Common Sense Media Review
By Michael Berry
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Final Discworld novel hits the mark with rich fantasy.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
When Granny Weatherwax dies at the start of THE SHEPHERD'S CROWN, young witch Tiffany Aching must learn how to take her place. It's a formidable job, especially when the once-banished elves have their hearts set on slipping through the portal between worlds and causing deadly havoc on the human side. When the battle comes, it's up to Tiffany to marshal the forces who will prevent all-out disaster.
Is It Any Good?
Written well after its author was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, this final Discworld novel delivers a fond farewell to a rich fantasy world. Tiffany Aching is a sturdy but affecting protagonist, a young woman searching for the best way to serve the many demands on her precious time. While filled with subtle wordplay and can't-miss slapstick, The Shepherd's Crown also is a serious reflection on what makes a good life and a proper death.
Readers new to the series should definitely not start with this installment, but longtime readers will be rewarded with cameos by beloved characters. There's no other writer like Pratchett, and The Shepherd's Crown demonstrates why he's irreplaceable.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why fantasy novel series are so popular. What do these sagas, often multi-volume, offer that other genres do not?
When someone dies, what kinds of rituals are performed by surviving relatives and friends? How do these rituals differ in various cultures?
How can a leader delegate responsibilities so she or he doesn't burn out due to stress?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic , Fairy Tales ) , Adventures
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : HarperCollins Publishers
- Publication date : September 1, 2015
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 11 - 18
- Number of pages : 288
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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