Ghost Hunter By Michelle Paver

Your support helps us to tell the story

Support Now

Find out moreClose

In my reporting on women's reproductive rights, I've witnessed the critical role that independent journalism plays in protecting freedoms and informing the public.

Your support allows us to keep these vital issues in the spotlight. Without your help, we wouldn't be able to fight for truth and justice.

Every contribution ensures that we can continue to report on the stories that impact lives

Kelly Rissman

US News Reporter

With Ghost Hunter, Michelle Paver's six-part series comes full circle. Torak, the boy orphaned in the first book, Wolf Brother, is drawn by a tantalising glimpse of the ghost of his adored father into the clutches of the most powerful of the Soul-Eaters, the Eagle Owl Mage. If this is all Greek to you, start at the beginning; I guarantee you won't stop until you get to the end.

Set 6,000 years ago in a northern Europe gripped by the Ice Age, the books form a skilfully constructed coming-of-age myth. The 12-year-old Torak becomes more powerful as he learns more of the true nature of the parents who sacrificed themselves for him – as well as that of Renn, the magic-endowed girl who gradually becomes all in all to him.

Richly realised as Torak and Renn are, everyone's favourite character has to be Wolf, whom we first meet as a cub, puzzled about the nature of the "Tall Tailless" who saves his life, but unquestioningly loyal.

Coming of age entails learning, and Paver introduces thoroughly-researched wilderness lore: making weapons and canoes; building shelters from storms and floods, using plants to heal wounds. The nature of such animals as bears, aurochs and vipers is made heart-stoppingly real when Torak "spirit-walks" into their souls, virtually becoming one with them.

The endpaper maps build in complexity as each volume introduces a clan with a different set of allegiances and hunting skills. The villains are five Soul-Eaters, clan mages who become seduced by the evil omnipotence offered by the fire-opal. In this last book, the Eagle Owl Mage, the only surviving Soul-Eater, descends with murderous fury on Wolf's mate and cubs, separates Torak from Renn, and entices him into the demon-haunted Mountain of Ghosts. The finale is a climax as intense as Tolkien's fall of Mordor, with demonic dogs, fiendish one-time children, and Soul-Eaters summoned from beyond the grave.

Best of all, Paver succeeds in creating a conclusion with no mawkishness when she resolves the relationship between Torak and Renn – and, of course, Wolf.