Otto writes...

Hi,

just wanted to reach out to say that the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness were a pretty transformative part of my childhood. I remember reading the Finnish translation of Wolf Brother in just about a day. Having grown up running around the forests of rural Finland, it all just clicked immediately. Outcast ended up being the first full novel I ever read in English too — the translations were great, but I simply could not wait. Now that I think of it, I'd be surprised if your series didn't contribute to the fact that I ended up working in research, with a focus on wolves to boot.

What made me want to send this message was picking up Dark Matter last year. I'd just spent a spring in Svalbard, and what can I say: it was the same thing all over again as with Wolf Brother. Couldn't put it down. Being so familiar with environments that Torak and Renn inhabited always drew me in as a kid. And now, to experience that again as an adult who'd fallen in love with the desolate wastes of the High Arctic, was one of the highlights of an otherwise rough year.

Thank you,
Otto

Michelle Replies...

Dear Otto, What a great message; thank you!  I love the picture you evoke of your childhood self wolfing down Wolf Brother in about a day, not to mention running around in the Finnish forests (I envy you that).   I'm also delighted that you enjoyed Dark Matter, and that it reminded you of the High Arctic, which we both know and love.  But I'm sorry you had a rough year.  Here's hoping that 2024 will be better.  With very best wishes, Michelle

Ján writes...

Dear Mrs. Paver:

In December 2023 I bought the Slovak translation of your book, Dark Matter, which intrigued me.

In August 1988 we carried out a small expedition to Svalbard lasting about 20 days. We were five rock climbers from Nitra, Slovakia, and two scientists – parasitologists – from the Comenius University in Bratislava.

We took a train to Moscow and then another train to Murmansk. There we boarded a Russian cargo ship and after two days we got to Barentsburg, where we took two helicopters to the Atomfjella mountains in Svalbard.

We set up a base camp by the sea near an abandoned log-cabin that used to belong to a fur hunter. The Russians gave us two rifles against the bears and a walkie-talkie. Further up we set up another camp on an iceberg, where we did some rock-climbing. While climbing on a small hill we found a stone pyramid, in which there was a tin can containing a paper record of an expedition. The expedition had been done by Cambridge University on the 18th of August 1932. I have a photograph of this document, which I would love to send to you.

Going back we also took a helicopter to Murmansk, this time during big waves at sea.

I have been on many backpacking adventures in my life, including to Finland and Norway (North Cape), a boat trip to Helsinki, and a 20 days long expedition to Peru up to 5000 meters above sea level. Nowadays I bike, about 800-1000 km a year.

With kind regards and best wishes,
Ján Ahlers
Born in 1943
Translated into English by my granddaughter, Tamara

Michelle Replies...

Dear Jan, I was fascinated to read about your 1988 expedition to Svalbard (as well as your other trips) - and what a coincidence that, as in Dark Matter, you set up base camp near an abandoned cabin.  Two rifles and a walkie-talkie in the middle of nowhere sounds intrepid indeed; and I envy you for having had that experience.  In my research for the book, I don't remember coming across that record left in a tin can by the 1932 expedition, and when I read your message I briefly thought, Hmm, maybe I could have used that in the story.  But it's a bit late now!  I'd love to see the photo, and I'll get my agent to contact you about that.   I hope you enjoyed the book - and thank you (and Tamara) for getting in touch.  With very best wishes, Michelle

Daniel writes...

I don't have a question but I wanted to message and tell you about my experience with your books. I've never been a huge reader, my mom read all the Harry Potter books to my sister and I when we were kids and there were some others but it wasn't really "my thing". I think I was in middle school and my mom got me a book called Wolf Brother. And I loved it. I had her get me all the others that had been published buy that point and for future releases I was literally lined up at our local book store waiting for copies to be available.

I still have the original 6 books. I was telling some friends about it the other day and I remember hearing about a possible live action adaptation so I wanted to check if there was any news. Low and behold you've written 3 more books! I'll be getting those asap. I'm excited for my son to be a little older so I can read them with him. Thanks for the best book series ever! I appreciate the ride.

Michelle Replies...

Dear Daniel, Thank you so much for your message.  I'm absolutely delighted that Wolf Brother got you reading, and I think we both owe your mother a heartfelt thank-you for getting the book for you in the first place!  I love the image of you waiting at your local book store for the next installment; and it's very moving to know that you might read the stories with your own son, when he's old enough.  Thanks again for getting in touch - and here's hoping that when you get your paws on the final three books, you'll enjoy being back in the Forest with Torak, Renn and Wolf!  May the guardian run with you.  Michelle

Milan writes...

Hello Michelle! I read your series "Chronicles of ancient darkness" as a kid and always loved it. I loved the presence of nature in these books and how immersive they were. It has also taught me a lot!
I just learned that you have added three new books to the series and I'm excited about reading them!
French being my first language, I was wondering if a french version of these was planned and will it be out anytime soon.
I can read english but I just wanted to know if it was worth waiting for a french version.

Anyways, thank you for all the good time spent reading your books! Have a nice day!

Michelle Replies...

Dear Milan, I'm delighted that you enjoyed the books as a child - and that you're keen to read the three sequels which I wrote recently, after a gap of several years.  I'm afraid Hachette have no plans to publish French translations (that's their decision, in which I have no say) - so if you want to read them, you'll need to do so in English.  Their titles are (in order) VIPER'S DAUGHTER, SKIN TAKER, & WOLF BANE.  I really hope you enjoy being back with Torak, Renn and Wolf!  With best wishes, Michelle

Ezio writes...

Hello my name is Ezio, I am 13 years old and I live in Nice in the south of France. I read your novel (Chronicle of Dark Times) I really loved this book, these adventures are fascinating. I was very disappointed when I learned that the sequel was not released. I would like to know if you were planning to release it. Thank you very much in advance for your response.

Sincerely
Ezio lasbats

Michelle Replies...

Dear Ezio, I'm so pleased that you enjoyed my Wolf Brother books!  From what you've said, I'm guessing that you can't get hold of French translations of the final three books, which I wrote some years after the first six.  You're not the only French reader who has contacted me, but I'm afraid there are no French translations, because my French publishers decided not to publish them.  I'm so sorry, but I can't do anything about this.  So your only choice is to order them online in English - IF you feel able to reading them in English!  In case you decide to do this, the books are: VIPER'S DAUGHTER, SKIN TAKER, and WOLF BANE.  Again, I'm sorry about this.  But I hope that you continue to enjoy the books which you can get hold of!  With very best wishes,  Michelle