Titch has the Heartstone staff, once held by Bravepaw, the saviour of Alluria but it doesn’t always work for her. In this adventure the threesome encounter an enormous disgusting bog monster who is dispatched by a fierce warrior squirrell Briar Nettlebrush. Briar’s whole community is under the domination of the turtle wizard Lord Muskeg and they form an alliance to foil him. In this struggle more is revealed about the Heartstone and apparently it requires more gems to work properly. The story sets Titch on a quest to find the missing Gems of Harmony so we know there are more adventures to come.
My favourite new characters in this story are Briar, an impetuous, slightly misguided squirrel who hides her hurt at the loss of her family under a brave front and dozy Lord Muskeg, slow, not really evil, just greedy and unthinking, who manages to get a whole village of squirrels under his control. The action gallops along with Titch learning about herself and the nature of bravery with the help of her faithful friends. As well as the usual themes of family, friendship, loyalty and bravery Wilkinson raises an interesting question about brainwashing which could lead to some stimulating discussion.
The story is copiously illustrated in attractive action packed black and white, and there are many words emphased in larger fonts, which helps those readers just beginning to read chapter books. I’m sure the Bravepaw series already has many fans and this well crafted story will not disappoint and leave them ready for the next adventure.
Here is the continuation of the story of the brave mouse Titch and her loyal friends Huckleberry and Dollop begun in Bravepaw and the Heartstone of Alluria: Bravepaw 1. 
