Pathfinder by Orson Scott Card

I had been planning on reading Pathfinder after I finished Connie Willis's time traveling historian series, but when I learned that Orson Scott Card was coming here for a book signing, I decided I had better read it before he arrives, in case people talk about it at the signing. It is the first book of a new science fiction and fantasy trilogy. Yes, it's both science fiction and fantasy. It has swords and starships (although not together). The book reveals what is going on throughout the story in an interesting way, similar to how the Mistborn trilogy had chapter headings that gradually began to make more sense and reveal things about the history of the world as the book progressed, except this book uses longer headings, and it's not clear at first what the relation between the asides and the main narrative is.

The story and characters are mostly interesting. There are some parts in the middle where it dragged a little for me, but most of the time I was intrigued. Sometimes the characters would get on my nerves, but that's mostly because they are very smart (one reminds me of a political Ender) so it's a little jarring when they act juvenile. Sometimes they can be annoying, but that's true to character for teenagers so that's not a flaw. The science fiction elements of the story are very intriguing, and the exciting parts were appropriately thrilling. I'm looking forward to reading the next installment next year.

Overall, any Orson Scott Card fan should like this, although it I suspect it would especially appeal to teen readers who can more closely relate to the protagonists. It's a good book, although not up there with Ender's Game or Enchantment. I recommend it.

Format recommendation: Audiobook. The narrators, including the Ender series narrator Stefan Rudnicki, are good, although I liked some of them more than others. I didn't care for one of them, but he only had a couple of chapters so it's not a big deal, although it did make me like the character whose viewpoint he did less at first. The book is also available on the Kindle.

Age recommendation: Young teens and up. Content is pretty tame, although the political and scientific subject matter might confuse younger children.

A Hat Full of Sky by Sir Terry Pratchett

A Hat Full of Sky is the second installment in the Tiffany Aching series. I reviewed the first book, The Wee Free Men, earlier. This book is even better than that one was. Like the first book, it has a lot of smart humor, and the wisdom and storyline have been turned up a notch. The first book only covered a day or so, but this one takes place over a longer period of time. Tiffany becomes an apprentice, and spends more time around people than she did in the first book, and the expanded cast works well with the story. Like the first book, this one is a young adult novel, but only in a good way. While appropriate for young readers, it is still smarter than most adult books. I liked the lessons Tiffany learns about how to be good at her profession, as they are genuinely insightful and integral to the story. You aren't hit over the head with a Message, but there is genuine wisdom is what the book teaches. The book is edifying but not preachy, and shows a great understanding of human nature. While being hilarious of course.

The thing to take away from this review is that this book is even better than the first one, so you should read it right after reading the first one. While you can understand this one alright without reading the first book, you won't know the characters as well and it would significantly detract from the experience. Plus, reading any series in the wrong order is just wrong. And while most Discworld books are fairly forgiving of starting anywhere, I'm not. So don't let me catch you.

Format recommendation: Audiobook. Stephen Briggs, who reads the other Sir Pratchett books as well, has the perfect voice for these books. He does a stellar job with the voices of the Feegles. The book is also available on the Kindle.


Age recommendation: Any age old enough to read novels.

The Wee Free Men by Sir Terry Pratchett

The Wee Free Men is the first of four books in the Tiffany Aching series for young adults. It takes place in Discworld, and the only difference between this and the adult novels is that it's shorter and the language and humor are appropriate for all ages (instead of just most ages). Like Sir Pratchett's later novels, it is smart and insightful as well as hilarious. If you have read other Discworld books, then I can just say it is a good one and you can go buy it without further ado. If you haven't, repent, and this book or Guards! Guards! are good places to start.

The Wee Free Men is an adventure story about a young girl, Tiffany Aching. She is young but wise, and well suited to the role she takes on during the story. She is such a wonderful character that she manages to keep the Wee Free Men (also known as the Nac Mac Feegle) from upstaging her, which is not easy. They are hilarious. The way they speak, think, and act is one of the best things about the novel.

The adventure itself never slips into predictability. It is imaginative and fits well with the characters, although it is always the characters that really make the book shine.

Simply put, if you have not read this book, then you need to do so. The sooner you read it, the sooner you can re-read it later. So get cracking.

Format recommendation: Audiobook. Stephen Briggs, who reads the other Sir Pratchett books as well, has the perfect voice for these books. He does a stellar job with the voices of the Feegles. The book is also available on the Kindle.

Age recommendation: Any age old enough to read novels. The only things people might object to is that the Feegles like to drink alcoholic beverages (off-screen) and Tiffany's granny's favorite brand of pipe tobacco is mentioned several times. There are some scary monsters and events that could frighten young children.