Mistmantle Chronicles

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. M.I. McAllister is the author of several books for young readers, including the complete Mistmantle Chronicles, books one through five, A Friend for Rachel, Hold My Hand and Run, Ghost at the Window, and The Octave of Angels. She is married to Tony, has a grown-up family, and lives in a part of Northumberland full of history, lovely people, and sheep.

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.

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.

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.

With 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.

Mistmantle is an island full of stories, some of them are told here. Find out not only what happened after the Rage Tide, but what happened long before Crispin found a newborn squirrel on the shore. Plus the most simple version of The Threadings Code is included, along with a few tips from the island's excellent cooks-and Apple. Years have passed since the Rage Tide. And it's time to catch up with Captain Urchin, Brother Juniper, and young Queen Catkin. Corr the Voyager has traveled far, but his next voyage will be unlike all the others. Somewhere there are animals who need his help, and Corr knows he must go to them, but has no idea who they are, what they need, or even where in all the seas and oceans to find them. In the entire history of Voyagers, there has never been a quest like this.