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The Unraveling #1
The Counsel of Crows
"Even the smallest spark can set the darkest night ablaze."
Twig never imagined himself at the center of anything important—let alone a battle for the fate of the Woodland Realm. But when his peaceful village is attacked by the ruthless Fortress Crows, the young chickadee finds himself on the run, hunted by a terrifying sorceress and her winged army. Thankfully, he’s not alone. Alongside a cunning bard, a fearless warrior, and two mischievous tumblers—who cause almost as much trouble as they solve—Twig embarks on a journey to uncover an ancient power and prevent history from repeating its darkest (and dumbest) mistakes.
Perfect for fans of Watership Down, Redwall, and The Green Ember, The Unraveling is a sweeping middle-grade fantasy adventure of courage, rebellion, and destiny. With pulse-pounding action, unforgettable characters, and a world as rich as it is dangerous, this is a story for anyone who believes even the smallest hero can change the world.
Twig never imagined himself at the center of anything important—let alone a battle for the fate of the Woodland Realm. But when his peaceful village is attacked by the ruthless Fortress Crows, the young chickadee finds himself on the run, hunted by a terrifying sorceress and her winged army. Thankfully, he’s not alone. Alongside a cunning bard, a fearless warrior, and two mischievous tumblers—who cause almost as much trouble as they solve—Twig embarks on a journey to uncover an ancient power and prevent history from repeating its darkest (and dumbest) mistakes.
Perfect for fans of Watership Down, Redwall, and The Green Ember, The Unraveling is a sweeping middle-grade fantasy adventure of courage, rebellion, and destiny. With pulse-pounding action, unforgettable characters, and a world as rich as it is dangerous, this is a story for anyone who believes even the smallest hero can change the world.
296 pages, Paperback
Published May 20, 2025
7 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
March 18, 2025
My uncle & his friends spent 10 years writing this book together, incredible..amazing..wonderful.
March 13, 2025
The Unraveling had me hooked from the very first chapter! The characters are wonderfully crafted, each with so much personality that it’s nearly impossible to pick a favorite. You quickly find yourself falling in love with both the characters and the journey they embark on. The story is a perfect blend of thrilling adventures and deeper philosophical moments that add richness and depth to the plot. It’s a book that stays with you long after you finish it. I truly hope there’s a follow-up, as I’d love to continue exploring this captivating world and its unforgettable characters!
March 13, 2025
OMG the weasel is funny and terrifying. This book is so much fun
March 13, 2025
It's a captivating way to encourage us to care more about eachother and our planet. We only have one shot. It shows the potential consequences for both our actions and absence of actions. It brings a serious topic into a funny easy to digest way.
March 13, 2025
It was really funny. And it made me think about earth in a different way.
March 13, 2025
Awesome book! Transported me back to my childhood watching movies like Secret of Nimh!
March 19, 2025
Brilliant!
March 20, 2025
Honestly could not put it down since I read it, the plot is really fascinating, and it is just well written. Great read!!!!
March 19, 2025
I cannot wait for this book to come out in April so I can read it. I have heard so many good things.
July 24, 2025
This was a super entertaining read that I think is expertly aimed for its middlegrade audience, while still being greatly enjoyable for adults.
It gave me some light ‘dungeons and dragons’-vibes as our ragtag group of heroes assemble and journey to save the queen from the evil antagonistic force. Along the way we meet many both fun and interesting new characters that either aid or stand in the way of the heroes path forward – it doesn’t waste much time delving particularly deep into these identities but rather keeps the action flowing at a fast and engaging pace.
The different perspectives provided great insight into different aspects of the story at large and helped give a nuanced view of the moral dilemma at hand. A corrupted soul shaped by her trauma – taking power with good intentions, but ultimately letting it consume her and becoming what she had once fought against. Forcing us to evaluate whether an entire group can be responsible for individuals' bad behaviour.
Overall a super fun and also sweet story about courage in spite of fear, and fighting for what you believe in.
It gave me some light ‘dungeons and dragons’-vibes as our ragtag group of heroes assemble and journey to save the queen from the evil antagonistic force. Along the way we meet many both fun and interesting new characters that either aid or stand in the way of the heroes path forward – it doesn’t waste much time delving particularly deep into these identities but rather keeps the action flowing at a fast and engaging pace.
The different perspectives provided great insight into different aspects of the story at large and helped give a nuanced view of the moral dilemma at hand. A corrupted soul shaped by her trauma – taking power with good intentions, but ultimately letting it consume her and becoming what she had once fought against. Forcing us to evaluate whether an entire group can be responsible for individuals' bad behaviour.
Overall a super fun and also sweet story about courage in spite of fear, and fighting for what you believe in.
August 25, 2025
The Counsel of Crows was such a fun and magical book!
I felt like I was with the characters on their little adventures!
The characters are easy to love! Scarecrow, Ayu and Eca are my favorite characters in the book. Twig the bird, the sugar gliders and Bozwell the bard are amazing as well!
The bipeds (man) has done so many things to destroy the world. The evil in the world is unraveling.
I felt like I was reading a little dungeons and dragons Humblewood adventure!!
I am looking forward to The Unraveling book 2!!
Thank you to NetGalley, Authors: Keith Ward; Jeremy Mueller; Karl Buechner, and RB Media for this audiobook ARC.
I felt like I was with the characters on their little adventures!
The characters are easy to love! Scarecrow, Ayu and Eca are my favorite characters in the book. Twig the bird, the sugar gliders and Bozwell the bard are amazing as well!
The bipeds (man) has done so many things to destroy the world. The evil in the world is unraveling.
I felt like I was reading a little dungeons and dragons Humblewood adventure!!
I am looking forward to The Unraveling book 2!!
Thank you to NetGalley, Authors: Keith Ward; Jeremy Mueller; Karl Buechner, and RB Media for this audiobook ARC.
June 20, 2025
Read this book if you love the movies The Secret of Nimh or Ferngully!
I’m just finishing the book and the instant I began the book I fell in love! The story doesn’t waste any time jumping right into the action, and the way the author writes the scenes depicting events is 10/10 masterful, age appropriate, yet even as an adult I’m enjoying it! I felt like I was right there with Twig in the beginning experiencing everything he was.
The same goes for the traveling entertainers: Boz and the sugar gliders Ayu & Eca; I think the twins are my favorites so far the best.
The magical lore and the “bad guys” plot is captivating & heartbreaking all at the same time; it is what really cemented those nostalgic Nimh vibes.
I’ll definitely be getting this for my classroom!
I’m just finishing the book and the instant I began the book I fell in love! The story doesn’t waste any time jumping right into the action, and the way the author writes the scenes depicting events is 10/10 masterful, age appropriate, yet even as an adult I’m enjoying it! I felt like I was right there with Twig in the beginning experiencing everything he was.
The same goes for the traveling entertainers: Boz and the sugar gliders Ayu & Eca; I think the twins are my favorites so far the best.
The magical lore and the “bad guys” plot is captivating & heartbreaking all at the same time; it is what really cemented those nostalgic Nimh vibes.
I’ll definitely be getting this for my classroom!
March 19, 2025
Not typically a fan of fables but this one is solid. Give it a read! That Bozwell is so funny 😂
March 14, 2025
I enjoyed the scene setting and character development. Highly recommend!
April 15, 2025
Feels a bit like the Lord of the Rings with animals
This is an epic adventure story, with magic, animals, an unwitting hero, a “wizard” crow mentor, and a very evil villainess.
People (bipeds) were previously wiped out as being evil and cruel to animals. In fact, the extinction of the entire human race was a result of a cruel boy who destroyed the nest and eggs of the crows who became the super-villains.
Although bits of the magic and lore were difficult to follow, it’s a solid start to a promising series.
This is an epic adventure story, with magic, animals, an unwitting hero, a “wizard” crow mentor, and a very evil villainess.
People (bipeds) were previously wiped out as being evil and cruel to animals. In fact, the extinction of the entire human race was a result of a cruel boy who destroyed the nest and eggs of the crows who became the super-villains.
Although bits of the magic and lore were difficult to follow, it’s a solid start to a promising series.
August 18, 2025
The Counsel of Crows (The Unraveling #1)
by Karl Buechner
Similar to the Rats of Nimh this book shows the aftermath of human behavior on animals. When the animals find magic and fight back, its humans that are illuminated. Unfortunately just over coming the obstacle to life is not always easy. Corruption can come to the most valiant of ideals. The animal world is not free from greed, and exploitation.
by Karl Buechner
Similar to the Rats of Nimh this book shows the aftermath of human behavior on animals. When the animals find magic and fight back, its humans that are illuminated. Unfortunately just over coming the obstacle to life is not always easy. Corruption can come to the most valiant of ideals. The animal world is not free from greed, and exploitation.
July 29, 2025
quick, definitely for younger audience. dystopian animals take over for humans.
excited for more of the series.
excited for more of the series.
April 30, 2025
The Unraveling is the first book in the Counsel of Crows, which I'm hoping will become a series. I've heard it described as an "animal liberation" story which ties in with the sorceresses desire for freedom and revenge and the bard and his trio's wanting to release the Queen from her prison. I'm going to try and not go into much detail so as not to give away too many spoilers. So I'll talk more about my overall impressions.
Twig and Scarecrow have this wonderful chemistry and sharing of ideals. It's almost a grandfather/grandson relationship. Scarecrow is just this wonderful philosophical mage, who imparts the history of the bipeds, the All-Spirit and what sent Koshmara on her quest for domination. There's lots of mentorship, encouragement and imparting of knowledge, with moments of levity. Like how Scarecrow was able to hear Twig's thoughts and amusingly snuck in to listen without Twig always being aware. There's also these Harry Potter and the pensieve vibes that I enjoyed as Twig was able to visit moments from the past. Though, I must admit that I was a little disappointed that Twig sort of takes on a secondary role while with Scarecrow, but perhaps with the ending that occurs, it's a means of showing what even the smallest can accomplish.
Bozwell and his trio were by far my favorite. Most of the action occurs on their quest and I really enjoyed following along with them. The various obstacles and creatures they encounter were interesting. Randall the magician possum was also memorable. Each chapter shifted between the events with Twig and then back to Bozwell's quest, with fairly equal time between the two.
The story reflects on the evils that man has done to the world, by deforestation, animal exploitation and the pollution of the air and waters. It's not in a heavy handed way, but is more of a reminder of how our choices have consequences. That we all have a shared responsibility of protecting our environment. The authors balance this with the concept of whether it's ok to judge all of a species based on the actions of one individual. That not all individuals are inherently evil and there needs to be a place for empathy, love and forgiveness. Which is difficult given that Koshmara resembles Darth Vadar when she brutally kills and injuries another one of the characters, expressing no remorse over her actions.
Overall, I really enjoyed the adventure, themes and am looking forward to read more books in the series. The black and white illustrations by Zulfikar Rachman and Michael DeVito added to the story, I just wish there were more. Read this if you've enjoyed Wartership Down, Redwall, or the Secret of NIMH.
Twig and Scarecrow have this wonderful chemistry and sharing of ideals. It's almost a grandfather/grandson relationship. Scarecrow is just this wonderful philosophical mage, who imparts the history of the bipeds, the All-Spirit and what sent Koshmara on her quest for domination. There's lots of mentorship, encouragement and imparting of knowledge, with moments of levity. Like how Scarecrow was able to hear Twig's thoughts and amusingly snuck in to listen without Twig always being aware. There's also these Harry Potter and the pensieve vibes that I enjoyed as Twig was able to visit moments from the past. Though, I must admit that I was a little disappointed that Twig sort of takes on a secondary role while with Scarecrow, but perhaps with the ending that occurs, it's a means of showing what even the smallest can accomplish.
Bozwell and his trio were by far my favorite. Most of the action occurs on their quest and I really enjoyed following along with them. The various obstacles and creatures they encounter were interesting. Randall the magician possum was also memorable. Each chapter shifted between the events with Twig and then back to Bozwell's quest, with fairly equal time between the two.
The story reflects on the evils that man has done to the world, by deforestation, animal exploitation and the pollution of the air and waters. It's not in a heavy handed way, but is more of a reminder of how our choices have consequences. That we all have a shared responsibility of protecting our environment. The authors balance this with the concept of whether it's ok to judge all of a species based on the actions of one individual. That not all individuals are inherently evil and there needs to be a place for empathy, love and forgiveness. Which is difficult given that Koshmara resembles Darth Vadar when she brutally kills and injuries another one of the characters, expressing no remorse over her actions.
Overall, I really enjoyed the adventure, themes and am looking forward to read more books in the series. The black and white illustrations by Zulfikar Rachman and Michael DeVito added to the story, I just wish there were more. Read this if you've enjoyed Wartership Down, Redwall, or the Secret of NIMH.
July 17, 2025
The Unraveling: The Council of Crows is about groups of animals fighting the evil Sorceress and her followers for control of the world after she was able to spread a disease to kill off all of the humans. A lot of the characters are birds, but there are several other wild creatures involved as well. The book has the structure of an epic fantasy, where you follow different storylines until they converge into one. One of these storylines centers around a small bird named Twig, who is chased from his home by the enemy force. The other hero storyline focuses on a traveling band of entertainers, led by Bozwell the Bard. We follow these characters as they team up with others and learn to become the heroes they need to be in order to combat the evil threatening to tear the world even further apart.
Opinion:
I was surprised at the complexity of this story. I was expecting a lighter and simpler story, considering this is a book about only animals targeted towards younger readers. The different storylines were told well and were kept interesting in both their imaginative points as well as the nuance of the situation.
I liked that the Sorceress had such a tragic backstory, and that she wasn't just a simple evil-doer. She (and her partner) were definitely sympathetic characters. It was a good touch to also show that the protagonists, who are against what she is doing now, acknowledge that they can sympathize with her, too, and have to question not only whether her past actions were fully justified, but whether they would have done the same had they been in her position. The trope of fulfilling one's own prophecy through trying to avoid it was done here, although it isn't talked about too much. It's just something I find satisfying.
The inclusion of some illustrations was helpful. When some of the characters are first introduced, it is a bit hard to remember who is what kind of animal, but the occasional illustrations of the situations were nice.
I wished there was more of a conclusion to the story, but I still overall enjoyed it. I think this is a good story for younger readers who are interested in fantasy and would like to start venturing into the more epic variety.
Opinion:
I was surprised at the complexity of this story. I was expecting a lighter and simpler story, considering this is a book about only animals targeted towards younger readers. The different storylines were told well and were kept interesting in both their imaginative points as well as the nuance of the situation.
I liked that the Sorceress had such a tragic backstory, and that she wasn't just a simple evil-doer. She (and her partner) were definitely sympathetic characters. It was a good touch to also show that the protagonists, who are against what she is doing now, acknowledge that they can sympathize with her, too, and have to question not only whether her past actions were fully justified, but whether they would have done the same had they been in her position. The trope of fulfilling one's own prophecy through trying to avoid it was done here, although it isn't talked about too much. It's just something I find satisfying.
The inclusion of some illustrations was helpful. When some of the characters are first introduced, it is a bit hard to remember who is what kind of animal, but the occasional illustrations of the situations were nice.
I wished there was more of a conclusion to the story, but I still overall enjoyed it. I think this is a good story for younger readers who are interested in fantasy and would like to start venturing into the more epic variety.
July 17, 2025
The Unraveling: The Council of Crows is about groups of animals fighting the evil Sorceress and her followers for control of the world after she was able to spread a disease to kill off all of the humans. A lot of the characters are birds, but there are several other wild creatures involved as well. The book has the structure of an epic fantasy, where you follow different storylines until they converge into one. One of these storylines centers around a small bird named Twig, who is chased from his home by the enemy force. The other hero storyline focuses on a traveling band of entertainers, led by Bozwell the Bard. We follow these characters as they team up with others and learn to become the heroes they need to be in order to combat the evil threatening to tear the world even further apart.
Opinion:
I was surprised at the complexity of this story. I was expecting a lighter and simpler story, considering this is a book about only animals targeted towards younger readers. The different storylines were told well and were kept interesting in both their imaginative points as well as the nuance of the situation.
I liked that the Sorceress had such a tragic backstory, and that she wasn't just a simple evil-doer. She (and her partner) were definitely sympathetic characters. It was a good touch to also show that the protagonists, who are against what she is doing now, acknowledge that they can sympathize with her, too, and have to question not only whether her past actions were fully justified, but whether they would have done the same had they been in her position. The trope of fulfilling one's own prophecy through trying to avoid it was done here, although it isn't talked about too much. It's just something I find satisfying.
The inclusion of some illustrations was helpful. When some of the characters are first introduced, it is a bit hard to remember who is what kind of animal, but the occasional illustrations of the situations were nice.
I wished there was more of a conclusion to the story, but I still overall enjoyed it. I think this is a good story for younger readers who are interested in fantasy and would like to start venturing into the more epic variety.
Opinion:
I was surprised at the complexity of this story. I was expecting a lighter and simpler story, considering this is a book about only animals targeted towards younger readers. The different storylines were told well and were kept interesting in both their imaginative points as well as the nuance of the situation.
I liked that the Sorceress had such a tragic backstory, and that she wasn't just a simple evil-doer. She (and her partner) were definitely sympathetic characters. It was a good touch to also show that the protagonists, who are against what she is doing now, acknowledge that they can sympathize with her, too, and have to question not only whether her past actions were fully justified, but whether they would have done the same had they been in her position. The trope of fulfilling one's own prophecy through trying to avoid it was done here, although it isn't talked about too much. It's just something I find satisfying.
The inclusion of some illustrations was helpful. When some of the characters are first introduced, it is a bit hard to remember who is what kind of animal, but the occasional illustrations of the situations were nice.
I wished there was more of a conclusion to the story, but I still overall enjoyed it. I think this is a good story for younger readers who are interested in fantasy and would like to start venturing into the more epic variety.
May 6, 2025
The Woodland Realm is under attack. Jaded by the damage inflicted upon them by the bipeds, the Sorceress and her minions are determined to rule the world with the same level of cruelty shown to them. Fortunately, not every creature supports the Sorceress’ nefarious mission, and when the queen of Sky Village is captured, a team of unlikely companions sets out to rescue her. The journey to success is fraught with peril, however, and the creatures must learn to rely upon one another in order to survive. This intense, action-driven middle grade novel begins with a momentum that continues throughout the narrative. Told through multiple points of view, the story offers readers the opportunity to observe each scene from a different perspective, highlighting the fact that every character has a reason for behaving the way they do. Each chapter is long, and the story itself is complex enough to require a high level of maturity and confidence from the reader. While this book is accessible to a range of ages, it rewards readers who have the ability to understand advanced vocabulary and to manage the peril that surrounds the characters throughout the novel. Occasional full-page illustrations are included throughout the book, and while these help to provide readers with a visual understanding of certain moments in the plot, the narrative itself makes the scenes easily comprehensible without visual assistance. Descriptive writing and captivating storytelling keep readers engaged, especially as they await the ultimate resolution. Fans of stories in which animals are the anthropomorphic protagonists will appreciate the momentum and intensity of this inspirational story. This is an advanced addition to library collections for mature and confident middle grade and young adult readers, and it is poised for a sequel.
November 2, 2025
The world-building in The Unravelling is exquisite, and the character development is fantastic. The pacing felt a little slower than I usually like, but it always moved forward — never stalling or dragging. The concept of imagining our world without us in it is absolutely fascinating. I also loved the strong good-versus-evil feel that runs through the story.
The ending makes it clear that the authors intend to write at least a sequel, if not a whole series — and I hope that’s true. If this were a standalone, it would feel incomplete, but knowing there’s more to come makes me confident that the blank spots and backstory gaps will be filled in later.
Interestingly, much of the book feels almost like reading two different stories set in the same world — and I actually liked that duality. It gave the story layers and variety. The book reminded me a bit of Animal Farm and Watership Down — not because it’s especially gory (it isn’t), but because it’s a little dark, thoughtful, and deeply allegorical.
Even though it’s centered on animals and features somewhat cartoony illustrations, it never felt too young for me as an adult reader. I’d probably place it around upper middle-grade or younger YA in tone, but it’s layered enough that adults will appreciate it too.
I’d definitely recommend The Unravelling for animal lovers, fantasy fans, and readers who enjoy dystopian worlds. There’s violence and evil here, but nothing overly graphic or disturbing. I think most middle-grade readers could handle it just fine — and get swept up in the excitement.
Overall, I really enjoyed it and I think you should pick it up.
The ending makes it clear that the authors intend to write at least a sequel, if not a whole series — and I hope that’s true. If this were a standalone, it would feel incomplete, but knowing there’s more to come makes me confident that the blank spots and backstory gaps will be filled in later.
Interestingly, much of the book feels almost like reading two different stories set in the same world — and I actually liked that duality. It gave the story layers and variety. The book reminded me a bit of Animal Farm and Watership Down — not because it’s especially gory (it isn’t), but because it’s a little dark, thoughtful, and deeply allegorical.
Even though it’s centered on animals and features somewhat cartoony illustrations, it never felt too young for me as an adult reader. I’d probably place it around upper middle-grade or younger YA in tone, but it’s layered enough that adults will appreciate it too.
I’d definitely recommend The Unravelling for animal lovers, fantasy fans, and readers who enjoy dystopian worlds. There’s violence and evil here, but nothing overly graphic or disturbing. I think most middle-grade readers could handle it just fine — and get swept up in the excitement.
Overall, I really enjoyed it and I think you should pick it up.
June 5, 2025
An immersive adventure full of adventure, with an awkward focus on animal cruelty
The world is unraveling, but few are standing against the evil growing within the Fortress.
Heroes arise from unlikely places with more questions than answers in this first book. Kids aged 8-12 will want to keep reading late into the night to discover the fate of a handful of unlikely heroes—a classic good vs. evil story with soulful questions about what is good and what is right.
As an adult reader, there are two things I struggled with:
-In the establishment of the world, the story takes place, and an emphasis is on the cruelty of 'the bipeds' toward animals and hints at animal experimentation as the motivation of the 'bad guy' in the story. This throws a bit of confusion in establishing a world where 'magic stones' are a big part of the magic system within the story. It was hard for me to separate what was being said about the real world from a fictional world. My 13-year-old didn't seem to struggle with this, but for younger readers who might be more sensitive to animal cruelty, it might be a good family read-aloud, so you can pause and discuss those elements as a family.
-There is an odd choppiness to the story, which shows multiple authors are working on the project, which just causes the story to not flow well, and confuses whose point of view (POV) we, the reader, are looking through. But none of this affected my son's enjoyment of the rich characters and page-turning action.
The world is unraveling, but few are standing against the evil growing within the Fortress.
Heroes arise from unlikely places with more questions than answers in this first book. Kids aged 8-12 will want to keep reading late into the night to discover the fate of a handful of unlikely heroes—a classic good vs. evil story with soulful questions about what is good and what is right.
As an adult reader, there are two things I struggled with:
-In the establishment of the world, the story takes place, and an emphasis is on the cruelty of 'the bipeds' toward animals and hints at animal experimentation as the motivation of the 'bad guy' in the story. This throws a bit of confusion in establishing a world where 'magic stones' are a big part of the magic system within the story. It was hard for me to separate what was being said about the real world from a fictional world. My 13-year-old didn't seem to struggle with this, but for younger readers who might be more sensitive to animal cruelty, it might be a good family read-aloud, so you can pause and discuss those elements as a family.
-There is an odd choppiness to the story, which shows multiple authors are working on the project, which just causes the story to not flow well, and confuses whose point of view (POV) we, the reader, are looking through. But none of this affected my son's enjoyment of the rich characters and page-turning action.
August 13, 2025
The Unraveling is a dystopian-type book where the main characters are animals and humans have been wiped out. The story alternates between Twig, a chickadee, and a quartet of animals -a groundhog, a squirrel, and two sugar gliders, on a mission to save their forest from some murderous crows.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC Audiobook.
You can tell that a lot of thought and planning went into this story. They had some funny parts - I personally loved the battle between Captain Muskrat and Admiral Feathers - and they had some rather serious parts. The animals perspective of how humans treated nature was very well done. The characters had a lot of personality and you really connected with them. The audiobook mentioned how the authors are friends who worked on this book together for a long time and it shows. The battle scenes had a lot of action and description, as did any scene with food.
If I had one complaint about this book, it would be that I thought it was almost too long. Some of the scenes felt like they could have been pared down, as there were a LOT of descriptors. Great for painting the scenery or background, but didn't add much to the story. Overall I enjoyed the book. It was a great amalgamation of the Redwall series and the Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC Audiobook.
You can tell that a lot of thought and planning went into this story. They had some funny parts - I personally loved the battle between Captain Muskrat and Admiral Feathers - and they had some rather serious parts. The animals perspective of how humans treated nature was very well done. The characters had a lot of personality and you really connected with them. The audiobook mentioned how the authors are friends who worked on this book together for a long time and it shows. The battle scenes had a lot of action and description, as did any scene with food.
If I had one complaint about this book, it would be that I thought it was almost too long. Some of the scenes felt like they could have been pared down, as there were a LOT of descriptors. Great for painting the scenery or background, but didn't add much to the story. Overall I enjoyed the book. It was a great amalgamation of the Redwall series and the Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh.
March 25, 2025
SPOILER FREE!
I had an opportunity to read an early draft of the book, and was immediately taken with it.
This environmentally conscious YA fantasy is a poignant and magical tale centered on animals as the true protagonists. Set against a world that feels simultaneously familiar and refreshingly unique, the story cleverly balances nostalgia with originality. Readers will find themselves deeply immersed in the delicate relationship between the story’s creatures and their environment, with themes of preservation and interconnectedness woven seamlessly throughout.
The characters, though non-human, brim with personality, charm, and emotional depth, making their journey both relatable and compelling. The authors’ world-building is breathtaking—bridging the wonder of classic tales with imaginative landscapes that shimmer with creativity. The narrative speaks to the reader's heart, invoking a sense of timelessness while tackling urgent modern issues.
It’s a perfect blend of heartfelt storytelling and meaningful commentary. A must-read for those who cherish the beauty of nature and the richness of thoughtful, inventive fantasy.
I had an opportunity to read an early draft of the book, and was immediately taken with it.
This environmentally conscious YA fantasy is a poignant and magical tale centered on animals as the true protagonists. Set against a world that feels simultaneously familiar and refreshingly unique, the story cleverly balances nostalgia with originality. Readers will find themselves deeply immersed in the delicate relationship between the story’s creatures and their environment, with themes of preservation and interconnectedness woven seamlessly throughout.
The characters, though non-human, brim with personality, charm, and emotional depth, making their journey both relatable and compelling. The authors’ world-building is breathtaking—bridging the wonder of classic tales with imaginative landscapes that shimmer with creativity. The narrative speaks to the reader's heart, invoking a sense of timelessness while tackling urgent modern issues.
It’s a perfect blend of heartfelt storytelling and meaningful commentary. A must-read for those who cherish the beauty of nature and the richness of thoughtful, inventive fantasy.
November 4, 2025
I was drawn to pick this book up because of the cover art. I love a cute book with animal creatures as protagonists. Also, since this is middle grade, it is light hearted with good lessons, courage, friendship, and adventure. It says it is book 1 in a series, so will be looking for the next when it releases.
Twig, a young chickadee, finds himself running after his village is attacked. In his flight from danger, he is injured and he finds himself suddenly wrapped up in a journey to prevent the past from happening again.
I absolutely agree with the thought that this could be a great read for fans of Redwall. I fell this one isn't as "epic" but it is no less entertaining. There is a misfit group working to save the queen from evil forces, and the side characters are fun and interesting. So cute and enjoyable! I m ready for book number 2!
Twig, a young chickadee, finds himself running after his village is attacked. In his flight from danger, he is injured and he finds himself suddenly wrapped up in a journey to prevent the past from happening again.
I absolutely agree with the thought that this could be a great read for fans of Redwall. I fell this one isn't as "epic" but it is no less entertaining. There is a misfit group working to save the queen from evil forces, and the side characters are fun and interesting. So cute and enjoyable! I m ready for book number 2!
July 1, 2025
This story drops you right into the thick of the action, heart, and soul from the outset, and doesn't slow down until you hit that final page, and it drops you back in reality. The characters have so much depth, and are so well done, that although this is geared towards middle-graders, older readers are sure to enjoy it too. The world-building was excellent, and I hope we get to explore more of it in future installments of the series. There’s definitely some important underlying messages woven into the story, not just about how we care about the Earth, but about how we treat those around us. Highly recommend for anyone who enjoys fantasy adventures, middle grade and up!
August 3, 2025
The Unraveling is a fun middle grade adventure that was very reminiscent of Redwall. I really enjoyed this one. The animals were well-developed characters, and I liked that there was a lot of humor mixed in. I think this will be great for our animal-loving kiddos. The plot moves fast and the action starts at page 1. There were times I felt like the pacing was a little rushed, but kids probably won't mind that. Definitely check this one out!
Thanks to Netgalley, Keith Ward, and RBMedia for the chance to read and review. My opinions are my own!
Thanks to Netgalley, Keith Ward, and RBMedia for the chance to read and review. My opinions are my own!
March 19, 2025
What sets The Unraveling apart from other middle-grade adventures is its message. It’s a story about rebellion—not just against external enemies, but also against doubt, fear, and the limitations others place on us. It teaches young readers that bravery isn’t just about physical strength, but about standing up for what’s right, even when it’s difficult or dangerous.
March 19, 2025
I have been patiently waiting for this book to come out! I have heard so many rave reviews. I was lucky enough to read just a small portion of the story. Though my read was short it showed me how talented the authors are. Such imagination, the characters will capture your heart. This is a read for all ages 0-100
I can’t wait to dive into this story in depth! It leaves you wanting more.
I can’t wait to dive into this story in depth! It leaves you wanting more.
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