THE LAND OF THE PINES

In this debut fantasy, a kitten searches for her place in life while facing malevolent adversaries on a farm.

Grey is born in a barn on Black Mountain Farm. She’s barely a few weeks old when her mother leaves to live in the nearby woods, with Grey’s brother and sister not far behind. But the farm overflows with vibrant animals, some of whom believe the striking kitten is special (“The kitten’s gray fur, with its black- and sand-colored stripes, was spectacular”). Miss Jay the Bird becomes Grey’s guardian and convinces her to flaunt her feline pipes at “the Phoenix Club,” the farm’s monthly talent show. But at the same time, a sinister presence emerges. A Black Widow surrenders to the red Hourglass on her back, which develops an awareness and a voice all its own. This wicked duo obsesses over control and manipulates animals into spying on others in the mountainous region. When the two rope Grey into their scheme, the kitten seeks help from Miss Jay and some wise, magical wildlife. As Grey plans an inevitable confrontation with the Widow and the Hourglass, she learns a lot about who she is and where she wishes to be. Nilsson’s brisk, charming series opener boasts a memorable, mostly animal cast. She lovingly describes each character, such as Biggie the Deer, who likes moonshine perhaps a bit too much, and well-meaning but naïve Jack the Donkey, the Widow’s first “recruit.” Fox’s stunning illustrations further elevate these characters; highlights include Grey’s ride in a cup atop Biggie’s antlers and the recurring image of the Widow’s huge, ominous shadow. While magic permeates the narrative, from talking trees to the Hourglass’ terrifying ability, the story primarily centers on zealous Grey. She yearns to be more than a barn cat and discovers she’s capable of great deeds. Her journey not only carries this story, but also ends with a perfect setup for the sequel.

Irresistible animals star in this sublime coming-of-age tale.