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Peter Nimble, The Vanished Kingdom #2
Sophie Quire and the Last Storyguard
It’s been two years since Peter Nimble and Sir Tode rescued the kingdom of HazelPort. In that time, they have traveled far and wide in search of adventure. Now Peter and Sir Tode have been summoned by Professor Cake for a new mission: to find a 12-year-old bookmender named Sophie Quire. Sophie knows little beyond the four walls of her father’s bookshop, where she repairs old books and dreams of escaping the confines of her dull life. But when a strange boy and his talking cat/horse companion show up with a rare and mysterious book, she finds herself pulled into an adventure beyond anything she has ever read.
444 pages, Paperback
First published January 12, 2016
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4088 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 507 reviews
November 7, 2019
The first book in the series was eccentric, mysterious, somewhat gruesome, and a tad violent. I liked the writing style and storyline.
This second installment was also mysterious, fast-paced, and intriguing. However, there was major emphasis on magic, charms, spells, and summoning magical things and people from a set of 4 magical books.
This had well-developed vocabulary and was well-written, but was so heavy on the idea that magic is what keeps our world alive and without it we'd all die. I think part of what the author had in mind was to nurture wonder and an appreciation for stories and lovely, different things, which is a noble purpose, but everything ended up coming across with a bent toward sorcery and witchcraft.
A character in the story acts seductively to get what she wants, attempts to teach a young girl to do the same, and runs a drug den. So many drug references and descriptions were included; though, to the author's credit, were not described in a positive light. There were just so many details and things that are not beneficial for young minds to be devouring. While the language itself was technically clean, the ideas and subtleties were not.
I am disappointed in this story and would have liked to have seen it take a more wholesome direction.
This second installment was also mysterious, fast-paced, and intriguing. However, there was major emphasis on magic, charms, spells, and summoning magical things and people from a set of 4 magical books.
This had well-developed vocabulary and was well-written, but was so heavy on the idea that magic is what keeps our world alive and without it we'd all die. I think part of what the author had in mind was to nurture wonder and an appreciation for stories and lovely, different things, which is a noble purpose, but everything ended up coming across with a bent toward sorcery and witchcraft.
A character in the story acts seductively to get what she wants, attempts to teach a young girl to do the same, and runs a drug den. So many drug references and descriptions were included; though, to the author's credit, were not described in a positive light. There were just so many details and things that are not beneficial for young minds to be devouring. While the language itself was technically clean, the ideas and subtleties were not.
I am disappointed in this story and would have liked to have seen it take a more wholesome direction.
March 23, 2016
Two-sentence summary: Solid middle grades action-adventure story, perfect for readers who might find Rick Riordan’s The Red Pyramid a little too intimidating or scary. Readers do not need to be familiar with the first book in the series to read and enjoy Sophie Quire.
Review:
Sophie Quire lives in Bustleburgh, where her father is the owner of a bookstore and her mother, who mysteriously died when she was a baby, was an expert book mender. Sophie has taken up her mother’s former profession and is a book mender.
Meanwhile, Inspector Prigg is bent on purging the city of all “nonsense” -- and that means a plan to burn all books. When Sophie is caught by Prigg and his associates trying to burn books, she is rescued by none other than Peter Nimble, who then asks for a favor in return.
The favor is to mend a book that’s not just any ordinary book…. It’s the Book of Who. Ask it a question (“Who is Peter Nimble?”) and it can answer your question.
As it turns out, though, this book is part of a set, and this set is highly sought after….
This book has a lot to offer for middle grade action/adventure fans. Along with your typical expectations of the genre, this book has a lot of well-imagined characters floating through it (such as the cat/horse/human sidekick, Sir Tode, and the ever-enchanting Ezmerzelda) and the plot clips at a brisk pace, even as this book clocks in at over 450 pages. I additionally appreciate that Sophie and Peter are an evil-fighting power pair who still have character flaws: they don’t always listen carefully, they sometimes act impulsively
However, I found the book’s central theme about the magic of stories to be an audience limiter when I think about who might enjoy this book. Sophie grew up loving to read. Children and teens who love to read will love reading this book. But what about those who don’t love to read? I am not convinced that they will find this book’s message resonant. And, if books really have all the magic they are claimed to possess, why don’t we hear anything about Peter and Sir Tode’s reading lives? Surely Peter Nimble learned a few tricks (or, better yet, has a scathing critique) of a How to Thieve guide.
Another audience limiter is the ending -- the final battle scene drags on for about 50 more pages than it has to, and the overly optimistic ending won’t ring as true to most of my seventh graders, who love stories that reach a happy ending at some significant cost.
I’ll add this one to my classroom library and recommend it, but I’m thinking an ideal interest range for this one is grades 3-6.
Review:
Sophie Quire lives in Bustleburgh, where her father is the owner of a bookstore and her mother, who mysteriously died when she was a baby, was an expert book mender. Sophie has taken up her mother’s former profession and is a book mender.
Meanwhile, Inspector Prigg is bent on purging the city of all “nonsense” -- and that means a plan to burn all books. When Sophie is caught by Prigg and his associates trying to burn books, she is rescued by none other than Peter Nimble, who then asks for a favor in return.
The favor is to mend a book that’s not just any ordinary book…. It’s the Book of Who. Ask it a question (“Who is Peter Nimble?”) and it can answer your question.
As it turns out, though, this book is part of a set, and this set is highly sought after….
This book has a lot to offer for middle grade action/adventure fans. Along with your typical expectations of the genre, this book has a lot of well-imagined characters floating through it (such as the cat/horse/human sidekick, Sir Tode, and the ever-enchanting Ezmerzelda) and the plot clips at a brisk pace, even as this book clocks in at over 450 pages. I additionally appreciate that Sophie and Peter are an evil-fighting power pair who still have character flaws: they don’t always listen carefully, they sometimes act impulsively
However, I found the book’s central theme about the magic of stories to be an audience limiter when I think about who might enjoy this book. Sophie grew up loving to read. Children and teens who love to read will love reading this book. But what about those who don’t love to read? I am not convinced that they will find this book’s message resonant. And, if books really have all the magic they are claimed to possess, why don’t we hear anything about Peter and Sir Tode’s reading lives? Surely Peter Nimble learned a few tricks (or, better yet, has a scathing critique) of a How to Thieve guide.
Another audience limiter is the ending -- the final battle scene drags on for about 50 more pages than it has to, and the overly optimistic ending won’t ring as true to most of my seventh graders, who love stories that reach a happy ending at some significant cost.
I’ll add this one to my classroom library and recommend it, but I’m thinking an ideal interest range for this one is grades 3-6.
January 18, 2017
ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS-ABOUT-BOOKS I'VE EVER READ!
Errr.. probably all books-about-books are the best. :p
Aku agak kaget sebenernya karena ternyata Peter Nimble yang kemarin itu punya buku kedua. Nggak sepenuhnya buku kedua sih. Buku ini memang lanjutan Peter Nimble tapi dengan hero yang berbeda, yaitu Sophie Quire, seorang bookmender dari Bustleburgh. Well.. tentu saja masih ada Peter Nimble dan Sir Tode kesayangan~
Awalnya belum niat ngelanjutin serial ini. Iseng aja. Jadi, seperti yang biasanya aku lakukan kalau lagi pilih-pilih ebook, aku selalu membaca beberapa paragraf awalnya dulu. Kalau menarik, lanjutin. Dan tahukah kalian gimana prolog dari buku ini?
It has often been said that one should never judge a book by its cover. As any serious readers can tell you, this is terrible advice. Serious readers know the singular pleasure of handling a well-made book—the heft and texture of the case, the rasp of the spine as you lift the cover, the sweet, dusty aroma of yellowed pages as they pass between your fingers. A book is more than a vessel for ideas: It is a living thing in need of love, warmth, and protection.
My dear friends.. apa kalian nggak langsung tertarik kalau paragraf awal sebuah buku seindah itu? :)
Aku nggak tahu sudah berapa kali aku membaca ulang paragraf di atas, sampai-sampai aku catat ulang di notebook saking sukanya! The best quote ever!
Nggak cuman paragraf awal aja yang menarik, kok. When there's spell, there's magic. Aku mengasumsikan paragraf di atas adalah mantra, sedangkan keseluruhan isi buku ini adalah magis. Aku suka Sophie Quire, anak kecil pecinta buku yang bekerja sebagai bookmender di toko buku ayahnya. Cara Sophie memperbaiki setiap sisi buku dengan hati-hati, lebih mirip dibilang mengobati sesuatu yang hidup daripada memperbaiki alat/benda mati yang rusak. Dan di buku ini, buku yang dibawa Peter untuk diperbaiki Sophie memang BENAR-BENAR HIDUP!
4 buku ajaib: The Book of Who, The Book of What, The Book of Where, dan The Book of When. Keempat buku ini sesuai dengan namanya, kita bisa tahu segala hal yang ingin kita tanyakan apabila kita menggunakan kata tanya siapa, apa, dimana, dan kapan. Kenapa kubilang buku-buku ini hidup? Karena saat Sophie tidak sengaja bertanya pada buku yang ternyata ajaib itu (omong-omong Sophie hanya punya The Book of Who), buku itu langsung membuka halaman dengan sendirinya, menunjukkan informasi tentang orang yang ditanyakan tadi. KEREN, KAAAAN?! T-T
Namun, petualangan Sophie tidak hanya berbatas pada memperbaiki buku di toko buku Quire & Quire saja. Sophie baru saja mendapati kenyataan bahwa The Book of Who menunjuk dirinya sebagai pemilik baru, dimana pemilik buku itu sebelumnya ternyata adalah ibunya sendiri. Ibu Sophie sudah meninggal karena dibunuh bertahun-tahun lalu. Saat Sophie bertanya pada buku itu siapa yang telah membunuh ibunya, halaman buku itu ternyata sudah dirobek. Sophie harus mencari buku yang lain untuk mengumpulkan sedikit demi sedikit informasi mengenai kematian ibunya.
Tidak hanya itu, Bustleburgh tempat Sophie tinggal juga terancam bahaya. Petugas Prigg bersikeras kalau semua hal yang berkaitan dengan sihir dan keajaiban adalah Hal-Hal yang Tidak Masuk Akal yang harus dimusnahkan. Tahun-tahun kemarin Prigg yang kejam telah membakar benda-benda dan makhluk ajaib. Kali ini ia akan membakar semua buku yang ada di kota itu, karena dia bilang kisah-kisah dalam buku tidak berguna dan hanya akan membuat siapa pun yang membacanya berharap akan hal yang tidak masuk akal.
Di tengah-tengah petualangan mencari buku yang lain, Sophie dikejar-kejar oleh Prigg dan anak buahnya karena mereka sebelumnya tidak sengaja tahu tentang The Book of Who yang dimiliki Sophie. Nggak cuma itu, penyihir yang bernama Madame Eldritch dan tanaman mandrake (ituloooh.. inget nggak sih pas di Harry Potter ada taneman yang kalau dicabut dari akar malah nangis jerit-jerit, itu dia mandrake!) berbentuk manusia dewasa yang merupakan pelayan setianya juga mengejar Sophie untuk mendapatkan buku-buku itu.
Bagi yang suka buku tentang buku plus petualangan anak-anak, I recommend this one! ^^
*berharap secepatnya diterjemahin*
Errr.. probably all books-about-books are the best. :p
Aku agak kaget sebenernya karena ternyata Peter Nimble yang kemarin itu punya buku kedua. Nggak sepenuhnya buku kedua sih. Buku ini memang lanjutan Peter Nimble tapi dengan hero yang berbeda, yaitu Sophie Quire, seorang bookmender dari Bustleburgh. Well.. tentu saja masih ada Peter Nimble dan Sir Tode kesayangan~
Awalnya belum niat ngelanjutin serial ini. Iseng aja. Jadi, seperti yang biasanya aku lakukan kalau lagi pilih-pilih ebook, aku selalu membaca beberapa paragraf awalnya dulu. Kalau menarik, lanjutin. Dan tahukah kalian gimana prolog dari buku ini?
It has often been said that one should never judge a book by its cover. As any serious readers can tell you, this is terrible advice. Serious readers know the singular pleasure of handling a well-made book—the heft and texture of the case, the rasp of the spine as you lift the cover, the sweet, dusty aroma of yellowed pages as they pass between your fingers. A book is more than a vessel for ideas: It is a living thing in need of love, warmth, and protection.
My dear friends.. apa kalian nggak langsung tertarik kalau paragraf awal sebuah buku seindah itu? :)
Aku nggak tahu sudah berapa kali aku membaca ulang paragraf di atas, sampai-sampai aku catat ulang di notebook saking sukanya! The best quote ever!
Nggak cuman paragraf awal aja yang menarik, kok. When there's spell, there's magic. Aku mengasumsikan paragraf di atas adalah mantra, sedangkan keseluruhan isi buku ini adalah magis. Aku suka Sophie Quire, anak kecil pecinta buku yang bekerja sebagai bookmender di toko buku ayahnya. Cara Sophie memperbaiki setiap sisi buku dengan hati-hati, lebih mirip dibilang mengobati sesuatu yang hidup daripada memperbaiki alat/benda mati yang rusak. Dan di buku ini, buku yang dibawa Peter untuk diperbaiki Sophie memang BENAR-BENAR HIDUP!
4 buku ajaib: The Book of Who, The Book of What, The Book of Where, dan The Book of When. Keempat buku ini sesuai dengan namanya, kita bisa tahu segala hal yang ingin kita tanyakan apabila kita menggunakan kata tanya siapa, apa, dimana, dan kapan. Kenapa kubilang buku-buku ini hidup? Karena saat Sophie tidak sengaja bertanya pada buku yang ternyata ajaib itu (omong-omong Sophie hanya punya The Book of Who), buku itu langsung membuka halaman dengan sendirinya, menunjukkan informasi tentang orang yang ditanyakan tadi. KEREN, KAAAAN?! T-T
Namun, petualangan Sophie tidak hanya berbatas pada memperbaiki buku di toko buku Quire & Quire saja. Sophie baru saja mendapati kenyataan bahwa The Book of Who menunjuk dirinya sebagai pemilik baru, dimana pemilik buku itu sebelumnya ternyata adalah ibunya sendiri. Ibu Sophie sudah meninggal karena dibunuh bertahun-tahun lalu. Saat Sophie bertanya pada buku itu siapa yang telah membunuh ibunya, halaman buku itu ternyata sudah dirobek. Sophie harus mencari buku yang lain untuk mengumpulkan sedikit demi sedikit informasi mengenai kematian ibunya.
Tidak hanya itu, Bustleburgh tempat Sophie tinggal juga terancam bahaya. Petugas Prigg bersikeras kalau semua hal yang berkaitan dengan sihir dan keajaiban adalah Hal-Hal yang Tidak Masuk Akal yang harus dimusnahkan. Tahun-tahun kemarin Prigg yang kejam telah membakar benda-benda dan makhluk ajaib. Kali ini ia akan membakar semua buku yang ada di kota itu, karena dia bilang kisah-kisah dalam buku tidak berguna dan hanya akan membuat siapa pun yang membacanya berharap akan hal yang tidak masuk akal.
Di tengah-tengah petualangan mencari buku yang lain, Sophie dikejar-kejar oleh Prigg dan anak buahnya karena mereka sebelumnya tidak sengaja tahu tentang The Book of Who yang dimiliki Sophie. Nggak cuma itu, penyihir yang bernama Madame Eldritch dan tanaman mandrake (ituloooh.. inget nggak sih pas di Harry Potter ada taneman yang kalau dicabut dari akar malah nangis jerit-jerit, itu dia mandrake!) berbentuk manusia dewasa yang merupakan pelayan setianya juga mengejar Sophie untuk mendapatkan buku-buku itu.
Bagi yang suka buku tentang buku plus petualangan anak-anak, I recommend this one! ^^
*berharap secepatnya diterjemahin*
July 11, 2021
Is it the last book?
I hope the author continue wrote this series 😭😭
Nyesel dulu kasih rating buku pertamanya cuma 4,5 , dua buku seri ini bener2 pantas dapet 5 star 😭😭
Masih gak mau pisah sama karakter Peter, dan meski di buku ke 2 ini fokusnya ke karakter sophie, tapi gak mengurangi keseruan ceritanya.
Awalnya aku ngerasa ending ceritanya tentang beberapa hal dimunculkan kembali agak memaksakan,tapi stelah inget2 lagi ternyata author uda kasih clue di awal2 chapter yg aku gak ngeh, aku merasa buku ini sangat worth it dapat 5 bintang.
Rekomen banget buat yang suka baca middle grade adventure yg seru banget actionnya 😆😆
I hope the author continue wrote this series 😭😭
Nyesel dulu kasih rating buku pertamanya cuma 4,5 , dua buku seri ini bener2 pantas dapet 5 star 😭😭
Masih gak mau pisah sama karakter Peter, dan meski di buku ke 2 ini fokusnya ke karakter sophie, tapi gak mengurangi keseruan ceritanya.
Awalnya aku ngerasa ending ceritanya tentang beberapa hal dimunculkan kembali agak memaksakan,tapi stelah inget2 lagi ternyata author uda kasih clue di awal2 chapter yg aku gak ngeh, aku merasa buku ini sangat worth it dapat 5 bintang.
Rekomen banget buat yang suka baca middle grade adventure yg seru banget actionnya 😆😆
August 19, 2022
I just cannot describe how much I LOVE this book! The author has such a magical and captivating voice I cannot put it down. I love everything about this book and the first one as well. Highly recommend!!
March 19, 2018
4.5.
I wasn't going to read Sophie Quire and the Last Storyguard. Really, I wasn't! But then we were on this long road trip. And I was reading the Iliad. Which is great and all, but after a while, I just needed a break, from the Greeks and Trojans. So I picked up this book, which I had happened to bring along (how convenient!). And I didn't put it down for a long while.
Now, I really didn't think it was going to be great. I had been seeing it on shelves at libraries and bookstores for a while, but it is a sequel. To Peter Nimble. Which can't be beaten. A bookmender (no matter how awesome) can't beat a talking cat/horse/human and blind thief. Right? Well yeah, until I read the first few lines:
"It has often been said that one should never judge a book by its cover. As any *serious* reader can tell you, this is terrible advice. *Serious* readers know the singular pleasure of handling a well-made book—the heft and feature of the case, the rasp of the spine as you lift the cover, the sweet, dusty aroma of yellowed pages as they pass between your fingers."
Ahem. I didn't put this book back on the library shelf. And once I started it, I read it fast.
What I really love about this book, is that it feels like a story. Some books don't. But this one even says, A Story by Jonathan Auxier, right in the beginning pages. It seems like someone is telling it to you, not just presenting it to you in a page.
I also loved Sophie, and seeing Peter in a different person's eyes. And Sir Tode never gets old. The idea of everything, the Storyguards and such, really was interesting. And the two battles at the end? Definitely up my alley.
So it was a really great book. Perhaps not quite up to Peter Nimble in my mind, but a really good book and a really great sequel.
I wasn't going to read Sophie Quire and the Last Storyguard. Really, I wasn't! But then we were on this long road trip. And I was reading the Iliad. Which is great and all, but after a while, I just needed a break, from the Greeks and Trojans. So I picked up this book, which I had happened to bring along (how convenient!). And I didn't put it down for a long while.
Now, I really didn't think it was going to be great. I had been seeing it on shelves at libraries and bookstores for a while, but it is a sequel. To Peter Nimble. Which can't be beaten. A bookmender (no matter how awesome) can't beat a talking cat/horse/human and blind thief. Right? Well yeah, until I read the first few lines:
"It has often been said that one should never judge a book by its cover. As any *serious* reader can tell you, this is terrible advice. *Serious* readers know the singular pleasure of handling a well-made book—the heft and feature of the case, the rasp of the spine as you lift the cover, the sweet, dusty aroma of yellowed pages as they pass between your fingers."
Ahem. I didn't put this book back on the library shelf. And once I started it, I read it fast.
What I really love about this book, is that it feels like a story. Some books don't. But this one even says, A Story by Jonathan Auxier, right in the beginning pages. It seems like someone is telling it to you, not just presenting it to you in a page.
I also loved Sophie, and seeing Peter in a different person's eyes. And Sir Tode never gets old. The idea of everything, the Storyguards and such, really was interesting. And the two battles at the end? Definitely up my alley.
So it was a really great book. Perhaps not quite up to Peter Nimble in my mind, but a really good book and a really great sequel.
June 23, 2016
Pre-ordered the book. Read the whole thing aloud to my wife. It's a gloriously far-reaching adventure, one I hope ends up as some kind of classic or beloved tale. There is too much wonder and power and cleverness and surprise and horror and greatness in this book for it to remain only quietly known.
Auxier undoes his own hero, exposing some of Peter Nimble's chauvinism, and instead casts a young black girl as the extraordinary hero this time. The adventures include some of the most poignant, startling visuals I've read in a while: a flaming lighthouse at the edge of an abyss? Also, Auxier's a wizard at naming things and coming up with terrifying creatures. (like the bush-squid! the nixies!). I feel extremely proud to have known Jonathan for a brief time as schoolmates; this writer has quickly become a full-fledged legend of an author. Read it for sure.
For voices, The Books of [Who/What, etc] are best done in a Siri imitation.
I imagine Benedict Cumberbatch voicing/acting Inquisitor Prigg.
Sir Tode, I imagine the very cheesy knights from the "Dora's Knighthood Adventure."
Auxier undoes his own hero, exposing some of Peter Nimble's chauvinism, and instead casts a young black girl as the extraordinary hero this time. The adventures include some of the most poignant, startling visuals I've read in a while: a flaming lighthouse at the edge of an abyss? Also, Auxier's a wizard at naming things and coming up with terrifying creatures. (like the bush-squid! the nixies!). I feel extremely proud to have known Jonathan for a brief time as schoolmates; this writer has quickly become a full-fledged legend of an author. Read it for sure.
For voices, The Books of [Who/What, etc] are best done in a Siri imitation.
I imagine Benedict Cumberbatch voicing/acting Inquisitor Prigg.
Sir Tode, I imagine the very cheesy knights from the "Dora's Knighthood Adventure."
January 17, 2021
"Magic cannot be removed from the world, because the world - every speck of it - is magical. It is simply a matter of whether or not we can see it." This pretty much sums up my personal philosophy so it is not a surprise that I love this book. It is a book about books and their power and the magic of the written word and how necessary that magic is in this world. Mr. Auxier has turned me into quite a fan with his last couple of offerings and I look forward to whatever he may produce in the future. Some quotes to remember...
"There is one immutable truth known the world over as Scheherazade's Law: It is impossible to kill someone who is in the middle of telling you a really wonderful story."
"Perhaps there's more magic to these so-called common folk than we realize."
Professor Cake said, "In two weeks's time, your city will set fire to an enormous stockpile of storybooks - tales gathered from every corner of the hinterland empire. And when that happens, your world as you know it will be lost forever."
"I don't understand," Peter said, "How can burning a bunch of books hurt things in the real world."
"The real world," Professor Cake repeated with a tone of notable contempt. "The very notion is absurd. Worlds and everything in them are made real by the stories that inhabit them. Stories are not mere distractions to occupy us on rainy days," he said. "They are a type of magic spell - perhaps the most powerful in existence - and their effect is to summon possibilities. Every time the spell is cast, the impossible becomes a little more possible."
The Professor gave a sheepish chuckle. "I apologize for any inconvenience I may have caused you. It seems I cannot pass an unfamiliar book without giving it a quick read." This is a gross understatement: Professor Cake, like all true readers, was an incurable book filch.
"There is one immutable truth known the world over as Scheherazade's Law: It is impossible to kill someone who is in the middle of telling you a really wonderful story."
"Perhaps there's more magic to these so-called common folk than we realize."
Professor Cake said, "In two weeks's time, your city will set fire to an enormous stockpile of storybooks - tales gathered from every corner of the hinterland empire. And when that happens, your world as you know it will be lost forever."
"I don't understand," Peter said, "How can burning a bunch of books hurt things in the real world."
"The real world," Professor Cake repeated with a tone of notable contempt. "The very notion is absurd. Worlds and everything in them are made real by the stories that inhabit them. Stories are not mere distractions to occupy us on rainy days," he said. "They are a type of magic spell - perhaps the most powerful in existence - and their effect is to summon possibilities. Every time the spell is cast, the impossible becomes a little more possible."
The Professor gave a sheepish chuckle. "I apologize for any inconvenience I may have caused you. It seems I cannot pass an unfamiliar book without giving it a quick read." This is a gross understatement: Professor Cake, like all true readers, was an incurable book filch.
January 30, 2023
I will love any story that has Peter Nimble in it. Auxier writes beautifully, captivating me once again. My only complaint was that the ending seemed a little too optimistic. However, it did give a very nice set-up for continuing the series, which I really hope happens!
August 12, 2016
The Good Stuff
A deftly written fantastical epic tale for 9-12. Filled with magical creatures and eccentric characters
Full of heart and intriguing characters that never act in the way you expect them to. This my friends is a wonderous thing
Never talks down to kids - author understands that children can handle a wee bit of the dark, as long as there is a light at the end of the tunnel
Wickedly funny at times, with plenty of cheeky asides for the reader
Auxier is a master of his craft and his books should be in every childs library (and of course their mom's as well, because I was on the edge of my seat, and laughing along while reading)
Believing in ones self, the ability to change - sacrifice for what is right
Deadly battles, talking tigers - hello - what could be better than this. The language of the book reminded me of The Princess Bride on many occasions. This is a compliment - for if you do not love The Princess Bride, I fear there is no hope for you
There is something for everyone, as long as they can just believe
The importance of stories and the magic within the stories to transport you
Positively brilliant and one of my favorite opening passages of a book. A book truly for those who love books, big and small.
I'm a grown women, but I was actually bawling with tears rolling down my eyes while sitting in the back room at work (BTW, nice to know that where I work no one would think it was weird that I was crying while reading - my god I am going to miss you guys - you have truly made living here bearable - ok the mountains are purty too)
The Not So Good Stuff
My copy is an ARC so no pictures, : (
Lots of big words and dark themes may turn off readers
Favorite Quotes/Passages
"It has often been said that one should never judge a book by its cover. As any serious reader can tell you, this is terrible advice. Serious readers know the singular pleasure of handling a well-made book - the heft and texture of the case, the rasp of the spine as lit the cover, the sweet, dusty aroma of yellowed pages as they pass between your fingers. A book is more than a vessel for ideas: It is a living thing in need of love, warms, and protection. And above all, a book must be read."
"She had read many exciting stories about fugitives and runaways, and something that has always annoyed her was how little attention was paid to sensible preparations."
"Among a certain population, there is no greater way to demonstrate affection than by recommending a book." (reviewers note: there is nothing better to me in this world than getting the right book to the right reader)
"This was not how her adventure was supposed to go. People--real people that she loved- had died."
5 Dewey's
I received this from Penguin Random House in exchange for an honest review
A deftly written fantastical epic tale for 9-12. Filled with magical creatures and eccentric characters
Full of heart and intriguing characters that never act in the way you expect them to. This my friends is a wonderous thing
Never talks down to kids - author understands that children can handle a wee bit of the dark, as long as there is a light at the end of the tunnel
Wickedly funny at times, with plenty of cheeky asides for the reader
Auxier is a master of his craft and his books should be in every childs library (and of course their mom's as well, because I was on the edge of my seat, and laughing along while reading)
Believing in ones self, the ability to change - sacrifice for what is right
Deadly battles, talking tigers - hello - what could be better than this. The language of the book reminded me of The Princess Bride on many occasions. This is a compliment - for if you do not love The Princess Bride, I fear there is no hope for you
There is something for everyone, as long as they can just believe
The importance of stories and the magic within the stories to transport you
Positively brilliant and one of my favorite opening passages of a book. A book truly for those who love books, big and small.
I'm a grown women, but I was actually bawling with tears rolling down my eyes while sitting in the back room at work (BTW, nice to know that where I work no one would think it was weird that I was crying while reading - my god I am going to miss you guys - you have truly made living here bearable - ok the mountains are purty too)
The Not So Good Stuff
My copy is an ARC so no pictures, : (
Lots of big words and dark themes may turn off readers
Favorite Quotes/Passages
"It has often been said that one should never judge a book by its cover. As any serious reader can tell you, this is terrible advice. Serious readers know the singular pleasure of handling a well-made book - the heft and texture of the case, the rasp of the spine as lit the cover, the sweet, dusty aroma of yellowed pages as they pass between your fingers. A book is more than a vessel for ideas: It is a living thing in need of love, warms, and protection. And above all, a book must be read."
"She had read many exciting stories about fugitives and runaways, and something that has always annoyed her was how little attention was paid to sensible preparations."
"Among a certain population, there is no greater way to demonstrate affection than by recommending a book." (reviewers note: there is nothing better to me in this world than getting the right book to the right reader)
"This was not how her adventure was supposed to go. People--real people that she loved- had died."
5 Dewey's
I received this from Penguin Random House in exchange for an honest review
February 13, 2017
Wow what a great book!! man I loved that It talked about nonsense and how 4 books who, what, where, and when are what created the earth and what can save it.
January 28, 2024
This was such an exciting audio book to listen to! Jonathan Auxier is an excellent story teller and Micheal Page does a fantastic job narrating the story. The only thing about listening to audio books is I find it difficult to write down any quotes. It would be nice if there was a third book to this series.
September 18, 2019
A book about a girl charged with saving her world by saving their stories from a fiery end? Sign us up! I read this aloud with my 12 year old and we both enjoyed it thoroughly. It decidedly has less gore than Peter Nimble’s tale, which we appreciated, but wasn’t quite as gripping. Still, a solid 4 star story.
Read
June 7, 2025I'm a big fan of Jonathan Auxier, and this follow up to Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes is another fabulous read. There's lots of action, adventure, interesting characters, and a well-crafted story. This is one of my favorite new books this spring!
March 29, 2025
Not as good as the first but still a fun ride. I would give 4 stars but I'm reluctant to recommend this book for kids given the presence of sexual allure. Nothing wildly inappropriate but it's enough to plant a seed in the brain and has no business being in kids books, imo.
August 7, 2018
4.5 stars!
MG fantasy at its finest. So much love for this incredible, fun, beautiful story. <3
(Peter Nimble is the BEST. 😍)
MG fantasy at its finest. So much love for this incredible, fun, beautiful story. <3
(Peter Nimble is the BEST. 😍)
April 18, 2022
This is the best book I have ever read
October 18, 2021
“The real world. The very notion is absurd. Worlds and everything in them are made real by the stories that inhabit them.”
After many adventures with Sir Tode, Peter Nimble finds himself playing a part in someone else's adventure. Sophie Quire is the daughter of Bustleburgh's infamous bookmender. Peter brings her a book that the professor asked him to have mended. Sophie agrees to mend it but is meanwhile dealing with the very real danger of storybooks being destroyed in her town. Inquisitor Prigg is doing whatever he can to rid Bustleburgh of all its nonesense, which in his mind also include fantastical story books that fill people's minds with rubbish. Sophie and Peter get caught in a complicated quest of saving the storybooks.
This has to be one of the best childrens/young adult books about storytelling and why we have to keep sharing stories. Of course there are still the elements of a childrens' stories that won't really interest an adult reader but I loved it. The beginning was a lot stronger than the end, I loved the emphasis on why we read and how precious books can be. I'll be saving these books for little munchkins in my life, for when they are old enough to enjoy it. Props to Auxier, he knows how to tell a good story and talk about what matters without making it feel like a lecture.
After many adventures with Sir Tode, Peter Nimble finds himself playing a part in someone else's adventure. Sophie Quire is the daughter of Bustleburgh's infamous bookmender. Peter brings her a book that the professor asked him to have mended. Sophie agrees to mend it but is meanwhile dealing with the very real danger of storybooks being destroyed in her town. Inquisitor Prigg is doing whatever he can to rid Bustleburgh of all its nonesense, which in his mind also include fantastical story books that fill people's minds with rubbish. Sophie and Peter get caught in a complicated quest of saving the storybooks.
This has to be one of the best childrens/young adult books about storytelling and why we have to keep sharing stories. Of course there are still the elements of a childrens' stories that won't really interest an adult reader but I loved it. The beginning was a lot stronger than the end, I loved the emphasis on why we read and how precious books can be. I'll be saving these books for little munchkins in my life, for when they are old enough to enjoy it. Props to Auxier, he knows how to tell a good story and talk about what matters without making it feel like a lecture.
March 30, 2021
Most of the characters were as good as the first book, but Madame Eldritch and her witchcraft and potions and stuff is what prevented me from giving this 5 stars. Sophie, Peter, Sir Tode and Akrasia were all amazing though. And also, I'm dying to learn more about Professor Cake.
December 25, 2024
Delightful. Tore this book in a day with a lot of travel. I have enjoyed all the books by Jonathan Auxier so far, and I was quite happy to see there is another book coming out soon. Sophie Quire teaming up with Peter Nimble and Sir Tode did not disappoint my high expectations. Such a neat thought that magic lives on in exceptional stories and in the everyday life, and both must be valued. Great development with the Storyguards and that whole plot line. Akrasia the tigress was awesome. Taro the mandrake became a very liked character. Great read.
May 22, 2025
This is my fourth Auxier book and definitely my least favorite. It lacked the enchantment of his other books.
I’m sure it is enjoyed by his middle grade audience, but it doesn’t really capture the adult imagination as well as his other work. Some characters and arcs fell flat, and there wasn’t enough reminders of the details from the previous book for someone who read it years earlier.
I’m sure it is enjoyed by his middle grade audience, but it doesn’t really capture the adult imagination as well as his other work. Some characters and arcs fell flat, and there wasn’t enough reminders of the details from the previous book for someone who read it years earlier.
November 1, 2019
I loved this just as much, if not more, then Peter Nimble. Maybe more of a niche audience for this one, but if you were charmed by the first one you will be definitely be charmed by this one! Also less gruesome, which I approved of.
Read
April 24, 2024This was a good book. I didn't particularly like the ending. It was really abrupt. But overall this was a good book. I started it last night, finished it at midnight.
August 18, 2024
Jeśli ktoś kiedykolwiek nie będzie rozumiał czym są dla mnie książki, na pewno ten egzemplarz trawi w jego ręce.
March 9, 2016
Two years after their fantastical adventures, Peter Nimble (the greatest thief in history), and his cat/horse companion, Sir Tode, are back, and find themselves on another grand adventure. Professor Cake has tasked the pair with finding a young bookmender named Sophie Quire. Sophie Quire doesn’t know it yet, but she’s the last Storyguard and must protect four magical, unbelievable books. With the help of Peter Nimble, Sir Tode, a tigress, and a group of incredible beings, Sophie sets out to save her world and become like the heroines she’s only read about.
I fell in love with Jonathan Auxier’s writing and storytelling several years ago when his Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes came out, and was super excited to learn of this sequel...and Auxier definitely does not disappoint! Once again, with Sophie Quire and the Last Storyguard, Auxier tosses readers head and heart first into a wildly wondrous and whimsical world that enchants, enthralls, and excites! With an absolute pitch-perfect, witty, and self-aware voice, Sophie Quire and the Last Storyguard speaks to its intended middle-grade audience beautifully. Auxier’s storytelling sparkles and captivates, giving readers that delicious tingly feeling that comes with starting a book you just know is going to take you somewhere unforgettable.
Like its predecessor, Sophie Quire and the Last Storyguard is bursting with all things fantastical, from spells, mandrake men, mythical beings, books with unimaginable power, magical jeweled eyes, and so much more. There is so much fun, engrossing imagination on every page! And epic, heart-racing adventure abounds as Sophie, Peter, and Sir Tode set out to collect and protect the four powerful books. Young readers will be on the edge of their seats from beginning to end!
One thing I’ve come to expect from Auxier, are wonderful characters, and with Sophie Quire and the Last Storyguard, my expectations were fully met. A gaggle of old and new characters can be found within the pages and readers will have a blast getting to know all these engaging, intriguing, and full-of-life people.
my final thoughts: With Sophie Quire and the Last Storyguard Jonathan Auxier once again reminds me why middle-grade fantasy is my favorite genre. Readers will be charmed by the magic of Auxier’s words and unable to walk away from Sophie’s awesome adventure!
I fell in love with Jonathan Auxier’s writing and storytelling several years ago when his Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes came out, and was super excited to learn of this sequel...and Auxier definitely does not disappoint! Once again, with Sophie Quire and the Last Storyguard, Auxier tosses readers head and heart first into a wildly wondrous and whimsical world that enchants, enthralls, and excites! With an absolute pitch-perfect, witty, and self-aware voice, Sophie Quire and the Last Storyguard speaks to its intended middle-grade audience beautifully. Auxier’s storytelling sparkles and captivates, giving readers that delicious tingly feeling that comes with starting a book you just know is going to take you somewhere unforgettable.
Like its predecessor, Sophie Quire and the Last Storyguard is bursting with all things fantastical, from spells, mandrake men, mythical beings, books with unimaginable power, magical jeweled eyes, and so much more. There is so much fun, engrossing imagination on every page! And epic, heart-racing adventure abounds as Sophie, Peter, and Sir Tode set out to collect and protect the four powerful books. Young readers will be on the edge of their seats from beginning to end!
One thing I’ve come to expect from Auxier, are wonderful characters, and with Sophie Quire and the Last Storyguard, my expectations were fully met. A gaggle of old and new characters can be found within the pages and readers will have a blast getting to know all these engaging, intriguing, and full-of-life people.
my final thoughts: With Sophie Quire and the Last Storyguard Jonathan Auxier once again reminds me why middle-grade fantasy is my favorite genre. Readers will be charmed by the magic of Auxier’s words and unable to walk away from Sophie’s awesome adventure!
May 13, 2016
First reviewed on Literaritea
What It Is: A wild fantastic read for middle grades.
What It’s About: Sophie Quire is a quiet book mender who has been seeking out and saving fairy tales whilst missing her long-deceased mother, learning the ways of the old city’s winding streets, and helping her father in his bookshop. The city, led by Inquisitor Prigg, is planning for a large celebratory pyre in the coming days, a pyre that will hold all the (now banned) fairy tales and inventive stories Sophie and her father cherish. Peter Nimble and his trusty sidekick Sir Tode show up with a new-to-Sophie magical book in need of repair, and Sophie lands in the adventure of a lifetime. A magical book, truly evil villains, stories that come to life, and Peter’s desperado lifestyle make the book a wild ride.
What Works: Auxier weaves such amazingly intricate and exciting stories. Sophie Quire is a perfect companion book to the first Peter Nimble book with new, nuanced characters and a fantastic expansion of Peter’s original world. Auxier plunges the reader into the middle of the action on the first page, and the story doesn’t rest until the very last page. Friendship and family relationships are tested and hold true, and even a villain or two appears to soften. Auxier’s villains are true villains, though, and he’s not afraid of violence and blood and gore–fairy tale style, that is. Nothing is gratuitous, nothing is happening in our real world, and justice wins out. Perfect for middle grade kids! The theme of the importance of words and stories is nothing new, but Auxier makes it fresh. Additionally, the cover! Auxier gets the best covers for his books.
What Doesn’t Work: not much! The book is a tad long, but most kids who enjoy fantasy are used to hefty tomes.
What I Think/Recommend: Definitely purchase for library collections! For kids who love fantasy, this is a great gift option. There is magic, evil villains, and other usual fantasy material, so if your family is hesitant about fantasy, this may not be the best fit. That being said, the magic in this is not Harry Potter style with kids casting spells right and left. Rather, the magic comes from the books and the villains.
What It Is: A wild fantastic read for middle grades.
What It’s About: Sophie Quire is a quiet book mender who has been seeking out and saving fairy tales whilst missing her long-deceased mother, learning the ways of the old city’s winding streets, and helping her father in his bookshop. The city, led by Inquisitor Prigg, is planning for a large celebratory pyre in the coming days, a pyre that will hold all the (now banned) fairy tales and inventive stories Sophie and her father cherish. Peter Nimble and his trusty sidekick Sir Tode show up with a new-to-Sophie magical book in need of repair, and Sophie lands in the adventure of a lifetime. A magical book, truly evil villains, stories that come to life, and Peter’s desperado lifestyle make the book a wild ride.
What Works: Auxier weaves such amazingly intricate and exciting stories. Sophie Quire is a perfect companion book to the first Peter Nimble book with new, nuanced characters and a fantastic expansion of Peter’s original world. Auxier plunges the reader into the middle of the action on the first page, and the story doesn’t rest until the very last page. Friendship and family relationships are tested and hold true, and even a villain or two appears to soften. Auxier’s villains are true villains, though, and he’s not afraid of violence and blood and gore–fairy tale style, that is. Nothing is gratuitous, nothing is happening in our real world, and justice wins out. Perfect for middle grade kids! The theme of the importance of words and stories is nothing new, but Auxier makes it fresh. Additionally, the cover! Auxier gets the best covers for his books.
What Doesn’t Work: not much! The book is a tad long, but most kids who enjoy fantasy are used to hefty tomes.
What I Think/Recommend: Definitely purchase for library collections! For kids who love fantasy, this is a great gift option. There is magic, evil villains, and other usual fantasy material, so if your family is hesitant about fantasy, this may not be the best fit. That being said, the magic in this is not Harry Potter style with kids casting spells right and left. Rather, the magic comes from the books and the villains.
November 20, 2020
I was wrong peter nimble needed this sequel it was very good and I’m glad I decided to read these books five stars
May 2, 2016
Sophie is a girl after my own heart--a steadfast friend, willing to stand up for what she believes in. Above all else, she loves books and the stories they hold. Sophie works as a bookmender in her father's shop, caring for old books, helping to make sure they can share their stories with more of the town's citizens. But the town is turning on Sophie and her father: the Inquisitor is leading a movement to banish all nonsense from their town, and calling for all citizens to bring their storybooks to the great Pyre to be burned. Sophie is thrust into the role of protecting the magical Book of Who when Peter Nimble rescues her from arrest by Inquisitor Prigg and presents her with this amazing book.
Sophie's mother died protecting the Book of Who, and now Sophie must protect it from Inquisitor Prigg's prying grasp. She is joined by Peter and his trusty companion Sir Tode, as they uncover the mystery of the books of the Four Questions: Who, What, Where and When. While this new book is definitely a companion to Auxier's Peter Nimble and His Fantasic Eyes (my review here), Sophie Quire stands alone very well--Auxier tells her own story, and Peter plays a supporting role.
Children who love escaping into an adventure will definitely enjoy this--think of fans of Adam Gidwitz's Grimm series, or Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series. I especially love how Auxier's characters are layered and developed, letting these characters live on in my mind. Good is tainted by hubris, greed or fear. Evil has roots in old wounds and competition. You have to understand someone's backstory to see where they're coming from. Even stories themselves can come alive in the hands of the right reader.
Sophie's mother died protecting the Book of Who, and now Sophie must protect it from Inquisitor Prigg's prying grasp. She is joined by Peter and his trusty companion Sir Tode, as they uncover the mystery of the books of the Four Questions: Who, What, Where and When. While this new book is definitely a companion to Auxier's Peter Nimble and His Fantasic Eyes (my review here), Sophie Quire stands alone very well--Auxier tells her own story, and Peter plays a supporting role.
Children who love escaping into an adventure will definitely enjoy this--think of fans of Adam Gidwitz's Grimm series, or Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series. I especially love how Auxier's characters are layered and developed, letting these characters live on in my mind. Good is tainted by hubris, greed or fear. Evil has roots in old wounds and competition. You have to understand someone's backstory to see where they're coming from. Even stories themselves can come alive in the hands of the right reader.
October 14, 2022
Sophie Quire is definitely my favourite book I’ve read. This was the first book by Jonathon Auxier I read, and he’s now my favourite author.
Jonathon Auxier is a great author because he’s great at writing in a funny way while still having a compelling story with great characters.
This book is the sequel to Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes, but I read this before the first one and still enjoyed it. The stories don’t have anything to do with each other, but there’s lots of the same characters. One of my favourite things about this book is how it explains the information you need from Peter Nimble without it spoiling it, so you can still go in to it mostly blind. If you plan on reading both, I’d recommend reading Peter Nimble first, but you can still love this book on its own.
The characters of this book are SO GOOD. Sophie Quire is my favourite protagonist, Peter and Sir Tode are enjoyable side characters and both the villains are intriguing.
The story is also amazing, mostly because of its world building. The five books are a great thing, and it makes for a really good story with amazing writing.
10/10
Jonathon Auxier is a great author because he’s great at writing in a funny way while still having a compelling story with great characters.
This book is the sequel to Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes, but I read this before the first one and still enjoyed it. The stories don’t have anything to do with each other, but there’s lots of the same characters. One of my favourite things about this book is how it explains the information you need from Peter Nimble without it spoiling it, so you can still go in to it mostly blind. If you plan on reading both, I’d recommend reading Peter Nimble first, but you can still love this book on its own.
The characters of this book are SO GOOD. Sophie Quire is my favourite protagonist, Peter and Sir Tode are enjoyable side characters and both the villains are intriguing.
The story is also amazing, mostly because of its world building. The five books are a great thing, and it makes for a really good story with amazing writing.
10/10
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