Spirit Walker by Michelle Paver (Chronicles of Ancient Darkness: Book 2)

10/10

Spirit Walker is the second book in the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness by Michelle Paver. 288 pages in paperback format – the book is published by Orion Childrens.

Torak still misses Wolf. He is now part of the Raven Clan and when disease hits forest clans he sets out to find the Seal Clan and a cure. Torak must learn to spirit walk and become another creature to discover the truth behind the Soul-Eater.

Although this is the second book in the series it is not essential that you have already read the first book, Wolf Brother. The Chronicles of Ancient Darkness goes from strength to strength as the world of Torak and wolf further engulfs the reader. Torak continues to be the central character in Paver’s rich and well-researched world and we meet old friends and are introduced to exciting new ones through the book.

The auroch appeared quite suddenly from the trees on the other side of the stream.
One moment Torak was gazing at sun-dappled willows – the next, there she was. She stood taller than the tallest man, and her great curving horns could have skewered a bear. If she charged, he was in trouble.
By bad luck, he was upwind of her. He held his breath as he watched her twitch her blunt black muzzle to taste his scent. She snorted. Pawed the earth with one massive hoof.”

The joy of these books is their ability to transport the reader back in time and give them the sense of escapism that many wish for. The plot is fast-paced and contains some nice and unexpected twists. Spirit Walker is an enchanting story of courage and danger set in one of the most beautifully described Stone Age landscape and will continue to delight fans of the series and is every bit as good as Wolf Brother. Allow yourself to be pulled into Torak’s world and you will not regret it.