Michelle’s Mailbag – Michelle Paver

Michelle's Mailbag

Here are Michelle’s most recent answers to the questions and messages readers have submitted.

Clan guardians

Jasmyn writes... Hi my names jasmyn and I have loved reading the chronicles of ancient darkness. I would like to ask you about clan guardians. Can your clan guardian be an animal that you are deeply connected too? Thanks, Jasmyn Michelle Replies... Hello again, Jasmyn, and thanks for this. You're quite right, your clan guardian can indeed be an animal to whom you feel deeply connected. In my previous answer about clans, I explained what...

Can you have clans today? Can your clan be a bird or animal you feel connected to?

Jasmyn writes... Can you have a clan today. Is a clan a bird or animal you are deeply connected too?Can that be your clan and guardian? Michelle Replies... What a fascinating question, Jasmyn, I don't think I've been asked that in quite the same way before. First, let's look at what we mean by a clan. In Torak's world, you're generally born into a certain clan: for instance, Fin-Kedinn was born to the Raven Clan. ...

Chronicles of Ancient Darkness and growing up: how did you tackle the last three books?

Isabelle writes... Hello, Michelle! Hope you’re doing well! I fell in love with the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness books as a pre-teen and has since re-read them in about every stage of my life and each re-read gives new perspectives on the books as my own life experiences grow. For example, while as a kid, I despised Hord, as an adult, I can also feel empathy for him. Sure, he is vain, prideful and a...

Wolf brother – how did you get the idea?

Jeffrey writes... How did you think of the idea to make the book wolf brother and what inspired you to make this specific book series Michelle Replies... Dear Jeffrey, I think the idea for Wolf Brother goes back to when I was a child, and mad keen on wolves and the Stone Age. I loved the idea of making clothes out of hide, and not going to school! Later when I grew up, I was...

Inspiration Inquiry & Prehistoric Fantasy Series Idea

Joshua writes... As a fan of both your esteemed historical fantasy series:- the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness, & having recently discovered Jean M. Auel’s own intriguing prehistorical fictional series:- Earth's Children—I would like to ask if you have been influenced by her preceding work. Is this so? Also, I would like to know if you have ever considered writing a series of books set amid the Late Pleistocene epoch—that combines themes from both the aforementioned...

Your books changed my life!

Holland writes... I rediscovered the Wolf Brother series this winter when I visited my parents’ house. I was obsessed with the series as a kid (I’m now 30). I took the books home and re-read them; I was completely blown away by how much and how differently I enjoyed them as an adult. As a kid, I loved the action and the imagination of the story. As an adult who is fascinated by archaeology and...

Wolf Brother – does part of you want to revisit that world?

Anton writes... Hi Michelle! First of all I would like to thank you for creating such a captivating story and world with Wolf Brother! I’ve been an avid reader of the books since 2006 when I started out at 8 years old, and now at almost 27 I read it in class for my own students. As a member of the lgbtq+ community I must also thank you for including a storyline featuring queer characters...

Thank you – for ending my reading drought

Lauren writes... Hi Michelle, I was in the midst of a severe multi-year reading drought when I happened to pick up a copy of Dark Matter. I read it in less than two days - I couldn't put it down! I then read Thin Air within one day and it unlocked something in me - thanks to you and your amazing books I've now ready 7 books so far in the space of three months,...

Inspiration and thanks – for Dark Matter, Thin Air and Wakenhyrst

Aly writes... Hi Michelle. I can't tell you how excited I am to read your new books. I have pre ordered both. Also it's great you are promoting independent book stores. I have fallen in love with Thin Air and Dark Matter and Wakenhyrst. There is something about your books that hooks in my own adventurous spirit. I read the three books regularly and imagine myself as the characters in Dark Matter and Thin Air....

The Witching hour

Maria writes... Hello I am keen to pre order 'The witching Hour' but the link took me to Amazon. I'd prefer to order it from an Independent bookshop like I could with The Rainforest. Do you know if this is possible? Many thanks Maria Michelle Replies... It's great that you'd like to pre-order The Witching Hour, Maria, and I applaud your support of independent bookshops! The only information I have on pre-ordering is what I'm...

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…