8.8 /10 1 Votes
Country United Kingdom Publisher Orion Children's Books Originally published 20 August 2009 Followed by Dark Matter | 4.4/5 Goodreads Language English Publication date August 20, 2009 (UK) Preceded by Oath Breaker Genre Fantasy literature | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Series Chronicles of Ancient Darkness Media type Print (Hardback & Paperback) & Audio book (CD & Cassette) Characters Torak, The Soul Eaters, Fin-Kedinn, Renn, Wolf Similar Jayne Ann Krentz books, Chronicles of Ancient Darkness books, Guardian Children's Fiction Prize winners | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ghost Hunter is the sixth and last book in the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series written by British author Michelle Paver. The book was released on 20 August 2009 in the United Kingdom, ending the series that began in 2004 with the publication of Wolf Brother.
Contents
Plot summary
Ghost hunter is the final adventure. Set in the high mountains, it tells of Torak's battle against the most fearsome of all the Soul-Eaters, Eosta the Eagle Owl Mage, who seeks to rule both the living and the dead, using the Fire Opal. As winter approaches and Souls' Night draws near, the Eagle Owl Mage holds the clans in the grip of terror. To fulfil his destiny, Torak must seek her lair in the Mountain of Ghosts. He must defy demons and tokoroths, and find his way through the Gorge of the Hidden People. Wolf must overcome terrible grief. Renn must make an agonizing decision. And in the final battle against the Soul-Eater, Torak must face the most heart-rending choice of all. But Torak is half dead and half alive. He dies with Eostra the Eagle Owl Mage and Wolf fights with his spirit to return to the body. Read Ghost Hunter to find out the full story. And remember, Torak is the Spirit Walker...
Writing
The book's author, Michelle Paver, wrote on December 18, 2008, the following on her official website: "I'm working extremely hard on the sixth and final book in the series, Ghost Hunter. I'm happy to say that it's going really, really well. However, it is quite a weird sensation to be writing the final book. At the moment, it seems inconceivable that I shall soon by saying goodbye to Torak, Renn and Wolf. I know that I'll miss them terribly. In another way, though, I know that I'll be delighted and proud to have brought Torak's story to a dramatically satisfying conclusion. "
Paver confirmed in her official podcast that the Soul Eater Eostra will be a main character in the book. She said that writing the book had given her bad dreams, particularly the parts with Eostra, but she considered it to be a good sign.
Cover
Paver said: "A week ago, though, I had a conversation with John Fordham, who designs the cover, and I told him the bare bones of the story, so he could start thinking of the cover. Given the themes in the book, it will probably be purplish, and Wolf and Torak may feature prominently. I sent John a photograph of an amazing Stone Age cave picture of an eagle owl. It's tens of thousands of years old, and yet could have been made by Eostra yesterday. Seriously spooky. Who knows what designs it will inspire?"
Setting
Paver said on her official website that she would be travelling into the mountains to get inspiration for the book. She also said that she hoped to meet some eagle owls at close quarters, a hint that the book would feature Eostra.