*The Heart of Adventure (Mistmantle Chronicles)

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. 

Note: the following review/reflection was written by Amanda Cleary Eastep, longtime friend of Redeemed Reader, editor extraordinaire, and author of the fantastic Tree Street Kids series. Find out more about Amanda on her website. All photos below are taken from Purple House Press who is currently bringing these books back into print!

The Mistmantle Chronicles: An Introduction

Several years ago, I discovered a secret island cloaked in mist. It isn’t 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.

But the secret island isn’t in North Carolina; instead, that land lies in the world of Mistmantle. If you haven’t discovered the Mistmantle Chronicles by M.I. McAllister, I invite–no, urge–you to take a journey into this fantasy series for young readers (and grownup readers), re-released by Purple House Press.

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:

• *Urchin of the Riding Stars (book 1; read our starred review)
• *Urchin of the Heartstone (book 2)
• *The Heir of Mistmantle (book 3)
• *Urchin and the Raven War (book 4)
• *Urchin and the Rage Tide (book 5)
• *Tales of Mistmantle (book 6; coming soon)

Reviews of books 2-5 are below; for book 1, please see the link above. *indicates a starred review, the best of the best in its field.

About the Mistmantle Chronicles

Author M.I. (Margaret) McAllister is from the UK and is a vicar’s 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. 

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 “Heart” her noble creatures look for guidance and strength. Through Urchin’s journey, and the choices and actions of all the other animals–both good and evil–McCallister powerfully tells the Greater Story and communicates Truth, nurturing the moral imagination of her young readers.

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 “the 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.”

*from Tremendous Trifles

Mistmantle Chronicles Book 2: Urchin of the Heartstone

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’s hands paws. 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.

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’t read the books, you’ll find these enchanting character names throughout). During his difficult journey, Urchin will discover a secret about his unknown past.

In book 2, readers will find themselves further engrossed in the worldbuilding and even more in love with the good but flawed characters.

Mistmantle Chronicles Book 3: Heir of Mistmantle

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’t enough, a mysterious sickness spreads through the land. 

Young Brother Juniper begins to experience prophetic, and disturbing, visions about Urchin–something blue, a knife–and 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.

As the search for Catkin comes to an end, some of Juniper’s prophetic words come to fruition–but in a way no one expected.

Mistmantle Chronicles Book 4: Urchin and the Raven War

As the story begins, Urchin is now a member of King Crispin’s Circle. The precocious Princess Catkin is growing and taking her role as the heir of Mistmantle seriously, although not quite decorously. 

The animals of Mistmantle are soon surprised by the arrival of the swan Lord Arcneck and his entourage. They’ve 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. 

One of the loveliest scenes is the exchange between King Crispin and Crown, the swan prince. As in many characters’ words and actions throughout the books, biblical Truth shines:

“[Your father] and I have different ways of doing things,” said Crispin. “He believes that the animals are there for the king, and I believe that the king is there for the animals. I don’t want animals to die for me, but because I’m king–if necessary–I’d die for the animals. That’s being king.”

Mistmantle Chronicles Book 5: Urchin and the Rage Tide

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’t 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: “Animals, the Heart has rejected them and chosen me!”

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’s 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.

Even Before the Stories Begin …

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! 

Although the books can stand alone, it’s 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.

Each book also includes a preface–a lovely note from McCallister who shares brief notes about her inspiration or writing process.

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.

I highly recommend The Mistmantle Chronicles, especially for family read-alouds (ages 10 and up, depending on the sensitivity of your child).

What Tales of Tails Teach Us …

Perhaps fairy tales and animal tales (and tails) boldly escort us–both young and old–to a place of seeing what we so blindly pass by every single day.

Perhaps these stories declare: If you won’t easily look with wonder at the titmouse who is “possessed and known by Him” (wrote Elisabeth Elliott), the same as you are, then we will put a sword in his hand!

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’ atrophied moral imaginations. Being in Urchin’s shoes builds that strength of imagination and empathy in the young reader and tests that strength in the adult reader. 

Along with Urchin, readers . . .

clutch the mast of a tiny boat as the wind tears at the sails. 

shiver as the icy sea soaks our fur. 

And fall to our knees in desperation, tip back our heads in the pelting rain, and cry out to the Heart: “‘Can’t you see me? Won’t you help me? Won’t you DO SOMETHING?’” 

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 “Heart.”

Considerations:

• Violence: “culling” of weak animals, betrayal, war, and death (due to illness and battle); sensitive readers may find this difficult if they are animal lovers.
• Fantasy/Magic: some instances of fantasy magic, although all good things come from the “Heart,” the loving creator.

Bottom Line: Mistmantle Chronicles is a series we highly recommend! Look for Tales of Mistmantle this fall.

Related Reading at Redeemed Reader:

• Review: If you haven’t read The Green Ember yet, it’s a good read-alike!
• Review: A lesser-known talking-animal fantasy (also by a Christian author) is The Elk King.
• Resource: Fantasy books for kids abound; we’ve got a list for that!

To Purchase: Purple House Press has reprinted the series in lovely paperback editions; they are in the process of producing an even lovelier boxed-set of hardbacks this fall (2025). We heartily commend this online store to you!