Showing results by author "M. I. McAllister" in All Categories

On a night of riding stars, a tiny squirrel is found abandoned and close to death on a distant beach. Adopted and raised by a welcoming colony of animals, Urchin has no idea of his powerful destiny or of his mysterious origins.

Mistmantle is an island full of stories, some of them are told here. Find out not only what happened after the Rage Tide, but what happened long before Crispin found a newborn squirrel on the shore. Plus the most simple version of The Threadings Code is included, along with a few tips from the island’s excellent cooks—and Apple. Years have passed since the Rage Tide. And it’s time to catch up with Captain Urchin, Brother Juniper, and young Queen Catkin. Corr the Voyager has traveled far, but his next voyage will be unlike all the others.

As the inhabitants of the island of Mistmantle prepare for the coronation of Crispin the Squirrel, robes are stitched, cakes are baked, wine is brought up from the cellars, and the Heartstone—the unique gold-and-silver-flecked stone that only the priest or rightful ruler of the island can hold—is readied. But the newly established peace in Mistmantle is soon under threat.

After his last adventure, Urchin of the Riding Stars has taken his place as a trusted member of the Circle in King Crispin's court. Life on the island is back to normal, with little Princess Catkin growing up and testing everyone's patience in the process. But daily life is disrupted when Lord Arcneck and other inhabitants of Swan Isle come to Mistmantle asking for help. Their home has been taken over by bloodthirsty ravens that are attacking them and ravaging everything in sight.

A baby girl has just been born to King Crispin and Queen Cedar. She is Catkin, the heir to the throne of Mistmantle. Everyone on the island gathers for the joyful celebration of the Naming Ceremony. But that night the princess mysteriously disappears. All clues point to her caretaker, Linty, a mother squirrel who had gone mad with grief because of a tragedy that occurred during Husk's evil reign. The islanders fall into crisis as a mysterious illness takes hold and begins to spread. Tensions mount as strange sightings are reported—could Husk still be alive?

With the wise guidance of King Crispin, the animals of Mistmantle have enjoyed a long period of peace and prosperity since the violent Raven War. The tranquility is disrupted when a series of tidal waves threatens to destroy the island. The inhabitants must quickly move to higher ground to avoid the devastation. But Mossberry, an influential squirrel with delusions of grandeur, sees the impending disaster as an opportunity to rise to power...and his reckless decisions will put many citizens in harm's way.

"Now I've done it," the mouse thought, looking straight at her. "I've really done it, this time." It really is happening, thought Rachel. Things that only happen in stories can happen to me. Anything can happen, because this mouse is talking. The St. Michael's Mice are no ordinary mice, but it takes Rachel a while to find out just how wonderful they are. When Rachel's father moves to a new church, so much goes wrong that sometimes Rachel doesn't think things will ever work out.