Outcast
core novel 2007 Chronicles of Ancient Darkness
Record
| First published | 2007 |
|---|---|
| Original language |  EN |
| Work type | novel |
| Canon status | core |
| Reader rating | 4.35 (12,412 ratings, collected 2026-09-05) |
| Page count | 224 |
| First-edition ISBN | 9781842551158 |
| Internal chronology | 4 |
Synopsis
Outcast continues the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series after Torak's connection to the Soul Eaters, marked visibly on his body, is revealed to the wider clans, casting suspicion on him despite his role in opposing the order. Fearful of what he represents, the clans move to exile Torak, forcing him away from the community and companions he has come to rely on. Renn and his friend Bale refuse to abandon him and set out in pursuit, determined to help even as Torak struggles with fits of confusion and instability he cannot fully control. Isolated and vulnerable, Torak also comes under the influence of a manipulative mage who takes advantage of his weakened state, complicating any path back to acceptance among his people. As Torak fights to hold onto his sense of self, Renn and Bale's efforts to reach him grow urgent.
Where it sits
- Universe: Chronicles of Ancient Darkness
- Series: Chronicles of Ancient Darkness core; position 4 of 9 in the series' recorded order
- Author: Michelle Paver
Notes
- From the series record (Chronicles of Ancient Darkness): A nine-novel middle-grade saga set six thousand years ago in prehistoric Europe, following the orphaned boy Torak and his wolf companion. The first six novels (2004-2009) tell one continuous story; a further three novels (2020-2022) continue the same characters and world. Ghost Hunter, the sixth novel, won the 2010 Guardian Children's Fiction Prize.
Neighbouring works
Publication order and internal chronology are tracked as two separate orderings, but they resolve to the exact same sequence for this book, so one combined line is shown instead of two identical ones.
- Reading order, within the series Chronicles of Ancient Darkness: position 4 of 9: previous Soul Eater (2006) · next Oath Breaker (2008)
Sources
← Chronicles of Ancient Darkness dossier · All universes
Part of the Library. Fields without an identified source are omitted, never guessed.