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Tails of Battle: The Fox, the Jaguar, and the Mysterious Island
In a world of humans, elves, animal humanoids and more, the fox and the jaguar are at war. A generous enemy sets forth an adventure for the Mysterious Island.
A queen makes a choice that breaks the peace of the kingdoms.
A queen makes a choice that breaks the peace of the kingdoms.
- GenresFantasy
508 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 22, 2024
15 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
About the author
Timothy Robare
11 books56 followersAuthor of the Tails of Battle series.. The Story of a World War II Vet. Loving her, Writing With Wolves, In the Darkness of my Room.
born in Grand Isle, Vermont. Earned his writing degree from Plattsburgh State.
born in Grand Isle, Vermont. Earned his writing degree from Plattsburgh State.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 23, 2025
A Promising Premise Undermined by Weak Execution
I came into this book with high hopes as the amazon reviews suggested an adult Redwall, or Disney's Robin Hood meets Game of Thrones. I've been searching for an Anthro Fantasy full of rich lore, culture and distict characters. Unfortunatly this novel suffers from the same issues that many anthro stories do. Its surface-level traits, endless telling and no emotional immersion.
The amount of telling became overwhelming. Jakama is a fox, Shamos is a deer, or deerling, Danby is a boar, but aside from an occasional tail flick or antler reference, they act like humans with animal stickers slapped on. There's no sense of instinct or culture. A boar stamping the ground in frustration, a fox twitching at the scent of blood, or a deer's antlers knocking in a doorway with a tense movement would have been showing, but instead I was constantly told.
This world doesnt feel animal-humanoid. It feels very generic and human, with a light coat of fur. By 30k words, I still can't tell if this is about Anthro's, Humans or both, because the execution never commits.
Jakama's real hook doesn't even arrive until Chapter 8, when he mentions his mother. Ceezar wants to bring peace, King Luna wanders in a detached storyline that hasn't connected by 30k words, and I'm still unsure what the actual story is supposed to be. There's a relationship arc developing, between Ceezar and his top General, but it doesn't work because I am too distant from the characters. When they share something meaningful, it's already lost because the telling keeps me outside the moment.
The prose is repetitive and deeply needs an editor at the structural, dev and line level.
Examples: “He was a light tan human with medium-length messy dark brown hair. His arms held thick hair, but Calig wore neatly trimmed facial hair on his face.”
or Chapter 12's opening, “A large flat plain in between the Kingdom of Lakes and the Kingdom of the Moon. It was flat and surrounded by mountains, located in the middle of all the kingdoms.”
These were not isolated instances but present through the entire book.
The Dialogue was one thing praised by the hype for this book, but I found it uneven. Sometimes it was tolerable, but often over the top or reliant on repetitive jokes. Ceezar especially suffers. His name is also a huge detractor from his character, I am unsure if the Author made the connection deliberately or not, but given Ceezar is the emperor and his name is so close in sounding to Julius Ceasar it immediately pulls me out, and his behavior swings between forced nobility to cartoon parody. An execution scene early on reads unintentionally comedic and dry, more like Zapp Brannigan then serious emperor.
Head hopping is frequent, with many mid chapter perspective shifts, that left me unsure who I was following, and this added to the distance.
Pacing is actually one good thing I can comment on with this novel. It never felt like it was dragging, but the fight scenes are too long, and often feel like filler, especially the ones with Ceezer feeling more like something from Farcry Blood dragon with a bromance then historical fantasy. The issue with some of these scenes though is they feel like they dont add anything for example chapter 8's battle felt like it was only there to add action, but added nothing to the scene, again chapter 13's tavern fight felt like padding instead of a driving point for the story.
The setting felt really thin. Chapter 13 they talk about a famous cider in the tavern but never give it a name, a story or an identity on why it is so famous, something like "Brewed from the apples of the burning lands and fermented with phoenix blood," anything would have been better. Theres little to no culture, traditions apart from gladiator battles, but nothing specifically anthro. The world is left feeling like a stock medieval backdrop or a fantasy/medieval world starter kit.
This reads at a YA level, but the story swings rapidly into heavy violence and other content that pushes the boundary of things that can be said in a review. The mismatch is really abrupt, one page feels like a teen fantasy, the chapters with Jakama, to Ceezer's grimdark content. This doesnt feel deep, it feels... confused about who its targeted at.
The hype compared this to Redwall, but the comparison doesn't hold. Redwall worked because everything had cultural flavour, food, songs, tradition and instincts. This novel tries to be a darker, more adult version of Redwall, but without anthro integration or cultural depth, it misses the mark badly.
Theres potential here, and the pacing keeps it from being a complete slog. But the constant telling, lack of anthro depth, late and unclear arcs, flat relationship building, poor editing, repetative prose, long fight scenes, generic world and tonal mismatch with unconvincing characters weighs it down. At 30k words, continuing feels more like a chore then an adventure.
Picking it up, I really wanted to like this book. It's not unreadable, and I am sure there will be those who are looking for the slapstick comedic value this has mixed with its grimdark tone, but it well and truly misses the mark, especially for Anthro fiction.
I came into this book with high hopes as the amazon reviews suggested an adult Redwall, or Disney's Robin Hood meets Game of Thrones. I've been searching for an Anthro Fantasy full of rich lore, culture and distict characters. Unfortunatly this novel suffers from the same issues that many anthro stories do. Its surface-level traits, endless telling and no emotional immersion.
The amount of telling became overwhelming. Jakama is a fox, Shamos is a deer, or deerling, Danby is a boar, but aside from an occasional tail flick or antler reference, they act like humans with animal stickers slapped on. There's no sense of instinct or culture. A boar stamping the ground in frustration, a fox twitching at the scent of blood, or a deer's antlers knocking in a doorway with a tense movement would have been showing, but instead I was constantly told.
This world doesnt feel animal-humanoid. It feels very generic and human, with a light coat of fur. By 30k words, I still can't tell if this is about Anthro's, Humans or both, because the execution never commits.
Jakama's real hook doesn't even arrive until Chapter 8, when he mentions his mother. Ceezar wants to bring peace, King Luna wanders in a detached storyline that hasn't connected by 30k words, and I'm still unsure what the actual story is supposed to be. There's a relationship arc developing, between Ceezar and his top General, but it doesn't work because I am too distant from the characters. When they share something meaningful, it's already lost because the telling keeps me outside the moment.
The prose is repetitive and deeply needs an editor at the structural, dev and line level.
Examples: “He was a light tan human with medium-length messy dark brown hair. His arms held thick hair, but Calig wore neatly trimmed facial hair on his face.”
or Chapter 12's opening, “A large flat plain in between the Kingdom of Lakes and the Kingdom of the Moon. It was flat and surrounded by mountains, located in the middle of all the kingdoms.”
These were not isolated instances but present through the entire book.
The Dialogue was one thing praised by the hype for this book, but I found it uneven. Sometimes it was tolerable, but often over the top or reliant on repetitive jokes. Ceezar especially suffers. His name is also a huge detractor from his character, I am unsure if the Author made the connection deliberately or not, but given Ceezar is the emperor and his name is so close in sounding to Julius Ceasar it immediately pulls me out, and his behavior swings between forced nobility to cartoon parody. An execution scene early on reads unintentionally comedic and dry, more like Zapp Brannigan then serious emperor.
Head hopping is frequent, with many mid chapter perspective shifts, that left me unsure who I was following, and this added to the distance.
Pacing is actually one good thing I can comment on with this novel. It never felt like it was dragging, but the fight scenes are too long, and often feel like filler, especially the ones with Ceezer feeling more like something from Farcry Blood dragon with a bromance then historical fantasy. The issue with some of these scenes though is they feel like they dont add anything for example chapter 8's battle felt like it was only there to add action, but added nothing to the scene, again chapter 13's tavern fight felt like padding instead of a driving point for the story.
The setting felt really thin. Chapter 13 they talk about a famous cider in the tavern but never give it a name, a story or an identity on why it is so famous, something like "Brewed from the apples of the burning lands and fermented with phoenix blood," anything would have been better. Theres little to no culture, traditions apart from gladiator battles, but nothing specifically anthro. The world is left feeling like a stock medieval backdrop or a fantasy/medieval world starter kit.
This reads at a YA level, but the story swings rapidly into heavy violence and other content that pushes the boundary of things that can be said in a review. The mismatch is really abrupt, one page feels like a teen fantasy, the chapters with Jakama, to Ceezer's grimdark content. This doesnt feel deep, it feels... confused about who its targeted at.
The hype compared this to Redwall, but the comparison doesn't hold. Redwall worked because everything had cultural flavour, food, songs, tradition and instincts. This novel tries to be a darker, more adult version of Redwall, but without anthro integration or cultural depth, it misses the mark badly.
Theres potential here, and the pacing keeps it from being a complete slog. But the constant telling, lack of anthro depth, late and unclear arcs, flat relationship building, poor editing, repetative prose, long fight scenes, generic world and tonal mismatch with unconvincing characters weighs it down. At 30k words, continuing feels more like a chore then an adventure.
Picking it up, I really wanted to like this book. It's not unreadable, and I am sure there will be those who are looking for the slapstick comedic value this has mixed with its grimdark tone, but it well and truly misses the mark, especially for Anthro fiction.
December 31, 2024
I give this 4.5 stars for story development and all the complexities involved.
I did not expect this story to develop the way it did. One of the main characters went from being disliked to being a dramatic character arc.
Goes to show that sometimes the villain we see is that way only because we are seeing them in one light. We are all more diverse than we seem.
There are a lot of intense moments in this with some dark content. Lots of war, and the ramifications of that including r*pe and torture. Nothing is overly described, but definitely be aware before indulging.
Multiple kingdoms and lots of intertwining stories. Very intrigued to see what book 2 has in store.
I did not expect this story to develop the way it did. One of the main characters went from being disliked to being a dramatic character arc.
Goes to show that sometimes the villain we see is that way only because we are seeing them in one light. We are all more diverse than we seem.
There are a lot of intense moments in this with some dark content. Lots of war, and the ramifications of that including r*pe and torture. Nothing is overly described, but definitely be aware before indulging.
Multiple kingdoms and lots of intertwining stories. Very intrigued to see what book 2 has in store.
January 26, 2026
Every so often, a book comes along that reminds me why I fell in love with storytelling in the first place. As someone who builds worlds populated by talking animals, mythic creatures, and the kind of imaginative landscapes where anything feels possible, I’m always searching for works that push the boundaries of anthropomorphic fantasy. Recently, I discovered one that does exactly that.
Tails of Battle: The Fox, the Jaguar, and the Mysterious Island by Timothy Robare is a bold, sweeping adventure that embraces the full potential of the genre. From the first pages, it becomes clear that Robare is not simply telling a story — he is building a world with the care, ambition, and emotional weight usually reserved for classic high fantasy.
A World Where Animal Characters Carry Epic Stakes
What truly impressed me about Tails of Battle is its ability to take anthropomorphic characters — a fox, a jaguar, and others across the animal kingdom — and place them at the heart of an epic conflict without ever diminishing the seriousness of the tale. The characters feel alive, culturally grounded, and fully capable of carrying a narrative filled with political intrigue, ancient mysteries, and moral complexity.
Robare takes familiar fantasy elements — warring factions, tenuous alliances, and a looming threat that could reshape an entire world — and infuses them with refreshing originality by filtering everything through the lens of animal societies. It creates a hybrid aesthetic that feels simultaneously classic and completely new.
The Mysterious Island: A Journey into the Unknown
As the story unfolds, the cast undertakes a journey toward a place cloaked in legends: the Mysterious Island. This destination functions not only as a compelling location but also as a symbol of uncertainty, change, and the hope that unlikely allies can rise to meet impossible challenges.
The narrative moves with energy and purpose, balancing intense action with quiet character moments that reveal loyalties, fears, and the cost of leadership. It’s rare to find a fantasy novel that offers such a strong mixture of heart and spectacle.
A Fellow Author’s Appreciation
As an author who also writes in the realm of anthropomorphic storytelling, I found Tails of Battle especially inspiring. It proves again that stories featuring animal protagonists are not limited to one tone or one audience — they can be every bit as rich, dramatic, and emotionally charged as the great epics of the genre.
Robare’s work embraces the idea that high fantasy can wear many shapes and species. His characters fight, fail, hope, and rise again with the same narrative gravity found in human-centric fantasy — and in some ways, the anthropomorphic lens makes those themes shine even brighter.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a reader who enjoys:
sweeping worlds
complex political undercurrents
animal heroes and villains with real weight
adventures laced with mystery and magic
…then Tails of Battle is a novel worth adding to your shelf. It’s a testament to how vibrant and limitless the world of anthropomorphic high fantasy has become.
I’m thrilled to celebrate this book and the talented author behind it — and I’m excited to see where the series goes next.
Tails of Battle: The Fox, the Jaguar, and the Mysterious Island by Timothy Robare is a bold, sweeping adventure that embraces the full potential of the genre. From the first pages, it becomes clear that Robare is not simply telling a story — he is building a world with the care, ambition, and emotional weight usually reserved for classic high fantasy.
A World Where Animal Characters Carry Epic Stakes
What truly impressed me about Tails of Battle is its ability to take anthropomorphic characters — a fox, a jaguar, and others across the animal kingdom — and place them at the heart of an epic conflict without ever diminishing the seriousness of the tale. The characters feel alive, culturally grounded, and fully capable of carrying a narrative filled with political intrigue, ancient mysteries, and moral complexity.
Robare takes familiar fantasy elements — warring factions, tenuous alliances, and a looming threat that could reshape an entire world — and infuses them with refreshing originality by filtering everything through the lens of animal societies. It creates a hybrid aesthetic that feels simultaneously classic and completely new.
The Mysterious Island: A Journey into the Unknown
As the story unfolds, the cast undertakes a journey toward a place cloaked in legends: the Mysterious Island. This destination functions not only as a compelling location but also as a symbol of uncertainty, change, and the hope that unlikely allies can rise to meet impossible challenges.
The narrative moves with energy and purpose, balancing intense action with quiet character moments that reveal loyalties, fears, and the cost of leadership. It’s rare to find a fantasy novel that offers such a strong mixture of heart and spectacle.
A Fellow Author’s Appreciation
As an author who also writes in the realm of anthropomorphic storytelling, I found Tails of Battle especially inspiring. It proves again that stories featuring animal protagonists are not limited to one tone or one audience — they can be every bit as rich, dramatic, and emotionally charged as the great epics of the genre.
Robare’s work embraces the idea that high fantasy can wear many shapes and species. His characters fight, fail, hope, and rise again with the same narrative gravity found in human-centric fantasy — and in some ways, the anthropomorphic lens makes those themes shine even brighter.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a reader who enjoys:
sweeping worlds
complex political undercurrents
animal heroes and villains with real weight
adventures laced with mystery and magic
…then Tails of Battle is a novel worth adding to your shelf. It’s a testament to how vibrant and limitless the world of anthropomorphic high fantasy has become.
I’m thrilled to celebrate this book and the talented author behind it — and I’m excited to see where the series goes next.
September 9, 2025
Complex Adventure Evoking Many Emotions from Joy to pure Rage
Full of adventure, battles, sass, excellent world-building, and humanoid animals reminiscent of several beloved fantasy books.
The descriptions from the Tournament, the different kingdoms (especially Kingdom of the Moon & the Rainbow lakes), and the home of the Reptilians were brilliantly executed. Felt like walking through the world.
Characters like Jakama, Danby, & Grantin grew on me quickly. Their whole dynamic is brilliant.
Thought King Luna was a great father & fun guy. He seemed so genuine.
There was a scene or so in the book with a thirteen year old with like two adults.
Different encounters but almost minutes apart. It made me so uncomfortable.
Hoping that was the only occurrence.
Although, no occurrences would have been better. I did decide to keep reading after reaching out to the author about trigger warnings. He was understanding.
He even made a small update on his author website.
So, I kept reading. Enjoying more of it.
Battles, Conflicts, Witty Remarks, Adventure.
It would have been a solid 5 star.
Except, there was just too much horror.
I'm all for fantasy violence and chopping off heads but sexual assault of both adults and minors is just unacceptable.
Wanted to enjoy it so badly but every time I got to enjoying it there was SA on the page.
At first I desperately hated the character Ceezar but now I understand his motivations and I appreciate he lived by a code. He didn't kill anybody who surrendered. He never let women get assaulted either but for some reason this Reese has no trouble with SA. Although, his pals do not approve and have made that crystal clear. Hope his character dies in the next one.
Apparently he's not the only one that does that either.Several soldiers throughout the entire book are somehow okay with it and so are the religious fanatics.
I do hope Queen of Crater dies too.
Won't say why but...she deserves it.
If you do not have the stomach for SA of minors, then don't read it.
It's randomly in the book in like three or four places. It's a jumpscare.
Severely encourage you to check the trigger warnings listed below as some are a doozy.
I've considered everything from different places based on several factors including dynamic character creation, world-building, and writing style.
Evocation of all emotions was present.
Joy, Sadness, Pain, Anger, & Outrage.
I've considered lowering my rating further to a two or three but doing so based on a few scenes felt unjust to the book as a whole. That doesn't mean I didn't find it extremely difficult to read at times.
Trigger Warnings: violence, fantasy violence,war, death, infidelity, religious violence, gore, adult- minor sexual conduct, pedophila, child murder, incest, suicide, mentions of (sorta) human sacrifice, genocide, slavery, sexual assault.
There's probably more.
Thankfully it was clear that those invoking such terrifying actions such as SA were villians.
Full of adventure, battles, sass, excellent world-building, and humanoid animals reminiscent of several beloved fantasy books.
The descriptions from the Tournament, the different kingdoms (especially Kingdom of the Moon & the Rainbow lakes), and the home of the Reptilians were brilliantly executed. Felt like walking through the world.
Characters like Jakama, Danby, & Grantin grew on me quickly. Their whole dynamic is brilliant.
Thought King Luna was a great father & fun guy. He seemed so genuine.
There was a scene or so in the book with a thirteen year old with like two adults.
Different encounters but almost minutes apart. It made me so uncomfortable.
Hoping that was the only occurrence.
Although, no occurrences would have been better. I did decide to keep reading after reaching out to the author about trigger warnings. He was understanding.
He even made a small update on his author website.
So, I kept reading. Enjoying more of it.
Battles, Conflicts, Witty Remarks, Adventure.
It would have been a solid 5 star.
Except, there was just too much horror.
I'm all for fantasy violence and chopping off heads but sexual assault of both adults and minors is just unacceptable.
Wanted to enjoy it so badly but every time I got to enjoying it there was SA on the page.
At first I desperately hated the character Ceezar but now I understand his motivations and I appreciate he lived by a code. He didn't kill anybody who surrendered. He never let women get assaulted either but for some reason this Reese has no trouble with SA. Although, his pals do not approve and have made that crystal clear. Hope his character dies in the next one.
Apparently he's not the only one that does that either.Several soldiers throughout the entire book are somehow okay with it and so are the religious fanatics.
I do hope Queen of Crater dies too.
Won't say why but...she deserves it.
If you do not have the stomach for SA of minors, then don't read it.
It's randomly in the book in like three or four places. It's a jumpscare.
Severely encourage you to check the trigger warnings listed below as some are a doozy.
I've considered everything from different places based on several factors including dynamic character creation, world-building, and writing style.
Evocation of all emotions was present.
Joy, Sadness, Pain, Anger, & Outrage.
I've considered lowering my rating further to a two or three but doing so based on a few scenes felt unjust to the book as a whole. That doesn't mean I didn't find it extremely difficult to read at times.
Trigger Warnings: violence, fantasy violence,war, death, infidelity, religious violence, gore, adult- minor sexual conduct, pedophila, child murder, incest, suicide, mentions of (sorta) human sacrifice, genocide, slavery, sexual assault.
There's probably more.
Thankfully it was clear that those invoking such terrifying actions such as SA were villians.
October 3, 2025
Uneasy Truce
So what do you do when your mortal enemies are the only ones who can help you defeat an even greater enemy? That's what happens to the creatures in this book, and when fate thrusts them together they must put aside their differences and fight an even greater evil: humans. Hey, I am a human, I think I'm qualified to say firsthand that we're pretty evil, especially to animals. This book is a fun, engaging fantasy with some horrific scenes thrown in for good measure. Check it out. You won't be disappointed.
So what do you do when your mortal enemies are the only ones who can help you defeat an even greater enemy? That's what happens to the creatures in this book, and when fate thrusts them together they must put aside their differences and fight an even greater evil: humans. Hey, I am a human, I think I'm qualified to say firsthand that we're pretty evil, especially to animals. This book is a fun, engaging fantasy with some horrific scenes thrown in for good measure. Check it out. You won't be disappointed.
March 25, 2026
Overall really enjoyed this story. Human and animal characters, where former enemies need to unite to defend their communities and way of life. Well developed characters, some truly evil villains, with humour as well. Recommended.
October 21, 2024
This was a striking and imaginative novel that blends war fiction with animal allegory, providing a fresh lens on the human experience of conflict, loyalty, and survival. Set in a world where various animals-foxes, wolves and other creatures-engage in battles that reflect the complexities of human warfare, the book uses it's animal characters to explore profound themes such as sacrifice, honor and leadership. Robare's prose is both vivid and evocative, bringing the battlefield to life in a way the feels raw and immediate. The characters, though animals, are richly developed and evoke deep empathy, as their struggles and triumphs mirror the emotional and psychological realities of soldiers in human conflicts. The animal allegory adds a layer of complexity to the narrative, making readers contemplate the nature of way and the primal instincts that drive individuals to fight, protect, and survive. Robare creates a narrative that feels grounded in reality and fantastical. Powerful and unconventional war novel!!!!!
September 14, 2025
Robare's robust world of animal humanoids, elves, and humans explodes from the pages in the form of kinship, friendship, vengeance, and a fight for survival against a genocidal human religious fanatic. It's a large book (over 500 pages), yet it is a quick, exciting read. I don't want to post any spoilers, but Robare's characters are well-rounded and act and speak like adults. This is not Harry Potter with talking foxes, and I don't recommend it for children. That being said, it is a great read and I am looking forward to sinking into the next book in the series.
September 26, 2025
A wonderfully detailed imaginative story, with great wildlife inspired characters, with detailed descriptions within world building, magnificent scenes and elegance in design and detail to create a masterpiece that will be memorable.
Timothy Robare has written a great storyline, with a great level of depth and a lot more detail than most scenes by his peers, the personality of the quirky fox made me laugh constantly with his unique style and antics as he hunts down his lost people.
This is a truly remarkable novel, and must read, I can’t wait to start book 2, and highly recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy stories.
Timothy Robare has written a great storyline, with a great level of depth and a lot more detail than most scenes by his peers, the personality of the quirky fox made me laugh constantly with his unique style and antics as he hunts down his lost people.
This is a truly remarkable novel, and must read, I can’t wait to start book 2, and highly recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy stories.
August 16, 2024
This was such a fantastic read with an amazing original story. I love the inclusion of the more modern day issues embedded into a fantastical setting. It definitely brings a lot more depth to the characters and the plot itself! The action scenes are intense but is broken up with some very funny banter between characters. (I really hope to see more of Danby in the sequel). I’m really impressed with the world building with very detailed and beautiful descriptions of each setting making each Kingdom/Queendom feel like a character itself. The author really does a great job immersing you into the world he has created. If you like Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones, you will love this book! Can’t wait for the next one!
February 2, 2026
Very well written with great details, and banter. What I loved was the characters dynamics, the life messages, and what the book stands for. This book was a bit more difficult for me to read it straight through due to hard topics, but it was worth the read.
There may be some triggers for some: gore, language, great descriptions of battles, and death.
If you enjoy adventure, twists and turns that are unexpected, powerful messages this is the perfect book for you.
There may be some triggers for some: gore, language, great descriptions of battles, and death.
If you enjoy adventure, twists and turns that are unexpected, powerful messages this is the perfect book for you.
February 24, 2024
I love this book because it’s clearly original. The characters and storyline is unique but has elements of traditional fantasy formulas. Good guys and bad but oh wait, they’re all morally grey because we all are in real life. Be aware no character is safe from the grim reaper. Robare doesn’t shy away from killing off your favorite character. But all of the deaths make sense and are unpredictable but explained. There are definitely gasp moments though. Red wedding style, “what?!” I didn’t see that coming!
Robare makes a bold choice to start the first chapter with action and I love that! Jumps right in with an action scene followed by some great banter between characters so you’re immediately drawn in and you never stop wanting to immerse yourself in the world even more.
I’m afraid to say who my favorite character is because I don’t want him to be killed, lol. But really I have a few so just read for yourself and see who you connect with.
I also love that the author clearly believes in love in many forms, an LGBTQ & S friendly book that shows and celebrates beautiful relationships of all types.
There are spiritual elements as well as one character is on a healing self journey to understand his place in the world and what the meaning of life is.
This book has so many aspects rolled into it but it’s clear it’s not confusing at all. You’re not ever left feeling like, what just happened? I don’t get it, but rather like, wow that was clever and something I didn’t expect.
Action packed, fantastic characters, creative world, wonderful banter filled dialogue, poetic and beautiful, romantic and sweet, but sometimes brutal so not for the young or faint of heart at times. Fantastic start, well done Timothy Robare!!
Robare makes a bold choice to start the first chapter with action and I love that! Jumps right in with an action scene followed by some great banter between characters so you’re immediately drawn in and you never stop wanting to immerse yourself in the world even more.
I’m afraid to say who my favorite character is because I don’t want him to be killed, lol. But really I have a few so just read for yourself and see who you connect with.
I also love that the author clearly believes in love in many forms, an LGBTQ & S friendly book that shows and celebrates beautiful relationships of all types.
There are spiritual elements as well as one character is on a healing self journey to understand his place in the world and what the meaning of life is.
This book has so many aspects rolled into it but it’s clear it’s not confusing at all. You’re not ever left feeling like, what just happened? I don’t get it, but rather like, wow that was clever and something I didn’t expect.
Action packed, fantastic characters, creative world, wonderful banter filled dialogue, poetic and beautiful, romantic and sweet, but sometimes brutal so not for the young or faint of heart at times. Fantastic start, well done Timothy Robare!!
June 14, 2024
Just finished reading “Tails of Battle” by Timothy Robare and wow, what a ride! Imagine a world where humans, elves, and animal humanoids all exist together in a thrilling power struggle. The story kicks off with Jakama, a young fox on a mission to take down Emperor Ceezar, the badass jaguar ruler.
But wait, there's more! Religious fanatic humans are trying to wipe out all the animal humanoids, forcing Jakama and Ceezar to either team up or face an epic showdown. The plot is packed with twists and turns that keep you hooked from start to finish. Every character has depth, and their backstories add so much to the story.
One thing I loved is how Robare brings real-life issues into this fantasy world. The side characters have their own struggles, making them super relatable. Plus, the witty banter between Jakama and his boar buddy adds the perfect touch of humor amidst all the action and drama. It's a great mix that makes the book so enjoyable.
Robare's world-building skills are on point. The vivid descriptions make you feel like you're right there, experiencing the diverse landscapes and cultures. The battle scenes are intense and thrilling, and the political intrigue keeps you guessing. Heads up though: there's some violence and potentially triggering content, but it adds to the story's realism.
In a nutshell, **Tails of Battle** is a must-read for any fantasy lover. Timothy Robare has crafted a thrilling, thought-provoking adventure that's hard to put down. If you're looking for a book with epic battles, humor, and heart, grab “Tails of Battle” and dive in!
But wait, there's more! Religious fanatic humans are trying to wipe out all the animal humanoids, forcing Jakama and Ceezar to either team up or face an epic showdown. The plot is packed with twists and turns that keep you hooked from start to finish. Every character has depth, and their backstories add so much to the story.
One thing I loved is how Robare brings real-life issues into this fantasy world. The side characters have their own struggles, making them super relatable. Plus, the witty banter between Jakama and his boar buddy adds the perfect touch of humor amidst all the action and drama. It's a great mix that makes the book so enjoyable.
Robare's world-building skills are on point. The vivid descriptions make you feel like you're right there, experiencing the diverse landscapes and cultures. The battle scenes are intense and thrilling, and the political intrigue keeps you guessing. Heads up though: there's some violence and potentially triggering content, but it adds to the story's realism.
In a nutshell, **Tails of Battle** is a must-read for any fantasy lover. Timothy Robare has crafted a thrilling, thought-provoking adventure that's hard to put down. If you're looking for a book with epic battles, humor, and heart, grab “Tails of Battle” and dive in!
March 19, 2026
This book was wild. It was like Game of Thrones meets Puss in Boots meets one of those trippy, old school fairy tales in which the characters journey through vivid, violent dreamscapes and the story doesn't have a clear moral. I've never read anything else quite like it. I'll admit, I was initially uncertain about humanoid animals as characters, and there were some things about it that remained confusing throughout (e.g. how can a wolf's mouth be suited both for kissing and for tearing throats out?) -- but this came to be one of my favorite aspects of the story. Why not have a beautiful, noble white wolf as one of the kings in the north? It allowed for creative and compelling character depictions as well as a wide variety of races and cultures across what was a truly impressive world map. The vibes of the fearsome, only quasi-verbal reptiles who would fight for whoever killed their leader was a highlight, and so was the camaraderie between the fox Jakama and the boar Danby, who became the butt of numerous pig jokes. Now, I've got to admit that the story here ultimately wasn't for me; it spent a lot of time on graphic depictions of violence and depravity that I personally found hard to stomach. But if you are not put off by sex, violence, sexual violence, and characters getting off while covering themselves in gore, you may have a better experience following the maneuverings and clashes within and between the many human and animal kingdoms than I did.
May 24, 2025
Book Review: The Fox, the Jaguar, and the Mysterious Island by Timothy Robare
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This epic fantasy swept me away! Here’s why it’s a must-read:
🦊 Jakama the fox is brave, clever, and full of heart. His quest for justice will hook you instantly.
🐆 Emperor Ceezar the jaguar is powerful, complex, and hiding secrets that make him more than just a villain.
⚔️ Tension and action fill every chapter — political games, surprise battles, and the looming threat of human fanatics.
⛪ Themes of belief, identity, and survival make this more than just fantasy — it’s thoughtful and timely.
🐗🦊 The banter between the boar and the fox? Comedy gold.
❤️ Unexpected love and powerful friendships shine through the chaos.
🌴 The mysterious island and its secrets add a wild, mythic layer to the journey.
✨ Great balance of blood, politics, and heart — every character has depth and purpose.
If you're into fantasy with animal protagonists, real-world parallels, sharp wit, and a rich world, The Fox, the Jaguar, and the Mysterious Island delivers big time.
muat Read 📚✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This epic fantasy swept me away! Here’s why it’s a must-read:
🦊 Jakama the fox is brave, clever, and full of heart. His quest for justice will hook you instantly.
🐆 Emperor Ceezar the jaguar is powerful, complex, and hiding secrets that make him more than just a villain.
⚔️ Tension and action fill every chapter — political games, surprise battles, and the looming threat of human fanatics.
⛪ Themes of belief, identity, and survival make this more than just fantasy — it’s thoughtful and timely.
🐗🦊 The banter between the boar and the fox? Comedy gold.
❤️ Unexpected love and powerful friendships shine through the chaos.
🌴 The mysterious island and its secrets add a wild, mythic layer to the journey.
✨ Great balance of blood, politics, and heart — every character has depth and purpose.
If you're into fantasy with animal protagonists, real-world parallels, sharp wit, and a rich world, The Fox, the Jaguar, and the Mysterious Island delivers big time.
muat Read 📚✨
July 3, 2024
Fantastical!
I’ve always had a great appreciation for authors who can write in this genre. It is not easy and it takes alot to create the sort of backstories and history created. Timothy Robare does a phenomenal job crafting his story and telling it in a way that is fresh and unique. I love action packed stories and how fleshed out the characters are. I will reference Game of Thrones mostly because the new season is out, but I like the unpredictability of character’s fates in this story and how Timothy makes you really care about their lives. Greatly enjoyed this story and can’t wait to read more! Also, I enjoyed the art as well!
I’ve always had a great appreciation for authors who can write in this genre. It is not easy and it takes alot to create the sort of backstories and history created. Timothy Robare does a phenomenal job crafting his story and telling it in a way that is fresh and unique. I love action packed stories and how fleshed out the characters are. I will reference Game of Thrones mostly because the new season is out, but I like the unpredictability of character’s fates in this story and how Timothy makes you really care about their lives. Greatly enjoyed this story and can’t wait to read more! Also, I enjoyed the art as well!
February 29, 2024
Redwall meets an intricate, enveloping world where violence meets beauty.
March 4, 2024
I couldn't put it down! Beautifully written and full of action. Highly recommend this read!
July 15, 2025
Great read!
September 4, 2025
What fun character dynamics. There is violence, sexual acts, other material people may be skeptical too but done tastefully. Good battle scenes and fun banter.
September 29, 2025
This was such a fun and intense read. Full of action, political intrigue, and characters with real depth.
November 5, 2025
Zootopia meets Game of Thrones... This was a fantastic read for fans of character-driven fantasies. I loved the unique world of humanoid animals, elves, and humans. There is a lot of world building which is the norm with an epic fantasy like this but there is enough action throughout that keeps you reading. The banter and humor sprinkled throughout was the perfect balance to the dark themes. If you are looking for a unique fantasy, then give this one a try.
February 21, 2026
This book was very poorly written, maybe middle grade reading level. HEAPS of grammar mistakes and absolutely zero world building. And when you get to chapter fifty something there is glorified child rape where the author describes in graphic detail a prepubescent girl being raped by the king and then a young boy being forced to have sex with a prostitute. Things like this show the deparvity of humanity and should be banned. THIS IS THE REASON TO BAN A BOOK. This book should be removed.
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