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xvicesx's review
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The first 60 or so pages were a real chore and for a while there I was sure I'd have to abandon the book, but I'm glad I didn't. The story gets much better and ties together perfectly from that point onwards. Very hard to put down!
The characters are lovable and unique, each with their own baggage and interesting background. It was fun to see Wren show her hidden talents, and how resistant the dracogriff really was to all sorts of damage, not to mention Patch's continued bravery in the face of adversity.
It's all set in an intriguing world, a fun spin on the old story of the Pied Piper, with magical creatures and edge of your seat plot twists. Would have given it a higher rating if not for that unfortunate start that was really off-putting.
The characters are lovable and unique, each with their own baggage and interesting background. It was fun to see Wren show her hidden talents, and how resistant the dracogriff really was to all sorts of damage, not to mention Patch's continued bravery in the face of adversity.
It's all set in an intriguing world, a fun spin on the old story of the Pied Piper, with magical creatures and edge of your seat plot twists. Would have given it a higher rating if not for that unfortunate start that was really off-putting.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Confinement, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death, Child death, and Death of parent
katykelly's review
4.0
Enthralling spin on the Pied Piper traditional tale, memorable characters.
4.5 stars. I took great delight in this story. A completely fresh look at a story 'around' the Pied Piper legend, it fleshed out a world in which Pipers can use their training and power with music to rid towns of rats, help influence battles by affecting confidence, even heal.
Young Patch Brightwater meets a rat, really an enchanted girl called Wren, when ridding a village of its infestation with his pipe. Ending up in prison, he becomes a neighbour to the Pied Piper... Their adventures are only just getting started - dragons, dracogriffs, sorcerers and a very absorbing story set in a world that feels a little Middle Ages / Middle Earth.
I was really quite impressed with the world of Patch, Wren and Barver (a dracogriff). Each makes a great lead character, any of them could have been a protagonist. Wren, being a rat, cannot talk, but manages to convey her personality through a form of sign language. Her female perspective is included, and her backstory and character make this unlike a typical fairy tale.
The idea of a universe in which the music of a pipe can magically effect events was wonderfully conveyed too, and the notion to create a story around the periphery of the Pied Piper is inspiring, in my opinion.
A fast-moving and mature fairy tale, quite dark in places, and I'll be looking out for the next in the series.
One for ages 9-12 in particular. Fans of magical stories will likely become engrossed in Patch's world.
4.5 stars. I took great delight in this story. A completely fresh look at a story 'around' the Pied Piper legend, it fleshed out a world in which Pipers can use their training and power with music to rid towns of rats, help influence battles by affecting confidence, even heal.
Young Patch Brightwater meets a rat, really an enchanted girl called Wren, when ridding a village of its infestation with his pipe. Ending up in prison, he becomes a neighbour to the Pied Piper... Their adventures are only just getting started - dragons, dracogriffs, sorcerers and a very absorbing story set in a world that feels a little Middle Ages / Middle Earth.
I was really quite impressed with the world of Patch, Wren and Barver (a dracogriff). Each makes a great lead character, any of them could have been a protagonist. Wren, being a rat, cannot talk, but manages to convey her personality through a form of sign language. Her female perspective is included, and her backstory and character make this unlike a typical fairy tale.
The idea of a universe in which the music of a pipe can magically effect events was wonderfully conveyed too, and the notion to create a story around the periphery of the Pied Piper is inspiring, in my opinion.
A fast-moving and mature fairy tale, quite dark in places, and I'll be looking out for the next in the series.
One for ages 9-12 in particular. Fans of magical stories will likely become engrossed in Patch's world.
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review
4.0
This was the definition of an impulse buy. I don't even really know for sure why I bought it. Maybe it was the word dragons. Maybe it was the colorful cover. Maybe the premise that the Piper of Hamelin had something to do with this. Or maybe it was the sticker that my version is signed by the author. But I bought it and I'm so happy I did!
This was a really cute adventure story with a lot of world building that really surprised me. From the very first page the story is gripping and the mythology is explained in very playful ways, without it becoming boring info-drops or slowing the story down. When we travel through the world, we discover new places and new species and new parts of the puzzle and it's presented in a very exciting way. Not once does the journey become boring or too long.
On top of that the characters are quite easy to like. From the main trio to all the side characters, they are all unique and very vivid. I loved how they interacted with each other and how characters were not always as they were presented and therefore very surprising. For a middle grade they were quite layered even and complicated, with flaws and strengths and mistakes they make and learn from.
The only thing I missed was an emotionally and touching moment, but there are two more books in this series (I think?) and who knows what will happen there?
This was a really cute adventure story with a lot of world building that really surprised me. From the very first page the story is gripping and the mythology is explained in very playful ways, without it becoming boring info-drops or slowing the story down. When we travel through the world, we discover new places and new species and new parts of the puzzle and it's presented in a very exciting way. Not once does the journey become boring or too long.
On top of that the characters are quite easy to like. From the main trio to all the side characters, they are all unique and very vivid. I loved how they interacted with each other and how characters were not always as they were presented and therefore very surprising. For a middle grade they were quite layered even and complicated, with flaws and strengths and mistakes they make and learn from.
The only thing I missed was an emotionally and touching moment, but there are two more books in this series (I think?) and who knows what will happen there?
schlinkles's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
teri_b's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
tense
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
5.0
This book is still as fresh, entertaining and touching as it was when I read it the first time round.
And it is full of magic, music, good company and friendship.
May the good win in the end.
And it is full of magic, music, good company and friendship.
May the good win in the end.
yanailedit's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
pjmorse's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Read this aloud to my daughter, who cheered and gasped at all the right times. Precious few of the sentences stumbled in my mouth and many sang. Well done!
raechsreads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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
4.75
A retelling of the Pied Piper, except there's dragons involved. We follow Patch who is striving to survive. He unknowingly becomes involved after stumbling across a town overrun with rats, where one rat isn't what they seem. From there he continues to find new plots and troubles. I can't wait for their story to continue.