The Green Ember by S.D. Smith (Book 1)
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The Green Ember by S.D. Smith is the first in a fantasy series that is up to about ten books currently in the series. Rabbits, Heather and Picket, in one devastating day lose their family, their home, and the only life they have known. Redeye Garlackson and his band of wolves have destroyed their home and in the opening fourth of the book he is in pursuit of Heather and Picket. Due to their cunning and the help of their Uncle Wilfred and companion Smalls, Heather and Picket are able to escape and make it to Cloud Mountain.
Cloud Mountain is a city of sorts for many rabbits under the authority of Lord Rake. Their efforts there supply the needs of the Citadels around the area that are also run by rabbits. Unfortunately, Uncle Wilfred is not a welcomed guest due to his brother’s betrayal that caused the death of King Jupiter. With Jupiter’s heir’s whereabouts in question, the wolves getting closer day by day, there is much fear and trepidation about what the future may hold.
While at Cloud Mountain, Heather and Picket are often cared for by an apprentice rabbit - Emma. Picket arrives with a broken foot that needs mending, but his wounds are deeper than the physical. Picket desires to never be helpless again and against his sister’s wishes, he apprentices himself to a melancholy, brooding Captain Helmer for training. Meanwhile, Heather is looking for answers about her family and desires to help her brother return to his old self. It takes her a while to realize that he is changing and that she must help him with what is to come next.
Kyle, a rambunctious and somewhat listless rabbit, defends and befriends Heather and Picket. Though Emma warns them against trusting him, Heather gives him the benefit of the doubt. However, this leads to one of the main complications near the end of the story as Kyle betrays the heir of King Jupiter to the enemy. Heather and Pickett do what they can to help save the heir, but to do so means they must separate.
Their bravery ends well, and the heir is saved for the moment. The story ultimately ends with a leading into book two of the series as the realization that Heather and Picket’s family (father, mother, and baby Jack’s) may actually still be alive and are held prisoner.
Noteworthy quotes/ mentions:
“You’re only a traitor if you betray yourself” (8).
“All of life is a battle against fear. We fight it on one front, and it sneaks around to our flank” (26).
Picket deals with a lot of anger after the initial opening battle of the story. His Uncle Wilfred tells him it is okay to be angry. “If you aren’t angry about the wicked things happening in the world all around, then you don’t have a soul” (114).
“Be careful of resentment and pride, Picket,” Uncle Wilfred said. “They’ve been the undoing of many a great rabbit” (125).
“You know you have a choice about how you see things [...]” (196).
Mrs. Weaver requests that the rabbits stop referring to her as Maggie O’Sage. She tells of how she came to be at Cloud Mountain and the sacrifice of her husband for her to flee and live from a devastating attack by the enemy. She tells them that she wants to only be referred to as Mrs. Weaver to honor her husband and the sacrifice of his life for hers. It is a beautiful small glimpse of the Biblical duty of a husband to his wife. I really like the way S.D. Smith weaves that in.
If you have a reader that loves fantasy and adventure, then this is a great book to put before them. There are themes about friendship, loyalty, trust, bravery, and courage. All great themes for readers to explore and internalize. Additionally, the story is full of the battle of hope in the midst of darkness and uncertainty. There is a deep, abiding hope that compels the rabbits forward in steadfastness and perseverance.
