The Flint Heart
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy
Publication: September 27th by Candlewick Press
Audiobook borrowed from library
synopsis from Goodreads
Rating:
A robust and wildly entertaining fairy tale, freely abridged from Eden Phillpotts’s 1910 fantasy and wryly retold by Katherine and John Paterson.An ambitious Stone Age man demands a talisman that will harden his heart, allowing him to take control of his tribe. Against his better judgment, the tribe’s magic man creates the Flint Heart, but the cruelty of it causes the destruction of the tribe. Thousands of years later, the talisman reemerges to corrupt a kindly farmer, an innocent fairy creature, and a familial badger. Can Charles and his sister Unity, who have consulted with fairies such as the mysterious Zagabog, wisest creature in the universe, find a way to rescue humans, fairies, and animals alike from the dark influence of the Flint Heart? This humorous, hearty, utterly delightful fairy tale is the sort for an entire family to savor together or an adventurous youngster to devour.
Childlike Wonder and Wimsey with a Moral
This story is a short, sweet tale about the dangers or a hard heart and the lengths a child will go for the love of family.
When Charles’s father Billy comes upon the Flint Heart, a talisman of cruelty and selfishness forged in the Stone Age, their idyllic life is turned upside down. And with the logic of a child, he and his siblings decide that the best way to regain their formerly vivacious and friendly father is to make him happy by giving him the best present ever. Where to get such a present. The fairies of course! And when Charles and his little sister Unity reach out to those small, magical folk, it takes some time to get the whole process right.
The process is delightful and this fun, whimsical story is thoroughly enjoyable. It reminded me to look at life through the eyes of a child and to make my heart not so hard.
Bewitched Rating
Bottom Line
A sweet little tale that will bring out your inner child and make him or her smile.
Get your own Audiobook at audible: The Flint Heart (unabridged, 4hrs 9min)
This was a definitely enjoyable audiobook but I think you miss out on not seeing the illustrations in the book. And for as short of a read/listen as it is, I would recommend going the old fashioned route on this one.
Now go and get lost…in a book!
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Lover of words and authors; absolute fan girl of books! Give me a good story, with characters I can love (and hate) and I'll follow you anywhere. Sing me a song of worlds I can dream of, and I'll listen forever.
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I love MG and this sounds like a great one! Great review!
Lori recently posted..Review: Glass Heart by Amy Garvey
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Thank, Lori! It was a really endearing read.
Pushy recently posted..Review: Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris
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Sounds interesting! I’m glad you enjoyed it, Pushy. 🙂
Sam @ Realm of Fiction recently posted..Review: Breathe by Sarah Crossan
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Thanks, Sam! I did. It’s really perfect for anyone who loves Middle Grade fantasy!
Pushy recently posted..Review: Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris
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I have been reading MG a lot more lately since my daughter is at the age that she’s getting more into it. I definitely like all the fantasy is MG books and this sounds like one I need to get for our shelves!
Candace recently posted..Review: Island of Tory by Regina M. Geither
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You and your daughter should definitely check this one out. I particularly loved the moral about being a kind person. It’s really such a sweet story and would be wonderful to share with kids!
Pushy recently posted..Review: Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris
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