Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 10/01/2015 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. - Copyright 2015 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 10/01/2015 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 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.