Clare is the undead fox of Deadwood Forest who spends his days guiding souls to their final resting place. One day, though, he encounters a badger named Gingersnipes. And as time goes on, Clare realizes that Gingersnipes isn’t just annoying—she also threatens life as he knows it.
Clare is dead. But he still exists in the land of the living. Instead of moving on to the afterlife, where Clare fears he would be relegated to the realm of Pain, he serves as the afterlife’s usher, directing confused animals into the realm that best suits them—Peace, Pleasure, Progress or Pain.
Clare has no memories of his previous life, but he’s content to spend his days reading, gardening and tending lost souls. Until one day, that is, when he’s faced with a case he can’t solve. Gingersnipes the badger doesn’t seem to fit in any of the four afterlife realms, and Clare can’t figure out why.
Clare and Gingersnipes journey to Fernlight to see Hesterfowl, a wise old bird who might be able to provide guidance. However, Clare is disturbed by what he hears. All this time he’s been trying to discover how to usher Gingersnipes into the afterlife. But in reality, the afterlife might be calling him instead.
None.
Obviously, the core of the story here is a very spiritual one. We learn that the afterlife is divided into four realms: Peace, Pleasure, Progress and Pain. Animals have souls, as do most all living things, including plant life.
Elsewhere in the story, the afterlife is described as a higher power. All Hallows Eve is a day when a great deal of supernatural activity occurs. Hesterfowl interprets the future through little whirlpool illusions. Banshees are mentioned. Clare prays to the universe. Karma is mentioned.
Clare is an usher who helps souls get to the right realm. He cares about his job and tries to do it well. Clare doesn’t have many memories, but he knows he was abandoned when he was young.
Clare describes how he was hit and killed by a car. He keeps one eye under his bed because it doesn’t stay in his eye socket. Clare calls badgers squashed skunks. Shooting and skinning animals is mentioned. Cottonmouth snakes attack Clare and Gingersnipes, trying to kill and eat them. Gingersnipes fights them off with a stick. Clare thinks a house is burning down, but it’s just an illusion. Gingersnipes, we learn, was killed by a wolf. Children destroy Clare’s mushrooms. Greta almost drowns.
None.
The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest imagines a different spiritual worldview than a Christian one. How do you think the spiritual ideas in this story compare to what we read in Scripture? What’s similar, and what’s different?
Clare finally decided to be honest with Gingersnipes. Do you struggle with being honest? Why or why not?
Clare hated the way he looked. Read 1 Samuel 16:7. What matters more than looks? Why?
Author Aubrey Hartman has created an engaging world and characters that will likely appeal to many young readers. However, the story is based on non-Christian spiritual ideas, which could easily be confusing and detrimental for kids without parental engagement to guide a conversation about these ideas.
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Book reviews cover the content, themes and worldviews of fiction books, not necessarily their literary merit, and equip parents to decide whether a book is appropriate for their children. The inclusion of a book’s review does not constitute an endorsement by Focus on the Family.
Rachel Pfeiffer serves as Editor of Focus on the Family Clubhouse magazine, where she acquires and crafts stories to entertain and disciple children. She graduated from Taylor University with a degree in professional writing and Moody Theological Seminary with an MA in Biblical Studies. When she’s not curled up with a good book, she can often be found hiking the beautiful Colorado Rockies.
