The Bark of the Bog Owl is the first book in the Wilderking Trilogy, a middle-grade fantasy adventure series inspired by the biblical story of King David, set in a world resembling the frontier of the American South. It follows 12-year-old Aidan, a shepherd boy who dreams of adventure but finds his life changed forever when a prophet declares he is destined to become the Wilderking. Joe Hox illustrations appear in this 20th anniversary edition.