Rating: 
Summary: Great writing, just a bit long...
Review: I was a bit concerned that since this book was called a "Discworld" novel I may not understand it well, this being my first of Terry Pratchett's novels. I should not have worried, this book, which is aimed to teens, is great standing alone. It tells the story of Tiffany, a young girl, whose baby brother goes missing. With a little help from a witch, and some little (but extremly strong men) called the Wee Free Men she sets off on a quest to capture her brother from an evil Queen. I really adored Pratchett's writing style, it was very vivid. In fact, the whole book was good, except it dragged a bit in a couple of chapters near the end, and some areas I felt he skimped on details. I also loved how the Wee Free Men talked. I will be checking out his other work now!
Rating: 
Summary: Pratchett for every age- Wonderful!
Review: I've always loved authors who turn all the fairy tales upside down and sideways. This is one of those wonderful books that looks at the myths of our culture and really shows the framework in a way that is both critical and hilarious. Here, Tiffany is the unlikely heroine who would never center in a fairy tale, since she's not a princess, blond or helpless. But she is also the only person with the right qualities to save her village from the encroaching fairy queen.I think every young adult should experience books like this one. There are so many books that shaped the adult that I have become, and I would love to see the future adults shaped by this book!
Rating:
Summary: Equal or superior to Harry Potter!!
Review: If you're already a Terry Pratchett fan (I certainly am), you don't need a reviewer to tell you that you'll like this book. I'd like to address this review to the many many readers who are looking for something really GREAT for younger readers. Tiffany, a 9-year-old witch must save the world with the assistance of a herd of drunken angry red-headed six-inch-tall kilt-wearing Scottish fairies, who bear names like "Slightly Bigger Than Wee Jock But Not So Big as Middle-Sized Jock Jock" and "Rob Anybody." The book is hysterically, laugh-out-loud funny for both younger and adult readers (my family looked at me funny as I was giggling the whole time I was reading it.) Although a girl is the hero, the rambunctious troublemaking Feegles will make the book highly appealing for boys (of all ages) as well. It's actually serious in intent, though, with themes reminiscent of A Wrinkle in Time or The Lion Witch and the Wardrobe series (the villain is a Queen who distorts people's consciousnesses and leaves a trail of frozen weather everywhere she goes). Tiffany saves the world through strength of character and common sense (and hooray for those!) rather than with magic alone. As much as we liked Harry Potter around our house, I think that Wee Free Men is the equal of any of the Potter books. The best "kid" fiction of the year (or longer).
Rating:
Summary: Not top-shelf Pratchett
Review: In his second Discworld novel for young adults, Pratchett takes us to "The Chalk", a rough land where sheep farmers eke out a meager existence, and six inch-tall Nac Mac Feegles fight with just about anything that moves. Onto the scenes strides Tiffany, a nine-year-old would be witch who gradually discovers a sinister plot by the Queen to unleash monsters against her home while abducting her brother Wentworth. Themewise, "The Wee Free Men" covers much of the same ground as earlier novels featuring the witches, including the strength of folk wisdom and the importance of self-reliance. The story celebrates Tiffany use of intelligence (and a well-placed frying pan) rather than magic or physical strength.
Which is what we expect from Pratchett, of course. But this novel strays from the course in some respects, in ways that are hard to put your finger on. For one, particularly towards the ending it grows sappy. Long passages abandon Pratchett's trademark razor wit and go for an emotionaly glurge in Tiffany's moments of self discovery. And the overall structure of the narrative just jumps around too much, making it hard to keep track of. We also get discussions of government, class conflict, witch hunts, academics, lawyers, and lots more. In fact, the story is almost too densely packed this time, and for whatever reason it just doesn't add up to a towering accomplishment. Try "Guards! Guards!", "Mort", or Small Gods" instead.
There are, of course, flashes of the trademark Pratchett humor. The high point, in my humble opinion, are the excerpts from a book of folk remedies for diseases of sheep. But overall "The Wee Free Men" simply isn't destined to become a classic. Great authors must take risks, and if you take risks then by definition a few of your projects must fail. This books reminds us that even the greatest living fantasy author can't be perfect on every single occasion. Better luck next time, Terry.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't Bother Reading This Dull and Boring Book.
Review: In this story, a young want to be witch, Tiffany, is sent on a journey to find her stolen brother, Wentworth, who the Queen has stolen. On her journey, she meets tiny blue men named the Wee Free Men who are Scottish men addicted to drinking, cursing, and fighting. Along the way, they seem to protect Tiffany from ferocious dogs and other magical things. Finally at the end of the book, she meets the Queen, but there is a little problem. Find out if the Queen can negotiate with Tiffany to get her little brother back.
What I liked about this book is that the author chose creative names for his characters. Also, I liked the way the Wee Free Men spoke among one another. What I didn't like is the entire story plot.
If you enjoy Tinkerbell with Harry Potter and a touch of Braveheart, then you'll be able to relate this to another story. Other than that, I don't recommend this to anyone.
Rating: 
Summary: Ach, another awesome Pratchett novel!
Review: Love, love, LOVE the Wee Free Men, vulgar gestures and all. Pratchett's latest contains almost I have loved in my favorites of his Discworld series (including Hogfather and Carpe Jugulum): humor, wit, moral and cleverly-created characters. The only reason I gave it four out of five starts instead of five was because it seemed a bit too dark to be considered a younger person's novel. I would have preferred the story to be a bit lighter, but it is still a keeper nonetheless that I am sure to reread like I have all my other Pratchett novels.
Rating:
Summary: Crivens ! We Willna' Be Fooled Again !
Review: Miss Perspicacia Tick is a full-time witch with a Gold Swimming Certificate from the Quirm College for Young Ladies. As the book opens, she has just discovered a ripple in the walls of the world - this, she suspects,is being caused by another world making contact. The point of contact appears to be in an area called the Chalk - she thinks she should go and investigate, but her elbow (which is rarely wrong) tells her there is already a witch living there.
Tiffany Aching, the book's heroine, is nine years old and lives on a farm in the Chalk. She has six older sisters, one younger brother (the permanently sticky Wentworth) and is very good with cheese. Throughout the book, it's clear she idolised her Granny Aching, who died when Tiffany was seven. Granny was a shepherdess, an expert on sheep, very fond of Jolly Sailor tobacco and - Tiffany suspects - a witch. Remembering how Granny always said it was important to speak up for those who have no voice, Tiffany has decided she wants to be a witch as well.
As it turns out, Tiffany is the witch Miss Tick's elbow sensed and has the gifts of First Sight and Second Thoughts. Miss Tick is also correct about two worlds colliding - Fairyland, ruled by the Queen, is running into the Discworld. Fairyland is where dreams come true, which isn't quite as pleasant as you might think - nightmares, after all, also count as dreams. Worse yet, after having "rescued" Wentworth from Jenny Green-Teeth, thanks to an expertly delivered frying-pan to the face, Wentworth is kidnapped by the Queen. Tiffany feels it's up to herto rescue him and bring him home.
The stars of the book, however, are the Wee Free Men. Also known as the Nac Mac Feegle, they were thrown out of Fairyland for being drunk, disorderly and rebelloius. A Pictsie race, they are covered in tattoos, have blue skin and red hair and wear little other than kilts and swords. Extremely strong and fast, they enjoy stealing, fighting and drinking - Granny Aching's Special Sheep Linament is a particular favourite. They don't like telling anyone their names, think writing is magical and are frightened only of lawyers. Luckily for Tiffany, they join her raid on Fairyland. Rob Anybody Feegle, the Big Man O' The Clan, is especially brave, while Not-as-big-as-Medium-Sized-Jock-but-bigger-than-Wee-Jock-Jock is notable for his willingness to use poetry in tight situations. The Toad (Miss Tick's familiar) - who is reasonably sure he was once human - also offers Tiffany a great deal of advice on her travels. His current condition is the result of having crossed a Fairy Godmother.
"The Wee Free Men", a "Story of Discworld" rather than a "Discworld Novel", won the Locus Award for Best Young Adult Novel in 2004. If you've enjoyed anything from the ordinary Discworld series, you'll certainly enjoy this !
Rating:
Summary: Pratchett's prose slides down the throat like warm chocolate
Review: Most young adult fantasy stories strike me like pink cotton candy, full of fluff and entirely too sweet. Terry Pratchett's prose, on the other hand, slides down the throat like warm chocolate. I was two-thirds of the way through the book before I noticed that it was a "Young Adult" novel. And even after reading it on the back cover, I refused to believe it. The characters were too well written, too fleshy and flawed, and certainly far too interesting. Tiffany Aching is a typical nine-year-old farm girl who has "a way with cheese", an always-sticky younger brother named Wentworth, and a desire to become a witch. When a rip in the fabric between her world and a world of nightmares appears, Tiffany charges off to take care of it, armed with only a frying pan, a book on sheep diseases, and her new friends, the Nac Mac Feegles, or the Wee Free Men. This delightful twist on a fairy tale is perfect for reading out loud during a rainy summer day. And, like all of Pratchett's books, makes an excellent addition to any fantasy lover's library.
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining romp
Review: Nobody writes fantasy witches like Terry Pratchett! With "The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents," Terry Pratchett took his Discworld series into young adult turf (actually, these aren't too different from the adult books). Now he sprinkles more grass seed on that turf with "The Wee Free Men." Tiffany Aching (great name) is a young witch-in-training, which is complex enough. But now her spoiled, troublesome little brother Wentworth has been kidnapped by the Queen of the Elves of Fairyland (these aren't Tolkien's fair, nice Elves -- they can be quite mean), and in true legendary tradition, Tiffany has to find him. So Tiffany arms herself with a talking toad (courtesy of witch mentor Mrs. Tick) a frying pan, and not much else. (She hasn't quite got her magic yet...) And her new allies as the Nac Mac Feegles, also known as the Wee Free Men -- they're tiny, tattooed, and quite feisty and funny. But even with the Wee Free Men on her side, the sinister forces of the Elf Queen may not let her get Wentworth back... Terry Pratchett has a certain talent for creating skewed and funny fantasy ideas. The Wee Free Men are a bit reminiscent of ancient Celts and Picts with their tattoos, sheep,, drinking and swords. (They are, however, six inches tall) These guys are funny additions to the ever-growing flat world and hopefully we'll see more of them. Pratchett's dialogue is still funny and sharp His writing style is minimalist, sort of a funnier, lighter version of Robert Zelazny. But even though this book is labelled as being for the kids, there's no dumbing-down. And he peppers this story with some not-so-nice sprites, an eerie fairyland, and the sinister knife-toothed grimhounds. Nice stuff, there. Like all of Pratchett's best heroes, Tiffany isn't the typical kind. She has "First Sight and Second Thoughts," fights evil with a frying pan, and has a lot of doubts. She is, in short, quite likable and sympathetic. (And anyone with an annoying little brother or sister will understand her thoughts about Wentworth) The Elf Queen is a fantastic villain; the talking toad serves is an excellent foil for Tiffany. But the Wee Free Men steal the show. It's anyone's guess how Terry Pratchett can write all these amazing books so fast. Kids and adults alike will enjoy "The Wee Free Men," with its quirky Brit-humor and likable characters. A keeper!
Rating:
Summary: Through another Looking Glass
Review: Pratchett has created Tiffany in Dreamland - a Discworld version of the girl on a quest. Could this turn out to become a new timeless classic like Alice in Wonderland and Through The Looking Glass? Why ever not. Alice's adventures have infiltrated everyday English culture and language with their images and proverbial sayings. So might the Nac Mac Feegle, the Wee Free Men, enrich our mind's eye and add to our vocabulary with expressions like "Crivens "! Whatever its long-term influence, this wonderful story is highly entertaining for everybody. Its expressive ironic humour as well as its underlying wisdom reach far beyond the Discworld fans. Tiffany Aching, the heroine of the story, inquisitive and mature for her nine years, views herself as an apprentice witch. She has the tools: a cast-iron frying pan, a piece of string, an unusual book of recipes, and, above all, the memory of her very special granny. To rescue her brother, Tiffany has to enter a fairyland, full of strange and dangerous creatures, all controlled by an evil "Quin". Fortunately, she has inherited "first sights and second thoughts" - a powerful combination for a budding witch. These are essential talents for her to distinguish between reality and dreams: "to see what is really there" and what is imagination created within a dream. "Follow your dream", Miss Tick's advice to Tiffany, builds up to a real challenge when Tiffany, after fighting wild animals and dream-creating dromes finally confronts the Queen. She has to peel off layer after layer of their dreams to escape from being taken over by them, then use her own dreaming power to find a way back to her own reality. Tiffany's quest wouldn't have a chance at being successful - and would be a lot less funny -without the Nac Mac Feegle. What a hilarious bunch of little guys in kilts (only one girl and the ageing kelda) they are: full of mischief, fighting spirit and a wonderful version of Scottish. Wouldn't you like those around to do the chores around the house! But you would need some witching power - otherwise they would go back to their nasty tricks, like stealing eggs or making the sheep disappear. Their language and vivid expressions are a treat in themselves. Turning up in a black suit with a bow tie, one of them explains sheepishly: "The dream wouldnae let us in unless we wuz properly dressed..." Pratchett has created a real gem of a Discworld story here - fast moving, imaginative and highly entertaining for young and old. It would not be Pratchett if he did not find a way to weave in some educational messages and real-life round-world wisdoms. [Friederike Knabe, Ottawa Canada]
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