News: Michelle Paver wins Guardian Prize!

Michelle Paver (she's my all time favourite author... but ssh... don't tell her that!) last night won The Guardian's Children's Fiction Prize for 2010, with the stunning conclusion to the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series, Ghost Hunter, which came out last August.

The prize was this year judged by authors Linda Buckley-Archer, Jenny Downham and last year's winner, Mal Peet. It was chaired by Julia Eccleshare.

I for one am very proud. I absolutely love Michelle (both her work and as a person). She so nice, down to earth and interesting. She puts so much work into these books and it's plain for all to see. The hours and hours, neigh... weeks! of research she puts into these books is both inspirational, and also very tiring to know! I just don't know how she does it! These books pack more into a 250 page tome than some books that are 200 plus pages longer. They are works of art. 


For six whole books she captivates and has you sat on the edge of your seat. The qaulity never dips and deserves to be acknowledged! These books become something of an obsession when reading - they just have this affect on the reader that just leaves you speechless. Whether it's the evident amount of research, the stunning descriptions or the sheer magnitude of the story. She deserves every success she gets and more!

Soul Eater by Michelle Paver [Review]

Written by: Michelle Paver.

Published by: Orion Children's Books.

Format: Hardback.

Released: 6th September 2006.

Rating: 5/5.

Official synopsis: "Torak has survived the summer and his heart-stopping adventure in the Seal Islands. He and Wolf are together again. But their reunion is all too short-lived. As mid winter approaches Torak learns the worst from the White Fox clan - Wolf has been snatched. In a desperate bid to rescue him Torak and Renn must brave the frozen wilderness of the Far North. They tread a deadly dangerous path as they step into a world of deceit,treachery and lies and come face to face with the the most powerful and feared mages alive. Cruel Thiazzi, the Oak Tree Mage, Seshru the Viper Mage, beautiful and manipulative, and Nef the gruff Bat Mage - here too is Eostra, the mysterious Masked One - all of them bound by their desire for all creatures to bow before them. Under the dark wings of night Torak confronts vengeful ice bears, mistrust, broken promises and a terrifying evil. Another step is taken on his quest to destroy the Soul Eaters, but with it comes the burden of an utterly chilling secret of his own... Dazzling entertainment, seamless storytelling - the third adventure in Torak's quest to vanquish the terrifying Soul-Eaters."

Soul Eater is perhaps when my adoration of Michelle Paver really took off. I'd adored Spirit Walker and simply could not wait for the next book. And then something special happened. I won a competition on The Clan (the official website, for those that don't know. It's brilliant and I'm a moderator there now!) to actually go to London for the official book launch in Waterstone's on Oxford Street, to actually meet Michelle Paver! I could not of been more excited. And boy what a day.

Michelle was amazing. She actually spoke to us all individually before the signing and actually signed copies of Wolf Brother and Spirit Walker for us while we were actually waiting for the event to start. She was so nice and friendly that I loved her even more. I'd met a few authors before her and none had really made an impression. It felt like they had to be there and didn't really want to be, but Michelle was just amazing. In subsequent meetings with her, I've been surprised that she remembers details you think she'd forget about conversations you've had, in person and by letter (I am a constant pest to her mail bag! :D). But anyway, Soul Eater!

This book is when, for me, it got really dark. There were dark moments in the previous two books, but this one was something on a completely different level. It was dark and evil, chilling, more or less from the word go.

Soul Eater sees Torak go to the Far North in the dead of winter. Wolf has been taken, and Torak must embark on a journey to rescue his friend, but on his way, he comes closer to the dreaded Soul-Eaters than ever before. In this book, we get our first glimpse of the Soul-Eaters and they are a terrifying bunch, in particular, the horrifying Eostra, the Eagle-owl Mage.

And the cover art really stepped up a gear with this book. The previous covers were fantastic, but this cover is something of phenomenal proportions and is simply stunning! John Fordham does a fantastic job. As does the illustrator Geoff Taylor who crafts the beautiful images at the start of every chapter, and the maps at the front and back of the books!

As this series goes on, the research just becomes all the more evident. And with this book, it is plain to see that Michelle has first hand experience of the terrain and conditions in which the book is set. The descriptions of the setting in this book are, for want of a better word, breath-taking. Michelle paints the scene beautifully and this book makes for an excellent read, and leaves you begging for more!

Buy from Amazon UK

Spirit Walker by Michelle Paver [Review]

Written by: Michelle Paver.
Published by: Orion Children's Books.
Format: Hardback.
Released: 7th September 2005.
Rating: 5/5.

Official synopsis: "Thousands of years ago an orphan boy and his wolf cub companion challenge a demon bear that threatens to destroy their world forever. With the help of the World Spirit, Torak destroys the bear, but his beloved Wolf is lost in the ensuing avalanche. And Torak's quest is far from over. A strange, creeping sickness, silent and deadly, is threatening the Ravens. Word arrives that the Seal Clan have the cure and Torak must face a lonely journey to find it. On the Seal's Island he stumbles into a world utterly unlike his own. Here life moves to the rhythms of the sea, the Seals build shelters from whale bones and skim the waves in fast, beautiful kayaks. And here Torak is welcomed by the kindly Seal Mage, Teneris, and kinsman, Bale. But all is not as it seems - Torak must keep his wits about him to judge who might be friend or foe. As in 'Wolf Brother' Michelle Paver's sheer passion for her story set in a world of myth and natural magic, shines through in this skilfully woven, exciting and brilliantly satisfying second instalment of the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness. Dazzling entertainment, seamless storytelling - the second adventure in Torak's quest to vanquish the terrifying Soul-Eaters."

Spirit Walker is the second book in the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness and begins a few months after the end of Wolf Brother. Torak is living somewhat happily with the Raven Clan, but then people throughout the Forest begin to fall ill with a terrible illness. Rumors spread that the cure is by the sea, and Torak goes in search of it.

This book takes the reader away from the pine-filled air of the Forest, and delivers the out into the open, crisp air of the Sea and the Seal Islands where Torak meets his kinsman, Bale, and the Seal Mage, Tenris.

If you think that it cannot get any bigger after Wolf Brother then you are wrong wrong wrong! There's more action than you can shake a stick (or should that be spear?) at. 


Again the research is astronomical. The little elements just make you appreciate the scale of work involved for Michelle when she creates one of these amazing books.


I love that in this one we get to see the orca's (killer whales to you and me) often referred to as hunters in the book. The fish, the different ways of catching and preparing prey/food. The skinboat. Everything about this book has a fresh feel to it. It makes for an amazing reading experience.


Also in this book, Torak discovers his powers. Not going to say any more about that... but I will say it's not like a supernatural power!

This book holds some importance to me. Physically. It was given to me by my nan, and was the last thing she gave me before she passed away. I can't help but think about her when I read it, so that just makes me love it even more.


I love the cover art for this one. Blue is my favourite cover and it looks brilliant in the flesh.


Just whatever you do, do not miss this series. I cannot stress how much you are missing out on if you do not read these books. I cannot get my love for them out enough! They are perfect reads.

Buy from Amazon UK

Wolf Brother by Michelle Paver [Review]

Written by: Michelle Paver.

Published by: Orion Children's Books.

Format: Hardback.

Released: 2nd September 2004.

Rating: 5/5.

Official synopsis: "Thousands of years ago the land is one dark forest. Its people are hunter-gatherers. They know every tree and herb and they know how to survive in a time of enchantment and powerful magic. Until an ambitious and malevolent force conjures a demon: a demon so evil that it can be contained only in the body of a ferocious bear that will slay everything it sees, a demon determined to destroy the world. Only one boy can stop it - 12 year old Torak, who has seen his father murdered by the bear. With his dying breath, Torak's father tells his son of the burden that is his. He must lead the bear to the mountain of the World Spirit and beg that spirit's help to overcome it. Torak is an unwilling hero. He is scared and trusts no one. His only companion is a wolf cub only three moons old, whom he seems to understand better than any human. Theirs is a terrifying quest in a world of wolves, tree spirits and Hidden People, a world in which trusting a friend means risking your life. Dazzling entertainment, seamless storytelling - the first title in a six part series set thousands of years ago in a world of myth, menace, natural magic and exhilarating adventure."

I've never reviewed this series properly, despite doing a round up a few months ago. And with just 5 weeks to go until the release of Michelle's latest book, Dark Matter, I decided that I'd post a review of all six books each week with 2 of the reviews going live at the same time.

I first heard about Wolf Brother through Blue Peter. I was an avid watcher back then, and I remember they had this book club segment, and Michelle was on it one week. It was filmed at the UK Wolf Conservation Trust and I just remember being in awe of the sound of the story. When I saw it in Ottakars, a bookshop that no longer exists, I fell in love with the cover. I read the first chapter and was pulled in with such force I begged my mum to buy it for me. She said no and it wasn't until Christmas that I finally got my mits on it. And boy was it worth the wait.

I've tried time and time again to decide which is my favourite of the series, but it's impossible. It's just too hard, as they are all so awesome. But Wolf Brother will always have a special air for me. I can still remember reading it the first time and just being so mesmerised, so captivated. The characters were entertaining and loveable - and in some cases very hateful... - and the story just blew me away. The scale of it, the pace, and yet it's all contained within 200 pages. Michelle has always shown consummate skill. She can fit into one book what it takes some authors a 600 page tome or even an entire series. It was such an inspirational read, as all of Michelle's books are, and only cemented my dreams of being a published author one day.


The Forest is being ravaged by a demon-possessed bear. At the beginning of the book, Torak's Fa is killed by the bear and he is left to fend in the Forest on his own. But in his fathers dying moments, he makes Torak swear on his three souls that he will find the Mountain of the World Spirit and seek it's help to rid the Forest of the bear. On his way, Torak will find his guide - a wolf cub who he aptly names, Wolf - and a host of fantastic characters including the leading lady, Renn, and her uncle, the Raven Clan Leader, Fin-Kedinn.


In the world of the Forest, everyone lives in clans, dedicated to animals. Raven. Boar. Seal. Sea Eagle. Red Deer. Auroch. And Wolf (Torak is part of the Wolf Clan, although he and his father preferred to roam the Forest).


The Forest itself is more of a character than a setting. It is a living, breathing entity that has a personality of it's own.

Michelle's research is evident in all six books, but this but Wolf Brother being the first exposure to Michelle's avid research is rather breath-taking. You can tell that she has researched everything. The fine details in the story, although mentioned rather fleetingly, are interesting and linger in the mind. You cannot help but admire the amount of work that has gone into this book. Not just the writing, but hours and hours of research trips abroad. It's just amazing. Quite literally.

The writing is perfect. So fluid and engaging. A definite page turner. If you haven't yet read this seres, then you are definitely missing out! I beg you to get a copy as soon as you can. Order one off Amazon, get a copy from Waterstones or borrow it from the library. Whatever you do, do not miss this amazing series!

Buy from Amazon UK