Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4914 in Books
• Published on: 2005-05-27
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

Amazon.co.uk 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

Catherine O'Brien, The Times, 30/6/05
...is a remarkable novel, but in many ways the story behind it is even more phantasmagoric.

Review
...is a remarkable novel, but in many ways the story behind it is even more phantasmagoric. (Catherine O'Brien The Times, 30/6/05 )

'...captivated the publishing world...' (Catherine O'Brien THE TIMES (T2) )

'...the best children's novel to be published in 2004...' (Amanda Craig SATURDAY TIMES 10.09.05 )

'Well researched and beautifully written... a winner with boys and girls alike' (Wendy Cooling CHILD EDUCATION MAGAZINE )

'a gripping tale that rings true to our understanding of that distant time.' (Julian Richards BBC HISTORY MAGAZINE )

Best reads of the year: 'the strength of Michelle Paver's novel was not just in the story and the characters, but in the detailed setting... offers much promise' (John Millen SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST - YOUNG POST )

'A fantastic tale of adventure and superstition... The parallel lives of Torak and Wolf are beautifully portrayed and intertwine woderfully with a gripping plot that produces a real page-turner of a read!' (Hannah Leach (Year 9) BOOKS FOR KEEPS )

Customer Reviews

If you have an imagination, this is a must read!
I saw this book in my library and i thought it cant harm to give it a go!!
I did, i couldnt put the book down, it was brilliant, some bits confused me a bit but i carried on reading it, i loved it!!!!

The rest of the series is just as good, if not better, im awaiting the new book now, i can not wait, they may be a childrens book, but they are a very good read, i would definantly recomend this book!!!!

A Great Book!
(I'm using my Mum's account!)
WOAH! I love this series. My Mum originally bought this book because its sort-of young adult but I nicked it to read. I've been hooked on Michelle Paver's series ever since!

It's really gripping and I kept staying up mega late to read it.

Get this book.. (it's good!!)

best book in the world
I'm nine years old and I think it's the best book ever. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.