Silver (second place) winner in the 2005 ForeWord Magazine's book of the year awards in the Juvenile Fiction division! Coming of age/adventure story. In the captivating novel Souls of the North Wind, a curse has been placed on the peaceful village of the Ihalmiut on the Canadian tundra, upsetting the balance of their world. Get your Signed copy today! Other options: Buy your copy! Amazon Amazon.co.uk Froogle Barnes & Noble.com Online Interview with Chrissy K. McVay In the harsh world on the Canadian tundra where the Ihalmiut people live, superstions and spirits rule life. Now a new challenge has come to them from the supernatural world, a world they always respected yet never deeply feared---until now.             Excerpt Iksik ran to his cousin's side, grabbing up the wolf head harpoon. At the curve in the trail a large shadow cascaded over the rocks...They heard the loud panting of the beast just before it rounded the corner, staring straight at them. A light breeze brought the overwhelming stench of its body. It was the smell of a beast that slept in its own filth. The long shaggy hair covering its massive chest was layered with the dried blood of old kills...

Souls of the North Wind
Souls of the North Wind by Chrissy K. McVay is an exceptional book. Ms. McVay's use of Inuit's culture, society and mythology weaves a tale of greatness between two young cousins journeying on a spiritual trip to remove a curse from one of them. During this trip, both cousins battle demons, face inner fears, and conquer doubts as they triumph over ancient beliefs and future encroachments by white man's civilization. Five thumbs up.
Lillian Cauldwell
Author of 'Sacred Honor'

Book Of The Month
Chrissy K. McVay is an immensely talented writer whose short stories have appeared in Aim Magazine, Fiction Primer and other publications. Souls of the North Wind is her debut novel-an enchanting tale of two young Inuit boys and the terrifying beast they must hunt down to dispel the curse affecting their people. In the village of the Ihalmiut of the Canadian Barren Lands only the shaman is allowed to practice magic, and since one of McVay's characters, the adolescent Kiviok, was born with a special gift which he considers normal, but which others, even his own family, find strange, he decides to flee before the superstitious villagers banish him forever. Kiviok's magical power is his ability to hear the voices of dogs in his head and feel their emotions, and when he and his cousin Iksik steal away in the night they take two dogs with them, the charming pup Atnaliki and the bushy-tailed, wise Kuiniq.
McVay's novel is meticulously researched (she gives credit and special thanks to Farley Mowat, author of non-fiction novels, 'People of the Deer' and 'The Desperate People' for his encouragement), enabling her to describe the prerequisite hardscrabble life of the arctic tundra with its unsung flora, fauna, wild beasts and human inhabitants, in a simple manner that will allow readers to delight in The Barrens' uncommon and subtle beauty. She succeeds in bringing the tundra to life.
McVay's storytelling reflects a belief in its power to transform, and readers will be poignantly affected by the two boys and their immediate surroundings and left with a heightened sense of nature's astounding strengths within the boundaries of a fragile eco system.
McVay subtlely educates readers as to the moral ramifications of abusing nature's gifts. She does this by interlacing cultural and ecological 'fault' lines throughout her storyline. These stories within stories are so excellent that readers soon feel one with the young Ihalmiut and their surroundings.
Although Souls of the North Wind is classified as juvenile fiction, it will appeal to the adult as well. Reminiscent of Jack London's 'Call of the Wild', her writing combines a gentleness of touch with a fine eye for detail, and her dialogues are excellent, reflecting popular writer Nora Roberts' (at her best) deftness of style; McVay has a real talent for using few and simple words to capture the importance of the moment-a true master of simplicity. McVay's largeness of heart, however, is what really enhances a unique storytelling style that will burrow into readers' hearts.

Review by Patrice Tappee
Rapid River Magazine, November 2005
Vol. 9, #3

Erv's Books Reviewer
I dare anyone to try to put this book down. The author brings you on the adventure of the two Inuit cousins just as if you were there with them. The message and importance of family values and dedication is very clear. The excitement of what will be the next encounter of Iksik and Kiviok is a mystery and has your heart racing as to what will be the outcome of every step they take to find the witch who they feel has put a curse on one of them. It brings out the closeness that the Inuit's and their sled dogs have. Kiviok has his special gift acknowledged by the Shaman. In the woods lurks a beast that has never been seen before but is a danger and a great concern to all who travel the woods of the great North. Story-telling is a gift that these settlers all enjoyed, the story of this beast is revealed by a group of men. The friends the cousins meet and how they handle situations is sure a lesson that we can learn to make our lives better. This story is a real page-turner that I highly recommend to all who like a good read.

Review by C. Gale Perkins
author of 'The Baby's Cross'
visit her web page at: www.galesstory.com