Raised by Wolves

Two Wolves

by Tristan Bancks

Twelve-year-old Olive Silver knows how to check every room with a knife when she gets home from school, how to survive alone and how to keep secrets. She’s had to – ever since her criminal dad abandoned her family five years ago and let them pay for his crime.

But now he’s back.

The day she spots him outside her school, everything tilts. Olive calls her big brother Ben, who’s two days from graduating the police academy, and follows Dad through rain and darkness, across railway tracks and through wrecking yards, desperate for answers. Does Dad love her? Or is he only back for the money?

As the night spins out of control, Olive faces a let Dad go, or hunt him down and bring him to justice.

Raised by Wolves is a tense, heart-stopping thriller about loyalty, betrayal and finding out who you really are when the people you trust most let you down.

Genres: Crime, Childrens, Middle Grade, Young Adult

176 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 5, 2026

About the author

Tristan Bancks tells stories for the page and screen. His books for kids and teens include Two Wolves, The Fall, Detention, the Tom Weekly series, and Nit Boy. Ginger Meggs, Tristan’s 100th anniversary book of short stories, is based on characters created by his great-great uncle, Jimmy Bancks, in 1921. His books have won and been shortlisted for many awards, including a Children’s Book Council of Australia Honour Book, the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards, ABIA, YABBA, KOALA, NSW Premier’s Literary Awards and Queensland Literary Awards. His latest release is Cop & Robber, a nailbiting crime story for age 10+.

Tristan is a writer-ambassador for literacy non-profit Room to Read. He is currently working with producers to develop a number of his books for the screen. He’s excited by the future of storytelling and inspiring others to create. You can find out more about Tristan’s books, play games, watch videos, join his Young Writer’s StorySchool and help him try to change the world at tristanbancks.com

Reviews

[Rebecca]

This is Tristan Bancks’ best book - yet!

I was filled with thrilling dread, as I followed Olive as she race through the rain soaked suburbs, and pages.

The car crusher, the cowboy, the German shepherd dog! I had to put this story down at one point as I was so anxious.

And, the book references! Adorable. Olive is a girl raised on classic kidlit favourites - from Matilda to Stuart Little, Charlotte’s web and The mouse and the motorcycle ❤️.

This is a brilliant book I would recommend to all confident readers aged +10 years old.

Please make this into a film.

[Natalie M]

Bloody brilliant!

Absolutely the perfect read for YA and should be on all high schools prescribed reading lists.

A jam-packed, thought provoking and inspiring read.

[Middle Grade Musings]

‘Hide and Seek… was much more fun when her life wasn’t on the line.’

MGM Review 61 - Raised by Wolves - @tristanbancksbooks - @penguinkidsaustralia @penguinteenaus

It’s been nearly 7 years since the prequel to this story, so the anticipation for this one was big. Tristan is the master of the thrilling story, but he really takes it to another level with Raised by Wolves.

Ever since her criminal dad abandoned the family 5 years ago, Olive has been on edge. So when he resurfaces outside her school, it flips her world upside down. Why now? Does he still love her? Does she still love him? She is drawn to him, following him through the rain & darkness to find answers. But the night quickly spirals out of control & old wounds resurface. As the stakes heighten, Olive quickly finds herself in a life threatening chase, determined to get something from her dad. Will she finally get the answers she desires or will the night be too much for her & ultimately put her life in danger?

I had high expectations for this book & they have been blown away. It’s incredible that Tristan was able to fit so much into 215 pages. It’s a book of 2 tales: the non-stop thrilling action that puts lives in danger & keeps you completely hooked - dodging trains, gun toting cowboys, barefoot pursuits, vicious dogs & much much more (no spoilers here). Then there is the portrayal of Olive’s inner turmoil, as her world falls apart around her and she is completely torn in 2 by the moral dilemma that she faces. Tristan so powerfully portrays the internal struggles of Olive as she deals with the ramifications of her father’s arrival back into her life. You can feel her genuine anguish throughout. It’s a credit to Tristan that he could capture this internal battle in a storyline so fast-paced and filled with action.

There is a reason why Tristan’s books are widely adored by students around the country - complex characters, realistic dangers and thrilling storylines - a powerful combination for getting kids hooked on read. Raised by Wolves is no different & further cements him as one of the premier authors for youth in Australia.

#loveozmg #mgreads #mgbooks #middlegradebooks #middlegradereads

[K.]

Content warnings: theft, violence, animal attack, shitty parenting

3.75 stars

I feel like I should have reread Two Wolves prior to reading this because I really didn't remember Olive as a character or anything about the plot other than that their dad had stolen a ton of money. That being said, this does a fairly decent job of standing on its own two feet! I kind of wish Ben was *about* to leave for the academy rather than being about to graduate, but that's mostly because in my head he's still a 13 year old boy.

[Anna Davidson]

Tristan has done it again with a fast-paced thriller featuring Ben and Olive from Two Wolves. It’s great that this book stands alone, meaning it will reach a wide audience and hopefully compelling readers to read Two Wolves. This is slightly shorter than Tristan’s other novels, clocking in at just over 200 pages, but this length works well with today’s teenage readers. This is bound to be a hit in the library for upper primary and secondary readers wanting fast-paced action and adventure.

[Emily Williams]

A fast-paced, highly engaging, thought-provoking, gripping, and sit-on-the-edge-of-your-seat novel suitable for upper primary and early secondary readers, and had me at Chapter 1.

Suspense, adrenalin-pumping, heart-wrenching betrayal are all combined to make this follow up book to Two Wolves (2014) an absolute must for your book shelf. If you haven’t read Two Wolves that’s ok, as this story can also be read as a stand alone.

I have three favourite parts; first, a mathematical riddle at the airport which sent my teacher brain into a fit of hysterics; second, a dream kitchen with Fanta on tap with a sour worm dispenser (because who wouldn’t want one of those) and finally, the power of the written word (a letter given from daughter to father).

Highly recommend. Put your pre-order in NOW!

12 year old Olive has missed her criminal dad for 5 years. Then, he’s back! Does he love her? Has he always loved her? Why is he back?
An entire night of chasing, hiding, climbing and hoping leads Olive and her older brother into a chaotic search for truth and justice.
Throw in some (a lot of) money, bad guys, guns, scary dogs and very fast driving and you have the thrilling adventure of your life.


The story explores family relationships, moral decision-making, and identity in a way that encourages critical thinking and discussion. An incredible highly engaging novel for confident and reluctant readers alike.

[whatbooknext]

When Olive sees her father outside her school, she can hardly believe it. She hasn't seen him for 5 years, since she was 7 years old.

Her father pulled his wife and children into a crime, then fled and has been on the run ever since. Olive's trust in others has been severely damaged since, and her need to know why he did it and did he ever love her at all, still burns hotly inside. She decides she wants and needs answers.

She follows him, then makes a terrible decision that pulls her and her brother back into her father's destructive orbit.

Olive is tough for a 12 year old, and refuses to give in despite knowing there will be even more fallout in their lives.


My thoughts

Tristan Bancks books are always a cracking good read and Raised By Wolves is no different. The sequel to Two Wolves (2014), this novel is a solid stand alone and is full of action, emotion and danger.

With each chapter heading there is also a time of day, pulling readers even further into the narrative.

While reading, part of me thought, Leave it, let him go. But another part thought, GET HIM! Olive's emotional journey is a real one as her confusion about her father's actions throughout her life need answers.

Great read!

[Shane]

I was very excited when I heard a couple of years ago that Two Wolves would finally be getting a sequel. In preparation for its release, I have been reading Two Wolves with my Year 5 & 6 students this term, hoping to get them just as excited. I wondered where Tristan would take the storyline, how soon after the events of the original novel it would be set etc. All in all, it was quite a build up.

I was not disappointed.

I love that Raised by Wolves is from Olive's point of view, rather than continuing with Ben. I love that quite a bit of time has passed (5 years) since the events of the original novel and i love that you don't necessarily have to have read Two Wolves to understand and enjoy raised by Wolves (although I think it is better if you have).

The story is quite exciting, with significant amounts of danger. At times, I really wondered how Olive was going to get herself out of the situation. While the adventure storyline was interesting, I was even more engrossed by Olive's relationship with her father, and her wrestling with conflicting emotions in that regard.

I expect my students will lap this novel up, just as they have with previous Bancks books.

[Sarah]

A worthy successor to the awesome Two Wolves this book is short but packs a punch. The suspense and dread one feels at the start of this novel as Olive’s sense of reason is overtaken by something else is palpable! There is a relentless sense of an impending disaster as Olive re-engages with her Dad despite the history and the warning signs that things haven’t changed. She is desperate to rewrite her past and find the loving Dad she has always wished for. Some wishes are just that. Bancks writes a story about massive family disfunction without the story being depressing or dark. Olive is a bright light and that is what stays with you long after the story is finished.

[Swiggle Swaggle]

I just read raised By Wolves by Tristan bancks and give it 3 stars. I loved how short the book was and the short chapters. It was super fast paced and a no nonsense book. It was also the first book i have ever read that takes place over 1 day. However the actual storyline was a little boring - there wasn't alot that happened. The shock twist that the father had another family and thats why he wanted the money now was interesting but overall I feel like the story writing was very surface level. I wouldn't have minded a slightly longer book if I had more depth. But a decent read.

[Aryani Siti]

The book is about Olive, a twelve-year-old girl whose father left her family after committing a crime. When he suddenly comes back, Olive wants to find out why.

I enjoyed this book because it was exciting and made me want to keep reading. Olive was brave, and I liked how she kept looking for answers.

The story also made me think about trust, family, and making difficult choices. Some parts were emotional, while others were very exciting.

In the end, I found Raised by Wolves interesting and easy to read. I would recommend it to readers who enjoy mystery, adventure, and thriller stories.

[Penny Waring]

This novel delivered EXACTLY what I expected AND MORE.

Set mainly over an afternoon and night, Olive desperately tracks her estranged criminal Dad across the city, getting into all kinds of dangerous scrapes. Ben (soon to graduate Police academy) enters the story to help Olive.

Bancks' novels are famous for the impossible moral choices characters must make, and this one delivers on that as well.

Great for any reader aged 11 - 14, it would make an excellent class novel or literature circles choice.

[Kim Hart]

Almost 18 months after reading Two Wolves, I managed to buy and read (devour, really) the sequel, Raised by Wolves.
It picks up five years after Two Wolves, and is told from the sister’s pov, Olive. She is now twelve and is the most tenacious and impulsive character I think I’ve ever read.
I’m so glad the author chose her as the MC for this book, perfect choice! And I’m very glad he wrote book 2 as it wasn’t originally on the cards. Thanks to those readers who encouraged him with their questions to write a sequel.

[Kathryn]

A sequel to Two wolves. Read by the author - I listened to the audiobook. I loved the continuation of the story, five years on, this time largely from Olive's perspective. Olive is such a real character, struggling with her feelings re her dad, who ran out on the family leaving them to deal with the aftermath of his criminal activity. She is brave and determined and wants to do what right - but it's complicated. I also love the character of Ben, and how caring he is of Olive. Despite their parents these two have turned out fine.

[Sarah Louise]

I enjoyed revisiting these characters. My son was a bit frustrated with the ending, but perhaps that's because of his age and wanting a more black and white ending. I appreciated the nuance, life isn't fair and good people get hurt. I really felt for Mei - but as we well know, people like Ray seem to cause havoc and destruction wherever they go. The hopefulness at the end of the book regarding his journey, is starkly contrasted with April's complete lack of it.

[Sandra]

Fabulous sequel to Two Wolves. Four years later and Olive and Ben’s criminal dad unexpectedly turns up in their doorstep. All Olive ever wanted was to know her dad loved her, but as things go from bad to worse, Olive’s heart starts to turn to stone. Highly recommended

[Jen Nishi]

A fantastic follow up to Two Wolves! I loved olive’s character and inner struggle. I hurt when she hurt and cried when she cried, that’s how real Olive was written. An utterly propulsive read.

[Julia Smith]

A fast-paced thriller with plenty of action that takes a deep dive into familial betrayal and justice.

Can't fault it.

[Wendy Bamber]

Loved this follow up to Two Wolves which was a nice surprise to find on the bookshelf. Perfectly gripping for year 7/8.

[Daisy Flood]

This book was very well written and was quite thrilling but I felt that it was just a bit too rushed for me. So just an average book

[Gracie]

Raised by Wolves by Tristan Bancks is the sequel to his novel Two Wolves, which I read as the Year 8 students at my school read it for class. Raised by Wolves is set 5 years after the events of the first book and follows Olive who is now 12 years old. When her criminal dad comes back into her life, Olive has to decide whether to trust him. Over the course of the night, she makes a decision.

I found the sequel more interesting and better paced than the first book, which I gave 3 stars. The short time span of the book (taking place over one night) kept the book fast paced and tight, and I enjoyed following Olive. Reading these as an adult, they can be a little predictable, however I've seen kids really enjoy them. If you have kids in your life, these are definitely good books for an 8-12 year old who wants to read thriller.

3.5 stars.