Author tries to write a smart MC but fails.

Social engineering requires a lot of preparation, not just being a smooth talker and being able to think on your feet. From pretext, dress (and other props), language (the words you use, the way you use them, even your pronounciation), all the way down to posture, it all has to be carefully rehearsed beforehand. The MC being able to trick not only the bard but the bandits and multiple groups of knights as well? And without any preparation beforehand? How is that... more>> even possible.

The MC has lived his entire life on a farm in a remote village. He has had no contact with bandits or knights, so how can he know how they talk? How can he pretend to be a bandit or knight when he hasn't even seen one before? Furthermore, since he has never been to the region before, how can he know how the locals speak, their accents, lingo, and unspoken rules? Has the author ever heard of the concept of a shibboleth?

The MC hasn't had the training needed to have a knight's posture, he cannot even imitate the way they walk. This was seen through by Falcon straight away, so how could he pretend to be the captain of the wolves? Yeah, apparently everyone believes him just because he carries a sword, even though he obviously doesn't know how to use it. It's like a kid with a sword saying that he's a sword master even though he can't even hold the sword properly, and everyone believing him. Makes the same amount of sense.

What annoys me is not the MCs ability to adapt on the spot, but the fact that he would have to know tons of (non verbal) things that he has no chance of knowing in order to fool that many people. And on the occasions where he was seen through (by the bard and then by the bandits) he was saved by deus ex machina. I've lost count of how many times he runs into enemies, says some nonsense which are then seen through, then right as he's about to be killed some new guy pops up and now he has to lie again.

It's like a Mickey Mouse cartoon. You can't take it seriously. <<less

This main character really likes to be busy. Their are only three chapters but it feels like I read more than ten chapters already.

Whenever the MC takes one step away from trouble, his next step leads him to another set of situation where he could die. Like really, his very next step. This author is not letting the MC breath. Poor Cassel.

Read it if you want a story where the MC can turn a situation around without drawing a sword. Just being a smooth talker and a good actor.

Note: The current (completed) translations at c154 condense the novel (하얀 늑대들) into longer chapters, so the chapter number on NU doesn't reflect the translations. Side stories aren't translated.

The beginning does read like comedy in terms of absurdity which ends up largely resolved later. For instance, how can he know what a bandit looks like, and why can he act the part of a captain? Maybe because he's addicted to stories about adventurers, knights, and dragons? His father surely isn't a simple farmer and didn't raise him like one either,... more>> though any more would be a spoiler. That said, the first ~20 chapters where he's forced to lie his way out of dying aren't a great measure of what this novel is actually about.

Actually, compared to a lot of novels here on NU, it seems to unravel finely-crafted mysteries over the course of arcs which are maybe ~40 chapters long. One long mystery over 40 long chapters - it's to the point where I'm surprised that mystery isn't in the tags. The general concept seems to involve an outbreak of some undead/monster menace, a ragtag group of talented knights moving to assist, the appearance of a mysterious puppeteer inciting war and pulling the strings behind the curtain, and the knights' captain (MC) leaping into the center of all conflict - a farmer who struggles to accept that he actually has what it takes to lead everyone, but nevertheless makes all the right decisions when push comes to shove.

It's not the best juxtaposition, but in many ways it's a nice parallel to Re:Zero. The MC is just as powerless as Subaru from Re:Zero, and he doesn't recognize his inner qualities and undervalues himself. However, Subaru is... mostly a loser who makes mistake after mistake until righting all his wrongs in one go at the end of the arc using time travel as a crutch. (This is not a diss to Re:Zero, I like that series.) Conversely, this MC has a much higher bottom line where he sometimes wanders and loses confidence in himself, but never makes those kinds of egregious mistakes, which is why he's acknowledged properly by the people around him (and not having anything as convenient as time travel probably helps).

So it's kind of like comparing a rollercoaster with a general upward trajectory which eventually becomes exponential (Re:Zero) to a carriage rolling up a slope on very rough terrain (White Wolves). White Wolves is slower to get into the action and is written more like a traditional novel, but is probably more satisfying for that.

If you want to compare it to traditional western fantasy, it's a decent work but generally speaking, most people seem to agree that it isn't exactly a masterpiece. For example, if you consider Kassel the MC, it so happens that his role becomes reduced during the later half of the novel, where he only really needs to be in the right place at the right time while fighting his personal demons. If you compare him to Frodo in The Lord of the Rings, Kassel's actions don't quite match up to his despite the weight of his duty being the same. He has similar achievements, but there are also many fateful or coincidental elements, and he has so many talented helpers that he isn't really comparable to Frodo.

There's also a strong fatalistic element, like a prophecy which is pretty characteristic of high fantasy, in the sense that each person has a 'gider', a path one must follow in life and a fate which can be surpassed by one's will. However, it's expressed too vaguely for how important the concept should be, and really appears in the later half of the story.

For that matter, I'm not sure if there are differences between how it's explained in the original and the republished versions. However, the reveal of the motivations for the overarching conflict is done practically at the end of the novel and with honestly little foreshadowing, which ruins the mystery a bit. But all in all, I do think this is a lot better than its current rating (4.1) on NU. <<less

To be honest, I have to say that I really love this novel. I don't find any issues in the pacing like the first or consider this a wacky Looney Tunes cartoons like second. In fact I find the pacing and reasoning of the novel to be quite solid. As most of it is explained in novel and with the pacing cutting away from anything sidelining the plot.

But, I wouldn't really just give it five stars for just that since well that's only two parts of what makes a story... more>> great and I'd be a fool to say otherwise. But, the other part done well is character motivation.... no character choice in the story. This story doesn't force our young lad on a adventure through the same old knights burning down his village or forceful enlistment. No, the man throws himself up onto the dining table despite the warnings of his village.

And, you find in this novel while he doesn't make all the calls. He often makes the important ones. With each event developing his insight and resourcefulness towards what he probably going to end up as what the title states a white wolf.

But, if you read this review far you probably read the second review too. And, I admit there are some spots that could use more polishing such as mention of the bard's removal in the second review. As this time it wasn't because of the character actions or choices but because of fate it happened. Of course I know the reason for it. You gotta move the plot somewhere and ending it all in a return back to town doesn't exactly sound appealing.

But, I feel the character growth and development of Cassel more then makes up for it. So many times I read the chapter to find myself smiling on how far he gotten or find myself wondering why I care for these group of characters.

And, I do hope you try this novel for yourself. Even though it's probably dropped, I'm still going to recommend it since it's a wonderful tale one must share with others. And, if those translating it read this, just know that I give my heartfelt thanks to you guys for bringing this novel into my life. It's been one of my long time favorites for a while and I do hope you plan on continuing it. As a story I can come back home to read again is quite a rarity in my life. <<less

Positive side is great translation, and lots of word count. Positive or negative to some but also slow pacing.

To me the start didn't have me hooked, and the pacing was too slow after so I dropped.

Never really been a fan of the pre modern Era fantasy novels when they don't have unique elements such as magic. It's kinda similar to romance, isekai, and murim novels where u need to be a fan of the niche.