First published 1974
When the long-prophesied reincarnation of the gigantic bear Shardik appears among the Ortelgan people, it triggers a momentous chain of events. Kelderek, a simple hunter, is swept up into a destiny he never imagined, becoming first a devotee, then a prophet, and finally the ruler of a vast empire under Shardik's divine sway. But as Kelderek's power grows, he must confront the true, unsettling nature of the mighty beast and the darker impulses it has unleashed in his people.
Genres: historical-fiction, 20th-century, adventure, fantasy
Vibes: atmospheric, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: chosen-one, destiny
592 pages · Paperback · The Overlook Press