Plot summary
As winter approaches, Eostra, the last and most fearsome Soul-Eater, has spread a net of terror and fear across the whole Forest. Torak is plagued with visions of his father, who died three years previously. Fin-Kedinn counsels that the visions are not his father's spirit asking for help, but are instead Eostra's machinations, but Torak is unconvinced. He sets out eastwards, without Renn, to the High Mountains to confront Eostra and find his answers. He first visits the den of his companion Wolf, Wolf's mate Darkfur, and their cubs Shadow and Pebble. Renn pursues Torak, and Fin-Kedinn sets out on a journey of his own. However, an eagle owl, controlled by Eostra, attacks the wolves' den and, after killing Darkfur and Shadow, picks Pebble up and flies east, pursued by Wolf. Torak reunites with Renn in an ice storm, and nurses a near-suicidal Wolf back to health. Meanwhile, Pebble is dropped by the owl, and having hidden from the storm, follows Torak's ravens to the High Mountains. Having realized Eostra is waiting for the winter solstice, they meet with Krukoslik of the Mountain Hare Clan, who tells them that a Soul-Eater haunts the Mountain of Ghosts. After Eostra enters the Mountain Hare camp and taunts Renn, Krukoslik guides them to the Valley of the Hidden People, where Renn encounters a huge dog controlled by the Soul-Eater. Torak argues that he must confront Eostra alone and, after admitting his affection for Renn and kissing her, sets out for her lair. Fin-Kedinn, having found the man who was the object of his search, is forced to leave him and return to the Raven Clan. Wolf draws a pack of the dogs off Torak; he is rescued by Dark, a boy living on the Mountain, who keeps him captive. Darkfur is revealed to still live, struggling all the way to the Mountains in search of her cub. Torak convinces Dark to let him go, and he walks into the caves on the Mountain with Wolf; Renn meets with Dark, and they enter the caves too. Eostra summons the souls of the dead Soul-Eaters to her, including that of Torak's father. However, the last Soul-Eater is revealed to be the Walker - the man who Fin-Kedinn had sent to the mountain. The Walker summons the spirits of the Mountain, and Torak shatters Eostra's power; however, she drags him with her into a deep chasm. The fall almost kills Torak, but Wolf manages to find his souls and push them back into his body, restoring him to life. He then reunites with Darkfur and Pebble. In the spring, back at the Raven Camp, Renn reveals that Dark would be the new Raven Mage, not her, and she and Torak, accompanied by the three wolves, depart the Raven Camp to live a solitary life.Background
Writing
The book's author,Cover
Paver said: "A week ago, though, I had a conversation with John Fordham, who designs the cover, and I told him the bare bones of the story, so he could start thinking of the cover. Given the themes in the book, it will probably be purplish, and Wolf and Torak may feature prominently. I sent John a photograph of an amazing Stone Age cave picture of an eagle owl. It's tens of thousands of years old and yet could have been made by Eostra yesterday. Seriously spooky. Who knows what design it will inspire?"Setting
Paver said on her official website that she would be traveling into the mountains to get inspiration for the book. She also said that she hoped to meet someReferences
{{Chronicles of Ancient Darkness 2009 British novels British children's novels Children's fantasy novels Chronicles of Ancient Darkness 2009 children's books Guardian Children's Fiction Prize-winning works Orion Books books