Watership Down

When Watership Down was published in 1972 it was a huge success. Combining epic fantasy, adventure and an ecological theme, it appealed to a broad spectrum of readers. It's a captivating and charming story about a flock of rabbits whose burrows are destroyed when the relentless urban expansion of Man reaches them. In search of a new area to settle down in, the flock of rabbits must endure many difficulties.


This book is not about 'rabbits' of course, but about ourselves and the way we view nature. Above all it's a great story with very good characterizations. The world of the rabbits is detailed and interesting, with its own mythology, a place where we can identify with the rabbits from a distance.

Shardik

Shardik starts off with an incredible description of a forest fire. You feel like you are right there witnessing it. A huge bear escapes the flames and finds its way to Ortelga, a land on the outskirts of the Bekla Empire. The timid hunter Kelderek sees the animal and tells a priestess that the long awaited bear-god has returned to its people. The bear is Shardik. The people of Ortelga become convinced that Shardik has returned to help his people reclaim the Bekla Empire which once was theirs.


Along with Watership Down, this is the best novel Richard Adams has written. It is a completely engrossing and powerful book set in a medieval fantasy world. Shardik demonstrates the power of myth and religion like no other novel I have read. At the same time it succeeds as an adventure story and it's really hard to put down once you start reading it.
Adams wrote at least one sequel to Shardik that I'm aware of, Maia, I was really disappointed with it.