Book Review: "Spirit Hunter" by Michelle Paver

SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY

Eostra is the only soul eater left and Torak is determined to face her. But Renn has fears about him going and will do anything to make sure he doesn't face her alone. But both Wolf and Renn face issues that may keep them from Torak.

PACING

The pacing continues to be great. Multiple stories are going on at once, Wolf's, Torak's and Renn's. There is even a small section for Fin-kedinn and there are plenty of mysteries and plot twists that keep you guessing as well as things unrelated (such as Wolf making a mistake on a hunt) that are exciting. Also a ticking time bomb is eventually revealed so Torak knows he has to face Eostra by a certain date.

EOSTRA'S PLANS

Eostra seems to want to get Torak to come alone to the mountain. It's interesting to watch the characters get separated and then brought back together. Wolf suffers a grave loss, which causes him to lose his will to live. Renn causes an incident where she must stay behind. But eventually they all come back together, and then are torn apart again. It's interesting to watch the choices each character makes that lead to these decisions.

THE RETURN OF FA-SPOILERS

In the end of the first chapter, Torak thinks he sees the ghost of his father. He starts to think he is being haunted, because he chose finding Wolf over avenging his father. I thought this would have been a bigger component, but it kind of faded away after Torak thinks he father left behind a piece of fur to send him a message. I think maybe this was supposed to tie into the climax, but I didn't real feel like it did.

A GREAT LOSS

Wolf goes through depression and Torak must rescue him and try to heal him. It was rather overwhelming, but I fully believed he had lost everything. So when it's later revealed not to be completely so I was relieved but surprised. I thought without these things, Wolf would never have a life separated from Torak.

RENN'S ROLE

Renn is important because she reveals the location of Eostra, when she seeks him out a midst a dangerous storm. She also realizes that Eostra want's Torak on Soul's Night and is the one who tries to figure out everything about Eostra, as well as what to expect and when to be confused.

For example, she believes that Torak is to be kept alive until Eostra takes him but then it seems like his life is threatened. These things keep the reader interested by wanting the mystery to be solved. She also learns about the consequences of Torak breaking his oath to Bale and reveals it to him, as well as figuring out Eostra's one flaw.

WOLF'S ROLE

Wolf is important because he saves Torak's life a few times, as well as creating a distraction so Torak can go to the mountain without being chased by certain dangerous creatures. I admit though that I was surprised how things ended, as a part of me expected wolf to have to say goodbye, or at least a change in his and Torak's relationship.

FIN-KEDINN's ROLE

He isn't in the story much but he does play an important role. There are a few scenes where we witness him on a journey but we don't know why. It's not revealed until the climax.

RENN & TORAK

They have the same trust issues they always have. Renn keeps a secret from Torak, about his fate. He reveals he cannot remember his dreams.

TORAK'S FEARS

They are multiple times where Torak thinks he is going to die if he goes to Eostra. He has bouts of panic, which I though was nice. I have read so many stories where the characters don't experience any real fear or doubt. They seem to get over things very fast, like witnessing a death or learning they have to risk their lives.

LAST MINUTE DARK

Torak has finally made it to the mountain, when he is knocked out and wakes up in a cave. Turns out he was rescued and nursed back to health by a boy named Dark. To avoid spoilers, lets just say that he is lonely so he ties up Torak and refuses to let him go.

This speeds up the timetable, as Torak realizes that days have passed and his deadline is near. Torak eventually gets free and Dark plays a crucial role, showing Torak the entrance he would otherwise have to take a long time searching for. And then showing Renn a small, secret entrance that allows her to aid him.

It was interesting to have a character be introduced so late and yet be so crucial to the plot.

CLIMAX

Torak faces Eostra in the mountain caves, where he is exposed to her amazing power. Dark guides Renn inside through a small hole where eventually they find Torak, but are not able to get near him. Eostra is eventually defeated, but not without help from a surprising person.

AFTERMATH-SPOILERS

Torak returns to Raven Clan after being healed on the mountain. Renn fears he will leave because people still treat him with fear. There communication skills still leave something to be desired, which annoyed me because I knew this was the last book.

Renn gets to leave with Torak because her mage duties are now optional. She says Fin-kedinn gave her the option. I think it was a good idea in theory, to give Renn a choice. I just didn't like how it was executed. I wanted Renn to make her own choices without an easy way out, as it would be hard to reject tradition and the role that she essentially had no choice in.

CONCLUSION

Paver creates a well paced finale with plenty of mysteries and plot twists. The scenes where Renn and Torak were being hunted by crazed dogs were some of the best action and suspense scenes I have read. Unfortunately, Renn and Torak have the same issues they have had since book one: trust issues.

And as much as I wanted everyone to live happily ever after it felt like cheating when a character that was introduced so late had such a huge impact on the plot. I give “Ghost Hunter” three and a half stars.

Book Review: "Chronicles of Ancient Darkness" series overview

SUMMARY

Detailed look at the series full of spoilers.

CHARACTER LIKABILITY

Both of the main characters were likable.

Torak started out knowledgeable of how to hunt and live in the forest but ignorant of the ways of the clans and their beliefs. He consistently faces tough situations but is never portrayed as an amazing person. It was always pointed out whenever he felt unsure of what to do and when he felt fear. He felt real.

It would have been easy for him to be swallowed by victimhood. After all, he is always abused by the clans. First with their kidnapping him and trying to kill him, and then with their not treating him like a clan member. Even when Fin-kedinn foster's Torak, the treatment doesn't change much.

Renn wasn't a weak damsel just there to be pretty nor was she portrayed as a perfect girl who could do everything on her own (these two extremes occur quite often). She had strengths and weaknesses and didn't instantly like Torak or Wolf. In fact throughout the series she struggled with the feeling of being an outsider to their special relationship.

Wolf was charming and original. I remember first reading about him and thinking how I had never read anything like it. It stuck with me. I loved listening to how he described fire, lightening and water. And what he considered rude behavior and how to properly greet or comfort someone. It was a truly unique perspective.

CHARACTER GROWTH

This is actually one area where the story suffers.

Torak grows brave and selfless in the first book, but from then on he seems to learn to do this in every book.

Fin-kedinn eventually grows, confiding in Torak and fostering him, but most other characters don't grow.

Bale grows from disliking Torak to respecting and then liking him.

Renn and Torak struggle with the same issues over and over. And after four books, I was annoyed. I understood Renn's frustrations with feeling like an outsider, but she never voiced them, so there wasn't any actual development. I suppose the feeling went away eventually, but there is no development from this occurrence.

And whenever the characters would keep secrets from each other, there would be little discussion as to why this kept happening. And how to make it stop. I went from thinking the characters had communication issues to thinking maybe the author thought these scenes would slow down the book.

Yes, they do end up together and they kiss each other a few times before the end of the series. But it all feels quite rushed and not thought out.

Like, see how much they have been through and that they have no other friends? They love each other, it's obvious. So we don't need to ever talk about it. Ever.

PACING

The pacing is a very strong point of the series. Each story has a distinct set of dangers, even when I knew the new villain in the book would be the next Soul eater. There were always other clans to deal with, those territorial of their land and those who didn't trust strangers. Nature always had to be contended with.

PHILOSOPHY

I feel that the reasons I disliked some aspects of “Oath Breaker” were rather subjective. I felt like the author wasn't equipped to handle deep issues. That's why it came across as rather cartoonish when the two clans were manipulated by Thiazzi and thought everyone but them was doing the religion wrong. I kept trying to see allusions to present day problems or more recent problems but honestly I think I was trying too hard. I just don't believe that much thought was put into it.

Why? Because there didn't seem to be too much thought put into certain aspects of the world, mainly when Fin-Kedinn points out that no one really knows the truth so we all have different ideas. This idea is presented and kind of tossed aside until “Oath Breaker”. But it just never felt consistent, because when it came down to it, everything the clans belief is right, as far as it's presented.

People have three souls. We know because we've seen them.

There are demons. We know because we've seen them.

There are hidden people, we know because we've seen them.

There is a World Spirit, we know because we've seen it.

Even breaking an oath has consequences as well as saying a name of a loved one after death. I kept wanting there to be something the clans were wrong about, something Torak could see because he was an outsider not bogged down by tradition.

I at least wanted the clans to learn from each other, that maybe each one was wrong about something and hard something to learn from a different clan.

THE WORLD

The world is detailed, from the beliefs of the clans to the different ways they hunt and live. I learned so much from each book, not just of how to survive in different situations but also some amazing things about animals. It's hard not to admire the amount of research that had to go along with writing these books. Not to mention the myriad of different problems you could come into while traversing the wilds. And in each book we got to experience a new one.

CONCLUSION

Paver creates not just a detailed world but a fast paced plot that almost never lets up. Each story presents unique challenge and she does a great job of separating characters and bringing them back like puzzle pieces. She consistently wrote four books in a row that I gave four stars which basically never happens. Book series' are notorious for starting good and then slowly going downhill with each book often remaining on the three or three and a half star status. Renn, Torak and Wolf are all likable and my only real grudge is that they never quite develop. I still give the series as a whole four stars.

Book Review: "Oath Breaker" by Michelle Paver

SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY

When a close friend is killed and Torak feels at fault, he vows revenge. But things get more complicated as he tracks the killer. Turns out he has gone into the deep forest, where the rules are different and the clans not so friendly.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Torak is filled with self-loathing and anger at the world around him. He is rather rash and doesn't seem to be learning.

Renn still struggles to communicate with Torak. She still loses her temper and feels disconnected from him.

Fin-kedinn goes on the journey with Renn and Torak, even though Saeunn warns against it.

Thiazzi is discovered to be the villain rather fast. But there are a few twists involving him.

Wolf plays a key role as helps save Torak in one scene with Thiazzi. After the climax a secret is revealed about him that makes a great ending.

PACING

The pacing is as fast as the others. The death happens right away and not long after that the journey stars. Again, the threat is not just Thiazzi, but the clans, and nature. Their are good chapter endings as well as mysteries. Often times a plan is proposed, but the reader has to wait and read to see what the plan is. Paver knows of all the right ways to cause suspense.

BREAKING THE RULES

When Torak's friend dies, he is furious at himself as well as others. He breaks the rules by saying the dead one's name. You are not supposed to for three years after a person's death. I know Torak is supposed to be reckless so he can learn, but a part of me wanted to see him break clan rules.

After all, all clans have different rules. Fin-kedinn pointed out that no one really knows the right way. So perhaps they shouldn't be so stringent.

DEEP FOREST CLANS

The deep forest clans are secretive and separate from other clans. They seem to think they do things better then everyone else. They are rather prideful and arrogant.

I almost got the impression of country bumpkins, who looked upon anyone who thought differently than them as bad people.

CLAN VS CLAN

When it's revealed that the Auroch clan hates the Horse clan, it feels very much like two religions fighting each other, refusing to even be civil. I found it rather odd, since they both had many of the same practices in beliefs. So I suppose it was like two denominations of the same religion, rather then two completely different religions.

Either way, instead of each making valid points, they both came off as idiots and I had a hard time taking them seriously. The idea that they could be deceived was too easy.

Torak gets furious and asks “Have you forgotten how to think?”

At this point I think he should have been talking to a brain washed cult. People who had previously been abused, then searched for something, only to be given false hope and lied to all the while receiving love and protection. But there was no real depth in their depiction.

SAME PROBLEMS

I feel that Renn and Torak still have many of the same issues they have had since the beginning. Torak not trusting her or being too rash. It's obvious the two care about each other, but they almost never communicate. They don't seem to have grown closer since Renn's secret was revealed in the last book. They end up having a huge argument and separating. Although to be fair, Torak realizes his mistake and goes back for her. It's just annoying to see he isn't learning.

Before that Renn points out that she knows Torak will see it's too dangerous, and not her kin, ect. Also, Renn notes Torak has learned skills when he was an outcast. These things make her feel like she doesn't know him well.

I just feel like we have gone through these problems already, and solved them. So why do we have to solve them all over again?

LACK OF COMMUNICATION

Throughout the series, Torak and Renn have suffered when it comes to communicating with each other. They have secrets they keep from each other which when reveals cause arguments and lack of trust. Usually these are because of insecurities.

Their affection is shown through how much they worry about another, and how often they put their lives on the line for each other.

But this is second to the last book. And Torak ends up asking Renn a serious question. And instead of answering and explaining how she feels about him, she simply brushes it off and says “How could you think that?” It was a huge disappointment for me.

And near the ending of the book, Renn shows affection for Torak but says nothing about it. I couldn't help but feel annoyed.

It's not as though I haven't read many good books that were ruined by awful romance scenes. I have. Certain authors just can't handle the topic without inducing cringe or disbelief in their readers. Perhaps Paver tried to write out a scene like that and felt it was too cheesy or too unlike her characters. But I feel part of character development would be Renn and Torak learning to share their feelings better then they do now—which is non-existent.

SAVING A FOAL

There is a scene where Torak sees a foal trapped in the mud and finally decides to go and help it. I was kind of confused, because in a previous book he had seen an animal struggling but hadn't intervened. He said when the “Hidden People” had chosen an animal to kill it was bad luck to do anything. But that was near water, so maybe the “Hidden People” weren't involved with this foal? It just kind of confused me.

WOLF'S REVELATION-SPOILERS

When Torak explains his need for revenge, Wolf is confused. It is not the way of a wolf. The he realizes that his pack-brother is not actually a wolf. I kind of thought he always knew that Torak was different. He knew that he was a spirit walker before he did. Wolves can't do that. And yet he didn't figure it out then.

It just felt odd to me and left me confused. Paver must have felt that Wolf needed a crisis so he could grow closer to Torak, or maybe one day make the choice to leave and live with a pack for good.

CLIMAX-SPOILERS

Torak comes to face Thiazzi and save Renn. He renounces his oath for revenge (hence the title) as he wants to save Renn but ends up having to run from Thiazzi while looking for Renn. Eventually Thiazzi is killed but his fire-opal piece is taken by an owl. So we have the last villain, Eostra, set up.

AFTERMATH

Torak learns more about his birth and his mother. There is a sweet ending with Wolf, Renn and Torak.

CONCLUSION

The pacing is good and we meet new clans and explore new parts of the world. But the idea of religions arguing with each other and people being brainwashed seems an issue that Paver wasn't prepared to tackle. And Renn and Torak seem to be solving the same problems all over again, leaving me with the feeling that they haven't developed. I give “Oath Breaker” three and half stars.

Book Review: "Outcast" by Michelle Paver

SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY

When Torak's secret is revealed suddenly he is deemed an outcast. Now on the run, he desires nothing than to clear his name, but to do so he must face a Soul Eater.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Torak is still treated as an outcast, even bullied by some. He does his best to stay out of trouble but still struggles with trust issues. He learns about mysteries regarding his mother and eventually learns about her and his father.

Renn is mad about Torak's secret but she still wants to help him. She plays an important role as she explains how to remove the Soul eater mark and provides the right tools.

Bale visits the clan after Torak has become an outcast. He goes after Torak with Renn. He becomes a voice of reason and a a defender of Renn after a secret is revealed.

Seshru is the viper mage, introduced in the last book. She seeks to separate Torak from his allies and control him completely.

Aki is a young man from the Raven Clan who despises Torak. When Torak becomes and outcast he desires the most to hunt and kill him.

Wolf is separated from Torak from a time and returns to his wolf pack. But eventually Torak gets to meet them and this may set up a future for Wolf.

Fin-kedinn develops near the climax, finally showing his affection for Torak by putting his life on the line.

PACING

The main threat are people, as anyone who sees him can kill him but Torak has Aki as his specific threat. As well as the soul sickness and getting lost in unfamiliar territory. Not to mention the wolf clan who sees him as a dishonor. Basically threats are from all sides, and the story never slows.

We get Renn's perspective, as well as Wolf's and Torak's, so there are plenty of different stories going on at once to help the pacing stay fast.

SOUL SICKNESS-SPOILERS

A big part of the story has to do with a white stone that Torak painted for Renn. He takes it from her quarters then leaves it in the woods. Someone finds the stone and uses it to make Torak ill (his skin with the soul eater mark is used as well). I found this confusing at first, mainly because Torak should have been informed of the power of this stone. After all, it had existed since the last book. But I suppose he is ignorant of mage craft and would not think to destroy his skin after removing the mark.

RENN THE LONER

When Renn encounters a girl who used to live in her clan called Dyrati, she says some nasty things to Renn. Basically that Renn is bad luck and no one has ever liked her. Renn tries not to let it get to her but she realizes she has never had any friends.

This kind of surprised me. I just hadn't seen her among her clan because most of the books involved her and Torak running off somewhere else. I assumed she had acquaintances who were kind to her, and maybe just a few friends.

AKI & TORAK

There is a scene where Aki finds and confronts Torak. Seeing how barely gets away with his life, I wasn't surprised he didn't stop and check if Aki was alive. But Renn and Bale seemed horrified that he left Aki for dead. I just felt this was completely unreasonable. If it turned out Aki wasn't dead, he could have killed Torak.

These use this discovery to say that Torak isn't the same person he used to be. Of course not, he is an Outcast, all thanks to the clan. Why should he be concerned for his murderers?

OUT OF CONTROL-SPOILERS

Torak dreams of attacking Renn while spirit walking, only to wake up, knowing it really happened. This is the beginning of tearing him away from her. He is horrified and doesn't understand why this is happening. I found it interesting that Renn knew it was him, although she doesn't explain how.

THE WOLF CLAN

Fin-kedinn previously revealed there is a wolf clan but they are secretive. They show up in this story but only end up revealing a horrific truth to Torak about himself.

BALE & RENN

When Torak goes to check on Renn after he accidentally attacked her, he sees Bale there. There is a short scene where Bale defends Renn from an annoyance. And then later Torak thinks she doesn't need him because Bale is there. This didn't add up to me. Renn barely knew Bale, it was Torak who was friends with him. It really felt like jumping to conclusions that even youth and naivete couldn't be an excuse for.

SPLITTING UP THE TEAM

The main theme of the story is how Torak is separated, from Renn, Wolf and Fin-kedinn. He rejects Renn (thinking she doesn't need him) and doesn't want to trust Bale. The sickness ruins his relationship with wolf and destroys his memory.

RENN'S MAGECRAFT-SPOILERS

For the first time, Renn does real magecraft. This is a big deal because through the last three books she has shown her disdain for becoming a mage. Also, she doesn't just attempt it, she succeeds, managing to heal Torak from far away, inadvertently reuniting him with Wolf.

Also, all throughout the story she has seen signs, and she doesn't understand them. When she finally does she saves many lives by foreseeing a natural disaster.

FORESHADOWING

Renn tells Torak that it's hard to keep a secret. Also, when a truth is revealed about Torak, Renn asks Saeunn how she kept it. And Saeunn reminds her that she keeps a secret too. These are both hints about what is revealed near the climax.

THE GOAL OF SESHRU

Seshru the viper mage is the villain of this book. The goal of utopia may have gone by the wayside but her desire for power hasn't. Although she isn't revealed until much later in the book she is eerily beautiful and calmly rational in her explanations. We learn more about her and her insanity becomes apparent.

CLIMAX-SPOILERS

After a secret has been revealed, the group is scattered again. Only when Bale reasons with Torak do they reunite and work a plan. Torak and company head back to the Raven clan where Seshru confronts them. Working together, they kill her and destroy the piece of fire-opal.

CONCLUSION

Paver creates a theme of unity, of how to break it, and how to forgive. The story is as fast paced as usual and Renn reveals she has a secret as big as Torak ever had. Torak is also presented with new discoveries about himself and his mother. My criticisms are few and mostly minor.

Mainly Torak seeming dumb about thinking Renn doesn't need him (simply because he saw Bale with her once) and Renn revealing the fact that she has no friends other than Torak. It hadn't been hinted at previously, but perhaps there simply hadn't been a chance. I give “Outcast” four stars.

Book Review: "Soul Eater" by Michelle Paver

SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY

When Wolf is taken by a group of strangers, it's up to Renn and Torak to track and rescue him. But this leads them to the far North, a land of frost and snow. A place they don't know how to survive in. And when they learn the truth about Wolf's kidnappers, Torak's recklessness could get them killed.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Torak is determined to save wolf and rushes off without telling anyone. He is still used to only relying on himself and trusting no one.

Renn does her best to support Torak even when she disagrees with him. She also searches for him to warn him of danger. And she later plays an even more important role.

Wolf spends the majority of the story separate from Torak and Renn. Through him we learn a little bit about his captors. Also he eventually helps Torak escape from danger, and Torak later has to rely on Wolf completely when he becomes disabled.

PACING

The pacing is just as good as it's been previously. Good chapter endings and going back and forth between Torak and Wolf's perspectives. Once even Renn. Also threats come from not just Wolf's kidnappers, but from another clan as well as animals and the weather. Not to mention Torak's first try at Spirit walking since he learned what he could do.

TORAK & RENN

They have many of the same issues regarding trust. Torak keeps the information of the kidnappers from Renn because he admits he thought she wouldn't help him. But it turns out that she already knew and was waiting to tell him. So both feared the others reaction. But Renn does take offense, saying she would have come even if she learned the truth from Torak.

And when a prophecy is revealed, Renn admits she dreamed it too. Torak is mad that once again she didn't trust him (although he is guilty of the same thing).

RENN'S ROLE

Renn does play an important role. She convinces Torak to trust the White Fox clan and they help them find where Wolf is being kept. She also faces her claustrophobia multiple times to rescue Torak when she discovers a secret. For someone who suffers from claustrophobia, I could empathize with her extreme anxiety.

FORESHADOWING-SPOILERS

When a man from the White Fox clan rescues them and takes them to his clan village it turns out he was sent to prevent them from doing a great evil. Turns out their mage dreamed of him attacking a hunter (which is forbidden, you can only attack prey). A wolf, with an axe. It's an interesting use of foreshadowing to see how this will come to pass.

Also, Torak learns his father saved the life of one of the Soul eaters.

TORAK'S DECEPTION

Torak ends up pretending to be someone else in his search for Wolf. In doing so, he learns more about his enemies but ends up putting his life on the line. Eventually things come to a head and all hell breaks loose (quite literally, actually).

RENN'S SECRET-SPOILERS

After Renn and Torak are on the run, she reveals that she stole an item of great value. Torak is furious she didn't tell him. They do argue a lot, until they realize that this item is manipulating them. Regardless, it reveals a pattern of both characters doing things without telling the other, sometimes keeping secrets for a long time.

SOUL EATERS PLANS-SPOILERS

It is revealed for the first time that the clans don't all do things the same. Because of this, the Soul Eaters believe the Wold Spirit is mad. That's why bad things happen. If they gain power, they can convince everyone to do things the same, the right way. Then the world will be peaceful and safe. I thought the motivation was plausible but none of the mages seemed to be doing this out of the kindness of their hearts.

RENN'S SACRIFICE-SPOILERS

Renn is separated from Torak, but realizes she alone has the power to end a horrible evil. But to do so she must sacrifice herself. She struggles with this but seems determined to do so. It's hard not to admire her, especially when it's clear she is afraid.

CLIMAX

Torak tries to stop Renn who wonders if he has a plan. There is great tension between these two and I was shouting along with Torak. Torak eventually uses his skill to defend himself. A debt is repaid, an evil sealed away and a life taken.

AFTERMATH

Torak acts slightly strange towards Renn. Fin-kedinn shows up and explains that the Soul eaters are right about one thing, the clans do have differences. But no one speaks for the World Spirit. He also reveals a truth about what the Soul Eaters power. There are hints about something that is troubling Torak and eventually the reader learns a huge secret he has. No doubt this will come out.

CONCLUSION

Paver creates a worthy story in her series. It's just as fast paced as the previous two with danger coming from all sides. Renn and Torak still struggle to trust each other but risk their own lives for one another. And we learn more about the world that Torak lives in, as well as the possible dangers. Crucial information is revealed in the end, setting up Torak's future path. I give “Soul Eater” four stars.

Book Review: "Spirit Walker" by Michelle Paver

SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY

When a sickness comes upon the forest Torak goes off to find a cure. Eventually he is sent to the Sea, but a run in with some seal Clan members goes bad and suddenly he is kidnapped by them. All the while Renn and Wolf try to track him.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Torak still feels like an outsider in the Raven Clan. He is used to being on his own and doesn't confide in Renn before leaving.

Renn is mad that Torak left her. She clearly wants him to know that he can rely on her and worries for him.

Wolf returns, having being separated from Torak at the end of the last book. He has been with a wolf pack on the mountain. But he finds Torak is gone, so instead seeks out Renn so there is a different aspect to their relationship.

Bale is a member of the Seal clan, one of the few who take him to the Seal Island. He is only a year older than Torak and the one who he works the hardest to win over. He doesn't trust Torak at first but slowly learns to respect him.

Mage Tenris is the mage of the seal clan. Part of his body is scarred from fire. He quickly becomes a mentor figure to Torak, who finds him much more open than Fin-kedinn ever was.

PACING

The pacing is just as good as the first book. There is trouble from all sides, as Torak realizes someone is hunting him as well as the Seal Clan being an issue. Then there is the search for the cure where Torak has to fight off some animals. And of course there is the mystery villain.

RELATIONSHIPS

There is some conflict with Torak's relationship with Wolf as well as with Renn. Wolf gets so mad at being ignored by Torak that he runs off and leaves him. It is because Torak refused to listen to his warnings.

The same thing happens with Renn, as he argues with her about her suspicions. She doesn't trust the Seal clan and he does. Although Renn doesn't leave, he still ends up ignoring her warnings.

And before that, Renn is mad that he left her behind in the first place. He explains that it's dangerous but she points out it's dangerous everywhere with this new sickness.

BAD LIAR?-SPOILERS

There is one scene where you might nitpick that Torak comes off as dumb. Renn knows the identity of the villain. But Torak refuses to believe her. All because she supposedly has the sickness (she does have one scab on her). To be fair, Torak wants a place to belong (as he doesn't feel he belongs in the Raven Clan). And after all, his father was Seal clan. They are his kin.

TWO STORIES

Since Ren and Torak spend most of the time apart, there are two stories being told. Paver puts these together well as Renn discovers a mystery that ends up being important. I liked this, because Renn didn't get even half the amount of time that Torak got. It weaves well into Torak's story when they realize that a whale seems to hunting someone in particular.

Also, we got to see scenes with her and Wolf, alone. She still feels awkward but tries to communicate like she sees Torak do. It was sweet to see. She has to learn to trust him when he heads in the opposite way that she thought she was supposed to go.

Although it's noted that she still feels like an intruder when Torak and Wolf are back together.

THE LISTENER

In the first book, The Raven Clan mentions a prophecy about Torak being the listener. But Torak doesn't understand the full implications. He has various out of body experiences in this book. He eventually confides in someone who tells him about what he is.

FORESHADOWING

There is a hint that Wolf knows something about Torak that he does not. It is sweetly revealed to Torak in the ending.

TOKOROTH

Torak knows he is being watched, as he hears laughter and a tree is cut down, almost crushing his lean-to. The deep forest clan say “Tokoroth” before leaving him. Eventually Renn shows up and explains what it is. Turns out it was once a person but is now a demon and it only obeys it's creator.

CLIMAX

Torak helps retrieve a root called Silkis that is stuck on a very high and dangerous cliff. Surrounded by eagles protecting their nest as well. After all of this he ends up having to face a surprise villain while Wolf, Renn and Bale watch from afar.

AFTERWARDS

Fin-kedinn finally tells Torak about his Fa and the history of the Soul Eaters setting up the next books.

CONCLUSION

Paver creates another fast paced story where Torak, Renn and Wolf all learn new things about each other, making mistakes along the way. We finally learn the history of the Soul Eaters while also learning about Torak's need for a mentor, a home and a male friend. I give “Spirit Walker” four stars.

Book Review: "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver

SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY

In prehistoric Europe, twelve year old Torak lives apart from the clans with his Father. But his peaceful existence is suddenly destroyed and Torak is on left on his own until meets an orphan wolf cub and discovers he can communicate with him in a strange way. Then he learns startling new information about himself from the local Raven Clan that sets him on a dangerous journey.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Torak is rather naive about the clans but he is a well trained hunter and knows how to live off of the forest. He never knew his mother but was close to his father. He is treated like an outsider.

Renn is a red haired girl of the Raven clan. She values her bow above all and is rather guarded. It's revealed that she too is an orphan and that the Raven Mage wants her to be a mage. But for some reason, she doesn't want to be one.

Wolf is a young cub who bonds with Torak. He is fun loving and loyal to his pack-brother. He is unaware that Torak is not a wolf but he does note that his pack brother has no tail.

Fin-Keddinn is the leader of the raven clan. He seems to know more than he reveals.

Saeun is the mage of the raven clan. She is old and sharp but not very kind.

Hord is Renn's older brother. He strongly dislikes Torak for unknown reasons.

PACING

The pacing is really good. No pages are wasted. All slower parts are crucial as Torak is rather ignorant of the clans. And when there isn't the threat of being chased by the bear, or a clan, it's nature itself that is the threat.

There are also many good chapters endings that push the story. As well as chapters that switch from Torak's perspective to Wolf's perspective.

TORAK'S WORLD

Paver explains the world that Torak lives in, from the beliefs, how they hunt, to how they live, ect. She does this in extreme detail but she never steps out of the story to do so.

She explains how a temporary shelter is made because Torak has to make one to survive. She explains the about the belief of people have three souls because Torak is watching someone die. Everything applies to the story. So the reader is learning but still pushing the story along.

WOLF'S VIEW

The story sometimes shifts to Wolf's view. This is one of the most memorable parts of the book. Wolf is charming and has his own unique way of seeing things, and his own unique names for things. He calls Torak “Tall Tailless”. Rushing water is called “fast wet”, ect. It was interesting to see his perspective and try to understand it.

Also you get to learn about the behavior of wolves. What they consider rude, polite, happy, sad, and their body language. You can tell a lot of research was done (just as much as in prehistoric Europe.) Anyone who loves animals will instantly fall in love with Wolf.

THE ROLE OF RENN

Renn plays a crucial role to the plot when she reveals a rhyme about the Nanuak, which are three items that Torak needs to find. Once he has them he can go the mountain, offer them to the world Spirit, and hopefully it will deal with the demon possessed bear.

She also ends up putting her life on the line multiple times for him.

THE WANDERER

Renn and Torak come across a crazy man, who doesn't seem to bathe or take care of himself. He just babbles and threatens them. But eventually he offers a clue that in the end helps them.

RENN & TORAK

It doesn't take long for Torak to grow to respect Renn as she puts her life on the line multiple times. There is a scene after they have been reunited where he realizes she must have gone back through the dangerous river twice. He points it out, awed by her. But she just pushes his compliment aside.

Not that their relationship is always easy. Later when Wolf takes the Nanuak and runs away, Torak lashes out at her. Only realizing his mistake soon after. And Renn admits to herself that when Wolf is around, she sometimes feels cut off from Torak and the strange way he communicates with him. But she also learns to respect Wolf as he saves them, multiple times. First from falling ice, and later from the bear.

NOT A VICTIM

It would be easy for Paver to paint Torak as a victim. After all, he grew up away from everyone. He never had any friends. He never knew his mother. The Raven Clan threatens his life. He gets shoved in a position he didn't ask for. And Torak does feel as though this is unjust, he feels fear. But this never overshadows his courage and desire to prove himself. He never comes across as whiny and annoying.

BEFORE THE CLIMAX-SPOILERS

Fin-keddin and other of the Raven clan eventually catch up to him.

Torak has to tell them that when it comes down to it, if he has to sacrifice himself, he will. It's a big step for him, because he hasn't put tons of thought into it before. He was too busy trying to survive, get the Nanuak, and get to the mountain.

Renn does one even better, she stands up for Torak and Wolf when she points out that Holt doesn't know the way. Not even Torak does. So Torak summons Wolf.

Renn's opinion of Torak has completely changed. She stands up against her own brother to side with Torak, who she truly believes in. Also crucial information is revealed about Torak's future.

CLIMAX

Eventually, they reach the mountain and Torak goes on to give the Nanuak to the world Spirit. However a surprising person shows up, trying to stop him. And suddenly Torak has the bear and this person to deal with.

CONCLUSION

Paver creates a fast paced story where threats come from all side. As well as likable characters full of flaws and secrets. She also gives the reader a detailed world, all without ever taking them out of the story. And relationships aren't neglected, as Renn, Torak, and Wolf all have to learn to understand each other. I give “Wolf Brother” four stars.