Wolf Brother by Michelle Paver

Wolf Brother by Michelle Paver is the first book in the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series. It takes place during the neolithic time period, approximately 6,000 years ago. Torak is a member of the Wolf Clan, but has only ever lived with his father in the forest. When a huge bear, possessed by a demon spirit kills his father, Torak is forced to keep a promise he made to his dying father... that he'd find the Mountain of the World Spirit, or die trying. A lone wolf cub finds Torak as he begins his journey. Torak is surprised that they are able to communicate with one another using the wolf's language. Eventually, they are caught by members of the Raven Clan. They tell Torak of the prophecy of the Listener - one who can fight with air, speak with silence and talk to the animals of the forest. It is the Listener who must give his heart's blood to the Mountain and abolish the evil demon spirit within the bear. Torak, accompanied by Renn of the Raven Clan and Wolf, continue on the journey, tracked by the leaders of the Raven Clan and by the evil spirit bear who continues to grow larger and more powerful. Torak doesn't know if he can live up to the prophecy or even keep his promise to his father, but he continues on, trying his hardest to do what's right for the world.

This was a really good adventure story! At first, I thought it might be fantasy because of the prophecy and the evil demon and spirits, but then I realized it is based on the religious and spiritual beliefs of the people who would have lived during the neolithic time period. The author, Michelle Paver, did a lot of research (both with archaeology and with nomadic tribes) do develop the characters in the story. She also did research with wolves, more of which you can see in the video clip below.

The Revenge of the Shadow King by Derek Benz and J.S. Lewis

The Revenge of the Shadow King by Derek Benz and J.S. Lewis is about the Grey Griffins (Max, Natalia, Ernie, and Harley), teens from Avalon, Minnesota who enjoy the mysterious card game Round Table. Little do they know that the cards they play their game with are actually meant to teach them the true history about the Knights Templar and the Shadow King's rise to power. Max finds out that he is a descendant of one of the knights and has been tasked with protecting their secrets from the Shadow King and the evil Morgan LaFey (King Arthur's immortal step sister and murderer). The Grey Griffins go through one adventure after another as they work to conceal the Codex Spiritus, an ancient book passed down amongst the knights, and retrieve the jewel of Titania in order to stop the Shadow King from returning.

This book was good. There was a lot of action and some really neat history about King Arthur and the Knights Templar. To me, it felt like the story just kept going and going and going. The teens made mistake after mistake, and had battle after battle with the evil forces bent on stealing the ancient book. This is the first book of the Grey Griffins series.