Outcast (Paver novel) facts for kids
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First edition
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| Author | Michelle Paver |
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| Illustrator | Geoff Taylor |
| Cover artist | John Fordham |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Series | Chronicles of Ancient Darkness |
| Genre | Children's adventure, fantasy novel |
| Publisher | 2007 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 | 145935498 |
| Preceded by | Soul Eater |
| Followed by | Oath Breaker |
Outcast is an exciting adventure and fantasy novel by Michelle Paver. It is the fourth book in her popular Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series. There are six books in this series, which tells the story of Torak and his friends in a prehistoric world. The book features illustrations by Geoff Taylor.
Contents
Plot Summary
This story begins after the events of the previous book, Soul Eater. In that book, a group called the Soul Eaters secretly marked Torak with their special symbol.
Torak Becomes an Outcast
During a hunt, another boy named Aki spots the Soul Eater mark on Torak's chest. Because of this mark, the clans decide to banish Torak. The leader of the Wolf Clan, which was Torak's father's clan, also says that Torak's mother named him 'clanless'. This means Torak has no clan to protect him. He is forced to leave the clans and becomes an outcast. His loyal companion, Wolf, goes with him.
Torak's friends, Renn and Bale, try to help him many times. However, Torak refuses their help. He is worried that if they help him, they will also be punished. Helping a Soul Eater is against the law and could mean death.
Soul Sickness and New Dangers
Torak tries to cut the Soul Eater mark from his chest, thinking it will work. He then returns to the Raven Camp. But Saeunn, the Raven Clan's mage (a person with special powers), senses a Soul Eater nearby. Torak realizes he must flee again. While hiding, Torak suffers from a strange illness called soul sickness. This sickness makes him act strangely, and he even attacks Wolf with fire.
Meanwhile, Renn and Bale decide they must find Torak. They want to prove he is innocent, even if it means breaking clan laws. Renn sends two ravens, named Rip and Rek by Torak, to help him. As Torak recovers, a powerful Soul Eater named Seshru the Viper Mage uses her magic. She tries to control Torak's spirit-walking powers. It is revealed that Seshru is actually Renn's mother. Seshru has a piece of the fire opal. This is a magical object that controls demons. The only way to destroy it is by sacrificing a life.
The Flood and Torak's Fate
Renn soon realizes that a huge flood is coming. She encourages Torak to warn everyone. This would show the clans that he has good intentions. Torak tells Fin-Kedinn, the leader of the Raven Clan. The clans quickly flee to safety.
During the flood, Torak helps Aki climb a tree. Then, Torak and Wolf are swept away by the rushing water. Torak passes out on a riverbank. When he wakes up, Fin-Kedinn stops the other clans from harming Torak. He does this by adopting Torak as his own son. Seshru then appears, which convinces everyone that Torak is innocent. Bale uses Renn's bow to shoot Seshru. Seshru dies while holding the fire opal, which destroys its power.
Later, Torak, Renn, Bale, and Fin-Kedinn figure out something important. There is still one piece of the fire opal left somewhere in the forest. The remaining Soul Eaters, Thiazzi and Eostra, are both looking for it.
