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Mouseheart #1
Mouseheart
The Warriors series meets Redwall in this first book in an epic animal adventure series set in the subway tunnels of Brooklyn and for “fans of Erin Hunter, Brian Jaques, and Kathryn Lasky” ( School Library Journal ).
Hopper is just an ordinary pet shop mouse before he escapes. Soon he finds himself below the bustling streets of Brooklyn, deep within the untamed tangles of transit tunnels, and in Atlantia, a glorious utopian rat civilization.
But all is not what it seems. Though Hopper is treated as a royal guest, he misses his siblings that he lost in the escape attempt. That, and Atlantia is constantly threatened by the rebels who wish to bring the city to its knees. And there are cats everywhere in Atlantia, cats that leave the citizens unharmed… and no one can seem to answer why .
Soon, Hopper is caught in the crosshairs of a colossal battle, one that crosses generations and species. As the clashes rage, Hopper learns terrible, extraordinary Deadly secrets about Atlantia. Painful secrets about his friends.
And one powerful secret about his destiny…
Learn more at Mouseheart.com!
Hopper is just an ordinary pet shop mouse before he escapes. Soon he finds himself below the bustling streets of Brooklyn, deep within the untamed tangles of transit tunnels, and in Atlantia, a glorious utopian rat civilization.
But all is not what it seems. Though Hopper is treated as a royal guest, he misses his siblings that he lost in the escape attempt. That, and Atlantia is constantly threatened by the rebels who wish to bring the city to its knees. And there are cats everywhere in Atlantia, cats that leave the citizens unharmed… and no one can seem to answer why .
Soon, Hopper is caught in the crosshairs of a colossal battle, one that crosses generations and species. As the clashes rage, Hopper learns terrible, extraordinary Deadly secrets about Atlantia. Painful secrets about his friends.
And one powerful secret about his destiny…
Learn more at Mouseheart.com!
336 pages, Paperback
First published May 20, 2014
83 people are currently reading
1613 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Fiedler
24 books78 followersLisa Fiedler is the author of a number of popular young adult novels, including two retellings of a Shakespearean story from the female point of view, Dating Hamlet and Romeo's Ex. She lives in Connecticut with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 215 reviews
June 2, 2018
While I enjoyed this book, I do think that it was a bit longer than needed. I had a lot of fun with the first half or so and then felt that things became long and tedious after that. It was overall still enjoyable, but the middle part dragged a lot for me.
Hopper was likable and annoying all at once. There were times that I thought he was cute and sweet and others when I found him to be an annoying idiot. Which I guess makes him realistic, since that's how I react to a lot of people that I know. Zucker was my favorite of the characters. I found him really fun for some reason.
Stories with animals in human like roles don't really tend to appeal to me that much, but this sounded interesting when I stumbled upon it and overall I had a lot of fun with it. I don't think I will be continuing the series, but this first one was enjoyable.
Kirby Hayborne was quite good as the narrator for this audiobook. His voicing for Zucker was my favorite, which may be why I liked that character so much.
Hopper was likable and annoying all at once. There were times that I thought he was cute and sweet and others when I found him to be an annoying idiot. Which I guess makes him realistic, since that's how I react to a lot of people that I know. Zucker was my favorite of the characters. I found him really fun for some reason.
Stories with animals in human like roles don't really tend to appeal to me that much, but this sounded interesting when I stumbled upon it and overall I had a lot of fun with it. I don't think I will be continuing the series, but this first one was enjoyable.
Kirby Hayborne was quite good as the narrator for this audiobook. His voicing for Zucker was my favorite, which may be why I liked that character so much.
October 13, 2015
4,5 Sterne
Zum Inhalt
Der kleine Mäuserich Hopper lebt mit seinen beiden Geschwistern Pinky und Pip im Käfig einer Zoohandlung. Sie vermissen schmerzlich ihre Mutter, die eines Tages verschwunden ist: aus dem Käfig geholt vom Besitzer der Zoohandlung und die letzten Worte, die Hopper von ihr hörte waren: "Suche die ´Mus`, Hopper! Du musst sie finden!"
Nie hätte er damit gerechnet, dass diese Suche ihn tatsächlich bald in ein großes Abenteuer stürzen wird - denn nach einer aufregenden Flucht aus ihrem Gefängnis werden die Geschwister getrennt und Hopper findet sich in den unterirdischen Tunneln der Stadt Brooklyn wieder und entdeckt dort eine ganz neue Welt.
Während er dem Kronprinzen "Zucker" über den Weg läuft, in eine Rebellion verwickelt wird und seiner Vergangenheit auf der Spur ist, wächst der kleine Hopper weit über sich hinaus!
Meine Meinung
Was für ein bezauberndes, tierisches Abenteuer!
Von der ersten Seite an war Spannung angesagt und ich bin nur so durch die Seiten geflogen!
Passend zum Genre war der Schreibstil recht einfach gehalten und sehr flüssig zum lesen, trotzdem mit viel Liebe zum Detail. Die unterirdische Welt der Ratten und Mäuse ist ähnlich der unseren: es gibt einen Marktplatz auf dem gehandelt wird, Schulen, ein Krankenhaus und natürlich den Palast, in dem der König der Ratten residiert. Hinter all diesem Prunk und friedlichen Leben steckt allerdings ein dunkles Geheimnis und dass gerade der kleine Hopper mitten hinein tappt, darauf haben andere schon lange gewartet.
- Hopper ist wirklich allerliebst. Er scheint der älteste der Mäuse-Geschwister zu sein und ist eher der vernünftige, besonnene Typ. Von seiner Schwester Pinky bekommt er ständig vorgeworfen, ein Feigling zu sein, doch mit den Herausforderungen wächst er über sich hinaus. Manchmal hätte ich mir gewünscht, dass er nicht ganz so naiv ist und versteht, was um ihn herum passiert, aber da er ja völlig unvorbereitet in diese Welt "gestürzt" ist, war das schon in Ordnung.
Ich kann auch ehrlich gesagt nicht mehr so ganz abschätzen, wie Kinder das empfinden würden. Ob sie sich an manchen Stellen über ihn ärgern, weil er nichts versteht, oder es die Spannung steigert, weil es dadurch natürlich auch aufregend bleibt.
- Pinky dagegen steckt immer voller Energie, ist vorlaut und auf Abenteuer aus. Sie lässt ihre schlechten Launen oft an Hopper aus und möchte einer Heldin gleich immer die Hauptrolle spielen. So wirklich warm werden konnte ich mit ihr nicht, da ihre herablassende Art nicht wirklich sympathisch wirkt - aber vielleicht erfährt man ja mehr über sie in den Folgebänden.
- Der kleine Pip ist ruhig und sanftmütig und vertraut seinen Geschwistern
- Zucker scheint von Anfang an etwas undurchsichtig und obwohl er alles versucht, um seinen Zielen näherzukommen, hat er es schwer. Er war mir sehr sympathisch in seiner kühnen, fast schon verwegenen Art; ein bisschen eingebildet, aber mit spitzbübischem Charme.
Aber auch die anderen Figuren haben eine Geschichte, die nach und nach aufgedeckt und mit den aktuellen Ereignissen verwoben wird. Ich freu mich schon sehr auf die Fortsetzung und hoffe, da auch die anderen noch besser kennenzulernen!
Ein besonderer Moment war, als durch ein Gerücht das Vertrauen zu einem vertrauten Menschen, also hier natürlich einer Ratte, in Frage gestellt wurde und man nicht sofort darauf vertraut hat. Denn ich bin auch dafür, erstmal den Dingen auf den Grund zu gehen, bevor man andere wegen irgendeinem "Gerede" verurteilt, ohne genauer nachzufragen.
Das Cover ist auch wunderschön geworden, denn die drei Geschwister sind ganz klar im Vordergrund, allen voran Hopper, der dem Bösen den Kampf ansagt und größten Mut beweist - wirklich liebevoll gezeichnet! Vorne im Buch gibt es eine Karte der "Unterwelt" und zwischen dem Text verstreut immer wieder tolle schwarz-weiß Zeichnungen.
Das ganze hat mich ein bisschen an die Gregor Reihe von Suzanne Collins erinnert. Aber wenn es auch anfangs einige kleine Parallelen gibt, ist es nicht zu vergleichen und ein eigenständiges, gelungenes Abenteuer!
Fazit
Ein sehr spannendes Abenteuer mit dem tapferen Mäuserich Hopper, der endlich seinen Mut unter Beweis stellen kann. Ein Kampf um Sicherheit und Freiheit zwischen Mäusen, Ratten und Katzen, der mit liebevollen Details und einer klaren Botschaft großen Spaß gemacht hat!
© Aleshanee
Weltenwanderer
Mouseheart
1 - Die Prophezeiung der Mäuse
2 - Die Herrschaft der Katzen
3 - Die Rückkehr des Mäusekriegers (Nov 2015)
Zum Inhalt
Der kleine Mäuserich Hopper lebt mit seinen beiden Geschwistern Pinky und Pip im Käfig einer Zoohandlung. Sie vermissen schmerzlich ihre Mutter, die eines Tages verschwunden ist: aus dem Käfig geholt vom Besitzer der Zoohandlung und die letzten Worte, die Hopper von ihr hörte waren: "Suche die ´Mus`, Hopper! Du musst sie finden!"
Nie hätte er damit gerechnet, dass diese Suche ihn tatsächlich bald in ein großes Abenteuer stürzen wird - denn nach einer aufregenden Flucht aus ihrem Gefängnis werden die Geschwister getrennt und Hopper findet sich in den unterirdischen Tunneln der Stadt Brooklyn wieder und entdeckt dort eine ganz neue Welt.
Während er dem Kronprinzen "Zucker" über den Weg läuft, in eine Rebellion verwickelt wird und seiner Vergangenheit auf der Spur ist, wächst der kleine Hopper weit über sich hinaus!
Meine Meinung
Was für ein bezauberndes, tierisches Abenteuer!
Von der ersten Seite an war Spannung angesagt und ich bin nur so durch die Seiten geflogen!
Passend zum Genre war der Schreibstil recht einfach gehalten und sehr flüssig zum lesen, trotzdem mit viel Liebe zum Detail. Die unterirdische Welt der Ratten und Mäuse ist ähnlich der unseren: es gibt einen Marktplatz auf dem gehandelt wird, Schulen, ein Krankenhaus und natürlich den Palast, in dem der König der Ratten residiert. Hinter all diesem Prunk und friedlichen Leben steckt allerdings ein dunkles Geheimnis und dass gerade der kleine Hopper mitten hinein tappt, darauf haben andere schon lange gewartet.
- Hopper ist wirklich allerliebst. Er scheint der älteste der Mäuse-Geschwister zu sein und ist eher der vernünftige, besonnene Typ. Von seiner Schwester Pinky bekommt er ständig vorgeworfen, ein Feigling zu sein, doch mit den Herausforderungen wächst er über sich hinaus. Manchmal hätte ich mir gewünscht, dass er nicht ganz so naiv ist und versteht, was um ihn herum passiert, aber da er ja völlig unvorbereitet in diese Welt "gestürzt" ist, war das schon in Ordnung.
Ich kann auch ehrlich gesagt nicht mehr so ganz abschätzen, wie Kinder das empfinden würden. Ob sie sich an manchen Stellen über ihn ärgern, weil er nichts versteht, oder es die Spannung steigert, weil es dadurch natürlich auch aufregend bleibt.
- Pinky dagegen steckt immer voller Energie, ist vorlaut und auf Abenteuer aus. Sie lässt ihre schlechten Launen oft an Hopper aus und möchte einer Heldin gleich immer die Hauptrolle spielen. So wirklich warm werden konnte ich mit ihr nicht, da ihre herablassende Art nicht wirklich sympathisch wirkt - aber vielleicht erfährt man ja mehr über sie in den Folgebänden.
- Der kleine Pip ist ruhig und sanftmütig und vertraut seinen Geschwistern
- Zucker scheint von Anfang an etwas undurchsichtig und obwohl er alles versucht, um seinen Zielen näherzukommen, hat er es schwer. Er war mir sehr sympathisch in seiner kühnen, fast schon verwegenen Art; ein bisschen eingebildet, aber mit spitzbübischem Charme.
Aber auch die anderen Figuren haben eine Geschichte, die nach und nach aufgedeckt und mit den aktuellen Ereignissen verwoben wird. Ich freu mich schon sehr auf die Fortsetzung und hoffe, da auch die anderen noch besser kennenzulernen!
Ein besonderer Moment war, als durch ein Gerücht das Vertrauen zu einem vertrauten Menschen, also hier natürlich einer Ratte, in Frage gestellt wurde und man nicht sofort darauf vertraut hat. Denn ich bin auch dafür, erstmal den Dingen auf den Grund zu gehen, bevor man andere wegen irgendeinem "Gerede" verurteilt, ohne genauer nachzufragen.
Das Cover ist auch wunderschön geworden, denn die drei Geschwister sind ganz klar im Vordergrund, allen voran Hopper, der dem Bösen den Kampf ansagt und größten Mut beweist - wirklich liebevoll gezeichnet! Vorne im Buch gibt es eine Karte der "Unterwelt" und zwischen dem Text verstreut immer wieder tolle schwarz-weiß Zeichnungen.
Das ganze hat mich ein bisschen an die Gregor Reihe von Suzanne Collins erinnert. Aber wenn es auch anfangs einige kleine Parallelen gibt, ist es nicht zu vergleichen und ein eigenständiges, gelungenes Abenteuer!
Fazit
Ein sehr spannendes Abenteuer mit dem tapferen Mäuserich Hopper, der endlich seinen Mut unter Beweis stellen kann. Ein Kampf um Sicherheit und Freiheit zwischen Mäusen, Ratten und Katzen, der mit liebevollen Details und einer klaren Botschaft großen Spaß gemacht hat!
© Aleshanee
Weltenwanderer
Mouseheart
1 - Die Prophezeiung der Mäuse
2 - Die Herrschaft der Katzen
3 - Die Rückkehr des Mäusekriegers (Nov 2015)
March 30, 2014
Loved this book! It did not draw me immediately in, but by page 40 or so, it was an exciting read.
I requested it from Amazon Vine to review because it's described as Redwall meets the Warriors. My 4th grade son is currently totally into the Warriors series, so I hoped he might read it. After he looked at it, he wasn't dying to read it, but after I finished it, I told him that he definitely needs to read it.
This book is exciting -- culminating in an epic battle -- but it also plumbs deeper themes like heroism, purpose, friendship and family. It's also incredibly well-written, using advanced vocabulary, but in a way that is accessible to readers who are good contextual readers.
It's the first in a series, but this book completely stands alone as a wonderful introduction. I can't wait for the next one.
I totally recommend this for fans of fantasies featuring animals but I think it also has a broad appeal to boys and girls who enjoy more character-driven stories as well. Hopper and Prince Zucker are great characters, and the secondary characters like Cyclops the one-eyed-cat just add to the story.
In addition to the exciting adventure series that it was compared to, I felt a little Cricket in Times Square as well. I don't know if it was the talking empathetic animals and the themes of friendship and bravery or the subway setting, but something reminded me of that book as well.
I requested it from Amazon Vine to review because it's described as Redwall meets the Warriors. My 4th grade son is currently totally into the Warriors series, so I hoped he might read it. After he looked at it, he wasn't dying to read it, but after I finished it, I told him that he definitely needs to read it.
This book is exciting -- culminating in an epic battle -- but it also plumbs deeper themes like heroism, purpose, friendship and family. It's also incredibly well-written, using advanced vocabulary, but in a way that is accessible to readers who are good contextual readers.
It's the first in a series, but this book completely stands alone as a wonderful introduction. I can't wait for the next one.
I totally recommend this for fans of fantasies featuring animals but I think it also has a broad appeal to boys and girls who enjoy more character-driven stories as well. Hopper and Prince Zucker are great characters, and the secondary characters like Cyclops the one-eyed-cat just add to the story.
In addition to the exciting adventure series that it was compared to, I felt a little Cricket in Times Square as well. I don't know if it was the talking empathetic animals and the themes of friendship and bravery or the subway setting, but something reminded me of that book as well.
August 17, 2017
Things I disliked:
• Pinky (darn you)
• the whole "promised one", "chosen one" thing was super confusing at first
• the illustrations sometimes don't match the description in the book
• Hopper is kind of idiotic
• 'Zucker' sounds a bit like 'Sucker', don't you think?
Things I liked:
• the illustrations are very adorable!
• Firren Firren Firren Firren! <3
• Hopper and Zucker's friendship is very heartwarming
• Hopper is a very brave and kind mouse
The first 20% of the book was very boring, but the rest was actually kind of good.
∴ 3 stars :D
• Pinky (darn you)
• the whole "promised one", "chosen one" thing was super confusing at first
• the illustrations sometimes don't match the description in the book
• Hopper is kind of idiotic
• 'Zucker' sounds a bit like 'Sucker', don't you think?
Things I liked:
• the illustrations are very adorable!
• Firren Firren Firren Firren! <3
• Hopper and Zucker's friendship is very heartwarming
• Hopper is a very brave and kind mouse
The first 20% of the book was very boring, but the rest was actually kind of good.
∴ 3 stars :D
February 19, 2017
This book was ok, writing style and interest was decent, but I have a real issue with parricide being a theme AT ALL in a book for children . I mean, it could have been an uncle, a cousin, a stepfather maybe, but I skipped a lot of the last paragraphs in the book that went into too much detail on exactly how he wanted to kill his father. I just don't think these descriptions in children's books are beyond unnecessary. I definitely won't be picking up any of the sequels.
May 15, 2024
This really surprised me! I found this book in a Half Price Books near me an immediately fell in love
with the cover! So I went in blind and and really liked it.
In "Mouseheart" by Lisa Fiedler we follow the mouse Hopper after his escape from the pet shop into the underground of Brooklyn. There he encounters a completely different society governed by animals and has to decide his allegiance.
I'm rally fond of the writing style of the book. From setting and characters to plot I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The characters had a great deal of personality and where very distinct from each other. There are many illustrations throughout the book that are just so cute and beautifully drawn. But what surprised me most was the plot since it was darker than I had guessed. It touched on many interesting themes and I will definitely pick up the sequel!
with the cover! So I went in blind and and really liked it.
In "Mouseheart" by Lisa Fiedler we follow the mouse Hopper after his escape from the pet shop into the underground of Brooklyn. There he encounters a completely different society governed by animals and has to decide his allegiance.
I'm rally fond of the writing style of the book. From setting and characters to plot I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The characters had a great deal of personality and where very distinct from each other. There are many illustrations throughout the book that are just so cute and beautifully drawn. But what surprised me most was the plot since it was darker than I had guessed. It touched on many interesting themes and I will definitely pick up the sequel!
November 20, 2020
Best children's book ever I think. This book built such a massive world in my head. I still remember it with great clarity. It kept you hooked, and it had such 3d characters. This is a children's book I would absolutely go back and read as a teenager.
July 8, 2021
This very well may be the most well-written animal fantasy book I have indulged in to date.
A mouse meant for snake food escapes a pet shop and is thrust into an epic battle of rats and good vs. evil. That summary might seem a little silly, but I found it quite capturing. It was almost like something a little kid came up with then, as an adult, perfected it and made it an amazing story.
Fiedler’s meticulously crafted characters witnessed the scenes within her story with perfect accuracy, almost always staying true to their character. I was never confused as to who was who or what the setting was at the current moment. Fiedler kept us up-to-date on everything necessary to the comprehension of her story, while still leaving gaps and missing pieces to enhance her maturing mystery. The story was a little long, but I did not feel that it rambled.
However, one complaint is that I found the development of the main character, Hopper, a little premature. He seemed to change from a very shy, wimpy mouse to a heroically capable-of-anything, one-hundred-percent-believing-in-himself rodent. I would have been more convinced if this change had taken a bit longer to commence itself.
There were one or two curse words tossed into the mix which I did not appreciate, being this is a children’s story, but what can be done other than mention it here and skim over it?
A mouse meant for snake food escapes a pet shop and is thrust into an epic battle of rats and good vs. evil. That summary might seem a little silly, but I found it quite capturing. It was almost like something a little kid came up with then, as an adult, perfected it and made it an amazing story.
Fiedler’s meticulously crafted characters witnessed the scenes within her story with perfect accuracy, almost always staying true to their character. I was never confused as to who was who or what the setting was at the current moment. Fiedler kept us up-to-date on everything necessary to the comprehension of her story, while still leaving gaps and missing pieces to enhance her maturing mystery. The story was a little long, but I did not feel that it rambled.
However, one complaint is that I found the development of the main character, Hopper, a little premature. He seemed to change from a very shy, wimpy mouse to a heroically capable-of-anything, one-hundred-percent-believing-in-himself rodent. I would have been more convinced if this change had taken a bit longer to commence itself.
There were one or two curse words tossed into the mix which I did not appreciate, being this is a children’s story, but what can be done other than mention it here and skim over it?
August 18, 2014
*Worum geht's?*
Hopper und seine Geschwister Pinkie und Pip wachsen im Käfig einer Zoohandlung auf. Niemand von ihnen weiß, was das Leben außerhalb der Käfiggitter für sie bereithält. Doch als sie als Futter für eine fiese Schlange enden sollen, bleibt ihnen nichts anderes übrig, als genau das herauszufinden und Reißaus zu nehmen! Als Hopper seine Geschwister im Getümmel verliert und an einem schaurigen Ort im Untergrund landet, ist er sich nicht mehr so sicher, ob das Schicksal, vor dem er geflohen ist, wirklich weniger grausam gewesen wäre... Erst als Zucker, eine Ratte, ihn findet und unter seine Fittiche nimmt, schöpft Hopper neuen Mut. Er wird seine Geschwister wiederfinden, komme, was da wolle! Aber dann erfährt der junge Mäuserich ausgerechnet in Atlantia, der Stadt der Ratten, von einer geheimnisvollen Prophezeiung – und plötzlich lastet auf Hoppers Mäuseschultern nicht nur die Verantwortung für seine Geschwister…
*Meine Meinung:*
Fans von Erin Hunter aufgepasst! Nach großen Helden aus den Reihen der „Warrior Cats“, „Seekers“ und „Survivor Dogs“ schenkt Autorin Lisa Fiedler nun jenen kleinen Wesen ihre Aufmerksamkeit, die wir sonst so schnell übersehen. In „Mouseheart – Die Prophezeiung der Mäuse“, dem Auftakt einer abenteuerlichen Tierfantasy-Trilogie, schenkt Fiedler kleinen Mäusen die Chance, ganz groß zu sein – und nach der letzten Seite kann ich mit Fug und Recht behaupten, dass die flinken Nager diese auch nutzen!
„Die Prophezeiung der Mäuse“ wartet bereits mit einem spannenden und turbulenten Start auf, sodass man innerhalb kürzester Zeit schon in einen mitreißenden Lesefluss gerät. Neugierig und gespannt klebt man an den Seiten des Romans, der einen zum Schluss eines jeden Kapitels mit einem kleinen, aber feinen Aufhänger zum Weiterlesen animiert. Haben einen die kleinen Nager erst einmal um ihre Pfoten gewickelt (was bei mir schon während einer herzzerreißenden Szene in der Zoohandlung geschehen ist!), gibt es kein Entrinnen mehr!
In der Zwischenzeit sorgen Hopper und die anderen für jede Menge Spannung und Action. Für ein Kinderbuch fordert die Geschichte erstaunlich viele Opfer und Blut. Lisa Fiedler scheut nicht davor zurück, ihre Charaktere furchtbaren Grausamkeiten auszusetzen, verpackt diese jedoch in fesselnde Worte, die sowohl für junge als auch für ältere Leser angemessen sind. „Mouseheart – Die Prophezeiung der Mäuse“ überzeugt mit einer packenden Geschichte, die jeden Leser zu einem Fan der Mäuse werden lässt.
Hopper, die Maus, ist ein Protagonist, der einen zu Beginn vor allem mit seinem schnuckeligen Aussehen verzaubert. Er ist ein sympathisches Kerlchen, an das man schnell sein Herz verlieren könnte, wären da nicht seine naiven Ideen und leichtsinnigen Handlungen, die Hopper in so manch schwierige Situation bringen Rasch zweifelt man an Hopper, riecht man die drohende Gefahr doch selbst als Leser schon 1000 Meilen gegen den Wind! Tatsächlich sind es aber seine Ecken und Kanten, seine Fehler, die ihn so echt machen. Hopper, der als kleine Maus in einem Käfig einer Tierhandlung geboren wird und nur seine begrenzten vier Gitterwände kennt, muss erst noch viel lernen – und das tut er! Er vollzieht eine enorme Entwicklung von der kleinen ängstlichen Mäuslein zum tapferen und kämpferischen Mäuserich und überzeugt damit vor allem jene, die anfangs an ihm gezweifelt haben.
In „Prophezeiung der Mäuse“ trifft man auf eine Vielzahl an Nebencharakteren, die alle ihre eigene Geschichte zu erzählen haben. Lisa Fiedler ist es gelungen, ihre tierischen Charaktere auf eine authentische, kindgerechte und lebendige Weise zu gestalten. Jeder von ihnen besitzt eine gewisse Tiefe, eine Hintergrundgeschichte, die sie oder ihn maßgeblich geprägt haben. Von Oberflächlichkeit fehlt bei diesen Figuren jede Spur!
Unterstützt wird die Geschichte von Illustrationen der Künstlerin Vivienne To. Sie hat entscheidende Schlüsselszenen mit Liebe zum Detail verbildlicht, sodass man gar nicht anders kann, als sich in Hopper und seine Freunde – gar in seine Feinde! – zu vergucken. Tos Illustrationen sind ein zuckersüßer Augenschmaus, der die Atmosphäre von „Mouseheart – Die Prophezeiung der Mäuse“ unterstreicht und das Leseerlebnis besonders für jüngere Leser noch intensiviert.
Da es sich um den Auftakt einer Reihe handelt, bleiben nach der letzten Seite natürlich einige Fragen offen, die sich während des Schmökerns vermehrt in den eigenen Kopf geschlichen haben. Der Haupthandlungsstrang des ersten Bandes wird zwar abgeschlossen, doch alles deutet darauf hin, dass dies erst der Anfang eines noch viel größeren Abenteuers für Hopper sein sollte. Glücklicherweise erspart Lisa Fiedler ihren Lesern einen gemeinen Cliffhanger, sodass die Wartezeit bis zum nächsten Buch nicht auch noch zu einer Belastungsprobe für die eigenen Nerven entwickelt!
*Fazit:*
„Die Prophezeiung der Mäuse“, der Auftakt zur „Mouseheart“-Trilogie von Lisa Fiedler, ist ein absolutes Must-Read für Tierfantasy-Fans. Die Geschichte von Mäuserich Hopper, der gemeinsam mit seinen Geschwistern aus seinem Leben in einem Käfig ausbricht und ein unglaubliches Abenteuer erlebt, ist voller Spannung und mitreißender Action! Hat man das Buch erst einmal begonnen, gibt es kein Entrinnen mehr, bis man die letzte Seite erreicht hat. Die großartigen Charaktere, die man in „Die Prophezeiung der Mäuse“ kennen- und lieben lernen darf, runden den Roman ab. Leider wird man nicht jeden von ihnen in der Fortsetzung wiedersehen dürfen… Für „Mouseheart – Die Prophezeiung der Mäuse“ vergebe ich gute 4 Lurche. Ein maustastisches Leseabenteuer für Jung und Alt!
Hopper und seine Geschwister Pinkie und Pip wachsen im Käfig einer Zoohandlung auf. Niemand von ihnen weiß, was das Leben außerhalb der Käfiggitter für sie bereithält. Doch als sie als Futter für eine fiese Schlange enden sollen, bleibt ihnen nichts anderes übrig, als genau das herauszufinden und Reißaus zu nehmen! Als Hopper seine Geschwister im Getümmel verliert und an einem schaurigen Ort im Untergrund landet, ist er sich nicht mehr so sicher, ob das Schicksal, vor dem er geflohen ist, wirklich weniger grausam gewesen wäre... Erst als Zucker, eine Ratte, ihn findet und unter seine Fittiche nimmt, schöpft Hopper neuen Mut. Er wird seine Geschwister wiederfinden, komme, was da wolle! Aber dann erfährt der junge Mäuserich ausgerechnet in Atlantia, der Stadt der Ratten, von einer geheimnisvollen Prophezeiung – und plötzlich lastet auf Hoppers Mäuseschultern nicht nur die Verantwortung für seine Geschwister…
*Meine Meinung:*
Fans von Erin Hunter aufgepasst! Nach großen Helden aus den Reihen der „Warrior Cats“, „Seekers“ und „Survivor Dogs“ schenkt Autorin Lisa Fiedler nun jenen kleinen Wesen ihre Aufmerksamkeit, die wir sonst so schnell übersehen. In „Mouseheart – Die Prophezeiung der Mäuse“, dem Auftakt einer abenteuerlichen Tierfantasy-Trilogie, schenkt Fiedler kleinen Mäusen die Chance, ganz groß zu sein – und nach der letzten Seite kann ich mit Fug und Recht behaupten, dass die flinken Nager diese auch nutzen!
„Die Prophezeiung der Mäuse“ wartet bereits mit einem spannenden und turbulenten Start auf, sodass man innerhalb kürzester Zeit schon in einen mitreißenden Lesefluss gerät. Neugierig und gespannt klebt man an den Seiten des Romans, der einen zum Schluss eines jeden Kapitels mit einem kleinen, aber feinen Aufhänger zum Weiterlesen animiert. Haben einen die kleinen Nager erst einmal um ihre Pfoten gewickelt (was bei mir schon während einer herzzerreißenden Szene in der Zoohandlung geschehen ist!), gibt es kein Entrinnen mehr!
In der Zwischenzeit sorgen Hopper und die anderen für jede Menge Spannung und Action. Für ein Kinderbuch fordert die Geschichte erstaunlich viele Opfer und Blut. Lisa Fiedler scheut nicht davor zurück, ihre Charaktere furchtbaren Grausamkeiten auszusetzen, verpackt diese jedoch in fesselnde Worte, die sowohl für junge als auch für ältere Leser angemessen sind. „Mouseheart – Die Prophezeiung der Mäuse“ überzeugt mit einer packenden Geschichte, die jeden Leser zu einem Fan der Mäuse werden lässt.
Hopper, die Maus, ist ein Protagonist, der einen zu Beginn vor allem mit seinem schnuckeligen Aussehen verzaubert. Er ist ein sympathisches Kerlchen, an das man schnell sein Herz verlieren könnte, wären da nicht seine naiven Ideen und leichtsinnigen Handlungen, die Hopper in so manch schwierige Situation bringen Rasch zweifelt man an Hopper, riecht man die drohende Gefahr doch selbst als Leser schon 1000 Meilen gegen den Wind! Tatsächlich sind es aber seine Ecken und Kanten, seine Fehler, die ihn so echt machen. Hopper, der als kleine Maus in einem Käfig einer Tierhandlung geboren wird und nur seine begrenzten vier Gitterwände kennt, muss erst noch viel lernen – und das tut er! Er vollzieht eine enorme Entwicklung von der kleinen ängstlichen Mäuslein zum tapferen und kämpferischen Mäuserich und überzeugt damit vor allem jene, die anfangs an ihm gezweifelt haben.
In „Prophezeiung der Mäuse“ trifft man auf eine Vielzahl an Nebencharakteren, die alle ihre eigene Geschichte zu erzählen haben. Lisa Fiedler ist es gelungen, ihre tierischen Charaktere auf eine authentische, kindgerechte und lebendige Weise zu gestalten. Jeder von ihnen besitzt eine gewisse Tiefe, eine Hintergrundgeschichte, die sie oder ihn maßgeblich geprägt haben. Von Oberflächlichkeit fehlt bei diesen Figuren jede Spur!
Unterstützt wird die Geschichte von Illustrationen der Künstlerin Vivienne To. Sie hat entscheidende Schlüsselszenen mit Liebe zum Detail verbildlicht, sodass man gar nicht anders kann, als sich in Hopper und seine Freunde – gar in seine Feinde! – zu vergucken. Tos Illustrationen sind ein zuckersüßer Augenschmaus, der die Atmosphäre von „Mouseheart – Die Prophezeiung der Mäuse“ unterstreicht und das Leseerlebnis besonders für jüngere Leser noch intensiviert.
Da es sich um den Auftakt einer Reihe handelt, bleiben nach der letzten Seite natürlich einige Fragen offen, die sich während des Schmökerns vermehrt in den eigenen Kopf geschlichen haben. Der Haupthandlungsstrang des ersten Bandes wird zwar abgeschlossen, doch alles deutet darauf hin, dass dies erst der Anfang eines noch viel größeren Abenteuers für Hopper sein sollte. Glücklicherweise erspart Lisa Fiedler ihren Lesern einen gemeinen Cliffhanger, sodass die Wartezeit bis zum nächsten Buch nicht auch noch zu einer Belastungsprobe für die eigenen Nerven entwickelt!
*Fazit:*
„Die Prophezeiung der Mäuse“, der Auftakt zur „Mouseheart“-Trilogie von Lisa Fiedler, ist ein absolutes Must-Read für Tierfantasy-Fans. Die Geschichte von Mäuserich Hopper, der gemeinsam mit seinen Geschwistern aus seinem Leben in einem Käfig ausbricht und ein unglaubliches Abenteuer erlebt, ist voller Spannung und mitreißender Action! Hat man das Buch erst einmal begonnen, gibt es kein Entrinnen mehr, bis man die letzte Seite erreicht hat. Die großartigen Charaktere, die man in „Die Prophezeiung der Mäuse“ kennen- und lieben lernen darf, runden den Roman ab. Leider wird man nicht jeden von ihnen in der Fortsetzung wiedersehen dürfen… Für „Mouseheart – Die Prophezeiung der Mäuse“ vergebe ich gute 4 Lurche. Ein maustastisches Leseabenteuer für Jung und Alt!
June 11, 2021
J’ai mis plus de huit jours pour lire ce roman… ce qui est absolument aberrant parce qu’il n’est pas super long (350 malheureuses pages), les chapitres sont courts, ça se lit vite et l’histoire est prenante.
Quelques illustrations parsèment le récit et j’ai apprécié cela, elles sont jolies tout plein avec des character design mignons.
J’ai passé un très bon moment et j’ai beaucoup aimé cette lecture. Il faudra que je me procure la suite.
https://psylook.kimengumi.fr/2021/06/...
Quelques illustrations parsèment le récit et j’ai apprécié cela, elles sont jolies tout plein avec des character design mignons.
J’ai passé un très bon moment et j’ai beaucoup aimé cette lecture. Il faudra que je me procure la suite.
https://psylook.kimengumi.fr/2021/06/...
September 12, 2018
In the book, when the main character Hopper was capture by the enemies MUS, he was afraid and uncertain, but for the first time in his life, he is ready to fight for Atlantia and tell the lord the enemies plan. This shows me that bravery doesn't mean not having the feeling of afraid, but is to do what is necessarily even if what you have to do terrifies your soul.
March 4, 2024
Pacing was not great, but the world building was quite good. The main character changes on a dime when the story asks it, but also has him revert back to who he was prior with the same flippancy. Overall it's interesting and I'll probably read the next two books just to see how it ends.
June 25, 2022
I love my mouse/rat adventures...lol. This was fun!
September 14, 2022
This book reminds me of the kinds of books I would eat up when I was young. It's really fun. I listened to the audiobook but I'm glad I have a hard copy because the illustrations are beautiful. I loved it even though it contains one of my least favorite tropes (The I decided I'm not going to get revenge because I'm better than that trope. I get this is a kid's book but as a kid, I found that annoying too.)
January 25, 2022
I read this because my son asked me to. He enjoyed the series so much. I can understand why. It’s a great story with great characters.
July 4, 2022
A bit bloody for a children's book, but a good read.
May 7, 2017
I read this book because my 3rd grader wanted me to. I was pleasantly surprised. This was a cute fun read and perfect for children his age.
May 12, 2014
I got a copy of this book from Amazon Vine for review. It looked like an interesting middle grade fantasy adventure featuring animals. It ended up being a pretty run of the mill "pet shop mouse finds a world bigger than he knew and finds his courage to help stop a dastardly rat from ruining the lives of other mice" type of book.
Hopper is just your typical petshop mouse until he is almost fed to a snake. Then Hopper and two of his siblings escape and are swept underground to the world of Atlantia which is primarily inhabited by rats and cats. The rats and cats seem to have an uneasy truce and as Hopper learns more and more about Atlantia he learns that all is not as it seems. He also learns that he has an interesting past that is linked to a group the dwells near Atlantia.
I am honestly not a huge fan of these "animal" stories. I do love Tailchaser's Song by Tad Williams and Mouse Guard by David Petersen, but was not a huge fan of the Erin Hunter’s Warriors series of books. Add to that the fact that I am a fan of cats and don't really enjoy then being portrayed as the "bad guy" and I just didn't enjoy this book that much.
I think it is something that my seven year old son could read, however he is also a huge cat fan and there are some pretty vicious scenes where cats are ripped up badly that I think would upset him quite a bit. I think that if the scenes were a bit less detailed, they wouldn't so upsetting. These scenes made me uncomfortable and sad, and I really felt bad for the cats involved (I think I was supposed to be rooting for the mice/rats though).
The writing is very simple and done in very large font...the story falls more under stories for children as far as reading difficulty goes. It is much more simple than other middle grade fantasies I have read. However, as mentioned above some of the fighting scenes are a bit brutal so I don't really feel like children should read this. All in all I was a bit confused about what age group would read this. It's a bit too easy for most middle grade readers and too brutal for younger readers.
Also I felt like this is a story I have heard a million times before. A little mouse overcomes great odds and is brave, he uncovers his past, and saves mouse-kind from vicious tyranny. If you enjoy those types of stories then this is not a bad one, but it's nothing all that great either.
There is some artwork throughout but none of that was finalized in the advanced reading copy that I received, so I can't really speak to the artwork.
Overall an okay animal story. The story was much more simplistic than most other middle grade fantasies that I read.. It deals with slavery and there are some vicious fight scenes...so probably not appropriate for younger kids. I guess if you are a big fan of “animals as people” type of stories this isn’t a horrible one...but there are much better types of these books out there.
Hopper is just your typical petshop mouse until he is almost fed to a snake. Then Hopper and two of his siblings escape and are swept underground to the world of Atlantia which is primarily inhabited by rats and cats. The rats and cats seem to have an uneasy truce and as Hopper learns more and more about Atlantia he learns that all is not as it seems. He also learns that he has an interesting past that is linked to a group the dwells near Atlantia.
I am honestly not a huge fan of these "animal" stories. I do love Tailchaser's Song by Tad Williams and Mouse Guard by David Petersen, but was not a huge fan of the Erin Hunter’s Warriors series of books. Add to that the fact that I am a fan of cats and don't really enjoy then being portrayed as the "bad guy" and I just didn't enjoy this book that much.
I think it is something that my seven year old son could read, however he is also a huge cat fan and there are some pretty vicious scenes where cats are ripped up badly that I think would upset him quite a bit. I think that if the scenes were a bit less detailed, they wouldn't so upsetting. These scenes made me uncomfortable and sad, and I really felt bad for the cats involved (I think I was supposed to be rooting for the mice/rats though).
The writing is very simple and done in very large font...the story falls more under stories for children as far as reading difficulty goes. It is much more simple than other middle grade fantasies I have read. However, as mentioned above some of the fighting scenes are a bit brutal so I don't really feel like children should read this. All in all I was a bit confused about what age group would read this. It's a bit too easy for most middle grade readers and too brutal for younger readers.
Also I felt like this is a story I have heard a million times before. A little mouse overcomes great odds and is brave, he uncovers his past, and saves mouse-kind from vicious tyranny. If you enjoy those types of stories then this is not a bad one, but it's nothing all that great either.
There is some artwork throughout but none of that was finalized in the advanced reading copy that I received, so I can't really speak to the artwork.
Overall an okay animal story. The story was much more simplistic than most other middle grade fantasies that I read.. It deals with slavery and there are some vicious fight scenes...so probably not appropriate for younger kids. I guess if you are a big fan of “animals as people” type of stories this isn’t a horrible one...but there are much better types of these books out there.
June 5, 2015
Je remercie tout d’abord Babelio et les éditions Flammarion pour leur confiance et pour l’envoi de ce livre. J’ai voulu découvrir ce roman car, étant une grande fan des animaux, la couverture et le résumé m’ont interpellée !
Ce livre nous plonge dans l’univers des égouts où est déclarée la guerre entre rats, souris et chats. C’est bien sûr une lecture qui reste très jeunesse, avec des animaux qui parlent, qui comprennent les humains et qui se comprennent d’une espèce à l’autre. Je n’ai pas pu m’empêcher de penser à Docteur Dolittle au cinéma ou au dessin animé Franklin, pour ne citer que deux exemples. A cause de ce côté jeunesse, il ne faut être étonné de voir des souris qui se battent avec des épées !
Ainsi, c’est un livre plein d’actions. L’intrigue est bien ficelée malgré sa prévisibilité. Sans révéler trop de l’intrigue, l’histoire raconte l’arrivée de Hopper, une petite souris qui s’échappe d’une animalerie et va dans les égouts. Il va être l’élément déclencheur d’une nouvelle guerre entre rats et souris… A qui peut-il faire confiance ? Que lui cache-t-on ? Mais surtout, comment sauver son frère et sa sœur qu’il a perdus en entrant dans les égouts ?
J’ai apprécié Hopper qui est un personnage plein de courage. Il va vivre des épreuves difficiles mais ne perdra jamais sa bonté. C’est un personnage attachant bien qu’un peu naïf… Rares sont les autres personnages qui n’ont rien à cacher ou qui ne vont pas se gêner pour profiter de la naïveté de notre héros…
Pour finir, l’écriture est fluide et adapté au public visé. J’aurais aimé un peu plus d’humour dans le roman car il y a peu de situations ou de personnages marrants. C’est dommage !
En bref, j’ai apprécié cette lecture jeunesse qui nous plonge dans un univers animalier. L’intrigue, bien que prévisible, est intéressante et les personnages sont attachants !
Ce livre nous plonge dans l’univers des égouts où est déclarée la guerre entre rats, souris et chats. C’est bien sûr une lecture qui reste très jeunesse, avec des animaux qui parlent, qui comprennent les humains et qui se comprennent d’une espèce à l’autre. Je n’ai pas pu m’empêcher de penser à Docteur Dolittle au cinéma ou au dessin animé Franklin, pour ne citer que deux exemples. A cause de ce côté jeunesse, il ne faut être étonné de voir des souris qui se battent avec des épées !
Ainsi, c’est un livre plein d’actions. L’intrigue est bien ficelée malgré sa prévisibilité. Sans révéler trop de l’intrigue, l’histoire raconte l’arrivée de Hopper, une petite souris qui s’échappe d’une animalerie et va dans les égouts. Il va être l’élément déclencheur d’une nouvelle guerre entre rats et souris… A qui peut-il faire confiance ? Que lui cache-t-on ? Mais surtout, comment sauver son frère et sa sœur qu’il a perdus en entrant dans les égouts ?
J’ai apprécié Hopper qui est un personnage plein de courage. Il va vivre des épreuves difficiles mais ne perdra jamais sa bonté. C’est un personnage attachant bien qu’un peu naïf… Rares sont les autres personnages qui n’ont rien à cacher ou qui ne vont pas se gêner pour profiter de la naïveté de notre héros…
Pour finir, l’écriture est fluide et adapté au public visé. J’aurais aimé un peu plus d’humour dans le roman car il y a peu de situations ou de personnages marrants. C’est dommage !
En bref, j’ai apprécié cette lecture jeunesse qui nous plonge dans un univers animalier. L’intrigue, bien que prévisible, est intéressante et les personnages sont attachants !
February 14, 2017
I fun junior book with a heroic fantasy feel about a pet store mouse that escapes to the sewers only to fall into a conflict between mice and rats. This one definitely had darker themes than I was expecting (refugee camps, genocide, dark politics) but it made for a compelling read with high stakes. After quick start it does slow down in the middle to world and character build but considering this is part of a series its likely well worth the time spent. Its certainly one I'll recommend to older kids.
September 4, 2016
This was actually pretty entertaining and enjoyable. I was hoping for something like Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, one of my favorites books from childhood, and it some ways it lived up--action, adventure, and secrets. The story is similar, as well: naive rat (or mouse, in this case) learns of a different world of rats in which there is some inner turmoil and dissension. Mouseheart just didn't have the same magic for me, though some of that might be that I am reading it as an adult. It was a little too predictable and the characters were a little too simple. I think my students who enjoy animal fantasy, however, will love it.
May 18, 2016
Mouseheart by Lisa Fielder was an interesting change from the usual books i read. This books main character is a mouse name Hopper. Hopper once an ordinary mouse escapes his pet shop to the underground. While there he meets Zucker prince of the hidden rat kingdom of Atlantia. There Hopper is meets Titus king of Atlantia and finds out they are in war with a mouse tribe named the Mūs. Hopper then learns he is the chosen one to end this war. I really liked the characters in this book and the story. I would recommend to people who like worlds where animals are the main characters of the story.
February 18, 2015
I read this aloud with my daughter, and it was a pleasure. Rating is mine; she'd probably rate it even higher.
January 6, 2016
This is a really need children's book about a lost and lonely mouse who finds his way through fear and courage.
September 28, 2014
Bedtime story with my daughter.
January 31, 2018
Star Rating: 5 stars
If you like authors like Tui T. Sutherland, Erin Hunter, Brian Jacques or Inbali Iserles, then I have a new author you should try- Lisa Fiedler. She wrote a series called Mouseheart that is in a similar vein to the authors listed above, particularly Jacques. It starts out in a pet shop owned by a man named Keep when he decides to sell his pet mouse stock to a young boy with a boa constrictor. He never suspects that the mice are smarter and more resourceful than they appear, particularly 3 mice by the names of Hopper, Pinkie, and Pup who decide they don’t want to be snake food and stage an escape. However, they get separated and Hopper is accidentally washed down a sewer drain when he enters the rainy world outside the pet shop. He lands in the subway tunnels and almost gets hit by a train but is saved at the last minute by a rat named Zucker who is dressed in clothes, carrying a sword, and standing on 2 feet. Zucker takes him to his home- Atlantia- a supposedly utopian rat city. Once there, Hopper finds out that there is a supposedly evil tribe of mouse warriors called the Mus who live deep in the tunnels and that Hopper is the perfect image of their fallen leader, Dodger. Because of this resemblance, Hopper is thrown into the middle of a struggle between the rats of Atlantia led by their emperor Titus, the Mus/rebel alliance led by Firren, and the cats led by Felina who for unknown reasons have allied themselves with Titus that will leave him questioning everything he knows and what his destiny is. Is he the Chosen One the Mus have been waiting for or is he the coward that everyone thinks that he is?
I loved this story as I found very engrossing to read. The characters were fleshed out as was the world and the storyline was interesting and made me want to turn pages. I found it reminiscent as stated of Jacques’s Redwall series as well as the American Tail and Secret of Nymph movie franchise, which are all things I loved as a child. I was never bored once in this novel! Also, this book tackles some pretty good themes, such as bravery, believing in oneself, and always doing the right thing even when it might not be the popular or the easiest thing so parents- if you are looking for a wholesome book that will keep your kids entertained and teach them a few life lessons along the way, then this is a good option.
All in all, I loved it for its entertainment value the most. It was a great story so it gets 5 stars from me! Can’t wait to get and read books 2 and 3 when I check out books from my library again!
If you like authors like Tui T. Sutherland, Erin Hunter, Brian Jacques or Inbali Iserles, then I have a new author you should try- Lisa Fiedler. She wrote a series called Mouseheart that is in a similar vein to the authors listed above, particularly Jacques. It starts out in a pet shop owned by a man named Keep when he decides to sell his pet mouse stock to a young boy with a boa constrictor. He never suspects that the mice are smarter and more resourceful than they appear, particularly 3 mice by the names of Hopper, Pinkie, and Pup who decide they don’t want to be snake food and stage an escape. However, they get separated and Hopper is accidentally washed down a sewer drain when he enters the rainy world outside the pet shop. He lands in the subway tunnels and almost gets hit by a train but is saved at the last minute by a rat named Zucker who is dressed in clothes, carrying a sword, and standing on 2 feet. Zucker takes him to his home- Atlantia- a supposedly utopian rat city. Once there, Hopper finds out that there is a supposedly evil tribe of mouse warriors called the Mus who live deep in the tunnels and that Hopper is the perfect image of their fallen leader, Dodger. Because of this resemblance, Hopper is thrown into the middle of a struggle between the rats of Atlantia led by their emperor Titus, the Mus/rebel alliance led by Firren, and the cats led by Felina who for unknown reasons have allied themselves with Titus that will leave him questioning everything he knows and what his destiny is. Is he the Chosen One the Mus have been waiting for or is he the coward that everyone thinks that he is?
I loved this story as I found very engrossing to read. The characters were fleshed out as was the world and the storyline was interesting and made me want to turn pages. I found it reminiscent as stated of Jacques’s Redwall series as well as the American Tail and Secret of Nymph movie franchise, which are all things I loved as a child. I was never bored once in this novel! Also, this book tackles some pretty good themes, such as bravery, believing in oneself, and always doing the right thing even when it might not be the popular or the easiest thing so parents- if you are looking for a wholesome book that will keep your kids entertained and teach them a few life lessons along the way, then this is a good option.
All in all, I loved it for its entertainment value the most. It was a great story so it gets 5 stars from me! Can’t wait to get and read books 2 and 3 when I check out books from my library again!
November 19, 2018
So after reading a bunch of serious books, i decided to cleanse my brain with a fun MG adventure book. just for the heck of it. Sadly, this book ended up taking me longer to finish than a lot of the ADULT books i've read recently.
Why is this? Because this book was boring. Like, really, really boring. You'd think a book about a mouse going on an adventure would be fun. But no, no it wasn't. It had three main problems.
1. The pacing. The book went along at a snails pace for the majority of it, and then rocketed at the end. Like the end was outta nowhere and came at you like a canon, without even really a satisfying resolution for the time invested. (it's leading to a second book, but not very well)
2. The characters. None of the characters really...developed or were endearing. I didn't really like a single character in this story. i wasn't rooting for anyone. I was kind of like. "oh, okay. that happened. um..yay?"
3. Tropeapalooza. Holy jesus did this story have a lot of tropes. and overdone ones to death at that. Like, i could have played adventure trope bingo with this book. Young adventurer called to action, check. evil guy who's obviously evil? check. family member who's mad at him? check. main character is an orphan? check.
it was seriously like this author just picked at random several from the big book o'tropes and wrote a story around it.
This book was worse than bad. I just didn't care. and honestly that's even worse than being bad. it was a boring, mess of a schlog.
I will give this book a bit of praise on one thing though. The illustrator was fantastic. The cover, as well as every twenty or so pages they threw in a drawing, and they all looked fantastic. My coworker said it best. The cover looks like a movie poster. And it really does. The cover looked awesome and drew me in. It's a shame that the writing couldn't live up to the art. I guess this really is a case of "Don't judge a book by it's cover." Illustrator, you're awesome. keep up the good work.
the book itself...i give a 1.5/5. I'm going to round it up to a 2 though because i save 1's for books that i hate with a fiery passion. this is more of like an ..... eh.
1.5/5 rounded up to a 2.
Why is this? Because this book was boring. Like, really, really boring. You'd think a book about a mouse going on an adventure would be fun. But no, no it wasn't. It had three main problems.
1. The pacing. The book went along at a snails pace for the majority of it, and then rocketed at the end. Like the end was outta nowhere and came at you like a canon, without even really a satisfying resolution for the time invested. (it's leading to a second book, but not very well)
2. The characters. None of the characters really...developed or were endearing. I didn't really like a single character in this story. i wasn't rooting for anyone. I was kind of like. "oh, okay. that happened. um..yay?"
3. Tropeapalooza. Holy jesus did this story have a lot of tropes. and overdone ones to death at that. Like, i could have played adventure trope bingo with this book. Young adventurer called to action, check. evil guy who's obviously evil? check. family member who's mad at him? check. main character is an orphan? check.
it was seriously like this author just picked at random several from the big book o'tropes and wrote a story around it.
This book was worse than bad. I just didn't care. and honestly that's even worse than being bad. it was a boring, mess of a schlog.
I will give this book a bit of praise on one thing though. The illustrator was fantastic. The cover, as well as every twenty or so pages they threw in a drawing, and they all looked fantastic. My coworker said it best. The cover looks like a movie poster. And it really does. The cover looked awesome and drew me in. It's a shame that the writing couldn't live up to the art. I guess this really is a case of "Don't judge a book by it's cover." Illustrator, you're awesome. keep up the good work.
the book itself...i give a 1.5/5. I'm going to round it up to a 2 though because i save 1's for books that i hate with a fiery passion. this is more of like an ..... eh.
1.5/5 rounded up to a 2.
November 2, 2018
In the book “Mouseheart” by Lisa Fiedler, A young mouse named Hopper lives with his two siblings Pinkie and Pup in a city pet shop until he escapes. Soon after he escapes, he ends up in the endless tunnels below Brooklyn and then in the spectacular Atlantia empire filled with rats. Though Hopper sounds happy in the city, he worries every day about his siblings he lost in the brutal escape from the pet shop. Meanwhile, Atlantia is threatened by a group of rebels who wish to tear the city down. Also, there are cats everywhere that roam Atlantia that don’t seem to harm the citizens and no rat knows why. Later on, Hopper is caught in a battle that reveals horrifying and painful secrets of Atlantia, his friends, and a extraordinary secret about his destiny.
The book “Mouseheart” by Lisa Fiedler is an amazing book that tells a tale about a mouse’s brave journey. Lisa Fiedler did an amazing job on making the story intense at the end of the book by revealing many secrets of the characters. It was spectacular to read a story in an animal’s perspective.
“Mouseheart” is an exciting, mysterious, and amazing book. I recommend this novel to anyone who loves books about animals, adventure, and mystery.
The book “Mouseheart” by Lisa Fiedler is an amazing book that tells a tale about a mouse’s brave journey. Lisa Fiedler did an amazing job on making the story intense at the end of the book by revealing many secrets of the characters. It was spectacular to read a story in an animal’s perspective.
“Mouseheart” is an exciting, mysterious, and amazing book. I recommend this novel to anyone who loves books about animals, adventure, and mystery.
January 13, 2020
Now I know you’re not supposed to judge a book by a cover, but with this absolutely adorable art by Vivienne To, can you blame me? When this came in the mail, even despite my existing monstrous bedside stack, I knew I had to make time for it. Even after just the first chapter, it was hard not to.
Mouseheart just goes to show how much one can accomplish just by the sheer passion to do what is right.
After escaping the petshop and befriending a subway rat, Hopper is nervous in a world he knows so little about. Though he’s ashamed of his fears and thinks himself a coward, even when he is terrified of the dangers ahead, he is compelled to take action to do what is right, to call on those who can help, and to rush to the aid of those he cares most about.
With his brother in danger, his dearest friend injured, and unsure who to believe, Hopper finds himself tangled up in politics he doesn’t understand until he uncovers the truth for himself.
In so doing, he proves that to do heroic things, it’s okay to be afraid; it’s about trusting your gut and following your heart.
Most of all, Hopper finally discovers that being a hero doesn’t mean being fearless, but rather “it is the mouse who feels fear but takes action in spite of it who is the most heroic of them all!”
Mouseheart just goes to show how much one can accomplish just by the sheer passion to do what is right.
After escaping the petshop and befriending a subway rat, Hopper is nervous in a world he knows so little about. Though he’s ashamed of his fears and thinks himself a coward, even when he is terrified of the dangers ahead, he is compelled to take action to do what is right, to call on those who can help, and to rush to the aid of those he cares most about.
With his brother in danger, his dearest friend injured, and unsure who to believe, Hopper finds himself tangled up in politics he doesn’t understand until he uncovers the truth for himself.
In so doing, he proves that to do heroic things, it’s okay to be afraid; it’s about trusting your gut and following your heart.
Most of all, Hopper finally discovers that being a hero doesn’t mean being fearless, but rather “it is the mouse who feels fear but takes action in spite of it who is the most heroic of them all!”
September 24, 2016
My video review: https://youtu.be/To62JsGymgY
Every now and then, after reading a thick fantasy or classic, I like to treat myself to a middle-grade book to refresh my brain from the larger more complicated novels. I was in the perfect craving for some kind of "small animal" book such as The Wind in The Willows, The Tale of Despereaux, or a Redwall novel. Naturally, I scanned the section of my bookshelf dedicated to middle-grade and found Mouseheart by Lisa Fiedler. Hmmmm I never did read this one. It looks like exactly what I want to read right now!
I was-for the most part- wrong.
This book was completely and utterly average and that is being rather generous. Just because this is a children's/middle-grade book there is no excuse for having bare-bone writing, lack of originality, and dull characters.
Mouseheart is about a pet shop mouse named Hopper who at the beginning is living in a cage with his younger brother pup, who is cute but has no character whatsoever, and his older sister Pinkie (who is for some reason the spawn of Satan). She has no drive or purpose for being a horrible character, she just chooses to be. Once this trio discovers they are about to be sold as snake food, they escape and get separated but all eventually end up in the sewers. Hopper finds himself led to the kingdom of Atlantia by the rat prince Zucker. Atlantia is a city inhabited mostly by cats and rats. Here we begin to see hints of an uneasy truce between the cats and rats. We also begin to learn more about this secret group called the Mus (pronounced as "Mews) and about their prophecy of a savoir with a white circle around his eye. Hopper has a white circle around his eye.
Let me say that ever since I was young I enjoyed "small animal" stories. I loved watching movies like The Secret of Nymh, An American Tail, The Rescuers. The main attraction being the story of some brave underdogs. But another important aspect is seeing the world from a whole different perspective. Mouseheart does not give you that different perspective. The description is very basic, and not in the way a minimalist writes but in the way that is a lack of attention to detail.
Nothing is well described or interesting. You think with the setting being a kingdom in the sewers that the author would make that ambiance come to life. It just feels like you can't see any of the setting that well without using your imagination and resulting to clichés. It seems like at times this book uses the illustrations in order to show off the world building. This is not okay. Pictures are great but description needs to come first.
Now this lack of detail follows into the characters as well. At the beginning I thought I was going to love Zucker the rat prince. He had a fight scene when we first meet him, you know, one of those middle-grade fight scenes that seem like they're trying to be unnecessarily... violent. Basically it was trying to copy the combat scenes in Erin Hunters books. Why do we need that in middle-grade? Like I'll read an adult book or YA for my violent fight scenes thank you very much. Also this scene fooled me into believing this was going to be a high action adventure; which it wasn't at all. Anyway, back to characters. Zucker started to constantly call Hopper "kiddo" or "kid" and it just really started to get on my nerves. I thought they were becoming friends, but then when Zucker uses those kind of words to identify Hopper it's basically makes Hopper feel like a younger weaker child while putting Zucker on a high seat above him. Is that just me? I remember a time in elementary school when a kid (same age) was trying to become friends with me and he would call me "kiddo", "kid", "bud", or "buddy" and I just had to flat out tell him to stop.
Getting off track again, okay back to characters. All the characters are just really dull and cliché. Not really even worth mentioning. Hopper is one of the main problems with this book. He is stupid, dull and naive. Sososososososoooo unrealistically naive. There are so many things that are so obvious that fly right over Hopper's head. The entire book it's pretty obvious the king is evil, even his own son knows it (when around palace guards he sarcastically acts like he trusts the king), but Hopper just has a blind trust for the king and doesn't realise Zuckers allegiance is fake. Now I know middle-grade authors often use this as a tactic to make the young reader feel like he is discovering something before the protagonist does, but when it is this obvious it just gets redundant.
There is also so many inconsistencies holding this book back, such as how Hopper discovered what a subway map is the first time he saw it- even though nobody has before in the entire kingdom/sewers. Or near the end on page 292 where it reads "Hopper sprung along at Zucker's heels, fighting as proudly and as skillfully as the prince's soldiers". HOW?? This is literally the first time he picks up a weapon to fight and somehow he is as skillful as trained guards? I mean even as a kid I think I would have noticed how inconsistent this book is.
I came to a part where I was struggling to read on. Not much was keeping me interested except the idea that they were going to head to the surface in order to gather some supplies from the humans that they can use as weapons. This caught my interest. Made me sit up in my bed in anticipation for something to happen. You wanna know what happened? This chapter was where the author wanted to be creative. The chapter consisted of one sentence explaining they went to the surface... and three pictures. Not even too interesting of pictures. Then the chapter ends and they are back in the sewers.....
This type of chapter should have been saved for a boring event in order to make it seem more exciting, not a freaking pilgrimage to the surface world of giants!!
Forgive me La Rocha, all mysterious Mus deity who doesn't seem interesting in anyway, for getting angry with this mind-numbing lackluster middle-grade novel that is not intended for my age group.
Every now and then, after reading a thick fantasy or classic, I like to treat myself to a middle-grade book to refresh my brain from the larger more complicated novels. I was in the perfect craving for some kind of "small animal" book such as The Wind in The Willows, The Tale of Despereaux, or a Redwall novel. Naturally, I scanned the section of my bookshelf dedicated to middle-grade and found Mouseheart by Lisa Fiedler. Hmmmm I never did read this one. It looks like exactly what I want to read right now!
I was-for the most part- wrong.
This book was completely and utterly average and that is being rather generous. Just because this is a children's/middle-grade book there is no excuse for having bare-bone writing, lack of originality, and dull characters.
Mouseheart is about a pet shop mouse named Hopper who at the beginning is living in a cage with his younger brother pup, who is cute but has no character whatsoever, and his older sister Pinkie (who is for some reason the spawn of Satan). She has no drive or purpose for being a horrible character, she just chooses to be. Once this trio discovers they are about to be sold as snake food, they escape and get separated but all eventually end up in the sewers. Hopper finds himself led to the kingdom of Atlantia by the rat prince Zucker. Atlantia is a city inhabited mostly by cats and rats. Here we begin to see hints of an uneasy truce between the cats and rats. We also begin to learn more about this secret group called the Mus (pronounced as "Mews) and about their prophecy of a savoir with a white circle around his eye. Hopper has a white circle around his eye.
Let me say that ever since I was young I enjoyed "small animal" stories. I loved watching movies like The Secret of Nymh, An American Tail, The Rescuers. The main attraction being the story of some brave underdogs. But another important aspect is seeing the world from a whole different perspective. Mouseheart does not give you that different perspective. The description is very basic, and not in the way a minimalist writes but in the way that is a lack of attention to detail.
Nothing is well described or interesting. You think with the setting being a kingdom in the sewers that the author would make that ambiance come to life. It just feels like you can't see any of the setting that well without using your imagination and resulting to clichés. It seems like at times this book uses the illustrations in order to show off the world building. This is not okay. Pictures are great but description needs to come first.
Now this lack of detail follows into the characters as well. At the beginning I thought I was going to love Zucker the rat prince. He had a fight scene when we first meet him, you know, one of those middle-grade fight scenes that seem like they're trying to be unnecessarily... violent. Basically it was trying to copy the combat scenes in Erin Hunters books. Why do we need that in middle-grade? Like I'll read an adult book or YA for my violent fight scenes thank you very much. Also this scene fooled me into believing this was going to be a high action adventure; which it wasn't at all. Anyway, back to characters. Zucker started to constantly call Hopper "kiddo" or "kid" and it just really started to get on my nerves. I thought they were becoming friends, but then when Zucker uses those kind of words to identify Hopper it's basically makes Hopper feel like a younger weaker child while putting Zucker on a high seat above him. Is that just me? I remember a time in elementary school when a kid (same age) was trying to become friends with me and he would call me "kiddo", "kid", "bud", or "buddy" and I just had to flat out tell him to stop.
Getting off track again, okay back to characters. All the characters are just really dull and cliché. Not really even worth mentioning. Hopper is one of the main problems with this book. He is stupid, dull and naive. Sososososososoooo unrealistically naive. There are so many things that are so obvious that fly right over Hopper's head. The entire book it's pretty obvious the king is evil, even his own son knows it (when around palace guards he sarcastically acts like he trusts the king), but Hopper just has a blind trust for the king and doesn't realise Zuckers allegiance is fake. Now I know middle-grade authors often use this as a tactic to make the young reader feel like he is discovering something before the protagonist does, but when it is this obvious it just gets redundant.
There is also so many inconsistencies holding this book back, such as how Hopper discovered what a subway map is the first time he saw it- even though nobody has before in the entire kingdom/sewers. Or near the end on page 292 where it reads "Hopper sprung along at Zucker's heels, fighting as proudly and as skillfully as the prince's soldiers". HOW?? This is literally the first time he picks up a weapon to fight and somehow he is as skillful as trained guards? I mean even as a kid I think I would have noticed how inconsistent this book is.
I came to a part where I was struggling to read on. Not much was keeping me interested except the idea that they were going to head to the surface in order to gather some supplies from the humans that they can use as weapons. This caught my interest. Made me sit up in my bed in anticipation for something to happen. You wanna know what happened? This chapter was where the author wanted to be creative. The chapter consisted of one sentence explaining they went to the surface... and three pictures. Not even too interesting of pictures. Then the chapter ends and they are back in the sewers.....
This type of chapter should have been saved for a boring event in order to make it seem more exciting, not a freaking pilgrimage to the surface world of giants!!
Forgive me La Rocha, all mysterious Mus deity who doesn't seem interesting in anyway, for getting angry with this mind-numbing lackluster middle-grade novel that is not intended for my age group.
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