Medieval Fantasy with Animal Main Characters: Mistmantle Chronicles Series Review
- MommaSaurus
- Mar 29
- 9 min read
Updated: Jul 4
The Mistmantle Chronicles by M. I. McAllister
Quick Summary
Genre: Medieval Fantasy, Animal Characters
Recommended Age: 12+
Possibly Concerning Content* (details below)
🤬 Language: None
❤️ Romance: Marriage but no kissing
🛡️Violence: Characters die, injuries described. not gory.
‼️ Heads up: Themes of grief. Alcohol used. Natural disasters. War. Sorcerer protrayed as evil. Heavy themes.
Review
The Mistmantle Chronicles were recommended to us by Alissa J. Zavalianos, a fantastic author who writes middle grade fiction safe for Christian kids. So we knew we'd be safe with this one. We chose to listen to the audiobooks and boy was that the right decision! The narration by Paul Mclaughlin was amazing! We were captivated from the first book and could hardly wait to get the next book in the series (we spent time sitting in the car to finish chapters).
It's a five-book animal fantasy series set on a mist-wrapped island filled with squirrels, hedgehogs, otters, and moles who live, grive , fight and love with startling authentictity.
Mclaughlin did such a great job with all the characters and his narration was clear and understandable while still being very engaging. We felt like we knew these characters and came to cheer on Urchin as he battled the evil that wanted to consume his kingdom. It's a good vs evil tale that will keep you listening for hours past your bedtime.
If you love
Middle grade fantasy
Medieval settings
Court intrigue
Talking animal main characters
Action and adventure
Good vs evil
Jump to Book:
Book 1: Urchin of the Riding Star
Review:
This is such a fantastic book, especially for fans of Narnia, Green Ember, or Redwall. We follow Urchin, an orphaned squirrel trying to do his best to become a knight and protect the kingdom that took him in.
Do check the head's up below as there are a few darker elements. We highly recommend!
Official Blurb (dropdown)
"On a night of riding stars, a tiny squirrel is found abandoned and close to death on a distant beach. Adopted and raised by a welcoming colony of animals, Urchin has no idea of his powerful destiny or of his mysterious origins.
The rule of the good King Brushen and Queen Spindle is threatened by an evil plot from within the court. When a murder is committed, the isle is thrown into turmoil. Behind the scenes, ruthless animals are determined to seize the throne. But to underestimate the power of the islanders and the ancient prophecies is a big mistake...
Triumphant heroes and brilliantly wicked villains do battle in this first book of the treasured, heart-stopping Mistmantle adventure series. Glorious new illustrations by Christine Enright capture the spirit of Urchin and his world." - From Amazon
Possibly Concerning Content*
Click on the dropdown arrows for details for each section. May contain spoilers.
🤬 Language: None
❤️ Romance: Marriage but no kissing
Details/Spoilers
Adults get married
No kissing or other forms of intamcy described.
🛡️Violence: Characters die, injuries described. not gory.
Details/Spoilers
There are multiple deaths but they are not gory. Occasionally, it is mentioned that 'they went quickly' and the injury is described but with minimal detail example: "a red spot on his chest.'
There are multiple injuries that are described
One of the characters killed is a 'young hedgehog' who is killed off page and then found by the main characters. This might bother younger readers.
‼️ Heads up: Themes of grief. Alcohol used. Culling of weak. Evil room. Religion note.
Details/Spoilers
Past Culling: Children have been culled for being too weak or having deformities. It is mentioned that it happens ‘quickly and while they sleep so there’s no pain.’ This does not actually happen in the book as the heroes save the children and by the end of the book this is outlawed.
Themes of Grief: characters deal with the death of a spouse and the death of a child.
Alcohol: The villains use alcohol to muddle another character’s mind. Some of the characters drink wine and mead.
Evil Room: There is an evil room that the Priest (off page) cleanses with prayer and light. The evil room feeds the evil within the villain through whispers and visions.
Religion: The characters pray and worship a single deity they call ‘The Heart.’
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Book 2: Urchin and the Heartstone
Review:
Now that the storyworld and characters have all been introudced in the first book, the second bok in the Mistmantle Chronicles started off with a bang! You'll find the same great action and adventure as the first book as Urchin and friends try to find the Heartstone in time for Crispin's coronation and free another kingdom from the evil rule of a crazy king and his dark sorcerer.
Do note the heads up section below for that last bit!
Official Blurb (dropdown)
"As the inhabitants of the island of Mistmantle prepare for the coronation of Crispin the Squirrel, robes are stitched, cakes are baked, wine is brought up from the cellars, and the Heartstone—the unique gold-and-silver-flecked stone that only the priest or rightful ruler of the island can hold—is readied.
But the newly established peace in Mistmantle is soon under threat. A storm-ravaged ship from a distant land appears in the mists surrounding the island; a dramatic revelation about the revered Heartstone comes to light; and the extrasensory powers of a young islander reveal the evil close at hand.
Urchin finds himself journeying to a hostile land, where the maniacal King Silverbirch and his sorcerer, Smokewreath, await him. There, Urchin will have to face challenges greater than those he has ever known, and in so doing he will learn a secret about his past that will change his life forever." - From Amazon
Possibly Concerning Content*
Click on the dropdown arrows for details for each section. May contain spoilers.
🤬 Language: None
❤️ Romance: Marriage but no kissing
Details/Spoilers
Adults get married
No kissing or other forms of intamcy described.
🛡️Violence: Characters die, injuries described. not gory.
Details/Spoilers
There are multiple deaths but they are not gory.
There are multiple injuries that are described but not gory
‼️ Heads up: Evil Sorcerer, Religious Note
Details/Spoilers
Evil Sorcerer: This character uses the bones of dead animals to do dark magic. It is never described beyond the character requesting dead bodies and promising the king power in return and is never portrayed as a good thing.
Religion: The characters pray and worship a single deity they call ‘The Heart.’
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Book 3: The Heir of Mistmantle
Review:
The Heir of Mistmantle was another excellent adventure in the Mistmantle Chronicles. This one was another 'Who-done-it" like the first book, except instead of a murder, it's a kidnapping! And if that wasn't enough there is a plague, a natural disaster, and a prophecy to content with, and the possible return of a past villain! Thrilling from start to finish!
Official Blurb (dropdown)
"A baby girl has just been born...
...to King Crispin and Queen Cedar. She is Catkin, the heir to the throne of Mistmantle. Everyone on the island gathers for the joyful celebration of the Naming Ceremony. But that night the princess mysteriously disappears.
All clues point to her caretaker, Linty, a mother squirrel who had gone mad with grief because of a tragedy that occurred during Husk's evil reign. The islanders fall into crisis as a mysterious illness takes hold and begins to spread. Tensions mount as strange sightings are reported—could Husk still be alive?
In this next thrilling entry of the Mistmantle Chronicles, the islanders will have to overcome their greatest fears to save Princess Catkin and bring stability back to their beloved home." - From Amazon
Possibly Concerning Content*
Click on the dropdown arrows for details for each section. May contain spoilers.
🤬 Language: None
❤️ Romance: Marriage but no kissing
Details/Spoilers
Adults get married
No kissing or other forms of intamcy described.
🛡️Violence: Characters die, injuries described. not gory.
Details/Spoilers
There are multiple deaths but they are not gory.
There are multiple injuries that are described but not gory
‼️ Heads up: Death of caretaker, Death of older friend by murder, Plague, Haunting, Religious Note
Details/Spoilers
Death of caretaker: a character passes of old age while her young charge mourns beside her.
Death of elder by murder: an older character is killed that has been around for a while.
Plague: they solve this but a lot of animals die before they fix things.
Haunting: Characters believe a villain is haunting them but this is not true.
Religion: The characters pray and worship a single deity they call ‘The Heart.’
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Book 4: Urchin and the Raven War
Review:
This is perhaps the darkest of the books as it deals with a war between the ravens and the other creatures of Mistmantle. Proceed with caution and note the P.C.C.'s below.
Official Blurb (dropdown)
"After his last adventure, Urchin of the Riding Stars has taken his place as a trusted member of the Circle in King Crispin's court. Life on the island is back to normal, with little Princess Catkin growing up and testing everyone's patience in the process.
But daily life is disrupted when Lord Arcneck and other inhabitants of Swan Isle come to Mistmantle asking for help. Their home has been taken over by bloodthirsty ravens that are attacking them and ravaging everything in sight.
The brave animals of Mistmantle rush to the aid of their friends, but in doing so, incur the wrath of the invaders. The vengeful ravens are powerful and won't stop until they hunt down and destroy every creature on the island. Only by using all of their courage and cunning will Urchin and his friends stand a chance of preserving life as they know it on their beloved island." - From Amazon
Possibly Concerning Content*
Click on the dropdown arrows for details for each section. May contain spoilers.
🤬 Language: None
❤️ Romance: None
🛡️Violence: Characters die, injuries described. not gory.
Details/Spoilers
There are multiple deaths but they are not gory.
There are multiple injuries that are described but not gory
‼️ Heads up: Animals are eaten. Torture. Death of a main character. Religious Note. Grief.
Details/Spoilers
A main character dies of old age. It's peaceful but sad.
Ravens eat squirrels, swan eggs and each other.
The ravens want to eat the younglings of the other animals. None are eaten.
Torture: a raven tries to drown a squirrel in front of her father to make him talk. She is saved before she drowns.
Religion: The characters pray and worship a single deity they call ‘The Heart.’
Grab a Copy
Book 5: Urchin and the Rage Tide
Review:
In the final book in the Mistmantle Chronicles, Urchin must fast his greatest advosary: nature. A tidal wave threatens to destroy all of Mistmantle. Amidst attempts to prepare for the inevitable, false prophets, panic, and bad actors threaten the balance. Filled with suspense and heartpounding moments, the series goes out with a bang.
Official Blurb (dropdown)
"Under the wise guidance of King Crispin, the animals of Mistmantle have enjoyed a long period of peace and prosperity since the violent Raven War.
The tranquility is disrupted when a series of tidal waves threatens to destroy the island. The inhabitants must quickly move to higher ground to avoid the devastation. But Mossberry, an influential squirrel with delusions of grandeur, sees the impending disaster as an opportunity to rise to power...and his reckless decisions will put many citizens in harm's way.
In a race against time, Urchin of the Riding Stars, his page, Corr, and the Circle of King Crispin's court must stop Mossberry and usher the animals of Mistmantle to safety. And when the rage tide sweeps a beloved islander beyond the mists, there is only one thing to be done." - From Amazon
Possibly Concerning Content*
Click on the dropdown arrows for details for each section. May contain spoilers.
🤬 Language: None
❤️ Romance: Marriage and one kiss.
Details/Spoilers
A main character gets married!
A woman kisses her husband before he dies.
🛡️Violence: Characters die, injuries described. not gory.
Details/Spoilers
There are multiple deaths but they are not gory.
There are multiple injuries that are described but not gory
‼️ Heads up: Drowning. Religious Note. Death of a main character. Grief.
Details/Spoilers
A main character who has been through the entire series passes away.
Animals drown, not described.
Grief of mother and daughter who lose husband.
Religion: The characters pray and worship a single deity they call ‘The Heart.’
Grab a Copy
FAQ's
Q: Are the Mistmantle Chronicles appropriate for adults?
A: We think so! Especially the audiobooks!
Q: How does the Mistmantle Chronicles compare to Redwall?
A: We found Redwall to be a bit darker so if you and your kids can handle the heavy themes in Redwall you should be fine with Mistmantle Chronicles.
Q: Are there other boos like the Mistmantle Chronicles?
A: Yes! The Green Ember series by S.D. Smith, The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Louis, and the aforementioned Redwall by Brian Jacques
Q: Is there heavy content in The Mistmantle Chronicles?
A: Yes, there are themes of grief, death in battle and of old age, injuries, sorcery portrayed as evil, natural disasters, illness and a plague. See the P.C.C. for each book above for more details.
Q: Is there any romance in The Mistmantle Chronicles?
A: Yes, character get married but there is no intamcy beyond kisses on the cheek.
Q: Is there foul language in The Mistmantle Chronicles?
A: No, there is no language at all in the series.
Conclusion
The Mistmantle Chronicles by M.I. McAllister, was a surprisingly deep series for a story labeled 'for children." If you loved Redwall, Narnia, or The Green Ember series, this one deserves a spot on your shelf.
📍*Possibly Concerning Content Disclaimer: I try my best to include all relevant content notes, or possibly concerning content, but I may not catch everything and/or you may feel things are concerning that I do not. Please research individually if you’re sensitive to specific topics/subjects! 📍
Want to add some P.C.C. we may have missed? Let us know!
Don't forget to click on the tags below to find more books like this one!
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