Podkin One-Ear

July 1, 2017
A traveling bard tells the story of how legendary warrior rabbit Podkin lost his ear and confronted the treacherous Gorm.When rabbits walked upright and lived in elaborate underground villages, Podkin "was perhaps the laziest, most spoiled son of a chieftain in the whole Five Realms." One Bramblemas Eve, the Gorm--mutant, evil, iron-infused, red-eyed rabbits--invade Munbury Warren searching for Starclaw, a magical knife. While the Gorm murder his father, Podkin flees with his sister, brother, and Starclaw. With the Gorm in pursuit, the siblings barely escape (Podkin sacrificing his ear in the process) and are rescued by an ancient rabbit healer/seer who seems to know everything about them. She sends them to an underground warren of other refugees from the Gorm, where they find allies, but can Podkin, now chieftain of Munbury Warren, hope to avenge his father and rescue his mother from the seemingly invincible Gorm? An omniscient third-person narrator speaks directly to readers, inviting them to listen to the mysterious storyteller who relates Podkin's gripping tale in language replete with amusing asides, rabbit lore, stories within stories, and a curious insider perspective. Realistic black-and-white illustrations highlight dramatic scenes. An original fantasy with warrior rabbits, fierce foes, sibling loyalty, riveting adventure, and genuine storytelling. (map) (Animal fantasy. 10-12)

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May 1, 2017

Gr 4-6-In this action-packed middle grade allegorical fantasy, a wandering rabbit bard recounts the legendary tale of Podkin One-Ear to a rapt group of bunnies on Bramblemas Eve. He tells how Podkin defeated the evil, armored rabbits called the Gorm and their Lord Scramashank. When Podkin was eight, he, his older sister Paz, and his baby brother Pook fled their warren when the Gorm invaded and killed their chieftain father. The Gorm were once normal rabbits but mutated into deformed, metal-plated rabbits who kill, transform, or enslave the conquered rabbits. Podkin is unprepared for the role of hero, unlike Paz, who's a skilled fighter. Podkin's one advantage is the copper dagger his aunt thrust into his paws as the Gorm overran his warren. It's magical, with the power to cut through anything, except iron. It's one of the Twelve Gifts given to the first rabbit tribes at the start of time. The Gorm are hunting for these Gifts, and Podkin instinctively knows he mustn't let them get the dagger. With the Gorm on their tails, the siblings go from warren to warren, looking for refuge, navigating dangerous situations, and gathering friends and foes along the way. With the help of his family and newfound friends, Podkin finds the courage and strength to believe in himself and defeat the Gorm. VERDICT Adventure-seeking fantasy lovers, especially "Redwall" fans, will enjoy this nicely illustrated tale of rabbits fighting oppression and succeeding despite great odds.-Sharon Rawlins, New Jersey State Library, Trenton

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from August 1, 2017
Grades 3-5 *Starred Review* On Bramblemas Eve, a bard arrives at Thornwood Warren and enthralls the rabbits there by telling of Podkin, the lazy first son of his warren's chieftain, surviving an attack by the terrifying Gorm (mutant, militant rabbits), who slay his father. Instructed to protect the burrow's secret treasurea magical dagger and one of the Twelve Gifts that the Gorm are seekingPodkin flees along with Paz, his older sister, and Pook, their younger brother. Though his father's death has made him a chieftain, terrified Podkin feels ill-equipped for leadership, and he is. Still, he perseveres, gaining the understanding and courage to face what he fears most. The story comes to a satisfying conclusion and so does the framework tale, but Podkin's saga is to be continued. Quickly sketched initially, the character portrayals gradually become more complete and convincing. The rabbits' many close calls, escapes, and battles will captivate adventure fans, while the slower paced scenes enable readers to understand the individual rabbits, their society, and its mythology. A detailed map and eight softly shaded pencil drawings illustrate the story effectively. In a simply written, accessible chapter book, Larwood tells a rousingly good tale while creating a sturdy narrative structure for the Longburrow series.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)