Chronicles of Ancient Darkness #1: Wolf Brother - Softcover

Paver, Michelle

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0060728272 ISBN 13: 9780060728274

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books, 2006

Synopsis

"Fantasy adventure on a grand scale, with a wealth of wilderness lore and convincing characterizations." --Booklist

Fans of Fablehaven and City of Ember will devour Michelle Paver's bestselling fantasy series about one boy's epic fight against evil and the wolf who guides him.

Six thousand years ago. Powerful mages stalk the land, threatening to destroy all the forest clans. According to legend, only twelve-year-old Torak and his wolf-cub companion can defeat them. Their journey together takes them through perilous terrain and into dangers they never imagined. Torak and Wolf are terrified of their mission. But if they do not battle to save their world, who will?

"Torak's coming-of-age tale will keep the pages turning." --Publishers Weekly

About this title

Review:

From extensive research about how the people of Northern Europe may have lived more than six thousand years ago, Michelle Paver has fashioned a remarkable debut novel for children. Wolf Brother, the first instalment of her six-book Chronicles of Ancient Darkness sequence, takes its readers back in time to an atmospheric world of snow, hunter-gatherers, tribes, clans, mountains, forests, bears and unearthly superstitions. For humans then, life was hard and Paver’s narrative taps wonderfully into all the sensations they must have experienced living amidst such an unforgiving landscape.

The book begins dramatically with the death of Torak’s father, the mage, Fa, from mortal wounds inflicted by a giant, possessed bear. Fa’s dying words bind Torak to a quest to find the mythical Mountain of the World Spirit. Only there will Torak find the strength needed to defeat the demonic creature and killer of men.

Having lived apart from other Clans, and burdened by such an impossible task, Torak is bereft by the death of his only companion in life and struggles to survive in the harsh conditions he now finds himself in. Then, instead of killing an orphaned wolf cub for food, Torak spares the tiny animal and together they travel north.

Torak gains a further companion for his arduous journey in the form of Renn, a headstrong and feisty girl of his own age whose Clan Torak inadvertently has an altercation with. Renn believes Torak to be The Listener--a prophesised being who will save the world--and together they escape from danger... into a different sort of peril.

Paver’s novel is strong on detail and the authenticity of her settings is breathtaking. She cleverly weaves a fantastical, but believable, layer onto her narrative that enriches her story and makes it all the more readable. (Age 10 and over) --John McLay

Review:

"Torak's coming-of-age tale will keep the pages turning."--Publishers Weekly

"Paver's depth of research...makes this impressive British import...intriguing and believable."--School Library Journal

"The stark, primitive setting provides an innovative contrast to most fantasies...This fast-moving story with engaging characters will appeal."--Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

"The story...glides on lines of smooth prose"--Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

About this edition

• Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0060728272
• ISBN 13: 9780060728274
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 320
• Illustrator: Taylor Geoff