DAWN OF VALOR

After his pack is massacred, a wolf pup must join an allied pack and prevent them from suffering the same fate in CJ and Josh Fernandez’s novel.

The Wild North, a massive expanse of land covering over 1,000 miles, is home to many living things, but home doesn’t mean safe. Connor, a wolf pup just learning how to hunt, and his sister, Taya, are the only survivors of the Gray Pack after a massacre committed by a coalition of aggressive bears calling themselves the Bear Legion (“they had to show strength and force the wolves to beg for mercy”). Together, along with their new friend, a dog named Spot, they must trek through the woods to find and join the Arctic Pack, an old ally of the Gray Pack. They need to move quickly—the Arctic Pack is next on the Bear Legion’s hit list. It’s not just bears they need to look out for; the Wild North is also home to mountain lions, as well as the evil, mutated wolf pack called the Nightstalkers. Human hunters also pose a serious threat. Just outside this wilderness, a small town called Blue Pines faces problems of its own. A recent uptick in wolf attacks has residents frightened, and the town’s tourism industry is taking a hit. Back in town to bury his parents after a fatal car crash, depressed alcoholic Nate Zeladez and his two brothers, Billy and Rafael, are hired to hunt wolves because of their military backgrounds. But the wolves are far from the biggest threat facing the residents of Blue Pines—corruption in this town runs deep, from Mayor Swindle to the vicious organized crime syndicate known as the Crimson Wraith Organization. Featuring a memorable cast of characters, including wisecracking animals, the novel is co-authored by brothers Conrado “CJ” Fernandez Jr. and Josh Fernandez. After CJ died by suicide at age 19 in 2011, Josh compiled his brother’s many stories (written between middle school and high school) into “several cohesive series.” The result is a poignant tribute to his memory that preserves his boundless creativity and palpable enthusiasm for storytelling. The novel’s cover is illustrated by the third Fernandez brother, Tony.

A moving story of courage and loyalty.