Viper's Daughter by Michelle Paver
Wolf Brother series, book 7. Zephyr, 2020. ISBN:
9781838933357.
(Age: 14+) Recommended. Set in the period following the Ice-Age,
this adventure involves the Forest characters Renn, a mage with
links to the Ravens, and her mate Torak - a wolf-brother. While Renn
feels compelled to leave Torak in order to combat the influence of
her evil mother and protect him,Torak takes pursuit with his wolf
pack wolf-brother close behind him in order to bring her back.
Heading north into the even wider vastness of isolation and yet with
people groups to connect with along the way, this is a tale of love
against the backdrop of traditional cultural beliefs and the demon
world. The drama that enfolds reveals ancient culture and survival
techniques in a harsh world, but also a tale of the power of love
and the influence of ancient understanding on life. Written in a way
that reminded me of a Tolkien quest adventure, this is a powerful
story and a compelling drama that is unique and quite different from
most teenage fiction. At all times there is a sense that the reader
is immersed in the challenges of Stone Age existence, and yet can
see the power of the ingenuity of the people and the connections
with nature (in combination with the fantasy and belief influences
that are woven into the story). With a remnant population of
Mammoths (called Mammut in the text) and the ability to communicate
with animals, this is indeed a story with a difference.
I wish that I had discovered the series before launching into book 7
of the Wolf Brother series! But this is more about missing
the wonder of this series and the characters rather than feeling
like I have stepped into uncertain territory. This book stands on
its own quite comfortably. The use of language is intriguing as
expressions are used that convey different understandings of the
world e.g. the Wolf's language is spare, but genuinely descriptive.
I am certain though that many will enjoy the other books by Michelle
Paver and will enjoy the way she incorporates traditional life from
Eskimo, Inuit and Scandinavian culture and weaves these into a
traditional but fantasy tale. It almost feels like you are drawn
into an ancient (yet fantasy) world in the far northern Scandinavian
or North American wilderness. Themes: Fantasy; Stone Age;
Traditional Life; Adventure; Good vs Evil; Demons and Spirits.
Carolyn Hull