War Bunny

War Bunny Chronicles #1

by Christopher St. John

If you love fierce bunnies, lots of fun characters, and a brisk pace with plenty of adventure and world building, you may like this YA/adult adventure story about a young rabbit who fights back.

In a post-apocalyptic world where humans are extinct and animals thrive, a young rabbit starts to wonder why rabbits must accept their status as prey animals. She asks pointed questions of the warren elders, and gets exiled for it.

Without a warren, she's enormously vulnerable, but she reaches out to others in desperate straits. Soon, she's locked in a ferocious battle for survival—and maybe even freedom.

Part naturalistic adventure, part modern-day fable, War Bunny is a fast-paced story about friendship, honor, standing up for yourself, and coming of age.

This is the first book in the War Bunny Chronicles. Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, and Scribd.

A great adventure read for teens and adults!

Summerday, (War Bunny Chronicles, #2), is available now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, and Scribd.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Young Adult, Animals, Dystopia, Ebooks, Post Apocalyptic

442 pages, ebook

Published June 7, 2021

About the author

Christopher volunteers for several San Francisco Bay Area animal rescue organizations. And he’s proud to be part of the group that helped get the California Fur Ban signed into law in 2019.

He and his partner live with rescue bunnies running freely in their well-nibbled home.

Christopher started working on the War Bunny Chronicles in 2012. War Bunny was published in 2021. The second book in the series, Summerday, launched in March 2023. The third book, City of Oom, is currently in development.

Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, and Scribd.

Please sign up for the War Bunny email list at https://christopherstjohn.com/join-em... to get the latest news, deals and freebies!

Reviews

[Jim C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway in exchange of a honest review. I would like to thank the author and the publishing company for their generosity.

This book takes place in the future and humans are long gone from this world. Animals do not have to worry about them and we gaze into their lives. The author gives all the animals anthropomorphic traits and personalities. We follow a group of rabbits in their struggle to survive.

When I saw this giveaway listed it said for fans of Watership Down and right away one can see the similarity. It is really similar to that book as we give animals different characteristics and see how they interact with each other. This book is told thru many points of view but the main one is Anastasia who is kicked out of her warren for being "sick in the head". Basically, she is cast aside for having a mental disorder. This is an example of where this book excels. It tackles so many issues like mental disorder, religion, and politics. It tackles these issues but never in a heavy handed way. With the importance of these issues it is the characters that shine in this book. From rabbits to mice to wolves we get all kinds of different animals and characteristics for them.

Nothing is going to compare to Watership Down. That being said this is a terrific book. It is fast paced and some scenes can be a little brutal. This just adds realism as nature can be brutal. This book made me feel for the characters while tackling major issues and entertained me throughout. I cannot wait until I have more adventures in this world.

[Hyzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

So... War Bunny is kind of what would happen if someone took Watership Down and Redwall together, added Joan of Arc (as a rabbit, obviously), set it in a post-apocalyptic North American (? I think?), and then wrote it the way we actually speak day-to-day, including phrases like "dude." And somehow this super worked for me?

I'm not sure how to review this except to say that if that sounds interesting, definitely give it a shot. I've been trying to explain the predator vs prey storyline and the world building to my girlfriend and just confusing her further, though she's also intrigued.

Watership Down is my favorite book in the world, and nothing will ever match it, but this has to be coming from someone who also loved Watership Down and decided to go somewhere very very different with the basic ideas there, and I can't wait to see where it goes next.

[Teri Kratz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rabbits Rule

Think Beatrix Potter with a dose of Animal Farm and Watership Down. Such a good book. The deeper story is there for you to find.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good book

[Reader Views · Rating 5 out of 5]

“War Bunny” is a spectacular fantasy novel written by Christopher St. John. Set in a dystopian world where humans are non-existent, a female bunny called Anastasia begins questioning the ways of Yah in her home, Bloody Thorn Warren. It was believed that prey should not fight back and should accept their fate of being devoured by predators (Blessed Ones). This was known as Glorification. That was the will of Yah and was never to be questioned.

Anastasia does not believe this and is soon banished from the warren she had learned to call home, for fear she would infect others with a condition she had and bring a curse to the warren for trying to contradict Yah’s wishes. She is left at the mercy of the Blessed Ones and soon gets into a fight with a fox that seeks to make her his meal. Anastasia fights back and this act is received with horror and disapproval by other animals across the region. An extraordinary rabbit, Anastasia learns how to look out for herself, and soon, other prey outcasts join her in her quest for freedom, with mixed feelings of fear and determination. Her ferociousness and tenacity make some believe that she could be their savior. She, on the other hand, secretly hopes that Yah is with her as she leads a revolution intent on challenging the way of life across the region.

It is not often that one gets to luxuriate in such beautiful prose. “War Bunny” is written in classic folklore style with Anastasia, the heroine in the story, capturing the attention of other animals across the plains. The author’s way of anthropomorphizing his characters is unique since he also adds a realistic approach to their mannerisms and behavior. The predator-prey action scenes displayed in the yarn are epic. Author St. John creates imaginative scenes in the reader’s mind through his words.

This thought-provoking read examines the dynamics of a revolution against the backdrop of unquestioned oppression and tyranny. The world-building is captivating and the vivid descriptions are evocative. As the book buds, Anastasia is joined by more and more animals who are uniquely different but all share the same need for acceptance and emotional rejuvenation.

“War Bunny” is a clean narrative whose range of vocabulary diversity is broad. It is a beautiful story that wraps you in its embrace and does not let go. The beauty of the story is the allegory and symbolism in it. The deeper story in it mirrors modern society, hence relevant to today’s genre. For this reason, I give the book 5 stars. This yarn is adventurous and family-friendly. It is suitable for middle-aged children and adults as well. It is also a must-read for animal lovers.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was excited to have won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. This reminded me a little of Watership Down by Richard Adams except that humans (Dead Gods) were wiped out about 300 years prior. The rabbits and other animals were then able to establish their own religions and hierarchies. Everything is going well (or so it seems) until Anastasia is kicked out of her warren for her OCD traits. She is expected to be a glorified as a sacrifice to a Blessed One but events don't go as expected. The book explores religion (right or wrong), violence (right or wrong), families, and cooperation among other things. I liked how the animals cooperated with other species. I really liked that they used objects (including books) left by the Dead Gods. The names of some of the animals were interesting too. One trouble I had was that I couldn't quite figure out where it took place. I'm thinking it was in Canada (maybe near Quebec) since there were some French phrases and words (footnoted) used. I might be interested to read more if the series continues.

[Tiffany aka Chai Tea And Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was strangely invested in this story, rooting for rabbits to fight back against the predators that were hunting them. I was sucked in and kept interested with the plot. I loved the idea of a found family rabbit warren. With each obstacle and fight these characters went through, their characters were growing. This had a depth that I didn’t expect, but that I appreciated.

Anastasia was a rabbit that was different than others. She was told she was sick in the head, just because she didn’t lay down and let the Blessed Ones take her for their meal. But she wanted to actually live. When her own mother sat her out of the Warren, she thought she was done for. But as she was digging a new little hole for herself to safely sleep in, she accidentally injured a prey animal that tried to eat her. And realized, maybe she could fight back. And others that had been cast out were welcomed in to her home, and it started to grow. Soon she has her own Warren, and they weren’t just going to lay down and let the prey have them. They are going to fight back.

[Melissa Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A surprisingly wonderful read. I love books with talking animals but this one exceeded my expectations. It was so beautifully written and the characters were really well done.
In a world devoid of the human race, animals reign throughout the land. There are two types of animals... the prey and the predator. Yet in one rabbit warren, one little bunny with OCD will change everything. This little one is named Anastasia and when she is turned out on her own for being considered "sick" she decides that she is not going to do as she is told and just let herself be prey, she is going to fight back. Word gets around and other rabbits and small creatures decide they are tired of being the eaten as well. A courageous community is created and this is their story.

[Tym · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing Animal Adventure

Mix Animal Farm with Redwall, Watership Down, and a sprinkling of Guardians of Ga’Hoole and you’ll have an idea of this amazing book that touches on religion, society, personhood, mental health, and violence. Yet it never feels preachy and the story rips along at a fast pace.

***edit***

I received this as a Goodreads giveaway for a fair and honest review and this in no way affects my review of the book

This book has many layers and can be read and enjoyed equally by middle-grade readers as well as adults. Set in a post-apocalyptic world where humans (along with many animal species) disappeared centuries ago and have left behind intelligent animals now capable of speech and deeper thought. Rabbits are taught that they are supposed to be eaten by predators and to fight or fly is morally wrong. The predators have been taught to think of themselves as landlords and the prey they take are the rent.

Injured or sick rabbits are left out as sacrifices to the landlords. One such sacrifice is Anastasia. She and her kind have been assigned the role of victims in this new world and she was sacrificed for questioning it, well that and because of her OCD traits. They see her as sick in the head. She must find a new home or else give up and give in to certain death. Anastasia isn't one to give up. Just as she finds a place to stay she is attacked by a fox and soon learns a very valuable and eye-opening lesson. She can fight back. And win. Soon news of her feats starts spreading across the wood and other fellow rejects soon come to see the hero rabbit. The leader of her old warren, her mother, is NOT pleased with her should-have-been-dead daughter's blasphemy.

It isn't just rabbits who join her cause squirrels and mice soon find themselves a place amongst her people and even a rat becomes a friend. This book touches on so many themes such as religion, your place in society, changing the way you think, fear and courage, blood family versus found family, power dynamics, and of course love. Despite a lot of backstory being conveyed and talking on such heavy topics the momentum never seems to slow down and the story barrels along at a rapid pace that keeps you engaged. If I had more time I would have finished this in a day, maybe two. It was so good that even though I won this in a Kindle giveaway about a third of the way through I knew this was a book I just had to have on my physical shelves and so I ordered myself a hard copy. The sequel is already on its way.

I already miss the world and the characters.

[Bookaholic__Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Dah is a mystery wrapped in a radish."

This book is so sweet, and its characters have so much heart. I absolutely adored this story.

Reading this book, I cried a couple of times, actually, and I'm not even ashamed to admit it. I usually read books that are a lot darker, and even a reader like myself could recognize and appreciate this story. While the targeted audience is predominantly YA, I really think if more people took the chance to read this, they too would fall in love with it.

Told solely from the perspective of animals long after mankind has gone extinct. This was a unique perspective and nice change from most dystopian books I've read. I loved how the characters were named. This was a very cute touch. I also quite enjoyed the bunny scriptures, which made me laugh. I am quite fond of the world building, I really felt like I was looking in on these animals and their shenanigans.

I have seen this book compared to "Watership down," and while I have never read it, I loved this book so much I have now added that to my TBR also. I need more books like this, and luckily for me, this is a series, and I can't wait to take another journey into this world.

I received this book as part of a book tour in exchange for an honest review.

[Karen M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you ever needed a book to be like a warm cuddly blanket to wrap around you for comfort? Have you wanted to read a book that reminds you of the books you read when you were a child and yet is not a book for a child? Have you read Watership Down and loved the idea of animals who think and act like humans and wanted more books like that one? This is the book of a post-apocalyptic world in which only animals have survived.

Bunnies are prey for predators like foxes and weasels and worse. According to tradition bunnies don’t fight back because their God Yah wants them to be a gift to the Blessed also known as predators. This is a story of one bunny who, completely by accident, after being cast out by her Warren Mother, injures a predator and saves her own life. This causes a ripple that grows and grows not only among the bunny warrens in the Thousand Acre Wood but spreads to all the tiny creatures.

I absolutely loved this book. Little creatures with very human thinking and actions and words was just a delight to read. In my past I had a little mouse who would sit up and wait for me to hand him his bit of carrot or lettuce or cheese and I would watch him with his little hands hold his food and nibble ever so daintily. The craftmice reminded me of my little friend, so thank you for this lovely story which was interesting, enjoyable and at times so very human.

I won this ebook in a First Reads giveaway. Thank you to the author, Christopher St. John who wrote such a lovely book.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to the author/publisher for the goodreads giveaway!

This was like Watership Down meets Handmaid’s Tale but somehow came out better than either one. A bunny refuses to conform to the social construct and starts a new world, forcing her society to re-evaluate everything they know. A loving leader, she doesn’t want or need the spotlight but her revolution is too needed and powerful for her to stand anywhere other than center stage.

I didn’t really expect to enjoy this as much as I did. I had a hard time at the start remembering which characters were who and honestly what kind of animal they were but as I got to know them better I found myself rooting for my favorites.

[Meredith · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF 58% I tried but I think it's just not for me. The author was exploring some interesting ideas but the animals were too cartoony and too people-y.

[Chiara Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a mighty read! It is so well crafted that the story can be read both as it is, but also through different lenses, e.g., political and philosophical.
 
Although reminiscent of Watership Down, I also found elements of Animal Farm and homages to A. A. Milne's Winnie the Pooh. Even so, it is a remarkably original and compelling read that will surely stay with me for a very long time. I cannot tell the number of quotes I have saved and the amount of pages I have read more than once because of how beautiful and insightful they were.
 
The originality and the quality of this book are not just because the protagonists are all animals, but also due to the post-apocalyptic setting and the complex set of beliefs that these animals have. I loved how both their explanation and evolution were marked by the quotes at the beginning of every chapter! That was genius!
 
I honestly devoured and loved this book for all the reasons above, but also because as an animal lover and vegan I couldn't not love it. Most of the reasoning in this book targets our own beliefs and day-to-day lives and we as the Blessed Ones have underestimated Mother Nature for so long that the reckoning must be very close.
What I can say is that I am eager to continue this trilogy and be together again with Anastasia and her companions. And I just want to reiterate the dedication written at the beginning of this book: "For the Animals", always.
 
Thanks to the author and LoveBooksTours for a copy and this is my honest opinion.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is basically an apocalypse type area where all the humans have died from whatever was put upon them the chemical or I did see reference to a plague of some Court of some sort anyway the animals lived in they had learned to talk and this is basically a good rendition of animals trying to learn how to be communities and survive in it was intriguing it was frustrating at times at other times it was very sad and there's a few times when you get a a small laugh but the animal world is now the caretakers of the Earth
I did somewhat kind of get aggravated with the with the thought of how certain animals proceeded to dominate and basically rule an entire area without any regards to the other animals there thinking that they all are basically tenants and should pay a sense form of the human race showing through on them I would say

[BT · Rating 5 out of 5]

will write a proper review once finished, been wanting to read this for so long. I won a copy from Good Reads! Thank you very much!!🤗So far (only page 75) I am completely hooked! I love fantasy/supernatural. (I also loved Watership Down.)
I love this because it is told from the bunny's perspective! Thank you
Mr. St. John!
OK finished War Bunny. Anastasia is our heroine a bunny who was kicked out of her Warren for being different, in a post apocalyptic world. Great tale of love, loss, survival and overcoming fear and doing what you need to, to survive. Realizing it is OK to question life.
However, Welbuterin, Lorazapam, Death Rage, Exit Wound and Throat Punch As names for his characters kinda took the wind out of me. I felt like Mr. St John looked around his living space for names of his characters and was having a brain fart (oh that name could be in your next book for a dim witted character) lol and settled upon items he may have seen in his space or heard recently on a TV commercial or an action movie
To me, it was a complete cop out....I still liked the story a lot. The smaller animals coming together and the relationships formed. I also liked the hierarchy of the foxes (Skulk) coyote (Pack) and wolf (Pack)
Wendy was my favorite rabbit even though the other bunnies thought her to be a mutant... looking forward to learning more about where she came from and if she will get back. Also looking forward to reading the continuing saga Summerday!

[kathleen r. · Rating 5 out of 5]

DELIGHTFUL AND AMAZING

This book is just a ripe apple of fun. Not only fascinating and incredibly imaginative it is also a spot on reflection of the gamey world we live in today.
The politics of our very messed up human condition and consciousness are here for all who can read truth in amusing fiction. Much more lyrical and creative than'Watership Down', and far less nasty than 'Lord of the flies' this book brings the contrast between the "maybe" of animal-human juxtaposition sharply and clearly home to roost, if you'll pardon my mixed metaphors.
If you can read this without laughing out loud at some of the names and creative styling, then you're not paying attention.
I thought this was quite brilliant. It's funny, witty, sharp, and creative and it's an absolutely amazing story that not only entertains but actually gives some very current insight into society and the gamey world of political culture and belief.
I just loved it and I can't wait to read the next book.
For added points of creativity and incredibly imaginative use of words, I love the names given out to the gamey little characters. My favorite is Pam.
Although Wellbutrin comes in as a close second.
This is a tale told well. Highly recommended.

[Keith Beasley-Topliffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a world where humans are gone and pineapples grow in Canada, rabbits, squirrels mice, etc. decide it's time to fight back against the predators who regard them as lunch meat.

I liked Watership Down. I love War Bunny! The predator sponsored religion that tells prey that surrender is the way to heavenly reward. The mystery of what happened to people. The creation of improvised weapons. The traditional squirrel haiku. Just a few of the many reasons I loved this book and look forward to sequels.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say, War Bunny is one of the most hare-raising books I've ever read! This little rabbit's quest for answers had me laughing and hopping with excitement the whole way through. It reminded me of Watership Down, but with a quirky post-apocalyptic twist.

I mean, who knew bunnies could be so rebellious and brave? The main character's determination to challenge the status quo had me rooting for her from start to finish. Plus, the friendships she forms along the way are heartwarming and hilarious.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves animals, adventures, and a good dose of humor. Just be warned, you may never look at a bunny the same way again after reading this wild and wonderful tale!

A very easy 5 stars

[Jaksen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story of a peaceful rabbit who turns ferocious. Kind of doing what one doesn't expect, or what society doesn't expect - or what society DOES NOT WANT. But then even our non-bunny history is laden with such folk, those who go against the grain and are criticized for it and then suddenly, those 'non-grain' individuals are the very ones who save us. Or change history and society and all for the good. (We hope.)

Also, reminiscent of one my all-time favorite books, and one of the few which I lost over the years - did I lend it out? Just leave it somewhere? - and always loved, Watership Down.

I won War Bunny as a Kindle book due to the Giveaways program - thank you Giveaways and the publishers who are part of this!

But not much else to say. Lots of action here. Great character development. But be careful, some of the characters you 'root for' are gonna die. Others make it. Let that be all.

Four stars

[Kristen Myers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! It was an easy and quick read. The author put very human characteristics in all the animal characters in the book. It is told through the eyes of many different characters. The main character is a rabbit named Anastasia who has OCD and is forced out of her home because she is not right in the head. She must go out into the world on her own and forge a new life. With the help of many new friends can she show the animal world that she is a force to reckoned with? Can she find her perfect place in the world and help others? Can’t wait to read book 2! Highly recommend!

[Claire Ball · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fantastic but extremely difficult to explain to others. I tried to tell my husband all about it but I couldn’t do it justice. So I would really encourage you to read it for yourself to understand why I enjoyed it so much! The personification of the animals reminded me slightly of Animal Farm and I think was written so cleverly. You can tell the author put in a lot of thought to each part of the plot and I cannot wait to read book 2!

[Corinne Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You were born a prey animal, but you don’t have to die as one.”

When I was younger I read Watership Down by Richard Adam’s and fell in love with it. David Clement Davies pulled my attention next with Fire Bringer and The Sight. Reading War Bunny was like slipping back in time and being sucked in to the political world of animals.

War Bunny is a delightful combination of Red Wall, Watership Down, and Nihm, with a sprinkle of The Tales of Desperaux and a dash of Wind in the Willows.

The novel addresses topics like breaking the mold, individuality, and interpretation of rules and sacred texts. While the book is aimed at younger readers, I truly found myself submerged in the warrens and hoping that their next encounter with a predator left my favorite fuzzy hoppers in good condition.

A diverse set of characters with distinctive voices, pose questions about where beliefs come from, the ideas of love/family, and representation of those not in “perfect” health still providing value to the community is a great message that I think all middle graders should be receiving.

I cannot say enough good things about this book. From a ridiculously gorgeous cover to the very last page, I was engaged and entertained. I cannot wait to get my paws on Summerday, book two in the series.

[Nicki Ketelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got a lot of religious cultist vibes from this story, from most of the warrens to the Blessed, the predators, eating the prey. Though it wasn't a bad story, I quite enjoyed it. The "Rent", "Landlord" was definitely different, but a good perspective in my opinion.

It was sad that Anastasia was kicked out of her family warren for being different. She seems a bit autistic, with her rhymes and tapping. But at least she was able to make herself a new home and found others that accepted her, even though she was betrayed during her absence.

The predator/prey dynamic has been changed, making me wonder how the Golden Wolf Summerby , is going to react when she realizes she met the revolter, but basically was told to "stay her jaws" by Bricabrac? Is she going to be upset a predator has been killed by its "lunchmeat"?

I am also very curious over what the "shakey-shakey-shake" looks like. As well as a rabbit doing the macarena?

Overall it was a good book and I would recommend it.

[Hikes in Rain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway, for which I am very grateful. The following is my unbiased and unsolicited review.

This was a fun and delightful book. An interesting premise. We humans are gone from the earth, some 300 years back. We don't know why, and don't find out. Some animals also seem to be gone, or just don't play into the story line. The animals we do meet have evolved quite a bit higher than current times; they have religion, they can communicate with each other (of course, they may be doing that now!), some of them can even read what's left of the books we left behind, and some are tool users (which isn't all that unusual now). They have a complex society.

Bunny religion is that prey animals duties are to feed the predator species. Prey species are "glorified" when eaten by predator species, the "blessed". The story opens when one of the rabbits is expelled; a lone rabbit with no warrens to bolt into will quickly be Glorified; i.e., become lunch. This rabbit objects to this, and vows to do something about it. . Her first defensive actions are purely accidental, but sow the seed of the development of weapons and their use that will help a rabbit contest the decision of what to have for lunch.

Overall, the book was well written; character and world building were tight and thoroughly done. The point of view sometimes shifted quickly enough that I wish I’d had the time to read most or all of it in one sitting. One of the other reviewers here noted that the book is better the second time around. I shall have to test that theory to see if (s)he is right. I would suspect so.

I have very little to criticize here. Independently published books sometimes have misspelling or misuse of words; story lines sometimes go astray or wander. I didn’t see any of that here. The only thing I found I could question is that for some reason, at 12% of the way into the book (according to my Kindle), the animals suddenly began to use French phrases. There may be a reason for this, but I didn’t see what it was. A little confusing, but the author did put translations in footnotes, so I could work around it. Perhaps it builds character. :-)

[Saige · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so good but can be difficult to read if you're an animal lover like me. But get past the brutal opening scenes and it will be so worth it! Great characters, great plot and subplots, there are so many dimensions to this book, so many angles that really make you see the natural world in all its 'survival of the fittest' glory.

In college I wrote a paper on how society's ability to care for its weak and elderly is a luxury of 1st world countries and not a possibility in many less fortunate societies that struggle with poverty and disease. This book will make you realize how brutal the nature world can be to its weak and elderly. How necessary it is at times from both the perspective of the hunter and the prey. And then it will make you questing all of that and everything you believe.

Its tragic & brutal at times but also funny and endearing. It's got all the feels and a bunny named Death Rage lol.

This book definitely sits with me long after I've put it down. I'm only 30% in but I can't imagine this book is going to disappoint me. I'll write a better review when I'm done.

[Amber's Book Cave · Rating 4 out of 5]

"War Bunny" is an imaginative and unique twist on a dystopian story. It takes place in a world where animals have developed human-like qualities after the extinction of humans, the story is both clever and emotional. Anastasia, the main character, is a courageous rabbit who refuses to accept her fate as prey and instead decides to fight back. Her journey is filled with perseverance and the diverse group of small creatures support her, is inspiring and heartwarming.

The world-building in this book is amazing. The author is very detailed and creates unique charming characters that you can't help but root for. His writing is great and carefully crafted, blending humor, charm, and political undertones throughout the story. The relationships between the animals and their developing society are fascinating, and the incorporation of old human artifacts adds a nice touch. Overall, "War Bunny" is a well written, charming, and emotional story that I highly recommend if you like the dystopian genre. I will definitely be continuing this series!

[Taylor Greene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, SO good and SO timely. Watch your homegirl Anastasia kick the predatory patriarchy on its butt!

It's super interesting how the animals are so real and so animal-ish but also just like people you know. Brown bunny Anastasia is the shy, anxious girl with OCD, (you? me?) who one day has had enough and comes out swinging. Freddie is the sweetest nerd boy ever, and becomes something he could never have dreamed of. Wendy is the stranger in a strange land, a tough chick with no social skills, and she will cut a bitch. Love Bug is a smarmy high school Romeo with a million pickup lines. And don't get me started on Death Rage, the fiercest mouse in the whole world.

You see the predator POV, too. From the rich-girl golden wolf Aliyah to the smirky psychopath weasel Saskatoon, a whole world of animals comes alive and the battle is on!

[Emma Minazza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely gives Watership Down and Animal Farm vibes. Showcasing animals from each stage of the hierarchy. Coyotes and wolves, down to rabbits and mice. They all have their role to play to keep themselves alive but this shows when the less powerful fight back. I liked the different chapter sections from different warrens, different families within the areas. I also love the names, my favourite being Death Rage.

I like how the animals use their brains to trick other more powerful animals. The idea of Anastasia being thrown out of the warren is a scary concept but she made the most of the situation. I like how each animal comes together to fight the top of the food chain, almost like "Ok, we got one, onto the next!"

This book is a good start for the series, it introduces you to each family, character and their role as it were, within each territory. Looking forward to the next book!

[Chad Manske · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 1 of a planned book series and a great start!
Anastasia goes beyond where her mother and Warren allow, and was injured in the process. Because she may be ‘infected’ she has been banished from her home where she may be ‘glorified’ (I.e. killed by a predator). Instead, she befriends unlikely forest friends such as squirrels, mice and others to go on the offensive against the ‘blessed’ (I.e. foxes, coyotes (the million acre woods ‘landlords’) and others who come to collect rent (weasels). In the process, she has weapons made, grows her own warren, as other warrens join hers. The rabbit offensive may go against ‘ya’ (God) and that eventually concerns Anastasia. Think Animal Farm meets Watership Down—and we can’t wait for book 2 of this award winning chronicle in 2022.