The Wolf in the Whale is a fantasy set in the world of the Inuit around 1000 CE. Omat, biologically a girl, is raised as a boy to be a hunter and a Shaman of her people as they follow herds of caribou. Eventually, she and her people will encounter other indigenous groups and Norse raiders. The Wolf in the Whale treats the religious icons of all its characters as potent and real, and these fantasy elements become more prominent as the story progresses. That aside, the book works well as a wilderness survival story in a credible cultural setting. ( )

Really fascinating. Omat is a classic character ❤️ ( )

This book started out very promising and I was enjoying it very much, but I did not appreciate the turn it took about three chapters in and I quickly lost interest. The author is extremely talented and I'm sure this book will do very well, but it was not the sort of content I enjoy reading. ( )

“They say that from the moment I [Omat] took my first breath, I have lived between many worlds—between Sun and Moon, man and woman, Inuk and animal. So perhaps it’s not surprising that I have seen worlds my family could never imagine. I have seen the painted men in their bark houses, and I have slept beneath trees as tall as a whale is long. I have spoken with the spirits and walked in their land. I have seen men who could harness the wind, men with hair the color of flame and eyes the color of ice. And when their own great spirits set foot on my shore, striking thunder from the stars and calling monsters from the deep, I have battled with their gods of war—and wept with their gods of love.” – Jordanna Max Brodsky, The Wolf in the Whale

Omat, a young Inuk living in the arctic in the 11th century, inhabits the soul of a hunter and the spirit of a wolf. Omat faces many hardships, learning from experience and leading to personal growth. This book relates the culture and history of the Inuit as they encounter the Vikings during the exploration of North America. When the two peoples meet, a clash is inevitable.

Omat embarks on a journey to save a brother, and encounters a Viking separated from his people. These two are unable to speak the same language. They are strangers, but through facing adversity, form an unlikely bond. I particularly enjoyed the depiction of how their relationship evolves over time.

The author weaves together a pleasing mix of historical fiction, magical realism, mythology, folklore, religious beliefs, covering both Inuit and Norse traditions. The story is a compelling and creative journey of self-discovery and survival. The author provides notes on the historical period, documenting what is fact and what authorial license is taken. Be aware that the story contains gruesome violence, rape, harm to children, and killing and butchering animals. It is a sweeping epic filled with adventures that educates as it entertains.
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Honestly I only got through 40% of this novel. There was a graphic rape scene at the beginning which really turned me off of the book. ( )