You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.28 AVERAGE
4.28 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
This is the first Terry Pratchett book I've read. I think I decided to start with this middle reader version of his books because I felt like there were just too many novels to choose from on the adult side. I was a bit overwhelmed.
I have to say I'm kind of glad to have started with this one. I don't know what the adult books are like, but this was clever, fast paced, and completely enjoyable. I'm definitely starting on the next book right away.
I must also confess that I actually downloaded this on iTunes read by Stephen Briggs. I don't often like audio books because many times I find the narrator's voice to be annoying after a few chapters. This seems especially true with female narrators. Anyway, Stephen Briggs does a brilliant job of narrating. I almost want to listen to the second book as well. I think I might miss his Wee Free Men impressions!
I have to say I'm kind of glad to have started with this one. I don't know what the adult books are like, but this was clever, fast paced, and completely enjoyable. I'm definitely starting on the next book right away.
I must also confess that I actually downloaded this on iTunes read by Stephen Briggs. I don't often like audio books because many times I find the narrator's voice to be annoying after a few chapters. This seems especially true with female narrators. Anyway, Stephen Briggs does a brilliant job of narrating. I almost want to listen to the second book as well. I think I might miss his Wee Free Men impressions!
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
A Tiffany Aching Adventure, book one. This series takes place on Discworld and includes at least two of the same characters, yet it is considered a separate series from those books. The Tiffany Aching series is supposed to be for young adults, but I don't find much difference between these and the Discworldbooks--maybe fewer puns, but Pratchett's writing style is pretty much the same. Oops, I read book one after reading two and three. But it's just as well; I felt the adventure that made up the meat of this book went on for too long and I never really got into it. If I had read this book first I may not have bothered to continue with the series. I guess I have a low tolerance for some aspect of that particular escapade.
Delightful! This book had me smiling the whole time. It's inventive and clever and amusing and has a great adventure embedded within. One of my favorite lines, "Put me down! There's poetry coming!" And sure enough there was. I cannot even describe the enjoyment of this. My daughter has been a fan of these books for years and I wish I had not waited so long to join the club.
3.5 stars. I liked it, I just didn't make it all the way up to really liked it. Perhaps because the humor didn't hit me in quite the same funny spot as other Pratchett novels? Not sure.
The characters are the best part of this book. Tiffany is a great protagonist - strong, thoughtful and self-assured. She does not sit idly by in any situation; she knows what she wants and she goes after it. She has common sense and a little uncommon sense too. She is quite refreshing. (Anyone who takes on her enemies with a frying pan has got to be good.)
The titular Wee Free Men are a lot of fun, what with their endearingly bad behavior and gruff charm.
I also liked the morals of the story (which I shall not spoil here). They went hand-in-hand with my appreciation of Tiffany as a character, saying something about strength of character and spirit (rather than the too-common-recently themes wherein having purple eyes and Mysterious, Undeserved Powers grants heroines instant love, fame, and ridiculous powerful enemies. That's not a theme? Oh... gee...)
But then the plot of the story? Just a little dull for my taste. I found it rather difficult to get interested in whether or not Tiffany got Wentworth back. The kind of personal growth she needed to do had pretty much nothing to do with her brother (unlike the obvious parallel of Labyrinth) - she just needed some kind of quest to go on. The business with the dreams at the end got rather dizzying. Perhaps I wasn't paying enough attention.
All in all, a light, fun read. I shall continue reading the other tales in this arc.
The characters are the best part of this book. Tiffany is a great protagonist - strong, thoughtful and self-assured. She does not sit idly by in any situation; she knows what she wants and she goes after it. She has common sense and a little uncommon sense too. She is quite refreshing. (Anyone who takes on her enemies with a frying pan has got to be good.)
The titular Wee Free Men are a lot of fun, what with their endearingly bad behavior and gruff charm.
I also liked the morals of the story (which I shall not spoil here). They went hand-in-hand with my appreciation of Tiffany as a character, saying something about strength of character and spirit (rather than the too-common-recently themes wherein having purple eyes and Mysterious, Undeserved Powers grants heroines instant love, fame, and ridiculous powerful enemies. That's not a theme? Oh... gee...)
But then the plot of the story? Just a little dull for my taste. I found it rather difficult to get interested in whether or not Tiffany got Wentworth back. The kind of personal growth she needed to do had pretty much nothing to do with her brother (unlike the obvious parallel of Labyrinth) - she just needed some kind of quest to go on. The business with the dreams at the end got rather dizzying. Perhaps I wasn't paying enough attention.
All in all, a light, fun read. I shall continue reading the other tales in this arc.
I need to preface my review by saying that I'm not sure this is a genre I like ... fantasy. However, I was open-minded about it and enjoyed the beginning of the book where she is just becoming familiar with her surroundings, senses, and specialness. Nevertheless, as the story progressed into the different worlds and dreams, I started to lose interest and found things to be disjointed, illogical, and even inconsistent.
I realize fantasy is supposed to transport you beyond reality, but I wanted there to be some coherence and a consistency within that alternative universes. I felt that sometimes the rules changed spontaneously and that was frustrating because I wanted their to be some validity to the different dimensions. Without that, I felt the integrity of the story was lacking.
On the other hand, I did like what could be perceived as broader messages and meanings the reader could take from the story. For example, like being fully awake, trusting yourself, knowing who you are, having a sense of duty, and finding courage. Some of these messages came interspersed throughout the story and were little gems along the way. I also enjoyed the dialogue of the Wee Men. Their glib way of talking and antics were quite humorous.
I'm not sure I would read another book by this author, but this could be a book you would enjoy if you like books about fantasy and young witches.
I realize fantasy is supposed to transport you beyond reality, but I wanted there to be some coherence and a consistency within that alternative universes. I felt that sometimes the rules changed spontaneously and that was frustrating because I wanted their to be some validity to the different dimensions. Without that, I felt the integrity of the story was lacking.
On the other hand, I did like what could be perceived as broader messages and meanings the reader could take from the story. For example, like being fully awake, trusting yourself, knowing who you are, having a sense of duty, and finding courage. Some of these messages came interspersed throughout the story and were little gems along the way. I also enjoyed the dialogue of the Wee Men. Their glib way of talking and antics were quite humorous.
I'm not sure I would read another book by this author, but this could be a book you would enjoy if you like books about fantasy and young witches.
May 2018: Re-read #2. Interesting to re-read after 10 years.
This is a wonderful YA novel mini-series addition to the Discworld series. It's a great story of a young girl finding her place in the world as a young witch, while being a great satire of fairy tales and the mythology of the British Isles.
This is a wonderful YA novel mini-series addition to the Discworld series. It's a great story of a young girl finding her place in the world as a young witch, while being a great satire of fairy tales and the mythology of the British Isles.
Tiffany Aching is an amazing character. She is what I want every little girl to be: smart and just a little wary of "happy endings." From her footwear (heavy, hand-me-down boots) to her choice of weaponry (witchcraft and a cast-iron frying pan) she's the perfect role model. She's practical, grounded, and slightly suspicious of anything that seems even slightly too good to be true.