Wolf Brother

By Michelle Paver
Rating: 4 1/2 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

The setting of this unusual fantasy is ancient Europe, when it was covered in forests and peopled by clans who revered a certain animal as their clan creature, for example, the Wolf clan, the Raven clan, the Seal clan, the Horse clan. Torak and his father are unusual in that they don't stay with a clan but instead travel on their own. Until the night that Torak's Fa is attacked by a demon-inhabited bear. On his deathbed, Torak's father makes Torak swear to find the Mountain of the World Spirit to try and stop this evil bear. Then Torak is on his own. He rescues a wolf cub that he aptly names Wolf and finds he is able to actually speak wolf to him. He also ends up running across the Raven clan and making a friend of Renn, a girl with some mage training, and Fin-Kedinn, a man who knew his father. They also think Torak is the one to fulfill a prophecy of defeating the bear and facing the Soul Eaters, a group of mages who went bad. Torak, Renn and Wolf all set out on the quest together. Do they all survive? This is a gripping story that will keep readers turning the pages. If you like a story with the feel of native peoples from long ago, a bit of magic, and good pitted against evil, you can't help but be drawn in by this story and eagerly awaiting the sequels. If you like it, check out The Clan, a site for fans of this new series.