The following review is based on an Advance Copy, courtesy of #NetGalley. I had no previous foreknowledge of Nick McDonnell prior to reading THE COUNCIL OF ANIMALS. What follows is a 100% Spoiler-Free Review.

The easiest way to describe this book is a modern-day ANIMAL FARM or WATERSHIP DOWN. Mind you, to try and "tack on" a title like is rather unfair, really, as it is so much more inside!

The story unfolds, as seen through the eyes of an older bulldog named, simply, Dog; a cat named, you guessed it, Cat; and a former circus performing bear named Bear. Of the three, only Dog is male. There will be other animals also capable of speech, but these three are the tale's main animals.

Each of the three animals brings elements of their past, elements that helped carve out their own unique personalities. Dog comes from a military background, having served in the Bacon War, along fellow humans and dogs alike. Cat comes from a domesticated background, with her life with humans being, well, "pet-like", only with that token cat smugness and sense that they are above it all. And lastly, there is Bear, who comes with a fair amount of latent emotional doubts.

The story, itself, is simple, yet, once you embark on the undertaking, the multitude of layers will reveal themselves. There is much that mirrors our society at this point in time, as mob rules, while there are still those who realize the harm in that and try to prevent that course. McDonell has seen much of the current sociopolitical world in his journalism career, and it is from that pool that he appears to draw from his inspiration for the anthropomorphic characters within.

The Calamity, which originated with the Humans, is never really revealed. Sure, McDonell hints and alludes to the nature of it, but as far as to what it truly is, that is left to the minds of the readers. And that was one of the reasons I truly loved the book: allowing the power, and limits, of our own imagination to define the Calamity made it that much more disturbing! Brilliant!

I urge every one to read #TheCouncilOfAnimals, as it is a fable for modern times, yet with a timeless feel to it as well. I don't think the "wee ones" would get it all, but I think there is great benefit to having a book club, thereby discussing the book with your teen(s) as you both read it. Now, shoo already, off to the bookstore with you then, hmm...