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4.28 AVERAGE
4.28 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Although I suppose this is intended to be a YA book, it doesn't really feel like one. Sure, kids of the right age would love it. But as a 30 year old adult, I loved it too, and it never felt childish to me. A lot of YA lit these days has gotten very formulaic and repetitive and kind of stupid. This was anything but. It's my first Terry Pratchett (not counting Good Omens), but I don't think it's likely to be my last. I think that, like his buddy Neil Gaiman, Pratchett has a unique way with words, a vivid imagination, and the ability to bridge the gap between adult and YA and make it feel like kind of the same thing. I'll definitely be back for more.
I read this as something of prequel, having chosen book two in the Tiffany Acing series at random.
Unfortunately, this volume took me quite a while to read (not the book's fault), so my memory of the earlier incidents in the book is hazy. The story is enjoyable, though can be tricky to follow at times with dreams inside dreams like Russian nesting dolls.
I can't say that I enjoyed this as much as A Hat Full of Sky, as it didn't have the beautiful and evocative imagery that #2 did, and the story tended to weigh one down in places. That said, it's a pleasant read.
Unfortunately, this volume took me quite a while to read (not the book's fault), so my memory of the earlier incidents in the book is hazy. The story is enjoyable, though can be tricky to follow at times with dreams inside dreams like Russian nesting dolls.
I can't say that I enjoyed this as much as A Hat Full of Sky, as it didn't have the beautiful and evocative imagery that #2 did, and the story tended to weigh one down in places. That said, it's a pleasant read.
I picked this paperback up at the local library book sale and saw one of my favorite authors (Patrick Rothfuss) gave it 5 stars on Goodreads. It took me awhile to start reading Wee Free Men but when I finally did I discovered a lovely book. There are books I always want to keep on my bookshelf because I know each time I reread it, I will discover new things I missed the previous read. Clever jokes, fantastic descriptions of a magical land, and smart dialogue are sprinkled throughout. I can't wait to continue the series and see what Tiffany gets up to next.
I read funny scenes out loud to my kids and they giggled so much at the Wee Free men. I know they'll enjoy reading too when they're a bit older.
I read funny scenes out loud to my kids and they giggled so much at the Wee Free men. I know they'll enjoy reading too when they're a bit older.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
2023 update:
I loved this way more on second reading (admittedly that might be the trend with Terry Pratchett for me). This time I read it on the kindle while also listening to the audiobook and it helped with the Feegles dialect by a lot. I still feel like this book stands well on its own and could even be a good introduction to the series (especially by teen audiences) but I feel like I've gotten a much richer context now that I've ready 3/4 of the Discworld series. Tiffany is such a great protagonist -- probably one of my favorites of any series. I'm really looking forward to reading the rest of her books. Bonus: Mopey the whale!
Original review:
I didn't love this one as much as I originally hoped. The story is inventive but I just couldn't really get into it. Maybe if I wasn't so distracted by the bad Scottish accents and slang the Wee Free Men used. I really enjoyed Tiffany as a main protagonist and I might read more adventures starring her in the future.
I loved this way more on second reading (admittedly that might be the trend with Terry Pratchett for me). This time I read it on the kindle while also listening to the audiobook and it helped with the Feegles dialect by a lot. I still feel like this book stands well on its own and could even be a good introduction to the series (especially by teen audiences) but I feel like I've gotten a much richer context now that I've ready 3/4 of the Discworld series. Tiffany is such a great protagonist -- probably one of my favorites of any series. I'm really looking forward to reading the rest of her books. Bonus: Mopey the whale!
Original review:
I didn't love this one as much as I originally hoped. The story is inventive but I just couldn't really get into it. Maybe if I wasn't so distracted by the bad Scottish accents and slang the Wee Free Men used. I really enjoyed Tiffany as a main protagonist and I might read more adventures starring her in the future.
I think Tiffany as a character has great potential in this, but the plot is a bit messy. There were maybe too many dream-scenes. But I hope things develop in the later books.
Tiffany Aching has to fight elves to get her brother back. If she could figure out who is taking the sheep, that would help too.
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was one of the first Terry Pratchett’s that I ever read and I instantly fell in love. I remember actually laughing tears of of joy while reading this, but it is not just a humorous fantasy novel. There is real substance to much of what Terry Pratchett points out. This was also where I was first introduced the Tiffany Aching character. When I first read this in high school I could relate to Tiffany Aching. She was smart, and intelligent, and was not afraid to go her own way.