Oath Breaker (novel)
Oath Breaker is the fifth book in the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series by Michelle Paver. There are six books in the series. Oath Breaker is illustrated by Geoff Taylor.
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| Author | Michelle Paver |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Geoff Taylor |
| Cover artist | John Fordham |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Series | Chronicles of Ancient Darkness |
| Genre | Children's adventure, fantasy novel |
| Published | 2008 Orion Children's Books |
| Media type | Print (hardback & paperback), audio book (CD & cassette) |
| Pages | 356 (paperback) |
| ISBN | 1-84255-170-1 (first edition, hardback) |
| OCLC | 262884043 |
| Preceded by | Outcast |
| Followed by | Ghost Hunter |
Plot summary
While guarding the Seal Islands against the Soul Eaters for fear of them trying to take the last part of the Fire Opal, Bale asks Torak for his permission to take Renn for his mate, which makes Torak angry. Later, Bale is murdered by Thiazzi the Oak Mage, who then takes the last fragment of the fire opal. Torak vows to avenge Bale's death, and with Renn, Wolf and Fin-Kedinn follows Thiazzi into the Deep Forest where the Forest Horse and Auroch Clans are at war. As Torak, Renn and Fin-Kedinn are about to enter the Deep Forest, Fin-Kedinn is injured and turns back. Torak and Renn discover that Thiazzi is controlling the Deep Forest clans by impersonating their mages. A forest fire takes hold and Torak and Renn are separated. Torak finds his way to Thiazzi, while Renn is taken by the Deep Forest tribe. She defies the tribe and their belief that women can't be mages, by insisting that she is a mage and showing them her bond with Wolf and the ravens, Rip and Rek. She is then kidnapped by Thiazzi and imprisoned in a giant, hollow tree, where she cuts herself free in time to avoid choking on smoke. She climbs to the top, from where she sees Torak fighting Thiazzi. She throws a burning brand of wood to Torak, and a burning ember sets fire to Thiazzi's hair. He falls to his death as Eostra's eagle owl snatches the fire opal from the Oak Mage. As Torak is preparing to leave the deep forest, Durrain, the red deer clan leader reveals to Torak that his when his mother gave birth to him the world spirit came to her in a dream and told her that her child, Torak, will be the one to try and vanquish the Soul-Eaters. The world spirit said that Torak will have the ancient gift of a spirit Walker, but it will cost his mother her life, also that she has to name Torak ‘clanless’. Torak and Renn then returns to the open forest.
A few days later, Wolf and his mate Darkfur show Torak and Renn their new cubs. Torak finds out that the war with the Soul Eaters is not over and he will battle the last in the sixth book.