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A review by nothingforpomegranted
The Pickpocket and the Gargoyle by Lindsay Eagar
medium-paced
3.75
This middle-grade novel is wholesome, surprising, and full of love. In a small village with a central cathedral, young Duck is part of a gang of child thieves, always scheming for their next meal under the leadership of Gnat, their teenage leader. When Gnat decides to install Duck as an apprentice at the bakery, responsible for secretly passing bread and coins to the Crowns each week, Duck is surprised to find herself drawn to the baking and the baker herself. The unexpected affection challenges Duck as she struggles to do the right thing by both of her found families until the Crowns break in and Duck’s duplicity is found out.
I loved the friendships between the characters, who were all full of love despite any tension or sadness in their pasts. Duck and Ash had a meaningful bond, and I loved seeing Duck consistently surprised by how willing Griselde the Baker was to accept her, flaws and all. The narration of the gargoyle wasn’t my favorite. Those first-person chapters were spliced in seemingly randomly, attempting to create tension that just didn’t serve the story. Overall, despite sweet characters and an interesting plot, this was just a bit too long and filled with excessive description.
I loved the friendships between the characters, who were all full of love despite any tension or sadness in their pasts. Duck and Ash had a meaningful bond, and I loved seeing Duck consistently surprised by how willing Griselde the Baker was to accept her, flaws and all. The narration of the gargoyle wasn’t my favorite. Those first-person chapters were spliced in seemingly randomly, attempting to create tension that just didn’t serve the story. Overall, despite sweet characters and an interesting plot, this was just a bit too long and filled with excessive description.