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tehani's review against another edition
4.0
Thoroughly enjoyed this. Beautiful production values & illustrations support the story, which was really good. I love Fables and having a more in depth journey with the characters (and I'm a big fan of Pied Piper retellings, so that's another tick!) meant I loved this even more.
I'm not sure someone who hasn't read the graphic novels will get the same enjoyment, but I think Willingham has done a pretty good job of creating a standalone novel based in his world.
I'm not sure someone who hasn't read the graphic novels will get the same enjoyment, but I think Willingham has done a pretty good job of creating a standalone novel based in his world.
dmiyoshi's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
csdaley's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this book a lot but must admit that my prior knowledge of the comic book Fable (one of my favorite comics) probably helped further my enjoyment.
lincolncreadsbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Two things you should know going into this review. The first is that this novel is based on a comic series called Fables, which tells stories about characters from fairy tales living in the real world. The second is that, while you don't need to read Fables in order to enjoy this novel, if you line up ten comic fans, only one of which reads Fables, Fables is still going to be the best continuing series any of them have ever read. Hands down.
Alright, now that that's out of the way; Peter and Max tells the story of Peter Piper (of pickled pepper-picking fame) and his brother Max (the Pied Piper of Hamelin). Max is a bad guy, you see, and Peter finally has the chance to rid the world of him. The fairly straightforward story of Peter's travel to Germany to find and defeat Max would be a rather uninteresting short story by itself (though the conflict is resolved ingeniously), but is interspersed throughout a narrative that tells the story of Max and Peter as children, their flight into the Black Forest during the Emperor's occupation of the Homelands, their time in Hamelin and growth to adulthood, their first epic battle, and Max's first encounter with Fabletown in the new world. Basically, by the time the Piper brothers fight to the finish, you've gotten their whole history (I won't spoil it for you, but there's a couple of magic flutes and a crippled lover involved), and you're as ready to see justice done as Peter (and Max, in his own twisted way) is.
Mr. Willingham's expert storytelling should come as no surprise to fans of the comic; no one else could tell a Fables story like Bill, and the book is filled with rich detail and excitement that moves the 368-page novel along at a pretty good clip. Illustrations by Steve Leialoha (the inker on the comic series) are scattered throughout and the book includes a short comic at the end, starring Peter Piper and his wife, Bo Peep. I could have done without the comic; the idea covered in the eight-or-so pages could have been developed into a great issue of Fables, but instead was rather half-assed and seemed to be done as an afterthought. The novel, though, was excellent, and I really hope Bill sees fit to produce a few more of these. 9/10.
Alright, now that that's out of the way; Peter and Max tells the story of Peter Piper (of pickled pepper-picking fame) and his brother Max (the Pied Piper of Hamelin). Max is a bad guy, you see, and Peter finally has the chance to rid the world of him. The fairly straightforward story of Peter's travel to Germany to find and defeat Max would be a rather uninteresting short story by itself (though the conflict is resolved ingeniously), but is interspersed throughout a narrative that tells the story of Max and Peter as children, their flight into the Black Forest during the Emperor's occupation of the Homelands, their time in Hamelin and growth to adulthood, their first epic battle, and Max's first encounter with Fabletown in the new world. Basically, by the time the Piper brothers fight to the finish, you've gotten their whole history (I won't spoil it for you, but there's a couple of magic flutes and a crippled lover involved), and you're as ready to see justice done as Peter (and Max, in his own twisted way) is.
Mr. Willingham's expert storytelling should come as no surprise to fans of the comic; no one else could tell a Fables story like Bill, and the book is filled with rich detail and excitement that moves the 368-page novel along at a pretty good clip. Illustrations by Steve Leialoha (the inker on the comic series) are scattered throughout and the book includes a short comic at the end, starring Peter Piper and his wife, Bo Peep. I could have done without the comic; the idea covered in the eight-or-so pages could have been developed into a great issue of Fables, but instead was rather half-assed and seemed to be done as an afterthought. The novel, though, was excellent, and I really hope Bill sees fit to produce a few more of these. 9/10.
jenn_geeks_out's review against another edition
5.0
Let me just say: this book was amazing. I have not read the Fables graphic novels because graphic novels aren't really my thing, but this book was truly able to stand alone. I loved everything about it. The characters are interesting, if a little one-sided (it is a fable after all). I was completely immersed in the story from the very beginning and actually couldn't wait to go back to work so that I could listen to this in the car. Let's put it this way, I enjoyed this book so thoroughly that I'm reconsidering my stance on graphic novels, that's how eager I am to be back in the Fables mythos.
A Note on the Audiobook:
Wil Wheaton was a great reader. Archaic dialog is perilous for narrators because it's hard to read without sounding stilted. Wheaton did an excellent job and actually enhanced the story rather than just reading it. Bravo, Wheaton.
A Note on the Audiobook:
Wil Wheaton was a great reader. Archaic dialog is perilous for narrators because it's hard to read without sounding stilted. Wheaton did an excellent job and actually enhanced the story rather than just reading it. Bravo, Wheaton.
bluenicorn's review against another edition
3.0
Well, currently listening to on audio. I don't know about the production quality, however. While Wil Wheaton's reading is decent, there are just many moments where I had to turn the volume way up, and then way down, just to hear conversations. Maybe it needs further compression? Don't know- more to come when I finish (listening) reading it.
--
This was good! No, it's nowhere near the same as reading the graphic novels (which are wonderful), but I personally enjoyed listening to this, because it gave new voices to my beloved characters. They were well-captured. And the story was very well-told, with most importantly, a good ending! When did I become such a sucker for happy endings?? Who knows- but I liked it. I don't know if it can really stand by itself without understanding the whole Fables "universe."
--
This was good! No, it's nowhere near the same as reading the graphic novels (which are wonderful), but I personally enjoyed listening to this, because it gave new voices to my beloved characters. They were well-captured. And the story was very well-told, with most importantly, a good ending! When did I become such a sucker for happy endings?? Who knows- but I liked it. I don't know if it can really stand by itself without understanding the whole Fables "universe."
mauvesoul's review against another edition
5.0
Such a cool book set in the Fables universe. Loved the illustrations
thomcat's review against another edition
3.0
I've read much Bill Willingham but never sampled Fables. Thought I would give the book a go, especially as it was read by Wil Wheaton. The story was okay, the outcome not unexpected. Will probably check out the comics in trade paperback form soon.
mombond's review
4.0
When you read this book you will never look at Peter Piper and Little Bo Peep the same. I really enjoyed how Willingham took the Fables that we have all heard and think we know and throws a new spin on things.
There is a whole series of comic books that are based on the Fables.
There is a whole series of comic books that are based on the Fables.
sumayyah_t's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting. Fairy tale characters come to life, and what do you know? They're just like the rest of us. 3.5 stars.