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Promise of the Wolves: A Novel (The Wolf Chronicles) | 
| Author: Dorothy Hearst
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Category: Book
List Price: $25.00
Buy Used: $6.50
You Save: $18.50 (74%)
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Rating:  67 reviews
Sales Rank: 74973
Media: Hardcover
Pages: 352
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.2
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.4
ISBN: 1416569987
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.6
EAN: 9781416569985
ASIN: 1416569987
Publication Date: June 3, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
WHAT IS
THE PROMISE OF THE WOLF? NEVER CONSORT WITH HUMANS. NEVER KILL A
HUMAN UNPROVOKED. NEVER ALLOW A MIXED-BLOOD WOLF TO LIVE. At least that's what the wolves of the Wide Valley believe. Until a young wolf dares to break the rules -- and forever alters the relationship between wolves and the humans who share their world. This is the story of such a wolf. Born of a forbidden mixed-blood litter and an outcast after her mother is banished, Kaala is determined to earn a place in the Swift River pack. But her world is turned upside down when she saves a human girl from drowning. Risking expulsion from their pack and exile from the Wide Valley, Kaala and her young packmates begin to hunt with the humans and thus discover the long-hidden bond between the two clans. But when war between wolves and humans threatens, Kaala learns the lies behind the wolf 's promise. Lies that force her to choose between safety for herself and her friends and the survival of her pack -- and perhaps of all wolf- and humankind. Set 14,000 years ago, Promise of the Wolves takes us to a land where time is counted in phases of the moon, distance is measured in wolflengths, and direction by the scent of the nearest trail. Years of research into the world of wolves combines with mythical tale-telling to present a fantastical adventure set in a world filled with lore.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 45 more reviews...
 Wolf/human co-evolution September 4, 2008
Suzanne Holt (Laval, Isere, France)
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.
Promise of the Wolves Delivers! August 29, 2008
K9Lover (Arlington, VA)
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.
Lives Up To The Promise August 22, 2008
Paulette F. Bethel (Idyllwild, CA United States)
Anyone who is fascinated by the life of the wolf and enjoys a good fantasy will appreciate the unfolding of the human/wolf relationship in this book. Well written and descriptive, Ms Hearst accurately interprets body language of the animal world as she paints vivid pictures of pack relationships and the strong bonds of canis/homo sapien bonding.
 good first novel August 22, 2008
4fabfelines (Shelbyville , TN)
this was a good first novel. There were times where it lagged and got long and boring but it think with work it will be better novels in the future.
Good author.
Fantastic Debut August 22, 2008
Mel Odom (Moore, OK USA)
There's never been a better time to be a lover of fantasy stories. Fantastical elements have taken over movies, television, and books in a deluge that doesn't look like it'll go away any time soon. However, the genre can get overdone if writers don't start bringing new material into the mix.
Dorothy Hearst brings a lot to her debut novel, which is going to at least be the first book of a trilogy. One of the most unexpected things in the novel is that the point of view is that of a wolf, not a human. Kaala, the wolf heroine, is an amazing creation and is going to delight animal lovers.
Also, the prehistoric world Hearst brings to life is a treat. I really like Michelle Paver's Wolf Brother books and this resonated with the same kind of energy and pacing. The book is written on a YA level, but there's enough violence in it that parents should take note.
Hearst also does a good job of bringing her prehistoric world to life and mixing it with probable relationships between humans and wolves. She's created a lot of legends to go with the tale. I'm looking forward to the next volumes in the trilogy.
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