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Green Ember Archer #2
The First Fowler
A Green Ember story set after the attack on Cloud Mountain and the battle at Jupiter’s Crossing.
In this sequel to The Last Archer, Jo Shanks is back in action against the Preylord tyrants. Alongside Helmer and Emma, this riveting adventure sees Jo on a perilous journey where survival and the cause itself are at stake.
Faced with a calamitous quandary, the loyal band of rabbits must break out of a fatal trap and survive to breathe life into the fledgling resistance.
An heir in peril. An archer hunted from the skies.
Who will hunt the hunter?
In this sequel to The Last Archer, Jo Shanks is back in action against the Preylord tyrants. Alongside Helmer and Emma, this riveting adventure sees Jo on a perilous journey where survival and the cause itself are at stake.
Faced with a calamitous quandary, the loyal band of rabbits must break out of a fatal trap and survive to breathe life into the fledgling resistance.
An heir in peril. An archer hunted from the skies.
Who will hunt the hunter?
160 pages
First published December 9, 2019
359 people are currently reading
1,310 people want to read
About the author
S.D. Smith
16books1,911followersS. D. Smith is the author of The Green Ember Series, a million+ selling adventure saga featuring heroic #RabbitsWithSwords. The Green Ember spent time as the number one bestselling audiobook in the world on Audible. He is also the author of the madcapMooses with Bazookas: And Other Stories Children Should Never Readas well as the touching throwback adventure, The Found Boys. Finally, he has co-authored two fantasy adventure novels with his son (J. C. Smith),Jack Zulu and the Waylander’s Key and Jack Zulu and the Girl with Golden Wings. Smith’s stories are captivating readers across the globe who are hungry for “new stories with an old soul.�
Though packed with old school virtue and moral imagination, Smith doesn't merely create "safe" stories, but bold, daring, truthful tales of light that help shape children who become dangerous—dangerous to the darkness.
Smith is a founder and owner of Story Warren, a publishing, events, and IP development house based in rural West Virginia. Story Warren exists to serve families as “allies in imagination.”�
S. D. Smith lives in Gran
Though packed with old school virtue and moral imagination, Smith doesn't merely create "safe" stories, but bold, daring, truthful tales of light that help shape children who become dangerous—dangerous to the darkness.
Smith is a founder and owner of Story Warren, a publishing, events, and IP development house based in rural West Virginia. Story Warren exists to serve families as “allies in imagination.”�
S. D. Smith lives in Gran
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
December 19, 2019
The First Fowler is an excellent addition to the world of the Green Ember, and a great follow up to The Last Archer. S.D. Smith's characters are funny and endearing, his heroes are genuinely heroic, and the mythology he weaves ever richer and more fascinating.
Shelved as 'tbr-2'
August 30, 2022Free on Amazon (30.8.22)!
December 23, 2019
This little book is another gem by Sam Smith. When a package with the rabbits with swords symbol shows up at our house everyone gets excited! This was no exception. We’ve all grown to love Jo Shanks, and this book puts him in the spotlight. I listened to the Audible version-since my kids had already snagged the physical book before I could!-and I throughly enjoyed the narrators voices.
August 24, 2024
I love the Green Ember Archer stories! Jo is just one of my favorite characters, and I love these stories!
Characters:
Jo is the main character and I love him! He's honestly so fun and an amazing archer to boot, but also humble, and I love that about him.
Studge and Owen are great additions to this story, and I love the peak we get of Heyward and Emma!
Captain Frye is great. Helmer is just as awesome and scary as ever!
I love all the characters and their interactions!
Language:
N/A
Romance:
N/A
Overall:
I love this story. The intensity, the hard decisions, Jo's bravery throughout the whole story, and the way Smith weaves in the beginnings of The Fowlers is so great!
Recommend for ages 7+
Characters:
Jo is the main character and I love him! He's honestly so fun and an amazing archer to boot, but also humble, and I love that about him.
Studge and Owen are great additions to this story, and I love the peak we get of Heyward and Emma!
Captain Frye is great. Helmer is just as awesome and scary as ever!
I love all the characters and their interactions!
Language:
N/A
Romance:
N/A
Overall:
I love this story. The intensity, the hard decisions, Jo's bravery throughout the whole story, and the way Smith weaves in the beginnings of The Fowlers is so great!
Recommend for ages 7+
January 3, 2020
I genuinely enjoy reading the Green Ember books to my kids, and I’ve read every one to them. It seems to me that Smith’s writing is only getting better, his characters more rounded and real. The offshoot stories like this one are simpler and shorter than the main books, but they offer insight into characters in those main books.
I’m pretty sure I’ve heard Smith say that the treacly stories our culture likes to tell kids don’t serve them well—and I know I believe that. Green Ember includes real, mortal danger. Some characters are seriously hurt. Others die (though there is no gore, and my littlest one isn’t scared). The rabbit slogan, “My Life for Yours,� carries real meaning. The stories feel substantive because of their willingness to show evil and pain.
The other part of their slogan, “The Mended Wood,� also carries real meaning, making these stories richly Christian without being preachy. There is a little of the black hat/white hat phenomenon going on in the books—the raptors are just evil. But the rabbits aren’t all good; they face internal dissension and betrayal. And maybe kids need good and evil painted in clear colors, with a nice clear border between. They need heroes to aspire to be like, which Smith provides in both masculine and feminine varieties. And they need to learn to fear the roaring lion that does seek whom he may devour.
I’m pretty sure I’ve heard Smith say that the treacly stories our culture likes to tell kids don’t serve them well—and I know I believe that. Green Ember includes real, mortal danger. Some characters are seriously hurt. Others die (though there is no gore, and my littlest one isn’t scared). The rabbit slogan, “My Life for Yours,� carries real meaning. The stories feel substantive because of their willingness to show evil and pain.
The other part of their slogan, “The Mended Wood,� also carries real meaning, making these stories richly Christian without being preachy. There is a little of the black hat/white hat phenomenon going on in the books—the raptors are just evil. But the rabbits aren’t all good; they face internal dissension and betrayal. And maybe kids need good and evil painted in clear colors, with a nice clear border between. They need heroes to aspire to be like, which Smith provides in both masculine and feminine varieties. And they need to learn to fear the roaring lion that does seek whom he may devour.
December 15, 2019
Jo Shanks is one of my favorites! So happy that I got to spend more time with him and I'm glad I read it before my children take it and make it their own!
February 19, 2021
As always, I enjoyed this short Green Ember story. Though I read it a little too fast, so I missed some details.
I love Jo Shanks and the whole gang with him and enjoy the side story.
2021>> Jo Shanks is officially the best. His humor is fantastic and his awesome plans never seem to work right, but they always work. This short story probably is the most chill of all the books. I loved it. <3
I love Jo Shanks and the whole gang with him and enjoy the side story.
2021>> Jo Shanks is officially the best. His humor is fantastic and his awesome plans never seem to work right, but they always work. This short story probably is the most chill of all the books. I loved it. <3
January 7, 2020
We enjoyed another story about the brave Jo Shanks. He has become one of our favorite characters. Some of our favorite parts were the quips between Captain Frye and Helmer. The Green Ember books are family favorites and this one was no exception.
December 14, 2019
This was a genuinely fun read! It was very short and seemed slightly rushed, but anything Sam puts out I will gladly take in stride! Can’t wait for Ember’s End!!
#RabbitsWithSwords
#RabbitsWithSwords
September 13, 2021
Another outstanding addition to the Green Ember chronicles! I truly meant to make it last a couple of days, but couldn't stop reading! I love the deeper look into Jo Shanks' character, and the action was breath-taking and kept me on the edge of my seat with anticipation. Can't wait for the next one!
December 17, 2019
Another fast-paced installment into the side-adventures of the Green Ember series. It has the pacing of The Last Archer, but includes more of the character insights and relationships we expect from Green Ember books. Another win for S.D.Smith.
June 29, 2024
This one has so many funny lines, and the action was great, too!
June 8, 2020
Jo Shanks is my favorite character, not gonna lie. <3 I liked how clever he (well, everyone else too) was with tactics in this book, and I always find him, Emma, and Heyward to be a fantastic team.
This story did, unfortunately, feel a little short or unsatisfactory, but that was likely due to my confusion about where it falls in the timeline (and how long it’s been since I’ve read book two). ;) It’s definitely fun as a supplement to the main books, though! :D
Best quote: “He’s fine,� Helmer said, brushing off a leaf caught in Jo’s fur. “There.�
Just a note, the peril/violence levels are similar to the rest of the series.
Altogether, I love Jo, so any book with him is automatically fun. ;)
This story did, unfortunately, feel a little short or unsatisfactory, but that was likely due to my confusion about where it falls in the timeline (and how long it’s been since I’ve read book two). ;) It’s definitely fun as a supplement to the main books, though! :D
Best quote: “He’s fine,� Helmer said, brushing off a leaf caught in Jo’s fur. “There.�
Just a note, the peril/violence levels are similar to the rest of the series.
Altogether, I love Jo, so any book with him is automatically fun. ;)
December 16, 2019
Another must-read book from S.D. Smith! Everyone in my family from 4-50 years old loved it!
January 31, 2024
Fun story worthy of this series.
January 9, 2020
A pleasure, as always. What is it about these books? My children adore them, and sometimes my own affection takes me by surprise. So much heart.
December 18, 2019
How can you not love Jo Shanks? Plenty of Helmer, Heyward, and Emma, too, is just icing on the cake. And just like I would expect from an S.D. Smith book, there are the ever-present themes of courage, sacrifice, camaraderie, service, and the like. Suffice it to say, I will gladly read any story in the Green Ember universe anytime.
March 19, 2020
A lovely little "side story" addendum to the Green Ember series, which has whetted our appetite and anticipation for the final regular installment in that series (coming soon). Wonderful, lovely writing, great characters, and a great story.
May 21, 2023
Read to Maddie
Fun little children’s book.
Fun little children’s book.
November 30, 2024
As expected, I'm absolutely loving the chance to virtually experience another journey in Natalia—though from afar, as the war is intense! The added character depth stirs both excitement and sadness; knowing the whole story amplifies the emotion, but the storyline remains consistently captivating. Sadly, I’m now down to the final book in this Archer trilogy and dreading the moment I run out of new content—but alas, all things must come to an end. On a side note, the pacing of these books is excellent. It’s not too fast, yet it never drags, and I ended up reading this one pretty much in a single sitting.
March 30, 2023
This was a great addition to the series! I love getting “behind the scenes� peeks through the Green Ember Archer books that you don’t get to see in the main GE books. Some of the banter had me reading it over and over again before moving on. Definitely 5 stars! Can’t wait to read the next book in publish order, “Ember’s End�.
February 18, 2020
So good to get more of Jo’s story and get more Heyward. :) I love the hedger - a reminder that the faithful exercise of our particular gifts is what is necessary. We aren’t all warriors in the same sense, but everyone using their talents selflessly is a blessing and benefit to all.
November 8, 2021
awesome read
Love the stories of the Green Ember world. All the characters are so entertaining and enjoyable. High recommendation to all.
Love the stories of the Green Ember world. All the characters are so entertaining and enjoyable. High recommendation to all.
January 1, 2020
Another great little book by S.D. Smith. The author frequently describes his works as 'new stories with an old soul'. His stories, this one included, highlight courage, sacrifice, compassion, family and hope. Jo Shanks, the hero of The Last Archer, returns in another daring and dangerous mission for the rabbits against their wolf and raptor enemies. Smith is excellent at portraying the relationships between characters, showing the humor even in the midst of trials and danger, and in showing the heart of imperfect heroes, striving for the good of others. My boys both love the Green Ember series, and my 11 year old was kind enough to let me read this book first, while he re-read all the other Green Ember books (again) to prepare to read this one! It probably would be best not to read this, unless you've read the Green Ember and the Last Archer first, but it is enjoyable even if you have not. I am thankful for S.D. Smith, and highly recommend all of his books!
July 30, 2022
Part two of the Archer series, sequel to the Last Archer, and parallel story to the primary Green Ember series,taking place around book 3.
Great additional series. I love the interwoven story. See notes on the Last Archer for more.
⚠️Parental Warning ⚠️
None
Great additional series. I love the interwoven story. See notes on the Last Archer for more.
⚠️Parental Warning ⚠️
None
May 2, 2021
This went by so quickly that it hardly registered with me, but it was pleasant enough.
December 27, 2019
Jo Shanks bears the flame as S.D. Smith reveals more of the unfolding story that is changing all of Natalia, and our hearts as well.
Reading these novellas from The Green Ember series is like looking at something from a different angle. I read this before giving it to my kids for Christmas. They did a happy dance when they unwrapped it. I am thankful for Smith's underlying worldview which shines through the courageous love of right in his characters. The action kept us all turning the pages, and we have had fun discussing the various scenes and outcomes.
Though dialogue heavy at times, The First Fowler adds layers of meaning to each beloved character from the series, from gruff Helmer to endearing Emma.
Finally, while I roll my eyes at Smith's snarky humor, my son incorporates it into his repertoire with glee.
Reading these novellas from The Green Ember series is like looking at something from a different angle. I read this before giving it to my kids for Christmas. They did a happy dance when they unwrapped it. I am thankful for Smith's underlying worldview which shines through the courageous love of right in his characters. The action kept us all turning the pages, and we have had fun discussing the various scenes and outcomes.
Though dialogue heavy at times, The First Fowler adds layers of meaning to each beloved character from the series, from gruff Helmer to endearing Emma.
Finally, while I roll my eyes at Smith's snarky humor, my son incorporates it into his repertoire with glee.
April 7, 2020
I really want to rate this book higher, because I love the author and his main body of work � the Green Ember Saga. This is a small side story. The writing was not up to the usual standards of the author, almost to the extent that it could have been written by someone else. The story lacked his usual care for description of characters and setting. You had to have JUST freshly finished several of his books to figure out what was going on. There were many secondary (tertiary?) characters that were introduced and discarded. The plot felt both unfulfilled and rushed.
Contrast that with the three chapters preview from his upcoming book that are at the back of this book... the setting is lush, the characters have emotion you can connect to, the plot feels like it has movement. It’s less pages and goes farther.
My mom is an author and would be devastated by a critique like this. So I’m trying to be as kind as possible (and feel like I’m being generous with a 3 star review). I want to be clear - SD Smith is an incredible storyteller! I highly recommend his work to everyone!
Skip this book and read the regular Green Ember saga. It is a much richer collection of fiction and storytelling.
Contrast that with the three chapters preview from his upcoming book that are at the back of this book... the setting is lush, the characters have emotion you can connect to, the plot feels like it has movement. It’s less pages and goes farther.
My mom is an author and would be devastated by a critique like this. So I’m trying to be as kind as possible (and feel like I’m being generous with a 3 star review). I want to be clear - SD Smith is an incredible storyteller! I highly recommend his work to everyone!
Skip this book and read the regular Green Ember saga. It is a much richer collection of fiction and storytelling.
December 27, 2019
This is yet another winner in the brilliant, ever unmatched Green Ember series!
February 24, 2020
Joe's story is continued as he and others continue to battle their enemies.
Simple to follow text and plenty of adventure in this short story.
Simple to follow text and plenty of adventure in this short story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
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