The Burning Shadow

Gods and Warriors #2

by Michelle Paver

'If an Outsider wields the blade, the House of Koronos burns...'

A boy on the run.

A deadly prophecy.

A race against time.

Hylas the Outsider is captured by slavers. Set to work in the terrible underground mines of Thalakrea, he learns to his horror that he's now closer than ever to his murderous enemies, the Crows. He has to escape before they find out he's here.

Pirra, the daughter of the High Priestess, is also on the run. When Fate reunites her with Hylas, their survival depends on ancient magic and an orphaned lion cub - unless the Gods have other plans...


'Electrifying' - Independent on Sunday

'The reader's attention is caught from the first line...spellbinding' - Telegraph

'Set to become another children's classic' - Books for Keeps

Michelle Paver was born in Malawi in 1960 and moved to England when she was three. After gaining a degree in biochemistry from Oxford, she became a partner in a City law firm, but gave that up to write full-time. To research her stories about animals and the distant past, she has travelled in the Arctic, the Mediterranean and Egypt, swum with dolphins and killer whales, and encountered bears, boars and wolves. She is the author of the internationally bestselling Chronicles of Ancient Darkness, the final book of which won the 2010 Guardian Children's Fiction Prize.

Genres: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Mythology, Fiction, Middle Grade, Adventure

288 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2013

About the author

Michelle Paver was born in central Africa, but came to England as a child. After gaining a degree in biochemistry from Oxford University, she became a partner in a city law firm, but eventually gave that up to write full-time.

The hugely successful Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series arose from Michelle's lifelong passion for animals, anthropology and the distant past—as well as an encounter with a large bear in a remote valley in southern California. To research the books, Michelle has traveled to Finland, Greenland, Sweden, Norway, Arctic Canada and the Carpathian Mountains. She has slept on reindeer skins, swum with wild orca (killer whales), and got nose-to-nose with polar bears—and, of course, wolves.

Reviews

[Jelena Milenković · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such a fast read!

And again I became most attached to The Animal, and yet again Hylas abandoned her.

Wonder what the next book has in store for Hylas and Pirra. And Telamon, sounds like he’s going to be our next villain, and that he’s going to be good at his work. Maybe?

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I said before - what a lot I (or anyone!) could learn about storytelling from Michelle Paver! "The Burning Shadow" is remarkable. Though the second in a series, it very nearly stands alone; though it involves multiple viewpoints, the reader is never lost or confused even for a split second. And what a story! As in the previous book, "The Outcasts", the action starts with a bang, as young Hylas the goatherd, still searching for his missing sister, is captured by slavers and forced to work in his enemies' copper mines. If they discover him, they'll kill him at once. In the meantime, his friend Pirra plans her escape from the palace on Keftiu, and his former friend Telamon continues to make bad decisions, under pressure from his uncles and grandfather. For Telamon is one of the Crows, the warriors who have sworn to kill all the Outsiders. Hylas and little Issi are Outsiders-

Everything comes together here to form a compelling story: the detailed settings, the lovely prose, the action, and especially the characters, new and old. Paver writes her children and her animals with great tenderness and truth. Still, she doesn't shy away from showing the consequences of their actions and the cruelties, as well as the beauties, of the volcanic island where most of the story takes place. Hylas and Pirra continue to strike sparks off each other, and Telamon is causing me more and more worry, as he seems to travel deeper into darkness. But the star of the book is Havoc, an orphan lion cub who becomes a friend and guide to Hylas and Pirra. She's an utterly charming and convincing little critter, and the chapters from her point of view are fascinating.

Any young teen - or adult! - with any taste at all for historical fiction, fantasy and/or animal stories will find "The Burning Shadow" a rewarding and compelling read. Highly, highly recommended!

[Ash Ebrahim · Rating 4 out of 5]

UGH this book is coming real soon!
Michelle Paver always starts the real deal in the second book and MAN this will be the first book I read with a LION CUB!!

HOW ADORABLE WOULD THAT BE!!!
Review to come

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is like a drug. It's amazing, well-writed and thrilling and you never want it to end.

[Neon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book in the Gods and Warriors series. Michelle Paver really knows how to tell a story. It's quite funny actually. The first books of hers I read were the Brother Wolf series and when I started this series every book so far I've felt tentative because nothing can compare to the experiences I felt with the first series I read.

But whenever I get a few pages in I'm caught up and I remember how much I loved the book before. I can't wait to read the next, I have so many questions that need to be answered.

Does drinking water from the paw print of a lion really make you stronger? ♡

[Fabiano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Few authors can deliver such a grand, thrilling, emotional children adventure.
Michelle Paver is definitely one of the best.

[Marčello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Šī ir ”Dievi un karotāji” otrā grāmata. Pirmo neesmu lasījis, bet tāpat bija interesanti lasīt.
Man patika Hiliasa drosme, kad viņu sagūstīja. Patika, ka ļaunais Telamons tomēr palīdzēja Hiliasam izglābties. Patika Hiliasa rūpes par mazo lauvenīti Postažu.
Nepatika ļaunās Vārnas un tas, ka Hiliasa draugā - Vabolē - iemiesojās grābēji.
Gribētu izlasīt turpinājumu un varbūt pirmo grāmatu.

[Malin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bra ju! Visst, det märks på språket att den är skriven för barn/unga - men berättelsen är spännande, boken är välskriven och allt känns noga genomtänkt av Paver. Kommer läsa uppföljaren!

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Often book 2 of a series is where a series dips. Not this time, in my opinion. This was an exciting continuation of the tale that had me hooked on the series. Perhaps my favourite episode thus far. Part of that was because the action is set here around an ancient copper mine, and the author explains at the end that she based the mine on the bronze age copper mine at Llandudno, which is not too far from me, and I have visited a number of times. That made the whole terrifying experience that little bit more real.

There is also a very significant bronze age event mentioned in this book. I won't mention it to avoid spoilers although the cover gives a clue. Interestingly this event is suggested as being what destroyed the real "Atlantis" that would have been located on this island at this time... but that may be overthinking things a bit.

In any case, Hylas and Pirra re-appear in this story along with a new animal friend.

[Jure · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read it in one go. Vivid and tense, and definitely NOT only for youngsters.

[Bai · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is so addictive. It really pulls me in and I always want to go back to it and know what happens next.

[Lumnis Des · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you have read the "Wolf Brother" books, you will be familiar with Michelle Paver's writing style. Unfortunately, in terms of historical accuracy and environmental details, the 'Gods and Warriors' series is less sharp than 'Chronicles of Ancient Darkness'.

On the back of the book reads "readers who like fantasy and/or Percy Jackson will love this book". Unfortunately, that was not the case with me. I bought this book expecting a story based on Greek gods, only to find there are none. No historical references either, since the world is entirely a creation of Paver's. The fact that the story also begins with scenes of child slavery also put me off rapidly.

Some people have loved this book, so it's probably that it wasn't right for me.

[authorsrikandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is the continuation of the Outsider. I love it and I would definitely want to know what happen in the third book. I want the hardcopy book so it was hard to find it when you're not in the Uk or the States to buy it.
But...
No worries. I will try to find the book and support the author. Her writing was irresistible and i love it very much!!!
I learned so much about the Bronze age of Ancient Greece and i love learning new stuff. Would recommend for people who wanted to learn history as well dwell into the world of fiction!
PS I know it has been years since the book came out but it never too late to read it😄

[Stef Rozitis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second in a series. Hylas is captured and taken to be a slave in the mines (a horrible fate), there he has to prove himself to the other slaves. Pirra manages to escape her controlling mother. They befriend a lioness-cub Havoc. Some of my avourite passages from the story were told from Havoc's perspective, Paver did not turn her into a human and she was just enchanting.

Sad and dark themes, not over the top I guess but a long fight scene between Hylas and a former friend. Complex relationships. I suspect I will choose to read more of these and if my kids were still kids I would get these for them.

[Crystal E. Fall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Något som kan bli bättre?
- Ingenting! Jag har läst böcker som är bättre, men jag tycker Michelle Paver har lyckats med den här serien, den är mycket bättre än Vargbröder! Jag gillar historia! 5/5 stjärnor.

[Laura Kelim · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was really good. Definitely recommend, I love how she wrote the book. It was very descriptive and fun to read. Doesn't have like too much drama and i feel like hylas's character wasn't written nicely but rest was good .

[Martyna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nie dawalam w ogóle aktualizacji,ale bardzo podobała mi sie tą część ALE KIEDY ON URATUJE PIRRE 😭😭 ratujcie mnie kiedy to sie wydarzy dlatego ze sie nakręciłam ze znajdzie daje 4,80 :)
Zguba mega slodka byla i jak sie poznawal z Hylasem to slodkie bylo

[Lenka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rovnako super ako prvý diel, napínavé dobrodružstvá, úskalia kamarátstva a rozkošné vnímanie sveta pohľadom malej levičky :)

[Annabelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing and I loved its adventure and trickery

[Eldin Stråth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kept me entertained all the way!! It took me two days to finish, mostly due to having too little time to read. It's honestly amazing!
And I love Amok <3

[Melissa Petro · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,7

[Alex Loughnane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best in the franchise imo. Thalakrea was an even better location the Island of the Fin people in the 1st book. I enjoyed the character development.

[Lindsay Backer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent series

Great 2nd book in this series. Enjoyed the development of the main characters and th introduction of the lion cub.

[Andrew Orange · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend this book.

[Erika Wernbro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lite bättre än första boken i serien. Väldigt spännande, men vissa bitar är över för snabbt.

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great continuation of the story. I have always loved ancient history. This has just enough fantasy mixed in the real world

[mitski stan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved. It.

[Samantha (A Dream of Books) · Rating 3 out of 5]

'The Burning Shadow' is the second book in Michelle Paver's Gods and Warriors series. When I read the opening instalment last year I was extremely impressed so I was excited to pick up the threads of the main character Hylas's story and see what lay in store for him next.

The plot again follows Hylas the Outsider and Pirra, who is on the run from her life as daughter of the High Priestess. The two have been separated but they are never far from each other's thoughts and their paths seem destined to collide again in the future. The adversity that both characters face is shown but their strength lies in their determination to overcome all the obstacles put in their way.

I absolutely adored the chapters told from the viewpoint of Havoc the lion cub. Michelle Paver writes beautifully through the eyes of Havoc, conjuring a real sense of the animal's thoughts and feelings. She also shows wonderfully the cruelty and beauty of nature working in tandem together. Havoc and Hylas develop an amazing bond and it's this which for me is one of the main strengths of the whole book. I've yet to come across another author who writes about animals in the way that Paver does.

An incredible sense of history is conveyed throughout the story. I knew very little about the Bronze Age before I started reading this series but I feel like I've gained a real understanding of this particular period of history and I'm eager to find out more about the way of life of the people that lived during this time.

Overall, this was a tale of exciting adventure which hooked me from the very first page. The third book in the series is set to be published in 2014 and with the ending of 'The Burning Shadow' leaving the reader in great anticipation of what will come next, I for one am going to be counting down the days until it hits bookshop shelves.

[Stanly · Rating 4 out of 5]

BOOK REVIEW:
“The author keeps you starving for more action with impossible plot twists and turns. If you loved Rick Rioderns Percy Jackson series, then you'll crave GODS AND WARRIORS.” _Stanly Benson.

The story takes place over three thousand years ago, before even the Greek gods were fully formed. It’s set in the Bronze Age; a time when people still ate raw meat and fish -occasionally cooking it if they had time, when Kronos and his brothers were still very much alive. What held my attention most was the fact that a thirteen year old child was plunged into the dealings of the gods -another pawn for them to show their supremacy over mortals.

There was never a dull moment throughout my time reading, my heart rate went up with apprehension. Several times I tried to guess the outcome of several impossible situations, yet, the author somehow created a loophole the saved the day. Twice the main character faced death, each time, I was certain of his death; yet he proved his resilience.
The second book ended on a bit of a cliff hanger (you know, with the end of the world and all that.) I’m excited about the next instalments. I cannot wait to see what the author has in store for Hylas and Pirra. Even though Talamon is now kinda evil, I’m pumped to find if he will keep to the promise he made himself at the end of book 2.

I just had to write this review and do my chores before continuing with the rest of the books. I started the first book at 4:00 am and now it's just a few minutes past 3pm, deep down, I know if I put off doing my laundry and picked up the next book, I won't stop until I've finished all of it. The author keeps you starving for more action with impossible plot twists and turns. If you loved Rick Riodern’s Percy Jackson series, then you'll crave GODS AND WARRIORS.

[Maja Kron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hylas and Pirra have to escape new danger on a new island and this time they meet a lion cub. This book was on the same level as the first one, though I think I liked "The Outsiders" a bit more simply because it was quite a lot about the ocean (which is like my favorite thing in the world), it had a dolphin in it, and I love being introduced to main characters and new world building. On the other hand, this was really good because the story took off for real in this one and it was more of a cliffhanger by the end, and now I'm actually worried for Hylas and Pirra and what's to become of them.

Michelle Paver is also fantastic at writing animals, and this lion cub is one of the most adorable creatures ever. I felt so sad for her in the beginning and she was probably the character I cared about most. Paver gives the animals such personalities and character that they feel very, very real. She can almost fully convice someone that's how for example lions feel in real life, and it gives you such sympathy for them, and that's such a good thing and one of the reasons why I love her books so much.

This is a children's book, or a book for younger teens, but I'm enjoying this series probably more than I should as an adult. It's a relief to read something simple like this sometimes where there's not much romance at all and they focus completely on the adventure and other character traits. I will definitely continue this series as soon as I have bought the other books, which hopefully will be in the very near future!