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Lupus Rex
The crow king is dead, and in the field below all the creatures tremble as the Murder gathers to choose a new king from the rival sons Sintus, Milus and Nascus. When the crows drive everyone from the field to keep the reckoning secret, the quail Ysil, Cormo and Harlequin believe they must simply follow their elders to safety.
But when the crows turn against each other, the forest becomes full of danger. In the confusion the last wolf, Asmod, shucks off his isolation and begins to raise an army to claim the kingdom for his own. As hidden truths are brought to light and enormous sacrifices are made Ysil and his friends must make an epic journey and an unthinkable alliance if the lesser animals are to survive.
But when the crows turn against each other, the forest becomes full of danger. In the confusion the last wolf, Asmod, shucks off his isolation and begins to raise an army to claim the kingdom for his own. As hidden truths are brought to light and enormous sacrifices are made Ysil and his friends must make an epic journey and an unthinkable alliance if the lesser animals are to survive.
- GenresFantasyMiddle Grade
256 pages, Hardcover
First published June 3, 2013
About the author
John Carter Cash
13 books17 followersJohn Carter Cash is a five-time Grammy-winning record producer, and author of numerous articles published in popular newspapers and magazines. He owns and manages Cash Cabin Studio. John Carter diligently preserves the family legacy and is caretaker to the heritage of his muscial ancestors. He is the only child of June Carter and Johnny Cash. He lives with his wife, Laura, and three children, Joseph, Anna Maybelle, and Jack Ezra, in Hendersonville, Tennessee.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 26, 2021
Senseless violence. It is one thing to have evil characters possess others to do evil things for them. It is another thing, and a meaningless thing, to portray a world in which such incidents are a natural order, going so far as to saying that these explain why we use the phrase "murder of crows". And that's just one problem.
July 4, 2013
Lupus Rex reads like a very old fable. The story of a group of different species of animals all living in by the same field, all with very old traditions. When the old king crow dies the crows follow their tradition and drive all the animals away so they may have the reckoning. The king has three sons, only one of which can become king, the others must give their lives. The main story centers around the quail Ysil, who is in many ways coming to terms with life in the forest and learning how everything comes to pass. On the other side of the forest the lone wolf learns of the king's death and decides that he shall claim the field as his own and become a ruthless ruler. Overall a story that I was more than willing to get into.
This story resonates strongly as a fable or bedtime story with very classic elements. John Carter Cash's writing is very beautiful and at times really evoked a strong connection with the nature of the forest. The reasons I did care for Lupus Rex was unfortunately the characterization and plot. I admittedly do not usually like when all the animals communicate and live together but I easily looked over that seeing it as a fable. But my problem was that every character felt very flat. When something happened, which came quite often and ruthlessly, I wasn't bothered by the death, it seemed more like senseless violence. I do understand the message of the violence of nature and the harmony, that whole rigmarole but it seemed unnecessary to the main plot. I was surprised at the gore in this title as I believe it is marketed a middle grade and I believe some younger readers would be quite surprised at the lack of the modern day "Disney" animals. I did like the writing and you can really see the author's song writing ability shine, but the story just was not my cup of tea and the characters were not likeable nor relate-able
This story resonates strongly as a fable or bedtime story with very classic elements. John Carter Cash's writing is very beautiful and at times really evoked a strong connection with the nature of the forest. The reasons I did care for Lupus Rex was unfortunately the characterization and plot. I admittedly do not usually like when all the animals communicate and live together but I easily looked over that seeing it as a fable. But my problem was that every character felt very flat. When something happened, which came quite often and ruthlessly, I wasn't bothered by the death, it seemed more like senseless violence. I do understand the message of the violence of nature and the harmony, that whole rigmarole but it seemed unnecessary to the main plot. I was surprised at the gore in this title as I believe it is marketed a middle grade and I believe some younger readers would be quite surprised at the lack of the modern day "Disney" animals. I did like the writing and you can really see the author's song writing ability shine, but the story just was not my cup of tea and the characters were not likeable nor relate-able
August 28, 2013
The big question on picking up Lupus Rex is can the one and only son of the legendary Johnny Cash spin a good tale? Yes, he certainly can, in the opening chapters it becomes very apparent that Cash is not afraid to tackle the darker side of fantasy and does not hold any character of his creation too dear to put an end to them, often in pretty brutal fashion too considering this is supposed to be children’s fantasy?
The set out is nicely descriptive, Cash does seem to have studied the art of putting pen to paper very well, and you always get enough to go on in every situation the characters/animals are involved in to really hold interest and have you turning the pages, easily finished in one sitting.
My only problem at all with Lupus Rex was that it all seemed to come to that end a little bit too quickly, both in amount of pages and in consideration to the build up to where it goes. This being said, there is a huge scope for following novels to cover.
The set out is nicely descriptive, Cash does seem to have studied the art of putting pen to paper very well, and you always get enough to go on in every situation the characters/animals are involved in to really hold interest and have you turning the pages, easily finished in one sitting.
My only problem at all with Lupus Rex was that it all seemed to come to that end a little bit too quickly, both in amount of pages and in consideration to the build up to where it goes. This being said, there is a huge scope for following novels to cover.
November 19, 2013
As a long time Johnny Cash fan, I wanted to enjoy this. I wanted the Cash legacy to live on with excellent kids books written by his son. I wanted Lupus Rex to be excellent.
It's not.
Cash needs to find an editor who will forget that he's 'somebody' and instead tear his writing apart just like anybody else's. Lupus Rex feels like it must have been treated very gently by its editor, as if it was a sacred text. There's a story here, with moments where what it could have been shine through -- but it's plagued by stilted writing, poor characterization, and unclear motivation.
Ignore the glowing reviews on the cover and move on. Your reading time is precious, don't waste it here.
Parents' note: considering the intended audience, there's some surprising violence in here () as well as some mild language.
It's not.
Cash needs to find an editor who will forget that he's 'somebody' and instead tear his writing apart just like anybody else's. Lupus Rex feels like it must have been treated very gently by its editor, as if it was a sacred text. There's a story here, with moments where what it could have been shine through -- but it's plagued by stilted writing, poor characterization, and unclear motivation.
Ignore the glowing reviews on the cover and move on. Your reading time is precious, don't waste it here.
Parents' note: considering the intended audience, there's some surprising violence in here () as well as some mild language.
January 13, 2015
I'm pretty picky about talking animal stories - I tend to compare them all to Watership Down.
This one is pretty fun. It's the true test of a good kids' book that adults can read it without being too annoyed, and this one passes. It does fall short of Watership Down in that the animals don't quite come over as animals rather than odd-shaped people, but Cash makes a good solid effort. The book is well written and keeps its messages subtle and held within the story.
I approve.
This one is pretty fun. It's the true test of a good kids' book that adults can read it without being too annoyed, and this one passes. It does fall short of Watership Down in that the animals don't quite come over as animals rather than odd-shaped people, but Cash makes a good solid effort. The book is well written and keeps its messages subtle and held within the story.
I approve.
March 5, 2014
One Sentence Reviews: For all that the book is written by the son of a celebrity, Cash actually does a decent job of making interesting the tale of an evil wolf/rattlesnake duo (could there be cooler baddies) and the little quail that ends up being their downfall.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews