This is the sequel to The River Singers, where four young water voles called Sylvan, Orris, Fern and Aven escape the dreaded mink which is destroying their home and killing their kind, to make their way to the Wetted Land.
The Rising begins with Aven, her children Strife, Kale and Ivy, and Uncle Fodur the rat. Sylvan comes to warn them that the great river Sinethis is going to flood. When Kale runs off in fear, Strife follows him, and Aven sends Sylvan and Fodur to find and protect her children. Eventually Sylvan and Fodur find Strife and Kale but they are a long way from home, and Sinethis is rising. Will they manage to get home past the predators and floods? Will Aven and Ivy have survived? Who will they meet on the way?
This story is about friendship, loss, adventure and their trust in Sinethis, all with a little humour thrown in.
It reminds me of Watership Down, but with water voles instead of rabbits, and personally I think The Rising is better. Also water voles used to be common in Britain, but now they are becoming rare. I like the way that Tom Moorhouse turned a threatened species into a book full of meaning.
I think The Rising is a truly amazing book that you can't stop reading no matter what. Tom Moorhouse is amazing!!!
• Buy this book at the Guardian Bookshop
Want to tell the world about a book you've read? Join the site and send us your review!
