Customer Reviews

Outcast (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am the oldest of the clans of the Open Forest...I speak for them all...The boy bears the mark of the Soul-Eater. The law is clear. He must be cast out.

What does it mean to be an outcast? For Torak it means he is no longer accepted among the clans. He leaves his tribe in disgrace because he has the mark of the Soul-Eaters on his chest. He cannot communicate with anyone, and if he is found, he will be killed. Fin-Kedinn, the Raven Leader who has been like a father to him, has been forced to cast him out. Even Renn, his best friend, is not allowed to help him and must turn her back on him or risk her own death. He is clanless. Torak travels alone, always in danger and with the curse of the Viper Mage, Seshru of the Soul-Eaters, haunting his every step.

The young warrior, however, does not give up. As he walks away from his beloved peoples he declares:

I may be outcast and clanless, but I'm no Soul-Eater. And I will find a way to prove it..."

With his long-time companion Wolf at his side and his confidence in the forest, he is determined to tear the mark from his chest and prove his worthiness. Though Renn is supposed to stay away, she finds him and reveals the magic rite he must use to remove the evil scar. Yet, as he moves deeper into the forests and is faced with more obstacles, his confidence is challenged from all directions. Hunted and haunted by the Viper Mage, Torak is unable to escape her powerful magic. Worst of all, he discovers that he cannot control the sickness creeping through his body and that he might, without intent, harm those he loves.

Renn now travels with a skilled Skinboater from the Seal Clan known as Bale. Risking their own lives, they try to protect Torak and help him as he fights against the Soul-Eaters. But for Renn there is even greater danger as the Viper Mage, Seshru, controls Torak and, in her raging jealously, sends a giant, slithering horror to destroy her.

The snake stretched its jaws wide --- its fangs unfold from the roof of its mouth and point down --- they fill with venom, ready to strike...Bite, bite..

How can OUTCAST be just as good, if not better, than the previous powerful books in this gripping series? The introduction of Bale is a good addition and brings an interesting character into the close relationship of Renn and Torak. All the wonderful details of life 6,000 years ago, the mystic happenings, the customs of everyday living and the abilities to survive in a world full of unknown threats is fascinating reading. Michelle Paver keeps every minute tingling with excitement, mystery and adventure.

The black and white drawings by Geoff Taylor again beautifully illustrate Torak's world. Book five will be out in January and no doubt will have an eager audience waiting for more fabulous stories of the amazing Torak and his ancient world.

--- Reviewed by Sally M. Tibbetts

This story gets you deeper into the secrets of Torak, Renn, and the forest. Torak is banished from the clans because of his worst secrect. Being in outcast Torak is not able to talk to Renn unless she is an outcast too. During his adventures Torak meets two very smart crows. Read this book to find out what these two crows help Torak with and many other secrets.

-Girl with a plan

I loved it. After I read the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd book, this was even better. An unexpected secret is revealed. Torak is found out to be clanless and has the mark of a Soul Eater which is against clan law so he is cast out. Torak cuts out the mark but it doesn't work. wolf and Torak are chased to the island of the hidden people where Wolf's old pack is.

Since plowing through the Percy Jackson, Max Rider, and Hunger Games series my thirteen year old has been searching for a new group of books to get lost in. This book is one in a series that follows Torak, a Wolf Clan member through many gripping adventures. My son is really enjoying these books, and the chapters that I have read aloud to him have kept me interested!

Written by my 10 year old...

'Outcast' made me sad at times, but is a great book! Of course,you could most likly tell that Torak gets in BIG trouble- if you know what I mean. His journey this time takes Torak to the Island Of The Hidden People- with Renn & Bale close on his trail to help. In the 4th book in this series you will meet some new,and important,friends. Will one of Renn's secrets tear her's and Torak's friendship apart forever? Will Wolf stay with Torak or leave with the Mountain Pack? Will Seshru get the Fire-Opal or will it's light be quenched? I hope you enjoy 'Outcast' as much as I did.

Let me begin by saying that I might just have to mark this as the most dull book of the series. However, that is not saying much as Michelle Paver still manages to keep this series going strong. This book had the first look of a slower, deep breath from the pulse of the rest of the series, but it turned out to still hold plenty of important plot. Here, Torak's little expedition into the world of becoming a Soul-Eater is discovered and he is banished from pretty much every clan out there. He turns back to the wilderness on his own to survive even as he suffers the madness known as soul-sickness. It's interesting, though without a strong plot it did not quite match up the rest of the series. However, more spotlight was given to Renn and Bale who happily met the challenge. And Paver's writing is still wonderful and her love of the outdoors and this six-thousand year-old world is evident.

The Chronicies of Ancient Darkenss grabs you from the start and keeps you interested to the end, and wanting more in the next book. I have the series from book 1 and can't wait for the next. Recommended for older readers, 12 and up.

For anyone who's read any of the first three books, you'll probably like this just as much. For anyone who hasn't, I highly recommend it.

Outcast is another great book in the series by Michelle Paver. I look forward to the release of Book 5. My 5th grade boys recommended the series to me and I read all 4 of her first books this summer!

This is the fourth book in the series and can't wait for the next one to come out. My 11 year old son starting reading this series at school and turned me on to this. I have now read all four books as well. Ended up purchasing two of this book as the first copy was misplaced after he had read it. Had to make sure I got my turn, so purchased it again! I would reccomend this to all ages, not one for just kids!