The Mistmantle Chronicles Book 4: Urchin and the Raven War by M. I. McAllister

Rating: My bookshelf

Reading Level: Late Elementary

Another winner that illustrates honor, courage, and reliance on God (“the Heart”). However, some peril and other issues make it inappropriate for a young or sensitive audience. Read on…

Possible Concerns (Spoiler Alerts!)

• Torture. A little princess bravely accepts torture and presumed death. She is eventually saved, but it could be a bit traumatic for a young audience. Eventually she and her dad have a short conversation about how God was with her even if she couldn’t see Him.
• Treason and Revenge. A character whose brother was killed in a treasonous plot takes revenge by betraying Urchin and the king.
• Insanity, defending a grave. A borderline insane squirrel defends the grave of a corrupt character. She’s mentally off, and the book intentionally portrays her as such.
• Prayers to dead saints. When a character is on the brink of death, his friend prays to God, and also to his dead parents to give him strength.
• A parent Lied. A parent lies to their child to protect the secret identity of a princess.
• Peril. There is a war, so a lot of death in this one. The enemy’s mantra is “kill and devor.” There is blood, death, sword fights, and the like.

Things I liked:

• Prayers to “The Heart,” who is the name used for the God who looks after their island. There is only one God prayed to.
• Honor & Bravery. The main characters and their mentors are full of honor and fight for the weak/oppressed. The princess takes the torture and presumed death with immense courage.

This belongs on my bookshelf, but I will keep it high up so that a kid must be the proper age before reading it.

See also my reviews of Book 1: Urchin of the Riding Stars, Book 2: Urchin and the Heartstone, and Book 3: Heir of Mistmantle.