The Five Realms
In the world of The Five Realms, the protagonists are not human, but rabbits living on a fantastical continent. These rabbits have their own clans, kingdoms, knightly orders, and ancient legends—they also fight, betray, go into exile, and defend their faith. The story is like a fusion of The Lord of the Rings and an animal epic: amidst grand wars and kingdom conflicts, there are tales of loyalty, courage, and sacrifice.
The Five Realms series transforms the “rabbit” from a docile garden figure into an epic hero. It offers both thrilling adventures and profound coming-of-age themes, making it an essential extension for readers who enjoy The Red Wall or Warriors, and an excellent starting point for cultivating the stamina for long-form reading and entering the world of epic fantasy.
Basic Information
Book title：The Five Realms
Author：Kieran Larwood (British children’s author, best known for Uki and the Outcasts)
Illustration：David Wyatt (British fantasy illustrator)
Publication time：2016–2021 (Completed)
Recommended age：Ages 9–14 (Upper elementary to junior high school, suitable for readers who enjoy epic adventure and animal-perspective fantasy)
Type：Animal epic × Fantasy adventure × Kingdom conflict × Hero’s journey
Why recommend The Five Realms?
- An epic fantasy in an animal kingdom: The book portrays rabbits as characters with chivalry, kingdom politics, and ancient legends, blending fantasy with the warmth of anthropomorphic animals.
- A grand and complete worldview: Five kingdoms, their respective geography and culture, and complex historical conflicts create a depth akin to a medieval history book.
- A multi-protagonist interwoven narrative: The stories of characters like Podkin and Uki are interconnected, allowing readers to piece together the complete legend from different perspectives.
- Themes of growth and choice: Each volume is accompanied by the protagonist’s painful journey of growth—loss, trust, courage, and responsibility.
Even the smallest figure can change the fate of an entire kingdom.
