Customer Reviews

Chronicles of Ancient Darkness #5: Oath Breaker

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4 star:		(1)
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This was a great book,I read all 6 of them and they all kept my interest from the first page to the last.I am only sorry the Chronicles came to an end with book 6 leaving me hungry for more.Now I am in search for another series that can have a grip on me like these books.The author is to be awarded for her excellent writing skills,I know she put much research into these books and her hard work proves to have made these books very entertaining.Thank you, Michelle Paver

I am a huge fan of the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series, and have always relished in Michelle Paver's evident originality, creativity, and research, all of which help to make these books spectacular reads. After reading Oath Breaker, the latest and penultimate addition to Paver's prehistoric saga, I have to say that it, along with Spirit Walker and Soul Eater, the second and third books, is one of the best. The series' characteristic taut suspense, intriguing mysticism, and engrossing and well-crafted characters create a thrilling adventure story that is sure to please countless fans.

Oath Breaker begins nine moons after the end of Outcast, and, like previous books, focuses on Torak, the book's intriguing teenage protagonist, his best friend and skilled archer, Renn, and Wolf, his faithful and loyal "pack-brother." The book delves right into the action within the first chapter, when one of Torak's closest friends is heinously murdered. After a brief investigation, Torak concludes that the killer is Thiazzi, the powerful Oak Clan Mage and one of the only two remaining of a wicked band known as the Soul Eaters. Vowing vengeance, Torak, Renn, and Wolf embark on a quest into the Deep Forest, following Thiazzi through an otherworldly realm of strange clans, budding conflict, and a growing evil which threatens to consume the heart of Torak's world.

I found Oath Breaker to be one of the best books in this series for multiple reasons. First of all, as in other books, Paver's setting is expertly crafted. Her detailed descriptions of life in the pre-agricultural era of Torak's world, from simple tasks such as gathering food to complex feats such as bow making, are obviously well-researched and effectively make this prehistoric adventure story palpable and believable. Besides this, she has clearly spent a great deal of time mingling with the natural world, as the mysterious intrigue and haunting beauty of Torak's world is as brilliantly written here as it was in previous books. The Deep Forest, with its towering spruces and remarkable animals, came alive through Paver's evocative language and evident knowledge of the natural world, creating the perfect setting for this entrancing story of life in such an untamed and beautiful world.

While much of the story is based on heavy research, Paver continues to amaze me with her own creativity in the imaginative attributes which are mixed into Oath Breaker. As in previous books, Torak encounters new clans, this time mainly the Red Deer, Auroch, and Forest Horse clans. These clans are perhaps some of the best Paver has crafted throughout the series, using her extensive knowledge of prehistoric life and her evident imagination to create believable customs and characteristics that add to the intrigue of the tale she is telling. Paver even manages to make the mysticism of the book palpable, as she uses the wisdom of the clans combined with the forces of nature to create sophisticated magic not often seen in children's fantasy books.

Lastly, a truly important ingredient in Paver's successful formula is her characters. She consistently is able to create believable and realistically flawed beings to populate her prehistoric world, all of which add to the story in their own captivating ways. Torak continues to grow and develop as he explores his mysterious past and utilizes his remarkable abilities, as well as forging as budding romance with Renn. The sections of the book told from Wolf's point of view remain intriguing and captivating, as Paver successfully shows her prehistoric world through the eyes of one of its most powerful and intelligent animals. The exploits of all three main characters are as exciting and suspenseful as before, and they are all worthy inhabitants of the world she has taken such care to create.

These books continue to consistently impress me and, I am certain that, upon finishing Ghost Hunter, the next and final book in Paver's engrossing saga, I will not be disappointed; I will only wish that there were more books to sate my appetite for this captivating series.

A great read, well written and most absorbing, loved the whole series and hope there may be more to come. Not just for young 'uns!

I really love this book and I am a huge fan of this series. This whole series is really well written and this book is definetely a favorite.

Wouldn't it be awesome if you could talk to wolves and control any animal's body however you wanted, whenever you wanted? I sure think so, and if you don't, you're crazy. If you want all that and more in a book, pick up one from The Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series. These books have vivid setting, powerful characters and an intense plot. These literary elements combined will force you to keep reading right through the end. The setting is a long time ago in a fictitious world where magic is real. The characters are a great mix of static and dynamic. There are also "talking" animals without them truly being personified. Finally, the intense plot will keep you guessing right through the end. So drop the boring chick-flick book you're reading and get yourself a book from the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series.

Bale lay on his back. His face was unmarked. It was the back of his skull that had cracked like an eggshell.

Perhaps one of the worst things that can happen to a person is to lose their best friend. When Torak discovers his friend Bale murdered, he is not only devastated but his guilt is overwhelming. If Torak hadn't left their campsite during the night, none of this would have happened. He carries his guilt heavy within and is determined to avenge this brutal death. He will risk anything to give Bale's spirit its proper rest and find the killer.

Despite warnings from Saeunn, the old Raven Mage (she cautions that Torak's foster father, Fin-Kedinn, will never see the end of this journey), Torak sets out accompanied by Renn and Fin-Kedinn. Even before they leave camp, they have discovered Bale's probable killer. All signs point to an old enemy, the Oak Mage, known as Thiazzi. In their last encounter the evil Soul-Eater had been attacked by a wolf who took two of his fingers in the process. Thiazzi, probably traveling with the one other remaining Soul-Eater, Eostra, is also bent on revenge. The little Raven Clan is up against some very powerful magic and madness on this journey.

For the time being, Torak's long-time companion, Wolf, is on his own journey. Although Wolf and Torak have been separated, Wolf has sensed Thiazzi, who he calls the Bitten One, and is driven to follow this scent. Wolf's language is simple and picturesque. When he sees the "tailless one," his thoughts move like this:

The Bitten One was sliding up - Wet on the trunk of an oak. Wolf caught the glint of a great stone claw at his flank. He caught the smell of pine-blood and reindeer hide, and the strange, terrible Bright Beast-that-Bites-Cold.

Not long after Wolf and Torak are united, Thiazzi makes a bold move and the little band of travelers walk into a trap. Renn is hurt, but Fin-Kedinn's injuries are life-threatening. Now the warnings of Saeunn make Torak realize that he has been foolish in this quest because he has risked the lives of those he loves. When Fin-Kedinn is back with the Raven Clan, Torak vows to go on by himself. Little does he know that Thiazzi has much worse plans for him. Thiazzi is mad, determined to become the most powerful Mage and bent on destroying Torak. The boy will need all the strength, magic and cunning he has to meet the challenges of this formidable enemy.

Michelle Paver once again delivers a riveting story full of fast-paced adventure and unexpected twists. Her detailed research enriches Torak's adventures in a world long gone. By now, readers have become familiar with the psychic connection that allows Wolf, along with the ravens Rip and Rek, to communicate with the young boy. As he grows into manhood, Torak must confront his own demons, and in OATH BREAKER he faces some of his most challenging obstacles.

Geoff Taylor's wonderful black and white illustrations beautifully augment the richness of Paver's book. An excellent map in the beginning helps the reader easily follow Torak's path through the North Woods and see the placement of the various clans. Fans will love this fifth installment as they again share Torak's adventures in a world of magic and beauty.

--- Reviewed by Sally M. Tibbetts

The problem with too many series is the midway failure. On book #5, one has to wonder if Paver is approaching that point. I am happy to report that on the contrary she seemed thoroughly refreshed and was able to churn out another Torak adventure with heightened plot and emotion.

When his kinsman Bale is murdered, Torak swears an oath of vengeance that leads him into the previously avoided Deep Forest. Here, intense betrayal and twists await him along with what well may be the arc of the series.

Paver keeps up on her stellar storytelling and writing without ever letting the plot suffer. The mysteries of this prehistoric world are powerful and imaginative with clear research leading to a realistic setting. Torak is a remarkable hero and I can only await the last book.

A wonderful read! I've read the other books, and this one wasn't a let down. The plot thickings, there's action, suspense, fantasy, and true tests of friendship. I can't wait for the final installement!