The Green Ember Series - Book Review

Reviewed by: Shanea Rinn

Author: S.D. Smith

Readability Age Range: 8 and up.

Book Summary - The Green Ember

"Heather and Picket are extraordinary rabbits with ordinary lives until calamitous events overtake them, spilling them into a cauldron of misadventures. They discover that their own story is bound up in the tumult threatening to overwhelm the wider world.

Kings fall and kingdoms totter. Tyrants ascend and terrors threaten. Betrayal beckons, and loyalty is a broken road with peril around every bend.

Where will Heather and Picket land? How will they make their stand?"

My Review

The style of writing in these books is incredible. The creation of this fictional world is very intricate and enticing, and the voices of the characters are all so well done and unique! Even though these are fictional rabbits, you can hear and see them very clearly in your mind!

Maybe a little heavy on the details of world building from time to time but I honestly didn't find it boring as it was very interesting.

These books are clean, and very suitable for the young reader.

Christian / Religious theme / Moral

The author does not claim Christianity in these books. Being that it is a fictional world, with fictional characters, there is no mention of a spiritual higher power.

However, right and wrong is clearly presented. It is a story of the epic struggle between good and evil.

And the good, is actually good!

Themes of forgiveness, faith, trust, honesty, loyalty, charity, love, and grace are explored through this series.

Character/s Quality

There are both role model characters, and grey characters in this series.

The good characters have flaws and struggles, but are on an arch towards the better.

Others represent evil characters, who don't have either great motivations or intentions, but it is not glorified by the author, and again, the distinction between right and wrong is clearly shown.

Violence / Fear / Gore / Horror

For a story about rabbits, I must say that this book is pretty intense but in a good way, and very gripping for young readers. There is some minor violence, fighting, and a little sadistic horror dealing with the evil side and what they intend to do to the good side. But nothing is too graphic or horrific and rather raises the stakes and keeps you on the edge on your seat for the great climax.

Fantasy / Magic

This is a fantasy story obviously, but there is no magic. There are incredible cure medicines but all naturally created in this fantasy world.

Romance

There are sweet, clean little romances that progress throughout the series. Definitely not the main focus, but it adds to the plot and is like any fantasy story with the "fair lady, and the knight in shining armor". I find it adorable and well very done.

Language

No foul, crude, or shady language in this series.

Drugs / Alcohol / Substance Abuse

None at all.

Final Thoughts

I only came across this series recently and I must say I thoroughly enjoyed it! It is super duper clean. The only thing I might have to say is that it might be a little intense for sensitive young readers.

But that depends on the child and only you know your child best. Nothing in these books is too graphic, terrifying, and definitely not sickening. The author, in my opinion, does a wonderful job of bringing you to the brink of disaster and horror, and saving you at the last moment. I would personally recommend these books for any child around the age of 8 and up if they are reading themselves.

There have been testimonials of even younger children enjoying these as a family read aloud.

So again - you know your child. Hopefully this review gives you an accurate feel for what to expect. As for me, I give this series two thumbs up, and I cannot wait to purchase it and add it to our family library!

Series in Order

1. The Green Ember

2. Ember Falls

3. Ember Rising

4. Ember's End

I have the four main books pictured here, but there are other subseries-books that go with them:

The Tales of Old Natalia

1. The Black Star of Kingston

2. The Wreck and Rise of Whitson Mariner

A Green Ember Story

1. The Last Archer

2. The First Fowler

The publication order for these books is as follows

1. The Green Ember

2. The Black Star of Kingston ( The Tales of Old Natalia Book 1 )

3. Ember Falls

4. The Last Archer (A Green Ember Story)

5. Ember Rising

6. The Wreck and Rise of Whitson Mariner (The Tales of Old Natalia Book 2)

7. The First Fowler ( A Green Ember Story)

8. Ember's End

Where can I find these books?

This series is available individually, or as a series across many different book stores. Formats include softcover, hardcover, and even audio book. You can find them on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or even from the author's own website which I have linked for you below.

If you are interested in learning more about S.D Smith, and the other series he has written, you can check out his website: S.D. Smith.com

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