If you don’t yet know about this series, by Michelle Paver, it could be a good one for you to get for those keen readers (Senior Primary and up) who ask you “Have you got any other good books?” They’re the boys and girls who love fast-paced adventures, whether secret agents or fantasy stories, and have already devoured all your hot series books like Anthony Horowitz’s Alex Rider series; Robert Muchamore’s Cherub series; Garth Nix’s Key’s to the Kingdom series; John Flanagan’s Ranger’s Apprentice series, and… (let us know your favourite series books in the comments).
Chronicles of Ancient Darkness is a bit like a G-Rated Clan of the Cave Bear meets Hatchet. Throw in a strong fantasy genre plot of “young heros save the world from the forces of evil”, combined with a coming-of-age novel, and a touch of animal story… Put these all together and you have, of course, something quite original and unique.
Wolf Brother, the first book in the series, opens 6,000 years ago, when 12 year-old Torak and his father face a terrifying bear attack. Before he dies of his wounds, Torak’s father explains that a demon has taken over the bear. He makes Torak swear to find the Mountain of the World Spirit, and defeat the bear. Torak’s father also hints that Torak has special abilities. Not long into the book Torak learns one of these. He meets an orphaned wolf cub, with whom he finds he can communicate. Together they set out to defeat the bear. Torak also soon gets to know Renn, a girl of about Torak’s age. Renn is an excellent archer, with a knowledge of herbs and the ways of magic. She will be his partner in terrifying adventures throughout the series.
Author Michelle Paver has “lifelong passions for animals, anthropology, and the distant past.” (from bookjacket). She has done indepth research to imagine how it might have been back in the Stone Age, in a hunter-gatherer clan, looking at their weapons, shelters, food, medicine, clothing, herbs, etc. Paver also looked at modern hunter-gatherer societies, to develop her ideas of their beliefs and spiritual world.
Wolf Brother is followed by Spirit Walker and Soul Eater. Outcast, the fourth book in the six part series, was published late last year. Altogether, a very satisfying series, with a lot of depth, good character-building, and an often nail-biting action-oriented plot. Great for good readers from age 9 up to junior secondary.
Monday, 28 January 2008
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5 comments:
This is a most Excellent Book,I made a
promise to myself, not to miss a single book in this new series,its that good.
I want anyone who loves Earths Children to Read a copy of Wolf Brother and save your self a trip and just get the next two books in the series because they are
great Cliff Hangers!
I really am just busting waiting for the next one.
captaincaveman1
This is a great series to recommend to secondary students who like pre-historical fiction with fantasy. I loved the way the woolf spoke and the names he called things like his clan brother (Torak - the main character in the story) was Tall Tailless and fire is called The Bright Beast-that-Bites-Hot. We are waiting for book five.
I have found this series to be a great one to recomend to students. I began by reading them myself and was hooked. I love the way the woolf talks - he calls the main character (Torak) who is also his clan brother Tall Tailless and fire is the Bright Beast-that-Bites-Hot. It's a huge hit and we are waiting for number five in the series right now at our school.
this book soundes relly cool im going to get this book as soon as possible!!
it was great
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