Bravepaw and the Songstone of the Deep by L.M. Wilkinson, illustrated by Lavanya Naidu

Title: Bravepaw and the Songstone of the Deep

Author: L.M. Wilkinson, illustrated by Lavanya Naidu

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: Allen and Unwin

Published: 1^st September 2-26

Format: Paperback

Pages: 224

Price: $16.99

Synopsis: The final battle is upon us – can one small mouse stand against what rises from the deep? The epic conclusion to the beloved and bestselling Bravepaw quartet.

When the sky fills with shadows and all is turned to grey… Bravepaw will come.

Titch and Huckleberry have journeyed a long way from their cosy home on the Plateau – and all they want to do is go home, eat some tasty plums and play in the cooling stream. But Titch is a hero now, whether she likes it or not, and heroes do not give up, not when Alluria needs heroes more than ever before!

Titch knows that there are many ways to be brave, and she has friendship, brave and true, on her side – but will that be enough to stand against the forces of darkness, when all of Alluria is cracking open?

Now, at the final hour, will the prophecy be fulfilled? Can Bravepaw unite the Gems of Harmony and save the world?

Inside the Bravepaw series you will find:
– Lots of stunning illustrations by Lavanya Naidu
– Open and easy design
– Against-all-odds quests, with cliffhangers and page-turning action
– Cosy fantasy and ride-or-die friendships
– Many ways to be brave!

You will love Bravepaw if you are:
– an emerging reader keen to test your new skills with a fast-paced, accessible adventure
– a parent keen to foster a lifelong love of reading, story and adventure in your kids
– a teacher looking for a great classroom read
– a fan of Redwall, Narnia, Lord of the Rings, or Wings of Fire, or Warrior Cats

The Bravepaw series in order:
– Bravepaw and the Heartstone of Alluria
– Bravepaw and the Clawstone of Rotwood Mire
– Bravepaw and the Fangstone of Flintfall
– Bravepaw and the Songstone of the Deep

~*~

Bravepaw is at the end of her adventure, and she’s going to have to use all her strength and skill, everything she has learned over the past few books to finally save Alluria. There are two more stones to find, the Dreamstone and the Songstone, and then she can stop the dread roots and head over to the final battle.

Yet, there are many obstacles to overcome, people to help and ways of seeing what is right there that Titch, Briar and Huckleberry will need to contend with so they can fulfil the Bravepaw prophecy that these ride-or-die friends have been on, working hard to find the stones and tackle any challenges that come their way. Whether it’s been horrible words, trickster mice or queens being taken over by the dark forces that are trying to destroy Alluria.

Here we are at the finale, the book that the previous three have been building to as the search for the final two stones comes to a head, and as characters from the previous three books come back, as do the prophecies from a chicken that they’re still trying to make sense of. So, this is a series best read in order. Each book follows on directly from the previous one, diving right into the action and getting Titch and her crew exactly where they need to be when they need to be.

Lili has finished this series with a bang and with joy and promise of ongoing friendship. Each book has allowed the characters to evolve and learn, and in this one, they are coming together beautifully, and facing challenges well, with support and bravery, with doubts and everything human that comes from going on a quest.

Quest books are huge in children’s books, and I always love seeing how different authors do this, whether it is standalone books, trilogies and series, because each one has something unique and something special that makes it the book or series it is meant to be. In this one, seeing mice and squirrels working together in a world that is wholly animals. Bravepaw is for those who want to be brave, but don’t know how. Who are loyal to their friends, and love adventure. It’s perfect for readers aged eight and over, and would make an awesome read aloud book as well.

I have been with this series since the beginning, and I have loved every book. I have loved going on the journey with Titch and her friends, and it is the kind of book and series I would have enjoyed reading as a child. It has everything I could have wanted, is perfect for all readers and can open up a world of reading for those who are falling in love with it, or looking for a book that they can read and access in ways that work for them.

The fourth book is a delight, with adventure from the first page onwards, ensuring that readers are engaged from the start to the end. It was bittersweet saying goodbye to these characters, because I will miss them, yet things end strongly and end in a way that younger readers will cheer for. It’s an utter delight from start to end, and it can be savoured or devoured, and this is what made this read so magical for me.

A fantastic ending to a gorgeous series.