Wolf Brother
The Chronicles of Ancient Darkness

By Michelle Paver

     Torak's alone, hungry, and currently being pursued by a giant demon-possessed bear. It's just not his day. Things were going well for him at first. As always, Torak and his father Fa were hunting on their own, keeping away from any tribes of humans they might come in contact with. Torak lives in a time when men hunt and gather to stay alive, and align themselves into separate packs.

     Torak and Fa were of the Wolf Tribe, but they kept pretty much to themselves. That is, until the bear attacked them and killed Fa. Before dying, the man tells his son that the bear is possessed by a demon and the only way to destroy it is for Torak to go to the Mountain of the World Spirit and plead for help. Torak doesn't understand, but after escaping the creature he comes across a wolf cub who acts as a kind of spirit guide. Together, boy and cub must defeat men, the elements, and the bear that grows stronger and more dangerous with every passing day.

     As exciting as this tale it, it's no surprise that it has been purchased by Ridley Scott and will soon be a major motion picture. Torak's tale takes him from innocent boyhood into the very essence of what it means to be a man. Right from the get-go, "Wolf Brother" plunges you into heart-stopping action sequences making it oddly difficult to put it down for even a moment. Author Michelle Paver has examined Native Americans, Inuit, Lapps, the San of Africa, and the Ainu of Japan to give her book the authenticity it requires. In the end, her hard work has paid off, and the result is a thrilling first part of the series entitled, "The Chronicles of Ancient Darkness." It's a strong beginning that will have fans howling for more.