**Author: S. D. Smith**
**Published September 13, 2016**
**Page Count: 336**
*“My place beside you, my blood for yours, till the Green Ember rises, or the end of the world!”*

The war for Natalia has begun.

Morbin Blackhawk, the ruthless slaver and tyrant, is determined to crush the rabbit resistance once and for all. As the coming conflict draws near, Heather and Picket find themselves burdened with responsibilities far greater than they ever imagined. While unlikely alliances are forged and long-hidden royal secrets come to light, old loyalties begin to fracture, and trust becomes increasingly difficult to find.

With the fate of the resistance hanging in the balance, one question threatens to divide the rabbits more than any enemy ever could: Is Prince Smalls truly the rightful heir to unite the scattered citadels, and even if he is, will they willingly follow him into war?

Reading Audience:

I would say anyone who loves a good story can enjoy this. Reading-wise, probably ages seven or eight and up.

Stuff to be aware of:

‍ ‍Gore/Violence - Most of the violence and gore you will find in the second book in the series is very similar to the first book. Here are a few things to note.

A character says, “If your blood spills mine will too.”
Several battles end with characters dying. Nothing graphic, but there is a scene where a character is dying and talks to another character before passing away from wounds.
Phrases like “bloody gash on his cheek” and “deep gash on his arm” are mentioned.
An evil character sits on a throne of gold bones.
Characters are mentioned as lost (dead), or bodies of warriors are mentioned as on the ground.
A rabbit is carried off by a bird and is described as “limp as a string.”

‍ ‍Language - A few times, the author tells us that a character “cursed” or “curses formed on her tongue,” but no curse words are ever written out in the story.

‍ ‍Sexual - None

‍ ‍Other - There is a quote in the book that mentions wine. “Rolling around his guilt like a fine wine.”

Overall

As I said about the first book, “This series is a great choice for families and readers of all ages. While there is some mild fighting and a few character deaths, nothing is overly graphic. The only potentially intense element may be the wolves, who serve as the story’s primary villains. Throughout the series, biblical values and spiritual themes are thoughtfully woven into the characters and their journey. The writing is simple yet elegant, making it easy for younger readers to follow while still engaging for adults. It’s an excellent story to enjoy together as a family.”

I thoroughly enjoyed the first Green Ember book, but Ember Falls “jumps” the stakes up in every way possible (see what I did there?). The danger feels more immediate, the emotional weight is heavier, and the story is packed with twists and turns. Adults will probably see a few of the reveals coming, but a couple genuinely caught me by surprise.

What impressed me most is how well S. D. Smith balances adventure with meaningful themes. This is the kind of book families can read together and then spend time discussing. It explores sacrifice, loss, responsibility, guilt, courage, forgiveness, and the motivations that drive people to make difficult choices. These ideas are presented in a way that younger readers can grasp, while still offering enough depth to spark thoughtful conversations about the characters, their decisions, and what we can learn from them.

The Green Ember series has quickly become one of my favorite modern fantasy series. It deserves a place on your bookshelf alongside the works of C. S. Lewis and Andrew Peterson. If you're looking for an exciting adventure filled with memorable characters, heartfelt themes, and hope in the face of overwhelming darkness, this series is well worth your time.

If you are planning to read the series, the author suggests this reading order, which is also publication order. The list is below, or you can read more about it on the author’s site, found HERE.

The Green Ember
The Black Star of Kingston (Tales of Old Natalia 1)
Ember Falls: The Green Ember Book II
The Last Archer: Green Ember Archer I
Ember Rising: The Green Ember Book III
The Wreck and Rise of Whitson Mariner (Tales of Old Natalia II)
The First Fowler: Green Ember Archer II
Ember’s End: The Green Ember Book IV
The Archer’s Cup: Green Ember Archer III
Prince Lander and the Dragon War (Tales of Old Natalia III)
The Lost Key (Green Ember Lost Tales 1)
Green Ember: Helmer in the Dragon Tomb
The Lost Legend (Green Ember Lost Tales 2)

The Green Ember: Ember Falls (Book 2)

The Green Ember