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Tatterwing #1
The Dragon Beshrewed
It's common enough for a book of dragons to center on a young wizard harnessing his power, or a knightly lad (usually a farmhand) learning to vanquish evil. The Merlins and Arthurs, if you will. Too rarely do we get to glimpse the other side of the coin. The Madam Mims and Morgan le Fays certainly had their own humble beginnings, but those stories are seldom told. Those climbs to power are somehow neglected.
But within the pages of The Tatterwing Chronicles you'll find such a story. A story of a young girl taking her first steps to becoming a notorious witch known as Tatterwing. A story of her rise to power, her flirtation with the darkness, and her tendency to ride the line between hero and villain as the odds stack against her.
Book one finds young Medo as a child of thirteen living deep in the bowels of the swamp, before she's seen the outside world. Before anyone has heard her name.
But within the pages of The Tatterwing Chronicles you'll find such a story. A story of a young girl taking her first steps to becoming a notorious witch known as Tatterwing. A story of her rise to power, her flirtation with the darkness, and her tendency to ride the line between hero and villain as the odds stack against her.
Book one finds young Medo as a child of thirteen living deep in the bowels of the swamp, before she's seen the outside world. Before anyone has heard her name.
Unknown Binding
First published April 9, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 28, 2016
Loved this book, it kept getting better as I read it.
What surprised me is I enjoyed it though I don't ever read books that target this audience.
What surprised me is I enjoyed it though I don't ever read books that target this audience.
August 31, 2026
Author here.
Im currently rereading this first novel to prepare for writing the last two books in the series. While I won't claim to be unbiased, even after a four year break from this book, I do have some things I noticed:
Beshrewed has more whimsy than the rest of the series. It's got more humor and banter with only a little darkness, whereas the other books get darker and maybe a little bleak at times.
It causes a bit of an abrupt tonal shift doesnt it? Going almost grimdark with your later books, and choosing to begin book 1 with a plucky squirrel sidekick. I've gone back and fourth about whether he was a good idea or not. But I think on this read at least, I'm pro plucky squirrel. He's funny and awkward to me. And Medo's care for him says a lot about how she started this journey: well intentioned and kind
So while I do question some of the long winded parts of this book, I generally won't budge on being fond of what I made here, plucky squirrel and all.
Im currently rereading this first novel to prepare for writing the last two books in the series. While I won't claim to be unbiased, even after a four year break from this book, I do have some things I noticed:
Beshrewed has more whimsy than the rest of the series. It's got more humor and banter with only a little darkness, whereas the other books get darker and maybe a little bleak at times.
It causes a bit of an abrupt tonal shift doesnt it? Going almost grimdark with your later books, and choosing to begin book 1 with a plucky squirrel sidekick. I've gone back and fourth about whether he was a good idea or not. But I think on this read at least, I'm pro plucky squirrel. He's funny and awkward to me. And Medo's care for him says a lot about how she started this journey: well intentioned and kind
So while I do question some of the long winded parts of this book, I generally won't budge on being fond of what I made here, plucky squirrel and all.
September 18, 2020
I think this is what would happen if Poison by Chris Wooding had a love-child with The Edge Chronicles who grew up to be influenced by Disney's darker period - think Sword in the Stone and Black Cauldron. It is strange and dark and freakin' gorgeous; perfect for anyone looking for a darker than your average YA read without it being inappropriately so.
Plus it's illustrated in the most fantastical creepy fairy tale style, reminding me again of Chris Riddell and Tony DiTerlizzi's Spiderwick Chronicles.
It follows an unusual protagonist: Medo is your usual middle grade/young adult headstrong teenager, but the determined kind, not the snarky "feisty" sort. She's quiet, cunning, and destined for greater things than living amongst her swamp-dwelling people turning errant knights into toads and the like. Her discovery of a book of Black Magic sees her exiled for reasons she cannot comprehend, thrusting her into the dangers of an outside world she knows nothing about. An outside world where a dragon hunts her, a boy is on a quest to find a magic sword, and people are never quite as they appear.
I cannot praise this enough for having such a sensible main character. Medo's balancing act between what's right and wrong, and knowing what to feel when everyone's against you, is such a strong central theme and never did I feel like things went too far. Her questioning how evil Black Magic is when used for good reasons makes her a far more interesting character to follow. She's balanced out well by the good natured orphan boy Owyn, the boy who dreams of a treasure that will save him, and the comic relief that is Marlin the conman Magician (who, funnily enough, also dreams of treasure). I loved the warmth of the relationship that grew between them, even if they bicker sometimes. Plus Medo has a squirrel helper with a secret of his own - you cannot beat a good animal sidekick - and there's no romance storyline as such, just genuinely heart-warming friendships.
But the world is dark and full of terrors. The dragon rears her creepy head fairly often, and isn't your usual villain. Her cronies known as the Named are perfectly creepy enough to keep the threat level high when she's not around.
Now my nitpicks would be that while there is an amazingly detailed backstory to the kingdom, it's delivery could feel a tad confusing at times. I had to stop, re-read and make sense of it, possibly because it's delivered over the course of two close together conversations that cover both the world and the character backstories, so I might have gotten things mixed up. I also found some of the more action-based sequences hard to follow, but it's easy enough to just shrug and go along with it.
For anyone wanting a fast-paced story, this probably isn't the one for you. It's a slow simmering plot of buried secrets, betrayals and discoveries. I'm a fast reader and was surprised by how long it took me to get through it - not that I could resent the time. Any qualms I'd had seeing reviews of older editions being typo-riddled can generally be put to rest, as there were very few. The tonal shift in the prologue - darkly comical as a knight finds out why he shouldn't enter Medo's swamp - does shift to a darker key as the book goes on, which some may find dicombobulating. But rest assured, it's isn't too dark; think creepy YA.
I am so happy that the ending is one of those Happy For Now/To Be Continued affairs. It wraps up the events perfectly but still leaves the promise of more. I fully intend to go on with the next book because who can resist the lure of a morally ambiguous fairy tale hero whose companionships make you feel warm and fuzzy inside? 4.5 stars.
Plus it's illustrated in the most fantastical creepy fairy tale style, reminding me again of Chris Riddell and Tony DiTerlizzi's Spiderwick Chronicles.
It follows an unusual protagonist: Medo is your usual middle grade/young adult headstrong teenager, but the determined kind, not the snarky "feisty" sort. She's quiet, cunning, and destined for greater things than living amongst her swamp-dwelling people turning errant knights into toads and the like. Her discovery of a book of Black Magic sees her exiled for reasons she cannot comprehend, thrusting her into the dangers of an outside world she knows nothing about. An outside world where a dragon hunts her, a boy is on a quest to find a magic sword, and people are never quite as they appear.
I cannot praise this enough for having such a sensible main character. Medo's balancing act between what's right and wrong, and knowing what to feel when everyone's against you, is such a strong central theme and never did I feel like things went too far. Her questioning how evil Black Magic is when used for good reasons makes her a far more interesting character to follow. She's balanced out well by the good natured orphan boy Owyn, the boy who dreams of a treasure that will save him, and the comic relief that is Marlin the conman Magician (who, funnily enough, also dreams of treasure). I loved the warmth of the relationship that grew between them, even if they bicker sometimes. Plus Medo has a squirrel helper with a secret of his own - you cannot beat a good animal sidekick - and there's no romance storyline as such, just genuinely heart-warming friendships.
But the world is dark and full of terrors. The dragon rears her creepy head fairly often, and isn't your usual villain. Her cronies known as the Named are perfectly creepy enough to keep the threat level high when she's not around.
Now my nitpicks would be that while there is an amazingly detailed backstory to the kingdom, it's delivery could feel a tad confusing at times. I had to stop, re-read and make sense of it, possibly because it's delivered over the course of two close together conversations that cover both the world and the character backstories, so I might have gotten things mixed up. I also found some of the more action-based sequences hard to follow, but it's easy enough to just shrug and go along with it.
For anyone wanting a fast-paced story, this probably isn't the one for you. It's a slow simmering plot of buried secrets, betrayals and discoveries. I'm a fast reader and was surprised by how long it took me to get through it - not that I could resent the time. Any qualms I'd had seeing reviews of older editions being typo-riddled can generally be put to rest, as there were very few. The tonal shift in the prologue - darkly comical as a knight finds out why he shouldn't enter Medo's swamp - does shift to a darker key as the book goes on, which some may find dicombobulating. But rest assured, it's isn't too dark; think creepy YA.
I am so happy that the ending is one of those Happy For Now/To Be Continued affairs. It wraps up the events perfectly but still leaves the promise of more. I fully intend to go on with the next book because who can resist the lure of a morally ambiguous fairy tale hero whose companionships make you feel warm and fuzzy inside? 4.5 stars.
September 12, 2017
O wow... that cover!
No, not that one, the alternate version (though I suppose both are nice).
I know, don't judge a book by its cover. I'm more guilty than most when it comes to that sin, but in this case I'm glad I let it lead me into these pages.
I'm not going to claim Stauffer is in the same league as Patrick Rothfuss or Susanna Clarke, but I will say that the imagery and prose in this book made me pause to admire it on a regular basis. It really is beautifully written, and the plot's not half bad either. In fact, I'd say the plot was damn good.
The world building is exceptional, the different forms of magic feeling grounded and dare I say believable, while also remaining mysterious in a way that keeps the magic alive.
In short, read this book. I don't often rate anything, never mind post reviews, but in this case, the author needs more exposure, and more people need to read this book.
No, not that one, the alternate version (though I suppose both are nice).
I know, don't judge a book by its cover. I'm more guilty than most when it comes to that sin, but in this case I'm glad I let it lead me into these pages.
I'm not going to claim Stauffer is in the same league as Patrick Rothfuss or Susanna Clarke, but I will say that the imagery and prose in this book made me pause to admire it on a regular basis. It really is beautifully written, and the plot's not half bad either. In fact, I'd say the plot was damn good.
The world building is exceptional, the different forms of magic feeling grounded and dare I say believable, while also remaining mysterious in a way that keeps the magic alive.
In short, read this book. I don't often rate anything, never mind post reviews, but in this case, the author needs more exposure, and more people need to read this book.
July 24, 2016
This is a book that not only needs, but deserves, better copy editing, since it's engaging, well told and has some freshness about it. It's not just the same old stupid Chosen One plot recycled for the Nth time. It's dark, without being grimdark. It has a genuinely strong female protagonist, who thinks and solves problems and takes brave, decisive action and doesn't make stupid decisions that require that she be rescued by a man. (Her male sidekicks do help, but she is definitely the protagonist.)
Overall, I enjoyed it, and that's what kept me reading, despite the many editing issues (all the usual ones, plus a homonym error that's new to me: "codec" where it should be "codex"). However, because those issues occurred frequently and were a constant distraction, it didn't sell me on getting the sequel.
Overall, I enjoyed it, and that's what kept me reading, despite the many editing issues (all the usual ones, plus a homonym error that's new to me: "codec" where it should be "codex"). However, because those issues occurred frequently and were a constant distraction, it didn't sell me on getting the sequel.
June 13, 2014
Tatterwing the Good Black
Tatterwing the Good Black
Wow what remarkable mixture of coming of age & mid-sized fantasy. Two young people with plenty of problems following them, plus a delightful old screaming magician full of bluster. An evil winless dragon turned from former queen with all her vicious minions. Delightful!
Tatterwing the Good Black
Wow what remarkable mixture of coming of age & mid-sized fantasy. Two young people with plenty of problems following them, plus a delightful old screaming magician full of bluster. An evil winless dragon turned from former queen with all her vicious minions. Delightful!
November 13, 2016
I really enjoyed this book! Very interesting premise. I liked how the author plays with the notion that something that is usually a bad thing and use for evil, on the right hands, can be used for good. Characters were interesting and well develop too. Solid story overall!
October 10, 2014
M.M. Stauffer books are so beautifully illustrated it is worth the download just to inspire your kid's imagination and interest in drawing/writing.
May 24, 2015
this book was really good! very fast moving and easy to jump right into!
July 14, 2023
Tatterwing's is my new favoritest world!
This world is so simply rich and believable in this first novel of the Tatterwing saga! An utterly rejected young heroine finds herself in the company of a young freedom fighter on the run and a shyster magician. They are harried and persecuted by the Old Queen dragon and her followers on an adventure to unravel Tatterwing's dark magic. Excellent!
This world is so simply rich and believable in this first novel of the Tatterwing saga! An utterly rejected young heroine finds herself in the company of a young freedom fighter on the run and a shyster magician. They are harried and persecuted by the Old Queen dragon and her followers on an adventure to unravel Tatterwing's dark magic. Excellent!
September 21, 2020
Well written and very imaginative storyline. Great build up of character’s expectations that don’t turn out as they imagine.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews