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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!

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

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...

Hi, you’re awesome!

Molly writes… I'd like to interview you, because I LOVE your books. The interview is for a schoolproject and I'd appreciate it very much if you'd accept. If it's not a problem send me a mail as soon as possible. YOU ARE AWESOME!!!! Best regards, Molly <3 Michelle Replies… Dear Molly, I’m so glad that…

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Address

Sage writes… Hi my name is Jocelyn, your books are the best I have read in my life. I am 12 and sending this from my aunt’s phone. I wanted to tell you how amazing your series “the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness” my question is how did you pick the names of Renn and Torak…

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German translations

Sylvia writes… Dear Michelle, I read some of the Torak books when they first came out (already a mature adult at the time!) and loved them, and knew they would be right up my godson Jonathan's street – now 12, he's been addicted for the last two years and has read volumes 1-5, mostly gifted…

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Dreams and Visions in the Chronicles of Ancient Dark Series

Niklas writes… Dear Michelle Paver, I am currently writing an essay in a class about Dreams in literature for children and teenagers. In my essay I want to take a closer look at the Chronicles of Ancient Dark as I always felt like you had a clever way to place dreams or visions in a…

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Movie

Hale writes… Please consider making a movie for wolf brother! It would explode in the industry. All ur other books would become hits as well once that took off. I've been reading ur books since I was 9 and I'm 27 now. I love it work and would love to see it on screen Michelle…

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Question about wolf brother

Pedrosky writes… Hord wants to be head of the Raven Clan if Fin-kedinn dies, but Torak knows that's not going to happen, why? Michelle Replies… Hello, and thanks for your question.  Torak knows that Hord could never be Leader of the Raven Clan, because Hord doesn’t have the qualities of a leader.  He’s vain and…

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Further content

Conall writes… Hi Michelle, I first started reading the chronicles of ancient darkness when I was 8, I am now 22 and still love them. I’ve seen some comments about taking the books to the screen and was wandering if along side a tv series or box set of films, I was wandering if there…

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New Books

Darin writes… Hi Michelle I felt compelled to write after finishing your three ‘adult’ books. I absolutely loved each of them and couldn’t put them down until they were finished. The atmosphere you created in each was fantastic and spellbinding. I’m a voracious reader and look forward to reading your next book. So the question…

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deciphered

Walt writes… One last thing, or as Columbo always says one more thing . I know why reading DARK MATTER, was hard for me on a first time reading. It hit me to close to home. My wife and I and two daughters built a small log cabin, within twenty-five miles of the Canadian border…

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New Book and TV Series

Samuel writes… Hello, I just want to say I love your book series the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness. Will there ever be a new book and have you got any update in a potential TV series Michelle Replies… Dear Samuel, I’m delighted that you like the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness!  As regards film and/or tv,…

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Torak

Michael writes… Dear Michelle, I am now 29 years old, but I grew up with your amazing series about Torak. I was the same age as Torak when I was reading the book 2006. I noticed that your newest Torak books aren‘t translated into german, so I would like to offer to translate them for…

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Simply, a thank you!

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…

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fan mail

Darren writes… Hi Michelle I am a Year 5 teacher in Cambridgeshire. One of my favourite writing activities is the children writing to their favourite author. This year, I have 2 boys who have written to you! Is there a preferred address we can send them to? Best wishes Darren Smith English Lead Middlefield Primary…

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My Own Expedition to Svalbard

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…

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New Book

Jennifer writes… Morning, will there be a new book release soon? Michelle Replies… Hello, Jennifer.  I do have a new book in the making, but I’m afraid it won’t be out this year, as there’s still lots of work choosing the cover, and so on.  Any further news on this will of course be posted…

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My experience

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".…

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Short Stories

Adrian writes… Hello, Have you written any short stories and do you have any plans for writing a book of ghost or on other subjects, short stories at some point in the future? Thank you. Adrian Banfield. Michelle Replies… Hello, Adrian.  I haven’t written any short stories, whether supernatural or not – and that’s not…

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Chronicles of ancient darkness

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…

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wolf brother

Zaneta writes… Hi Michelle, I have at last read all nine books of the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness starting with Wolf Brother and Ending with Wolfbane. They are very good, very well written and very exciting to read. I like your understanding of how ancient people lived and what they believed in. I felt so…

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novel no continue

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…

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Hello, I’m Xián, I’m going to start reading Brother Wolf

Xián writes… Hello, I'm Xián, I'm from Galicia, Spain, I don't know much English, but I try, I'm going to start reading Brother Wolf in high school I wanted to know what inspired you to make Brother Wolf. Michelle Replies… Hello, Xian. You can find the full story of what inspired me to write Wolf…

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About your new book

Liam writes… Just wanted to know when your new book is coming out. I've read ghost story and thin air twice each. Just want more of your work. Thanks Michelle Replies… Glad you like them so much, Liam.  It sounds as if you haven’t yet read my Gothic novel Wakenhyrst, which came out after Thin…

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New books

Aly writes… Hi Michelle. I have just re read Dark Matter and Thin Air for the third time over the Christmas period. Are you planning on writing anymore books like this? Also Wakenhyrst is another favourite. Anything else along those lines planned? Happy New Year. Aly Clarke, Norfolk, England. Michelle Replies… Dear Aly, Thanks so…

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More ghost stories?

Rosalyn writes… Hi Michelle, I just wanted to write to say how much I love your books Thin Air and Dark Matter. My family and I love ghost stories and your books are by far the best we’ve ever read (although we can’t agree which one out of thin air and dark matter we think…

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Wolf Brothers Series Availability in French

Regina writes… Dear Michelle, My son loves your books and reads them in English, and he would also love to read them in French language as well (he went to French Immersion school in Canada). We are trying to find Wolf Brothers series in French all over the web with no luck, no e-book or…

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Dark Matter

David McBride writes… Will this novel ever be turned into a movie? It should be . Michelle Replies… Dear David, many thanks for your message.  I agree with you that Dark Matter would make a good film (in the right hands).  And over the years it’s been optioned by a couple of film companies.  They’ve…

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Ringraziamento e informazione

Gianluca writes… Buongiorno, Vorrei anzitutto ringraziarti per il tuo libro "La magia del lupo", l'ho trovato genuino ed incantevole. Mi ha fatto tornare bambino, a sognare la magia di vivere nella foresta oltre che di comprenderne il linguaggio della stessa. Ho 33 anni, quindi non sono proprio un bambino…Eppure sono tornato a sognare, con leggerezza.…

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just some praise

tanner writes… michelle, hi! i just finished “dark matter” minutes ago – like, truly just minutes ago – and felt inclined to reach out. such an affecting read. scary and sad and good and i really loved the relationship between jack and gus! jack’s inability to journal his real feelings was so… relatable? i see…

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Review of “Thin Air” – posted in https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28335600-thin-air

Graham writes… Michelle seems to have a great skill in researching the background to each of her novels and making sure the readers find themselves fully engrossed in that background as well as enjoying the story she weaves into it. "Thin Air" is no exception in this regard. I know nothing about mountaineering, and as…

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More “A Ghost Stories” on the way?

Erica writes… Hello! I got recommended Dark Matter by my sister and we ended up reading it in my book club for halloween. It was a great success, and we promptly read Thin Air and Wakenhyrst as well. Now we're eagerly awaiting another novel in this "series" as it were, and I wanted to ask…

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Review of Wakenhyrst

Graham writes… I have just written for Goodreads a review of your wonderful book Wakenhyrst and thought you might like to read it, so here it is: This novel combines gothic horror, ancient fenland folklore, and the social history of the fens. It also depicts very well how women in the early 20th century (as…

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School VIsit

Nicholas writes… Hi Michelle, I am an English Lead at a Junior School in South Woodford, East London and was wondering whether there was any scope for a school visit as the children love your books. Many Thanks, Nick Michelle Replies… Dear Nick, I’m sorry about the delay in getting back to you.  It’s wonderful…

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I am doing a school project

brooke writes… Dear Michelle Paver my name is Brooke Sims and I am a year 6 at Normandale school working on a big project. I am trying to find out what I want to be when I grow up and being an author is one of my interests. I have some questions that I would…

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More like dark matter and thin air?

Linda writes… Hi Michelle, The book's thin air and dark matter I count among my favorite books of all time. Will write more of these adult level books that set humans within the challenges of nature? Do you consider these adult books or young adult books? You've tackled solitude at altitude, in cold, and in…

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What happens next?

Stanley writes… Dear Michelle Paver, I'm Stanley and I've just recently finished reading Wolfbane. I'm so distraught the Wolf Brother series has come to an end. Thank you so much for publishing this series and they are the best books I've read for a very long, long time. Two quick questions. What happens tO Renn…

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Thank you so much for giving us wonderful stories!

Yuka writes… I love Wolf Brother from Japan Michelle Replies… Dear Yuka, Konichiwa – and thank you so much for your lovely message, I’m delighted that you love Wolf Brother!  May the guardian run with you… With very best wishes, Michelle

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wolf brother

mikahil writes… how did torak meet the boar Michelle Replies… Dear Mikahil, the title of your message is “Wolf Brother”, but from memory, I don’t think Torak meets a boar in that book.  Maybe you’re referring to his brief sort-of friendship with a large male boar in Spirit Walker?  In that story, the boar just…

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Will there be more books in the series

Paul writes… Would be there more books in the series chronicles of ancient darkness (I know I've already seen that there will be no more. But for a straight 3 weeks i can't stop thinking about it) i can't stop reading Michelle Replies… Dear Paul, I’m afraid you’re right that there won’t be any more…

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Birthday Books

Stella writes… Hello, I wanted to reach out to you about my daughter, Nox. She's been a huge fan of your "Wolf Brother" series ever since she was in 4th grade. ( she is now in 8th grade) She's really dedicated and passionate about your books! Your books have had a deep effect on her,…

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Chronicles of Ancient Darkness

Sharon writes… Hi Michelle, I'm an English literature and writing tutor for students that are in 3rd grade through high school. One of my favorite books that I read with 4th through 6th-graders is Wolf Brother. And, I always hope that they will continue on their own to read the other eight books in this…

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name for my little cub

Hanna writes… Dear Dear Michelle, My name is Hanna and I Live in the Netherlands. I've been searching for a name, a special name to give to my firstborn (boy or girl, we don't know). I've opened my copies of Wolfbrother (Dutch translation is Torak and Wolf) and searched for names. and I was wondering,…

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Wolf Brother

Chris writes… Why did you write Wolf Brother? (From Brodie, aged 9) Michelle Replies… Dear Brodie,  The short answer to your question is that I wrote Wolf Brother because one day I had an idea for a story set in a forest about a boy, a girl, a wolf, and a huge bear.  At the…

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Love of the series

Siri writes… Dear Michelle I’m a 26 year old reader and have been following the world of wolf brother since it was first released when my mother picked it up back in 2004 and I have been absolutely hooked ever since. I remember being deeply upset when I found out that Ghost Hunter would be…

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Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series

Rita writes… Hello, I’m a 69 year old woman who enjoys a lot of books written for children. Afterwards I recommend to my grandchildren and friends. I enjoyed listening to your first book in this series, Wolf Brother. Will books 2 and 3 in the series be available unabridged on Audible? Thank you for sharing…

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Temporary Tattoo Sheet

Raven writes… Hi Michelle, I've been meaning to read through Chronicles of Ancient Darkness again (as I finally have some extra time) since I recently learned that there were three new books to read! So, so excited to buy them and continue the adventures in the world I adored as a kid. However, there's been…

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The World of Torak, Renn and Wolf

Noora writes… Dear Michelle Paver, I am a 19-year-old reader and fan from Finland. It might be quite late to express my adoration for your novels, considering the fact that your latest ones have been published over a year ago, but I would still like to try. I first stumbled upon your beautiful writing style…

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Thank you for writing the sequels

Kiara writes… Hello Michelle, I'm not sure if you're ever going to read this, but I can faintly remember that some 15 years ago when I was 10 years old, I had just finished the last book of the Chronicles of the Ancient Darkness for the first time. I could barely speak English at the…

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Wolf Brother

Ethan writes… Dear Great Aunt Michelle, I have almost finished Wolf brother and I can't wait to see what happens to Torak. your book has helped expand my imagination. But I have one question. . . is there no end to your amazing imagination ? lots of love from Ethan. Michelle Replies… Dear Ethan, congratulations…

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Torak and Renn

Sam writes… Hi Michelle, I have just finished Wolfbane and I’ve really enjoyed The Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series. My question is if Torak and Renn ever break up. If so, is it because of Torak twisting Renn’s wrist to get the black root from her medicine pouch? Thanks, Sam Michelle Replies… Dear Sam, I’m…

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(lack of) Hungarian translations

Noemi writes… Hi Michelle, When I was younger I have started to read the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness in Hungarian. I really liked it, my sister and my mother did so, but as it turned out, we only have the first two books translated. I didn't speak any English at the time, so I had…

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