Wolves of the Beyond #2: Shadow Wolf

Well normally sequels are not as good as the first. Not in this case this book Wolves of the Beyond Shadow Wolf was great. If you read the first you have to read the second. I will not say to much about the book in effort not to spoil it. Foalan has now joined a clan and is the lowest ranking member. He has only one chance to move up in rank. However he must first simply survive being a low member and face down many challenges and fight his way up. That's pretty what the book is about. Anyway was a great read I would recommend this series of books to anyone who likes wolves. It is a easy read so kids can read it as well.

Kathryn Lasky, in the forward wrote: "I have always thought that writing is not a solitary performance, but a collaborative - one between an author and the past-what she has read, listened to, and absorbed. The shoulders of giants are not just reserved for scientists as Newton suggested, but writers and artists perch there as well. If I have overlooked in my acknowledgments any giants, I apologize." She might be standing on the shoulders of giants but I am sure generations to come will consider her a giant that they stand upon. This second book in the Wolves of the Beyond series is incredible. I literally could not put it down. I have been alternately reading this series and the Guardians of Ga'Hoole books at the same time. Both are amazing series set in the same world. According to Lasky there will not likely be more books in the Hoolian series, but there is a fourth announced for the Wolves and hopefully we will get many more tales of the Wolves to read.

This book continues the story of Faolan. He has joined one of the packs as a Gnaw wolf. Faolan has a great heart and the other wolves know there is something special and different about him. Some respect and appreciate that. Most are superstitious and fear him to some extent. Faolan, not being raised in the pack, also seems to keep making mistakes. But now Faolan has an opportunity, for the Watch Wolves need a new member and a competition is underway, a gaddergnaw, to determine the best known wolves from the clan. But Faolan has an enemy and one who is determined to destroy him.

The characters are amazing, and the story wonderful. While reading this book, I kept finding myself reading after I should have put the book down, not wanting to come back from lunch, or go to bed, in order to find out what would happen next. It is an incredible book by an amazing author

Kathryn Lasky continues her tale of wolves in the world of the Guardians of Ga'hoole. While I've only read the first Ga'hoole book, this series feels less like a big fantasy epic. Instead, it focuses on the deformed gnaw wolf, Faolan, as he learns to fit into wolf society despite having been raised by a grizzly bear. Towards the end, we get hints of things opening out into a larger storyline, but for the most part, this is a smaller, more personal story.

Lasky does a fantastic job showing the complex social rules and behavior of the different members of the wolf pack. Animal hierarchies are rich and complex, and we really get a feel for that here. Here characters are just as thoroughly developed as her setting and its cultures, and that combination is what makes this a winning series.

As a deformed wolf with a twisted paw, Faolan has been taken from his mother and abandoned, left to die so his bloodline doesn't threaten the healthiness and well-being of the clan. Through circumstances and an act of mercy, Faolan's life is spared. Raised by Thunderheart, a grizzly bear mourning the death of her cub, he becomes a most unusual wolf with strength, speed and abilities like no other. After surviving a death-defying challenge, Faolan has been permitted to rejoin the pack, but in the lowliest position as a gnaw wolf. He is not permitted to participate in the hunt and only allowed to eat scraps after higher ranking wolves have eaten their fill.

Heep, a tail-less gnaw wolf, is overly fawning and sneaky. It doesn't take Faolan long to discover he is not to be trusted. Heep takes great pains to curry favor with other members of the pack by falsely humiliating himself in front of them. He is jealous of Faolan and tries to make him look bad in front of the others. Faolan has a special gift that sets him apart from the other wolves, but his uniqueness also makes some pack members even more suspicious of him.

During a hunt, Faolan over-steps his position. His actions ruin the excursion and threaten the safety of the pack. To make amends for his misdeed, Faolan is punished severely. As part of his punishment, he must travel to all the clans, confess his sins and ask for forgiveness. After an abandoned pup is visciously murdered, Faolan becomes suspected of the brutal crime. To prove his innocence, he must discover the identity of the actual killer while being hunted by his own pack.

In SHADOW WOLF, the second book in the Wolves of the Beyond fantasy series, Kathryn Lasky has created a fascinating world that I became engrossed in and didn't want to leave. The memorable characters, vivid descriptions and enchanting story combine to make a suspenseful and gracefully written novel. The heroes and villains are captivating. The respect for nature, reverence for life, and passion and emotion of the characters flow through the story line. Lasky also skillfully makes the many unfamiliar words of the fictional world easily understandable within the context of the story.

Middle-grade readers who enjoy unleashing their imaginations and soaking up the atmosphere of a different world should be fascinated by SHADOW WOLF. The book's message is to make the most of one's unique gifts and to find comfort in being part of something bigger than oneself. I hope it won't be too long before this wonderful series resumes.

--- Reviewed by Donna Volkenannt

Review by Haley. I was looking forward to Shadow Wolf as I got towards the end on Lone wolf. I bought Shadow Wolf as soon as I finished Lone Wolf. I liked it even more than Lone Wolf, and I would give six stars if I could. Faolan is a gnaw wolf now, but he hates it at first. He thinks that if you are so mistreated, why even be a member. He not only has to put up with frequent kicks and bites, but also with the jealous Heep. He does have a few friends though, including Mhairie, Dearlea, The Wistler, The Sark of the Slough, and Gweneth (or however you spell it). These friends help him throughout the story.

We have fallen for the Guardians of Ga Hoole series which have been popular for years and now a movie based on the Guardians of Ga Hoole has been recently released in theatres. The author of this series Kathryn Lasky has expanded the world of Ga Hoole to her new series The Wolves of the Beyond. Shadow Wolf is book two in this enchanting series. Lasky has a way of creating a wonderful fantasy world with her words as they flow off the page into your mind as you read. The wolf Faolan is trying to find his place in the world now as a gnaw wolf in the MacDuncan clan. He found his way back to his clan after surviving abandonment because of a splayed paw. He's finding it's tough being on the bottom especially being new to all the laws of wolf society and being tormented by many of the other wolves, including another gnaw wolf named Heep. The extraordinary things about him make him stand out and not necessarily all in a good way, like his paw thats splayed with a swirl on it or his size and strength. He just doesn't seem to fit in.. and rumors fly that he is a wolf from the Dim because of these things and this singles him out for trouble. Trouble that comes in the form of being framed for murder of a kindred spirit and a cag mag, a crazy wolf. With the Gaddergnaw games taking place for the gnaw wolves of the clans this adds to Faolans challenges to overcome but through these games he may find his rightful place among the clans or even possible become a Wolf of the Watch so he plans on trying his best to be a great gnaw wolf.
This is a amazing story that leads you to wonder what will happen next to young Faolan of the MacDuncan clan, it seems like his adventure has just begun. It feels as if he is destined for great things in this entralling series, I can't wait to read on. The characters in this story are quite memorable and carry such a life to them through this author's words. The myths that encircle these wolves along with their beliefs and customs add so much to the plot of this tale leaving one...well enchanted. If I can pick a word describing this book and series enchanting would be it!

Hey!Theres SOMETHING famous coming.And he's adventurous!I'll spell what type of animal he is W.O.L.F.If you guessed Faolan your correct!He makes a great team
with his friends!Anyway this series is great for kids ages
7--12 and I don't just mean kids I mean teens and
grownups too!!!I don't care about killing and dieing
and I only mean the bad animals!(grownups only have an issue with this and why?)The only wolf I hate is Heep he's a jerk!

I bought this series for my 11 year old daughter. She enjoyed the books, and it turned her onto the Guardians of Ga'Hoole series.

My daughter's review: It's a pretty good series, though there were some things I didn't much care for. Faolan was a bit of a Gary Stu, and it didn't have much depth. If you like wolves and fantasy-ish stuff and don't mind either of those much, it's a pretty good series, and it has some very interesting scenes and characters, but it does have some spoilers for Guardians of Ga'Hoole, so be warned if you haven't read those yet. Guardians of Ga'Hoole is better in my opinion though.

He is strong, noble, and courageous. His nobility in the face of injustice creates an unforgettable character. Follow him as he tries to fit in with the pack. It's a great story that I really enjoyed.

He is strong, noble, and courageous. His nobility in the face of injustice creates an unforgettable character. Follow him as he tries to fit in with the pack. It's a great story that I really enjoyed.

this was an amazing addition to the wolves of the beyond series it had a great plot some suspence and a one of the best endings ive ever read i recomend this series to any one with a love of the gracefull creaters that walk the pages of this book (wolves)