The Shepherd's Crown

Starred review from September 7, 2015
Pratchett's characteristic generosity is very much at the fore of this final Tiffany Aching tale, the last Discworld novel from the author, who died in March. Fans will also find plenty of other well-loved elements: exuberant wordplay, vaudevillian humor, the rambunctious blue-skinned Nac Mac Feegle, andâbeneath it allâa susurrus of shivery archetype and myth. The death of a powerful witch, an event most solemn and heartfelt, reverberates throughout the world and sets the crackling adventure in motion. Sensing a new weakness in the barrier that separates their realm from the Disc, the cruel elves of Fairyland prepare for an invasion. Meanwhile, Tiffany is stretched thin in her work as witch and all-around healer when her responsibilities expand to include a second community. At the same time, peaceful Geoffreyâa character new to the seriesâheads toward the town of Lancre with the aim of becoming a witch, though women traditionally hold that position. As Tiffany, Geoffrey, and others gather to combat the elvish incursion, Pratchett allows some longtime characters to reveal surprising new qualities, including the delightfully insufferable Letice Earwig ("pronounced ah-wij," of course) and Nightshade, Queen of the ElvesâTiffany's foe from her earliest adventure. Rather than tie everything up with a simple happily-ever-after, the ending leaves Tiffany poised to begin a new phase of adulthoodâone with the potential for adventures that are now up to readers to imagine. Pratchett's final work is a tour de force of compassion, great wit, and gleeful storytelling. He will be missed. Ages 13âup.

Starred review from October 1, 2015

Gr 6 Up-Pratchett (The Long Utopia [HarperCollins, 2015]) leaves his fans with one last glorious tale of Discworld, this one starring his youngest heroine, the witch Tiffany Aching. When Death comes for Granny Weatherwax, she leaves behind her cabin and, by default, the job of unofficial leader of the witches to Tiffany. For the teen protagonist, being a witch has always been about doing what must be done, so she shoulders the burden but goes about things in her own way. She has soon taken on the first-ever male witch apprentice, Geoffrey, a man who has a soothing way with people and animals. Work becomes the least of Tiffany's problems once word of Granny Weatherwax's death reaches the realm of the elves. A cruel usurper casts out their Queen who is viewed as weak because of her caution after her earlier defeat by Tiffany and her wariness of the human's new iron horses. Tiffany shelters the diminished Queen while facing the threat of marauding elf hordes, backed by her trusty Nac Mac Feegles and other allies. Though this title was written during Pratchett's final days, there is nothing rushed here; indeed, this final book stands among the very best of his work. In one poignant scene, Death remarks on Granny Weatherwax's passing, "And far away, in someplace unthinkable, a white horse was being unsaddled by a figure with a scythe with, it must be said, some sorrow." And so, too, will readers mourn the loss of such an irreplaceable writing talent. VERDICT Readers young and old will savor this tale that emphasizes the values of hard work and standing firm in the face of evil. An exceptionally crafted finale from one of the greats.-Eric Norton, McMillan Memorial Library, Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2015
"Cry 'Crivens!' and let loose the clan Mac Feegle!" The tiny, blue-skinned, kilt-and-not-much-else-wearing warriors will be needed, as the barrier between Discworld and Fairyland has grown thin, and the fairy folk are itching to break through again. As ever, young witch Tiffany Aching is ready to square her shoulders and do what needs to be done-she is a witch, after all, and that's what witches do-but even the young woman who banished the Queen of the Elves, faced down the hiver, survived a dance with the Wintersmith, and vanquished the Cunning Man will need help. In addition to Rob Anybody and his swarm of hard-drinking, brawling relatives, Tiffany has the support of the witches-even Mrs. Earwig and Queen Magrat-and a character new to Pratchett's universe: Geoffrey, a boy who "weaves calm" and musters an army of old men who stubbornly resist obsolescence. If Pratchett explored the double-edged sword of memory in I Shall Wear Midnight (2010), here he explores the complicated notion of legacy, as Tiffany must assume her full responsibilities as a mature witch and begin to cultivate apprentices of her own. If some subplots are not as fully integrated into the story as one might wish and there are some bumpy transitions, who cares? This is the late Pratchett's last book; even not-quite-perfect Pratchett is something to treasure and can proudly take its place in one heck of a literary legacy. (Fantasy. 12 & up)

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October 1, 2015
Grades 7-12 In this follow-up to I Shall Wear Midnight (2010), teen witch Tiffany Aching has been named successor to most-senior witch Granny Weatherwax, and when that esteemed woman departs Discworld, Tiffany has to decide how she will do things in her own way. The grand opportunity arises sooner that she would like, when an upstart elf named Peaseblossom overthrows his fairy queen and tries to bring chaos and havoc back into the human world. Pratchett's final book, the fifth in the Tiffany Aching series and the conclusion to his prodigious Discworld series, is as rollicking as a Nac Mac Feegle reel and as endearing as a cozy fire in winter. There's some question of audience, but perhaps that's actually opportunity for intergenerational sharing. Pratchett is a bit overfond of asides and never met a pun he didn't like, but his storytelling is pure magic, and fans will grieve anew that this is the last of it. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Beloved fantasy writer Pratchett died this spring, and his dedicated and immense fan base will want his final novel. Stock up.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)