... a powerful and inventive novel ... seamlessly mixes realistic characters with the spiritual and supernatural. As much a literary thriller as a testament to Indigenous female empowerment and strength, Empire of Wild will excite readers with its rapid plot and move them with its dedication to the truths of the Métis community.
Francophone readers may note the similarity between the rogarou and the loup-garou, but Dimaline’s narrative treads far from werewolf clichés ... old tropes take on a philosophical dimension ... in maintaining its focus primarily on Joan’s very grounded love for her husband and family, Dimaline’s novel is able to take the plot to some unexpectedly phantasmagorical places without losing sight of its emotional core ... Dimaline here turns an old story into something newly haunting and resonant.
And Dimaline writes out their love story in thick, physical prose, with a smothering closeness that is so warm, charged and profoundly personal that it is almost claustrophobic ... Down in its bones, Empire Of Wild is a monster story. Mythic but not epic, swimming in Indigenous medicine, not magic ... It is tight, stark, visceral, beautiful — rich where richness is warranted, but spare where want and sorrow have sharpened every word ... Dimaline has crafted something both current and timeless, mythic but personal.
The setting of the novel is richly written, populated by the Canadian Métis community and their legends of the Rogarou, a werewolf-like creature that haunts the woods and preys on the misbehaved. Dimaline’s writing is sharp and quick, and as the novel develops, teeth and bone and horror begin to lurk at the edges of the story, and while some plot twists are jarring, the book moves rapidly towards its finish. Dimaline’s weaponization of her female protagonists’ sexuality can be excessive, and the two female main characters, Joan and romantic rival Cecile, are often preoccupied with their jealousy and blind dislike of each other. That said, Joan’s stubborn determination, and her nephew Zeus’s loyalty, bring a strong emotional core to the book, which is supported by their loyal but volatile family.
... recalls Neil Gaiman’s American Gods in its grittiness and humor as well as its depiction of gods and legendary creatures interfering in the lives of contemporary humans. Despite Joan’s tendency to smoke and drink too much and make foolish choices, her dogged determination to reclaim Victor and her belief in their love make her someone to root for.
... inventive, passionate ... Dimaline wrenchingly describes Joan’s rabid determination, and conveys the passion of their early relationship ... The novel is at times sad, at times humorous, and at times terrifying. Smartly written with believable characters, a tight plot, and breathtaking sentences, this is a must-read literary thriller.
