The Mistmantle Chronicles Book Two: Urchin and the Heartstone (First Hyperion Paperback Edition) (Ages 9-12)) [Paperback]

M. I. McAllister (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 25, 2007 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Mistmantle Chronicles (Book 2)

 

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 cellars, and the Heartstone—the unique gold-and-silver-flecked stone that only the rightful ruler of the island can hold—is readied.

But the newly established peace in Mistmantle is soon under threat. A storm-ravaged ship from a distant land appears in the mist surrounding the island; a dramatic revelation about the revered Heartstone comes to light; and the extrasensory powers of a young islander reveal the evil close at hand.

Urchin finds himself journeying to a hostile island, where the maniacal King Silverbirch and his sorcerer, Smokewreath, await him. There, Urchin will have to face challenges greater than those her has ever known, and in so doing, he will learn a secret about his past that will change his life forever.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-7–In this sequel to Urchin of the Riding Stars (Hyperion, 2005), Mistmantle's animal inhabitants are preparing for the coronation of Crispin the squirrel. All does not go smoothly, and Urchin, a Companion to the King, is kidnapped and taken to the island of Whitewings, where he is imprisoned by a silver-obsessed dictator. As is always the case in books of this genre, good is victorious in the end. Readers leave the animals to their happy lives, though presumably there will be some new disaster presented in another installment. While predictable, this is an engaging read with appealing characters and lots of action. Rayyan's whimsical illustrations at the beginning of each chapter are quite effective. Unfortunately, the artist repeatedly represents a character that was meant to be a hedgehog as a mole. This is a minor criticism, but it is an inconsistency that fans of this genre are likely to notice. The similarities to Brian Jacques' Redwall series (Philomel) are obvious. It is interesting to note that McAllister avoids the implication that some animals are just born bad by having the evil characters come from the same species as the good ones. The author also uses a slightly smaller cast of characters and steers away from the use of any potentially confusing dialect, which makes this series approachable for readers who may not be quite ready for the Redwall books.–Kristin Anderson, Columbus Metropolitan Library System, OH
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

M. I. McAllister has written several previous novels, published by Oxford University Press in the United Kingdom, includingThe Secret Miceand most recentlyThe Octave of Angels. She is married to a minister and has three nearly grown-up children. She lives with her family in Yorkshire, England.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Miramax Books (September 25, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786854898
• ISBN-13: 978-0786854899
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #763,489 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Sequel of "Urchin of the Riding Stars", August 29, 2006

By 

Carina (Redmond, Washington United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Urchin and the Heartstone (The Mistmantle Chronicles, Book 2) (Hardcover)

URCHIN AND THE HEARTSTONE is the book #2 from the 3 book series THE MISTMANTLE CHRONICLES. It is as good as its predecessor URCHIN OF THE RIDING STARS. The book is packed with action and intrigue and, as usual, M. I. McAllister excells in her depiction of characters. The friendship, courage and wisdom of the main characters are the qualities that every child reading this book will relate to. This is a fairy tale with wonderful descriptions of far-away places that reminded me of all good things from my childhood: from the play in the snow, to my faithfull friends, to the sweets grandma used to make...
M. I. McAllister creates a wonderful world where the ideals of good, justice, courage, friendship and faith are being held high.
The drawings of the cover and at the beginning of each chapters are very well done and in tone with the book.
I recommend this book for children over 5 years of age. Adults that like to remember the good old fairy tales will absolutely love it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great fo kids, May 29, 2007

By 

autumnstarlet - See all my reviews

This review is from: Urchin and the Heartstone (The Mistmantle Chronicles, Book 2) (Hardcover)

I bought this for my daughter last month and she can't wait for the next book to come out. I read the book as well and even though it is predictable, it is a very charming story. Kids with a [..]reading level should have no problem with the book and they will probably really get into the story.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars awesome book, March 11, 2007

By 

Sonja Bolyard - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Urchin and the Heartstone (The Mistmantle Chronicles, Book 2) (Hardcover)

"I enjoy this book as much as the first one", says my daughter.