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Chronicles of Ancient Darkness #5
Oath Breaker
Torak circled the fire and Thiazzi came after him: slowly, cracking his whip, playing with his prey as a lynx plays with a lemming. Torak was exhausted. He wasn't going to last much longer.
When he was outcast, Torak was the hunted one. Nine moons later he becomes the hunter, when he vows to avenge the killing of one of his closest friends.
Racked by guilt and grief, he follows the killer into the Deep Forest, where the World Spirit stalks the hidden valleys as a tall man with the antlers of a stag. But there is a rottenness at the heart of the Forest, for its clans have succumbed to the lies of the Soul-Eaters. Here Torak must face fire, war, and overwhelming evil.
The fifth book in the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series, Oath Breaker is a story about keeping promises and the true cost of vengeance.
When he was outcast, Torak was the hunted one. Nine moons later he becomes the hunter, when he vows to avenge the killing of one of his closest friends.
Racked by guilt and grief, he follows the killer into the Deep Forest, where the World Spirit stalks the hidden valleys as a tall man with the antlers of a stag. But there is a rottenness at the heart of the Forest, for its clans have succumbed to the lies of the Soul-Eaters. Here Torak must face fire, war, and overwhelming evil.
The fifth book in the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series, Oath Breaker is a story about keeping promises and the true cost of vengeance.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
126 people are currently reading
3861 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Paver
56 books2,363 followersMichelle 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 320 reviews
December 19, 2020
Torak’s adventures with Wolf, Renn and the other Open Forest clans are endangered by Thiazzi’s reach for power in the Deep Forest where he manipulates the mysterious Red Deer and Auroch clans. In this penultimate volume of the wonderful Wolr Brother series, Torak once again learns about bravery, friendship and forgiveness while nearly losing everything he values. I find that these books are wonderful in their depiction of the Stone Age / Bronze Age in northern Europe and especially loved a moment towards the end with the Forest Horses.
A must for you and your kids!
A must for you and your kids!
May 12, 2009
This is the best book so far in this very good series! It is packed full of adventure, literally from page one! Torak suffers yet another great loss in life, and this time, not being a small child, he swears revenge. He drags those who love him - Wolf, Renn, Fen-Keddin - along on his quest, and often, in spite of the evidence directly in front of him, he allows his oath of vengance to lead him down paths that are not in his best interests. Like any kid feeling grown while not yet being grown, he takes on too much blame for things not really his fault and not enough for things that are - and still, Renn and Wolf stick with him. They all grow and learn edge towards a better life. There is much else I'd like to write, but one thing leads to another, and I don't want to give anything away.
I'd recommend this series to kids of any age, only pausing to phrase my recommendation with a disclaimer that this series takes place in an imagined world, 6000 years ago. We don't really know how folks lived, or what they thought supplied the life force that obviously surrounds them - if your own belief structure is so shaky you can't contemplate a world of clans, bonded to animal spirits and living lives filled with mysticism and inexplicable events without endangering your own spiritual well being - - - then sorry. Go re-read the Chronicles of Narnia (yawn).
I'd recommend this series to kids of any age, only pausing to phrase my recommendation with a disclaimer that this series takes place in an imagined world, 6000 years ago. We don't really know how folks lived, or what they thought supplied the life force that obviously surrounds them - if your own belief structure is so shaky you can't contemplate a world of clans, bonded to animal spirits and living lives filled with mysticism and inexplicable events without endangering your own spiritual well being - - - then sorry. Go re-read the Chronicles of Narnia (yawn).
January 26, 2023
W 2017 roku przeczytałam cztery tomy praktycznie na jednym wdechu, zaczęłam piąty... i stanęłam. Nie dlatego, że mi się nie podobała, ale dlatego, że w tamtym czasie czytałam chyba trzy czy cztery serie, w których główni bohaterowie mieli poniżej 15 lat i zwyczajnie miałam przesyt. Długo było mi jakoś nie po drodze z tą historią, ale jestem i okazało się, że: a) było warto! b) brakowało mi tych bohaterów i tego świata c) powstały jeszcze trzy tomy!
O dziwo po tylu latach wpadam w ta historię, jakbyśmy się widzieli zaledwie wczoraj. Witają mnie bohaterowie, których dawno nie widziałam, fabuła, której nie powinnam pamiętać, a tu o dziwo wszystko jest na swoim miejscu i to bez przypomnienia. Mamy ta pradawne wierzenia, trochę intrygi, naprawdę łebskich bohaterów. Poruszamy się w świecie, kiedy ludzie wciąż prowadzili koczowniczy tryb życia, rozumienie zwierząt uważano za nadprzyrodzone zdolności i polowano, by przetrwać. To historia dla małego i dla dużego, której inspiracją była nasza Puszcza Białowieska. I powiem wam, że odkąd pięć lat temu zgubiłam się po drodze, nie natrafiłam jeszcze na nic podobnego.
O dziwo po tylu latach wpadam w ta historię, jakbyśmy się widzieli zaledwie wczoraj. Witają mnie bohaterowie, których dawno nie widziałam, fabuła, której nie powinnam pamiętać, a tu o dziwo wszystko jest na swoim miejscu i to bez przypomnienia. Mamy ta pradawne wierzenia, trochę intrygi, naprawdę łebskich bohaterów. Poruszamy się w świecie, kiedy ludzie wciąż prowadzili koczowniczy tryb życia, rozumienie zwierząt uważano za nadprzyrodzone zdolności i polowano, by przetrwać. To historia dla małego i dla dużego, której inspiracją była nasza Puszcza Białowieska. I powiem wam, że odkąd pięć lat temu zgubiłam się po drodze, nie natrafiłam jeszcze na nic podobnego.
April 17, 2023
it's just so good
August 31, 2010
What I liked: Where to start? I have loved this series of books since I first opened Wolf Brother in 2004. Michelle Paver’s beautiful writing creates an ancient world that instantly draws you in and makes you believe in it so much you can almost feel the breeze and hear the Forest leaves rustling around you.
I love her detail. She has obviously done a lot of research and truly immersed herself in the world of post-ice age Europe and this reflects in every single line of the book. You can tell she has spent days at the UK Wolf Conservation Trust watching how the wolves move and act around each other, you can tell she’s visited Polish forests untouched by human hands and all of that adds up to make these some of the best young teen novels I have ever read in terms of world building and realism.
Her characters are brilliant also. Surprisingly easy to relate to despite living lives so different from our own, just a few pages in it feels ‘normal’ to leave a scrap of food in a tree fork as a ‘thank you’ to the Forest for providing or making sure your bow is carefully oiled and always ready to use. Torak is strong-willed and one of my favourite characters in any book, partly because of his close relationship to Wolf and partly because he is so very human in his doubts, passion and fears.
The story is fast paced and exciting, keeping you turning the pages long after you should have switched off the light and gone to sleep or stopped reading to do your homework.
What I didn’t like: This is much harder to answer because there is nothing I can come up with to dislike. Which means Michelle must be doing something very right indeed.
I love her detail. She has obviously done a lot of research and truly immersed herself in the world of post-ice age Europe and this reflects in every single line of the book. You can tell she has spent days at the UK Wolf Conservation Trust watching how the wolves move and act around each other, you can tell she’s visited Polish forests untouched by human hands and all of that adds up to make these some of the best young teen novels I have ever read in terms of world building and realism.
Her characters are brilliant also. Surprisingly easy to relate to despite living lives so different from our own, just a few pages in it feels ‘normal’ to leave a scrap of food in a tree fork as a ‘thank you’ to the Forest for providing or making sure your bow is carefully oiled and always ready to use. Torak is strong-willed and one of my favourite characters in any book, partly because of his close relationship to Wolf and partly because he is so very human in his doubts, passion and fears.
The story is fast paced and exciting, keeping you turning the pages long after you should have switched off the light and gone to sleep or stopped reading to do your homework.
What I didn’t like: This is much harder to answer because there is nothing I can come up with to dislike. Which means Michelle must be doing something very right indeed.
October 6, 2018
Decision
In the latest adventure, Torak must track down the killer of his friend. Torak blames himself for leaving him alone and swears an oath to avenge his friend. The killer they know and he is a powerful Mage. Alliances will be tested among the clans and maybe this Mage's power is all the greater if he's a Soul Eater. Evil lurks within but can others see it before its too late?
The Mage retreats to the deep forest which is beset with evil and the clans close to it are turning. The peoples are fracturing and dividing. Time is running out and Torak has many reasons to kill this Mage but at what cost. If faced with a choice of upholding his oath or saving a friend, what would his decision be and what would honour have him do?
In the latest adventure, Torak must track down the killer of his friend. Torak blames himself for leaving him alone and swears an oath to avenge his friend. The killer they know and he is a powerful Mage. Alliances will be tested among the clans and maybe this Mage's power is all the greater if he's a Soul Eater. Evil lurks within but can others see it before its too late?
The Mage retreats to the deep forest which is beset with evil and the clans close to it are turning. The peoples are fracturing and dividing. Time is running out and Torak has many reasons to kill this Mage but at what cost. If faced with a choice of upholding his oath or saving a friend, what would his decision be and what would honour have him do?
February 26, 2024
i cried. wolf had pups and renn kissed torak’s jaw and fin-kedinn hugged them both and bale went west, to where the sun sleeps in the sea. and i cried. 5*
April 25, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Mani reizēm tā besī Toraks un Rena! Viņiem ir tik daudz noslēpumu, greizsirdību un "ziedošanās" kā piemēram - „ej atpakaļ, Rena, un nepiedzīvo šo ļaunumu.” „Tas jādara man pašam” un tādā garā. Tas traucēja un es brīžiem domāju „kā var būt tik stulbs?”, jo zinu, ka viņi rūp viens otram. Un tad atkal viņi ir draugi utt. Pietam katrā grāmatā saistībā ar šo atkārtojas viens un tas pats!
Bet stāsts kā tāds ir ļoti labs un interesants, nevarēju atrauties!
Kā arī „Zvēresta lauzējs” mani saraudināja jau pašā sākumā (tas notiek ļoti reti), kad Beilu nogalināja. Bet tomēr es priecājos, ka grāmatai ir labas beigas. 🥰
Mani reizēm tā besī Toraks un Rena! Viņiem ir tik daudz noslēpumu, greizsirdību un "ziedošanās" kā piemēram - „ej atpakaļ, Rena, un nepiedzīvo šo ļaunumu.” „Tas jādara man pašam” un tādā garā. Tas traucēja un es brīžiem domāju „kā var būt tik stulbs?”, jo zinu, ka viņi rūp viens otram. Un tad atkal viņi ir draugi utt. Pietam katrā grāmatā saistībā ar šo atkārtojas viens un tas pats!
Bet stāsts kā tāds ir ļoti labs un interesants, nevarēju atrauties!
Kā arī „Zvēresta lauzējs” mani saraudināja jau pašā sākumā (tas notiek ļoti reti), kad Beilu nogalināja. Bet tomēr es priecājos, ka grāmatai ir labas beigas. 🥰
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 12, 2022
Ondskans Schaman är femte delen i serien Vargbröder och tar vid nio månader efter förra boken, Jagad av Klanerna, slutade.
Ännu en bra och spännande uppföljare i denna serie. Jag upplevde denna lite mer mörk än de tidigare böckerna. I handlingen möts vi av krig och ondskan från en av Själslukarna. Vi möts också av många olika känslor bland karaktärerna som sorg, kärlek och vänskap. Torak drivs av sorg som blir vrede efter sin enda närstående släktings död. Det här är ett sånt tillfälle där jag som läsare blir arg på författaren då personen dödar en karaktär man håller kär.
Vänskapen mellan Torak och Renn växer och man får se från ett nytt perspektiv hur mycket dom betyder för varandra.
Precis som de tidigare böckerna i serien märks det att författaren lagt ner mycket tid på research. Handlingen är välskriven med enkelt språk. Det är lätt att hänga med och se skogsmiljön runt omkring. Händelserna är genomtänkta och för vidare berättelsen om Torak, han som föddes att möta mörkret.
Jag älskar att få läsa om hur de olika klaner gör och vad dom har för regler. Och att få utforska Djupa Skogen mer är alltid roligt, speciellt när man får göra det med karaktärerna. Efter första kapitlet var jag helt fängslad. Sidorna flög förbi och helt plötsligt var den slut. Jag anade att nästa bok i serien, Vålnadernas Berg, skulle bli minst lika spännande och började läsa den direkt när jag slängde ihop denna.
Ännu en bra och spännande uppföljare i denna serie. Jag upplevde denna lite mer mörk än de tidigare böckerna. I handlingen möts vi av krig och ondskan från en av Själslukarna. Vi möts också av många olika känslor bland karaktärerna som sorg, kärlek och vänskap. Torak drivs av sorg som blir vrede efter sin enda närstående släktings död. Det här är ett sånt tillfälle där jag som läsare blir arg på författaren då personen dödar en karaktär man håller kär.
Vänskapen mellan Torak och Renn växer och man får se från ett nytt perspektiv hur mycket dom betyder för varandra.
Precis som de tidigare böckerna i serien märks det att författaren lagt ner mycket tid på research. Handlingen är välskriven med enkelt språk. Det är lätt att hänga med och se skogsmiljön runt omkring. Händelserna är genomtänkta och för vidare berättelsen om Torak, han som föddes att möta mörkret.
Jag älskar att få läsa om hur de olika klaner gör och vad dom har för regler. Och att få utforska Djupa Skogen mer är alltid roligt, speciellt när man får göra det med karaktärerna. Efter första kapitlet var jag helt fängslad. Sidorna flög förbi och helt plötsligt var den slut. Jag anade att nästa bok i serien, Vålnadernas Berg, skulle bli minst lika spännande och började läsa den direkt när jag slängde ihop denna.
August 27, 2017
This wasn't the best of Michelle Paver's books in the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series. There were quite a lot of parts in the book that lacked believability for me. Since I work with horses, I felt a big ouch there and wished she had done better research on them. However, it was an exciting read. As always, she has a writing style that really draws you in. The theme of the struggle against a need for revenge was the best aspect of the book.
January 26, 2018
Sadly, Torak has become a very stupid whining asshole.
This is exactly the point where those YA fiction series fail - every other character has logic and their actions somewhat make sense, all but the main character.
At some point, it really feels unfair that Torak is still alive.
Maybe he should die and Renn should take over.
This is exactly the point where those YA fiction series fail - every other character has logic and their actions somewhat make sense, all but the main character.
At some point, it really feels unfair that Torak is still alive.
Maybe he should die and Renn should take over.
April 10, 2021
Another superb book in this wonderful series from Michelle Paver ❤️🐺
July 4, 2024
very much enjoyed this one. I got sucked in right away. the last chapter/epilogue was so heartwarming.
January 6, 2025
Look this one is really good it has a really cool Forrest and some very cool story telling so again highly recommend this part of toraks life.
February 20, 2023
Posiblemente sea el mejor libro de la saga hasta el momento.
Me saltaré la sinopsis esta vez ya que se trata de un spoilerazo que, si bien da pie a todo lo que se desarrollará en la novela, me dejó de piedra y con una profunda tristeza.
Para mí, esta entrega es la más oscura. Comprendemos que los protagonistas no están a salvo, que todos están en constante peligro y que las amenazas acechan. Los devoradores de almas que sobrevivieron, Thiazzi y Eostra, no piensan darse por vencidos cuando están tan cerca de todo lo que siempre han buscado. Si bien se separaron desde los eventos en El devorador de almas y corren por sus propias cuentas, ambos siguen siendo los antagonistas a derrotar para que el mundo como lo conocen sobreviva y el mal deje de atormentarlos.
En esta quinta entrega vemos a unos Renn y Torak más maduros. Los vemos crecer, desarrollarse, tomar decisiones y actitudes que ni de casualidad habrían hecho libros atrás. Las experiencias pasadas y los conocimientos adquiridos en sus aventuras los han ayudado a florecer. A pesar de que aún son niños y se comportan acorde en ciertas situaciones, sin dudas es refrescante verlos ocupar estancias que detestaban, una prueba de su crecimiento. Por este motivo creo que categorizaría este ejemplar como un coming-of-age de ambos.
Desde el primer libro estoy ansiosa por ver cómo el vínculo que une a estos chicos se va afianzando. Cada vez son más cercanos y la amistad que los une se va convirtiendo, paulatina pero inevitablemente, en algo más, y aquí se da cuenta de ello. Es el primer guiño que nos da Paver de que algo pasa entre Renn y Torak, and I'm here for it.
No sabía que iba a calificar El juramento de Torak con cinco estrellas hasta que llegué al final. El último capítulo es tan perfecto que me sacó unas lágrimas de la más profunda felicidad. El sufrimiento del principio valió completamente la pena.
Me saltaré la sinopsis esta vez ya que se trata de un spoilerazo que, si bien da pie a todo lo que se desarrollará en la novela, me dejó de piedra y con una profunda tristeza.
Para mí, esta entrega es la más oscura. Comprendemos que los protagonistas no están a salvo, que todos están en constante peligro y que las amenazas acechan. Los devoradores de almas que sobrevivieron, Thiazzi y Eostra, no piensan darse por vencidos cuando están tan cerca de todo lo que siempre han buscado. Si bien se separaron desde los eventos en El devorador de almas y corren por sus propias cuentas, ambos siguen siendo los antagonistas a derrotar para que el mundo como lo conocen sobreviva y el mal deje de atormentarlos.
En esta quinta entrega vemos a unos Renn y Torak más maduros. Los vemos crecer, desarrollarse, tomar decisiones y actitudes que ni de casualidad habrían hecho libros atrás. Las experiencias pasadas y los conocimientos adquiridos en sus aventuras los han ayudado a florecer. A pesar de que aún son niños y se comportan acorde en ciertas situaciones, sin dudas es refrescante verlos ocupar estancias que detestaban, una prueba de su crecimiento. Por este motivo creo que categorizaría este ejemplar como un coming-of-age de ambos.
Desde el primer libro estoy ansiosa por ver cómo el vínculo que une a estos chicos se va afianzando. Cada vez son más cercanos y la amistad que los une se va convirtiendo, paulatina pero inevitablemente, en algo más, y aquí se da cuenta de ello. Es el primer guiño que nos da Paver de que algo pasa entre Renn y Torak, and I'm here for it.
No sabía que iba a calificar El juramento de Torak con cinco estrellas hasta que llegué al final. El último capítulo es tan perfecto que me sacó unas lágrimas de la más profunda felicidad. El sufrimiento del principio valió completamente la pena.
April 24, 2019
"Some places hold an echo of events; others possess their own spirit." (Oath Breaker, page 140)
Each book within "The Ancient Chronicles of Darkness" is filled with truth and wisdom wrapped within fiction.
Each book stands on its own, while being interwoven with the one standing next to it; and, each book draws you in.
"Oath Breaker" receives a 4 star rating only because the list of new clans introduced creates a bit of a muddle. From start to finish, the waters ran a bit muddy and slowed things down for me.
You can easily track characters without confusion. It's just that for all of Michelle Paver's exquisite technique and sharing of detail, (which typically allows a reader to be one within its pages, living and breathing next to its main characters); this time, the descriptives got in the way a bit for me.
A magnificent read, nonetheless; more tightly held secrets are revealed to include information previously unknown about Torak's Fa and Mother along with why his Mom declared him to be without a clan.
The revelations are brilliant.
Michelle Paver's series for young adults remains one that none should miss regardless of age or gender. This authoress has lived and breathed alongside her characters too and you can tell. She's just as in love with them as you'll find yourself to be.
Bravo Michelle Paver's; Bravo!
Each book within "The Ancient Chronicles of Darkness" is filled with truth and wisdom wrapped within fiction.
Each book stands on its own, while being interwoven with the one standing next to it; and, each book draws you in.
"Oath Breaker" receives a 4 star rating only because the list of new clans introduced creates a bit of a muddle. From start to finish, the waters ran a bit muddy and slowed things down for me.
You can easily track characters without confusion. It's just that for all of Michelle Paver's exquisite technique and sharing of detail, (which typically allows a reader to be one within its pages, living and breathing next to its main characters); this time, the descriptives got in the way a bit for me.
A magnificent read, nonetheless; more tightly held secrets are revealed to include information previously unknown about Torak's Fa and Mother along with why his Mom declared him to be without a clan.
The revelations are brilliant.
Michelle Paver's series for young adults remains one that none should miss regardless of age or gender. This authoress has lived and breathed alongside her characters too and you can tell. She's just as in love with them as you'll find yourself to be.
Bravo Michelle Paver's; Bravo!
March 12, 2023
Wow! 😱😁
'Oath Breaker' is the 5th novel in 'The Chronicles of Ancient Darkness' series and it's up there with one of the best! 😁
The premise of the story is as follows: Bale, friend of Torak and Renn, is murdered and Torak vows to get revenge...
Travelling to the Deep Forest to hunt down one of the remaining Soul-Eaters, both Torak and Renn find themselves in grave peril as the Clans in the Deep Forest are at war and will not show mercy to anyone that passes through.
Also Wolf will learn a shocking truth about Torak, his pack-brother, that'll change their relationship forever...
Final feelings:
'Oath Breaker' is, in my opinion, arguably the strongest novel of the series so far! 😱😁 The story is strong and the character development is phenomenal! 😁 It builds massively on 'Outcast' and is a return to form for the series! 😊
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 5/5!
'Oath Breaker' is the 5th novel in 'The Chronicles of Ancient Darkness' series and it's up there with one of the best! 😁
The premise of the story is as follows: Bale, friend of Torak and Renn, is murdered and Torak vows to get revenge...
Travelling to the Deep Forest to hunt down one of the remaining Soul-Eaters, both Torak and Renn find themselves in grave peril as the Clans in the Deep Forest are at war and will not show mercy to anyone that passes through.
Also Wolf will learn a shocking truth about Torak, his pack-brother, that'll change their relationship forever...
Final feelings:
'Oath Breaker' is, in my opinion, arguably the strongest novel of the series so far! 😱😁 The story is strong and the character development is phenomenal! 😁 It builds massively on 'Outcast' and is a return to form for the series! 😊
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 5/5!
July 12, 2017
I swear, this is my absolute favorite series. It has amazing descriptions and is incredibly original and easy to understand. It was very exiting and thrilling throughout the entire book. It really makes you feel a lot of emotions such as happy/relieved, scared, and sad. The ending was probably the best ending I've read in any book and it literally made me cry. This was the 5th book, so there's only one more left in the series and that's really heartbreaking for me because I could read these books forever!
July 14, 2017
This has been the most emotion-driven book of this series so far. Not that it lacked adventure, it definitely didn't.
There's a major character death that affects Torak a lot, and all throughout the book, while seeking vengeance, he learns a lot about himself, about others, and others learn a lot about him as well. There's a shift in his relationships with everyone and in the way he sees things.
This book felt kind of bittersweet to me and that's probably a way to introduce the next and last book of the series. So not ready for this journey to end. 💔
There's a major character death that affects Torak a lot, and all throughout the book, while seeking vengeance, he learns a lot about himself, about others, and others learn a lot about him as well. There's a shift in his relationships with everyone and in the way he sees things.
This book felt kind of bittersweet to me and that's probably a way to introduce the next and last book of the series. So not ready for this journey to end. 💔
July 26, 2023
Spännande handling. Gillar hur karaktärerna växer och blir äldre och kampen som utspelas mellan klanerna. Fastän det avgörande ”slaget” mot Thiazzi var spännande var det lite väl kort och enkelt, vilket drog ner handlingens klimax.
December 8, 2021
3 pages in and I’m already crying :)
got to love all this angst
got to love all this angst
January 6, 2021
This story got real, quick. The Seal Clan boy...! My heat broke. The characters are growing up and with them the story gets harder, darker.
In this book we visit the Deep Forest and it sounds horrifying: too close, too much, to dark. That place is where Nature thrives, where humans should make little impact. Beautiful but dark and scary.
Rate Procedure:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - I loved the book so much I would reread it again and would recommend to a friend.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Thoroughly enjoyed the book, could not put it down, would recommend to a friend, but do not need to read again.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Probably a good book that I enjoyed but there was something about it I did not love (e.g. The writing style, the POV, etc.). I would only recommend to a friend if it was their "type" of book.
⭐️⭐️ - A book I have below average feelings for and it would not come with a recommendation from me but I would mention it in conversation if related to the book topic at issue.
⭐️ - I finished the book but I hated every second of it.
In this book we visit the Deep Forest and it sounds horrifying: too close, too much, to dark. That place is where Nature thrives, where humans should make little impact. Beautiful but dark and scary.
Rate Procedure:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - I loved the book so much I would reread it again and would recommend to a friend.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Thoroughly enjoyed the book, could not put it down, would recommend to a friend, but do not need to read again.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Probably a good book that I enjoyed but there was something about it I did not love (e.g. The writing style, the POV, etc.). I would only recommend to a friend if it was their "type" of book.
⭐️⭐️ - A book I have below average feelings for and it would not come with a recommendation from me but I would mention it in conversation if related to the book topic at issue.
⭐️ - I finished the book but I hated every second of it.
September 6, 2023
I read this in one sitting. I just can’t let go of this magical world. The character development in both Renn and Torak + Wolf was so well written. But what I loved the most was how Renn reclaimed her secret, being a mage but also being the daughter of one of the soul eaters & but reclaiming this to fight them. This series is wonderful.
October 7, 2024
DNF à 20%.
Sérieusement c’est quoi le problème avec cette série ? Je sais bien que c’est un livre jeunesse, mais là on arrive à une telle perte de qualité d’écriture et de style par rapport aux premiers tomes. A certains moments, j’avais l’impression que des mots avaient simplement été oubliés dans les phrases tellement ça devenait simpliste, voire cryptique.
Sérieusement c’est quoi le problème avec cette série ? Je sais bien que c’est un livre jeunesse, mais là on arrive à une telle perte de qualité d’écriture et de style par rapport aux premiers tomes. A certains moments, j’avais l’impression que des mots avaient simplement été oubliés dans les phrases tellement ça devenait simpliste, voire cryptique.
March 18, 2024
Spännande bok
September 4, 2025
Loved these series!
May 1, 2024
Im crying. I feel like Im growing up with Torak, wolf and Renn but i’ve only been reading the series for like a month 😭
July 29, 2025
'Jullie zijn broeders uit het roedel. Een wolf laat zijn broeder uit het roedel niet in de steek.'
Dit boek begint ferm onverwacht. Dit zijn we niet echt helemaal gewend van Paver - ze blijft de lezers verrassen. Bij haar zie je zelden zo'n grote plotwending, en hier zijn het er dan eigenlijk twee redelijk dicht op elkaar, na de climax die in Verstoten aanwezig was. Het zorgt voor een ferme shock, niet alleen bij de personages, maar ook bij de lezers. Je wordt even met je neus op de feiten gedrukt: de auteur schuwt de details niet. Misschien is dit wel de eerste keer dat je er echt bij stilstaat dat sommige scènes in dit boek niet erg kindvriendelijk zijn en wel choquerend kunnen overkomen. Gelukkig zagen ze er bij de uitgeverij geen graten in, want soms gebeurt dat nog wel eens...
Verder levert ze natuurlijk ook weer een ijzersterk verhaal af, met dit keer nog een hoop morele dilemma's eraan toegevoegd. Misschien is dit dan wel een jeugdboek, officieel, maar volgens mij kan iedereen dit lezen als ze willen. Er zit gewoonweg zoveel diepgang in.
Er doet in dit boek ook een nieuw personage haar intrede. Eigenlijk was ze al even aanwezig in Verstoten, maar dat was toen maar in een paar scènes: Donkervacht, een heel aangename wolvin en een welkome aanvulling voor de roedel van Wolf. Het maakt het allemaal al wat serieuzer, Wolf wordt duidelijker een volledig volwassen wolf. De hele ontwikkeling is knap gedaan. Ongelooflijk ook hoe Paver erin slaagt om als het ware in de geest van die dieren te kruipen. Bovendien krijgt Wolf een stevig dilemma te verwerken, en dat is ook goed in het verhaal geïntegreerd.
Torak en Renn zijn anders, ze zijn volwassener geworden, en hun taak wordt steeds moeilijker. Thiazzi is niet de simpelste Zieleneter om te verslaan, en het Diepe Woud, waar dit boek gesitueerd is, is een duistere, onvriendelijke plek. Het hele boek door zeurt er iets van gevaar en onheil door de pagina's, lang voordat alles ten einde komt. Een echte spoiler zal het wel niet zijn als ik zeg dat Torak en Renn desondanks erin slagen de bovenhand te halen, maar het blijft goed geschreven. We wisten het allang, natuurlijk: Torak en Renn maken dan wel dikwijls ruzie, als het eropaan komt, zijn ze er altijd voor elkaar. Je merkt dat hun relatie evolueert. Een echt powerkoppel.
Het boek haalt niet echt het niveau van het vorige, maar hey, dit is nog steeds erg knap geschreven. En na zo'n supergeweldig boek zou het wel heel sterk zijn om het nog beter te doen. Wat een verhalen toch altijd!
9,3/10
Dit boek begint ferm onverwacht. Dit zijn we niet echt helemaal gewend van Paver - ze blijft de lezers verrassen. Bij haar zie je zelden zo'n grote plotwending, en hier zijn het er dan eigenlijk twee redelijk dicht op elkaar, na de climax die in Verstoten aanwezig was. Het zorgt voor een ferme shock, niet alleen bij de personages, maar ook bij de lezers. Je wordt even met je neus op de feiten gedrukt: de auteur schuwt de details niet. Misschien is dit wel de eerste keer dat je er echt bij stilstaat dat sommige scènes in dit boek niet erg kindvriendelijk zijn en wel choquerend kunnen overkomen. Gelukkig zagen ze er bij de uitgeverij geen graten in, want soms gebeurt dat nog wel eens...
Verder levert ze natuurlijk ook weer een ijzersterk verhaal af, met dit keer nog een hoop morele dilemma's eraan toegevoegd. Misschien is dit dan wel een jeugdboek, officieel, maar volgens mij kan iedereen dit lezen als ze willen. Er zit gewoonweg zoveel diepgang in.
Er doet in dit boek ook een nieuw personage haar intrede. Eigenlijk was ze al even aanwezig in Verstoten, maar dat was toen maar in een paar scènes: Donkervacht, een heel aangename wolvin en een welkome aanvulling voor de roedel van Wolf. Het maakt het allemaal al wat serieuzer, Wolf wordt duidelijker een volledig volwassen wolf. De hele ontwikkeling is knap gedaan. Ongelooflijk ook hoe Paver erin slaagt om als het ware in de geest van die dieren te kruipen. Bovendien krijgt Wolf een stevig dilemma te verwerken, en dat is ook goed in het verhaal geïntegreerd.
Torak en Renn zijn anders, ze zijn volwassener geworden, en hun taak wordt steeds moeilijker. Thiazzi is niet de simpelste Zieleneter om te verslaan, en het Diepe Woud, waar dit boek gesitueerd is, is een duistere, onvriendelijke plek. Het hele boek door zeurt er iets van gevaar en onheil door de pagina's, lang voordat alles ten einde komt. Een echte spoiler zal het wel niet zijn als ik zeg dat Torak en Renn desondanks erin slagen de bovenhand te halen, maar het blijft goed geschreven. We wisten het allang, natuurlijk: Torak en Renn maken dan wel dikwijls ruzie, als het eropaan komt, zijn ze er altijd voor elkaar. Je merkt dat hun relatie evolueert. Een echt powerkoppel.
Het boek haalt niet echt het niveau van het vorige, maar hey, dit is nog steeds erg knap geschreven. En na zo'n supergeweldig boek zou het wel heel sterk zijn om het nog beter te doen. Wat een verhalen toch altijd!
9,3/10
June 20, 2009
CHRONICLE OF ANCIENT DARKNESS - BOOK 5: OATH BREAKER by Michelle Paver
Oath Breaker is about a boy who lived in prehistoric times and had to learn to survive on his own. His father has died and he has been outcast from any clan. When Torak's best friend is killed, he swears vengence and goes after the killer along with another best friend and her uncle. I loved how the author enabled us to see what life was like back then and to see how people saw and interpreted their world. It was fascinating how well they could communicate with the animals--both human and animal understood & befriended one another. But, at the same time, I had a hard time wrapping my mind around the idea that humans could actually learn and speak the audible language of animals. However, it was easy to believe you were actually there, in the wild, having to fight to survive. The names that the author used in the book were a bit confusing, at times. Was that a person's name? Was that the name of a Clan? Or was that the name of something in nature? But I eventually caught on to the system. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I'd recommend it to anyone who loves to read about prehistoric cultures. And even though I was able to understand everything in this book, I think reading the first four books would help you learn about the naming system and how the humans & animals could communicate, among other things about this culture.
Oath Breaker is about a boy who lived in prehistoric times and had to learn to survive on his own. His father has died and he has been outcast from any clan. When Torak's best friend is killed, he swears vengence and goes after the killer along with another best friend and her uncle. I loved how the author enabled us to see what life was like back then and to see how people saw and interpreted their world. It was fascinating how well they could communicate with the animals--both human and animal understood & befriended one another. But, at the same time, I had a hard time wrapping my mind around the idea that humans could actually learn and speak the audible language of animals. However, it was easy to believe you were actually there, in the wild, having to fight to survive. The names that the author used in the book were a bit confusing, at times. Was that a person's name? Was that the name of a Clan? Or was that the name of something in nature? But I eventually caught on to the system. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I'd recommend it to anyone who loves to read about prehistoric cultures. And even though I was able to understand everything in this book, I think reading the first four books would help you learn about the naming system and how the humans & animals could communicate, among other things about this culture.
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