THE FOX'S TOWER

Ever since Mum died, Willow and Dad’s relationship has been strained. Willow doesn’t understand why Dad dwells on the past, and she doesn’t share his guilt about humans’ harsh treatment of wolves, with whom Dad shares a special bond. But when a fearsome beast drags Dad into the woods, she’s determined to save him. Accompanied by Hersent and Isengrim’s three daughters—now the Forest’s last wolves—she enters Reynard’s lair, his chaotic Tower that is patrolled by automatonlike clay creatures and fraught with inequality; foxes at the top flaunt their wealth while the animals below go hungry. Reynard’s henchmen brought Dad to the Tower because, as the Wolfstongue, he’s the only one who can retrieve the magical clay that will prevent the Tower’s collapse. When Dad refuses, Willow volunteers to go in his place—setting off a terrible chain of events. Even worse, Reynard isn’t the only animal hatching horrible schemes. In addition to revisiting such themes as self-determination and the power of language, Thompson touches on political rivalry and the effects of grief. While Willow’s complex feelings about Mum’s death are poignant, Silas’ lack of development somewhat reduces the emotional impact of his and Willow’s frayed relationship. Occasionally poetic prose and evocative black-and-white illustrations smooth a slightly disjointed plot. Willow and Dad present white.