I've followed this series from the beginning and loved every minute. I shall miss Torak and Wolf. Another great adventure.

Wolf Bane is the final book in Michelle Paver's Mesolithic series. This is as amazing and powerful a read as the other books in the series, it’s an addictive fast-paced read, an edge of your seat page turner and so emotional. This is a fantastic end to the series, a fitting end.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

This was a wonderful heart wrenching read to finish up this series.

It gets me right in the feels every time Wolf gets separated from Torak and the way the relationships between the animals and the humans is written is so amazingly real.

It was so interesting reading about how Torak had changed growing into adulthood and learning how to control the different sides of his nature.

A wonderful thank you to Head of Zeus for an early review copy from Netgalley

Wow. What can I say? The Chronicles of Ancient Darkness is such an amazing series and Wolfbane is a truly epic finale. It had me on the edge of my seat throughout and, once again, I found myself completely lost in Torak and Wolf’s world. Michelle Paver is one of those special writers who has everything - incredible world building due to her attention to detail and research, the most beautiful use of language to create striking imagery and the ability to create characters you care about deeply. I cannot recommend this book (and series) enough.

Wolfbrother, the first book in Michelle Paver’s Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series, was published back in 2004 with the initial six-novel series running through to Ghost Hunter in 2009. After a decade-long hiatus, Paver returned with Viper’s Daughter in 2020 and Skin Taker in 2021. Scott recently read book nine, Wolfbane, which is the final book of the critically acclaimed and commercially successful series.

Set 6,000 years ago in prehistoric northern Scandinavia after the Ice Age and during the Stone Age when that region was one vast forest, the series follows an orphan named Torak, who meets a lone wolf cub (Wolf) and a girl (Renn) both of whom Torak befriends. The story arc of the series then follows the three friends’ quest to defeat a group of mages called Soul Eaters who want to control and destroy all life in the forest that the companions and their clans live in. Over the course of the books, the three main characters travel to many different locations (forest, mountains, islands, etc) and across different seasons, meeting with various peoples and clans—some friendly and some not.

As part of the research for the series, Michelle Paver spent a lot of time at a wolf preserve to understand their behavior. She also trekked forests in Finland using tools and clothing that would have been available 6,000 years ago as well as sleeping in traditional huts and sleeping bags and eating only the foods that Stone Age hunter-gatherers would have eaten which to modern tastes are sometimes rather grisly and stomach-churning—raw-still-warm bird heart or liver, anyone? This attention to detail and accuracy is one of the factors which have made the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness so engaging to read over so many years, alongside the imaginative plots and stories that mix the harsh, brutal realities of Stone Age life with magic and mysticism of mages, and the commune and synergy with nature and the world around.

Wolfbane concludes the series to the standards that fans have come to expect. While chasing a demon-possessed mage intent on devouring his souls, Wolf is swept out to sea on drifting ice during a spring filled with sudden storms and fracturing ice flows. Torak and Renn must race to find their lost wolf-brother before a demon-possessed Soul Eater catches up with him and eats his souls, severing forever the bond between Torak and Wolf, and releasing the demon into the world.

Fans will love this final book that pulls no punches in its physical and emotional impact on both the beloved characters and the readers. (Scott suggests having tissues handy if you’re really invested in the series.) Wolfbane is written in such a way as to give a satisfying conclusion after nine books but also leaves open the possibility of further books in the future if Michelle Paver ever decides to revisit this ancient, captivating world.

If you’ve never read any of the previous books in this series then Wolfbane is written in such a way that you can enjoy it as a standalone novel. However, Scott heartily recommends trying Wolfbrother first—you can then thank him nine books later after the rollercoaster of a ride you’ll have been on.

Way back in 2004, a 12 year old boy was stood in Ottakar's looking for something new to read. His eyes searched the shelves, finding familiar names and titles that he had already read when something new popped out at him. An earthy, reddish brown cover with a stick figure image of a person and a wolf. He picked the book up and read the first page before begging his mum to buy it for him. This was his new read. This was the book he had been searching for. As the years went by, the boy followed Torak, Renn and Wolf on their adventures, growing with them as he went. From Forest, to the sea, from the mountains to the dangerous depths of the Deep Forest, the boy found himself a place away from the real world that felt safe, like home. Fast forward to late 2021, that boy, now a fully grown man found himself in possession of a proof copy of the ninth and final book in the series that means so much to him. Reader, the boy is me.

Honestly, I am not quite sure where to really start with this one. This has been a very bittersweet experience for me. Reading Wolfbane. For so long I dreamed of Michelle returning to the world of Torak, Renn, Wolf, Fin-Keddinn, Dark. All of them. And when it was announced in 2019 that that dream was coming true I could not have been happier. But with that joy came impending sadness because I knew back then that I would one day again have to say goodbye to these characters and this world that I love so much. This series has genuinely gotten me through some of my darkest moments. In 2016, when my mum passed away, I completely lost myself and didn't really do much for several months. But after re-reading the series, back then running from Wolf Brother to Ghost Hunter, I felt myself coming back. I had gone home and I loved every second again as if it were the first time I had read the series. That is the beauty of this series. It doesn't matter how many times I read them, I am drawn in so whole-heartedly and that is something truly magical.

First off, the cover, as that's the first thing many will see. Lord, the cover! John Fordham does a wonderful job every time but this one has taken the biscuit. A stunning addition to bring this wonderfully jacketed series to a close! And Geoff Taylor has outdone himself too with the chapter headers in this one. Some stunning illustrations to help bring this ancient story to life!

Right from the start of Wolfbane there is a real sense that the end is coming. There is this foreboding feeling that something bad is going to happen. Something final. Wolf is in danger and Torak must race against time to save his friend and the rest of the Forest in the process. I won't say much because I don't want to spoil it but there is the return of an animal in this book that had me so excited but also scared for Wolf. This particular animal is one of my absolute favourites and to see them again was wonderful. It was nice as well to see many other threads come together within this book. Characters that probably didn't get as much time to flourish because of their late introduction into the original books have their moments and all I will say is that the whole thread surrounding Dark was so wonderful that it made me tear up a few times! It's something I have dreamed of seeing within some of my favourite series, so for it to be a part of my actual favourite series was such a full circle moment for me, validating me and I also hope showing others who either grew up with the series or that may discover the series anew that they're just as valid in the Stone Age as they are today.

The actual ending itself was so beautifully written. As the book races to a thrilling conclusion, it's obvious that the danger is too high. People are going to get hurt. Again, no spoilers but I said to Michelle during a live stream event that she needed to campaign for her publishers to make Wolf branded tissues because they would be needed and I still stand by that. I've read the book twice now and I have to say I cried as much the second time reading it as I did the first and I am not ashamed to admit that! I have spent so much time with these characters, within this world. 18 years. It is hard not to form an attachment. This series has been so influential for me. I've met Michelle several times and every time I have gushed about how much these books have shaped me into the man I am today. That their presence has given me a much needed safe space at times, and for that I will be forever grateful. The fact that this time it really is goodbye, there will be no more additions in years to come is almost too hard to take, but my god what a journey this has been!

Atmospheric, an edge of your seat page turner and filled with heartwarming moments too, Wolfbane was the grand finale that I had hoped for.

If you haven't read the series yet, I only say please please please do not delay. If you have and are about to devour Wolfbane, I hope that you enjoy it as much as I do and enjoy the phenomenal end to this incredible series.

An incredible end to the Wolf Brother series. As with all of Michelle Paver's work, the story was expertly woven and completely draws you in from start to finish. I cried and was surprised and I didn't want the book to end.

Another compelling and exciting book by Michelle Paver, to compliment the series. Enthralling and riveting from the beginning. A definite must for every bookshelf.

Wolf Bane, the final book in Michelle Paver's Mesolithic series is a powerful, fast-paced, emotional read. I loved the circular narrative and the way she returns to the core values of the story: the love between a boy and his wolf. I cried. I miss them. @MichellePaver #NetGalley

This was a great read. Michelle Paver continues to delight with her imagination and prose. I liked how she explained the inspiration for her writing at the back of the book. The book is a complete story on its own and could be read as such without having read the others in the series. A great read and a very satisfying ending to a series of books.

A good book for Yrs 4/5/6.

Wolfbane is the emotional and intense conclusion to The Chronicles of Ancient Darkness. Following Wolf, Renn, Torak and Dark in their final battle against the evil plaguing the Forest, Naiginn the ice demon.

This book felt so much like home, it read like the original series. The action immediately pulled me in and was intense from the very start, but also had the additional detail that makes the world feel real that I adore, such as small observations on nature and a wider exploration on clan customs and food.

It is delightful to spend time with all of these beloved characters again, it was so enjoyable to experience everyone using their skills and working together while still growing and learning as characters.

As well as loving the main plot with Torak, Renn and Wolf, I got great joy from getting to see more from Dark (which I have loved in this continuation trilogy as we met him so late in Ghost Hunter). In this book Dark gets a beautiful personal plot which was wonderful to read, especially in a much loved childrens series and I’m glad that it was something Paver thought to include for him.

I am very eager for my final copy to arrive at the end of April so I can reread this story with the art and maps that usually accompany these books.

I don’t think that I’ve ever cried to much at any book, I’m glad that I chose to read the last 20% alone because I was a mess!

If, like me, you’re nervous to read the conclusion of this amazing story, you needn’t. This is a thrilling, nerve wracking but ultimately beautiful and fitting conclusion to a most beloved classic children’s series. I’m so sad that it’s finished all over again, but it was an appropriate and satisfying ending that I look forward to revisiting.

I read Michelle Paver’s Wolf Brother books as a kid, so to have a chance to read the final book as an adult all these years later was such a joy. The language and the setting to me right back, and it was such a brilliant experience to immerse myself in Torak and Wolf’s world one final time.

The story itself is straightforward and simple, but the pages turn quickly and the story flows to its dramatic conclusion which gives our beloved characters the ending they deserve.

The writing as ever was beautiful, and Paver’s passion for this period shines through in abundance. A must read for any adult who loved the books in their youth, and for any child who has just started reading.

As exciting and elegantly told as the preceding eight volumes - the inclusion of a tender queer romance was a lovely unexpected surprise for this lesbian who has been reading the series for almost 20 years! The ending was a powerful, moving conclusion to Torak and Wolf's story, Recommended enthusiastically to anyone with an interest in exceptional children's fiction - technically I suppose it could stand alone, but the other books are so good that it shouldn't.

I've been a huge fan of this series for a long time, picking up Wolf Brother around 2011, and I've reread the first 6 books many times since. I was so excited to get a continuation of this series, thinking it must be over. And these last 3 books have not disappointed in the slightest. They have the same charm, detail and amazing characters that the others all had.
As always, the amount of research Paver must have done is clear in every single page. The descriptions of everyday objects, clothing, traditions, etc are all so vivid, you feel like you are right there, experiencing this amazing, ancient world.
as for this being the last book in the series, there is always some trepidation. Will it be as good as the others? will it have a satisfying ending? along with 'i don't want to read this because then it'll be over, but I also really need to know what happens!' Well, I can say with certainty (after putting off reading this for several weeks for the above reasons) that Paver has succesfully completed this series with a hugely satisfying ending that ties in brilliantly with the previous books, and didn't leave me wanting for anything.
what more can i say? read this book as soon as you can! (though obviously you really should read all the other books in this amazing 9 book series, as it'll make no sense, and you'll be missing out on pure magic if you dont!)

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and House of Zeus in exchange for an honest review.

This book, indeed the whole series, is an example of absolute perfection. Torak's world is so well-crafted using inspiration from the author's extensive research combined with her brilliant imagination. Just reading about the rituals, histories and daily lives of these characters is fascinating. Add in a thrilling story involving demons, the brutality of nature and decisions that test the bonds of friendship and family and you have the wonderful combination that makes this series so fantastic.

All good things must come to an end and it feels right for the series to finish here. All through this book, I wondered what would eventually happen to the characters I love so much. Of course, you can always imagine what might happen next, but I'm content with the way things ended and where we left the characters.

In addition to all the things I always love about these books, a few things in particular stood out this time. For example, Renn's reply to the person who asked her about having children. She and Torak have decided not to and actually, it's no-one's business but theirs. As with all types of minority representation, we need more examples of things that are different to what is considered 'normal' and I appreciated its inclusion. I also liked the development of Dark's relationship and its resolution.

The overwhelming message that this book left me with is that respect for traditions is important, but sometimes, it's also equally important to adapt and start new traditions.

Torak, Renn and Wolf are flung from danger to danger, on land and sea, on terrain old and new. The Ice Demon is determined to devour Wolf's souls and Torak and Renn will stop at nothing to prevent this, whatever the personal cost.

It's impossible to discuss the many, many highlights of this book without spoiling the experience for the readers lucky enough to be picking it up for the first time. It is every bit as heartwarming and heartbreaking as you would expect from the finale to this phenomenal series. Michelle Paver's meticulous research and immense skill have built an unparalleled world and she weaves the story so deftly you find yourself holding your breath right along with the characters. I'm so sad to have reached the end of the series but so grateful it was written. Highly recommended.

This is a wonderfully written book by one of my childhood favourite authors! Reading this felt like stepping back in time as i've not visited this world for so long and it was a wonderful experience.

I will be editing this soon to leave a more in depth review but i just want to say this series is phenomenal and if you've not read it you are really missing out on something wonderful!

The final instalment in the Chronicles of Ancient darkness series. Just as atmospheric and action packed as the previous books in the series. This is a thrilling read with plenty of emotional ups and downs. Beautifully written and such endearing characters.