Penhaligon Brush is a young fox with sparkling wit, extra-long ears and unusual, dark-tipped fur. He’s happy enough working in the pharmacy he inherited from his foster family of badgers—Penhaligon’s parents disappeared long ago—but he secretly longs for adventure. When he gets an inexplicable summons from his foster brother, Bancroft, Penhaligon is ready to go and expects a warm reunion. Instead, he finds that the town has fallen under control of an evil feline, who is set to wreck the ship of a traveling princess and steal her dowry. With help from Bancroft and an eccentric band of furred friends, Penhaligon sets out to save the princess. But can he stop arguing with Rowan, a very smart vixen, long enough to get the job done? If he does, there’s a chance he’ll be able to unwrap the secret of his mysterious ancestry. Dashes of Brian Jacques and Arthurian legend combine to make this original tale humorous and suspenseful. Appealing, detailed drawings add a touch of warmth, adventure and fun. (Fiction. 8-12)