Green Ember: The book series for youth and children that rivals Narnia

Green Ember is an action-packed fiction series written by S.D. Smith, an American Christian author. The series is aimed at 8- to 12-year-olds but at 14, I found they were still very enjoyable above the recommended age.

I first saw the book at the Keswick Convention a few years ago, and a friend recommended it as a good read. I then purchased the first two books in the series. Once I started, I couldn’t wait to read the rest. The second and third series of these books soon joined the first on my shelf, as I couldn’t wait to read them (especially as I had to bide my time for them to be available in the UK before I could read them).

I could not put the books down and they have won a well-deserved place as one of my favourite series of books I have ever read

Green ember is set in the land of Natalia where rabbits try to live their normal lives while defending themselves against the Lords of prey (birds) and wolves. The main series is set after the fall of king Jupiter – a great rabbit king – which has sent all free rabbits into hiding. We meet siblings Heather and Picket Longtreader, two young rabbits forced to flee their home in Nick Hollow and join the other rabbits in hiding. Here they are all struggling to trust each other and join together for a mutual cause, spread out as they are across multiple warrens and fortified citadels. As their quiet lives are interrupted, we watch Heather and Picket make lifelong friendships, uncover their family’s past and learn to fit into their place in fighting for the cause.

As well as being a great read, the books also have key Christian themes woven into them like forgiveness for the rabbits who deserted their fellow creatures, trust and respect for new leaders despite their flaws, loyalty to the cause and unity with one another. It also shows the unbreakable bond of family and deep friendship, and how to hope in dark times.

I have found them more child-friendly than Narnia, and significantly easier to read than the Lord of the Rings

One reason I love this series is because they are very engaging and filled with likeable, relatable characters making their struggles feel more real. I also found the books made me reflect on my life and where I needed to change. For this reason, and the lightness of the Christian references, these books are really easy to recommend to non-Christan friends, who I wouldn’t naturally talk about God with.

From a wider Christian perspective, King Jupiter and the fall mirrors the garden of Eden and humanity’s disobedience of God. The heir to the throne represents Jesus, the one everyone looks to for an end to the battle. To say more would be a spoiler, you’ll have to read the books to find out the rest! In terms of books which illustrate the Bible, I have found them more child-friendly than Narnia, and significantly easier to read than the Lord of the Rings.

I found the Green Ember series a very immersing read; I could not put the books down and they have won a well-deserved place as one of my favourite series of books I have ever read.

Read more:

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There are also two other different series connected to The Green Ember: The Green Ember Archer series and the Old Natalia series.

The Green Ember Archer series is set at the same time as the main series but from the point of view of a different character, Jo Shanks. Jo is a young archer with big dreams who is struggling to find his place in his citadel, but this all changes when members of an elite archers’ group are injured and he is called up to fight in their place. Here he learns how to best work in a team, the importance of playing his role and hope to cope under pressure. Once he has learnt these things he swiftly gains their respect.

The Old Natalia series is based at the time when rabbits first enter the land of Natalia from the Golden Coast where they had previously lived. Commanded by King Whitson Mariner, they sail into the new land of Natalia and set up a village, but problems soon arise. The King and Fleck Blackstar, a young rabbit who was rescued from the Golden Coast, set off in search of resources urgently needed to keep the rabbits alive, but instead discover new, never seen before enemies and must battle to save rabbit-kind!

I’ve loved reading all the books in these series, they’re really engaging and heartily recommend them to anyone aged 8-14.