Blog tour: Viper's Daughter by Michelle Paver

I'm extremely excited to be taking part in the blog tour for Michelle Paver's new book, 'Viper's Daughter'. I was gifted a proof of the book in exchange for an honest review.

A boy. A wolf. The legend lives on.

Viper’s Daughter is the seventh book in the award-winning series that began with Wolf Brother, selling over 3 million copies in 36 territories. Like them it can be read as a standalone story.

For two summers Torak and Renn have been living in the Forest with their faithful pack-brother, Wolf. But their happiness is shattered when Renn realizes Torak is in danger and she’s the threat.

When she mysteriously disappears, Torak and Wolf brave the Far North to find her. At the mercy of the Sea Mother and haunted by ravenous ice bears, their quest leads them to the Edge of the World. There they must face an enemy more evil than any they’ve encountered.

Viper’s Daughter plunges you back into the Stone-Age world of Torak, Renn and Wolf: a world of demons, Hidden People and exhilarating adventure which has entranced millions of readers.

'Viper's Daughter' returned me to Michelle Paver's richly imagined Stone Age world. It was a treat and a privilege to see Torak, Renn and Wolf once again and to follow in their footsteps as they embark on a dangerous journey to the Edge of the World.

I grew up reading Paver's Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series and although I always wondered what might have happened to the characters next, I honestly didn't think that after such a long time, we would be gifted with another book in the series. I was overjoyed to find out that there was going to be a new addition and I was dying to get my hands on it as soon as I heard the news. 'Viper's Daughter' was most definitely everything that I was hoping for. It can be read as a continuation of the series or as a standalone story, which means that those who have yet to discover these wonderful books, can enjoy it too.

What I particularly liked about the book was the depth of detail that is incorporated about the Stone Age world and the lush, imaginative descriptions of the people and the landscape. As a reader, it really helped to draw me in and immerse me in the story. Michelle Paver has quite clearly done an enormous amount of research and it adds a layer of authenticity that makes you want to discover more about this particular way of life and how people survived while living among the elements.

Torak and Renn are brilliant characters and the story follows them as they traverse the many dangers they encounter on a long and perilous journey. Although I enjoyed their scenes together, as ever, my favourite relationship in the book is between Torak and his faithful companion Wolf. I love the parts of the story where we see things from Wolf's perspective and I love his loyalty to Torak. Even when he is faced with having to leave his pack behind, he never questions the need to be by Torak's side, no matter what they might have to face. I think Michelle has captured Wolf so perfectly that he's definitely a larger than life character in the book and symbolizes the bond between nature and man.

'Viper's Daughter' was utterly gripping and I was entranced from beginning to end. There were plenty of twists and turns to the story and I found at the end of each chapter that I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next. It's a fairly quick read and should appeal not only to middle-grade readers but also though like me, who have grown up with the series. I hope that the book will introduce a whole new audience of readers to the original Chronicles of Ancient Darkness which deserves all the acclaim it gets. What an absolute treat this was! Even more excitingly, book 8, 'Skintaker' will be published next year, so there are more adventures still to come.

Viper's Daughter by Michelle Paver is out now, published by Zephyr, an imprint of Head of Zeus, priced £12.99 in hardback.