The Red Wolf Conspiracy

 The Red Wolf Conspiracy is the debut novel of Robert Redick, and it is shockingly good.

 The story centers on two characters and the voyage of a mighty ship.

  The first character is Pavel a young lad who lost his family and his homeland, he now works as a cabin boy on board whatever ship he gets tossed on, and as the story begins he finds himself aboard the largest ship upon the seas, the Chathrand. Pavel does have one magical ability, he can instantly learn any language after only hearing it once.

 The other lead is Thasha, daughter to the general that destroyed Pavel's homeland, she boards the Chathrand with her father-- whose duty it is to see that Chathrand succeed in its mission; sail to the land of their enemy and seal a treaty of peace

 Redick populates the world with countless creative and fantastical creatures, pint sized humanoids, a talking mink, an abused rat.  The world building and writing are quite spectacular.  This is in no way typical fantasy.

 This is yet again the first of a series, but it seems safe to assume Redick knows what he's doing so I expect great results from the forthcoming sequels.

 A great novel.

9.2/10