Reviewed by Saifunnissa Hassam for Readers' Favorite

M. G. Claybrook’s Wintersfall: The Legend of Sangareth is an immersive and gripping fantasy epic of Hesperia, an ancient squirrel kingdom. Milowe Sangareth is a young squirrel growing up in the quiet mountain town of Hesperia, in a time when only ruins remain of the vast kingdom of Hesperia that once existed. The squirrels of Hesperia can fly and are called wingliers. The ability to fly is considered a gift from the gods. As Milowe grows up, he learns of two terrifying mysteries. Squirrels disappear suddenly, and no one seems to know their ultimate fate. From time to time, squirrels also suffer from an ancient illness called Wither. This is a catastrophic squirrel skin and blood disease that destroys the squirrel’s ability to fly. Milowe’s parents disappear one night, two years before he comes of age. He grows up and joins the Guardians, soldiers of Hesperia, and becomes a captain of the North Watch and a teacher. The story twists and turns as Milowe is drawn into the deep and dark mysteries of Hesperia.  

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this imaginative and gorgeously illustrated fantasy for its remarkable characters and a squirrel kingdom that comes vividly to life through its characters, settings, and dark mysteries. I particularly enjoyed the character development of the central character, Milowe Sangareth, in the form of a book, Wintersfall, that he writes for his son, Gethsarade. Milowe is courageous, resilient, inventive, and a natural leader. I liked the challenges he faces and his fierceness in fighting back against both squirrel enemies and unknown dark forces that threaten not only his life but the survival of Hesperia itself. The character development of key characters like the sharp, perceptive, and courageous Maeve, Milowe’s wife, enriches the story, as fears, despair, and misunderstandings are intertwined in Milowe’s struggles. I enjoyed the magnificent illustrations at the beginning of every chapter of squirrels, the landscapes, and the great Pillar on the Yggdrasil tree. I was entranced by the myths and legends woven into the plot. Wintersfall is also about ethical choices, of good and evil, and of actions for the common good. I liked the poetry that shows how Milowe tells his son about making the right choices in life. M. G. Claybrook’s fantasy is a delightful read, with great drama, beautiful illustrations, and poetry that is a tale in itself.