"But there will be action, won’t there? And daring deeds and fights and things? ’‘Oh yes, lots of those," says the bard. "Once the story gets going. You have to let it build up first, though. A good story comes to the boil slowly, just like a good vegetable stew."
A thrilling new book set in the Five Realms of Podkin One-Ear, Uki and the Outcasts is the stirring tale of another legendary rabbit hero. But unlike Podkin, Uki wasn’t a Chieftain’s son – he was an outcast from his tribe, due to his strange half-black, half-white fur and mismatched eyes.
Uki’s story begins when, near death as a child, his body is brought back to life by Iffrit, a spirit-guardian. Iffrit then shows Uki how to capture one of four powerful escaped spirits, to boost his own strength. With this new power, Uki is tasked to capture the other three spirits, so that their power cannot be harnessed to evil ends. First, though, Uki must decide whether to take vengeance on the bullies who cast him out of his tribe. With the help of two other outcasts who become his travelling companions, he embarks on a dangerous and thrilling quest.
Kieran Larwood is the author of Freaks, and was the winner of the Times/Chicken House Children’s Fiction Competition 2011. Kieran is one of only two male Reception class teachers on the Isle of Wight. His days mainly consist of singing nursery rhymes, tying shoelaces, trying to locate who has had an ‘accident’ by sense of smell alone, and vast, endless mountains of paperwork. Kieran graduated from Southampton University with a degree in English, and also did a foundation year at Falmouth College of Art. Ever since he first read The Hobbit at age six, he has been passionate about stories and storytelling. Kieran lives with his family on the Isle of Wight. It is his dream to write full time and leave the ‘accidents’ to someone else.
Obviously this can't be as good as Podkin One-Ear, but otherwise very well done, a flying start. Nice set of characters, an off-the-wall but seemingly straightforward quest, and enough twists and turns to keep it interesting. The tale-within-a-tale bard's narration double plot lends continuity to the Podkin books too, and is a good device to keep. Will look into the next Uki book too.
A five realms book without Podkin? I was shocked and a little disappointed when I found out that our favourite hero would not be leading the adventures in Kieran Larwood’s fourth book in the five realms series, but I was also excited and intrigued to find out more… Who is Uki? Uki is very different to Podkin, an outcast who earns your sympathy straight away as opposed to the spoilt rich chieftain’s son who you slowly grow to love. Uki and his mother are demonised in their village. Kieran cleverly uses the first chapters to point out the pettiness of discrimination. It didn’t take Uki long to realise that every child in the village hated him and that it was all because of his fur. I’d love to think that children will be able to celebrate their own differences through Uki. His mother offers some excellent advice that I’d love to share with all the children that I teach; You cant help what you look like. But you can help what your heart is like, what your thought are. You have a good heart, Uki, and your thoughts are kind. Don’t let those children change that just because they don’t understand you. Uki is saved from certain death by an ancient spirit and from this is given a task to complete, the price for failure? His death and misery for the rest of the Rabbits in the five realms… No pressure then! Luckily he meets some useful outcasts along the way who are enlisted to help him on his mission. They must capture the spirits before hell breaks loose. The first spirit proves easy, but Valkus the Spirit of war was never going to be easy! Larwood’s writing is as superb as ever, he pulls you into his worlds better than any VR headset could, which is why I love his story telling and devour his books. All his characters are original and complex, the backstories to each of the outcasts are worthy of their own books too. The book does feel different to the action packed adventures of Podkin. Instead of the constant fear of The Gorm, there is a constant ominous feeling. You know something bad will happen but you don’t know what, where or how! Necripha is introduced to us piece by piece and the eventual meeting unveils more than we could have thought. I’m intrigued to see what she has planned for the next step! The book sets up what I’m hoping to be another trilogy perfectly with lots of twists and turns along the way. The familiar cut aways to The Bard and Rue are just as exciting. I love how these parts of the story have just as much adventure as the main act. In my opinion this is Pook’s best book, I love how both stories begin to entwine and we receive the story from the past and the present. In the last chapter it begins to feel that there is more emphasis on Rue and his feelings, is this him beginning to mature – It would be great to hear him telling parts of the next story. The last pages leave you desperate for the next book with a portentous ending. But it left me with a horrible thought, having received a proof copy of this story I’ll have to wait even longer to find out what happens next. 17 months is far too long to wait…
The 4th adventure in the Podkin series was just as exciting as the first. The pace is really nice, with plenty of twists to keep you hooked. As well as thrilling action and emotional moments, this book also has some nice little burst of humour dotted throughout. The descriptive language used is really lovely and I especially like how Kieran has really stretched out some of the climactic and pivotal moments in the story. The description of Uki being held at dagger-point towards the end of the book was one of my favourite of these moments. I have thoroughly enjoyed this series so far and am looking forward to reading the final couple of books.
I honestly don't think children's books have a right to make adults so emotional about their characters! And yet Kieran manages to do just that in this book. I have to say, I think I like the Uki story more than Podkin, but this may all be a result of knowing who the bard is and being totally invested in this character already. I also love the found family trope in this book, Uki and his new friends are just the cutest. I also would love to know where Kieran comes up with the language Kree uses, is it referenced to anything.
My favourite quote (which is as interesting to adults - if not more - than it is to children):
'Relax,' says the bard. 'Different folk believe in different things. It's fine. It's natural. It's only when they start telling others they're wrong and decide to have a war about it that there's a problem.'
Funniest quote, but oh so true :
This was Uki's first experience of a teenager and he didn't know whether to try and calm her down or run for cover as fast as his paw could carry him.
This has been sat on my 'To Be Read Pile’ for way too long and I'm so glad that I finally got round to reading it. Following on from his trilogy of stories set within the Five Realms about Podkin One-Ear, Kieran Larwood tells the tale of another brave and heroic rabbit with his first book in a new series, Uki and the Outcasts.
Uki never fitted in with his tribe. He was born with half-black, half-white fur and had mismatched eyes. After being forced to flee his village, Uki lay beneath a shallow stone grave on the brink of death. But before Uki can take his final breath a spirt by the name of Iffrit visits him and tells him that evil spirits have escaped from a prison that he was guarding and they must be caught before they can bring mayhem and disaster to the rabbit world. Uki must succeed in this task and in doing so he will protect the freedom and safety of all the rabbits.
Can Uki capture the escaped spirits to save the rabbit world?
The story of Uki and the Outcasts is a tale of a dangerous adventure that only the bravest of rabbits will survive. Uki along with his fellow outcasts Jori, an assassin who can’t kill anyone, and Kree, a rabbit with a growth issue, must travel across expansive plains and into war torn cities. This is a fantasy adventure of epic proportions. Larwood’s world-creating is superb. The Five Realms are dark, atmospheric and full of suspense. Whilst not action-packed, danger always seems to be lurking and just like Uki, you know it’s there but you’re just not sure exactly where.
I really like that there are strong messages on bullying, being different and friendship that are told through the outcasts. All of the rabbits have suffered bullying in some form. Exiled for their differences, it is their differences that bind these three warriors together and as the adventure becomes more fraught with dangers so the their friendship grows in strength.
Uki’s adventures are from over when you read the last word of the book and readers are left desperate for more and with more questions than answers. I hope that this is the first in what will be another trilogy.
Brief Summary: Uki and the Outcasts is set in the same world as Podkin One-Ear and follows the journey of Uki, a young rabbit who is banished from his warren after being marked by strange magic. Alone and uncertain of his place in the world, Uki discovers that he has been chosen for an important quest, to capture five dangerous spirits that threaten the land. Along the way, he meets other outcasts, and together they embark on a journey that tests their courage, friendship, and resilience.
Initial Thoughts: From the beginning, I was struck by the darker and more mature tone of this story compared to Larwood’s earlier work. Uki’s character immediately drew my interest; his quiet, thoughtful nature contrasts well with the more confident heroes of the previous books. The writing feels atmospheric and layered, with a strong sense of mystery and emotional depth.
Enjoyment: I found this to be an engaging and imaginative story. The world-building is detailed and beautifully described, and the narrative moves at a good pace with plenty of action and tension. The relationships between the characters were a particular highlight, each of them flawed but brave in their own way. The theme of finding strength in difference is handled sensitively and adds real emotional weight to the story.
Objections: At times, the plot can feel a little complex, particularly when it comes to the magical elements and backstory. The tone is also noticeably darker than the earlier books, which may not suit all readers. However, these moments are balanced by the warmth and humour that run through the story.
Final Thoughts: Uki and the Outcasts is a powerful and thought-provoking read. It explores themes of bravery, belonging, and self-acceptance through a rich and adventurous storyline. Larwood’s writing continues to impress, combining excitement with emotional depth. A highly enjoyable book for confident readers who enjoy fantasy with meaning and heart. pr
Ayant adoré la trilogie retraçant les aventures de Podkin, je dois avouer que j'appréhendais un peu de me plonger dans l'univers de Uki, j'avais peur de me retrouver face à une copie et d'avoir l'impression de tourner en rond et de ne rien découvrir de nouveau.
J'ai compris, dès les premières pages, que je m'étais trompée et que j'avais bien fait de laisser sa chance à ce premier tome. Certes, le style narratif reste fidèle à celui de Podkin (j'adore notamment l'histoire parallèle avec le barde), et la patte inimitable de l'auteur est bien reconnaissable, mais la quête de Uki est une aventure à part entière, aussi captivante que passionnante. Ce qui m'a particulièrement séduite, c'est la découverte de nouveaux personnages aussi attachants que courageux, malgré des vies difficiles. L'univers créé par l'auteur conserve cette ambiance envoûtante qui m'avait tant séduite dans la trilogie précédente. Chaque page tournée m'a transportée plus loin dans cet univers fascinant, et je me suis retrouvée totalement immergée dans l'intrigue. On ne voit pas le temps passer, il n'y a aucun temps mort et j'ai été littéralement happée par cette histoire.
En bref, Uki m'a offert une aventure palpitante, riche en rebondissements, et je suis persuadée qu'elle saura captiver un large public. Je ne peux que recommander chaudement ce roman à tous les amateurs d'aventure et de fantasy, ainsi qu'à tous ceux qui ont aimé les précédents ouvrages de l'auteur.
Although I did enjoy this it definitely wasn't as good as the others. Mostly because I've enjoy Podkin and Paz as characters while Uki and Jori and Kree were cool they weren't as interesting or normal I guess. Also I have a feeling of unease about Kree for no reason. There were lots of details in this one so you really have to pay attention (Ed Sheeran plus this= 😍🤩😀😐😶🤪☹️🧐😠). Im looking forward to the next one which is published like October or something which will hopefully bring Uki and Podkin together 😃
My kids and I loved reading the Podkin One Ear books together. So, we were excited to dive back into The Five Realms with the Uki series. We can happily say we're enjoying this series, too. Uki is a sweet little rabbit, who has been bullied his whole life because he looks different. His life is completely changed when he finds himself on a terrifying quest to capture three evil spirits along with two other outcasts. My personal favorite scenes in the book are those of the Bard and Rue as they are making their own journey and the Bard is sharing Uki, Jori, and Kree's story.
Set in the world of Podkin One Ear, this takes the familiar characters of The Bard and his young apprentice, Rue on a new adventure, interlaced with a new story of another unlikely hero, Uki Patchwork and his outcast friends. Again, I loved the world-building and characters created by Kieran Larwood, with strong messages about finding your own tribe and the loyalty of friends. There is a real sense of peril as Uki's story leaches into a present day mystery being investigated by The Bard. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series!
My kid sure does like a good tale with animal characters. We learned there are another two books in the series and since his school and local libraries don't have them in their catalog, it looks like we'll be doing some book buying.
For interested parents, some of the common themes in this series include good vs. evil, courage and perseverance, heroism, and the importance of friendships (to name just a few).
🐰 Doesn’t have to be read as part of the series - does stand on its own 🐰 Lovely theme of building friendships following isolation 🐰 A great fantasy with potions, great strength and baddies! 👎 I do think you could get a lot more from this if you’d read it as part of the series 👎 Age range is perfect for a 10-11 year old in difficulty, but is longer and so more challenging. Obviously a bit young for me!!
ok so basically I got this book secondhand not realizing it was the Eighth book or something and so I went into it basically having no idea this was not the first book but I still really got it and really liked the book it was such a good book and I absolutely loved it even though it was a random novel in the series so then I moved on to the first book! It is literally like lotr but with rabbits! 🐰 🛡
I love this series, i would give this 4th book 6 out of 5 if i could. Kieran Larwood's world has just expanded immensely, a whole new set of characters brought in and yet it all comes together. The new characters of Uki, Jori and Kree are brilliant. I am glad to see the series will continue, can't wait for the next book!
Didnt realise this wasnt the first in the series when I picked it up but managed without prior knowledge. This is a great adventure for top junior and young teens with characters you cant help but take to. We are left on a cliffhanger so will eagerly await the next story, as well as look for the previous ones.
Ukin' brilliant. A great tale within a tale of Uki and his friends trying to capture evil spirits who have escaped from their super-natural prison. Fantastic world-building of course, fully rounded characters and plenty of tension and pace. A perfect slice of fantasy for little ones and not-so-little ones.
Am now waiting for the next installment! I know it's a children's book (which I do still love reading!) but I love the Kiran Larwood writes. The plot of the stories are great and full of events, self-doubt and bravery, but the concept of hearing the story through a bard is great, it feels like you are getting two stories at once and who doesn't love that! I just hope that Rue is ok!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I really enjoy these types of books. I don't review books much since a lot of people go in to detail than me. Yea, I was like no, Podkin!!! But you fall in love with the new characters quickly. I really like Jori. I loved Zarza in the other books so much that my BAB bunny is named after her. Nice little fantasy books and I'm a sucker for humanoid bunnies.
We are still following the adventures of Wulf (Pook) and little Rue (I love Rue). Rue is begging for more tales about Podkin and instead gets a tale about Uki. These are great news characters Uki, Jori and Kree (and let's not forget Mooka the jerboa!). And that ending! So glad I have the next book by the bed so I don't have to wait to find out what's going to happen next.
I really enjoyed this! Perhaps more than the Podkin ones. I much preferred the story of the spirits to Gormaleach. I also enjoyed the folklore/spirituality/religion beliefs varying by area just like the real world. I love Jori and Kree and look forward to reading more about them. Although, I am still not entirely sure what the Endwatch do.
Despite the absence of much-beloved Podkin in 'Uki and the Outcasts', this is an enjoyable adventure full of twists and turns. Uki, Jori, and Kree (plus Mooka) are quirky sympathetic characters. I am looking forward to reading the next book, something which is certainly 'encouraged' by the 'ending' of this one!
BRING ME THE NEXT INSTALMENT IMMEDIATELY! ....please?!? As ever Kieran Larwood weaves a brilliantly paced and gripping story filled with mythology and magic, spirits and swords - Uki is possibly better than Podkin... it's a close thing! Cannot wait for the next book :)
Amazing book, cant wait for the next one to be out in paperback. I love reading the bard and his adventures how they relate to the new story and truly show that everything is linked. It's such an amazing read!
My 5 year old and I continue to love this author's Five Realms books. Rarely do we find a book that we both enjoy so much. David Wyatt adds superb Illustrations that we look forward to every few chapters. I already sense the end of the series drawing near and I will be sad for the loss.
It’s SO good. Thrilling, funny, with emotional depth and heart-jumping tension. The stakes have never been higher and neither have the feelings as Uki and his companions are entrusted with hunting down and imprisoning, essentially, the four horsemen of the apocalypse.
Really amazing start to a new trilogy. Sets the villains and heroes early in the story and very clearly. Very exciting at times and lots of suspense and cliff-hangers. Depressing start but amazing.