Realm of the Hare

A must-read book for our times. The Realm of the Hare by debut author, Michael Lovett, challenges us to reflect on humanitys failings with nature whilst taking us on a rip-roaring, action-packed, magical adventure. I loved this book for several reasons: Firstly, Lovetts evocative descriptions of the settings and his unique characters transport you deep into his mystical world. He has a flair with language thats so fresh and original. For example, his first sentence in Chapter One It is in quiet moments fear roars. Later that day, the sunset was measured and long in its decline, as if time poured slowly in the bruising light. This groundling lady had a guinea pig frown that was as constant as November rain. Mustelas skin was translucent white, grotesquely exaggerated by the full-length smock that he wore. Mustela had an angular body that looked like it had been drained of blood and filled with milk. Secondly, the pace and tension throughout the novel are spot on, and the epic battle scenes reminiscent of Lord of the Rings. Thirdly, using nature talking in the first person to the reader at the beginning of each chapter is both clever and poetic. Each snippet gives you an inkling of the characters fate in the upcoming chapter. The analogy of the Cat and Wren as an introduction to Ashkets capture by Olor is brilliant. Finally, the underlying message to the reader is crystal clear and timely. Humans, like the Regnum, are sucking the life out of nature. Is it time to make changes? The Realm of the Hare is the first book in a series. Lovett has left some tasty threads hanging that will certainly get me rushing back to his next book. -- Nola Smith, author of Enough is Enough
Micheal Lovett was raised in the seanchaí tradition of Irish storytelling. A successful playwright with international productions of his work, Lovett has gifted us with a haunting and intriguing first novel. Published by the European activist press Dixi Books, The Realm of the Hare blends YA ecofiction with Irish mythology. Each chapter begins with prose poetry in the voice of animals, insects, birdseven the wind. An exciting adventure full of brilliant writing, unique characters, and desperate battles, The Realm of the Hare makes for great reading. Myths, magic, and metaphors abound. (For example, Boudicca was the name of a Celtic warrior queen who led an uprising against the Romans in AD 60-61; the name Boudicca actually means victorious.) Although the book's ecological message never overwhelms the plot, energy extraction and the resulting damage to our planet is the root cause for all the life-or-death battles. Hopefully, readers will be inspired by Boudicca to somnia sine metu, that is, to dream without fear. After all, this may prove to be the only way we can save ourselves and our threatened, beautiful world. -- Virginia Aronson, author
An atmospheric and strikingly lyrical fantasy tale that draws inspiration from a variety of mythologies in an allegorical exploration of humankinds destruction of nature. Lovett tells the story of twelve-year-old Boudicca Moriarty, who must move to her grandparents farm in Ireland following the mysterious disappearance of her mother. There, under the careful watch of a wild hare, Boudicca discovers the ancient realm of the Ullauns and realises her fate to become one of the Ullaunites, a band of child warriors defending nature from villain Mustela and his evil army. The most delightful aspect of the novel is Lovetts lyrical writing style which flows beautifully throughout. The verses at the start of each chapter, written from the point of view of different animals, impeccably demonstrate this while also helping to drive home the books eco-conscious message. While Lovetts writing itself is certainly something to be celebrated, the plot and character development within the story lack the same edge. -- Children's Books Ireland