I haven’t always been that interested in reading. In fact, up until I was about 16 years old, I was very resistant to reading books (a factor probably resulting from my dyslexia, which I wasn’t diagnosed with until much later in life when I attended university). My family tried for many years to get me interested in reading, but I just didn’t enjoy it or find it relaxing.
As a last-ditch effort, when going on holiday to Cyprus to see my granddad, I came across an interesting book in the airport called ‘Wolf Brothers,’ by Michelle Paver. The cover art was fantastic, and really caught my eye, and I’ve always had an affinity for wolves, ever since I was little.
Once I started the book, I just couldn’t put it down. It is a fond memory for me, as I was lying on a sunbed under the canopy of a large mimosa tree, with a warm light breeze gently ruffling the leaves as I devoured page after page. It follows the exploits of a young boy named Torak, who befriends a wolf cub and forms a strong bond with him.
Over the next few years, Michelle released a further 5 books in the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series. Each time I purchased the hardback copy and read through each instalment with complete engrossment. Michelle has wonderful attention to detail, and her writing style, commitment to her characters, and character development are fantastic.
It was a turning point for me, as this series sparked off a new-found enjoyment of reading, that has only grown over the years. In the ensuing years, I have read many more wonderful books and met a whole host of brilliant characters. I now always have a series on the go, taking the opportunity whenever I can to read. On the bus or train, while on holiday or before bed, at university while waiting for classes, or on breaks at work, I’ve always had a book to hand, whether it was a paper copy or on my Kindle (which, now that I was an avid reader, I received one Christmas from my parents).
It’s wonderful too, as each series I’ve read can characterise a different point in my life – whether it be Tamora Pierce’s many series which I read throughout my A-level years, the Witch Fire series by James Clemens, which I read in my lunch breaks at work during my gap years, or the Harshini series by Jennifer Fallon, which I read in my first few months at Aberdeen University – I can mark each stage of my life with a different series. Even better, when I pick a series up again to re-read, it takes me right back to that particular time in my life, bringing back all the familiar emotions and comfort that I felt at that time. It’s as if these fantastical stories are somehow intrinsically linked to my memories.
I really owe it all to the wonderful writings of Michelle Paver, and the world that she has created, though, and this series will always hold a special place in my heart; which is why it’s wonderful that, as I am journeying through a new period of my life here in Italy (after relocating from the UK just over a year and a half ago), my favourite author should release a new line of books, carrying on the series with a brand new instalment called ‘Vipers Daughter.’
I’m a great believer in fate and feel that coincidences are actually the universe telling us things, and to have a continuation of the journey of Torak, Wolf, Renn, and all of the other wonderful characters in this series, alongside my own journey, is both a wonderful sign and delightful experience.
Needless to say, I had already finished this book within days of receiving it, and I was most definitely not disappointed. But it is comforting to know that over the coming years, as I settle into my new life, I will be doing so accompanied by an old friend and that this too will become part of a fond memory to be relived again whenever I revisit these books.
I owe a lot to Michelle for her wonderful book series, for opening a world to me that for 16 years I had determinedly avoided, and I look forward to pressing onward with both my journey and Torak’s.
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As a side note, that only makes me admire Michelle as an author even more, on the run-up to the launch of her new book, she started a monthly live video on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE4m4mN4zZjNLLT9qCWblYw/videos), where she answers people’s questions, as well as hosting fun activities; such as quiz’s, contests etc, and disclosing upcoming details about her books.
She has even expanded upon this due to the lockdown, releasing an activity pack for children and teachers to use (https://wolfbrother.com/activities/), as well as continuing to answer her fan’s emails and questions in each video. I have even been privileged enough to have a couple of my own letters presented in these videos, as well as having some of my artwork and photos displayed on screen and commented on. I really look forward to each episode, as it’s interesting seeing what other fans have to say about this wonderful series. It is such an inspiring thing for her to take the time to do, and gives a huge amount back to her fans. I, for one, am very grateful for this.
As an extra bonus, Michelle advised recently in one of these videos, that the Wolf Brothers series is also going to be made into a tv series – something else to look forward to!
F&F also gets a mention in Michelle’s latest live video 24.08.20 (44.28) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ur9dQ_SQCRU
[If you enjoyed this and would like to see more, you can read more of the authors work at www.mikeflynnauthor.com]