OATH BREAKER: Chronicles of Ancient Darkness, Book Five
by Michelle Paver
HarperCollins Children’s Books
ISBN: 9780060728373
Ages 10-up
304 pages
Bale lay on his back. His face was unmarked. It was the back of his skull that had cracked like an eggshell.
Perhaps one of the worst things that can happen to a person is to lose their best friend. When Torak discovers his friend Bale murdered, he is not only devastated but his guilt is overwhelming. If Torak hadn’t left their campsite during the night, none of this would have happened. He carries his guilt heavy within and is determined to avenge this brutal death. He will risk anything to give Bale’s spirit its proper rest and find the killer.
Despite warnings from Saeunn, the old Raven Mage (she cautions that Torak’s foster father, Fin-Kedinn, will never see the end of this journey), Torak sets out accompanied by Renn and Fin-Kedinn. Even before they leave camp, they have discovered Bale’s probable killer. All signs point to an old enemy, the Oak Mage, known as Thiazzi. In their last encounter the evil Soul-Eater had been attacked by a wolf who took two of his fingers in the process. Thiazzi, probably traveling with the one other remaining Soul-Eater, Eostra, is also bent on revenge. The little Raven Clan is up against some very powerful magic and madness on this journey.
For the time being, Torak’s long-time companion, Wolf, is on his own journey. Although Wolf and Torak have been separated, Wolf has sensed Thiazzi, who he calls the Bitten One, and is driven to follow this scent. Wolf’s language is simple and picturesque. When he sees the “tailless one,” his thoughts move like this:
The Bitten One was sliding up - Wet on the trunk of an oak. Wolf caught the glint of a great stone claw at his flank. He caught the smell of pine-blood and reindeer hide, and the strange, terrible Bright Beast-that-Bites-Cold.
Not long after Wolf and Torak are united, Thiazzi makes a bold move and the little band of travelers walk into a trap. Renn is hurt, but Fin-Kedinn’s injuries are life-threatening. Now the warnings of Saeunn make Torak realize that he has been foolish in this quest because he has risked the lives of those he loves. When Fin-Kedinn is back with the Raven Clan, Torak vows to go on by himself. Little does he know that Thiazzi has much worse plans for him. Thiazzi is mad, determined to become the most powerful Mage and bent on destroying Torak. The boy will need all the strength, magic and cunning he has to meet the challenges of this formidable enemy.
Michelle Paver once again delivers a riveting story full of fast-paced adventure and unexpected twists. Her detailed research enriches Torak’s adventures in a world long gone. By now, readers have become familiar with the psychic connection that allows Wolf, along with the ravens Rip and Rek, to communicate with the young boy. As he grows into manhood, Torak must confront his own demons, and in OATH BREAKER he faces some of his most challenging obstacles.
Geoff Taylor’s wonderful black and white illustrations beautifully augment the richness of Paver’s book. An excellent map in the beginning helps the reader easily follow Torak’s path through the North Woods and see the placement of the various clans. Fans will love this fifth installment as they again share Torak’s adventures in a world of magic and beauty.
--- Reviewed by Sally M. Tibbetts
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