Apprentice Fool

Nobody's Fool Quartet #1

by Aldred Chase

When cruel Prince Dorian's grain collector leaves the village of Mottle with so little grain that they face starvation over the coming winter, only thirteen year old Keth is prepared to do anything about it. His attempt to steal back the grain goes wrong, and he only escapes capture by joining a band of traveling players, as their apprentice fool.

The troupe is journeying towards the capital where rebels are plotting to overthrow Prince Dorian. As Keth works to develop his natural talent as a fool, he discovers he has an unwanted gift; he can see the terrifying wraiths that haunt the wounded land. Can Keth keep his audience laughing long enough to join the rebels and bring down the prince, or will the sinister wraiths get to him first?

Apprentice Fool is Book One in the Nobody's Fool Quartet, a tale of comedy and adventure.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

235 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 23, 2013

About the author

Aldred Chase is the author of the fantasy novels the Nobody’s Fool Quartet and the Sinister Sydney series. He also enjoys narrative verse and has written Tales Told in Verse, a series of rip-roaring adventures told in rollicking rhyme. Head to his YouTube channel to hear him read a selection of these.

Reading ‘The Hobbit’ at school was Aldred’s introduction to speculative fiction, and he has been a fan of fantasy, SF, and horror ever since. He is also a great fan of walking, and his best ideas come to him when he is strolling by the sea, thinking of nothing. Luckily for him, he lives in Sydney, where there are many beautiful beaches to encourage such productive day-dreaming.

Reviews

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a marvelous book for young fans of fantasy adventures. I enjoyed every part of it, and I am looking forward to the other four books in the quartet. Keth is an impulsive boy in an impoverished farming village, where all the able-bodied men have been killed in a revolt against the cruel usurper, Prince Dorian. In a failed attempt to steal back enough grain to keep his village from starving, he is rescued by members of a entertainment troupe that was passing through. To save his life he joins the troupe, and thus the adventures begin. If you have read any of The Kingkiller Chronicles by Pat Rothfuss, the Nobody's Fool Quartet will strike a chord. (See what I did there?) Apprentice Fool is well-written, a dystopian novel with just a little touch of magic and not too terribly scary for young readers.

[Kamylyon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Calling all fools

A fool, nature born, is a rarity indeed. And one with the sight, rarer still.
Keth is the village fool, in need of an audience larger than his tiny village.
The performance troupe going through town is in need of a fool.
And the land, in need of a hero.
Could it really be Keth?

[Judy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have been trying to read this book for two months. I get bored, read something else and then try again. I've made it through this first book, but I have the rest of the series and I'm reluctant to continue on. It gets 2 stars for occasional 3 Stooges type humor, but I'll be waiting some time before I continue on.

[MXGRLS · Rating 5 out of 5]

How appropriately this title!

I'm a huge fan of medieval times. The stories. Not living there then! This has enough history to keep me interested and enough tension to thoroughly bewitched

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was hoping for more comedy

I had hoped the story would be much funnier, with more comedic escapades, but alas, it was rather droll instead. Not a bad story after all, but not a comedy as it was advertised.

[B.E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun book! Great characters. Great premise. The story kept me turning pages. The only flaw? It ended too soon.

[Cece Lakin · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting twist

Unconventional style and fast pace got me through these lighthearted pages in a couple days. Great trip away from reality.

[Dawn Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Book One of Aldred Chase’s “Nobody’s Fool Quartet”, a wonderfully imaginative piece of fantasy fiction aimed at 9 to 12 year olds, but I think definitely suited to adults as well. The book cover is great, too. I found it slow getting into the details of Keth’s medieval world, but once I did I was quickly drawn in. Besides being wonderfully imaginative, I found Keth an endearing hero and I loved the theatrical world of the troupe of actors he joins. Heartening when the goodies win over the baddies! An inspiring story and I’m looking forward to reading the next three books in the series, which have lovely covers, too!

[Connie Huddleston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Apprentice Fool by Alfred Chase is a lively, funny story, with a dark underside that I believe was written for middle-grade children, but maybe is better as a morality tale for adults. The characters are lively and fun, and the humor is very appropriate to the story’s medieval setting, which is well defined and described. I think most children may appreciate and understand Keth’s situation, but many will be disturbed by his seeing of wraiths and his actions to overthrow the evil prince. A fun book to read aloud to and discuss with to your child. C.M. Huddleston, author of Greg’s First Adventure in Time.

[SarahMay · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting tale set in a matching setting, but what really stands out are the characters. Even minor characters, are more than they seem, leading the reader on an unexpected, emotional, and hilarious journey.

[Louise · Rating 2 out of 5]

well written for target age but not a lot happens compared to other stories. wasn't interested enough to get the next two in the series but may revisit in the future if something fluffy is needed

[Jenika Ioffreda · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Sheena Gossett · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fool saves the day.
Filled with adventure this kid's book was enjoyable to read and a great sit-up for the next chapter of the series