Orton’s latest is a fantasy series debut featuring the epic journey of a winged underdog. Since the warmwind, creatures and plants have mutated. Moths evolved and are living longer, but there are new terrifying creatures too, such as the evil wasplike Bluetails. Young orphaned mothling Catclaw is mocked by his peers due to his Dreamkin heritage. Each moth clan is renowned for their gifts, such as the Leafkin’s ability to make healing potions. Long ago, the Dreamkins attempted to overthrow the Queen, and they were outcast and rendered nameless, their gifts of prophecy removed. When Catclaw begins having terrible premonitions of the clans being attacked by Bluetails, no one believes him. He sets off on a solo journey to find Queen Adeia, and along the way he meets mothlings from other clans who, after overcoming their prejudices, band together to help him on his quest. Catclaw’s journey is filled with intense dangers, and he and his new comrades must determine who is trustworthy. Full of adventure, surprising twists and nonstop action, the series is also character driven, showing the mothlings forming new relationships and grappling with insecurities. VERDICT Fans of Erin Hunter’s “Warriors” and Tui T. Sutherland’s “Wings of Fire” series will happily delve into the mothling world, finding a new hero in Catclaw.

– School Library Journal, 4/17/26

After the Dreamkin moth clan betrayed their queen, they were stripped of their gift of prophecy, so when Catclaw, a young mothling, has a terrible vision of things to come, he’s desperate to warn his community but worries they won’t believe his claims. As he feared, he’s promptly exiled for his perceived lies, but despite his terrible treatment, Catclaw feels duty-bound to warn other clans and the queen herself, desperately hoping that his good deed may earn her forgiveness and reinstate the clan to good standing. But the way is littered with danger and disbelief, and Catclaw must learn to trust himself and a few unexpected allies if there will be any chance to save all of mothkind. The suspenseful tale has an old-fashioned fairy tale air, and marvelous descriptions of moth civilization and minutiae are a wonder. It’s a different scale of being, where lives are measured in moonturns and wing flaps, and the miniature world feels supremely cozy and terribly dangerous in turn. A harrowing, heartening journey for anyone who has ever felt like the odd one out. 

– Booklist , 04/01/2026

A moth has a danger-filled vision of the future. Will anyone believe him?

Catclaw has always felt alone. Orphaned and mocked by his peers for being dreamy and unreliable, the young mothling looks to his clan leader for comfort and support. Master Saturna’s stories about their history enthrall him: the way the Warmwind triggered creatures to evolve in mysterious ways; the origins of the five uniquely gifted moth clans; the terrifying emergence of predators like the Bluetails, mutated, murderous wasps; the rise of Queen Adeia, who banished the Bluetails; and the betrayal and exile of the Dreamkins, Catclaw’s clan, after their leader attempted to overthrow the Queen. The Dreamkins lost their name and community—and their ability to prophesy. Still, Catclaw holds onto the hope that their visions will return, the clan will be forgiven, and he’ll finally have a place to belong. When the first visions in a generation come to Catclaw, however, it isn’t the joyous occasion he imagined. They’re full of darkness and loss—and the return of the Bluetails. Can Catclaw warn the other moths and convince the Queen to forgive the Dreamkins before it’s too late? Catclaw’s journey is full of vibrant, captivating worldbuilding, while his battles and the scenes of peril feature age-appropriate body horror, genuine scares, and inventive reveals. In magnifying the insect world and elevating the humble moth, this series opener takes young readers on a heroic epic that’s sure to thrill.

An enchanting new adventure.

– Kirkus , February 15, 2026