Ask Michelle
Here are Michelle’s most recent answers to the questions and messages readers have submitted.
Wolf Brother in Russian?
Valeria writes...
Hello!
I love your books, especially the Wolf Brother series. I wrote to you in 2022 asking if the new books from this series would be translated into Russian. I understand the situation in the world, but I still want to ask this question again. Will the new books from the "Wolf Brother" series be translated into Russian in the future?
Thank you!
Michelle Replies...
Hello, Valeria, nice to hear from you! I'm afraid that there are still no plans to translate the final three books into Russian. I don't think this has anything much to do with the current political situation, as the books haven't been translated into French either (to give just one example); it's just one of those things and it's out of my hands. However, judging from your message, your English is pretty amazing (and a lot better than my Russian) - so you might be able to tackle the sequels in English. I'm so sorry to disappoint you, and I hope that at some time in the future, you will be able to get your paws on the sequels and enjoy them! With very best wishes, Michelle
Just Wondering… What Was Torak’s Joke?
Rebecca writes...
Hi Michelle.
I was wondering some things:
At the start of Wolf Brother, Torak tells his father a joke.
What was that joke?
Will the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness book series be adapted onscreen (film/TV)?
Because I would love to see that.
Do you already have any actors in mind for the cast?
What was your first inspired thought for the first book?
And will Wolfbane be the very last book in the series?
Thank you.
I loved reading all these books in the series.
I don't want the adventures of Torak, Renn and Wolf to end.
Kind regards, Rebecca.
Michelle Replies...
Hello, Rebecca, thanks so much for your message, and I'm delighted that you've enjoyed the stories. To answer your questions: Concerning the joke Torak was telling his father at the start of Wolf Brother, other readers have asked me over the years and I've always resisted telling them, so I'm afraid I won't change that now (consider it one of the minor mysteries of the series!). As regards film or tv, there are currently no plans for an adaptation; if this changes, you may be sure that I'll post the news on my website. The inspiration for the series came in bits and pieces over several years and involved a lifelong love of wolves and the Stone Age, as well as an extremely frightening encounter with a large black bear. For the full story, go to wolfbrother.com, then go into the Cave and click on Why I Wrote Wolf Brother. And finally - yes, I'm afraid Wolfbane really is the last book in the series. With that book I feel that I've given Torak, Renn and Wolf a good send-off - not to mention the other characters; and I'd much rather leave readers wanting more, than have the series fizzle out. But I hope that as you've enjoyed the series so much, re-reading it might let you have many more happy times in the Forest with Torak, Renn and Wolf. Thanks again for getting in touch - and may the guardian run with you! Best wishes, Michelle
Thin Air Sculpture
Nicola writes...
We ( my husband and I ) have been reading aloud together your book thin air
We are currently in Argentina on a holiday
We are staying in a town called bariloche and took the cable car up the mountain
We came across a sculpture
I have a photo of it
I could send it to you as it resonates with your book
Regards
Michelle Replies...
Dear Nicola, what a great idea to read a book aloud to each other; and in Argentina too! I'd love to see the photo you've taken, which you feel resonates with the story, so feel free to post it in the same way that you sent this message, so that others can enjoy it too; but only if you wish, of course; if not, that's fine too. Either way, I hope you continue to enjoy THIN AIR - and have a wonderful holiday! With best wishes, Michelle
Wolf Brother Book Series
Sam writes...
Hi,
I'm a student at university at the moment. I have been debating sending you a message for about a year or at least since I finished Wolfbane as an audiobook. I loved the book and I have bee a fan of the chronicles of ancient darkness ever since my dad introduced me to them as a child. basically I'm Dyslexic, reading never came easy to me but your books have always been a massive comfort, they were the first series I was truly invested in and your writing sparked a life long love of reading.
Thank You
🙂
Michelle Replies...
Dear Sam,
I've just arrived home to find your wonderful message; what a lovely thing to find when I switched on my computer! I have Dyslexic friends, and I have an idea how hard it can be to get into a book, so I'm absolutely delighted that you connected with the Wolf Brother books as a child; and how great that your father introduced them to you. I'm particularly pleased, too, that you liked Wolfbane. It must have been an interesting experience to return to the series as an adult, and to re-connect with Ian McKellen's marvellous readings of the stories. Thank you again for taking the trouble to get in touch - and I'd like to wish you all possible success and happiness at university.
With very best wishes,
Michelle
I LOVE your Chronicles of Ancient Darkness books!
Danni writes...
Hello michelle. I just wanted to write to you and say I LOVE your chronicals of ancient darkness books. I first got introduced to them when I was in primary school, at around 11 years old. I would read your books all day, every day, my teachers had to tell me to stop multiple times throughout the day and sometimes I got so invested while walking home that I would walk past my stop and my family would have to shout for me. I have never finished the series, I have ADHD and struggle to concentrate and commit to things that take a long time but when I want to get into reading I always read your "wolf brother book" and my new years resolution this year is to finish all of them because I adore them so much, they were a massive part of my childhood.
Michelle Replies...
Dear Danni,
Thank you so much for your delightful message. You paint such a vivid picture of how engrossed you used to get in my books at school: I love the idea of your teachers having to tell you to stop! And I think it's terrific that even at that young age, you were able you were able to get immersed in them so deeply. Lots of people who don't have ADHD lack that ability, so you are to be congratulated on developing what I regard as a highly useful life skill!
Thank you again for getting in touch, and I hope that you continue to enjoy my (and others') books - at your own pace, and as and when you feel like it. With very best wishes, Michelle
Thank you!!!
Maryam writes...
To michelle paver,
Thanks so much for answering to my email!!! I was shaking when I read your answer. I sadly can't read those other books that you're making now but I'll read the other ones!!
I asked because you weren't really active on Instagram, anyways, I understand you response and I also wanted to ask what books would you recommend to me that you've wrote for 12-13 year olds? I also loved the ending of you're email. Anyways I hope you have a great rest of your day!!
Michelle Replies...
Dear Maryam, I'm so glad that my message made you happy! A few years ago I wrote a series of five books for ~10-13 year olds, called Gods and Warriors. It's set in the Mediterranean in the Bronze Age (so it's a bit later than the Wolf Brother books) - but it still has plenty of animals and adventure. I think it's still in print in the UK, but I don't know about the US or other countries. I hope you enjoy it if you're able to get your paws on it.
With very best wishes, Michelle
Which Character Do You Hate/Despise?
Stella writes...
Dear Michelle Paver,
I know I've written to you twice before. The first time I asked you whether there would be a TV series or not. Second time I asked you who of all the villains you've created you thought was the most well written. I know you've said that Wolf is your favorite character and I understand you. He is mine as well. I love him so much. He's so brave and loyal. I am jealous of Torak for having pack-brother like that.
However I want to ask you the opposite question is there any character from Chronicles of Ancient Darkness who you hate or at least dislike? Personally I'm not too fond of Thiazzi and I guess due to his sadism, he's not meant to be liked. What about you?
Michelle Replies...
Hallo, Stella...
I'm really glad that Wolf is your favourite character - and like you, I also dislike Thiazzi; although as you say, I didn't create him to be likeable! It might surprise you to learn that one character I particularly dislike is Durrain, the Red Deer Mage. She's really quite passive, and yet her attitude to other clans is rather superior; for instance, when she tells Torak and Renn that "The Red Deer never fight". Of course, not fighting is on many occasions quite praiseworthy; but not always. I mean, if Renn and Torak and all the others clans had taken that approach, then the Soul-Eaters would have walked all over them. Of course, as with Thiazzi, Durrain's annoyingness was deliberate on my part. I didn't intend people to love her; although at times she can also be quite admirable. I enjoyed creating someone who is outwardly good, but really rather irritating at times - at least, to me!
With very best wishes, Michelle
Why She Hasn’t Been Active
Maryam writes...
Dear Michelle paver,
Its probably too late but Ive read wolf brother (and the series) ten times.
I'm 12 by the way.
And I can't hide this but on the last few chapters of wolf bane I cried so hard! Anyways to the point, why have you been so inactive lately? I also wanted to request if you add to the series, like a book where the oak mages soul isn't at peace? AND RENN AND TORAK HAVE A CHILD! Okay I need to calm down. Anyways thank you!!
Michelle Replies...
Hello, Maryam. How marvellous that you've read the series so many times! I think it does you credit that you were so moved at the end of Wolf Bane, as it shows that you have the ability to get immersed in a story while you're reading. You're very persuasive as to further books in the Wolf Brother series, but I'm afraid I've no plans to write any more. You see, I think I've ended it just where I should, and (avoiding spoilers) I've given the characters good send-offs. I'd far rather end there, than write more stories and have them sort of peter out. As for being inactive, I've actually been really busy writing! My grown-up supernatural story RAINFOREST comes out this autumn, and I've written a short ghost story for an anthology (also out this autumn), and am deep into writing another grown-up supernatural novel. But I haven't posted much on my website, so I can understand why you wondered. Anyway, thanks for getting in touch, and maybe by a bit more re-reading, you can enjoy many more times in the Forest with Torak, Renn and Wolf! May the guardian run with you.
Best wishes, Michelle
Audio book for Chronicles of Ancient Darkness in French?
Hélène writes...
Dear Michelle Paver,
While researching a possible film adaptation of Chronicles of Ancient Darkness, I saw that you have published three more books. This is a great surprise and I might buy them even if I have to read them in English (I am a young French woman and I have known your series since I was about 10 years old, 14 years ago - how time flies!) Because of this new release, I was wondering if the first six books were recorded on an audiobook platform such as Audible, and this is where I saw that they were made in English with the great Sir Ian McKellen. So I was wondering if your series would be recorded in French. I would love to hear this story again in audio!
Wishing you a happy 2025 full of exciting projects.
Kind regards,
Hélène
Michelle Replies...
Hello, Helene, thanks for getting in touch; and it's lovely to know that you enjoyed the books so much as a child! As regards the three sequels - Viper's Daughter, Skin Taker and Wolf Bane - I'm afraid that Hachette decided not to publish French translations of the books, and so there are no French audiobooks either. That was their decision, and I naturally had no say in it, though of course I was disappointed. However what I can tell you is that the great Sir Ian McKellen recorded audiobooks of all three sequels; and as with all his work, they are magnificent. So if you'd like to catch up with Torak, Renn and Wolf, you'll need to either read or listen to them in English. I'm sorry about that, but I hope you enjoy them; and from your message, your English certainly seems excellent! With very best wishes, Michelle
Chronicles of Ancient Darkness – Books 7-9
Ross writes...
My daughter devoured the first six books in the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series, but was heartbroken to discover that the next three books in the series do not have a Kindle version. Of course we could order paperback copies, but she is a voracious reader, and literally goes through hundreds of books per year. For both environmental and storage space considerations we have tried to stick with Kindle editions for the past few years.
Is there any chance Kindle versions of books 7-9 of the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness are likely to become available in the next little while?
All the best,
Ross McKenna
Burnaby, BC
Canada
Michelle Replies...
Dear Ross, I'm so glad that your daughter has enjoyed the first six books, and I'm sorry to hear that a Kindle version isn't available for the final three. I had thought that there were electronic versions. I'm afraid I have no control over this, as it's up to my publishers, but I'll pass on your message to them. In the meantime, I hope that your daughter continues to enjoy time in the Forest with Torak, Renn and Wolf - in whatever form that might be! With best wishes, Michelle