The story begins in Wolf Brother, set 6000 years ago in Northern Europe. The book makes a striking start with savage killing of Torak’s father by a bear possessed with a demon. Having been separated from the clans for most of his life, Torak is left to fend for himself in the forest. When he comes across an orphaned wolf cub Torak’s first reaction is to slay it for food. However Torak can’t bring himself to kill the cub and instead they form an unlikely companionship and together they travel north. They are intercepted by a hostile clan who imprison Torak. His future looks bleak until Renn, a girl of his own age in the clan, prophecies that Torak is ‘The Listener’, destined to defeat the possessed Bear that has been terrorizing the forest. Together with Wolf, Torak sets out on a journey to find the three components of the magical Nanuak which he must deliver to the Mountain of the World Spirit in order to save the forest.
In Spirit Walker the story continues. Although the Bear has gone, danger is still imminent as whoever made the Bear is still at large and is now devastating the clans with a dreadful and deathly sickness. Nobody knows of a cure and only Torak can track down the culprits – the Soul Eaters. Tracked by a mysterious and menacing Follower, Torak journeys across the sea to the island of the Seal Clan. After many near death misses Torak faces a treacherous nemesis and uncovers a truth that will change his life forever.
Spirit Walker is definitely the better half in this pair. That not to say Wolf Brother is without merit but the plot in Spirit Walker is more complex and finishes with unexpected twist that makes it appear the more competent of the two. In both novels you can tell that Paver did her research. From the way the clans think and behave to the tools and methods they use to survive, everything is authentic. The vivid descriptions enable you to picture the earth as it was 6000 years ago. Perhaps the most endearing element in both is the narrative through Wolf’s eyes. Wolf refers to Torak as Tall Tailless, the sea is the Big Wet and the “Hot Bright Eye in the Up” refers to the sun in sky. The story is told from three perspectives Torak’s, Wolf’s and Renn’s but for me it is Wolf’s part that lifts the story.
Where as a lot of fantasy can be a pure adult/kid hybrid Wolf Brother/Spirit Walker definitely tends more towards children’s fiction, probably due to the smaller size of the books as well as the style of narrative. In fact unlike many others I do not think there is an adult version with a more “grown up” cover available. That being said it is enjoyable whatever your age. I mean I enjoyed it and I’m in the latter half of my twenties. Hmmm…I won’t worry what says about my intellect. In seriousness though providing you are happy to sit on the train without the “adult version” cover to hide behind Wolf Brother and Spirit Walker are substantial and unique enough to be enjoyed by all ages.
Buy it Amazon.co.uk Wolf Brother | Spirit Walker
Buy it Amazon.com Wolf Brother | Spirit Walker
