"The Brave Apprentice" by P.W. Catanese

Author:: P.W. Catanese
Publisher:: Aladdin Paperbacks, 2005
Reviewed by:: Holly Sanhuber, Director, Muskego Public Library

This book is one of the “Further Tales” series, that takes up where a well-known fairy tale has left off. In this case, it is “The Brave Little Tailor,” who, although aged, plays a role in the adventures of Patch, a tailor’s apprentice. When he saves his friend’s life and kills a troll, Patch finds himself regarded as a hero. Summoned by King Milo to wage war on a pack of marauding trolls, Patch always seems to make a hash of things, sometimes with tragic results. Slowly he proves himself, though treachery threatens, and disaster seems certain. Language is crisp, with the occasional neat turn of phrase or surprising word. Eyes “simmer” under heavy brows. Arrows “whine.” The trolls are truly disgusting: “Inside that crescent mouth, his black-red gums were populated by just a handful of jagged triangles, with black holes where other teeth had fallen out.” Readers will enjoy the battles, the nonstop action, and Patch’s slow maturation and growing confidence. The Thief and the Beanstalk and The Eye of the Warlock are other titles in the series.

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