The Black Star of Kingston (Tales of Old Natalia Book 1)
- 4.7 out of 5
- 2,861 ratings
- 142 pages
Overall Content Rating: Parents Strongly Cautioned PG-13
This novella is a prequel in the Green Ember series, centered on rabbit sailors and settlers facing danger at sea and on land. Themes of courage, loyalty, and standing by one’s companions run through the plot. Parent and reader notes consistently describe the book as clean regarding language and sexual content, aimed roughly at middle-grade readers who enjoy adventure. Expect several fight and attack sequences, including deaths in battle and emotional aftermath. Wounds and blood appear in mild, non-graphic terms, alongside non-violent uses of blood in oaths and creeds. There is no profanity or sexual innuendo in the material reviewed; sampled wording that might look suggestive or violent out of context refers to listening gestures, digging, barrel taps, or loyalty phrases instead.
Reviews first uploaded October 6, 2026 9:47 pm. Page updated October 6, 2026 9:47 pm.
These summaries are AI-generated from relevant Amazon reviews of this book.
Violence Moderate
4The story includes naval conflict and battle scenes where characters are wounded or killed. Blood and injuries are mentioned, including on a wounded leader and during chaotic fighting on deck, but descriptions stay short of graphic gore. Much of the language about blood is a ceremonial pledge of loyalty rather than injury. Reviewers describe the action as adventure-focused, with fear, grief, and sacrifice emphasized more than detailed harm; some note it may feel intense for very young or sensitive readers.
Amazon reviews mentioning violence
Specific words
- blood: 3
- stab: 1
About this book
My place beside you My blood for yours Till the Green Ember rises Or the end of the world Before the Oath. Before the legends. Before Natalia existed. A kingdom is born when ordinary rabbits choose courage. More than a century before Heather and Picket’s adventures, a ragged band of rabbit refugees has escaped disaster across the sea and settled in a wild, untamed land. The displaced community fights for hope as grief runs high and supplies low. If the settlers cannot find fuel before winter, their fragile community may fall apart before it ever has the chance to become a home. Fleck Blackstar, the son of a miner, believes the answer lies beyond Ayman Lake in the ancient mountains that tower over the frontier. When he brings his idea to the king, Whitson Mariner entrusts him with a dangerous mission: explore the unknown wilderness and discover whether hope can be found beneath the mountains. But something else waits there. Something older than their settlement. Something darker than the coming winter. Teetering on the edge of survival, the brave rabbits of Seddleton must face the fears stirred by the unknown to build a brighter future. Together, they forge an oath that echoes through the generations and shapes the fate of rabbitkind. Set more than a hundred years before the events of The Green Ember , The Black Star of Kingston begins an exciting new trilogy exploring the legendary heroes, ancient struggles, and untold origins of Natalia. This middle grade fantasy adventure is a perfect entry point into the world of The Green Ember —for both returning readers and brand new ones. Its timeless virtues will inspire young readers to pursue courage, loyalty, and noble purpose. A tale from the dawn of Natalia— where legends are born, kingdoms are forged, and hope refuses to die. Complete the Old Natalia trilogy! The Black Star of Kingston (Green Ember: Old Natalia Book 1) The Wreck and Rise of Whitson Mariner (Green Ember: Old Natalia Book 2) Prince Lander and the Dragon War (Green Ember: Old Natalia Book 3) Find the original Green Ember series! The Green Ember (Green Ember Book 1) Ember Falls (Green Ember Book 2) Ember Rising (Green Ember Book 3) Ember’s End (Green Ember Book 4) Read more