Thursday, July 2, 2009

Promise of the Wolves by Dorothy Hearst


Copyright: 2008
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Genre: Fiction
Pages: 335
Challenges: none
New-to-me author? yes
Author's website

Simple Description
This is a story about wolves and humans, dating about 14,000 years ago. The story is told from the point of view of a young wolf, Kaala. When the story starts she is a young pup. Her mother breed without the pack leaders approval and therefore he pups must die – especially because she breed with an outsider. However when it's Kaala's turn to be killed she stands up to the leaderwolf. Then two greatwolves appear. They decide that Kaala should live and her leaderwolf has to obey them, but he doesn't have to be happy about it. At first we learn about how Kaala is treated as an outcast by some but helped by others. She soon becomes friends with two other pups. However, soon she is show what/who humans are. She feels drawn to them. Wolf legand says that the wolves should not mix with the humans. If a wolf mixes with the humans they could be killed. If a wolf kills a human, their pack will be killed. However, Kaala is drawn to them.

One day when she is a bit older she ends up saving a human child from drowning. Soon she forms a bond with the human and visits her regularly. She must keep this secret because she could risk not becoming pack. Then things begin to get out of hand. There are whisperings that there will be a war between the humans and the wolves. Kaala is somehow meant to be more than she is, she is somehow meant to lead the other wolves in forming a bond with the humans. She doesn't know how though. She isn't even a year old, her pack leader doesn't like her or approve of her. How is she going to save her human friends and her pack?

Now what you really want to know…my thoughts:
Ok, yeah, I know, how good could a story be that is told from a wolf's point of view? To be honest, excellent! Oh yes, I loved loved loved this book! From the minute I started to read it, I didn't want to put it down. I admit that there were several times I picked the book up, only to put it down again and select something else. I'm so glad I finally picked it up and began to read it. I think the story itself is interesting, taking place long ago and showing the trials of a wolf pack and a human pack and how they are destined to be together but don't know it. I think it took me so long to actually begin reading it because I was afraid it just wouldn't work. That wasn't the case, thank goodness. The author does a wonderful job of drawing the reader into the story and keeping the story going. There always seems to be something going on. Either we are wondering what Kaala will do when faced with an obstacle or we are drawn into learning about a wolf pack and how they work. I admit that there were some parts when I thought "ok, that seemed over the top" but it didn't ruin the book for me. To be honest those parts were usually when the wolves were teasing each other or something like that, and it's just because I can't picture wolves teasing each other. Haha! But what do I know right?

I really do think this was a great book and recommend it to others. I think maybe others won't enjoy it as much as I did, but I hope you give it a chance to see. I checked the authors website and couldn't find where it mentioned if there would be a sequel or if this is the first in a series, but the book does end in such a way that there could be. Plus, on the cover it says something like "The Wolf Chronicles", so that gives me hope that there are more to come. I hope so..I really want to know what happens next!



Have you reviewed this book on your blog? Leave me a comment to let me know and I'll link it below.
Sorry, no linked reviews yet.




Happy Reading and thanks for stopping by……Kris

4 comments:

Bookfool said...

That does sound great. I'll let you know whether or not I con my son into reading it. ;)

(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea said...

great review; i was so happy to read yours as i just got this one from S&S this week. thanks so much

Unknown said...

Bookfool - I hope he does read! I want to know what he thinks.

Diane - Oh good - i can't wait to read your review Whenever you get a chance to read it.

Beth F said...

You have certainly gotten my interest! I will at least have to check it out.