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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nThe Mistmantle Chronicles: An Introduction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Several years ago, I discovered a secret island cloaked in mist. It isn\u2019t unlike our mountain holler in western North Carolina where, nearly every summer morning, the mist takes a dry brush to the horizon, obscuring the distant mountain top and blending the edges of the nearby trees into a painting on velvet. The mist blurs the lines between the beginning of my day and the sunny, late morning sky; between a fairytale and the 9-5 work day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the secret island isn\u2019t in North Carolina; instead, that land lies in the world of Mistmantle. If you haven\u2019t discovered the Mistmantle Chronicles by M.I. McAllister, I invite\u2013no, urge\u2013you to take a journey into this fantasy series for young readers (and grownup readers),\u00a0re-released by Purple House Press<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Mistmantle Chronicles is an action-packed and beautifully written series of five books that follow the adventures of Urchin, a young and brave red squirrel with an unknown past . . . and a cool sword. The series includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reviews of books 2-5 are below; for book 1, please see the link above.<\/em> *indicates a starred review, the best of the best in its field<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n Author M.I. (Margaret) McAllister is from the UK and is a vicar\u2019s wife. Her stories are written from a Christian worldview and do not shy away from themes such as loyalty and treachery, self-sacrifice and selfishness, and sanctity of life and the taking of it.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes, heavy stuff. Yet, McAllister weaves these themes, with a deft and gentle hand, in and out of the lives of her multifaceted (and furry) characters. And it is to the \u201cHeart\u201d her noble creatures look for guidance and strength. Through Urchin\u2019s journey, and the choices and actions of all the other animals\u2013both good and evil\u2013McCallister powerfully tells the Greater Story and communicates Truth<\/a><\/strong>, nurturing the moral imagination of her young readers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That nurturing can be summed up in what G.K. Chesterton wrote* in defense of the value of fairytales, which can accustom a child to \u201cthe idea that these limitless terrors had a limit, that these shapeless enemies have enemies in the knights of God, that there is something in the universe more mystical than darkness, and stronger than strong fear.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n *from Tremendous Trifles<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n The beloved squirrel Crispin will soon be crowned king, and all the good animals of Mistmantle are busy preparing for the coronation and celebration. The sacred Heartstone, which can only be held by the paw of the rightful ruler, will soon be in Crispin\u2019s\u00a0 As our hero Urchin travels to another island and finds himself facing new enemies in the maniacal King Silverbirch and his sorcerer, Smokewreath (and, yes, if you haven\u2019t read the books, you\u2019ll find these enchanting character names throughout). During his difficult journey, Urchin will discover a secret about his unknown past.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In book 2, readers will find themselves further engrossed in the worldbuilding and even more in love with the good but flawed characters.<\/p>\n\n\n The animals of Mistmantle are once again preparing for a great celebration. This time it is the Naming Ceremony of Princess Catkin, the infant child of Crispin, now the rightful king of Mistmantle, and his queen, Cedar. But then the princess disappears. If that weren\u2019t enough, a mysterious sickness spreads through the land.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Young Brother Juniper begins to experience prophetic, and disturbing, visions about Urchin\u2013something blue, a knife\u2013and fears Catkin will never be found. Like Urchin, Juniper eventually learns something about his past, the terrible truth that his father was an enemy of Mistmantle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As the search for Catkin comes to an end, some of Juniper\u2019s prophetic words come to fruition\u2013but in a way no one expected.<\/p>\n\n\n As the story begins, Urchin is now a member of King Crispin\u2019s Circle. The precocious Princess Catkin is growing and taking her role as the heir of Mistmantle seriously, although not quite decorously.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n The animals of Mistmantle are soon surprised by the arrival of the swan Lord Arcneck and his entourage. They\u2019ve come to enlist the help of King Crispin against the constant attacks of the invading ravens, who, from cradle song to death lament, cry: Kill and devour! When Crispin aids the swans, the ravens seek revenge on Mistmantle. Battles are fought in all of the Mistmantle stories, but none thus far are as intense as those against the ravens and their Silver Prince. The animals of Mistmantle defend their island any way they can. Despite the ravens’ defeat, Urchin is terribly injured, but survives to fight another day.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the loveliest scenes is the exchange between King Crispin and Crown, the swan prince. As in many characters\u2019 words and actions throughout the books, biblical Truth shines:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c[Your father] and I have different ways of doing things,\u201d said Crispin. \u201cHe believes that the animals are there for the king, and I believe that the king is there for the animals. I don\u2019t want animals to die for me, but because I\u2019m king\u2013if necessary\u2013I\u2019d die for the animals. That\u2019s being king.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n In the final book, a long period of peace following the Raven War is disrupted by a series of tidal waves. The animals of Mistmantle work quickly to get to the safety of higher ground. But a squirrel named Mossberry isn\u2019t helping in this dire time. In fact, he appears to be something of a false prophet, instilling fear in the animals by proclaiming that the Heart has sent the rage tides to punish King Crispin and his leaders: \u201cAnimals, the Heart has rejected them and chosen me!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n And many of the animals listen. Because of his selfish will, Mossberry puts many of them in danger. Urchin, the King, and all in the court must stop Mossberry to save the island\u2019s inhabitants. In their trial, the good animals seek the Heart with all their hearts, and although they suffer one of their greatest losses, they also experience new joys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the beginning of each book, readers will find a full-page illustration and a Creatures of Mistmantle list. The number of characters and their kinds can cause some confusion until you get to know the squirrels from the otters and the hedgehogs from the moles, so the lists are helpful!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although the books can stand alone, it\u2019s best to read them in order to keep track of the comings and goings of various characters, to witness the growing darkness that must be defeated, and to fully experience the long series arc that brings everything together and to an end in the best and most beautiful way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Each book also includes a preface\u2013a lovely note from McCallister who shares brief notes about her inspiration or writing process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And, finally, the chapter opening illustrations by Christine Enright (books 1-3) and Janna Mattia (books 4-5) breathe even more life into our favorite woodland creatures, capturing the joys, tribulations, and light and darkness in their hearts as much as in their furry little faces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I highly recommend\u00a0The Mistmantle Chronicles,\u00a0especially for family read-alouds (ages 10 and up, depending on the sensitivity of your child).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Perhaps fairy tales and animal tales (and tails) boldly escort us\u2013both young and old\u2013to a place of seeing what we so blindly pass by every single day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Perhaps these stories declare: If you won\u2019t easily look with wonder at the titmouse who is \u201cpossessed and known by Him\u201d (wrote Elisabeth Elliott), the same as you are, then we will put a sword in his hand!<\/p>\n\n\n\n These stories should be added to any reading stack. . . if not as an early childhood exercise in the learning of virtues, then as a vital stretch of the grownups\u2019 atrophied moral imaginations. Being in Urchin\u2019s shoes builds that strength of imagination and empathy in the young reader and tests that strength in the adult reader.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Along with Urchin, readers . . .<\/p>\n\n\n\n clutch the mast of a tiny boat as the wind tears at the sails. <\/p>\n\n\n\n shiver as the icy sea soaks our fur. <\/p>\n\n\n\n And fall to our knees in desperation, tip back our heads in the pelting rain, and cry out to the Heart: \u201c\u2018Can\u2019t you see me? Won\u2019t you help me? Won\u2019t you DO SOMETHING?\u2019\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n It is because of stories like the Mistmantle Chronicles that we can walk a mile in the shoes of a little brave squirrel with a sword in our hand. More importantly, on that harrowing adventure, we will understand our need for the great and holy \u201cHeart.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bottom Line:<\/strong> Mistmantle Chronicles is a series we highly recommend! Look for Tales of Mistmantle<\/a><\/strong><\/em> this fall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nAbout the Mistmantle Chronicles <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nMistmantle Chronicles Book 2: Urchin of the Heartstone<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
hands<\/s>\u00a0paws. But before the big event, a battered ship sails out of the mists to their shore. With it comes a threat to the peaceful Mistmantle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/redeemedreader.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Heir-of-Mistmantle-book-3.webp\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nMistmantle Chronicles Book 3: Heir of Mistmantle<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nMistmantle Chronicles Book 4: Urchin and the Raven War<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nMistmantle Chronicles Book 5: Urchin and the Rage Tide<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Even Before the Stories Begin …<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What Tales of Tails Teach Us …<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Considerations:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Related Reading at Redeemed Reader:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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