Begin on the night of riding stars
Start with Urchin of the Riding Stars; the island's history and relationships build through all five novels before the final collection.
Book Series · 6 Books
The Mistmantle Chronicles Books
In order from Urchin of the Riding Stars to Tales of Mistmantle.
Six animal fantasies follow Urchin and the creatures of Mistmantle through palace treachery, war, natural disasters, and the work of rebuilding their island home.
Reviewed by the Bookroo Editors Updated
Reading order
How to Read The Mistmantle Chronicles
Read Urchin of the Riding Stars through Urchin and the Rage Tide in order. Purple House Press now numbers Tales of Mistmantle as book 6; its stories range across the island's past and continue life after book 5.
Tales of Mistmantle is a story collection rather than a sixth continuous novel, but it belongs last because some pieces revisit characters years after The Rage Tide.
Sources: Purple House Press's official Mistmantle collection, Purple House Press's Tales of Mistmantle page.
For parents
What Parents Should Know
Despite its woodland-animal cast, this is serious fantasy with murder, treachery, imprisonment, battles, invasion, frightening villains, natural disasters, grief, and character deaths. Animals are injured and placed in sustained danger, especially during the Raven War and the tidal disaster. Loyalty, faith, courage, and compassionate leadership are equally important themes.
Where to start
Where Should a New Reader Start?
Where the story begins
First Book in the Series
Sale price
$1795
Book #1 · Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2005
Urchin of the Riding Stars
Island of Mistmantle: a battle of heroes, villains, and secrets.
282 pages· 66,648 words· Est. 7.5 hour read
Hardcover
Summary: On the island of Mistmantle, a young squirrel faces a web of murder and treachery. As alliances shift and secrets unravel, can he navigate the perilous path of revenge? Discover a world where woodland creatures are embroiled in epic battles, echoing the timeless tales of Watership Down and The Wind in the Willows. Will the island's peace be restored, or will darkness prevail?
In reading order
The Mistmantle Chronicles Series
6 books · Published 2005–2025
#1
Sale price
$1795
Urchin of the Riding Stars
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2005
Island of Mistmantle: a battle of heroes, villains, and secrets.
#2
Sale price
$1597
Urchin and the Heartstone
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2006
A storm-ravaged ship threatens Mistmantle's peace, revealing secrets and dangers that could change everything.
#3
Sale price
$1597
The Heir of Mistmantle
Chapter Book · Ages 10–12 · 2007
A princess vanishes, a mysterious illness spreads, and whispers of an old enemy haunt Mistmantle.
#4
Sale price
$1597
Urchin and the Raven War
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2008
Ravens invade, threatening an island's peace. Can courage and cunning save them?
#5
Sale price
$1597
Urchin and the Rage Tide
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2009
Tidal waves threaten Mistmantle; can Urchin stop a power-hungry squirrel's dangerous plans?
#6
Sale price
$1597
Tales of Mistmantle
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2025
A voyager seeks unknown animals in a quest unlike any before.
Good to know
Common Questions
How many books are in the Mistmantle Chronicles series?
There are 6 books in the Mistmantle Chronicles series. It began with Urchin of the Riding Stars in 2005, and the newest book, Tales of Mistmantle, was published in 2025.
What order should you read the Mistmantle Chronicles books in?
Start with Urchin of the Riding Stars and follow the series order — the books above are numbered #1 through #6.
What ages are the Mistmantle Chronicles books best for?
The series is best for ages 8–12, based on the age ranges of the individual books.
The people
The Creatives Behind the Books
The people who bring The Mistmantle Chronicles to life.
Keep exploring
Similar Series
Harry Potter
Ages 9–12
The Mysterious Benedict Society
Ages 8–13
Where the Red Fern Grows
Ages 8–12
Wonder
Ages 8–12
Wishmakers
Ages 8–12
Half Upon a Time
Ages 8–12
Peter and the Starcatchers
Ages 9–12
Track
Ages 10–13