What do you think?
Rate this book
The Five Realms #1
Легенда про Подкіна Одновухого
Подкін — син ватажка воїнів. Він знає, що колись настане його черга очолити кролячу нору й обороняти її в непевні часи. А поки що він залюбки б’є байдики. Та одного дня на домівку Подкіна жорстоко нападають, тож юні кролики змушені втікати. Зусібіч чигає небезпека, але Подкін повинен захистити своїх рідних і спробувати здолати ворога — найжахливішого за всю історію кролячого роду...
«Легенда про Подкіна Одновухого» — одна з найкращих історій останніх десятиліть. Такі книжки — справжня читацька насолода...
«Легенда про Подкіна Одновухого» — одна з найкращих історій останніх десятиліть. Такі книжки — справжня читацька насолода...
288 pages, Hardcover
First published October 6, 2016
209 people are currently reading
2674 people want to read
About the author
Kieran Larwood
23 books282 followersKieran 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.
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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 521 reviews
April 16, 2023
Podkin One-Ear is the spoiled and lazy son of a chieftain. He is forced to run when his warren gets attacked by the Gorm, rabbits who are being controlled by a long forgotten god and have been turned into ironclad monsters. Podkin quickly realizes it’s time to step up to the plate and be the warrior he never aspired to be. Or else he’ll lose everything he ever cared about.
The world building is fantastic. This world inhabited by walking and talking rabbits comes alive really quick. It also has quite a lot of depth for such a seemingly short story. It even has its own mythology.
Surprisingly, the thing I like most about this book is actually the way it’s told. It’s told by a travelling bard like in the good old days, someone who goes from village to village to tell his stories. It’s such a small, insignificant and seemingly unimportant detail but it definitely elevates the experience as a whole for me. It gives this story such coziness and warmth, like you’re not reading a book but rather being told a bedtime story by a cozy campfire under a star filled sky. And I love it when a story has the ability to make you forget that you’re reading a book.
It feels like the protagonists come out on top maybe a little bit too easy in the end. Everything leading up to it is set up quite well though, so it all does make sense.
Great world building, strong writing, interesting characters that are fleshed out well and a plot that feels like a classic fantasy story done right. Easy recommendation.
The world building is fantastic. This world inhabited by walking and talking rabbits comes alive really quick. It also has quite a lot of depth for such a seemingly short story. It even has its own mythology.
Surprisingly, the thing I like most about this book is actually the way it’s told. It’s told by a travelling bard like in the good old days, someone who goes from village to village to tell his stories. It’s such a small, insignificant and seemingly unimportant detail but it definitely elevates the experience as a whole for me. It gives this story such coziness and warmth, like you’re not reading a book but rather being told a bedtime story by a cozy campfire under a star filled sky. And I love it when a story has the ability to make you forget that you’re reading a book.
It feels like the protagonists come out on top maybe a little bit too easy in the end. Everything leading up to it is set up quite well though, so it all does make sense.
Great world building, strong writing, interesting characters that are fleshed out well and a plot that feels like a classic fantasy story done right. Easy recommendation.
November 13, 2019
This is the first volume of a three-volume series featuring the gruesome Grom wreaking havoc on the Five Realms inhabited by. various tribes of rabbits. Kind of a Hobbit but with rabbits, but still fun reading and with a decent moral message as well. A great book for your tween.
September 24, 2017
Now, I came across this book at the Waterstones checkout, where, I admittedly already had five books in my hands to purchase. I saw this book on the counter, and I had a little browse while I was waiting. The cashier told me it was the book of the month, and then offered it me HALF PRICE! I mean, come on! A Bibliophile cannot resist that surely!
I had a rabbit as a first pet, when I was about nine, and this book has made me see these creatures in a different light. It's definitely a book to stimulate the imagination.
I found the book to be fairly fast-paced, atmospheric and poignant in scenes. I do especially like Podkin, and his character. Although, I feel like there wasn't much depth to his character and the reader would enjoy hearing more about him and his past. The theme is incredibly dark in parts, which made the story rather creepy. I loved this element though.
The book contains some beautiful illustrations that made the book even more remarkable for me. I've given it four stars, as halfway through, the story kind of lost me slightly, but did pick itself up again, and, I enjoyed the ending.
There is a second book out this year, that I will be waiting for with anticipation!!
I had a rabbit as a first pet, when I was about nine, and this book has made me see these creatures in a different light. It's definitely a book to stimulate the imagination.
I found the book to be fairly fast-paced, atmospheric and poignant in scenes. I do especially like Podkin, and his character. Although, I feel like there wasn't much depth to his character and the reader would enjoy hearing more about him and his past. The theme is incredibly dark in parts, which made the story rather creepy. I loved this element though.
The book contains some beautiful illustrations that made the book even more remarkable for me. I've given it four stars, as halfway through, the story kind of lost me slightly, but did pick itself up again, and, I enjoyed the ending.
There is a second book out this year, that I will be waiting for with anticipation!!
May 30, 2017
A saga set within the five realms where the snow is knee-deep and cold iron is an enemy to all. The Legend of Podkin One-Ear sees Kieran Larwood weave a realm rich in imagined-history where rabbits rule and storytellers are kings. We have here a thumping story bursting at the seams with pace and humour, hardships and fear - a great classroom read aloud as much as it is one to be curled up under your bed’s blankets.....read more here.
November 12, 2017
A new saga begins. Kind of a cross between The Hobbit and Watership Down this book is aimed at children aged around Nine or Ten.......But in my late Fourties I found it to be an engaging read and one I wouldn't hesitate to recommend.
The story is about a young Rabbit called Podkin whose cosy sheltered life is ripped apart and he finds himself on the run along with his big sister Paz and baby brother Pook, pursued by an implacable foe.
To be honest I found Podkin vaguely annoying at the start of the story, warming more to his practically minded sister Paz, but here's where the author does so well within a very short time you start to see hidden depths from Podkin that change your mind about him, no small feat considering it's not the longest of books.....
It's a Rip roaring Rabbit adventure that shoots along with our heroes forced to grow up quickly! Well worth a read at any age. Looking forward to book two.
The story is about a young Rabbit called Podkin whose cosy sheltered life is ripped apart and he finds himself on the run along with his big sister Paz and baby brother Pook, pursued by an implacable foe.
To be honest I found Podkin vaguely annoying at the start of the story, warming more to his practically minded sister Paz, but here's where the author does so well within a very short time you start to see hidden depths from Podkin that change your mind about him, no small feat considering it's not the longest of books.....
It's a Rip roaring Rabbit adventure that shoots along with our heroes forced to grow up quickly! Well worth a read at any age. Looking forward to book two.
October 9, 2016
I have quite conflicting feelings about this book. First of all, when it said it was aboit rabbits, I imagined the real animals, like the "Warriors" series, for instance. But here we have humanoid rabbits, walking on two feet, talking and living in kingdoms being all... human. That was the first and most important down for me in the book. If you want to go with humans, go with humans. Likewise if you want to go with animals. But... this just felt weird. And I have to be honest, it made me regard the book quite differently.
I know it is a middlegrade book, but I found it to be quite childish. It is an story of coming of age, staying with your own and protecting each other, but for me it was lacking more strenght.
Only reason I am giving it two stars instead of one is because maybe if you aren't as bothered as I was by that human/rabbit thing it might be a somewhat entertaining read for a younger public.
I know it is a middlegrade book, but I found it to be quite childish. It is an story of coming of age, staying with your own and protecting each other, but for me it was lacking more strenght.
Only reason I am giving it two stars instead of one is because maybe if you aren't as bothered as I was by that human/rabbit thing it might be a somewhat entertaining read for a younger public.
November 24, 2017
Like Redwall for a new generation, this story of brave young warrior rabbits is well-written, wildly exciting and fascinating. I raced through it in a day and can't wait to read the next in the series. Top marks! 8+
*Please note: this review is meant as a recommendation only. Please do not use it in any marketing material, online or in print, without asking permission from me first. Thank you!*
*Please note: this review is meant as a recommendation only. Please do not use it in any marketing material, online or in print, without asking permission from me first. Thank you!*
September 13, 2022
Nije ovo još jedna priča o junaku koji se nagledao i zasitio nevolja koje su zadesile njegov svijet; nije u pitanju nekim proročanstvom obećan junak koji će donijeti mir pet kraljevstava... zapravo, je li ovo uopće priča o junaku?
U neku ruku je, u neko uho nije.
Svašta bi se dalo pomisliti o malenom Podkinu koji jednostavno – na veliku frustraciju njegovih roditelja, sestre i učitelja - uživa u izbjegavanju svih lekcija koje bi mu, kao sinu plemenskog poglavice, mogle itekako biti od koristi.
Borba ili povijest, nije bilo bitno, Podkin je jednostavno volio – drijemati. Kakve koristi od svega toga kada obitavaš u sigurnosti svoga zečinjaka, pod okriljem svog moćnog oca i poglavice? Usred svog drijemanja Podkin nikako nije mogao znati da je i njegov zečinjak na meti Gvozdenih koji su na putu uništenja jedne davno i teškom mukom uspostavljene ravnoteže sile i moći.
Divno bi bilo sjesti uz vatru i upijati riječi kojima mudri bard pripovijeda legendu o Podkinu Jednouhom, baš kao što su tu čast imali radoznali i puni pitanja mladi zečevi. Kieran Larwood svojim pisanjem stvorio je tu intimnu i opojnu atmosferu, kao da slušamo barda, koja bi bila postojana duž cijelog romana, da oni isti maleni zečevi mjestimično nisu bili iznimno naporni s hrpetinom podpitanja.
Legenda o Podkinu Jednouhom savršeno je štivo za male, ali i velike čitatelje koji su željni povratka u djetinjstvo, osjećaja očaranosti boravkom u jednom od divnih svjetova koje je Larwood ovom prilikom stvorio. Ova divno osmišljena i ispričana priča o vječitoj borbi dobra i zla – koja kao da pripada bardu koji je ispričao onoj mladoj znatiželjnoj skupini – izvrstan je materijal za raspirivanje mašte, buđenje i održavanje ljubavi prema čitanju i pričama, buđenje želje za otkrivanjem nečeg novog, ali naposljetku i poučna priča s lekcijama skrivenim između redaka.
Legenda o Podkinu Jednouhom prvi je roman iz serijala Pet kraljevstava i, ako je suditi prema začetku ove legende, čeka nas jedan predivan, šarolik i inspirativan serijal.
U neku ruku je, u neko uho nije.
Svašta bi se dalo pomisliti o malenom Podkinu koji jednostavno – na veliku frustraciju njegovih roditelja, sestre i učitelja - uživa u izbjegavanju svih lekcija koje bi mu, kao sinu plemenskog poglavice, mogle itekako biti od koristi.
Borba ili povijest, nije bilo bitno, Podkin je jednostavno volio – drijemati. Kakve koristi od svega toga kada obitavaš u sigurnosti svoga zečinjaka, pod okriljem svog moćnog oca i poglavice? Usred svog drijemanja Podkin nikako nije mogao znati da je i njegov zečinjak na meti Gvozdenih koji su na putu uništenja jedne davno i teškom mukom uspostavljene ravnoteže sile i moći.
Divno bi bilo sjesti uz vatru i upijati riječi kojima mudri bard pripovijeda legendu o Podkinu Jednouhom, baš kao što su tu čast imali radoznali i puni pitanja mladi zečevi. Kieran Larwood svojim pisanjem stvorio je tu intimnu i opojnu atmosferu, kao da slušamo barda, koja bi bila postojana duž cijelog romana, da oni isti maleni zečevi mjestimično nisu bili iznimno naporni s hrpetinom podpitanja.
Legenda o Podkinu Jednouhom savršeno je štivo za male, ali i velike čitatelje koji su željni povratka u djetinjstvo, osjećaja očaranosti boravkom u jednom od divnih svjetova koje je Larwood ovom prilikom stvorio. Ova divno osmišljena i ispričana priča o vječitoj borbi dobra i zla – koja kao da pripada bardu koji je ispričao onoj mladoj znatiželjnoj skupini – izvrstan je materijal za raspirivanje mašte, buđenje i održavanje ljubavi prema čitanju i pričama, buđenje želje za otkrivanjem nečeg novog, ali naposljetku i poučna priča s lekcijama skrivenim između redaka.
Legenda o Podkinu Jednouhom prvi je roman iz serijala Pet kraljevstava i, ako je suditi prema začetku ove legende, čeka nas jedan predivan, šarolik i inspirativan serijal.
February 20, 2019
Was für eine bezaubernde Geschichte. Mein Neffe (10) hat mir dieses Buch geliehen und ich war zunächst etwas skeptisch. Eine Hasengeschichte? Wird das nicht zu kindisch? Aber kaum hatte ich die ersten Seiten gelesen, war ich versunken in der winterlichen Welt, habe dem Barden am Kamin gelauscht, mit Podkin und seinen Geschwistern Abenteuer erlebt und Geheimnisse aufgedeckt. Natürlich ist es kindgerecht erzählt, auch wenn es einige düstere Szenen gibt, aber trotzdem ist es so wunderbar geschrieben, dass man auch als Erwachsener gespannt an den Seiten hängt. Teil 2 muss her, sofort :)
November 9, 2017
It took me a few chapters to really get in to this - possibly because I was only able to snatch a few pages at a time- but I'm glad I stuck with it. This is a rip-roaring adventure - a brilliant class read for Y4 or Y5. I like the structure of a story within a story and the middle section at Boneroot is fantastic.
September 16, 2017
Wonderful, classic and entrancing storytelling. Full of excitement, magic and adventure. Liked the structure too: the story within a story: the shifts in tense and time. For some reason I have never warmed to stories about anthropomorphised rabbits ... until now, that is.
September 17, 2022
Podkin Jednouhi legendarni je neustrašivi zec o čijim junaštvima i podvizima priče kruže i zdušno se prepričavaju u svih Pet kraljevstava.
Ovo, ipak, nije jedna od tih priča. Ovo je priča o malenom zečiću koji tek treba postati legendom. Riječima barda iz čijih je usta priča izašla, ova je priča različita. Zato što je istinita.
Bila je večer uoči Kupinova kada se jedan bard zaustavio potražiti sklonište u zečinjaku Trnjak, zauzvrat za priču. A priča koju je započeo pričati započela je također na večer uoči Kupinova, kada je blagdansku idilu jednog drugog zečinjaka prekinuo napad zlih Gvozdenih, uslijed kojeg je troje malih zečića moralo pobjeći kako bi sačuvalo živu glavu. Jedan od tih zečića bio je upravo legendarni Podkin.
Podkin kojeg upoznajemo na početku lijeni je zaigrani zečić koji malo mari za upravljanje zečinjakom kojeg bi trebao naslijediti. No, nakon bijega od Gvozdenih, Podkin će se promijeniti. Upadajući u razne nevolje, brinući za sestru Pazu i brata Pooka, upoznajući nove neprijatelje, ali stječući i pokojeg saveznika, Podkin će naučiti biti hrabar, nesebičan i neustrašiv - početak legendarnog ratnika koji tek ima postati. A negdje u tome svemu, otkrit će se i kako je i zašto postao Jednouhi. ;)
Podkinova priča pustolovna je, dirljiva i predivno napisana avantura koja će osvojiti baš svakog čitatelja, bez obzira na dob. Njeni srčani i dragi likovi postat će prijatelji od kojih se nećete htjeti rastati, i čije ćete nevolje pratiti sa zebnjom u srcu, a pobjede pozdravljati s iskrenim veseljem.
Priča me podsjetila na 'Ime vjetra' Patricka Rothfussa, ne zbog sličnosti radnje, već zbog toga što i tom knjigom legendarna saga o legendarnom junaku tek započinje, a sam junak još je daleko od legende o kojoj svi pričaju. U tom smislu, ono što je 'Ime vjetra' za odrasle ljubitelje fantastike, Podkinova je priča upravo to, ali za mlađe čitatelje.
Ono što ovoj priči daje dodatnu čaroliju predivne su ilustracije, a za lakše snalaženje unutar Pet kraljevstava, tu je i divno oslikana mapa. Pohvale i za prijevode naziva zečinjaka i drugih mjesta unutar Pet kraljevstava, koji su mi zvučali osobito toplo i simpatično, te pamtljivo, baš kao u onim najboljim pričama.
Jedina sitnica (sitnica ovisno o tome koliki ste Grammar Nazi i kojoj ste verziji pravopisa više priklonjeni) koja me mrvicu živcirala čitajući je razdvajanje riječi neću i ubacivanje bespotrebnih slova u neke riječi, poput j u pogrešku. No, ako je Podkin mogao zanemariti strah u bijegu od Gvozdenih i sukobu s tim zastrašujućim bićima, mogla sam i ja zažmiriti na poneki razmak. :)
Osvojio me Podkin Jednouhi, divna mi je njegova priča i jedva čekam pročitati i ostatak. Šest je nastavaka objavljeno, a sedmi je u nastajanju. Kroz tih ćemo sedam malo-pomalo otkrivati kako je Podkin postao zec-legenda. Svaka priča ima svoj početak, a svakog junaka prvo treba upoznati. Svakako upoznajte Podkina. O njemu će se još dugo pričati - i čitati!
Ovo, ipak, nije jedna od tih priča. Ovo je priča o malenom zečiću koji tek treba postati legendom. Riječima barda iz čijih je usta priča izašla, ova je priča različita. Zato što je istinita.
Bila je večer uoči Kupinova kada se jedan bard zaustavio potražiti sklonište u zečinjaku Trnjak, zauzvrat za priču. A priča koju je započeo pričati započela je također na večer uoči Kupinova, kada je blagdansku idilu jednog drugog zečinjaka prekinuo napad zlih Gvozdenih, uslijed kojeg je troje malih zečića moralo pobjeći kako bi sačuvalo živu glavu. Jedan od tih zečića bio je upravo legendarni Podkin.
Podkin kojeg upoznajemo na početku lijeni je zaigrani zečić koji malo mari za upravljanje zečinjakom kojeg bi trebao naslijediti. No, nakon bijega od Gvozdenih, Podkin će se promijeniti. Upadajući u razne nevolje, brinući za sestru Pazu i brata Pooka, upoznajući nove neprijatelje, ali stječući i pokojeg saveznika, Podkin će naučiti biti hrabar, nesebičan i neustrašiv - početak legendarnog ratnika koji tek ima postati. A negdje u tome svemu, otkrit će se i kako je i zašto postao Jednouhi. ;)
Podkinova priča pustolovna je, dirljiva i predivno napisana avantura koja će osvojiti baš svakog čitatelja, bez obzira na dob. Njeni srčani i dragi likovi postat će prijatelji od kojih se nećete htjeti rastati, i čije ćete nevolje pratiti sa zebnjom u srcu, a pobjede pozdravljati s iskrenim veseljem.
Priča me podsjetila na 'Ime vjetra' Patricka Rothfussa, ne zbog sličnosti radnje, već zbog toga što i tom knjigom legendarna saga o legendarnom junaku tek započinje, a sam junak još je daleko od legende o kojoj svi pričaju. U tom smislu, ono što je 'Ime vjetra' za odrasle ljubitelje fantastike, Podkinova je priča upravo to, ali za mlađe čitatelje.
Ono što ovoj priči daje dodatnu čaroliju predivne su ilustracije, a za lakše snalaženje unutar Pet kraljevstava, tu je i divno oslikana mapa. Pohvale i za prijevode naziva zečinjaka i drugih mjesta unutar Pet kraljevstava, koji su mi zvučali osobito toplo i simpatično, te pamtljivo, baš kao u onim najboljim pričama.
Jedina sitnica (sitnica ovisno o tome koliki ste Grammar Nazi i kojoj ste verziji pravopisa više priklonjeni) koja me mrvicu živcirala čitajući je razdvajanje riječi neću i ubacivanje bespotrebnih slova u neke riječi, poput j u pogrešku. No, ako je Podkin mogao zanemariti strah u bijegu od Gvozdenih i sukobu s tim zastrašujućim bićima, mogla sam i ja zažmiriti na poneki razmak. :)
Osvojio me Podkin Jednouhi, divna mi je njegova priča i jedva čekam pročitati i ostatak. Šest je nastavaka objavljeno, a sedmi je u nastajanju. Kroz tih ćemo sedam malo-pomalo otkrivati kako je Podkin postao zec-legenda. Svaka priča ima svoj početak, a svakog junaka prvo treba upoznati. Svakako upoznajte Podkina. O njemu će se još dugo pričati - i čitati!
September 23, 2024
4,5 звезди.
В ръцете си държа едно прекрасно детско фентъзи с прекрасни герои. Изданието е доста добре издържано като дизайн и полиграфично, а илюстрациите с молив са просто вълшебни.
В историята за симпатичните зайчета, които вдъхновяват децата в добродетели: чест, издържливост и смелост, се разказва и за самото разказване на истории.
Сюжетът не блести и не се отличава с особена оригиналност, но светът е интересен, чудесно изграден. Пътят на нашия герой е труден, белязан от болки и загуби. Но той ги преодолява и на косъм успява да победи смъртния си враг. Дали ще има още срещи с ужасното зло, това можем да разберем от другите книжки от поредицата (от които още две са издадени на български).
"Историята принадлежи на разказвача, но и на този, който я слуша."
"Ако в историята има неща, които не изглеждат истински, няма да искаме да вярваме в нея."
"Историята ми беше разказана и паметта ми на бард я е запълнила с малки нещица, които я правят реална. Ежедневни подробности. Чувства и усещания. Нищо повече от вълшебството на разказването."
В ръцете си държа едно прекрасно детско фентъзи с прекрасни герои. Изданието е доста добре издържано като дизайн и полиграфично, а илюстрациите с молив са просто вълшебни.
В историята за симпатичните зайчета, които вдъхновяват децата в добродетели: чест, издържливост и смелост, се разказва и за самото разказване на истории.
Сюжетът не блести и не се отличава с особена оригиналност, но светът е интересен, чудесно изграден. Пътят на нашия герой е труден, белязан от болки и загуби. Но той ги преодолява и на косъм успява да победи смъртния си враг. Дали ще има още срещи с ужасното зло, това можем да разберем от другите книжки от поредицата (от които още две са издадени на български).
"Историята принадлежи на разказвача, но и на този, който я слуша."
"Ако в историята има неща, които не изглеждат истински, няма да искаме да вярваме в нея."
"Историята ми беше разказана и паметта ми на бард я е запълнила с малки нещица, които я правят реална. Ежедневни подробности. Чувства и усещания. Нищо повече от вълшебството на разказването."
July 9, 2020
A fun little read.
May 7, 2018
Okay. okayokayokayokayoakya.
Right so, first of the bat - sexism. Non-redeemable, unneeded sexism.
My girl Paz out here, ready to be chief. She's got weapons skills, leadership skills and a clever head on her shoulders. But this boy out here doing her dirty by calling her bossy and saying she's a sly ass show off, like nah. And then, pouring salt in the wounds - makes her nothing more than a damsel in distress for most of the book.
Podkin, the so called hero of this story -SIGH- mans not hot. I'm assuming Kieran thought he was creating an anti-hero type of character. But it fell so unbelievably flat. Podkin is lazy, with no sense of responsibility, and he's constantly spoiled. What's worse is that several characters call out Podkin's bratty attitude, seeming to say that Kieran knows what he's done with his character but instead of treating Podkin like the useless kid he is they constantly believe HE is the hero. For no other reason that I can see other than he's male.
All the secondary characters were really bland, given maybe a few chapters of exposition explaining more about their soon to be dues ex machina skill sets than there actual personalities (which were non existent anyways so bleh.)
There's a map in the front of the book but only a very small portion is actually adventured in. Which is not so bad but the idea of having a map is to add atmosphere and to help the reader physically follow the protagonist through their journey. But having only a small portion of the map explored makes it difficult to perceive the protags anguish and difficulties. It also means that such a small section isn't named specifically. So all I really know it that walked around this forest patch for ages.
The story itself seemed really empty. Lots of travelling and meeting people and setting up. And only the second to last chapter held a 'battle' scene, which was glossed over, very short and seemed to suffer a helluva lot from tunnel vision. Felt weirdly like secondbookitis, but in the first book?
I'm upset about the twist of the bards identity as I didn't guess it and was actually surprised. Almost like a last ditch effort to leave my brain thinking this was a good book.
It wasn't.
Right so, first of the bat - sexism. Non-redeemable, unneeded sexism.
My girl Paz out here, ready to be chief. She's got weapons skills, leadership skills and a clever head on her shoulders. But this boy out here doing her dirty by calling her bossy and saying she's a sly ass show off, like nah. And then, pouring salt in the wounds - makes her nothing more than a damsel in distress for most of the book.
Podkin, the so called hero of this story -SIGH- mans not hot. I'm assuming Kieran thought he was creating an anti-hero type of character. But it fell so unbelievably flat. Podkin is lazy, with no sense of responsibility, and he's constantly spoiled. What's worse is that several characters call out Podkin's bratty attitude, seeming to say that Kieran knows what he's done with his character but instead of treating Podkin like the useless kid he is they constantly believe HE is the hero. For no other reason that I can see other than he's male.
All the secondary characters were really bland, given maybe a few chapters of exposition explaining more about their soon to be dues ex machina skill sets than there actual personalities (which were non existent anyways so bleh.)
There's a map in the front of the book but only a very small portion is actually adventured in. Which is not so bad but the idea of having a map is to add atmosphere and to help the reader physically follow the protagonist through their journey. But having only a small portion of the map explored makes it difficult to perceive the protags anguish and difficulties. It also means that such a small section isn't named specifically. So all I really know it that walked around this forest patch for ages.
The story itself seemed really empty. Lots of travelling and meeting people and setting up. And only the second to last chapter held a 'battle' scene, which was glossed over, very short and seemed to suffer a helluva lot from tunnel vision. Felt weirdly like secondbookitis, but in the first book?
I'm upset about the twist of the bards identity as I didn't guess it and was actually surprised. Almost like a last ditch effort to leave my brain thinking this was a good book.
It wasn't.
November 27, 2021
Synova triedna učiteľka začala čítať túto knihu v triede a som za toveľmi vďačná, lebo je to presne ten typ knihy, ktorý baví aj 9-ročného, aj 7-ročnú a aj mňa. Hoci ide o pomerne drsný príbeh, kde je aj násilie aj smútok, zasadením príbehu do králičieho sveta, v ktorom majú králiky ľudské atribúty, dávajú príbehu potrebnú fantazijnosť, aby sa deti vedeli trošičku odosobniť a príliš nebáť, najmä preto, že od začiatku vieme, že to dobre dopadne.
Ako dobrá fantasy má kniha svoju mytológiu (rozvinutú najmä v ďalších častiach), jasné rozlíšenie dobra a zla (a trecie plochy, kde sa prelínajú) a pekný vývoj postáv. Príbeh je dynamický, nemá hluché miesta a nevedeli sme sa v čítaní zastaviť a hneď po dočítaní sa vrháme na druhú časť.
Ako dobrá fantasy má kniha svoju mytológiu (rozvinutú najmä v ďalších častiach), jasné rozlíšenie dobra a zla (a trecie plochy, kde sa prelínajú) a pekný vývoj postáv. Príbeh je dynamický, nemá hluché miesta a nevedeli sme sa v čítaní zastaviť a hneď po dočítaní sa vrháme na druhú časť.
August 25, 2019
A book that weaves the magical tales of Podkin One Ear into the fact that you are reading a fantasy tale involving rabbits. I did hope that the book would have the same grip for adults as well as it’s intended audience but it was a bit simplistic for that for me. I enjoyed it but won’t be reading any further tales of Podkin. If you have kids then it’s recommended as a book for bedtime.
February 1, 2019
A wildly exciting magical fantasy saga. The story-within-another-story works really well and adds to the sense of a legend being passed down. Wonderful storytelling - a modern classic.
July 22, 2021
Liked it but wasn’t really much too it. The conflicts were solved too quickly that I didn’t know what happened. Maybe just me I don’t know?
December 3, 2023
Книгата беше чудесна! Доста зловеща.
June 22, 2024
Tohle bylo úžasný. Nejednou mi to navodilo momenty, kde jsem se jako menší nechala unášet Narnií a Hobitem. Králíkům háv fantasy nesmírně sluší. A věřím, že kromě dětí tohle ocení i dospělák.
Příjemná, příjemná věc!
Příjemná, příjemná věc!
August 6, 2017
(ENGLISH below)
Dit verhaal houdt ergens het midden tussen Watershipdown en Lord of The Rings, en dan voor kinderen van een jaar of 10. Een avontuurlijk, fantasierijk verhaal vol humor, warmte en verlies. Dit boek heb ik blind uit de bibliotheek meegenomen voor mijn dochter. Een gokje. Maar ze vond het geweldig. Zo geweldig dat ik het van haar absoluut moest lezen. En dat heb ik dus gedaan.
Het verhaal gaat over Podkin, de zoon van een stamhoofd, die met zijn oudere zus en jonge broertje vlucht uit zijn burcht als de slechte Goroms binnenvallen De Goroms doden zijn vader en nemen alle anderen gevangen. En dat doen ze bij alle burchten die ze binnenvallen. Er komen geen mensen voor in dit verhaal, alleen konijnen die zich wel erg menselijk gedragen. Podkin, die aan het begin van het verhaal nog twee oren heeft, verandert van een lui jong konijn dat nog te beroerd is om te willen leren lezen en schrijven, in een dappere strijder die het opneemt voor zijn familie.
Een verrassend leuk verhaal en zeker in Nederland zeldzaam in zijn soort. Echt de moeite waard. Hopelijk laat het vervolg van deze trilogie niet te lang op zich wachten. Zowel mijn dochter van 9 als mijn zoon van 6 kunnen zo lang echt niet wachten!
ENGLISH
This story is a bit of Watershipdown mixed with Lord of The Rings, and then for children of about 10 years old. An adventurous, imaginative story full of humor, warmth and loss. I brought this book out of the library for my daughter. A gamble. But she loved it. So much that she made me read it. And so I did.
The story is about Podkin, the son of a tribal chief, who, with his older sister and young brother, flees from his castle as the bad Goroms invade. The Goroms kill his father and imprison his people, like they do with every rabbit borrow they invade. There are no people in this story, only rabbits who behave very humanly. Podkin, who has two ears at the beginning of the story, changes from a lazy young rabbit who cannot even be disturbed to want to learn to read and write into a brave warrior who takes a stand for his family.
A surprisingly nice story and certainly in the Netherlands rare in its kind. Really worth it. Hopefully, the sequel to this trilogy will come out soon. Both my daughter (9) and my 6-year-old son can not wait too long!
Dit verhaal houdt ergens het midden tussen Watershipdown en Lord of The Rings, en dan voor kinderen van een jaar of 10. Een avontuurlijk, fantasierijk verhaal vol humor, warmte en verlies. Dit boek heb ik blind uit de bibliotheek meegenomen voor mijn dochter. Een gokje. Maar ze vond het geweldig. Zo geweldig dat ik het van haar absoluut moest lezen. En dat heb ik dus gedaan.
Het verhaal gaat over Podkin, de zoon van een stamhoofd, die met zijn oudere zus en jonge broertje vlucht uit zijn burcht als de slechte Goroms binnenvallen De Goroms doden zijn vader en nemen alle anderen gevangen. En dat doen ze bij alle burchten die ze binnenvallen. Er komen geen mensen voor in dit verhaal, alleen konijnen die zich wel erg menselijk gedragen. Podkin, die aan het begin van het verhaal nog twee oren heeft, verandert van een lui jong konijn dat nog te beroerd is om te willen leren lezen en schrijven, in een dappere strijder die het opneemt voor zijn familie.
Een verrassend leuk verhaal en zeker in Nederland zeldzaam in zijn soort. Echt de moeite waard. Hopelijk laat het vervolg van deze trilogie niet te lang op zich wachten. Zowel mijn dochter van 9 als mijn zoon van 6 kunnen zo lang echt niet wachten!
ENGLISH
This story is a bit of Watershipdown mixed with Lord of The Rings, and then for children of about 10 years old. An adventurous, imaginative story full of humor, warmth and loss. I brought this book out of the library for my daughter. A gamble. But she loved it. So much that she made me read it. And so I did.
The story is about Podkin, the son of a tribal chief, who, with his older sister and young brother, flees from his castle as the bad Goroms invade. The Goroms kill his father and imprison his people, like they do with every rabbit borrow they invade. There are no people in this story, only rabbits who behave very humanly. Podkin, who has two ears at the beginning of the story, changes from a lazy young rabbit who cannot even be disturbed to want to learn to read and write into a brave warrior who takes a stand for his family.
A surprisingly nice story and certainly in the Netherlands rare in its kind. Really worth it. Hopefully, the sequel to this trilogy will come out soon. Both my daughter (9) and my 6-year-old son can not wait too long!
June 9, 2018
I found this book whilst trawling through Libby for an insomnia-friendly title (not too scary or I'd have nightmares later, not too slow or else I'd get frustrated and wake up more). Podkin One-Ear was an absolutely perfect fit.
There was something very Redwall about the human societies that the rabbits had formed (and about the setting as a whole), but there was something quite unique with the shaggy-dog tangential story, which was very enjoyable. I look forward to future books where we may spend a little more time in the current warren.. All round a good read!
There was something very Redwall about the human societies that the rabbits had formed (and about the setting as a whole), but there was something quite unique with the shaggy-dog tangential story, which was very enjoyable. I look forward to future books where we may spend a little more time in the current warren.. All round a good read!
January 3, 2021
Brilliant stuff. My 8 year old loved it, as did I. Feels like a classic in the making.
July 25, 2024
3.5 stars.
Clearly owing a debt to Brian Jacques’ “Redwall”, “Podkin One Ear” charts the rise of the hero, from his callow childhood to his leadership of a rebellion against the dastardly Gorm.
Podkin, his older sister Paz (is M.R. Carey's wonderful Topaz Tourmaline Fivehills in “Infinity Gate” named after her?), and younger brother Pook must run for their lives when the terrifying Grom attack their warren, killing their father and imprisoning others. No matter where the trio go, they keep encountering other warrens either already under the sway of the Grom , or in peril from them.
The trio are helped by a witch, a pair of acrobatic rabbits, and an aging blind warrior in their bid to rescue the imprisoned rabbits of their warren. Along the way, Podkin begins to grow up (his sister is already so much more mature than him).
Podkin's first adventure is told to the readers by a travelling bard (whose identity is revealed at the end) entertaining a warren one night years after the events of this book.
I kept finding references to other narratives as I read this story:
-I was reminded of the terrible creature the dwarves awoke in Moria when it was rumoured that the rabbits who became the Grom dug too deep
-The Grom themselves feel reminiscent of the Borg or Cybermen in their mission to assimilate all they encounter.
-The magic of the world is a balance between natural and dark magic, and it was hard not to imagine the balance between the Light and the Dark sides during the explanation given by the kids' witch ally
One thing did rub me the wrong way. I thought it was wrong to maintain that leadership of the warrens could only be handed down to a male heir, rather than the person most qualified to run things.
Other than that, this was quite the enjoyable start to a series.
Clearly owing a debt to Brian Jacques’ “Redwall”, “Podkin One Ear” charts the rise of the hero, from his callow childhood to his leadership of a rebellion against the dastardly Gorm.
Podkin, his older sister Paz (is M.R. Carey's wonderful Topaz Tourmaline Fivehills in “Infinity Gate” named after her?), and younger brother Pook must run for their lives when the terrifying Grom attack their warren, killing their father and imprisoning others. No matter where the trio go, they keep encountering other warrens either already under the sway of the Grom , or in peril from them.
The trio are helped by a witch, a pair of acrobatic rabbits, and an aging blind warrior in their bid to rescue the imprisoned rabbits of their warren. Along the way, Podkin begins to grow up (his sister is already so much more mature than him).
Podkin's first adventure is told to the readers by a travelling bard (whose identity is revealed at the end) entertaining a warren one night years after the events of this book.
I kept finding references to other narratives as I read this story:
-I was reminded of the terrible creature the dwarves awoke in Moria when it was rumoured that the rabbits who became the Grom dug too deep
-The Grom themselves feel reminiscent of the Borg or Cybermen in their mission to assimilate all they encounter.
-The magic of the world is a balance between natural and dark magic, and it was hard not to imagine the balance between the Light and the Dark sides during the explanation given by the kids' witch ally
One thing did rub me the wrong way. I thought it was wrong to maintain that leadership of the warrens could only be handed down to a male heir, rather than the person most qualified to run things.
Other than that, this was quite the enjoyable start to a series.
May 24, 2022
My son discovered Podkin One-Ear earlier this year. He received the first two as present and we bought him the third almost instantly when he started reading. This is one of the first books he read that didn't have too many drawings and also where there was death of characters and where he actually kept reading at a rather fast pace. He also cannot stop talking about it (he's reading book 5 at the moment and spoiling too many things, but I love it when he's so enthusiastic about books so I just let him and try to forget :P).
Obviously, I had to find out what all the hype at home was about. I wasn't disappointed. I'm always afraid to read translations but this one was really well done. I also listened a bit to the audiobook in English because I needed to know a few words or names. I finished it rather quickly and already moved on to book 2.
The main characters had a backstory and were well developed in a children's book. I love the whole story within a story (or, as my son would put it 'the author tells the story about the bard who tells the story of Podkin who then tells his own story at a certain moment'). It has a whole mythology which I can't wait to find out more about. We do wonder if this is somehow our world, but in the future. That was Roeland's theory but he might be onto something.
Can't wait to find out more about Podkin and his friends.
Roeland's favourite quote (had to look this one up in the audiobook) :
'Midwinter, turnip head.'
...
'What's a midwinterturniphead then?'
Obviously, I had to find out what all the hype at home was about. I wasn't disappointed. I'm always afraid to read translations but this one was really well done. I also listened a bit to the audiobook in English because I needed to know a few words or names. I finished it rather quickly and already moved on to book 2.
The main characters had a backstory and were well developed in a children's book. I love the whole story within a story (or, as my son would put it 'the author tells the story about the bard who tells the story of Podkin who then tells his own story at a certain moment'). It has a whole mythology which I can't wait to find out more about. We do wonder if this is somehow our world, but in the future. That was Roeland's theory but he might be onto something.
Can't wait to find out more about Podkin and his friends.
Roeland's favourite quote (had to look this one up in the audiobook) :
'Midwinter, turnip head.'
...
'What's a midwinterturniphead then?'
July 23, 2017
I only picked this up as was on the Waterstones book of the months list and was looking for something different to read. I was really surprised as usually the standard of books on those lists are OK at best but Podkin was actually one of the best fantasy books I have read.
Yes there is a lot wrong with the book for example Podkin has very little back story and the author borrows almost everything from other media. The Gorm are totally The Borg for example. I was surprised at how dark the book did get for a kids book also.
I highly recommend however that people give this ago. A lot of things don't get resolved and reads very much like what it is a intro to a long term fantasy series. The illustrations by David Wyatt are also beyond beautiful so highly recommend you pick up a copy that includes those.
Overall I can see this series taking off with the second book due out later this year I have pre-ordered it and I think if you enjoy fantasy but want a quick lighter read then read this.
Yes there is a lot wrong with the book for example Podkin has very little back story and the author borrows almost everything from other media. The Gorm are totally The Borg for example. I was surprised at how dark the book did get for a kids book also.
I highly recommend however that people give this ago. A lot of things don't get resolved and reads very much like what it is a intro to a long term fantasy series. The illustrations by David Wyatt are also beyond beautiful so highly recommend you pick up a copy that includes those.
Overall I can see this series taking off with the second book due out later this year I have pre-ordered it and I think if you enjoy fantasy but want a quick lighter read then read this.
March 23, 2025
Even when I was a 5th grader, I disliked most popular children's series—be it boxcar children, percy jackson, diary of a wimpy kid, even...*MY APOLOGIES* harry potter and anne of green gables. The only children's series I adored were the magic tree house ones (but really I think just because at that time, there weren't anything else in my kindle) and THESE AWESOME BOOKS by kieran larwood that I found a few years ago. I LOVE THIS SERIES SO MUCH, LIKE, i don't, i don't know why TvT but I just like them so much. I'm way too old to love them BUT I REALLY DO. I love all the characters and the storyline and the setting. I'm just obsessed with this series.
June 27, 2019
J'allais mettre 5 étoiles. C'était trop bien, exactement ce que j'en attendais, un méga moment de lecture qui passait son temps à crier "5 étoiles !". Mais alors la toute fin !!! Ça vaut bien 10 étoiles ça. Quand tu as autant d'engagement émotionnel pour des lapins que tu as suivis pendant un grand total de 200 pages... c'est que c'est vraiment de la bonne came.
May 4, 2020
Most of my favourite children’s books feature animals with human traits ‘Watership Down’ ‘Mrs Frisby and the rats of NIMH’.
These were powerful stories because I could suspend disbelief in order to believe in the characters as rats, field mice or rabbits. I found it difficult with Podkin though as couldn’t quite get my head around rabbits in trees without some form of explanation. The author doesn’t help when he refers to them as people (twice p 132 and 237) or like this.
“They were having problems with the long haired Arukh rabbits and needed men to fight”
No no, not men, rabbits!
However, apart from wanting my rabbits to behave just a little bit more like rabbits this was a great story. A little bit hobbity with a nice back story, great characters ( I loved Crom rabbit), an all important map at the front and wonderful illustrations.
It also had the epic David and Goliath style battle at the end, where the power crazed chief of the evil iron Gorms intent in destroying “the balance” confront plucky little Podkin and his magic dagger and a wonderful twist at the end.
These were powerful stories because I could suspend disbelief in order to believe in the characters as rats, field mice or rabbits. I found it difficult with Podkin though as couldn’t quite get my head around rabbits in trees without some form of explanation. The author doesn’t help when he refers to them as people (twice p 132 and 237) or like this.
“They were having problems with the long haired Arukh rabbits and needed men to fight”
No no, not men, rabbits!
However, apart from wanting my rabbits to behave just a little bit more like rabbits this was a great story. A little bit hobbity with a nice back story, great characters ( I loved Crom rabbit), an all important map at the front and wonderful illustrations.
It also had the epic David and Goliath style battle at the end, where the power crazed chief of the evil iron Gorms intent in destroying “the balance” confront plucky little Podkin and his magic dagger and a wonderful twist at the end.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 521 reviews