The Brave Apprentice

Further Tales Adventures #2

by P.W. Catanese

"Seven at one blow!" That's what they say about the Brave Little Tailor -- he killed seven foes with one blow. But no one can prove it's even true. Besides, that took place a long time ago, and the Brave Little Tailor is now an old man. So what happens when an army of angry trolls invades his kingdom?

Meet Patch Ridlin. He's a tailor's simple apprentice in the remote village of Crossfield. He's a hard worker who's never wanted for much, except maybe a little adventure. But when he rescues his friend Osbert from an aging and decrepit troll, Patch finds himself something of a town hero. Word of his bravery quickly spreads throughout the countryside, and Patch is summoned to the king's castle. King Milo needs his help to wage war on a gang of trolls threatening to destroy the kingdom.

Soon Patch finds himself engaged in an all-out battle against the trolls. With only the help of a fool named Simon and a maddening riddle, can Patch figure out the troll's fatal flaw? Or is the kingdom destined to perish?

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Young Adult, Retellings, Fairy Tales, Middle Grade, Adventure

240 pages, Paperback

First published June 21, 2005

About the author

P.W. (Paul) Catanese is the author of fantasy-adventure novels (published by Aladdin/Simon & Schuster). His next novel, DONNY'S INFERNO, a supernatural adventure, will be published in early 2016.

A crisp style, fast pacing, interesting characters and vivid descriptions have made Catanese a favorite with everyone from reluctant readers to teachers to adults seeking a thrilling escape. His books have been turned into acclaimed audiobooks, and translated into many foreign languages.

In its starred review, Publisher's Weekly said “Catanese dazzles in the first of the planned Books of Umber...Catanese packs a lot into the book: rich characterizations, well-choreographed action sequences and genuinely surprising twists at the end. An auspicious start to the series.”

VOYA called The Thief and the Beanstalk "a rollicking adventure meshed with complex characters and an intriguing spin on a familiar tale..."

Paul is always happy to hear from readers.

Reviews

[Dianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love this kind of book- fairy tales re-told and such. This isn't really the Brave Tailor (Seven in One blow) but what comes later- part of Catanese's Further Tales Adventures- it's the second I've read and enjoyed them both :)

[Tripleguess · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one had me almost biting my fingers (rare for me). All the way up to the last few pages, I was almost convinced that the bad guys were going to win. Good characters and characterization for such a short book... although somehow (I know this sounds strange), I would have like to "see more" of the protagonist. An involving, wrenching, satisfying read.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have so enjoyed these books from Catanese. I could barely put them down! They are so fun and exciting and perfect for kids that like adventure! Read them and recommend them! You will love them!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It took me awhile to get into it, but once I did it was a good read. I liked the characters and how Patch was trying to solve the puzzle of the trolls.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

a great adventure story appropriate for late elementary school or as a read-aloud. I appreciate the detailed characters in these stories, the adventure and the messages that aren't laid on too thick.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good story, on to #3.

[Christopher Ramsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

The adventures of Patch as he joins forces with the King's men to battle the trolls. A quick easy read that's suitable for both young readers (9+) and adults.

[Ryan Ricks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty great. Only complaint is he used the trope of bows "firing" arrows. No fire is involved!

[Amy M · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5

[Aelvana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Patch Ridling is a tailor's apprentice who lucks into killing an old, sickly troll, and subsequently has to deal with far more fame than he ever imagined. Like the brave little tailor before him, whose exploits of "killing seven with one blow" led him to face off against a giant, Patch finds himself in the middle of an invasion of trolls. Can he find a way to subdue the rest of them? If not, he's not going to have much of a kingdom to live in anymore . . .

I like these better than the current trend of retelling fairy tales, as they aren't constrained by their origin stories but rather go beyond them. It's always interesting to see the stories as part of the history, and how life has gone on from there.

Patch likely has much in common with Will, the man who had been known as the brave little tailor before him. He shares a profession, as well as quick legs and a quick mind. And the trolls are formidable foes, with impenetrable skin, massive size, and bad tempers. The riddle of their weakness might be picked up by an astute reader before Patch figures it out, but the clues are both telling and vague enough to make his struggle to comprehend work well.

And besides, drowning trolls works too.

So this was a short but fun read; not one I'm likely to remember well long-term, but enjoyable as I read through it. There's a nod to Umber, which amused me (although I believe this book was written first). I rate this book Recommended.

See my reviews and more at https://offtheshelfreviews.wordpress....

[Kerri · Rating 2 out of 5]

I never know what to say about these books. I have to keep in mind that they are written for a much younger audience. It was fun enough, but the "twist" was painfully obvious and some parts try too hard to make a statement. I don't know if I would recommend them to my niblings in the recommended age group, as on one end they are too easy and on the other I think they would be too scary for the younger child.

[The Fairy Godmother]

Based on The Brave Little Tailor.

[Linnae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brains triumph over brawn. Add up the clues with the brave apprentice to save the kingdom! My favorite characters were actually the queen and king.

[Smiley · Rating 1 out of 5]

I honestly had to do a book club on this book and I feel like I wasted about a month of my life reading this book. But it did have some interesting parts[barely any].

[Samuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good book! I liked how he took the old tale and mixed it into his story while telling a different story altogether. I would recommend this book.