Title:

Urchin of the Riding Stars

Author:

M. I. McAllister

Category:

Fantasy / Science Fiction

Rating:

Date Reviewed:

November 11, 2023

checked Urchin of the Riding Stars out of the library because it was illustrated by Omar Rayyan. I was hoping to see lots of his artwork, perhaps even full or half page drawings of scenes in the story. (Has there ever been better artwork than John Tenniel's drawings for Alice in Wonderland?) But although Rayyan did provide a small drawing to decorate the start of each chapter, that is the extent of his contribution.

The story is set on the island of Mistmantle, so named because it is permanently shrouded by mists. Mistmantle is populated by anthropomorphic animals, who wear clothes, cook their meals, sail ships, etc. Mistmantle has four types of animals: there are hedgehogs, moles, otters and squirrels. (Why no rabbits, mice, muskrats or beavers?) There are no predators on the island; no weasels, foxes, cats, owls, snakes or hawks. This means that the animal population grows unchecked, and thus there are periodic "cullings" of the oldest weak animals, the sick ones, and the least healthy of the youngest ones. (It never seems to occur to the inhabitants that perhaps they don't need to have so many offspring).

This is the story of Urchin, an orphaned squirrel growing up on Mistmantle island, which is ruled by a hedgehog, King Brushen. Urchin came to the island as a baby from unknown lands, so his fur is differently colored than the other squirrels, which makes him standout. He aspires to work in the castle tower, just like one of three great captains - Captain Crispin (a squirrel), Captain Husk (also a squirrel) and Captain Padra (an otter). Urchin's dreams come true when Crispin remarks that he needs a page, and would Urchin like to step into the role?

Urchin's joy at being made Crispin's page is short-lived however, because someone murders the baby Prince, the only heir to the throne. Urchin of the Riding Stars is a children's book, so I was surprised when the villains murder other characters, it seemed more brutal than I expected, especially with the frequent references of culling - killing the weak. To determine who the guilty murderer is, each animal on Mistmantle puts their mark on a leaf, all of the leaves are placed in a jar - and one leaf is drawn out - Captain Crispin!? Crispin killed the baby prince? Rather than being executed, Crispin is sent away in exile. However, once an animal leaves Mistmantle, they can never find their way back.

Something that bothered me throughout this story is the fact that once you sail away from Mistmantle, you can never return - the eternal mists will keep the island hidden forever. And yet, there are numerous references to trader ships that routinely sail to and from Mistmantle. I kept wondering why the island inhabitants didn't board one of the traders ships and explore the world and then return. Instead of culling the young and the old animals, why not book them passage on the next trading ship that docks?

Although Urchin and Crispin are portrayed as heroic and noble, they never warmed my heart. Urchin of the Riding Stars seemed too routine to me, too predictable (other than the surprise of the animal murders.) Perhaps it is too much to expect subtlety or nuance in a children's book, but this book failed to impress me. I won't be reading any more of the Mistmantle Chronicles.