Violet writes...

I absolutely love the series Chronicles of Ancient Darkness. I have just finished reading the last one Wolf Bane. I’ve been reading them ever since a month before the summer holidays in 2024. For World Book Day [6th of March or the day I sent you this message] I went as Renn. And I wonder will there be any more books? And in the books they never say years or months but they do say summers and moons so I was wondering if summers are equivalent to years and moons are equivalent to months? At first when I started reading Wolf Brother I didn’t really liked it but then the more I read the book the more I liked it! The Wolf Brother series Is definitely my favourite of all time but now that I’ve finished them I don’t know what to read so I was also wondering if you had any suggestions on what to read next?
From one of the biggest lovers of the Wolf Brother series
[by the way I’m using my dad's email address]

Michelle Replies...

Dear Violet, I'm delighted that you've been enjoying the Wolf Brother books so much - and thank you for sending the picture of you as Renn on World Book Day.  I think your expression has a look of Renn about it: very determined!  You're quite right that when people in Torak's world say "summer" (or indeed "winter"), they mean a year; and that "moons" correspond, roughly, to our months - although in Torak's world there are actually thirteen "moons", to correspond with the lunar cycle.  I'm afraid that Wolfbane is indeed the last in the series, and I've no plans to write another.  You see, I think that with that ninth book I've given Torak, Renn and Wolf quite a good send-off; and it's now up to them to go forward in life.  Also, I didn't want to have the series fizzle out, as series can tend to do if they're continued on beyond their natural ending.   As for what you might read next, well, a few years ago I wrote a five-book series set in the Bronze Age (that is, a bit later than Torak's time, but still in the very distant past).  It's called Gods and Warriors and it's published by Puffin Books.  It has lots of animals and adventure in it, so you might enjoy those stories too.  And of course if you're still missing the world of Wolf Brother, you could always re-read some of the books; that will get you back in the Forest, with Torak, Renn and Wolf.  Whatever you decide to do, thank you so much for getting in touch - and may the guardian run with you!  With best wishes, Michelle

Aimee writes...

Hi Michelle,

I left a message around a year ago praising the three newest Chronicles of Ancient Darkness books. Since then I’ve read Dark Matter, Wakenhyrst (particularly thrilling as I live near Ely in the fens!) and Thin Air. All three had me on edge, and although I found Thin Air had its similarities to Dark Matter, it still kept me on my toes and I thoroughly enjoyed the read! I’ve just seen that you have a new book in this genre in the works and I’m very excited for the release!!
Now onto the main reason I decided to message again… I got hold of a copy of The Shadow Catcher a little while ago and was hesitant to read it as it’s different to what I’ve previously enjoyed reading… but once I started I couldn’t put it down, it flowed so easily and is so beautifully written with small twists of darkness thrown in. I then saw that the second book’s protagonist was the sister of the first book’s and was hesitant to read that one too… however I found a copy and loved it even more than the first! (I especially love the detail and accuracy of everything equine- I previously worked with horses and now lucky enough have my boy on full loan. Also the detail of everything nature- I now work on a tree nursery- i feel like I connected with this trilogy tenfold because of this, and also when re-reading the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness!) I then couldn’t wait to read the third in the trilogy but made myself be patient and read a Terry Pratchett book in between. I have just finished The Serpents Tooth and feel like I felt every emotion written in the book and didn’t want it to end!
The research and passion for nature you put into your books to make them as accurate as possible whilst remaining fictional is incredible and personally I feel it adds depth to your books without any waffle! I imagine that’s all we’ll see of the Daughters of Eden, but is there possibility of something similar at all in the future? It makes for a lovely relaxing story after being traumatised (ok that’s a little dramatic, haha!) by Dark Matter.

Thank you so much for your imagination, research and putting such beautiful (or tension ridden!) words on paper!!
Aimee

Michelle Replies...

Dear Aimee, thank you for your lovely comments about my Daughters of Eden trilogy; I'm so pleased that you enjoyed it!  As you may know, I started my career writing historical novels for grown-ups: first came Without Charity, then A Place in the Hills (my personal favourite of those early books), and then Daughters of Eden - which drew on aspects of my family connection with Jamaica.  However it was only when Wolf Brother came along that I felt as if I'd truly found my subject; so to me now as I look back, those five early books can feel quite distant.  It's therefore very gratifying to hear from a reader who has read and enjoyed them after reading my later stories.  Thank you again, Aimee, for getting in touch - and I really hope that you enjoy Rainforest, when it comes out in October!  With very best wishes, Michelle.

P.S. And to anyone reading this who's interested in getting hold of these early books, I believe my publishers intend to re-release them as e-books next year.  When I know more, I'll post news on my website.

Ryan writes...

Dear Michelle!

Hoping, as ever, that you are well and 2025 is treating you well so far! I just wanted to write to congratulate you on the STUNNING cover for RAINFOREST which I saw Goldsboro revealed a few days ago. I love how it’s so colourful and yet so foreboding and ominous! It’s gorgeous and I cannot wait to see it in the flesh when the book comes out. Absolutely itching to read it. It’s been a long time since WOLFBANE came out and the itch for new Michelle Paver is strong!

Wishing you all the best and hoping to catch you at an event later in the year!

Ryan (HalfBloodRyan/Empire of Books)

Michelle Replies...

Dear  Ryan, I'm so glad that you like the cover!  Like you, I'm really looking forward to seeing the book "in the flesh" (great phrase) - and yes, it does indeed seem a long time since Wolfbane; even though I've been hard at work writing: first on Rainforest, and latterly on another Gothic story, which should see me through the rest of the year.  I hope all is well with you.  Very best wishes for a great 2025!  Michelle

Sofie writes...

Dear Michelle,

Hello! My name is Sofie, and I just wanted to write and give you my thanks.

My mom gave me the 1st CoAD book for Christmas back in 2011 when I'd turned 12 years old, and we both got hooked - I'm 25 now and I still love your books so, so much. I've re-read them now and then over the years and they're always a thrill, they hold a proud place in my bookshelf. I hope to have my little cousin read them when he's a bit older, because I think he'd love them just as much as I do. It was so exciting to hear that you'd released 3 new works for the series recently! I know it was a while ago now, but I just found out this winter and my mom and I are both going to read them like we did back in the day. The other week I let a classmate borrow my copy of part five, Oath Breaker, and she was sooo excited to have it, haha. As I understand it she just started reading them for the first time recently, and it's given us something to be equally enthused about.

Right now I'm a university student who studies ancient religion and archaeology (by Umeå University in Sweden), and having read your books it's just a little cherry on top to the whole experience. So interesting!! I've always been very impressed with the research you did in order to write this series, going out of your way to learn more about wolves for example, but it really is amazing seeing how well you breathe life into these ancient worlds. I love and adore your attention to detail, and the way your writing style makes everything so vivid and captivating without being overly lengthy or complicated. Your works have given me a huge love for culture, nature and art.

The Chronicles of Ancient Darkness will always be a series that's dear to my heart, and I can't thank you enough for what a gem you shared with us all. Thank you from me and mine in the past, present and future!

Best wishes to you,
Sofie

Michelle Replies...

Dear Sofie, what a marvellous message to receive!  I loved reading about how both the 12-year-old you and your mother both got hooked by my stories - and that you still enjoy reading them today, as an adult.  I can imagine that when you re-read them now, with insight into archaeology and ancient religions gained from your course, you probably see all sorts of different things in themfrom when you enjoyed them as a child. (I often find that myself, for instance, when I re-read re-retellings of the Norse myths which were my favourites as a ten-year-old.)  Over the years I've had many messages from people such as you, who first read the Wolf Brother books as children, and yet still enjoy them as adults.  It's actually not something I foresaw when I was writing the stories, but I love the fact that it happens.

I wish you every possible success with your University course - which sounds absolutely fascinating - and of course, many more hours with Torak, Renn and Wolf in the Forest! May the guardian run with you.  Michelle

Daryl writes...

Hello!
I wrote to you previously praising Dark Matter & Thin Air and was ecstatic to learn you were writing a new book which we now know is titled Rainforest. Are you planning to do any signed editions or sprayed edges? Im hoping to preorder from waterstones but have jumped the gun before and missed out on exclusives. A huge fan & wishing you a happy publishing day come October!

Michelle Replies...

Dear Darryl, I'm so glad that you're looking forward to Rainforest!  I'm afraid I don't yet know whether the publishers are planning any special editions, but  as and when I know more, I shall post something on my website.  In the meantime, thank your for your enthusiasm, which means a lot.  I'm really pleased with Rainforest.  I don't think you'll be disappointed!  With very best wishes, Michelle.