| Title | : | Spirit Walker (Chronicles of Ancient Darkness #2) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0060728302 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780060728304 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 356 |
| Publication | : | First published January 1, 2005 |
Torak is a boy apart. A boy who can talk to wolves. A boy who must vanquish the Soul-Eaters . . . or die trying.
As the Moon of No Dark waxes large, the clans fall prey to a horrifying sickness. Fear stalks the Forest. The very breath of spring seems poisoned. No one knows the cause and only Torak can find the cure. His quest takes him across the sea to the mysterious islands of the Seal Clan. Here Torak battles an unseen menace and uncovers a betrayal that will change his life forever.
Spirit Walker is a spellbinding story of fellowship, treachery, and self-sacrifice that takes the reader further on the journey that began in Wolf Brother.
Spirit Walker (Chronicles of Ancient Darkness #2) Reviews
-
My son and I loved the second book of Chronicles of Ancient Darkness and were incredibly jealous of the author's real-life experience of swimming with wild killer whales in Norway to research the book! The adventures of Torak, Renn, and Wolf with the Seal Clan along with the revelation of the spirit walker kept us breathless and sleepless. The perspective of Wolf is always fascinating, and of course Renn and Torak are fun to see growing and learning.
We are impatient to read the next book. -
I definitely preferred the first book in the series over this one, but I still found it incredibly fast-paced and interesting. I think the plot was a bit more compelling the first for me. I really enjoyed the exploration of more nautical native populations and how their cultures would have been different than the ones we've seen before. Definitely going to be continuing with the series soon as I already have the third book in my possession.
-
I really enjoyed this. This time I tried reading the book without listening to Sir Ian McKellen’s excellent narration, and I whipped through it even faster than the first book. It’s clear that Paver really did think through these books and create an overarching plot ahead of time, with more than enough story left to create several more books (which, indeed, await my reading them). Yet each book has a fascinating self-contained story and challenge to overcome.
Paver also takes the opportunity each time, it would seem, to add lore and take us off to a new part of her stone age world. This time we leave the forest behind and enter the strange world of the island clans, adept at living from the sea and with their own special set of rules and traditions. I loved the descriptions of sea life, especially the ones that Torak gets while spirit-walking, and I can say that these are accurate to my admittedly brief experiences of such things.
There’s also a change in tone in this book. The first was a dramatic chase novel, this is much more of a slow-paced, investigative whodunnit, complete with studied revelations at the culmination of the plot. It’s interesting that Paver manages to make this work as part of the same series, but she does pull it off well.
I can definitely see myself reading all of the books in this series.
9 out of 10 -
I LOVED this book. Even more than Wolf Brother. This is my second reading, I'd forgotten most of it since it had been years and I fell in love with it all over again.
Torak is looking for the cure to a strange illness, but there are some turns of events that make it all interesting. There's intense buildup, there is suspense; unlike Wolf Brother, this time you're never really sure who the enemy is, or if there is one, and what they want, until the end. And then, there's plot twists, reveals and betrayal.
This time you're also introduced to the nautical clans, their traditions and lifestyle (as opposed to the forest clans) and you can tell the author did some extended research on the topic. I'd love to meet Bale from the Seal Clan again in the next books.
However, the same way I did with Wolf Brother, I struggle with the way sceneries are depicted. Lots of times, the way things are described makes no sense to me and I have to reread it again and again to be able to picture it. Sometimes, it's crucial to understand what is going on and what the characters are doing which left me having no idea how they found themselves in such situations more than once (Is it just me? Would love to hear about this from someone who read it). For this reason, I wanted to give it 4.5 stars, but half stars aren't an option and I loved this book too much nonetheless to give it 4 stars.
Also, am I the only one to be extremly surprised Fin-Keddin is only 39 years old? For some reason I imagined him as an old man, barely younger than Saeunn, and pictured him as some type of Dumbledore.
In conclusion I completely recommend it to everyone who's already read Wolf Brother. You won't be disappointed in this sequel. -
In Spirit Walker, Book 2 of the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness, Torak, is among Renn and Fin-Kedinn and their clan when a strange, horrifying sickness comes over them and other clans. Desperate to find a cure, Torak sets off west to the sea to find a remedy among the Seal Clan. He intentionally sets off alone, but secretly wishes Wolf was by his side once again, instead of with his wolf-pack. At the shores of the sea, he is taken captive by Bale, Asrif, and Detlan. His captors take him to an isolated island to meet his fate and the island mage, Tenris. Tenris seems wise, kind, and all-knowing, and most importantly he knows of a cure for the sickness affecting the clans. He cured his clan three summers ago when they fell deathly ill to the strange disease. Torak will do anything to bring the remedy back to the forest. But, dangers follow Torak and people are not who or what they seem to be. Torak needs Wolf and Renn to fight the evils and eventually all three are together again, but is it too little, too late? In the end, Torak discovers a frightening secret about himself and his father that will lead him onto his next journey.
-
Companion
This is the second book in the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series and the story continues with Torak and his Wolf Brother on a quest to solve a mysterious plague that is spreading across the land. The evil that possessed the bear that killed his father seems to be a constant demonic presence that is hunting and haunting him. Torak starts to gradually build an understanding of what happened to his father and the forces he faces. Friendships are hard to find in this supernatural land and being an outsider Torak is cloaked in superstition.
This is a great adventure that is just superb to share with your children or Not . -
Superb writing for children, and adults who love good children’s literature. Thrilling adventure, great characterisation, and I will continue to advocate for this marvellous series to children parents, librarians and booksellers!
-
Didn't enjoy it quite as much as the first one but a still a good book and I'm eager to continue the series
-
3,75/5
-
This is one of my favorite series of all time! I love this world created inside the books....I could live there forever!
-
Taillesses are so complicated
-
Esta historia me tiene enganchadísima y muy intrigada.
Este libro plantea un tema que me parece bastante apropiado para el contexto mundial actual: una enfermedad desconocida y mortal ataca a los clanes del bosque. Torak emprende un viaje en solitario para buscar la cura y Renn, ofendida por haber sido dejada atrás, emprende su propio viaje en busca de Torak; Lobo, que se había sumado a una manada al final del libro pasado, también decide emprender su propio viaje en busca de sus dos amigos humanos. Todos están separados, es desesperante leer como están tan cerca de encontrarse tantas veces pero siempre pasa algo que se los impide.
Los nuevos personajes me encantaron, es evidente el desarrollo que tuvieron Bale y Asrif a lo largo de la historia (Detlan siempre fue un ángel, hay que decirlo) y las diferencias que tienen los clanes del mar con los clanes del bosque son muy marcadas.
El ritmo de lectura es excelente. No hay un segundo de aburrimiento ni de calma, el misterio persigue a nuestros protagonistas a donde van. El cambio de panorama realmente le permitió a la autora desplegar toda su habilidad de descripción y demostrar toda la información que posee sobre las civilizaciones históricas, es bellísimo de leer.
Admito que, si bien me encantó este libro, me gustó incluso más el primero. Creo que sentí más la urgencia de la situación con un oso que puede aparecer en cualquier momento que con una enfermedad que podés contraer cuando menos la esperás. Entre las cosas que más disfruté del libro está la puesta en evidencia del cariño que sienten Torak y Renn el uno por el otro –su amistad claramente está profundizándose cada vez más– ¿y Renn interactuando con Lobo?, denme un millón.
El final es extraordinario. Brinda muchísima información que era necesaria para comprender y esclarecer ciertos sucesos. La trama se oscurece, el peligro acecha y es mucho más grande de lo que nuestros protagonistas imaginaban. Ansiosa por leer el próximo: El devorador de almas. -
This book continues the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness. It is number two of the series. This series is supposed to be aimed at children. I would argue that there are some segments that are too violent and upsetting for children and that it is for adults. With that caution in mind, it is an enjoyable read, fast paced and intriguing. As with the first volume, I appreciate Michelle Paver's research into Indian culture. There were some myths in this book that I had not heard of before and their descriptions were done well. I enjoyed her descriptions of thoughts inside the minds of Wolf and the other animals.
-
Ωραια ιστορία ! Το δεύτερο μέρος της περιπλάνησης του Τορακ, ένταση θάρρος ! Χαρακτήρας ήρωας και εχθρός αρκετά προβλέψιμος ! Ήθελα να το πάει ένα βήμα παραπέρα . Οι αναφορές και οι επιρροές του πολλες αλλά το ξεχωριστό στίγμα του συγγραφέα ακόμα δεν το έχω βρει. Πάντως είναι μια ιστορία για κάθε ηλικία
-
Setelah beruang setan berhasil dimusnahkan, Torak masih belum dapat hidup dengan tenang. Ia tahu kelompok Pemakan Arwah masih berkeliaran di luar sana. Pada sekuel kedua dari Chronicles of Ancient Darkness ini, masalah yang harus Torak hadapi adalah penyakit misterius yang menimpa klan-klan di daratan. Mereka berjuang untuk mencaritahu penyebab penyakit yang sukar disembuhkan itu. Dan Torak berusaha untuk mencari obatnya karena ia tahu hanya ia yang mampu melakukan itu.
Saya masih memberi 3 bintang (sekarang udah berubah jadi bintang 5) untuk kisah Torak ini untuk cerita yang menarik. Kalian tak akan bisa menghindar dari gambaran-gambaran purbakala yang diberikan oleh Paver di buku ini. Ya karena jelas sekali, Torak hidup di zaman itu. Paver menyajikan kisah tentang petualangan dari masa kuno dengan bumbu persahabatan dan juga pengkhianatan.
Yang dapat kita ambil dengan sangat jelas dari buku ini adalah gambaran imajinasi Paver tentang kehidupan masa lalu. Ingat, Paver tidak hanya sekedar menulis namun juga sampai menyempatkan diri untuk meneliti dan bahkan berenang bersama Paus pembunuh hanya untuk merasakan bagaimana petualang Torak yang akan ia tulis nanti ketika berenang menjauh dari Paus pembunuh.
Lain hal yang dapat kita ambil adalah pesan-pesan moral yang tersirat dari novel ini. Contohnya Seperti yang dikatakan oleh Fin-Kedinn dalam bagian akhir novel ini;
"Kejahatan ada dalam diri kita semua, Torak. Beberapa orang melawannya, tapi ada juga yang menyerah. Itulah yang terjadi." (h. 367)
Maksud Fin-Kedinn adalah dalam diri manusia ada hal-hal yang terkait dengan kebaikan dan kejahatan. Memilih salah satu perbuatan yang akan kita lakukan adalah hak setiap manusia. Namun pastinya memilih jalan kebaikan adalah sesuatu yang terhormat. Jalan kejahatan merupakan jalan yang menarik namun penuh dengan racun yang akan berbalik memangsa kita. Maka orang-orang yang terjun dalam dunia kejahatan adalah orang-orang yang menyerah dengan godaan-godaan dari pesona kejahatan itu sendiri. -
Spirit Walker was a fantastic sequel, I really enjoyed it!
I am seriously in love with this series. The mysteries surrounding Torak’s powers were just wonderful. I need to know more about his abilities okay? Because they are just awesome. The poor boy just can’t have a break can he? I love how he went off to find the cure of the sickness all by himself. That was really brave. I also adore Renn and Wolf’s tentative friendship. So cute. I have a hunch that there’s more to Fin-Keddin’s character than meets the eye. I can’t wait to learn more about him.
It was nice to have a different setting for this book: The Sea and the Seal Islands. Once again, Michelle Paver did a brilliant job with the amount of detail she put in for the Seal clan people and the sea animals especially the seals. I love seals! But like Torak, Renn and Wolf, I missed the forest.
Can’t wait to read Soul Eater! I know it’s going to be even better! -
found the second book to be a much better read. I think the mixing of the seal clan led to more adventure.
I love the wolf , an amazing loyal guardian. -
I really don't know how to describe these books.
I love Michelle Pavers attention to detail and how she obviously researched these things. It's really brilliant.
I honestly can't say anything about this book that'll really do it justice.
Michelle Paver is on par with my favourite author, Darren Shan right now.
Watch out Darren, Michelle's coming. -
Åååååååh jag står inte uuuuuut
-
Welcome back to the world of Torak, Renn and Wolf. The first time I read this was significantly later after I listened to Wolf Brother narrated by Ian Mckellan since I was not as enthused with books then as I am now. Once I knew about the sequels however, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on copies.
Torak successfully destroyed the demon bear at the end of Wolf Brother, but the bear was just the tip of the iceberg. Raven Clan leader Fin-Kedinn has revealed to Torak the group responsible for its creation, an evil group of mages known as the Soul Eaters who aim to rule the forest. They must be stopped, and it is Torak’s task to do so.
Spirit Walker was good, but still suffered a little from second book syndrome. It dragged in a few sections, but Paver made up for with a couple of spectacular scenes as the novel reached its climax.
Like with Wolf Brother, the detail Paver goes to combined with her delivery makes this novel quite special. This time she takes us to the sea and I was so vividly able to imagine its ways, its creatures and the clans that inhabited the islands (I would love to be able to see Killer Whales up close in the Sea as Paver did).
Paver introduces to a few new character new characters, primarily Bale, a boy little older than Torak and Renn from the Seal Clan who features heavily throughout the second half of the novel. There is the also Tenris, the mysterious Seal Mage.
This one deserves four stars since it is an enjoyable read but falls slightly short of standard achieved by Wolf Brother. If you have read book 1 but not read any of the others, I highly suggest you do so because these novels will take your breath away. Onto book 3 titled Soul Eater. -
L'anno si conclude con il secondo volume della saga delle Cronache dell'era Oscura.
In questo episodio abbiamo un' epidemia misteriosa che miete vittime tra i vari Clan della Foresta (ma non mi dire...).
Torak si mette in viaggio con Wolf e l'amica Renn per indagare su questa strana malattia e cerca una cura da poter portare ai Clan affetti.
Spirit Walker mi è piaciuto davvero molto, anche se rispetto al primo la valutazione è leggermente più bassa del primo libro, perché in certi punti l'ho trovato lento e poco coinvolgente.
Rimane comunque una buona prosecuzione della saga che consiglio ancora a tutti coloro che voglio leggere un bel fantasy molto diverso dagli altri. -
Поредицата за Душеядците продължава с новите приключения на Торак, Рен и Вълка. Този път опасна болест заплашва клановете, които живея в горите. Торак решава да отиде при своите роднини Тюлените, за да намери лек за хората. Преживява приключения, сблъсква се с демони, тюлени и косатки. Благодарение на своите верни приятели Вълк и Рен, той успява да се справи с поредния Душеядец и открива на какво още е способен. Тайните излизат една по една.
Интересна фентъзи книга за деца и възрастни, приключенска, написана с любов и уважение към животните и природата. -
A teen-hood favourite that is still amazing even reading it at 21.
With little time the easy reading is appreciated, but the story still sucks you in as you keep wondering what is going to be revealed next. I found myself getting emotional at certain parts, so it still makes you feel even though it is not as technical in writing style.
Easily my favourite series of all time, and I can't wait to continue on with it! -
Series Review.
I can't believe I let this series slip through the cracks of my childhood. I know this might feel like blasphemy to some, but honestly. This series is arguably 1a to the books that were my childhood, Harry Potter. The world of forest in Chronicles of Ancient Darkness is just as expansive and mesmerizing as the wizarding world. It's been a long while since I enjoyed the heck out of a series like I did this one. -
Het voelde of ik werd losgetrokken, had Torak gezegd. Het voelde alsof ik de vis was.
Eerlijk is eerlijk, ik heb nooit helemaal écht goed geweten wat ik met dit boek aan moet. En ik heb er ook een vreemde geschiedenis mee.
Eerst en vooral moet ik zeggen dat ik de eerste editie heb. Toen heette dit boek nog niet 'Torak en Wolf - De Zielzwerver' maar 'Torak de Zielzwerver'. Achteraan op de kaft staat 'vanaf 10 jaar' en toevalligerwijs was ik ook net zo oud toen mijn moeder dit boek een keer in de Standaard Boekhandel voor me kocht. Geen idee waarom eigenlijk, want ik las toen redelijk weinig. Ik las zeker niks nieuws; als ik al iets las, dan deed ik herleesrondes van De Vijf van Enid Blyton. Maar goed, ik zette me dan maar een keer aan die zielzwervende Torak (wat dat ook mocht betekenen).
Het was geen goede ervaring. Op mijn tiende was ik duidelijk te jong voor dit boek. Het taalgebruik ging mijn petje toch nog wat te boven en ook de plot was voor mij op die leeftijd te ingewikkeld. Bovendien leek het alsof ik een stuk van het verhaal gemist had, want er werden overal zaken en namen vermeld die mij niks zeiden maar waar ook geen uitleg bij werd gegeven. Ik hield het ongeveer vijftig bladzijdes uit.
Torak kreeg een tweede kans zo'n twee jaar later. In het eerste middelbaar begon ik opnieuw met lezen - heel erg intensief lezen - en ik zag opeens dit boek in de kast staan. Het taalgebruik ging al heel wat vlotter, ik begon de plot een beetje te verstaan - maar het leek nog steeds alsof ik dingen miste. Dus na dertig bladzijdes was het weer: hoep, de kast in.
Tot ik in de bibliotheek bij de afdeling 12+ bij de letter P kwam. Daar stond een boek dat Torak en Wolf heette - en hé, die namen kende ik! Ja. De reden dat ik er geen bal van snapte, was natuurlijk inderdaad omdat ik gewoon een heel boek gemist had.
Het was dus een moeilijke bevalling.
Maar dan nog ben ik nooit echt helemaal weg geweest van het boek. Die vier sterren hier, da's eigenlijk gewoon omdat ik het niet helemaal weet. Het zijn er nu geen twee of zo, maar verder... Ik heb nooit echt goed geweten wat ik met dit boek aan moet.
Ergens, op een abstract niveau, heb ik altijd iets gemist. Vraag me liever niet wat dat is, ik weet het zelf niet, al vind ik het tegenwoordig wel beter dan vroeger. Het is iets in de verhaallijn. Ik vraag me persoonlijk ook dit af: toen ik het de eerste keer las, had ik geen flauw idee wie nu de Zieleneter was. Als ik het boek nu voor het eerst opnieuw zou kunnen lezen... zou ik dat dan wel raden? Zo moeilijk lijkt het me namelijk niet. Ach ja, ervaring...
Wat me wél altijd heeft bevallen is dat dit boek de hele reeks écht op gang trekt. Het eerste boek was meer een kennismaking met de wereld, de personages, de achtergrond van alles. Vanaf dit boek komen we in een min of meer vast stramien terecht:
1) Er gaat iets mis.
2) Torak, meestal vergezeld door Renn en/of Wolf, gaan op expeditie.
3) Die expeditie vindt plaats in een niet eerder verkend deel van de wereld dat zijn eigen levensstijl, gevaren, en zo meer heeft.
4) Indien Torak alleen gaat, komen Renn en Wolf achter hem aan.
5) Op een bepaald moment in het boek maken Torak en Renn ruzie omdat Torak Renn niet in gevaar wil brengen terwijl Renn hem gewoon wil helpen, waarna ze elk even huns weegs gaan.
6) Climax.
7) Alles komt in orde, en Fin-Kedinn onthult weer een stukje van de hele geheime puzzel van Toraks verleden.
Op dat stramien zijn natuurlijk wel uitzonderingen, maar die zijn eigenlijk zeldzaam. Daar moet je voor te vinden zijn of niet. Persoonlijk hou ik er wel van (al kan Torak soms echt irritant zijn. Renn is je zielsverwant, maat, hou haar gewoon dicht bij je).
Wat me misschien meer tegenstaat dan de andere boeken in deze reeks is de setting. Die hele Zeehondeneilanden spreken me niet echt aan, en hun bewoners evenmin. Bovendien komt Bale hier in, en ik ben nooit echt zo'n grote fan van Bale geweest. Maar ook dat is dus weer iets waar ik niet goed de vinger op kan liggen.
Nu lijkt het natuurlijk alsof ik een hele tijd zit te zagen over dit boek, maar al bij al valt dat nog wel mee. De wereld en hun manier van leven is, zoals gewoonlijk, nog steeds prachtig, uitvoerig en duidelijk beschreven. Het verhaal is spannend. De personages zijn goed. De schrijfstijl en de vertaling zijn magnifiek. Op een paar puntjes na - waar ik hier dus wel redelijk lang op ingegaan ben - is dit dus weer gewoon wel een goed verhaal. Daar komt nog bij dat, buiten dat stramien van hierboven, in dit boek echt de stap wordt gezet naar waar de rest van de reeks over zal gaan: de strijd tegen de Zieleneters. Het eerste boek was een instapboek, maar nu is het helemaal menens. Ik vraag me trouwens ook af hoe mijn twaalfjarige ik in godsnaam géén trauma heeft overgehouden aan de memorabele woorden die Torak te horen krijgt: 'Ik ga je hart opeten.' Oké dan.
8,5/10
PS: In deze eerste uitgave werd natuurlijk al gewag van het volgende boek, deel 3 dus, dat in het Nederlands de naam Avonturen in het Hoge Noorden heeft gekregen. (Daarover hebben we het in mijn recensie bij dat boek nog.) Wat opvalt: in dit teasertje staat nog dat het boek Torak de Zieleneter zal heten. -
I liked this book more than the first one for some reason. Perhaps because I have a better grasp for the story now, or maybe it was the sea creatures. Anyway, it was very entertaining, even with the predictable plot twists.
-
The sense of menace and foreboding Michelle Paver creates is fucking UNREAL in a YR series. I’ve read adult fantasy that doesn’t even come close to striking the same fear of the unknown enemy that these do!! She also swam with orcas and visited Norway to research this??? LEGEND. ICON.
-
Como el primer libro impresionante y preciosa historia!!!!
