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Gustav is a young man of the realm who is determined to earn a spot in the knighthood through his fighting technique and swordplay. Winning the king’s tournament, he is installed as captain of the guards for only a short time before an evil sorceress arrives to harass and threaten the king. Gustav bravely stands up to the sorceress, subduing her long enough to be imprisoned before she breaks out and transforms Gustav into a ferret and his lover, Ariel, into a golden eagle. Now predator and prey must team up, tasked with helping those in need all across the land in hopes that someday the spell that separates them from their friends can be reversed and they can return to human form.
This tale of sword and sorcery has a memorable and distinct cast of characters that all stand out and color the book’s world vibrantly. Aside from the unmistakable young knight-turned-ferret and his tragically transformed eagle lover, there are hosts of brave knights, spellbound witches, and even a talking magical pumpkin seed that readers will delight in seeing in adventure after adventure. The reading is light and airy, focused more on an almost serialized style of storytelling rather than a long, laborious insistence on descriptive worldbuilding. This opens the story up to readers of many different ages and levels of commitment, leading to a tale that can be enjoyed and followed at any pace. Despite its tragic beginning, this story chooses a more optimistic bent and shines a light on helping others regardless of one’s background or circumstances, leading to an uplifting and entertaining tale throughout.