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4.35 AVERAGE
4.35 AVERAGE
3.5. I really, really enjoyed this. It took a bit to get into, and I was definitely confused at times, but it was sweet, funny, heartfelt, and pretty wise for a children’s book. Just a really nice read!
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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:
Yes
Alright. Tiffany Aching took me by surprise a bit with book one. But now that I'm ready for her and the Nac Mac Feegles I wonder if I will still think as highly of them. Spoiler: yes, of course I do.
What I liked.
The delightful wit and charm and humor from book one are back. This world and these characters work so very well for me. Add to that a new antagonist in the hiver. What an idea the hiver was. I'm still piecing it over in my mind. For those that haven't read the book, a hiver has no body or substance but seeks out and takes over the mind of those that are powerful in some way. They look for desirable traits in their host, in this case Tiffany Aching has multiple. Once the hiver takes over Tiffany's mind she starts to abuse her magical powers in rather uncharacteristic ways. Later in the story we learn that the hiver doesn't actually change the way Tiffany acts really but rather it allows her to act as she would with no conscience. This causes, as you can imagine, all sorts of internal struggles for young Tiffany.
There is a quote from the book I want to share. It is a bit of dialogue from the hiver to Tiffany. I feel like it encapsulates so much, in just a paragraph, of what I have loved about this series so far.
What I did not like.
This is not a unique aspect to A Hat Full of Sky, but rather it is something that I generally don't like in sequel books. Not all sequel books do it but this one did it and many that I have read are guilty of it as well. I don't like it when a book explains things from the previous book. It is a necessary evil, of course, but it is especially bothersome when you binge a book like I did here. I prefer something like how Mark Lawrence did in The Book of the Ancestor where he added a little recap at the beginning of his book with all the things you needed to know. Also, Annagramma was one of the more annoying characters I have come across. But then again she was supposed to be that. Well played, Sir Pratchett, well played.
Overall, I had another spectacular experience with the Tiffany Aching series. On to Wintersmith.
What I liked.
The delightful wit and charm and humor from book one are back. This world and these characters work so very well for me. Add to that a new antagonist in the hiver. What an idea the hiver was. I'm still piecing it over in my mind. For those that haven't read the book, a hiver has no body or substance but seeks out and takes over the mind of those that are powerful in some way. They look for desirable traits in their host, in this case Tiffany Aching has multiple. Once the hiver takes over Tiffany's mind she starts to abuse her magical powers in rather uncharacteristic ways. Later in the story we learn that the hiver doesn't actually change the way Tiffany acts really but rather it allows her to act as she would with no conscience. This causes, as you can imagine, all sorts of internal struggles for young Tiffany.
There is a quote from the book I want to share. It is a bit of dialogue from the hiver to Tiffany. I feel like it encapsulates so much, in just a paragraph, of what I have loved about this series so far.
“Do you know what it feels like to be aware of every star, every blade of grass? Yes. You do. You call it 'opening your eyes again.' But you do it for a moment. We have done it for eternity. No sleep, no rest, just endless... endless experience, endless awareness. Of everything. All the time. How we envy you, envy you! Lucky humans, who can close your minds to the endless deeps of space! You have this thing you call... boredom? That is the rarest talent in the universe! We heard a song — it went 'Twinkle twinkle little star....' What power! What wondrous power! You can take a billion trillion tons of flaming matter, a furnace of unimaginable strength, and turn it into a little song for children! You build little worlds, little stories, little shells around your minds, and that keeps infinity at bay and allows you to wake up in the morning without screaming!”
What I did not like.
This is not a unique aspect to A Hat Full of Sky, but rather it is something that I generally don't like in sequel books. Not all sequel books do it but this one did it and many that I have read are guilty of it as well. I don't like it when a book explains things from the previous book. It is a necessary evil, of course, but it is especially bothersome when you binge a book like I did here. I prefer something like how Mark Lawrence did in The Book of the Ancestor where he added a little recap at the beginning of his book with all the things you needed to know. Also, Annagramma was one of the more annoying characters I have come across. But then again she was supposed to be that. Well played, Sir Pratchett, well played.
Overall, I had another spectacular experience with the Tiffany Aching series. On to Wintersmith.
Tiffany Aching is growing up as a woman and as a witch and becoming a more complex and interesting character. She is resourceful and smart and is able to stand up even to Granny Weatherwax.
Also, more Feegles!
Also, more Feegles!
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-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
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying
Moderate: Death, Murder
Minor: Animal death
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
4.5 Fantastic series. A Hat Full wasn't quite as delicious as Wee Free Men, but we'll take all of the Tiffany Aching that we can get. Love the audiobooks and the narrator as well!
never thought about it but the tiffany books definitely permanently impacted the way i write children. especially eleven year old girls (terrifying people)
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
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:
Yes