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spellboundchapters's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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? No
4.0
leahthebooklover's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
4.5
This book (also published under the name "A Darkening of Dragons") has everything I like about middle grade fantasy stories; plucky underdog protagonists, magical creatures (magic in general), an adventurous quest, nefarious villians, mystery, and situations that force our young heroes to think critically and defy the odds to save the day. Part of what made this one especially appealing to me is it illustrates the importance, even power, of music. It's loosely based on the Pied Piper of Hamline (Hamelyn in this version). Our ragtag heroes are 13 year-old Patch Brightwater (a disgraced piper-in-training), who befriends Wren Cobble, a 13 year-old girl living as a rat after being cursed by a vengeful sorcerer, and Barver Knopferkerkle, an affable but formidable dragogriff (half dragon, half griffin). Together their quest involves breaking Wren's curse, fulfilling the last wish of Barver's mother, and keeping Patch out of the prison he recently escaped from after being found guilty of piping illegal magical tunes. The title of the book is a bit misleading, because although there are dragons in the story, they make a relatively brief appearance. This is the first book of a trilogy, so even though there is an ending of sorts, there are significant loose ends left to tie up in books 2 (A Vanishing of Griffins) and 3 (A Thunder of Monsters).
katko123's review against another edition
4.0
Bought for my 8 year old turned out to be a great fun for all family. Waiting for book 2.
scienceworks's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
katrenia's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I loved this story!! A fun middle grade adventure that isn’t too scary or intense. I especially loved the friendships between unlikely characters. The beginning of a great quest. Can’t wait to read book two.
r_books_dragons's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
xvicesx's review against another edition
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: Confinement, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death, Death, and Death of parent
katykelly's review against another edition
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 against another edition
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