Michelle's Mailbag
Here are Michelle’s most recent answers to the questions and messages readers have submitted.
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…
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".…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
(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…
I am a Japanese reader of the Japanese translation of Viper’s daughter.
Yuzu writes… Dear Michelle. I am Japanese. I love your novels! I use a translation app because my English is not good enough. I first read your novels 12 years ago. For me, the world in which Torak, Ren and Wolf live is very far away, and yet very familiar. The world you write about…
Thank you
Hazel writes… You and your Ancient Chronicles of Darkness series is the reason I fell in love with reading and writing. They are also the reason my English improved so quickly. I was ten when I found your books, a few years after my family and I moved to the States from S. Korea, and…
Wolf Brother translations
Kit writes… Hello Miss Paver, I've been a fan of your Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series for 16/17 years and am recently revisiting them. Wolf Brother is the first and only book I remember reading where I was immediately sucked in by the first sentence, and Spirit Walker is the only book in recent years…
Ghost Hunter
Sam writes… When exactly is souls night is it around the winter solstice or Christmas Eve Michelle Replies… Dear Sam, Many thanks for your question. Souls’ Night occurs in the dark of the Blackthorn Moon. This means that it corresponds roughly to our Hallowe’en, ie the end of October – although of course Torak’s people…
Thank You
Karolina and Iza writes… Dear Michelle Paver, We (together with my sister) would like to thank you for the series of books which you have written ‘Chronicles of Ancient Darkness’. We read this series when we were children and it is like the ‘Harry Potter’ series for us – we grew up with it and…
Growing up with your books
Rosie writes… The first time I read one of your books was when I bought Wolf Brother in a waterstones at the age of about 10. I was completely infatuated and bought the rest of the series which I can safely say for the last 9 years i’ve read religiously and was prepared whenever a…
The art of building suspense in words
Daniel writes… Hi Michelle I first read Dark Matter sometime ago (maybe 6/7 years ago) and I remember not only at the time what an unbelievable chilling read it was, but how it haunted me with my own imagination and imagery thereafter. I've not been able to read it since yet it remains in my…
More books please
Kathy writes… Hi we love your books I’ve read all of them could u pls consider making a book thank you, Kathy and isobelle Michelle Replies… Dear Kathy and Isobelle, I’m delighted that you’ve read and enjoyed all my books! I am indeed still writing, but it’s a ghost story for adults, which may not…
Is there anymore content on Chronicles of Ancient Darkness planned at all?
August writes… I have recently finished Ghost Hunter and I am loving every book, I finished outcast in 3 days and it will be my favorite book forever. I thank you for the amazing journey you have given and are still giving me, your creativity is unmatched. Now I was wondering if there will be…
Dark Matter
Christopher writes… Dark Matter came recommended to me after reading Felix Blackwells book Stolen Tounges because it was the scariest book iv read. Dark matter surpassed it, you really brought the isolation and claustrophobia. Fantastic read and I can't wait to read Thin Air. My question is, in Dark Matter it's mentioned you visited remote…
Please help! Some of your audiobooks are unavailable
Joseph writes… I love your books, I have dearly since a tender age, and when I found out later in life they were narrated by Ian McKellen I was flabbergasted and went to listen to them and was in awe at the first books narration. But for some reason Spirit Walker and Soul Eater aren't…
Wolf Brother
Tyler writes… I don’t have a question, but I wanted to thank you your books really helped me through a difficult time in my life. Starting with wolf brother when I was very young that series really helped. It also inspired me to write my own books and I am now writing screen play scripts…
Nostalgia, esteem and questions
Valentina writes… Dear Michelle, I’m writing from Italy, my name is Valentina and I’m 28 years old. Like other young people around the world, I grew up with the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness. I was 7/8 years old when I read Wolf Brother for the first time, I fondly remember the moments when, impatient and…
Where are the books actually set?
Ed writes… Hi Michelle just a quick one from me – was wondering where the series is actually set? Most of the books suggest Scandinavia but book 3 makes me think the Arctic/ Inuit parts of Canada with polar bears and the white fox / sea otter clans – these animals are only found in…