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A review by nicktomjoe
The Chestnut Soldier by Jenny Nimmo
4.0
Perhaps the most ambitious of the three Snow Spider books, this one finds Gwyn’s extended family trapped in replaying another ancient story. Jenny Nimmo brings to the village suspicion and jealousy as a shell-shocked relative plays out a horrific legend, and reluctantly young wizard Gwyn has to confront the ambiguous and fallible nature of his calling.
Deliberately slow to gather pace, Nimmo builds the rivalry and sexual tensions that the handsome, troubled soldier Evan brings. There is a clever coyness in how the children are just beginning to comprehend what Evan might want with sixteen year old Catrin - part inappropriate relationship, part reliving the ancient tale of Branwen - which allows the author to explore dark themes while staying true to her young audience.
As with the other two books, the climax was exciting and magical but felt a little rushed, but the ending tied up the relationships well, and gave hope to growing Gwyn that adulthood would not require him to have all the answers: a neat message for any reader.
Deliberately slow to gather pace, Nimmo builds the rivalry and sexual tensions that the handsome, troubled soldier Evan brings. There is a clever coyness in how the children are just beginning to comprehend what Evan might want with sixteen year old Catrin - part inappropriate relationship, part reliving the ancient tale of Branwen - which allows the author to explore dark themes while staying true to her young audience.
As with the other two books, the climax was exciting and magical but felt a little rushed, but the ending tied up the relationships well, and gave hope to growing Gwyn that adulthood would not require him to have all the answers: a neat message for any reader.