Author: Paver, Michelle
Interest age: from c 10 years 
Published 07/04/2011 by Hachette Children's Group (Orion Children's Books) in the United Kingdom as part of the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series 
Paperback | 256 pages
A boy. A wolf. A legend for all time. The first book in the internationally bestselling Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series by renowned author Michelle Paver.
Thousands of years ago, a powerful and malevolent force conjured a demon: a demon so evil that it could only be contained in the body of a ferocious bear, a demon determined to destroy the world. Only one boy can stop it ... Twelve-year-old Torak sees his father murdered by the bear. With his dying breath, he asks his son to make him a promise. Alone, wounded, terrified and on the run, Torak must now lead the bear to the Mountain of the World Spirit - a mountain that no one has ever found before. But can Torak keep his promise? A terrifying quest commences in a world of wolves, tree spirits and Hidden People, a world in which trusting a friend means risking your life.
 Audio edition also available, read by Sir Ian McKellen.
Latest sequels Oath Taker and Viper's Daughter published in 2020-21.