Urchin and the Heartstone

The Mistmantle Chronicles #2

by M.I. McAllister, Janna Mattia (Illustrator), Christine Enright (Illustrator)

Back in print from Purple House Press.

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.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Animals, Middle Grade, Adventure, Young Adult, Childrens

316 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Margaret McAllister writing as M.I. McAllister.

Reviews

[Allison Tebo · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart is full.

In a certain way, this book might be my favorite of the series, even though it is the darkest. The sheer heart and courage of these characters make me catch my breath. These true heroes face their darkest moment, and they do not fail. I love the way M.I McAllister seamlessly picks up threads from the first book and reveals that, even though certain villains are dead, their schemes were far reaching and the aftermath is just as dangerous. There’s also an Arthurian legend vibe as my darling characters search for a magical stone that can be held only by the true king.

Every time I read this book my heart is full, and I am encouraged yet again that the Heart that died for me will never leave me nor forsake me.

[Shea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Urchin and the Heartstone is the second book of the Mistmantle series and it is just as good as the first!

Another wonderful tale of bravery, courage, love, and faith. While the characters go though hardships and darkness, there is always beauty and hope just around the corner, waiting.

This is a series that I wish I had read as a child, but I’m so glad I’m reading now. It’s quickly becoming a favorite, and is earning its place on the shelf right along side other childhood classics.

Content Cleanliness: 5/5

[Alissa J. Zavalianos · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good!! I remember reading this one as a kid, and I believe I stopped here before reading much of the third book, so I’m excited to keep going.

The whole time I read Urchin and the Heartstone, a bubble of nostalgia welled in my chest. It was so heartwarming all the while the stakes were high!

Like the first, this book deals with good vs. evil and of light triumphing over darkness. There’s treason, murder, sorcery, and sinister plots, but there is also so much good and hope and wholesomeness.

Perfect for fans of LOTR, Narnia, Redwall, and Prydain!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book and the rest of the series are at the same level as Redwall and Harry Potter and Chronicles of Narnia. I can't to read the third, I've read part on the internet and have to wait till my parents are done reading it. Oooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! The susppense! I even made a song about it I'm so bored. "The suspense, it's growing higher. My mood is growing lower... it isn't right, it isn't true, this is not coming from you!!!!! It isn't right, it isn't happening tonight!" It's small and doesn't really make sense, but I love driving "their honors" nuts with it! Go Urchin and Crispin and Padra and Needle and everone elas on Mistmantle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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[Loren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was less successful for me than the first one, because the main character is imprisoned for the greater part of the story and is acted upon by characters good and bad, but is unable to do anything for himself from beginning to end. That feels realistic, but it didn't lend itself to an exciting story.

Still, in the absence of a compelling central story, the minor characters really shine in this book. The villains are even more vile. The secondary characters are even more adventurous. I'm coming to love Needle the hedgehog, Sepia the squirrel, and especially Fingle the otter more and more.

The problem, I think, is that McAllister locked herself into believing Urchin is the hero of this tale, but it's not his story. Juniper, the mysterious visionary who befriends Urchin, would have made a better main character. At least he changes and grows throughout the story. Cedar, the double agent, is much more active in the adventure unfolding around Urchin -- and she's the one who gets the happiest ending. Even Queen Larch moved the story along better than its titular hero.

Even so, I was nearly reduced to tears twice at the end of the book. If I hadn't been reading it aloud to my daughter, I might have allowed myself to indulge in happy homecoming tears, but I soldiered through.

And I'm looking forward to reading the beginning of the third book to her tonight.

[Q Silver · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid sequel, but wasted potential—more of a “children’s story” than the utterly fantastic, all-time classic original.

[Wendi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second in a five volume series. Pleasantly similar to Redwall on the surface, but with significantly greater depth and maturity. This book is full of deep, rich, goodness and beauty. I am sad that I never heard of this author until last month.
The opening page holds this key to the series:
Great Heart of my own heart, whatever befall
Still be my vision, Thou ruler of all.

So what more could I say?

[Felix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Might be better then redwall!

[Brandee Shafer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I enjoyed the first book in the series a little more, but my 9yo and I loved this one, too, and I was touched when he chose an otter from among all the stuffed animals at the zoo and named it Padra. He has always loved stories about animals the most, and the Mistmantle Chronicles have both a wonderful depth and a spiritual element to them. What I appreciate, too, is that the riches of morality are subtle, leading the reader to decide gently for himself or herself to be like the better characters of Mistmantle. This involves kindness toward Mother Earth and other creatures, also a healthy balance of work, play, learning, and praying. Service to others is always considered honorable, as are character traits like loyalty and persistence. My son and I look forward to the third book in the series.

[Drew Caldwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and thrilling. Another worthy installment in the mistmantle series!

[Max · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another good installment in this series and acts as a good follow-up to the first. I appreciate that it involves a lot of the fall-out from the first installment of the series, with things like the disappearance of the mystical heartstone and a group of hedgehogs who feel only a hedgehog should be king. There's also the need to crown Crispin, now that he's king, and of course Urchin is still busy with all his duties as a captain's page.

Of course, things get more complicated for Urchin when a group of animals from the island of Whitewings show up, claiming he's a legendary hero who can save their island. All is not as it seems, however, and Urchin is soon kidnapped and imprisoned. The mad king of the island believes Urchin can find more silver, while there's an evil sorcerer who wants to kill Urchin and use his death for powerful magic. Normally I find stories where the heroes spend a lot of time being capture rather boring, but this one worked well. It focuses on how Urchin reacts to his imprisonment emotionally and what he does to resist where he can while staying alive. He also has plenty of chances to learn about the true queen of the island and the ways he may prove to be the savior after all.

I did find the climax of the story a little underwhelming. It was set up well, but the actual execution was a bit disappointing, with not enough to really justify it in my mind. But the book is still well written and while the story isn't the most mind blowing thing, as with the first book, the execution is strong enough for me to really enjoy it. And there are some good lessons here for the kids reading it. I think by 2006 I maybe would've felt a bit too old for a book like this, but now that I'm an adult I'm happy to read it and enjoy it and I look forward to the rest of the series.

[Clarabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Une ombre plane sur l'île d'Outrebrume depuis l'accostage d'un navire. Le royaume s'inquiète car les côtes sont réputées inabordables grâce aux brumes enchantées qui les enveloppent. Les ambassadeurs du navire se présentent en paix et sollicitent l'assistance d'Oursin pour les accompagner sur Grisemine, une autre île régentée par Bois d'Argent et menacée par des indigents expulsés d'Outrebrume.
Au fond de lui, Oursin est tenté de les suivre pour en apprendre davantage sur ses origines... lui l'orphelin retrouvé sur les rives par une nuit d'étoiles filantes. Serait-ce donc une opportunité à saisir ? ou une menace ? Car une vieille prophétie prétend qu'il provoquerait la chute d'un puissant souverain. Encore un mystère à résoudre ?

Aventure particulièrement angoissante dans cet épisode, dans lequel Oursin s'exile loin de son paradis insulaire ! Les décors changent mais les ingrédients demeurent identiques : complots, esprit chevaleresque, amitié et entraide... C'est un bonheur de retrouver nos animaux dans de nouvelles péripéties qui tiennent en haleine ! La suite, vite.

[Gina Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this second Mistmantle book better than the first one. I felt more invested in the story and more interested in the characters. When I finished the first one I didn’t really care if I read the rest or not but now that I’ve finished this one I’m ready to get started on the third one!

“There was no point in thinking like that. Never mind if this was fair or unfair, it was real, that was all.” Pg 250 Urchin and the Heartstone

“It’s not as if you can do one special thing, and that’s it. It’s what you go on being that matters.” Pg 251 Urchin and the Heartstone

[Kelsey Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

I currently have this at 4.5 stars, but this may be a 5 star if I keep thinking about it. I love all the cozy woodland characters in this book. I am going to hold myself back from binging this series until fall, because this series was written to be read in fall/winter.

Content warning - This book has a catholic feel to it. It is very reminiscent of Redwall. If you like that book, you would love this! There is a bad "priest" who tells people he has magic. There are magical elements to this story, as a heads up for anyone that avoids magic.

[Joshua Milligan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A down-grade from the first book. While this book did answer many questions from the original, it felt rushed and slightly hodge-podge. It has, in all honesty, made me slightly averse to continuing this series.

[Brittany Roberson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This second book in the Mismantle Chronicles is just as full of adventure and intrigue as book one. There are more new characters to love and Urchin is given insight into where he came from. The evil characters in this book are a bit scary. I would wait for ages 10+ for this book.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good. It reminds me a lot of the Redwall kingdom, but with faith.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as strong as the first book, sadly. I loved returning to Mistmantle and this was a really fun, carefree little read full of cute but fierce talking animals with swords, but I agree with a lot of the reviews in that it's just not as fun to have our main character locked up in a cell for most of the book away from his friends while forces both good and bad pull his strings.

And, like Captain Padra in the first novel, there's a side character in here who ends up stealing the show from poor Urchin. Since Urchin is locked in a cell on another island and, in a touch of realism, doesn't immediately escape from it, a female squirrel named Cedar ends up doing most of the work and almost leads Urchin by the paw for a good portion of the novel. The conflict on Whitewings is ultimately not Urchin's battle to fight. You almost get the feeling that the outcome would've been the same if Urchin just stayed home.

Not that I minded too much since I ended up really liking Cedar, but still. Two books in and Urchin of the Riding Stars has not lived up to all of the prophecies attached to his name.

It's a shame, really. I really like Urchin - the scenes where he lets himself be driven to tears out of sheer frustration and when he finds out about the identity of his parents really tugged at my heart, so sincere in the execution - but the poor little squirrel hasn't really shined yet. Maybe next novel?

I'm really starting to enjoy the Mistmantle series, with that being said. These books were always popping up in my recommendations on account of all the Redwall I've been reading and these books really carve their own niche into the talking animals with swords genre normally dominated by Redwall. The biggest strength in Mistmantle over Redwall is that, with its smaller cast of characters and its smaller area of geography compared to the sprawling epics contained in the Redwall series, a lot of the characters really get to shine. Sepia and Needle in particular - with half the novel devoted to them finding the titular heartstone - are really growing as interesting characters.

Speaking of interesting characters, my word. McAllister knows how to write some of the most horrific animal villains I've ever seen in a children's book. King Silverbirch and Smokewreath would be right at home in a Don Bluth production, they're so twisted in both their designs (the illustrations are fantastic) and their motives. I never thought we've have a crazed sorcerer wearing the skulls of his victims performing blood magic with the harvested organs of slaughtered enemies to the king in these cute little squirrel novels but I'm so glad we did. Smokewreath was a blast.

I think my biggest problem is how the villains are defeated in this novel. When you have characters as strong and as interesting as King Silverbirch, Granite, Smokewreath, and Bronze, it almost seems like cheating to have the resolution be "oh look, the castle collapsed with everyone in it thanks to a weak faultline!". It's a karmic death similar to how Lord Husk is dealt with in the first novel, but ultimately less satisfying to have all these interesting characters disposed of in one fell swoop. Have just the king fall in that way, but then have a confrontation between Juniper and Smokewreath or Granite against Urchin. You don't have to make our heroes actually spill any blood, but these characters deserved to be taken down in a much more dramatic fashion befitting of their characters and designs.

There was also the problem of the villains - and this happened at times in the first novel - where they're having their suspicions but then they reason "Well, I could do something about this now, but instead I shall wait until the last moment; then I'll really get them, mark my words", because then it made the quick disposal of a couple villains a little too convenient.

Ah well. I think these books are leading to something big. This book could've been better, but it was fun, and in the end, that's all that really matters.

[Mark Hanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book about anthropomorphic animals in the flavor of the “Redwall” series (though quite a bit shorter and without all the feasting food descriptions). It contains evil and fighting, so be aware when considering age appropriateness. Recommended for addressing loyalty, duty, action in the face of danger, and good versus evil.

[Gaby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good sequel. It has a continuing dark theme, maybe too dark for kids though I read this as a kid: there is a dark priest-like character that uses dead animals for what he claims are magical solutions to problems.

[Sterrett Family]

Daniel: This was one of the best books I've read. Actually, I've never read any more books from The Mismantle Chronicles. I don't really have anything else to say. I'm speechless. (Get it?) Happy reading!

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids loved this as a read aloud. If your children are fans of Redwall or Green Ember, they’ll enjoy this series.

[Kendra FairyKind · Rating 3 out of 5]

To be honest I was disappointed by this book because book 1 was really great but this was disappointing in my opinion but I’m going to read the others in hopes that it might be better.

[Bennett]

Finally reading the sequel.

[Katelin K · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved book 1. I still gave book 2 five stars but I would caution that this book is more mature than book 1.

Same as book 1, I love the character development. It’s a completely distinct story but equally as compelling. I couldn’t put the book down. Faith, loyalty, prayer, friendship, courage, humility are all upheld strongly in this book. I actually think I would categorize this closely to Narnia books with all the Biblical values.

As for concerns, there was more intensity in good vs evil. The evil Smokewreath is said to perform magic involving animal sacrifice. It is portrayed as evil and the book warns that magic is pursued to control others but ends up controlling the one performing magic. The message is clear: magic is bad. It is in clear opposition to the Heart, the animal kingdoms loving god. I don’t recall that any magic is actually performed just discussed.

There was more violence in this book too. There was a murder during the book but no gore. Stabbed with a knife. One animal also chokes another (not to death but injured).

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second installment of The Mistmantle Chronicles takes on a darker tone, as par the course in most of these kinds of stories. The violence and threats are more gruesome and detailed, and the bad guys are multiplying. This book is all about how evil begets cruelty, resentment, and distrust, and how, simultaneously, goodness begets loyalty, courage, and kindness.

I also appreciated the metaphor of racism being explored, where certain hedgehogs were bitter and prejudiced towards King Crispin as a squirrel, because of their fear and resentment towards another squirrel, Captain Husk, the first book's villain. Speaking of villains, King Silverbirch is by far the most terrifyingly memorable villain I've read in a children's book in a long time. It's a shame his end was somewhat anti-climatic, but who can say what the next installments unfold...

Once again, I'm left wishing I had read this series when I was younger, but they're still fun, swashbuckling tales that add to the joy of summer reading.

[Mayumi Shimose Poe · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE MISTMANTLE CHRONICLES, BOOK TWO: URCHIN AND THE HEARTSTONE (2006) by M. I. McAllister: Back to Mistmantle then, book 2, and we pick up where we left off: Good has triumphed over conniving, attempts to steal/wrest power have been thwarted, the best kind of ruler—humble and reluctant (according to George R. R. Martin at least)—is poised to take the throne. Berry cordials and golden threadings for all! But … no. It couldn’t be that easy. This isn’t called a “chronicles” for nothing. Think Shakespeare—but furrier. Soon, we are invited to contemplates narratives about enslavement, true mental illness, how absolute power corrupts, autonomy, prophecies, how a few brave good can offset a whole crowd of bad, and the mystical, magical inherent goodness of the world that some might call “fate” and others, “faith.” Loving this series.

[Christa Cabije · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Heart keep you, warm you, and receive you... And forever may the Heart be with those you love, Urchin of the Riding Stars."

The second book, for me, is as charming as the first. This time, the worldbuilding expands beyond the mists and we find more characters that would be vital to the succeeding tales of Mistmantle. While Urchin is still the main character, other animals take up the spotlight, and it's honestly okay for me. It makes it feel that the islands' futures do not only depend on one person (animal), but rather the whole community.

This book features abductions, liberations, switching-sides tropes, and familiar characters that were thought to be gone making a come back. This has pulled me even more to the series, and now I was able to consume it in a day!

[Libby · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the beginning, I thought this second in this middle grade fantasy series was good but maybe didn't live up to the promise of the first, but I quickly changed my mind as I was once again drawn into the world of Mistmantle. I love that there is a lot of action and yet the pace never feels hurried. And I appreciate that just because the animals talk and wear clothes doesn't mean that they still don't act like animals. My favorite image is of Urchin cavorting in joy just as I've seen squirrels do in real life. The spiritual underpinning of this world is even more evident in this book where Urchin finds himself turning to the Heart as he makes the difficult decision to sacrifice himself for his friends. I still wonder how I missed these when they first were published!

[Krista Pojman · Rating 5 out of 5]

McAllister does an amazing job at subverting expectations, while also laying the groundwork for those subversions. I often find myself thinking "oh, I know where this is going, a common coincidence or cliche," yet I'm always happily surprised. I also love that the characters are well-rounded and clever as a good portion are adults, except those who juvenile and don't have the life experience yet. We get to see Urchin, Needle, Sepia, and Juniper grow and come to understand their mentor's decisions. Looking forward to reading the next book!

(Sidenote: Hope is precious and nothing bad better happen to him in the next three books)