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Tales of Old Natalia #2
The Wreck & Rise of Whitson Mariner
Old Natalia, soon after Captain Blackstar saved king and cause on the shores of Ayman Lake.
Battered, but determined, Whitson Mariner leads his displaced rabbits into new dangers on a journey to their undiscovered home.
Whitson the king, Lillie the queen, Prince Lander, and loyal Massie Burnson must rise from the wreckage of betrayal to rescue the cause once more.
Treason broods.
Monsters menace.
Battle beckons.
A community rises.
My place beside you
My blood for yours
Till the Green Ember rises
Or the end of the world.
Battered, but determined, Whitson Mariner leads his displaced rabbits into new dangers on a journey to their undiscovered home.
Whitson the king, Lillie the queen, Prince Lander, and loyal Massie Burnson must rise from the wreckage of betrayal to rescue the cause once more.
Treason broods.
Monsters menace.
Battle beckons.
A community rises.
My place beside you
My blood for yours
Till the Green Ember rises
Or the end of the world.
176 pages, Paperback
Published December 1, 2018
About the author
S.D. Smith
16 books1,767 followersS. D. Smith is the author of The Green Ember Series, a million+ selling adventure saga featuring heroic #RabbitsWithSwords. The Green Ember spent time as the number one bestselling audiobook in the world on Audible. He is also the author of the madcap Mooses with Bazookas: And Other Stories Children Should Never Read as well as the touching throwback adventure, The Found Boys. Finally, he has co-authored two fantasy adventure novels with his son (J. C. Smith), Jack Zulu and the Waylander’s Key and Jack Zulu and the Girl with Golden Wings. Smith’s stories are captivating readers across the globe who are hungry for “new stories with an old soul.”
Though packed with old school virtue and moral imagination, Smith doesn't merely create "safe" stories, but bold, daring, truthful tales of light that help shape children who become dangerous—dangerous to the darkness.
Smith is a founder and owner of Story Warren, a publishing, events, and IP development house based in rural West Virginia. Story Warren exists to serve families as “allies in imagination.”
S. D. Smith lives in Gran
Though packed with old school virtue and moral imagination, Smith doesn't merely create "safe" stories, but bold, daring, truthful tales of light that help shape children who become dangerous—dangerous to the darkness.
Smith is a founder and owner of Story Warren, a publishing, events, and IP development house based in rural West Virginia. Story Warren exists to serve families as “allies in imagination.”
S. D. Smith lives in Gran
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
January 17, 2019
So, I got this book for a younger sister for Christmas, and then she loaned it to me when she was done reading. Win-win. ;)
This book was a little hard for me to get into at first because my mind was blanking on character’s names (it’s been a long time since I’ve read the book before this) and nautical terms always throw me for a loop. Even if there’s a guide, which there was. ;)
I ended up liking it a lot though! I thought rabbits with swords were cool, but rabbits with ships might be even cooler. :D Sailing sounded really fun... and really dangerous. I enjoyed Queen Lillie in this one. She was brilliant, supportive of Whitson, and very brave. Lander was also really sweet but kinda sad too. Definitely a child of his war-torn time.
The whole climax was very brilliant! I was a little astonished by how they worked everything out. Trick upon clever trick. O.o. (Not to mention a surprise character!)
Just a note, there are some moments that may be scary for younger readers, especially with the addition of a new, very evil enemy of the rabbits.
Best quote: “I’ll not drop you, Your Highness!” Jake cried. “And they’ll not drop me,” he added, glancing back at his shipmates deliberately.
Altogether, I love this storyworld and each new addition to it is a delight.
This book was a little hard for me to get into at first because my mind was blanking on character’s names (it’s been a long time since I’ve read the book before this) and nautical terms always throw me for a loop. Even if there’s a guide, which there was. ;)
I ended up liking it a lot though! I thought rabbits with swords were cool, but rabbits with ships might be even cooler. :D Sailing sounded really fun... and really dangerous. I enjoyed Queen Lillie in this one. She was brilliant, supportive of Whitson, and very brave. Lander was also really sweet but kinda sad too. Definitely a child of his war-torn time.
The whole climax was very brilliant! I was a little astonished by how they worked everything out. Trick upon clever trick. O.o. (Not to mention a surprise character!)
Just a note, there are some moments that may be scary for younger readers, especially with the addition of a new, very evil enemy of the rabbits.
Best quote: “I’ll not drop you, Your Highness!” Jake cried. “And they’ll not drop me,” he added, glancing back at his shipmates deliberately.
Altogether, I love this storyworld and each new addition to it is a delight.
September 8, 2020
I really love S.D. Smith's writing style, and yes, the stories can be for younger readers but I still LOVE them at eighteen.
December 27, 2018
I love this one! Read them all, and in publication order, etc etc, but make sure you get to this one!
June 23, 2024
The scene where Lillie hit the guy over the head with the club. 😂😂😂
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 19, 2021
I enjoyed this short story and seeing more of the backstory for the characters. =)
2021>> This story is so dramatic. O.o
2021>> This story is so dramatic. O.o
July 1, 2021
This was my second time though and this time I realized how well I think it will set up for the last book.
January 27, 2019
Another great back-story "history" companion to the Green Ember series. We are loving S.D. Smith and his wonderful, exciting fantasy fiction adventures. Really wholesome and engaging stories, well suited to middle school and junior high readers and listeners, but fun for older children and adults, as well.
July 29, 2019
Read this aloud to my 4 kids. The last two pages almost made it earn 4 stars for me but still not quite. It was fine but I just didn’t love it. My 8 and 9 year olds both said it was awesome and gave it 5 stars. My 11 year old said 4.5 stars and my 12 year old said 4 stars.
April 20, 2020
I truly love this author's books. Very seldom do I buy new books. These are exceptions. I own all of this series except for the newest Green Ember hardback, Ember's End (The Green Ember, #4) and The First Fowler (A Green Ember Story, #2). Hopefully I will get those for Mother's Day, My Birthday or our anniversary in upcoming months... they are on my Amazon want list.
Anyway, in this book the rabbits start out on a ship. Whitson Mariner leads his rabbits into new dangers on a journey to their undiscovered home. Whitson the king, Lillie the queen, Prince Lander, and loyal Massie Burnson and the others in the group must battle unknown dangers and treachery from those they had moments before trusted as allies.
"Massie smiled. 'What do you make of these tracks? Our ghost?'
Lander, still breathing hard, bent to examine the strange shapes. 'It looks like a monster, but not the monsters we've seen.'
'Not the monsters we've seen,' Massie mused, his brow wrinkled. 'If there's anything worse than monsters you know-' he began.
'It's them you don't,' Lander finished.
'Are you scared?' Massie asked.
'Yes,' Lander admitted, 'but I remember what Captain Blackstar said to me. That we have to keep loving what's on the other side of this fight-the other side of this rescue-and that will have to make us brave.' (pg 54)
A wonderful, short, side book, back-story "history" companion to the Green Ember series. Really wholesome and engaging stories that are great for kids who can read chapter books or perfect for family read-aloud.
My place beside you
My blood for yours
Till the Green Ember rises
Or the end of the world.
#RabbitWithSwords
#TheGreenEmber
Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge prompt(s) –
#9 A book with a map
#33 A book with at least a four-star rating on Goodreads
Anyway, in this book the rabbits start out on a ship. Whitson Mariner leads his rabbits into new dangers on a journey to their undiscovered home. Whitson the king, Lillie the queen, Prince Lander, and loyal Massie Burnson and the others in the group must battle unknown dangers and treachery from those they had moments before trusted as allies.
"Massie smiled. 'What do you make of these tracks? Our ghost?'
Lander, still breathing hard, bent to examine the strange shapes. 'It looks like a monster, but not the monsters we've seen.'
'Not the monsters we've seen,' Massie mused, his brow wrinkled. 'If there's anything worse than monsters you know-' he began.
'It's them you don't,' Lander finished.
'Are you scared?' Massie asked.
'Yes,' Lander admitted, 'but I remember what Captain Blackstar said to me. That we have to keep loving what's on the other side of this fight-the other side of this rescue-and that will have to make us brave.' (pg 54)
A wonderful, short, side book, back-story "history" companion to the Green Ember series. Really wholesome and engaging stories that are great for kids who can read chapter books or perfect for family read-aloud.
My place beside you
My blood for yours
Till the Green Ember rises
Or the end of the world.
#RabbitWithSwords
#TheGreenEmber
Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge prompt(s) –
#9 A book with a map
#33 A book with at least a four-star rating on Goodreads
March 26, 2024
I've gone between four and five stars for each book in this series, yet my love for the narrative, the carefully crafted world, and the evolving characters remains so strongly consistent. While it maintains a simplicity that serves as an ideal gateway to the genre, it also offers depth that can captivate fantasy enthusiasts of any age. This one deserves a solid five-star rating for its heightened depth, gripping drama, thrilling action sequences, and suspenseful twists that kept me thoroughly engaged.
June 25, 2021
Fabulous series
I absolutely adore the Green Ember series and reading it with my youngest. In this shorter novella we learn more about Whitson and his family (Lily and Lander). I do like the growth I see within this story, especially in Lander’s character. I also appreciate that Galt makes a reappearance and we find out more of his backstory.
I absolutely adore the Green Ember series and reading it with my youngest. In this shorter novella we learn more about Whitson and his family (Lily and Lander). I do like the growth I see within this story, especially in Lander’s character. I also appreciate that Galt makes a reappearance and we find out more of his backstory.
April 17, 2021
A great short story of the old days. I can see how this story was made a legend by future generations of rabbits.
August 12, 2023
Another fun adventure story for kids who are beginning to read their first chapter books.
This is more of the backstory of Natalia.
This is more of the backstory of Natalia.
October 20, 2019
I couldn't put it down!
October 13, 2019
S.D. Smith's talents continue. I have greatly enjoyed the early stories before The Green Ember series!
October 4, 2019
I love these books!
I have read all the currently release Green Ember books and everyone has been a delight to read! Great books.
I have read all the currently release Green Ember books and everyone has been a delight to read! Great books.
November 25, 2018
We got The Wreck and Rise of Whitson Mariner in the mail yesterday and nearly half of the family is done with it now. (Pretty good considering the other half includes a toddler!) This newest book in the prequel Tales of Old Natalia line of The Green Ember books by S.D. Smith is a fast-paced adventure. There isn't much time spent reflecting on meaningful lessons (although many are still in there - family, taking care of the least of these, the ability of everyone to contribute, how we define success - through the virtuous actions of heroes, the horrible actions of villains, and through an occasional line of dialogue or thought) because the action-packed story line is intense and pulls the reader along. It does lack a little bit of the nuance and greater beauty that we have come to expect from The Green Ember books. This one is definitely a page-turner and completely in the style of the most adventurous parts of the other books. There are new bad guys. The story compels you to keep reading until you get to page 166, take a breath, and think "wow, that was amazing!" (Right before the crestfallen feeling that it will be months before another new one!) This is a great addition to S.D. Smith's world of Rabbits with Swords. We are already looking forward to the next one!
Read
September 12, 2019It’s hard to describe the world of The Green Ember book series without doing it a disservice. It is epic in scope and theme, but not in length. The stories focus on complex relationships and internal conflict, but not at the expense of intense action. The stakes for the characters are intensely, uniquely personal, but in a way that affects the fates of entire nations. Also, the main protagonists are rabbits. Rabbits with swords. The fact that they are rabbits will surely prevent a lot of “grown-ups” from reading the books, but humans in the same situations would be far less interesting, and the plight of the rabbits being attacked by armies of hawks and wolves—not to mention a traitorous faction of rabbits—is more compelling than I would have believed. These days, people throw around comparisons to The Chronicles of Narnia series whenever a story features talking animals, but I think in this case the comparison is apt. I’m currently reading The Wreck and Rise of Whitson Mariner, a book of history about this world of rabbits. It is every bit as arresting and enlightening as a book of real history, and more entertaining. —Curt (excerpted from Bookish's Staff Reads)
January 21, 2019
I feel like S.D. Smith is getting better.
I love these short backstories explaining the history of the rabbit community. It adds wonderfully to the world of Heather and Picket from the Green Ember.
Also, this particular short story was fun as it introduced new predators both from within and outside the community. It had us reading multiple chapters a night and we finished it in just a few sittings.
The kids and I loved it
I love these short backstories explaining the history of the rabbit community. It adds wonderfully to the world of Heather and Picket from the Green Ember.
Also, this particular short story was fun as it introduced new predators both from within and outside the community. It had us reading multiple chapters a night and we finished it in just a few sittings.
The kids and I loved it
May 13, 2019
Read aloud with my 11 year old. We have really enjoyed going through The Green Ember series this year, though I am glad that we can move on to other things now and add new installments in as they’re published. This series is both intense and serious, which can get overwhelming especially when moving from one book straight into the next. But I appreciate that the author is constantly pointing heavenward and weaves big picture thoughts into his stories, giving many places to stop and discuss.
February 19, 2019
I just love these rabbits with swords. I know zippo about sailing a tall ship down a river, but it sounds really hard. This whole story is crazy, but lovely and well done. 4.5 stars. Friends who are reading my reviews, now is the time to start reading these,. But book 4 is coming out ..... sometime. So maybe you can wait. But super great and fine for probably late elementary and up.
February 22, 2019
Another great installment of heroism in the face of treachery, though it was perhaps a bit too obvious from the beginning what sort of turn the book would take. New creatures, an old character returned, and plenty of seafaring adventure makes this a worthwhile read. This is barely making the wait for the next Green Ember book tolerable!
December 21, 2018
We were only able to read the first chapter when we got the book, but finished it the next day. “Keep reading” was what I heard whenever I stopped. Loved it! Another excellent book by S D Smith. Can’t wait for the newest Green Ember to come out!
January 3, 2019
I read this aloud with my 4, 8 and 10 year old. We all enjoyed it and the children begged for more at the end of each chapter. Plenty of action and suspense. It was good to see the characters develop and my only complaint is that the book was over too soon. When is the next one coming out?
February 11, 2019
Great book, I think this is better than the other non-Green Ember books that S.D. Smith has written: Black Star was okay, but this is tighter, more action-packed, more direct, and more engaging. Our kids were way into it.
November 25, 2018
I bought this for my daughter but decided I really wanted to see what was up before giving it to her.
A good, short read.
A good, short read.
December 7, 2018
good book i like the way other animals the "dragons" realy lisards are involed and the loyal massie burnson
December 9, 2018
I have a whole group of students who should read these wonderful adventures. The Green Ember needs to come soon to our classroom read-aloud list.
December 11, 2018
Definitely more action packed and a quick read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews