'Crivens!'A real witch never casually steps out of her body, leaving it empty. Eleven-year-old Tiffany does. And there's something just waiting for a handy body to take over. Something ancient and horrible, which can't die...
Wise, Witty and wonderful, A Hat Full of Sky is Terry Pratchett's second novel about Tiffany Aching and the Wee Free Men - the rowdiest, toughest, smelliest bunch of fairies ever. They'll fight anything. And even they might not be enough to save Tiffany...
Discworld Series:
(there are too many books in the Discworld series to list them all so I'll just list the ones featuring Tiffany Aching)
The Wee Free Men
A Hat Full of Sky
Wintersmith
I Shall Wear Midnight
Visit Terry Pratchett's website for more information
Review:
At just 11 years old Tiffany has the makings of a very powerful witch - but she still hasn't started her training. Working on instinct she has discovered how to step out of her body but she has no idea that she is leaving her body vulnerable to something that wants to get in. That something is called a Hiver and is drawn to power, it has no body of it's own and it has set it's sights on Tiffany. While Tiffany sets off to start her training she is being followed, but what will happen if the Hiver manages to steal her body? Even with the help of the Nac Mac Feegles can she escape from it's clutches?
A Hat Full of Sky is the 32nd book in Terry Pratchett's Discworld series and the 2nd book featuring Tiffany Aching. Although I have read this book previously I am currently re-reading the Tiffany books in anticipation of book 4 (I Shall Wear Midnight) which is released next week. You don't need to have read the whole Discworld series in order to enjoy A Hat Full of Sky but I would recommend reading the Tiffany Aching series in order. These books are a great introduction for young adults who have yet to discover the Discworld series but fans of the series will also love getting to see characters they already know and love.
In this installment Tiffany is apprenticed to a witch called Miss Level - a very strange witch who just happens to have 2 bodies! Living with the 2 Miss Levels Tiffany starts to discover that there is a lot less magic involved in being a witch than she expected. A lot of the work the witches do is caring for the sick and elderly - not the glamorous life that Tiffany was hoping for. However, she is sensible enough to realise how important this is and is happy to take on her new role. Alongside Miss Level we also get to meet more of the young apprentice witches including bossy Annagramma who thinks she knows everything and the very sweet Petulia.
The Nac Mac Feegle are still among my favorite characters in the whole Discworld series - a group of pictsies who may be very small but have larger than life personalities. They love nothing more than fighting, drinking and stealing but would do anything to protect Tiffany. We get to see a bit more of Granny Weatherwax and there is also an appearance by one of my other favorite characters - Death. I love the way Terry manages to combine a mix of characters that we already know and love alongside fresh and new characters. His quirky sense of humor will appeal to all ages and contains something everyone.
This is a series I'd highly recommend to fantasy fans of all ages, it contains everything I would expect from one of Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels - laugh out loud humor and characters you will easily love along with witty insights into real life. If you're a fan of humorous fantasy but are new to the Discworld series (or already a fan) then I can't recommend the Tiffany Aching series enough.
Source: Purchased
Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.
I like the cover!
ReplyDeleteThe cover is great. =)
ReplyDeleteHere's my latest review. The Hunger games by Suzanne Collins
http://coffeecrackers.blogspot.com/2010/08/hunger-games-by-suzanne-collins.html
@ Laurie - I love the childrens covers for the Discworld series :o) So bright & colourful!
ReplyDelete@ cj'alhafiz - I still haven't started the Hunger Games series but have heard so many good things about it. I'm off to check out your review now :o)
I've never read a Discworld book although I am planning on giving one a go soon. There are just so many that it is really hard to know where to start. It sounds like it is an interesting series though! Thanks for sharing your thoughts :)
ReplyDeleteI adore the discworld books! I also think they did a great job with some of the TV adaptations. Going Postal was fantastic. I haven't read the very most recent of the series. I will have to go back and do that!
ReplyDelete@ Samantha - I really love the Discworld books so would definitely recommend you give them a try. It is hard to know where to start with the series but if you like the sound of this one you could start with the first Tiffany book which is The Wee Free Men. I hope you enjoy your trip to the Discworld :o)
ReplyDelete@ India - I loved the Going Postal TV adaptation! I enjoyed that book too :o) I still haven't read Unseen Accademicals but I've got it on my TBR pile :o)