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A review by katykelly
The Goldsmith and the Master Thief by Tonke Dragt
5.0
Modern classic with a fairy/folk tale feel. Fantastic stories of twin brothers' adventures.
I just love this author, she manages to create authentically medieval/fantasy characters and settings for a modern audience and make you feel they could have been written and shared hundreds of years ago. The Letter for the King has never left me, and these episodic incidents are just as fairy-tale-like.
A tale told in parts, it's the life story of twins Laurenzo and Jiacomo, identical sons with mischief in their good-natured hearts. Close and loyal, their childhood capers become more serious as they are abruptly forced to make their own ways in the world. Though identical on the surface, the two brothers are very different young men, and choose different paths. But twins are never too far apart in stories such as these, and their love for each other, as well as their physical similarities, will play important roles in each other's escapades.
I got picked up by this, carried away in the fairy tale-ness of it all. Refreshing for these kinds of yarns these days, it's the male characters taking centre stage, not a Disney princess-type. A narrative of brothers helping each other, both honourable, though on different paths, one becomes apprentice to a goldsmith, the other inadvertently finds his mentor is a master thief. These skills will all find a place in their later lives.
It all ties together beautifully, as royals and castles and mysteries, beautiful women and villains all step onto the path ahead of the twins' life journeys. The brothers are more than archetypes, they move outside the usual prince/miller's son simple cliché, and I loved the many different familiar settings and stories that they find themselves part of.
I could have read much more of their lives, and would definitely recommend it to young readers who are confident by themselves. There's a sly sense of humour running through this, children will enjoy the sibling rivalries/devotion and all the obstacles they meet and have to overcome in this Middle Age-fantasy setting.
For ages 8-12, and anyone older who loves a good traditional story.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing an advance reading copy.
I just love this author, she manages to create authentically medieval/fantasy characters and settings for a modern audience and make you feel they could have been written and shared hundreds of years ago. The Letter for the King has never left me, and these episodic incidents are just as fairy-tale-like.
A tale told in parts, it's the life story of twins Laurenzo and Jiacomo, identical sons with mischief in their good-natured hearts. Close and loyal, their childhood capers become more serious as they are abruptly forced to make their own ways in the world. Though identical on the surface, the two brothers are very different young men, and choose different paths. But twins are never too far apart in stories such as these, and their love for each other, as well as their physical similarities, will play important roles in each other's escapades.
I got picked up by this, carried away in the fairy tale-ness of it all. Refreshing for these kinds of yarns these days, it's the male characters taking centre stage, not a Disney princess-type. A narrative of brothers helping each other, both honourable, though on different paths, one becomes apprentice to a goldsmith, the other inadvertently finds his mentor is a master thief. These skills will all find a place in their later lives.
It all ties together beautifully, as royals and castles and mysteries, beautiful women and villains all step onto the path ahead of the twins' life journeys. The brothers are more than archetypes, they move outside the usual prince/miller's son simple cliché, and I loved the many different familiar settings and stories that they find themselves part of.
I could have read much more of their lives, and would definitely recommend it to young readers who are confident by themselves. There's a sly sense of humour running through this, children will enjoy the sibling rivalries/devotion and all the obstacles they meet and have to overcome in this Middle Age-fantasy setting.
For ages 8-12, and anyone older who loves a good traditional story.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing an advance reading copy.