2008-07-13 What a great series!

I read "Wolf Brother", the first in Michelle Paver's wonderful series when it came out some years ago, and have been following Torak on his adventures ever since. I have to say these books are fabulous - total escapism on the one hand, but you also learn so much from Ms Paver's meticulous research into the period and its likely peoples. With her superbly descriptive writing you are drawn into this scary, but wonderfully beautiful world immediately and really connect with the characters. As in the Harry Potter books, you are with the main characters from the age of 12 or thereabouts, and read about them as they grow up. Each book shows them facing fantastic external dangers as well as internal challenges as they approach adulthood. I agree with the other reviewer on the lower age limit, and it is probably fair to say that 9 -14 is the general target age. I totally disagree, however, that these books will not appeal to the over 15's. It is possible that very young children (and vegetarians of all ages!) might be a little upset by the details of animals being hunted then devoured, but from 8 years up I suspect they will just love the gory descriptions! Some teenagers going through an "uber-cool" period might turn their noses up, but I'm sure they'll be in the minority. If your 16 year old likes literature generally, then I'm sure they'll like these. People of any age with an interest in anthropology or ancient world myths will love them too. I'm in my 40's and I adore them! I was really upset when I finished Outcast (always a good sign!) and I can't wait for the next two books in the series - roll on Book 5! Michelle Paver deserves real recognition for this super series.