I read Chapter 1-4 today. Wow! I can’t wait to read what happens next. The story is captivating: you really know how to paint a picture with words as well as paint a smell (?) with words! I love the story development and inter-weaving of the characters and spirit world. The three words that come to mind after reading the chapters are transfixed, hungry and impressive. I was pulled into the story straight away and had to slow my reading rate down to absorb the words as I was
anxious to see what was happening next. I love the story. The description of the traditional foods sounded so good it made me hungry.

Your book was a wonderful read!  I look forward to your next! It is one thing to write a book about an indigenous society from the “outside”, and quite another
to step into the consciousness of a people. Terri Tavenner has opened to her readers an accessible mindscape of a young carving apprentice as he navigates  worlds within and without.

Her sometimes poignant and other times thrilling narrative sets aside the boundaries between vision
and reality in a seamless dance that can most simply be called “life”.

Terri Tavenner’s debut novel takes its readers on an intriguing journey of growth and discovery as we follow young Duncan’s travels between the world he knows and the one where perhaps he belongs.

OMG I couldn’t put down Wolf-Whale-Flicker. I would have loved to live when humans and nature were one; your experience with the Quileute had to provide you with a fulfilling life; I hate the Walmart, casino: traffic clogging existence that we have become the world was a better place before hókʷat̓ at arrived on the scene; but you created an image of that pure lifestyle. Great job: the more I read  the more I reverted to the Glossary! Keep writing – hard to believe that you
had to self-publish.

First, and most importantly, this is a good book! Would I recommend my sons read it? Yes! And certainly, for the kids at the Quileute Tribal School! It all feels quite plausible, and I don’t think any of today’s kids would have difficulty with switching from the real vs spirit worlds. The story is incredibly strong, as are your characters. That’s a huge accomplishment. I do love the description and descriptive style. This story is hard to put down, Terri! Bravo!!!

A Haunting, Beautiful Tale That You Won’t Want to End!

What an unforgettable story! Wolf ~ Whale ~ Flicker pulls you into a world where carvings breathe, legends stir, and a young boy’s courage bridges the gap between past and present. Duncan is the kind of character you cheer for—humble, gifted, and deeply human. And the way the spirit world blends with real life? Absolutely mesmerizing! I loved every twist, every piece of Quileute history, and every spiritual encounter. Terri Tavenner doesn’t just tell a story—she invites you into it, and once you’re there, you never want to leave. Perfect for readers who love deep meaning with a touch of magic.

A Soul-Stirring Journey into Spirit, Tradition, and Destiny.

Wolf ~ Whale ~ Flicker touched something ancient and tender inside me. Terri Tavenner has created more than a novel—she’s carved a living story that speaks in dreams, dances in flames, and howls through ancestral memory. Duncan’s quiet strength and unwavering purpose made me fall completely in love with his journey. The carved animals—the wolf, the whale, the flicker—are not just symbols, they are guides whispering across generations. This is the kind of
book that wraps around your soul like a sacred song, and when it ends, you hold it to your chest and whisper, “Thank you.”

It’s not just a read. It’s a reverence.

A Lyrical Fusion of Culture, Myth, and Coming-of-Age Brilliance.

Terri Tavenner’s Wolf ~ Whale ~ Flicker is a compelling and culturally rich novel that  masterfully blends Indigenous lore with the challenges of adolescence and artistic discovery. With vivid imagery and nuanced character development, Tavenner honors the Quileute heritage through Duncan’s spiritual journey and the resurgence of traditional lifeways. The novel raises powerful questions of identity, mentorship, and ancestral duty, all while staying rooted in the mystique of the Pacific Northwest. Tavenner’s prose is evocative, making this novel an exceptional addition to contemporary Indigenous fiction and educational reading alike.