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.
Ember Falls (Book 2)
The Green Ember: Ember Falls by S.D. Smith is book two in The Green Ember Series. Picking up where book one ends, Heather and Picket are determined to find their family but are restrained due to an impending war as Morbin Blackhawk continues to threaten their efforts to defy him. Prince Smalls must leave to try to rally the other citadels of rabbits under his leadership, but this is a tall order after years of a broken structure and many with their own desires and aims for leadership. Smalls’ absence leaves the rest of his citadel to battle and hold out against impending war. Additionally, it is revealed that Emma, Heather’s dear friend, is actually sister and heir of Prince Smalls. Emma herself is unaware of her lineage and Smalls is determined to keep it a secret to keep her safe. However, in the event that something happens to him, all is to be revealed to Emma. Heather is fraught with having to keep so big a secret from a dear friend.
As the first battle ensues, the rabbits are clearly on the losing side until a mysterious rabbit, and his army appear and turn the tide of battle helping them all survive. The leader of this new army is the Silver Prince, Bleston, brother to King Jupiter and uncle of Smalls and Emma. Bleston ushers in assurance and peace within the Citadel, but his arrival and rules do not sit well with Picket and Heather who sense something is off. Additionally, Kyle reappears and he is the son of Bleston. Given his treachery in book one, many are rightfully skeptical of his reappearance.
Before too long, word is received that Cloud Mountain is in danger and Morbin’s army is set to take them over. In an effort to come to their aid, Halfwind Citadel moves and coordinates to come to their aid. However, in the midst of movements and preparation, Uncle Wilfred returns with news that Smalls has died. Emma must now be informed of who she is and take on the mantle of leadership. Emma informed, everyone in place for battle, the intense war for Cloud Mountain begins and it isn’t long before those from Halfwind Citadel are overrun and almost doomed when Bleston’s betrayal is finally made apparent. Committed to protecting Emma, Picket arrives in time twice to save her - once from Bleston and a second from Pickerington, Picket’s friend.
Before all is done, the army of Halfwind and Cloud Mountain manage to survive and regain ground as Morbin’s further troops are called off. Heather later learns that this is because Emma agreed to surrender to Morbin. Heather discovers Emma in the night and takes her place before it is too late. As the story ends, Heather in the lair of Morbin, her identity is revealed, and she hears the sweet singing of her mother.
Noteworthy quotes and mentions:
“But it’s better to live as you will want to have lived, rather than spend your time worrying about the end. You are right here in your story” (7).
“We don’t have to win the war today, sir,” Heather said. She hoped she looked braver than she felt. “We only have to win the next battle” (32).
“But he had no interest in the last fight, only the next one” (76).
“She saw how it all weighed on him and admired him for his perseverance. He fought because of what he loved, not because he loved to fight” (81).
“He longed for a world where safe places for the weak and vulnerable were common, but that was not this world. Not right now” (133).
On page 142, Kyle explains to Picket that “the world will be ruled” and only the strong will do so, the ones with courage. Picket here is preparing to face Bleston who is clearly up to something as he takes an opportunity to encourage Picket to leave his place in the army and not to be a coward by not going to find his family.
On page 146-147, Sween is struggling with her place as a slave and wondering if she should settle for life as it is, to simply be grateful that she is alive. She is losing hope, but it is revived as she has an encounter with a Mr. Weaver, which readers will be happy to learn he is still alive.
On page 211, Uncle Wilfred is encouraging Picket to continue after the news of Smalls death. “Fight for Smalls, for Emma, for Heather and the whole wounded world. Carry your pain and let it fire you to the fight. Bear the burden and bear the flame.”
Prior to the revelation of Bleston’s betrayal, Emma and Heather go to a quiet place before the wounded begin to arrive. Emma is overcome with grief. “I will come through this,” Emma said. “But I had to walk into it and feel the weight of it all” (265).
Parents will appreciate an adventurous story for their readers full of courage, perseverance, endurance, and what it means to bear the mantle of responsibility. Picket’s advice is what led to Small’s death and his uncle gives him solid and yet hard advice that he must face and fulfill his duty while bearing the knowledge of his role in what happened. He reminds Picket that he cannot revert into himself like he did after the loss of his family. He must bear the burden, the shame, and must continue on. Additionally, Emma, once she learns who she is and must suffer the loss of Lord Rake, a father to her, she must command the army and fulfill her duty to the rabbits under her. Heather mentions her awe at her ability to carry the pressure and not break. These instances and characters present readers with great examples of resilience in the face of difficulty and to not give up in the face of grief and weariness.
