Wintersmith

By: Terry Pratchett

Narrated by: Stephen Briggs

Length: 8 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

At nine, Tiffany Aching defeated the cruel Queen of Fairyland. At 11, she banished an ancient body-stealing evil. At 13, Tiffany faces a new challenge: a boy. And boys can be a bit of a problem when you're 13.

But the Wintersmith isn't exactly a boy. He is winter itself: snow, gales, icicles, all of it. When he has a crush on Tiffany, he may make her roses of ice, but his nature is blizzards and avalanches. And he wants Tiffany to stay in his gleaming, frozen world. Forever.

Tiffany will need all her cunning to make it to spring. She'll also need her friends, from junior witches to the legendary Granny Weatherwax. Tiffany will need the Wee Free Men, too! She'll have the help of the bravest, toughest, smelliest pixies ever to be banished from Fairyland - whether she wants it or not. It's going to be a cold, cold season, because if Tiffany doesn't survive until spring...spring won't come.

Share the fantasy: listen to more of Tiffany's adventures in The Wee Free Men (Unabridged) and A Hat Full of Sky (Unabridged).

©2006 Terry and Lyn Pratchett (P)2006 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"Yet another rollicking, clever, and quite charming adventure." (Booklist)
"Replete with dry and intelligent humor, this latest in the series is sure to delight" (School Library Journal)

Great team

Terry Pritchett and Stephen Briggs are always a winning combination. I will listen over and over. Well worth the credit.

Enjoyed This Story!

The story was pretty good, and, of course, I love all the characters. The only weird thing about it is the strange music at the beginning of each chapter, which totally distracted me at first, and caught me off guard. I did have to rewind it LOL
OTHERWISE, the story is good, and I really enjoy this reader. Not necessarily my favorite Discworld book but pretty good.

Possibly my favorite book of the series so far

I thought it was great. If you liked the first 2 you’ll probably like this one. There are some great lines and sections. The music is laughably bad / inappropriate tho, not sure why they thought the book needed music. I guess because it’s a “children’s book”? although I’m a 35 year old man and I love it

Terry Pratchett kid sized.

This is my favorite in the Tiffany Aching series. I love it very much. The only downside is the weird music occasionally scattered in there, but it’s a small thing. It’s beautifully narrated and the story is well paced with a strong sense of place.

Great book. Great performance.

But please please please get rid of the super annoying chapter bumper music. Typically awesome Terry Pratchett. We really have lost one of the best writers ever.

Just Plain Great Storytelling AND Delivery

I could probably have only the four (soon to be five!) Tiffany Aching books read by Stephen Briggs on my ipod and just cycle endlessly through them, never getting tired of them and always learning a little more about human nature, taking care of people, and being a decent soul. This one is perhaps the most insightful about human myth-making-----but no, I love them all and cannot choose a favorite!

Awesome except for the music

Prachett weaves a great story with wit, humor, and compassion. The performer is hilarious and helps create clear characters and situations. The only odd thing is music cuts in--perhaps because this used to be in a different format when music was needed for transitions (like a CD change). I found it very annoy. Fortunately the brilliance and creativity of both the author and performer outweighs the music.

witty & imaginative

Terry Pratchett's continuous play on words coupled with his startling imagination will keep you & the kids riveted & engaged.
I had to keep rewinding for the laughter!
Excellent non-religious moral lessons as well. Simply be honest, responsible, & care for one another.

Chapter endings and beginnings

Music is used between chapters, but often bleeds over into the beginning of the next chapter. I’ve enjoyed Mr. Pratchett’s stories, commentary and insights for years. His wit is both amusing and informative. I believe that he might be a Samual Clemens reincarnation or if you will inspired there of. Steven Briggs performance is exemplary.

Tiffany is growing up

This third instalment of the Tiffany Aching arc is all we've come to expect from her. Really, I wondered in the first how she'd do one better on herself after all that, and the same again in the second. After this, I know we'll see something great yet again for the 4th and 5th books, and I can hardly wait.

I've wondered about Pratchett would manage Tiffany when confronted with the romance, but I wasn't overly worried. I wish more teen-targeting fictions handled things as realistically and generously.