Soul Eater (novel): Difference between revisions

Soul Eater
	The cover of the first British edition
Author	Michelle Paver
Illustrator	Geoff Taylor
Cover artist	John Fordham
Language	English
Series	Chronicles of Ancient Darkness
Genre	Children's adventure, fantasy novel
Publisher	2006 Orion Children's Books
Publication place	United Kingdom
Media type	Print (hardback & paperback), audio book (CD & cassette)
Pages	323 (paperback)
ISBN	1-84255-170-1 (first edition, hardback)
OCLC	71329760
Preceded by	Spirit Walker
Followed by	Outcast

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Soul Eater is the third book in the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series written by Michelle Paver and illustrated by Geoff Taylor.

Soul Eater is preceded by Wolf Brother (2004) and Spirit Walker (2005), and followed by Outcast (2007), Oath Breaker (2008), Ghost Hunter (2009), Viper's Daughter (2020), Skin Taker (2021), and Wolfbane (2022).

Plot summary

Wolf gets kidnapped by a group of strangers and Torak and Renn track his captors northwards. During their journey, Torak spirit walks^{[note 1]} in a raven, and discovers that the Soul Eaters, a group of evil mages, have captured Wolf. They follow them to the Far North, where they encounter Inuktiluk, leader of the White Fox Clan. They go with him to the White Fox Clan's camp, where the clan's mage tells them of a vision she has had, in which Torak is about to hit Wolf with an axe. Continuing their search for Wolf, they find the cave which the Soul-Eaters now inhabit. The mages are named as: Thiazzi, the Oak Mage; Nef, the Bat Mage; Seshru, the Viper Mage, and their chief Eostra, the Eagle Owl Mage.

Torak secretly changes places with a boy who is serving as an acolyte to the Soul Eaters. To maintain his disguise, Torak helps the Soul Eaters in their quest to release an army of demons, while Renn also enters their cave. While inside, Torak, after learning that his father once saved the Bat Mage's life, spirit walks in a bear and finds out where Wolf is. When Torak and Renn find Wolf, who is maddened by an injury to his tail and doesn't recognise them, they are forced to use Renn's axe to cut off Wolf's tail, fulfilling the mage's vision. They free all the animals which the Soul Eaters have been holding captive, but the Soul Eaters release demons in pursuit. Renn takes the Fire Opal, a religious artifact belonging to the Soul Eaters that can control demons, but as they flee, Torak and Renn become separated when Renn floats away on a piece of sea ice. Meanwhile, Torak becomes snow blind and is captured by the Soul Eaters.

Renn's ice floe eventually halts, and she realises that the Fire Opal can be destroyed by being buried under stone while a life is sacrificed. She intends to kill herself to get rid of the Fire Opal, but before she can do so, Torak and the Soul Eaters arrive. Torak spirit walks inside an ice bear and attacks the Soul Eaters. Renn is about to jump but at the last minute, the Bat Mage sacrifices herself to fulfill her debt to Torak's father. Having escaped from the three remaining Soul Eaters, Torak, Renn and Wolf are rescued by Fin-Kedinn and Inuktiluk. They return to the forest together, and deduce that the fire opal which was buried with Nef was only one of three fragments.

Translations

Soul Eater has been released in several languages including French, Dutch, Italian, Korean and Swedish.^{[citation needed]}

Reception

In a starred review, Kirkus Reviews claimed Soul Eater is "compelling from first page to last" and highlighted the novel's "quick pacing, vivid storytelling and strong connections between human characters and the natural world".^[1]

Several reviewers discussed the novel's pacing and suspense, with Booklist's Sally Estes calling the tension "palpable and the danger excruciating".^[2] School Library Journal's Walter Minkel discussed how "Paver describes how much labor and constant attention go into simply surviving in a world so hostile to humanity, and readers will be kept on the edge of their chairs as they follow the struggle of characters who risk their lives every day trying to accomplish a task that seems certain to lead to their death".^[3]

Estes also highlighted the novel's "mesmerizing blend of magic, convincing animal lore, and an indelibly limned environment".^[2]

Notes

^ As depicted in Spirit Walker.

References

^ "Soul Eater". Kirkus Reviews. 15 January 2007. Archived from the original on 2 June 2023. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
^ ^a ^b Estes, Sally (15 March 2007). "Soul Eater". Booklist. Archived from the original on 29 February 2024. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
^ Minkel, Walter. "Soul Eater". School Library Journal. Archived from the original on 2 June 2023. Retrieved 29 February 2024 – via Chicago Public Library.

[1] As depicted in Spirit Walker.

[2] "Soul Eater". Kirkus Reviews. 15 January 2007. Archived from the original on 2 June 2023. Retrieved 29 February 2024.

[:0-3] Estes, Sally (15 March 2007). "Soul Eater". Booklist. Archived from the original on 29 February 2024. Retrieved 29 February 2024.

[4] Minkel, Walter. "Soul Eater". School Library Journal. Archived from the original on 2 June 2023. Retrieved 29 February 2024 – via Chicago Public Library.

[note 1]

[1]

[2]

[3]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Short description|2006 fantasy novel by Michelle Paver}}
-{{unreferenced|date=October 2011}}
-:''Not to be confused with the anime and manga franchise [[Soul Eater (manga)|Soul Eater]]''.''
+{{about|the 2006 Michelle Paver novel|the anime and manga franchise|Soul Eater (manga)|other uses|Soul Eater (disambiguation)}}
+{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}{{more citations needed|date=February 2024}}
 {{Infobox book <!-- See [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Novels]] or [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Books]] -->
@@ Line 10: / Line 11: @@
 | author        = [[Michelle Paver]]
 | illustrator   = [[Geoff Taylor (illustrator)|Geoff Taylor]]
-| cover artist  = [[John Fordham]]
+| cover_artist  = John Fordham
 | country       = United Kingdom
 | language      = English
 | series        = ''[[Chronicles of Ancient Darkness]]''
 | genre         = [[children's literature|Children's]] [[adventure novel|adventure]], [[fantasy novel]]
-| publisher     = [[Orion Publishing Group|Orion Children's Books]]
+| publisher     = 2006 [[Orion Publishing Group|Orion Children's Books]]
-| release_date  = 2006
-| english_release_date =
 | media_type    = Print ([[hardcover|hardback]] & [[paperback]]), audio book ([[compact disc|CD]] & [[compact cassette|cassette]])
 | pages         = 323 (paperback)
-| isbn          = ISBN 1-84255-170-1 (first edition, hardback)
+| isbn = 1-84255-170-1
+| isbn_note = (first edition, hardback)
 | oclc= 71329760
 | preceded_by   = [[Spirit Walker (novel)|Spirit Walker]]
 | followed_by   = [[Outcast (Paver novel)|Outcast]]
 }}
-'''''Soul Eater''''' is the third book in the ''[[Chronicles of Ancient Darkness]]'' series written by [[Michelle Paver]].
+'''''Soul Eater''''' is the third book in the ''[[Chronicles of Ancient Darkness]]'' series written by [[Michelle Paver]] and illustrated by [[Geoff Taylor (illustrator)|Geoff Taylor]].
+''Soul Eater'' is preceded by ''[[Wolf Brother]]'' (2004) and ''[[Spirit Walker (novel)|Spirit Walker]]'' (2005), and followed by ''[[Outcast (Paver novel)|Outcast]]'' (2007), ''[[Oath Breaker (novel)|Oath Breaker]]'' (2008), ''[[Ghost Hunter (Paver novel)|Ghost Hunter]]'' (2009), ''Viper's Daughter'' (2020), ''Skin Taker'' (2021), and ''Wolfbane'' (2022).
-''"It's winter, and Wolf, Torak's beloved pack-brother has been captured by an unknown foe. In a desperate bid to rescue him, Torak and Renn must brave the Far North. As they battle for survival amid howling blizzards and the ever present menace of the great white bear, their friendship is tested to breaking point, and Torak is forced to get closer to his enemies than ever before..."''- Soul Eater
 ==Plot summary==
-While running to show Torak and Renn the "stange prey", Wolf gets kidnapped and Torak and Renn set out to find him in The Far North. During their journey, Torak takes a spirit journey, in the form of a raven, and discovers that the Soul Eaters have captured Wolf. They follow Wolf's kidnappers to the Far North, where they encounter Inuktiluk, a member of the White Fox Clan. They go with him to the White Fox Clan's camp, where the clan's mage (shaman) tells them of a vision she has had, in which Torak is about to hit Wolf with an axe.
+Wolf gets kidnapped by a group of strangers and Torak and Renn track his captors northwards. During their journey, Torak spirit walks{{refn|group=note|As depicted in [[Spirit Walker (novel)|Spirit Walker]].}} in a raven, and discovers that the Soul Eaters, a group of evil mages, have captured Wolf. They follow them to the Far North, where they encounter Inuktiluk, leader of the White Fox Clan. They go with him to the White Fox Clan's camp, where the clan's mage tells them of a vision she has had, in which Torak is about to hit Wolf with an axe. Continuing their search for Wolf, they find the cave which the Soul-Eaters now inhabit. The mages are named as: Thiazzi, the Oak Mage; Nef, the Bat Mage; Seshru, the Viper Mage, and their chief Eostra, the Eagle Owl Mage.
-They continue their search for Wolf. Torak secretly changes places with a boy who is serving as an [[acolyte]] to the Soul Eaters. Torak goes into the cave, where he has to help the Soul Eaters in order to maintain his disguise. Renn goes into the cave and hides. While in the cave, Torak kills an owl, then takes a spirit journey into a bear and finds out where Wolf is. Torak and Renn find Wolf, who is distracted by an injury to his tail and doesn't recognise them. They have to use Renn's axe to cut off Wolf's tail, fulfilling the mage prophecy. They free all the animals which the Soul Eaters have been holding captive, but the Soul Eaters release demons. Renn takes the [[Fire Opal]], a religious artifact belonging to the Soul Eaters, and as they flee, Torak and Renn become separated when Renn floats away on a piece of river ice. Meanwhile, Torak becomes [[photokeratitis|snow blind]] and is captured by the Soul Eaters.
+Torak secretly changes places with a boy who is serving as an [[acolyte]] to the Soul Eaters. To maintain his disguise, Torak helps the Soul Eaters in their quest to release an army of demons, while Renn also enters their cave. While inside, Torak, after learning that his father once saved the Bat Mage's life, spirit walks in a bear and finds out where Wolf is. When Torak and Renn find Wolf, who is maddened by an injury to his tail and doesn't recognise them, they are forced to use Renn's axe to cut off Wolf's tail, fulfilling the mage's vision. They free all the animals which the Soul Eaters have been holding captive, but the Soul Eaters release demons in pursuit. Renn takes the Fire Opal, a religious artifact belonging to the Soul Eaters that can control demons, but as they flee, Torak and Renn become separated when Renn floats away on a piece of [[sea ice]]. Meanwhile, Torak becomes [[photokeratitis|snow blind]] and is captured by the Soul Eaters.
-Renn eventually makes it to the riverbank, and discovers that the Fire Opal can be destroyed by being buried under stone while a life is sacrificed. She intends to kill herself to get rid of the Fire Opal, but before she can do so, Torak and the Soul Eaters arrive. Torak takes the form of a spirit bear and attacks the Soul Eaters. Renn is about to jump but at the last minute, the Bat Mage sacrifices herself to atone for the fact that Torak's father once saved her life. Torak, Renn and Wolf are rescued by Fin-Kedinn and Inuktiluk. They return to the forest together.
+Renn's [[ice floe]] eventually halts, and she realises that the Fire Opal can be destroyed by being buried under stone while a life is sacrificed. She intends to kill herself to get rid of the Fire Opal, but before she can do so, Torak and the Soul Eaters arrive. Torak spirit walks inside an ice bear and attacks the Soul Eaters. Renn is about to jump but at the last minute, the Bat Mage sacrifices herself to fulfill her debt to Torak's father. Having escaped from the three remaining Soul Eaters, Torak, Renn and Wolf are rescued by Fin-Kedinn and Inuktiluk. They return to the forest together, and deduce that the fire opal which was buried with Nef was only one of three fragments.
-==Editions==
+== Translations ==
-''Soul Eater'' has been released in several languages including French, Dutch, Italian, [[Korean language|Korean]] and [[Swedish language|Swedish]].
+''Soul Eater'' has been released in several languages including French, Dutch, Italian, [[Korean language|Korean]] and [[Swedish language|Swedish]].{{Citation needed|date=February 2024}}
+== Reception ==
-{{Portal |Children's literature}}
+In a starred review, ''[[Kirkus Reviews]]'' claimed ''Soul Eater'' is "compelling from first page to last" and highlighted the novel's "quick pacing, vivid storytelling and strong connections between human characters and the natural world".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2007-01-15 |title=Soul Eater |url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/michelle-paver/soul-eater/ |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=[[Kirkus Reviews]] |archive-date=2 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602111355/https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/michelle-paver/soul-eater/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
+Several reviewers discussed the novel's pacing and suspense, with ''[[Booklist]]''<nowiki/>'s Sally Estes calling the tension "palpable and the danger excruciating".<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Estes |first=Sally |date=2007-03-15 |title=Soul Eater |url=https://www.booklistonline.com/Soul-Eater-Michelle-Paver/pid=1912167 |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=[[Booklist]] |archive-date=29 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229032920/https://www.booklistonline.com/Soul-Eater-Michelle-Paver/pid=1912167 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[School Library Journal]]'''s Walter Minkel discussed how "Paver describes how much labor and constant attention go into simply surviving in a world so hostile to humanity, and readers will be kept on the edge of their chairs as they follow the struggle of characters who risk their lives every day trying to accomplish a task that seems certain to lead to their death".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Minkel |first=Walter |title=Soul Eater |url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/michelle-paver/soul-eater/ |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=[[School Library Journal]] |via=[[Chicago Public Library]] |archive-date=2 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602111355/https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/michelle-paver/soul-eater/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
+Estes also highlighted the novel's "mesmerizing blend of magic, convincing animal lore, and an indelibly limned environment".<ref name=":0" />
+== Notes ==
+{{reflist|group=note}}
+== References ==
+{{Reflist}}{{Portal|Children's literature
+}}
 {{Chronicles of Ancient Darkness}}
 {{DEFAULTSORT:Soul Eater}}
-[[Category:2006 novels]]
+[[Category:2006 British novels]]
 [[Category:Children's fantasy novels]]
 [[Category:British children's novels]]
 [[Category:Chronicles of Ancient Darkness]]
+[[Category:2006 children's books]]
+[[Category:Novels set in the Arctic]]
+[[Category:Orion Books books]]