Realm of the Hare
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To survive this war and to find her mother, Boudicca must leave behind her childhood, become an Ullaunite warrior and do her utmost to protect Nature, before all is lost to the Regnum.
This grand sweeping story on the boundary between magical realism and fantasy has all the potential to absorb not only countless young readers all over the world but also in particular all lovers of “nature fighters.”
Pages: 196 pages
Publishing Date: May 2021
Dimensions: 13.5 x 21 cm
Type: Paperback
ISBN: 978-1-913680-03-9
Category: Young Adult
£13.99
4 in stock
Read More
To survive this war and to find her mother, Boudicca must leave behind her childhood, become an Ullaunite warrior and do her utmost to protect Nature, before all is lost to the Regnum.
This grand sweeping story on the boundary between magical realism and fantasy has all the potential to absorb not only countless young readers all over the world but also in particular all lovers of “nature fighters.”
Pages: 196 pages
Publishing Date: May 2021
Dimensions: 13.5 x 21 cm
Type: Paperback
ISBN: 978-1-913680-03-9
Category: Young Adult
Author:
About the Author:
Michael Lovett is a forty five year old father living in Melbourne, originally from Cork, Ireland. He has written for theatre and television in Ireland, UK, US and Australia.
A must-read book for our times. ‘The Realm of the Hare’ by debut author, Michael Lovett, challenges us to reflect on humanity’s failings with nature whilst taking us on a rip-roaring, action-packed, magical adventure.
I loved this book for several reasons:
Firstly, Lovett’s evocative descriptions of the settings and his unique characters transport you deep into his mystical world. He has a flair with language that’s 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.’
‘Mustela’s 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 character’s fate in the upcoming chapter. The analogy of the Cat and Wren as an introduction to Ashket’s 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
Micheàl 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, birds—even 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 humankind’s 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 Lovett’s 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 book’s eco-conscious message. While Lovett’s writing itself is certainly something to be celebrated, the plot and character development within the story lack the same edge.
-- Children's Books Ireland
Jacqueline (verified owner) –
Realm of the Hare reminded me of what I loved about reading as a kid – books that filled me with the beauty of language and joy of word play. It’s exquisite to read – especially the chapter openers. The world is fresh and ancient and full of excitement. A delight for readers of any age.
Sarah –
This book has it all: beautiful prose, wonderful world-building and a great plot.
Realm of the Hare is a hugely imaginative story with rich, earthy language and lots of magic, mystery and adventure. I just love the way the characters and the natural world are so tightly entwined – it serves as a reminder to us all that we are part of the natural world and should be working alongside nature and protecting it rather than trying to tame it.
Thought provoking, atmospheric, and packed full of imagination and originality, this is a real treat of a story. If you’re a lover of evocative writing, you’ll especially enjoy the little extra ‘treats’ at the beginning of each chapter.
Claudia Lennon –
I really enjoyed The Realm of the Hare. Like others this is not the usual genre that I read but I think I have turned. The beautiful writing by Micheal takes you on an adventure with complexities that are so cleverly entwined. The skill of Micheal’s storytelling is evident in every sentence and helps build the sense you are in the adventure with Boudicca, not just reading a book. I would recommend this for people of all ages as there is something for everyone in it.
Aoibhin Donnelly –
I really liked this book. It was a very different book to the type i usually read but i thoroughly enjoyed it and found it very interesting. As soon as i started reading, i couldn’t put it down. The characters are all unique to other books i have read and Boudicca is very inspiring and brave. The writing is unique and helps readers imagine the story clearly. This book has a great storyline and i hope a sequel will be published in the future.
New Erris –
From the outset I was hooked. We follow the transition of Boudiacca from the shy, timid little girl with a limp to the most fearless warrior of the Ullan. The writing is very visual particularly of her fellow warriors with all their ideosyncracies. It is a rolleroaster of a journey as Boudicca searches for her mother. It is good versus evil with the ending leaving itself topen to a sequel. A must have on anyones ‘summer read’ list.
New Erris –
From the very first page, I was hooked.We follow the transition of the small shy retiring girl with a limp to becoming the greatest and most fearless warriors of the Ullan. In this mystical ‘other world’ her disability is not an impediment in her dogged determination o find her mother. The writing is so visual, it is easy to imagine what her fellow warriors with all thie quirky traits would look like. It is a rollercoaster of a journey that leaves it hard to put dow. This is a book fthat is suitable for young teenagers and upwards. The ending is definately open to a sequel as Boudicca continues her quest. A must on the’ summer read ‘list.
Sara Donnelly –
I really really loved this book. I don’t usually read books concerning Irish heritage/culture , but when i picked up this book and started reading i couldn’t put it down. It’s a very captivating read and makes you feel as though your experiencing everything that the characters are doing. I loved the character of Boudicca . I thought she was a very inspiring person. I hope sometime in the future a sequel will be published. A great book.
Jacinta Kiely –
Realm of the Hare is a great read for all ages. I loved the poetry and evocative stories in the voices of a summer gale, a snowdrop, fox, mouse, hare, wren, starling, the making of a web etc in the introductory pieces to each of the chapters and the contrast they provided to the strange world of the Ullauns and the adventures of Boudicca Moriarty in the main text of the novel. A great read for all the family.
Gerard Walsh –
Loved this, was sucked into a beautiful parallel world bringing great characters and Irish fauna, current and ancient, to life. Afterwards wanted to go to Killarney and want more of this new world.
Michael Patric –
Realm of the Hare is a beautiful piece of writing! I finished the book in two sittings. The fast paced adventure allowed my imagination to run wild while never allowing my conscience off the hook.
The language is unique and mystical and it paints beautifully vivid pictures that are tender, frightening, inspiring and cautionary.
The characters are superbly drawn with clear objectives.
The deeper message for humanity, to respect our planet is clear but never overwhelms the characters or their journeys.
The layers of depth in this book gives it a far broader appeal than just the YA demographic. All ages will love this and for many different reasons.
A brilliant read!