Golden Ears: The Whispering Mountain by Jane H Wood
BOOK ONE in THE GOLDENEARS SERIES.
A teenage boy. A wild wolf pup. And a chance encounter that will change the course of destiny. But will they survive the perils that await them?
Mira, the female alpha wolf, lay deep inside her den, nuzzling her newborn pups.
As the weeks pass, the unusual appearance of two of her offspring grows more pronounced and with that, the pack’s behaviour changes.
A strangeness hangs in the air, compounding the onlookers’ superstitions.
As fear turns to aggression, Joel, the alpha male, is forced to assert his dominance and defend his family…
Edmund Rainer is on vacation with his dad in the forest, when he discovers the little body of a wolf pup. Carrying him back to the cabin, Edmund rescues the pup, fascinated with his beautiful ears. A friendship blossoms between the two, but when a devastating storm propels them on an extraordinary journey, they must use their instincts to survive the hidden dangers lurking in the forest.
Unwittingly, Edmund becomes embroiled in the treachery revolving around the young pup and his life becomes increasingly under threat as he tries to protect GoldenEars from harm.
Silver Award-Winner in Author Shout’s Book Contest 2022
KATHERINE BLACK REVIEW
This is a lovely story about wolves in North America, their lives and habitat—and the brutality they face and inflict. I like the way the author very gently and subtly gets across a bias for anti-hunting. As an animal lover, it was nice to read, though I have no triggers about it, it’s just a story.
Two pups from a little of four are born differently. The herds are moving early due to deforestation and lack of habitat… and the golden two are a bad omen leading to more hardship. They split the pack.
A big part of this book was the anthropomorphism of the pack. The author used the wolves’ human dialogue and thoughts well. The vivid descriptions and imaginative storytelling transport you to the heart of Whispering Mountain, and the adventure when humans are introduced into the wilderness. The narrative is gripping and heartfelt, and Edmund’s blossoming teenage self-discovery adds extra layers of depth to the narrative. The sense of place is well-crafted and the nature and landscape is as important as the characters.
Both humans and Canidae are fully developed, their relationships combine with the story’s broader themes of courage and sometimes stupidity. Magical realism and human experience make the book a great read for people who enjoy animal stories. It’s a cracking adventure.
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About Jane H Wood
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