Soul Eater by Michelle Paver

The third title in this much-hyped prehistoric adventure series plunges its protagonists sharply into turmoil once again, as the hero Torak's beloved Wolf is kidnapped in a dramatic opening scene, by a ring of villains with an evil plan to take over the forest. Torak is understandably distraught at this turn of events, and sets out to rescue his pack brother, with little idea as to the scale of his undertaking. He and Renn must venture into the far north, an unfamiliar world of ice and other unknown dangers. Helped by the White Fox clan, they endure horrific ordeals to find Wolf, soon realising that saving him is the least of their worries, when unimaginable evil is now at large.

Into her carefully crafted narrative, Paver weaves subtle character development, particularly with Wolf, who is changing from playful cub to world-wise warrior. As they see each other through numerous close-shaves, Torak and Renn's bond grows deeper, and they too are growing up fast. Following a frantically tense climax in which the looming evil is for the time being forestalled, Torak mulls the future, tainted by his dark experiences. Elegantly written and imaginatively executed, Soul Eater is darker and edgier than the first two books, stepping up the pace of this excellent series, and promising plenty more adventure to come.