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Critics' Opinion:
Readers' Opinion:
First Published:
May 2004, 288 pages
Paperback:
Jun 2005, 448 pages
Book Reviewed by:
BookBrowse Review Team
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Tiffany Aching, a young witch-in-training, learns about magic and responsibility as she battles a disembodied monster with the assistance of the six-inch-high Wee Free Men and Mistress Weatherwax, the greatest witch in the world. Ages 12+.
The Heroine: Tiffany Aching, incipient witch and cheese maker extraordinaire. Once saved world from Queen of the Elves. Is about to discover that battling evil monarchs is child's play compared to mortal combat with a Hiver (see below). At eleven years old, is boldest heroine ever to have confronted the Forces of Darkness while armed with a frying pan.
The Threat: A Hiver, insidious disembodied presence drawn to powerful magic. highly dangerous, frequently lethal. Cannot be stopped with iron or fire. Its target: Tiffany Aching (see above).
The Nac Mac Feegle: A.k.a. the Wee Free Men. Height: six inches. Color: blue. Famed for drinking, stealing, and fighting. Will attack anything larger than themselves. Members include: Rob Anybody, Daft Wullie, and Awfully Wee Billy Bigchin. Allies to Tiffany Aching (see above).
The Book: Hilarious, breathtaking, spine-tingling sequel to the acclaimed Wee Free Men.
The Author: Terry Pratchett, celebrated creator of the internationally best-selling Discworld series. Carnegie Medalist and writer extraordinaire.
Introduction
From Fairies and How to Avoid Them by Miss Perspicacia Tick:
The Nac Mac Feegle
(also called Pictsies, The Wee Free Men, The Little Men, and
"Person or Persons Unknown, Believed to be Armed")
The Nac Mac Feegle are the most dangerous of the fairy races, particularly when drunk. They love drinking, fighting, and stealing, and will in fact steal anything that is not nailed down. If it is nailed down, they will steal the nails as well.
Nevertheless, those who have managed to get to know them and survive say that they are also amazingly loyal, strong, dogged, brave, and, in their own way, quite moral. (For example, they won’t steal from people who don’t have anything.)
The average Feegle man (Feegle women are rare—see later) is about six inches high, red haired, his skin turned blue with tattoos and the dye called woad, and, since you’re this close, he’s probably about to hit you.
He’ll wear a kilt made of any old material, ...
Terry Pratchett is a household name in England where the books in his satirical Discworld series for adults consistently hit the bestseller lists. Although not as well known in the USA, his books are becoming increasingly popular. The reviewers rate this for 12 years or older but our 10 year old son thought it hysterical and fell about laughing over it for a couple of days, even though he admits he didn't understand all of it!..continued
Full Review
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(Reviewed by BookBrowse Review Team).
Terry Pratchett is regarded as
one of the most significant
contemporary English-language satirists, and has won numerous literary awards. His novels have
sold more than 40 million copies worldwide and have
been translated into 33 languages.
To date
there are about 35 books in the Discworld series, of which three (so far)
are written for children. The first of
these, The Amazing Maurice and His Educated
Rodents, won the Carnegie Medal.
He lives in England with his family.
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