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seekerxr's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
This was a fun little read for something out of my comfort zone. I don't usually go for historical fiction but this is so far back in time that it almost doesn't count, I feel like? At least it's far back enough that most of the things I don't like about historical fiction don't really exist yet.
In terms of plot, this was a fairly simple book. It was a fairly quick read and honestly I thought it could've benefitted from just a little padding; maybe some more time with his dad, some more lore about the clans and their religion, stuff like that, but overall this was pretty well-rounded.
I will say the tone and structure of the writing reads a bit more mature than middle grade, in my opinion, but that might skewed because I don't read middle grade that often.
I don't know if I'm going to continue the series, but this first book was pretty good!
In terms of plot, this was a fairly simple book. It was a fairly quick read and honestly I thought it could've benefitted from just a little padding; maybe some more time with his dad, some more lore about the clans and their religion, stuff like that, but overall this was pretty well-rounded.
I will say the tone and structure of the writing reads a bit more mature than middle grade, in my opinion, but that might skewed because I don't read middle grade that often.
I don't know if I'm going to continue the series, but this first book was pretty good!
maistfu's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
I read this series when i was about 10yo and recently I was thinking about it again but couldn't remember the name. looked it up and here we are, still as amazing as I remember. hopefully I can find the english ebook versions for the next books too because I really want to read the whole series again!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Vomit, Grief, Violence, and Death of parent
cosmic_nova_'s review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
This book is just average. It's mostly a disappointing fetch quest with an unsatisfying ending. the bear (you know the big scary demon that's supposed to be almost impossible to defeat) dies in a snowfall, and I know it's supposed to be the world spirit, but seriously??? There were so many more interesting ways to write the world spirit. I was expecting something more in line with what happened in the river. But instead the bear just dies. The book also makes no effort to make me invested in the series as they only mention the soul eaters in the last 3 chapters. this was genuinely the longest 240 pages of my life.
roselouise's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
bonesandmountains's review against another edition
5.0
This is actually a reread. I remember seeing this book for the first time in my middle school's library when I was around eleven or twelve. After that, I think I pretty much inhaled the rest of the series! I have very fond memories of it and that's why when I found the audiobook (read by Ian McKellen no less, like, are you kidding me?) I decided it was time to revisit it. And oh boy, what a wonderful read it still is!
One of the things that make this book stand out from many others I read at that age is the setting. The world it paints is one of tribes of hunters, always moving as they follow the cycle of seasons. It's a world of spirits inhabiting every single living creature, from the man to the fawns, from the wolves to the threes. And it's a world of demons, creatures that can find their way to into a living's host and destroy everything in their path.
This is what sets everything into motion. A bear possessed by a demon is wreaking havoc in the forest and it's it that kills Torak's father, leaving him alone in the world at only twelve years old. Torak has then to embark on a quest to stop the bear, alongside a wolf cub that, too, has lost everything.
Torak and Wolf's relationship is surely one of the best parts of the book. It's beautiful to see them find family in one another and grow to understand each other and work together. I also enjoyed so much the evolution of Torak and Renn's relationship - from enemies to two kids who barely trust each other, to friends. Each character has a defined and strong personality (yes, Wolf too) and while they sometimes clash, they work wonderfully together in the narrative setting.
Of course, the book is not perfect. The pacing is fast, sometimes too fast, and the ending is very abrupt. The reason I can overlook these flaws is probably nostalgia, and the fact that I'm excited for the following books. I suppose it could be a bit of a let down for someone reading this for the first time as an adult, but I still think it's an amazing book for pre-teens and teens alike.
One of the things that make this book stand out from many others I read at that age is the setting. The world it paints is one of tribes of hunters, always moving as they follow the cycle of seasons. It's a world of spirits inhabiting every single living creature, from the man to the fawns, from the wolves to the threes. And it's a world of demons, creatures that can find their way to into a living's host and destroy everything in their path.
This is what sets everything into motion. A bear possessed by a demon is wreaking havoc in the forest and it's it that kills Torak's father, leaving him alone in the world at only twelve years old. Torak has then to embark on a quest to stop the bear, alongside a wolf cub that, too, has lost everything.
Torak and Wolf's relationship is surely one of the best parts of the book. It's beautiful to see them find family in one another and grow to understand each other and work together. I also enjoyed so much the evolution of Torak and Renn's relationship - from enemies to two kids who barely trust each other, to friends. Each character has a defined and strong personality (yes, Wolf too) and while they sometimes clash, they work wonderfully together in the narrative setting.
Of course, the book is not perfect. The pacing is fast, sometimes too fast, and the ending is very abrupt. The reason I can overlook these flaws is probably nostalgia, and the fact that I'm excited for the following books. I suppose it could be a bit of a let down for someone reading this for the first time as an adult, but I still think it's an amazing book for pre-teens and teens alike.
ninnicannotspell's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
emmad24's review against another edition
5.0
ahhhh! i remember reading this in elementary school and it was AMAZING! maybe ill re-read the series?
debthebee's review against another edition
I read this book's Serbian translation titled "Brat vuk (serijal Zapisi drevne tame, knjiga 1.)