The Rise of Wolves

by Kerr Thomson

Innis Munro is walking home across the bleak wilderness of Nin Island when he hears the chilling howl of a wolf. But there are no wolves on the island - not since they were hunted to extinction, centuries ago. He decides to investigate his island home and accepts an ancient challenge: he who jumps the Bonnie Laddie's Leap wins a fortune. As the wolves rise from the darkness of history, and long-buried secrets resurface, Innis's adventure truly begins...

Genres: Young Adult

304 pages, Paperback

First published November 2, 2017

Reviews

[MissStan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The island of Nin has been flagged as a site for a wind farm but the locals are against the idea. If someone can make a dangerous leap, they will be the new laird of the Island and they will be able to stop the wind farm. Innis thinks he is the one for the job. A great read. I especially loved the setting of this book - and the wolves.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Rise of Wolves is an atmospheric Scottish mystery that had a poetic beauty and simplicity about it that I really enjoyed. I think the first few chapters suffered a little from me coming to it straight from reading The Sacrifice Box which is a heart in the mouth horror, but once I'd settled into the rhythm of it I enjoyed the way the book weaves nature, mythology and friendship into a mystery which carries you forward to its exciting conclusion. I haven't given it 4 stars because there were a few passages that I felt were a bit too educational for my liking (explaining the surveyors equipment and the names of illnesses for example) but I am not the real intended audience and maybe younger readers will be glad to understand these things without having to Google them. I wish I could have given it 3.5 though as 3 does seem a bit harsh for such a lovely book - I do urge you to give it a go and make your own mind up. It's the first of the three titles shortlisted for the 2019 Scottish Teenage Book Prize that I've read. I'll update my review when I decide which is my favourite.

[Amy (Golden Books Girl) · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a lyrical, exciting middle grade mystery/contemporary, Kerr Thomson tells the story of Innis, a boy who lives on Nin in Scotland as he decides to try and jump the Bonnie Laddie`s Leap in order to become Laird of Nin and not have to move due to his grandfather`s deteriorating health, while also trying to work out why there are wolves on the island and why they`re so interested in him. I thought Innis was a lovely, yet still flawed, main character and I felt really sympathetic towards him when things were tough.  I also enjoyed his friendship with Kat (who was such a fabulous character in her own right; a very strong female), and how his relationship changed throughout with moody, mysterious Lachlan Geddes, who is somehow linked with the wolves. I felt like I learnt some new things from this (namely about the history of Nin and wind turbines) and I`m an absolute sucker for island settings, so I was guaranteed to fall in love with this book). The only thing I`d have liked was for the book to have continued on a little longer after the end, but I suppose it had to end somewhere  . I`ll be seeking out the Sound of Whales soon! 4.5/5

[Mesia Loriana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compelling story, charming through its simplicity, solid narrative. The character portraits feel like sketches, but not in a lacking way, more like in a leaving the rest to the imagination way, which I love

[Samama Reza · Rating 3 out of 5]

After plenty of years I genuinely felt the pang of excitement before starting a book, just the way I used to feel when I used to buy a book in my younger teen years.


The Rise of the Wolves was an informative novel. It told me all I needed to know about Scotland and entertained me thoroughly. This book is perfect for elementary school students, but not very fun and interesting for old people like us.


If you want to make any child an avid reader, hand this book over to them, they’ll enjoy the book AND learn a lot about a lot of things.


This book is about a boy who loves where he lives. Living in a small island with his grandfather, he enjoys the small life he has around the ones he loves.


Until one day a company comes to their small island to build wind turbines. To save his island from pollution he has to take in a challenge to cross an impossible leap to be the Laird of Nin. If he doesn’t, he would not only risk the existence of the wild wolves, but ruin their perfect night sky as well. Would he be able to cross the leap? Or would be fail miserably? Read the book to fine out!


I would give this book a 3 out of 5 stars. Perfect read for kids.

[Judy Wollin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story. A great mix of history, mythology and contemporary issues.
The story unfolds with Innis walking home across the moor. He hears a howl and thinks he spots a wolf in the distance. It can't be, there haven't been wolves on the island for years.
Innis sets out to try and find the wolf and starts at a local wildlife sanctuary, but is met by the very angry keeper and sent packing.
Most young people leave the island, but Innis is determined to stay and live with the Grandfather. he is also determined to find the wolves after one finds him.
Wind turbines, night lights jobs trigger community tensions. Only the Laird of Nin can save the island. The only way to become Larid is to jump a ravine that has already claimed multiple lives. Can Innis survive the leap?

[Linda Layne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I begin with "The Rise of Wolves"? Great character development, unexpected plot, and unexpected turns, to say the least. I especially appreciated the imagination, historical information that was anything BUT dry!

Also, it is becoming increasingly rare to find books that do not include unnecessary sex, violence, foul language. Kudos to Thomson for demonstrating that it is possible to write an exciting, edge of your seat piece of literature of this caliber. "Rise of Wolves" has friendship, animals, adventure - a trifecta of good reading! Thank you, Kerr Thomson, I look forward to reading more of your work.

[Justine Windsor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent novel for young and not so young. I loved the wolves and the evocative depictions of the island and its folk. I am some years older (ahem) than the intended audience, but the story grabbed me and I read it in a couple of sittings. All the characters are well drawn and Innis is a great hero whose problems with numbers put him in serious jeopardy...

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wolves, a Scottish Island, an ancient legend and the night sky. Just a magical and enthralling story making me want to hasten away to my favourite corner of the world. Thoughtful exploration about the importance of protecting what natural resources we know we have and those that we don’t know we have.

[Sue Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this! Such a great story for upper primary students with everything to explore great plot, characters, vocabulary and above all a fantastic setting. I read it as an adult and a teacher and thought it was excellent!

[Luca Fois · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found it quite boring.

[Gareth Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOOW

this book was absaloutely amazing the endening was so unpredictible and the characters were well chosen i would definitely recommend this book

[Gil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read, keeps reader's guessing about the Bonnie Laddie's Leap. Educational on light pollution, did not think of lights that way. Nice twist at the end about becoming the Laird of Nin.

[Barbara Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely tale with an especially evocative setting. The mystery of the wolves is one thing, but the leap challenge adds all the tension the story needs. Innis is a great wee hero.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

i loved it!

[Ranger · Rating 2 out of 5]

kind of boring, i wish it moved at a faster pace, cool plot/storyline though