A Novel (The Wolf Chronicles) - Promise of the Wolves

This genre of fiction is not my preferred type, but having said that, I thought this book was well written and well researched. As stated in some of the other reviews, the work reminded me somewhat of "The Clan of the Cavebear" series of many years ago, especially the second book of that series. There are no sexual undertones in this book (like in "The Cave Bear" books), which would make it an ideal book for the 10 to 15 year age range and in my opinion, this should be the target audience. It is somewhat anthropological in its study of the interactions between the humans and wolves. Parts of the book are written in the first person narrative from a wolf's point of view, but it does switch around to second and third person and sometimes one finds it takes a few paragraphs to figure out who is actually carrying forth the tale. There is quite a bit of mysticism explored and much nature worship and "speaking with ghost-wolves" for guidance but paradoxically, it plays heavily into evolution of the species (man and wolf). I personally can't meld these two lines of thought (spiritualism & evolution) into one line, but the author seems to try to do just that. To my critical thinking, it doesn't seem to make sense, but for a light read, for a young person who is able to "think outside the box", for people who enjoy stories with fantasy/spiritual/mystical overtones, this might be just the book to read.

The promise of the wolf: Never consort with humans. Never kill a human unprovoked. Never allow a mixed-blood wolf to live. Kaala, conceived outside of the natural order of the pack, is allowed to live although her mother is banished. Always an outlier, Kaala struggles to fit in, but finds herself drawn to humans in a way that could result in her own banishment.

The author has done her homework. This is an excellently researched story of the primitive world from the wolf's prospective. I would definitely recommend it to both the YA and adult reader. There's violence, but it isn't gratuitous. The story seems to be based on the theory that humans and wolves learned from one another. I would urge the reader to remember that the domestic dog and the gray wolf vary genetically "at most 0.2% of mtDNA sequence [citation omitted]."* In contrast the coyote and the gray wolf differ by about 4% of mitochondrial DNA sequence. [Id.]*

So yes, this is a well written book that will appeal to all who love the wolves in their homes and may make some new converts as well.

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"Molecular Evolution of the Dog Family" by ROBERT K. WAYNE

I love this book, so much that I wanted a copy in print. What I like most about this book are the strong female characters, especially Kaala, the protagonist and the one who tells the story.

Pros:
1. strong female characters and protagonist
2. great characterization (I love Azzuen!) The bad guys are not wholly bad (Borlla is a good example) and the good guys have their flaws
3. interesting use of legends and the impact they have on culture
4. snap shot of what its like to grow up as a wolf (at least 14,000 years ago)
5. emotionally engaging- I haven't been so angry at a character in ages! Or felt so anxious for for them, either. And I simply adore Azzuen, and Mara. Hearst really made me feel the excitement in this book, something I am always looking for but don't often find.
6. Integration of the ravens and humans makes for a rich and engaging world. I really enjoyed the ravens and their attitude towards the wolves, at times fun and at times serious.

Cons:
I don't have any beef with this story, it never dragged for me. However, some people like to have everything wrapped up by the end of the story; not all the answers are in this book. For instance, what happens to Borlla is a complete mystery. Good thing is, there's more books!

Books that are similar are The Sight, followed by Fell. Another that is really good, but not about wolves, is Ratha's Creature: The First Book of the Named.

I don't want to detract from the merits of Promise of the Wolves: It is a charming, entertaining, and well-narrated story. But it's a story that isn't readily accepted by adult readers, because it lacks the insight of Watership Down, the gripping adventure of Call of the Wild, and the bizarre allegorical framework of Animal Farm. I believe that this book is most highly suitable for late childhood/early teen readers (a precocious 8 to about 14); I think these populations can accept a "wolfen" narrator and the obvious fantasy elements of the story, that being one of the top favorite genres of that age group. Not being a big fan of animal novels, I can't say it was my favorite - but I would recommend it for anyone who does enjoy animal protagonists.

I'm a lover of all kinds dogs. While I don't have a dog because I'm a city dweller (I have a cat -- much saner in a smallish flat), I miss the eager, unflappable love and companionship that dogs provide. I'd never really thought about how dogs came to be, until I read Dorothy Hearst's book -- and she really got me thinking. This is the first of three books, which tells an engaging story of Kaala, a wolf in prehistorical times who is drawn to TaLi, a girl, and the resulting conflicts that arise within her pack as well as in the human tribe when a wolf and girl become friends. The fantasy elements are wonderful -- the spirit world of the wolves is rich and tantalizing, and there's just enough detail to make you want more. The Greatwolves, the Ravens, the Krianan, and the mystery of the spirit world -- it was all a delight to read. I really liked the depictions of pack life, and reading about the rules governing the roles and decisions made in a wolf pack. The generational conflict between the younger and older wolves, as well as the conflicts between the wolves who want to try new ways versus the tradition-bound "old school" wolves was captivating. There's so much here for anyone who likes dogs, both kids and adults, or anyone who likes a well-told story -- and the book is amazingly well written. A highly entertaining tale, and I can't wait for the second installment! More will be revealed about when dogs were wolves....

Kaala is a mixed-blood wolf living in prehistoric times who, by the rules of the pack, should not be allowed to live since the pack leader is not her father. Luck is on Kaala's side, and the Greatwolves instruct her pack leader that she must live, but her mother is exiled. The story follows Kaala's struggle to be accepted into the wolf-pack, and also her struggle with the "unnatural" pull she feels to be with humans, which is against pack rules. Kaala ends up saving a human girl from drowning, and begins a relationship with her. But war between the wolves and the humans is imminent, and Kaala must decide where she will stand, with her pack or with the humans.

I loved this book! The relationships between Kaala and her fellow wolves were great, as were the human-wolf connections. I felt quite a lot of emotion while reading this book, which is something that usually doesn't happen. I think anybody with any kind of pet will appreciate this book that reminds us how wise our furry friends can be.

Promise of the Wolves is a wonderfully written and researched fantasy novel (to some extent) about wolves and the evolution of dogs. I found this debut novel absorbing from the beginning. Like Watership Down, I find it suitable for some young adult readers (though the later was a much more disturbing novel) but, in my opinion, is geared towards an adult audience.

I am quite familiar with both the books, authors, and organizations the author consulted and read in the writing of this book due to my interest in both wolves and dogs. It was with sadness that while I was reading this book that I learned that the bill to end aerial hunting of wolves in Alaska was defeated. Thus the war between humans and wolves continues with humans having the immense advantage and the desire to decimate wolf populations.

I loved this book and the character of the protagonist wolf, Kaala, who fights to keep wolves and humans together. It is, for most, a fantasy but the people at places like Wolf Park continue to battle, like Kaala, for harmony between the species. The line that states humans need wolves to stay a part of the natural world is so true, but mostly forgotten.

A big thank you to Dorothy Hearst for writing this novel that took me for awhile into the fantasy life of the ancient wolves from Kaala's perspective.

This is one of the best books that I have read in a while! I just loved it! It reminded me a lot of David Clement-Davies' The Sight but with stronger characters and more interaction between wolves and humans. It was really a terrific book and I remember reading somewhere that this is going to be a trilogy and I am just SO excited to read about the rest of their adventures! The book feels complete, but also hints at the remainder of the story to come. I can't wait! Of course, I think I would have enjoyed this even more if I was younger, but as it was I adored it! Who doesn't love to hear life from a wolf's point of view? I hope that I don't have to wait too long for the rest of the series!

Once I began reading Promise of The Wolves I couldn't get enough of it.
The story is told through the eyes of a young female wolf pup named Kaala. She is destined to be either the savior or the destroyer of her pack. The story is very reminiscent of Clan of the Cave Bear.

Kaala is a mixed breed pup and she consorts with humans, two things that go against the promise of the wolves.
I found myself engrossed in her struggles to prove herself to her pack and to find out who she truly is.
A great exciting read you will truly enjoy. If you love Clan of the Cave Bear I think you will enjoy this book as well. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

Wolves born of the Swift River Pack weren't allowed to mix bloodlines with outsiders. Pups from such a predicament weren't allowed to live. They were killed by the pack leader and this is where Kaala's story begins. She was born of mixed blood, but was spared her life. Ruuqo and the rest of the pack didn't make life easy though. Like all other pups, she will have to struggle in order to survive. The weak will not make it. This book is her story.

Anyone who has a love of wolves will appreciate the effort Hearst has put forth in this début novel. PROMISE OF THE WOLVES is the first in The Wolf Chronicles. More is to follow!

I thought this new novel was a fun and interesting read. It is the story of Kaala, a new wolf pup rejected by her pack, and her struggle to become part of her group and abide by their rules, which includes not communing with humans, a challenge she finds increasingly difficult -- a struggle which will have implications for all the wolves and humans in her valley. While the story started out slowly, I was immediately interested in the characters and by the end of the book found I anxiously wait for the next in the trilogy. The book is well-written and covers an interesting time -- when humans and canines were developing a relationship that continues to this day. Some violent content probably makes it too mature for young readers, but older kids and adults will enjoy it. Lots of fun!

I was excited at the premise, but the book just never really went as deep as I had hoped. It really read more like a fairy tale than a true exploration of the bond between humans and wolves. The interaction between wolves and other wolves, between humans and wolves and between wolves and other animals was also somewhat disappointing. I will keep up with Ms. Hearst and read her again, as I think she shows great promise with her first novel. Her fascination with wolves, and with the innate bond with humans is obvious and genuine, and I think this passion will continue to show as her writing matures.

I finished reading this book a few months ago and it was a great getaway from the usual mystery/thriller and horror I read. This book gives readers a real sense of a time long ago yet currently still alive within the spirits of all humans.
I liked the way it took me into the world of ancient times & when reading about souls, kindered spirits and the balance of mother earth. The wolves story line was believeable as was the stories of the humans. The author did not go into the area of the supernatural too much where it became over the top and unbelievable. It was a welcome relief. Don't like when the story switches the genre on you. The story did go a little slow towards the middle. The journey of the main charater began to drag a bit but not too much. I felt like the author had to fill pages by building up to more setbacks than necessary for the main character. In the beginning I would not want to put the book down; as I continued reading and reached the half way point the book actually lost my interest to finish quickly because I knew that another type of similar setback was probably going to happen in the next chapter through repetitve dialogue, narrative & situation that was unecessary.
Like I mentioned earlier. It was a nice departure from the norm for me and if you like spiritual, soul searching, finding your place in this world type stories, then read this book. Like the book itself I gave it nice "Balanced" 3 stars.

There are not many fictional stories starring wolves, but this one is by far the best. The story is a tale of survival and adventure, which is told from the first-person perspective of Kaala, the main protaginist
of the story. Dorothy Hearst does a remarkable job at
describing the world from Kaala's point of view, using scents as well as sights and sounds to describe the enviroments that she
explores. The rules of the valley have always been in place longer than any wolf can remember: Do not mate with wolves
outside the valley, do not consort with humans at all, and do not kill a human unprovoked. Kaala is born as an exile since her mother
broke one of the rules of the valley, and she barely manages to survive her pack's aggresion towards her. However, later she discovers the lies
behind the legends, and it is up to her to save all of wolf and humankind from destruction. This is an excellent book for wolf lovers,
and anyone who wants to read a good fantasy novel.

Promise of the Wolves is pleasant reading, however I must confess that it did not grab my attention in the way that I had hoped. I suppose that, as a reader of fantasy and science fiction, I was hoping for a more substantial development of the world in which the story takes place. The characters are simple, but well-developed, and the interractions between humans and wolves are good. As the novel progresses, the pace picks up a bit.

For those who like this genre, I would recommend it -- perhaps as the trilogy develops, the imagined world will take on more flesh and bone.

Dorothy Hearst's "The Promise of the Wolves" is an acceptable fantasy about wolves pairing with humans -- out of which came the dog and man partnership -- and moves along at a decent pace. All good.

The main problem I had with this book is that it just didn't really hold my interest. I had to try at least seventeen times to finish this book -- I'd read a chapter and then put it down for weeks. Then I'd read another chapter, and put it down for another few weeks, etc.

So I'm sorry -- even though this is well-rendered and the description is good and I felt like I was actually in the same place as the wolves and humans being depicted, this can't be rated higher than a three. It's enjoyable, yes -- but even now, I can barely remember anything of why the wolves were so upset, except the ecological problems (and once again, I know enough history to know what was going on ecologically before I ever opened this book).

In short -- "Clan of the Cave Bear," it isn't.

Three stars.

Promise of the Wolves has much in common with the Clan of the Cave Bear Series (roughly set 14,000) years ago. In this case however we see the world from a wolf's eyes. Our main character a young wolf-pup caught in a strange conflict between humans and wolves, based on an ancient tradition/rule of a perfect harmony between the two species.

Animalistic main characters is always a risk - how animal and how human does one make them? - Hearst pulls this off well. Balancing wolfy passtimes with an apocalyptic storyline this book flows quickly through its 300+ pages.

My only worry is that this is an origin story for how people came to have dogs as pets - not that it isn't intriguing just feels a little unepic for 'wolf chronicles'

You think this book won't engage you. It's just an animal story, a fantasy, and about wolves who talk and think like people--not even present wolves, but wolves way back in prehistoric time. But these wolves grow on you. Like dogs, they sneak into your heart and before you know it, you're enmeshed in the life-and-death affairs of the Swift River pack and you deeply care about them, because they are not so different, and you recognize their goals and their conflicts among themselves and with humans as your own.

You meet little Kaala SmallTeeth as a pup, ostracized by her pack because she was born of "mixed blood." You follow and empathize with her struggles to fit in and be accepted and you admire her for her persistent independence, curiosity, and refusal to conform. The story moves to a wider angle view, from Kaala's small pack to the primordial relations between wolves and humans and how the two species were beginning to affect each other. This overarching perspective, in line with the latest research on wolf-human interdependence, is a bird's-eye view of the beginnings of a bond that would eventually lead to unexpected evolutionary benefits for both species, among them the development of the dog. The novel also provides much food for thought on the human desire to control nature and how this has led to our current environmental crisis.

The story has a mythological element that locates it in a prehistoric past, with spirit wolves, magical thinking, and forces too big to be understood orchestrating events but always responsive to pivotal actions by humans, wolves, and even birds that can turn the course of events from disaster to deliverance. This mythological element gave me an inkling of the mind-set of these long-ago ancestors of ours, who lived in a dialogue with the natural world.

This story is set far in the past and is book one in a series. Kaala is a 1/2 wolf and saves a human girl from drowning. This breaks the rules of the wolf pack. This is a fictional account of how modern day dogs became companions to humans. This book sets up the background for the next in the series.

I bought this book on a whim while in a bookstore this summer, but only just now got to reading it off the TBR pile...it sounded like it had an interesting premise, but it took a long time to get into it. it wasn't until nearly half-way through the book that I actually started to get into it and then i stayed up the rest of the night to finish it...it nearly ended up in the thanks but no thanks pile, but i didn't have anything else to read last night and glad that i kept with it. Hopefully the next two will be better, but i'll be getting them from the library and not buying.

I enjoyed this book and would read the second in the series. It has an interesting and unique premise. There are slow moments and at least one minor plot hole, but I still enjoyed it. There is definitely a message in the book, but it's woven well enough into the plot that it's not offensive. When I started reading it, I thought it was young adult. It still seems more young adult than adult fiction. Not that an adult wouldn't enjoy it, but it's definitely geared more toward teens.

I really enjoyed "Promise of the Wolves". We all know that the dog is man's best friend. We also know that our most loved pet is descended from the wolf. But how in the world did two competing predators become friends?
What were the reasons? the costs? the benefits?
Ms. Hearst is giving us a fictional glimpse of how this story might have unfolded. The wolves are holding back, wary and mistrusting. But Kaala is fascinated by and drawn towards the humans at a time in evolution when our hunter/gather ancestors were becoming more sedentary.
I could feel the harmony and the tensions of the wolf pack. We learn with the pups how a wolf pack functions, thrives, and survives. The humans, less wise in the ways of nature than the wolves, are divided: some feel they should continue to respect traditions and remain part of the balance, while others, overly confident and egotistical, prefer to breakaway and proclaim themselves `top dog'.
Wolf/human co-evolution is a fascinating subject. I look forward to the next book to see where Kaala will take us.

This is like the wolf version of "Watership Down." ("Watership Down" is a book about rabbits.) This book is well researched and has a great story line and interesting wolf characters and names. When I read this the other books hadn't come out yet. Now I have to reread this one and read the other two books. Looking forward to it.

It starts out where kaala and her littermates go up to try and join the pack. Ruquo doesn't accept them beacause they are of outsider blood. Two greatwolves intervene. They allow kaala to stay but kaala's mother is banished from the swift river pack. Kaala makes friends with this raggedy little pup named azzune and a fast one named mara. They make the journey to a gathering place. Kaala rescues a human girl named TaLi from the river there even though it is against the wolf law to interact with a human. Kaala and her companions stop a war and save all the wolves and humans.
I really loved this book.

This book is captivating and i could not put it down when i started to read it. I got so into it that i would lay awake thinking about it and about what would happen next all night. Its about a pup who is born that has a cresent moon on its chest, she has to try to make it into the pack.i dont want to say anymore.....but this is definitly a 5 star book and i recommend it!

Dorothy Hearst's "Promise of the Wolves" seems to have created a lot of buzz, and it deserves the attention. I've never read anything quite like this before, with its emphasis on the evolutionary link between humans and canines (both dogs and wolves) and its rendering of the complexities of the internal politics of a wolf pack. It reminds me of Kipling's Jungle Books (much richer and more complex than the Disney movie), except with a more modern understanding of the animal world and our environment. Fascinating, haunting, and beautiful!

Yawn...

I never knew wolves could be so boring. Kelley Armstrong's werewolf books have a zip and energy this story lacks, and is sorely in need of finding.

I understand that Hearst's book is not a horror novel, but surely a wolf novel wherein wolves interact with humans and have thought processes like humans could have more tension. I grew tired of reading about how hard it was for the wolves to find food, and if that was the main point of this story than it succeeds in making that understood. This is not a title I will recommend to children in my elementary school. I forced myself to trudge through the first 100 pages, and I don't want my students to trudge as I did.

I really enjoyed this. I picked it up for something to read while I was on a long flight. I didn't know much about it but ended up getting pulled into the story within the first chapter. I enjoyed getting the story from the wolve's perspective, instead of the human characters in the book. Great job for Hearst for her first novel. I'm really looking forward to the next installment.

In Promise of the Wolves, Hearst pulls us right in to a fascinating look at how some species have evolved in relation to others. She's certainly done her homework. Who wouldn't identify with an outsider youngster searching for the secrets of identity and exploring the compelling ambiguities of wildness and domestication? And as we discover more about coevolution (cat meowing and human speech? immunity and "parasites"?) we need to look more at species interrelationships and their responsibilities over time. But this is not a dry polemic-- it's an excellent read!

When I read the first few pages of "Promise of the Wolves", I was intrigued. The author seemed to be capable, stylistically speaking, and the plot had the potential to address humanity's connection to the ecosystem in a rather unique way. Unfortunately, the story soon degenerated into a standard shallow coming-of-age yarn, the only difference between this and others of the type being a lupine protagonist and a Pleistocene setting (without resorting to the graphic pornography of Jean Auel, thankfully). The author claims to have written the book in a number of Bay Area coffee shops; my experience suggests that most--and I emphasize "most"--people who write in public do so in order to be SEEN as an writer, not for any real creative reasons.

I would suggest to Ms Hearst that she take six months off from her day job, hole up in an out-of-the-way location (mountains, coast, basement), and do nothing but "live her art". Despite my earlier words, I still think she has what it takes to become a decent writer; but first she needs to realize there is a difference between WANTING to be seen as a writer and NEEDING to write.

Well the author has written a nice story, that may hold the attention of young readers, I couldn't help comparing it to the work of Richard Adams (Watership Down, Plague dogs and Shardik spring to mind). This is insipid in comparison.

I loved this book's exciting plot, strong characters, and underlying mysteries. Many a night I stayed up too late, reading "just one more page." One always turned into dozens. Not only did I enjoy the story, but I also learned a great deal about dogs' mighty ancestors. Not a dog owner myself, I can only imagine the passionate feelings this book would evoke in those whose lives are filled with a dog's unconditional love. I'm so glad I discovered this wonderful book!

In this beautifully written and engaging novel, Dorothy Hearst has created both vivid characters and a well-plotted story of a prehistoric world and the wolves and humans who live in it. The research on animal behavior behind the tale is apparent, and the mythology that underpins it are impressive--not easy to do without becoming hokey or strained. I finished the first book and couldn't wait to read the second--and third.

This book would be fine for 7th or 8th graders. For adults, it is only mildly interesting; and I will never re-read it. If it was labelled Y/A or younger I never would have checked it out from the library. I didn't feel close to any of the main characters or particularly interested in what they did.

Tweens who have outgrown the Lion King and are moving into the YA level of animal stories might really like this. But I wouldn't recommend this to any but the most wolf-crazy adults.

After 100 pages, I found I couldn't care less about the young protagonist wolf. It was so obvious where the story was going, and I found it difficult to believe the emotions and beliefs ascribed to the wolves. These are not, after all, clothes-wearing, anthropomorphic animals like in, say, Redwall (Tale of Redwall), but are ostensibly actual wolves living out their realistic lives.

Given that, the elaborate belief structure ascribed to the wolves just didn't work. The author gives them an elaborate belief structure that involves "the Balance" and the "Ancients" -- Sun, Moon, Earth and Grandmother Sky, and makes the wolves highly spiritual creatures. I found that very jarring contrasted with their depiction as real wolves. I suppose you could say it's in the tradition of The Jungle Books (Signet Classics), but definitely not in the same class.

Also rather silly: The crows speak in haiku, of all things. Poetry-speaking ravens was a real turn-off for me.

For the possibility for younger readers, I'll give it two stars. For me personally, though, it's a definite one-star bomb.

This book made for such compelling reading that I couldn't put it down. The characters are complex, and the story really hums along. As a dog-lover, I learned new and fascinating things about my pooch's ancestry. My husband read it, too, and enjoyed it a lot, even though this isn't the kind of genre he typically reads. Now, when our dog looks to us questioningly for attention, we quote this great book: "you are pack!" Read it yourself and you won't be disappointed.

Well done! Kaala is a heartfelt, wonderful character, and the interactions between Kaala, her pack, and humankind come to life on the pages of Promise of the Wolves, Dorothy Hearst's debut novel. This book grabbed and kept my attention--which is saying a lot, because I have to admit that I'm not really an animal lover. :) Worth your time.

I have always been captivated by wolves, and when I searched for a book to bring me into the world of wolves, Promise of the Wolves was better then I hoped for. It is so fascinating yet very informative. I can't wait to buy and read the 2nd one!

I wanted to like this book more than I did. It's narrator is a wolf pup in prehistoric times, marked with an ominous moon crescent. At the time, wolves and man keep separate because once when wolves helped man, man learned to hunt in packs and become a far more effective killer and wolves got nothing in return.

The problem with having such a young, naive narrator is that they don't have much to add to the mix. The overall descriptions of the forest and life weren't enough to make up for the simplicity of the characterizations and repetitiveness of the plot. There were few surprises and a tiny bit of mysticism. This is not clan of the cave bear with wolves, this feels more like a book for 5th graders. I was disappointed. C+

This book has to be the best wolf story I`ve read! I am probaly going to recommend it to my middle school librarian so she might put it in the library. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves wolves, adventure stories, and a good book!

Katie Age: 12

But suspension of disbelief is difficult to maintain; at times very difficult. The `wolves' are all too human, and the `humans' aren't human enough. And crows speaking in haiku is a further strain on credibility.

The story of Ayla's making friends with a wolf in Jean Auel's The Mammoth Hunters is probably close to what actually occurred millennia ago; the story of Kaala's making friends with a cardboard human is not.

The target readership of this story is unclear. It seems to be above the level of young children, but below the level of older children and adults, except possibly for the mentally challenged.

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Finally a voice of the wolf.....they clear up so many misconceptions & misunderstandings man has about wolves. A beautiful story. My only compliant was all the wolf names, had a hard time remembering them all & which one was talking do to the wierd names.