Black Magic

The once-powerful and proud Willow River pack is struggling. But when a special litter of pups is born, hope of a bright future returns. Mala, born different, will never be given a chance to prove that she can be anything other than the runt of the litter. Some say her differences may even put the pack at risk. Now, her parents worry how the rest of the pack will react. Will they mistreat her? Will they fear her? But Mala doesn't think she's a threat to anyone, least of all her own family. Before Mala can change the hearts and minds of her pack, she must find out once and for all exactly why she is so different. In her search for the truth, Mala discovers something surprising about her pack and herself. Could she be the one wolf who changes everything?

Genre: Children's Fiction

"SHADOW OF THE PACK is a thrilling tale about survival in the wild. Set in a world that is at once enchanting and dangerous, the story weaves a gripping drama of power, betrayal, and family. The Willow River wolves are real flesh-and-blood characters we care about, and the stakes in their fight for dominance are life and death. Austen's natural instinct for plot and action make her a wonderful new talent to watch." - Soman Chainani

"Shadow of the Pack is a joy to read, especially for those fascinated by wolves. Reading it brought me the same happy feeling I had when I first encountered Watership Down." - Thomas Lennon