| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Plus, get an extra £5 Gift Certificate when you trade in books worth £10 or more before June 30, 2012. Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. |
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
|
More About the Authors
Discover books, learn about writers, and more.
Product Description
Review
'The launch of a sparkling trilogy, this is a brilliant island adventure full of intrigue and excitement' Publishing News 'A classic animated adventure' Yorkshire Post 'Young fiction writers will enjoy this story' Prima Magazine
Product Description
On a night of riding stars a young orphan squirrel is found abandoned on the beach. Urchin is raised on the island of Mistmantle, surrounded by the enchanted mists that protect the island from outside threats. A prophecy has been made in his name, but Urchin has no idea of this nor of what the future will bring. The rule of the kind and fair King and Queen Brushen is threatened by plot and intrigue within their court, and a wicked pair attempt to seize control of the island, introducing a regime of culling and forced labour. Urchin soon realises that he will have a very special role to play in the dramatic battle to save Mismantle that ensues.
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
In this book M.I. Mcallister has created an interesting world where animals are in charge. The whole thing is full of intrigue and drama, and its a real page turner. You'll be dying to know whats going to happen next for the characters! One word of warning though, if your planning to read it to your children be aware that it does have some very dark moments (child slaughter, anyone?!). However, with children lapping up Harry Potter's violent world, they should adore this bloody exercise in kids entertainment! Massively recommended!
Format:Hardcover
I knew, as soon as I saw the front cover this going to be great, but I never guessed how good it would be! set in a fantasy world reminiscent of the redwall books, the charters are anthrowpermophic animals (squirrels, otters, hedgehogs and moles. the story starts with the auspicious berth of are hero urchin, a squirrel young, naive Impressionable, but Mysterious. adopted by the residents of mistmantle (an island forever surrounded Perpetually in mist hence the name) on the very day he achieves his dream of becoming an apprentice of the royal court there is a murder that throes the entire island into shock. what follows is a game of wits in which young urchin is pushed to the limits of his courage, hope, loyalty and faith.
I don't always read books I usually listen to books on audio cassette or CD, it was on cassette that I found urchin in the library, I borrowed it on the spot but didn't listen to it until it was almost due back. I listened to it in on siting! the book is 336 pages long that amounts to 6 cassettes in on siting imagine! so hears why (I think) It's so good. as I said in the title it is haunting, it's not just a fantasy epic, there are levels to it like I'm not sure what. it reminds me of.....
..the chronicles of narina, the magician's guild watership down and martin the warrior. the a lot of genres mixed into it such as.....
fantasy, drama, mystery, crime, adventure, gothic, epic and a little bit of the psychological
what it reminds me of most is the redwall and harry potter books that said it's darker than ether. I insist that you buy or borrower this book at once
I don't always read books I usually listen to books on audio cassette or CD, it was on cassette that I found urchin in the library, I borrowed it on the spot but didn't listen to it until it was almost due back. I listened to it in on siting! the book is 336 pages long that amounts to 6 cassettes in on siting imagine! so hears why (I think) It's so good. as I said in the title it is haunting, it's not just a fantasy epic, there are levels to it like I'm not sure what. it reminds me of.....
..the chronicles of narina, the magician's guild watership down and martin the warrior. the a lot of genres mixed into it such as.....
fantasy, drama, mystery, crime, adventure, gothic, epic and a little bit of the psychological
what it reminds me of most is the redwall and harry potter books that said it's darker than ether. I insist that you buy or borrower this book at once
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
40 reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
One of the Best Adventure Novels of 2005
15 Sep 2005
Format:Hardcover
On a cold night, a night of riding stars, a newborn squirrel is found all by his lonesome on a distant beach, shivering, and close to death. His mother is nowhere to be found, so he is adopted and raised by a kind squirrel, in the land of Mistmantle. The young squirrel is given the name Urchin. And, given the mysterious story of his life, young Urchin is unaware of the powerful destiny that awaits him, and will influence the entire island of Mistmantle. When Urchin is old enough, he takes on a position in the Castle, where the good King Brushen and Queen Spindle are having their positions threatened by an evil plot that has already taken the life of their son, Prince Tumble. Captain Crispin, a good friend of Urchin, is blamed for the death, and sent off to a faraway land, while the real culprits, Lord Husk and Lady Aspen, work to take control of the Castle, and disgrace King Brushen. Little do they know, the islanders and ancient prophecies are watching over Mistmantle, and with the help of Urchin of the Riding Stars, victory may not truly be theirs.
I have a confession to make, there was something about the cover illustration of URCHIN OF THE RIDING STARS, that made me purchase it on sight, before I had even read the inside flap. The only thing I knew of the story, was that it was an adventure about an island inhabited by animals. Well, I couldn't be happier that the purchase was made. URCHIN OF THE RIDING STARS is one of the best adventure novels that I have read over the course of 2005. Urchin is the sweetest character, who is brave, and wise beyond his years. His friends, Padra, Captain Crispin, Needle, and many more are intriguing, and each bring their own personality to the story. Those who enjoy books such as Brian Jacques' REDWALL series, will adore URCHIN OF THE RIDING STARS, and will find themselves gripping their seats in anticipation for what will happen next. A marvelous addition to the science fiction/fantasy genre.
Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper
I have a confession to make, there was something about the cover illustration of URCHIN OF THE RIDING STARS, that made me purchase it on sight, before I had even read the inside flap. The only thing I knew of the story, was that it was an adventure about an island inhabited by animals. Well, I couldn't be happier that the purchase was made. URCHIN OF THE RIDING STARS is one of the best adventure novels that I have read over the course of 2005. Urchin is the sweetest character, who is brave, and wise beyond his years. His friends, Padra, Captain Crispin, Needle, and many more are intriguing, and each bring their own personality to the story. Those who enjoy books such as Brian Jacques' REDWALL series, will adore URCHIN OF THE RIDING STARS, and will find themselves gripping their seats in anticipation for what will happen next. A marvelous addition to the science fiction/fantasy genre.
Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Quite Entertaining
6 Oct 2005
Format:Hardcover
A fan of Brian Jacques' Redwall series for years, I picked this up in a local bookstore to see how it compared. While I was not as impressed with it as I am those of the Redwall series, I still enjoyed the first in this series and look forward to more from this author. If you are in to adventure novels of this type or are looking for a good book for your children, I would recommend this story.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Compelling plot, great characters, and a well written book. Great book for any age.
15 May 2008
Format:Hardcover
Too often I've seen books, well-written and compelling, passed off as just another "children's" story, something that anyone above the suggested reading level shouldn't read. A book like this one could easily be thrown into that category. After all, talking animals on a fantasy island, seems pretty childish. There is no cursing, and it is relatively short, especially with the double-spaced printing of the book.
However, that is the books biggest downfall; it is too short. Other than that, this book is nearly flawless. McAllister is has crafted a wonderful, exciting world. The descriptions are well done. The plot is gripping.
McAllister's greatest achievement is, however, is in her character development. She has created a wonderful, lovable, and memorable cast of characters. From Crispin, to Urchin, to Husk, the characters have been masterfully created. It's amazing, in such a small amount of writing (relatively), McAllister could succeed so grandly. Within the first 20 pages, I was already idolizing Crispin as a hero.
Of course, the story is not lacking, either. This is a story of plotting and betrayal, deception and loyalty, compassion and evil. It is filled with suspense and drama, and you will not want to put it down until the end.
And it is not without its dark side. The island of Mistmantle is under a dictatorship, with a puppet king being played by a totalitarian, ruthless captain. Brutal work parties and "culling" have been instituted over the people. (culling is the act of killing new born babies with any physical defects present, which is branded as a type of "euthanasia" by the leaders).
A word of warning to any over-sensitive parent, there is alcohol use, as in wine, and several murders from knife to poison. Personally, I don't believe that this should affect how the book is seen, as they are all completely needed to craft such a compelling story.
Comparisons to the Redwall series are inevitable, but not justified. I'll admit, I'm a fan of the Redwall books, I've read about half of them, and that's the whole reason I picked this book up. The only similarity to the two, however, is the presence of anthropomorphic, talking animals such as squirrels, otters, and moles. Perhaps there is more action in Redwall, but other than that, the Mistmantle Chronicles is superior. It is plot-heavy, compelling, and leaves us with more than a simple "good vs evil" approach, but instead gives us moral ambiguity and social issues.
Urchin of the Riding Stars is a fantastic book, appropriate for any age. An above average reader could easily finish this book in 2-3 days, even one day if you can set aside a few hours. Easily worth the time and effort. And, if you find the problem of the book being too short, there are sequels waiting. I can't wait until I get the next one in the mail.
However, that is the books biggest downfall; it is too short. Other than that, this book is nearly flawless. McAllister is has crafted a wonderful, exciting world. The descriptions are well done. The plot is gripping.
McAllister's greatest achievement is, however, is in her character development. She has created a wonderful, lovable, and memorable cast of characters. From Crispin, to Urchin, to Husk, the characters have been masterfully created. It's amazing, in such a small amount of writing (relatively), McAllister could succeed so grandly. Within the first 20 pages, I was already idolizing Crispin as a hero.
Of course, the story is not lacking, either. This is a story of plotting and betrayal, deception and loyalty, compassion and evil. It is filled with suspense and drama, and you will not want to put it down until the end.
And it is not without its dark side. The island of Mistmantle is under a dictatorship, with a puppet king being played by a totalitarian, ruthless captain. Brutal work parties and "culling" have been instituted over the people. (culling is the act of killing new born babies with any physical defects present, which is branded as a type of "euthanasia" by the leaders).
A word of warning to any over-sensitive parent, there is alcohol use, as in wine, and several murders from knife to poison. Personally, I don't believe that this should affect how the book is seen, as they are all completely needed to craft such a compelling story.
Comparisons to the Redwall series are inevitable, but not justified. I'll admit, I'm a fan of the Redwall books, I've read about half of them, and that's the whole reason I picked this book up. The only similarity to the two, however, is the presence of anthropomorphic, talking animals such as squirrels, otters, and moles. Perhaps there is more action in Redwall, but other than that, the Mistmantle Chronicles is superior. It is plot-heavy, compelling, and leaves us with more than a simple "good vs evil" approach, but instead gives us moral ambiguity and social issues.
Urchin of the Riding Stars is a fantastic book, appropriate for any age. An above average reader could easily finish this book in 2-3 days, even one day if you can set aside a few hours. Easily worth the time and effort. And, if you find the problem of the book being too short, there are sequels waiting. I can't wait until I get the next one in the mail.
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
|
