Lone Wolf (review)

A wolf pup born with a deformed paw is abandoned by his pack and left for dead mere hours after entering the world. Cougars attack and kill a grizzly bear's young cub as she is out hunting for food, leaving only a trail of blood. So begins Kathryn Lasky's latest animal fantasy series, a careful blend of anthropomorphic magic, spiritual naturalism, and the harsh realities of survival in a world of predator and prey. Faolan, the titular lone wolf, is rescued from his fate by the grieving grizzly, Thunderheart, who decides to raise him as her own despite the obvious difference in their species. The ensuing relationship is at once tender and believable, with Faolan acting as the classic temperamental child and Thunderheart as the tough, loving mother both bewildered and charmed by her adopted cub. Although the first half of the novel runs a bit slow as it focuses solely on the emotional development of these two wounded creatures, the pace picks up when Faolan is forced to seek out his wolf pack after Thunderheart is killed in a earthquake. Constant throughout Lasky's narrative is a deep respect for the natural world, and the author doesn't shy away from its brutality, including vivid descriptions of Faolan's various kills and hunting techniques. Readers under the impression that nature is a world of friendly squirrels and fluffy teddy bears are in for a rude awakening, but those looking for a harrowing story in a beautiful, but dangerous, setting will eagerly await the next installment.