Wednesday, December 31, 2014

(Review) The Accidental Highwayman by Ben Tripp

 
Title: The Accidental Highwayman
Author: Ben Tripp
Pages: 304
Published: October 14, 2014
PublisherMacmillan Children's Books
Review Copy: Yes

Why did I want this book?
I discovered it while reading my Shelf Awareness newsletter.
Synopsis:
The Accidental Highwayman is the first swashbuckling adventure for young adults by talented author and illustrator, Ben Tripp.
In eighteenth-century England, young Christopher “Kit” Bristol is the unwitting servant of notorious highwayman Whistling Jack. One dark night, Kit finds his master bleeding from a mortal wound, dons the man’s riding cloak to seek help, and changes the course of his life forever. Mistaken for Whistling Jack and on the run from redcoats, Kit is catapulted into a world of magic and wonders he thought the stuff of fairy tales.
Bound by magical law, Kit takes up his master’s quest to rescue a rebellious fairy princess from an arranged marriage to King George III of England. But his task is not an easy one, for Kit must contend with the feisty Princess Morgana, gobling attacks, and a magical map that portends his destiny: as a hanged man upon the gallows….
Fans of classic fairy-tale fantasies will find much to love in this irresistible YA debut by Ben Tripp, the son of one of America’s most beloved illustrators, Wallace Tripp (Amelia Bedelia). Following in his father’s footsteps, Ben has woven illustrations throughout the story.

Cover:
The cover image looks a little chaotic but very lovely! Usually, I rarely read the newsletter Shelf Awareness, but the ad for this book seemed to follow me around. After the second email advertising this book, I couldn't resist.

Title:
I am in love with that title! Kid is a fantastic hero by accident!

Writing style:
The writing style reminds me of a fairy tale. It is written from Kid's point of view, who usually lives a normal life. You will discover a new world together with the protagonist. There are a lot of high fantasy elements such as unknown creatures and magic. But it still feels like a fairy tale.
At the beginning I had some problems getting into the story, but then it was really great!

Characters:
I liked Kid. His character development is awesome. He always tries to do the right thing without getting cocky. He was the servant of a wealthy man, who got murdered. By accident he stumbles into a whole new world! Morgana was great too. Specially the two arguing all the time was very funny.
I think the characters are the one thing that makes this book so special.

Noteworthy:
A lovely fairy tale.

Stuck in my Head:
…she looked up at me and smiled her radiant secret smile, the one that bewitched me. I thought to myself, this must be what warm toast feels like when butter melts into it.”
What I didn't like:
The book had some lengths because it was very detailed. So shame in me, I skipped some paragraphes in the middle.

Quick and dirty:
Definitely something special! I am totally into the Fairy-Tale-YA-Books that are on the market right now!
Thank you to ... 
... Macmillan, who gave me this review copy in exchange of a honest review!

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