Book Review: Wolfbane by Michelle Paver (Chronicles of Ancient Darkness #9)

 

This is kinda an emotional read for me, not because of the book itself per se, but because it marks the end of a journey I started as a young tween. Back then, I got book one for the Sinterklaas holiday, and I devoured it. Now, years later, I'm finally ending my journey with Torak, Renn and Wolf. Spoilers ahead.

When Wolf goes missing, Torak and Renn canoe out to a different island in hopes of finding him. But they're not the only ones after the canid: Naiginn has his sights set on Wolf as well. The final conflict with the demon seems inevitable. Will our trio make it out okay?

I was a bit disappointed with book eight, but I'm pleased to say that the final book in the series really stuck the landing. It was good. Not my favorite in the series by any means, but a solid conclusion to the series. I'm glad I stuck around this long to see what became of Torak, Renn, Wolf, Dark and the others.

I loved the characters in this once again. I especially like how Torak and Wolf grow even closer over the story after Torak Spirit-walked in Wolf to save him from death. It was definitely a bit predictable that Wolf wasn't going to die, but honestly I don't mind because the conclusion was satisfying nonetheless. Fin-Kedinn dying would've maybe been a bit more effective if it wasn't hinted at early in the book, but it was still a sad and decent conclusion to his story. And I liked Dark finding love and becoming leader of the Ravens. 

Naiginn is...eh. I still don't find him to be a very interesting villain, but he was okay here. Functional. I'm glad his story ended the way it did.

I guess that if I do have a main criticism, it is that I think that the section of the book spent at the Kelps is a bit long and drawn-out. I didn't like the characters from the Kelp Clan at all, so spending so much time with them against our will was a bit annoying. And they were never true villains, either, so there wasn't as much tension that would've made things more effective, either. 

But overall this is a solid conclusion to the series. I'm glad I finished my journey with these characters, well over a decade later since I first started reading these books.

Rating: 4/5