It was Toland’s twelfth year of life when his    father hurled the wolf’s head at the mighty Eorl Uhtred, bringing his childhood to a violent end. These were dangerous times, with people driven from their settlements, tribal wars, and bands of robbers on the roads, but Toland must keep his solemn promise to save the Lindisfarne Gospels from the Vikings, protect his family, and find his father. With his faithful hound Bodo, he sets off on his quest through Anglo-Saxon Northumbria. Surviving the first Viking attack of Lindisfarne, his many adventures lead him to the mysterious hermit on Inner Farne, Bamburgh fortress, the slave girl Kendra, the mystery of the stolen jewels, a blood debt, and a terrible discovery at the White Church…..

I love Carole Anne Carr’s books. This was the first one to be published and I still think the best (although Candle Dark and Thin Time are both great reads!). As soon as I had read the first couple of pages I was hooked and truly could not put it down. I know it is aimed at a younger audience (I am in my thirties I will say no more!), but it reminded me of books I had read over and over in my youth such as ‘I am David’ by Anne Holm and ‘The Silver Sword’ by Ian Serrailier. As with all of Carole’s books the story is engaging and all the way through you are rooting for the hero. There is enough tension which makes you want to turn to the next page and the next! The characters and backdrops are very real, with enough narrative for you to picture it without wading through lots of descriptive text. It is obvious that Carole has fully researched the period and thoroughly immerses herself in it to enable you to do the same. An amazing author – I cannot wait for the second book in the series!

Review from Dr. Paddy Kennington, [Professor, Georgia Tech. Atlanta]

In a world and time more like our own than we would admit, Carole Anne Carr creates a story woven with child-understanding, Anglo-Saxon history, and mythical allusions. While full of adventure, action, and mystery, this hero-tale is anchored in a young boy’s rite of passage that involves the killing of his first wolf and his survival in the destructive adult world in which he lives. More evident in our early history, than in our present time of science and technology, are the boy’s otherworldly helpers who are everywhere around him, and central to this story is Toland’s dedication to fulfilling his promise to the monks of Lindisfarne, despite the threats to his life that this single-minded focus brings. From the beginning, the story holds readers both young and old and does not fail to surprise throughout. Left wanting more of this boy-man’s life, I would pose that readers will not let Carole rest until she returns to this period of history. Attempting to describe the lives of those who lived in Northumbria in the Dark Ages presents her with many difficulties, but in our return to the 8th century we are given glimpses of beliefs that have been passed down to us through the ages and that we still hold more deeply than we ever recognise.

Paddy Kennington, Ph.D., LPC, NCC, EMDR Level II

Book Review of First Wolf by Shropshire Star reporter Sophie Bignall

This is a brilliant book from a former Shropshire primary school teacher, traveller, poet, actor and artist. And now Carole Anne Carr from Ludlow can definitely add children’s novelist to her list of many talents. In her first book, aimed at 10 to 12 year olds, she uses her expertise and life experiences, woven together with a brilliant imagination to create First Wolf. Youngsters will be plunged into a brilliant vibrant adventure with just enough energy and realism to keep them on the edge of their seats without being too heavy or too grown-up to cope with. Together with Carole’s Anglo-Saxon hero Toland, young readers will be transported on a journey to an incredible world. And along the way, they learn about truth, honesty, and friendship. and of course, that good always triumphs over evil. I enjoyed this book, it has a proper plot, unlike some publications for pre-teens, and reading it holds so many benefits for young bookworms.