Chronicles of Ancient Darkness

Ask Michelle Anything

Kathy writes…

I have just finished Wolfbane, book nine of Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series. What a roller coaster of events and emotions throughout the whole nine books, which I have just about managed to survive. I think part of my enthralment of the books comes from the tribes belief that literally everything has a spirit, to be revered and respected. I like to believe this too. I also particularly loved the way everyday things were given such common-sense and descriptive names, like the sky being described as the Up and water described as the Wet. Having finished the books I shall miss my old friends whom I have grown to love and admire. Thank you for keeping me enthralled and I wish you much power to your imagination and future writing. Kind regards.

Michelle Replies…

Dear Kathy, That’s such a beautiful message, and it made me chuckle too, when you mentioned just about managing to survive the books!  At times during the writing, I’ve felt twinges of guilt about what I’ve put Torak, Renn and Wolf through during their adventures (not to mention Dark and Fin-Kedinn); so I can understand that you felt a bit wrung out by the time you’d finished Wolfbane.  I’m also delighted that you like the spiritual aspects of the stories.  As you’ll have gathered from the Author’s Notes, the clans’ beliefs are based on those of more recent hunter-gatherers all over the world.  During my researches I was struck again and again by their variety, wisdom and inventiveness.  Thanks again for getting in touch – and may the guardian run with you!  Michelle


Upcoming Live Events With Michelle

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Wimbledon Book Festival

October 17, 2025
Festival patron and Sunday Times bestselling author Michelle Paver will talk about her latest supernatural fiction in this live recording with Always Take Notes, a podcast for and about writers and writing.

Michelle will discuss her incredible career, from finding inspiration for Wolf Brother on Wimbledon Common to her latest novel Rainforest, which weaves Mayan culture with themes of obsession, gender and rebirth.

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The Witching Hour with Bridget Collins, Michelle Paver and Laura Shepherd-Robinson – Waterstones Canterbury

October 20, 2025

Join Bridget Collins, Michelle Paver and Laura Sheperd-Robinson as they discuss their stories in a brand new collection of ghostly tales called The Witching Hour.

In this dazzling collection of original haunted tales, thirteen bestselling and much-loved authors bring the old superstition of the witching hour to new and vivid life.
Transporting you from the smog of London to the freezing mists of Svalbard, from an Irish town riddled with rumour to a sinister English boarding school, these thirteen stories will serve as your spine tingling companion to the long hours of winter.
So curl up, light a candle, and wait for the clock to strike . . .
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Yeovil Literary Festival

October 25, 2025

An experience like no other. From a writer like no other...

Successfully published as an adult author, the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness (“Wolf Brother”) were her first books for younger readers, followed by her brilliant 5-part series set in the bronze age, Gods and Warriors. On the adult side, her first ghost story, Dark Matter, was a UK bestseller and won massive praise from reviewers and readers alike, as did her second ghost story, Thin Air.

Oxford Literary Festival 2026

March 29, 2026

The Oxford Literary Festival takes place in venues across central Oxford, such as Blackwell's bookshop, the Bodleian Library, the Sheldonian Theatre, the Weston Library, and Oxford colleges such as Christ Church and Worcester College. The festival includes international authors, journalists, intellectuals, historians, and poets.