Blog Tour: Wolfbane by Michelle Paver

I was thrilled to be invited to take part in the blog tour for 'Wolfbane' by Michelle Paver. I've been reading Michelle's books since 2004 when 'Wolf Brother' the opening instalment of the series was published. I've grown up with Torak and Wolf and lived all their adventures with them, so I was both sad and excited to read the epic last book in the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness which was published by Zephyr Books on 26th April. 

Synopsis: 
It is early spring, a turbulent, perilous time of sudden storms, frozen river fractures and drifting ice. Fleeing from a demon intent on devouring his souls, Wolf is swept out to Sea far from the Forest and his pack. The ocean too teems with danger: sea wolves, sharks and hunters of the deep, and the demon is gaining ground. Torak and Renn must race to save their pack-brother, battling the harsh, icy waves and merciless torrents. If they can't find Wolf in time, the bond between them will be severed for ever...

Run wild with Wolf Brother for the last time in a Stone Age world we all want to be part of, with three-million-copy-selling author Michelle Paver, Creator of Legends.

Review:   

'Wolfbane' is the ninth and final book in the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series. I can still remember reading 'Wolf Brother' for the first time so many years ago. It instantly hooked me and I've been a huge fan of Michelle Paver ever since. 

In 'Wolfbane', Torak and Renn are on a desperate journey to save Wolf from an ice demon who wants to eat his souls. Torak will do anything to save him but Naiginn is a dangerous and formidable enemy. He will not be easily stopped and Torak will have to decide how much to risk in his determination to save his beloved pack brother. 

This was a brilliant story, full of excitement and adventure. It was very fast-paced which made it extremely difficult to put down. There is one obstacle after another put in Torak's way and I lost count of the number of cliff-hangers at the end of the chapters. It was also great to see some of the characters who have featured briefly in earlier books and for them to get their own stories explored in more detail too. I particularly loved seeing Dark again and I was very happy with how his storyline was concluded. 

Paver's conception of the unbreakable bond between the boy and Wolf is something that has always felt tangible and real. Their relationship has been the common thread running throughout the whole series and it has drawn readers in time and time again. They have grown up together and formed new families of their own but they have never stopped being there for one another and that's just so lovely and touching to see. 

Michelle Paver is well known for her meticulous research and this shines through in every story she crafts. The settings are authentic, her descriptions of nature are incredible and every situation she places her characters in, is one that she has experienced herself in some way. I love the fact that she includes an author's note at the end which gives the reader a small glimpse into the research that she has carried out in the process of writing the book. 

The story made me smile and cry in equal measure. I felt it was a triumphant end that fans both old and new will enjoy. Everything that I love about the books and the characters was there to see and it was a wonderful (and very emotional!) conclusion to a dearly loved series. 

Although the series is finally ending, I like to think that in the hearts of fans around the world, Torak and Wolf will forever be together and running free through the forest. 

Thank you to Helen Richardson and Zephyr Books for inviting me to join the blog tour and for gifting me such a beautiful and treasured signed copy of Wolfbane. 

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.