lies in compassion, and even the most broken can become the light in a world of darkness. In a modern context, the book resonates as a metaphor for overcoming trauma, resisting tyranny, and forging identity in a world that fears difference.

Last updated: May 21, 2025