Shinji writes…

Hello, Michelle

I'm a high school student in Japan, so I apologize for my bad English. But, I want to tell you that your books excited and inspired me!

Two weeks ago, I went to the library to study. When I took a break, I found "Wolf Brother" and started to read it. I was pulled into the world deeply, so I avidly read it until the library close. I have not read books much before, but I found books interesting because of them. Today, I have just ended reading the first six books of the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series. They were wonderful.

Torak, Renn, and Wolf's adventures were really exciting. Relationships and friendships among them are very realistic. Their beliefs, thoughts, cultures, and knowledge about nature are very interesting. I enjoyed the story.
But their harsh destiny broke my heart. Like Torak, I lost my father when I was a child, so the parts where he recalls memories of his father are so heartbreaking for me. Altough his tragic experiences, he survives strongly. This aspect gave me much courage.
I will never forget these books.

I have two questions.
First, in "Soul Eater", what happened to the boy who was serving as an acolyte to Soul Eaters afterwards?
Second, I found that you published the next three books in the series, but they don't seem to be translated into Japanese. Do you plan to publish them in Japanese? I can't read English well, so I really would like it.

Lastly, I am very much looking forward to the film of these books!
Best regards,

Shinji

Dear Shinji, It’s great to hear from you  – and your English is excellent!  I was also impressed that you’ve read all six of the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness in just two weeks, and I am delighted that you enjoyed them so much.  I was moved, too, to hear about your father, and the fact that what Torak experienced resonated with you.  I’m glad that that helped you a little too.

I liked your question about the boy who was serving as an acolyte to the Soul-Eaters in Soul Eater; I don’t think anyone has ever asked about him before!  I have always thought that he did manage to return to his clan, the White Fox Clan – although his experiences did mark him, so he remained a little apart from them.

Concerning the final three books in the series, which I wrote a few years after Chronicles, I’m afraid that you’re right, and they aren’t translated into Japanese.  I’m sorry about this, but the decision isn’t up to me, it’s up to my Japanese publishers and they decided against it.  Of course, there is nothing to stop you writing to them and asking them to change their minds.  But in the meantime, I am afraid your only option is to try to get hold of the English version.  I am sorry that I can’t be more help about this.  But I hope that you will maybe enjoy re-reading the books you do have at some stage.

Thank you so much for getting in touch.  With very best wishes, Michelle