Ragnar's Claw by William King.
The second installment of the Space Wolves Trilogy, following the exploits of Ragnar Blackmane on the world of Aerius, along with Inquisitor Sternberg. Sent to find the Talisman of Lykos to save the world from the forces of Nurgle, to cure the world's corruption, and with a cameo from marauding Orks. The prologue of this novel is similar to the previous book, with it being ahead in the timeline on the world of Hesperida, which leaves Ragnar reflecting on the memory of Aerius. This Novel is as good as the first, with some really good moments of combat and parts of expanding Ragnar's character, expanding on the fact that Ragnar struggles to control the beast within sometimes, and the ever present danger of becoming a twisted Wulfen. Strybjorn and Sven feature heavily, along with Ragnar, as their task unfolds. Some middle trilogy books fall into the danger of just being a filler book with no real storyline or a boring plot. This book dodges that trap and adds another great read to the Space Wolves library and enhances the legend of Ragnar altogether.
William King delivers a great read with a dynamic plot that flows nicely with all the aspects you want from a 40k universe book. Carrying on from the first and setting up the third book well, King manages to make Ragnar stand out from a character heavy world and shows off his unique qualities without it being too obvious. Even though Strybjorn and Sven are heavily involved, he manages to bring Ragnar to the forefront without sidelining them. The unique aspects of the Space Wolf culture and the idiosyncrasies of the chapter are shown in good detail, which feels natural to the reader. Finishing the book makes you eager to begin the third and it doesn't repeatedly go over the same details that are in the first book. if you are interested in the Space Wolves or Ragnar himself, then you will enjoy this and I recommend it as a book you can't miss out on.
bottom image book cover of the version used in the review
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