For children seeking tales of bravery and justice in a world of danger, this adventure shows how courage, kindness, and unexpected friendships can overcome the darkest challenges.
A parent would reach for this book when their child who loves fairy tales is ready for a story with more moral depth and complexity. A sequel to the Rumpelstiltskin tale, this book follows two young boys on a desperate quest to save innocent men from being hanged. Their journey leads them to a banished queen, the miller's daughter from the original story, who is still grieving the loss of her son. This book explores themes of justice, courage, and the long-term consequences of greed. It's a perfect fantasy adventure for middle-grade readers that models bravery and opens conversations about what is truly valuable in life.
The threat of hanging is a key plot driver, but no graphic violence is depicted.
Sensitive Topics
The story deals directly with the threat of death, as the potential execution of innocent men is the main plot driver. This is handled without graphic detail but with a constant sense of urgency and injustice. A secondary theme is the deep, enduring grief of a parent (the queen) who has lost a child. The approach is emotionally direct and poignant, but the resolution of the main plot is hopeful and affirming.
Ideal Reader
This is for a 9 to 11-year-old who enjoys fantasy and adventure but is ready for more emotional nuance than a simple good-versus-evil story. They are likely interested in fairy tales and enjoy stories that expand on familiar worlds. This reader has a budding sense of justice and is intrigued by characters who show courage in the face of unfairness.
Parent Prep
Parents should be prepared for conversations about injustice and capital punishment (hanging). Reading or summarizing the original Rumpelstiltskin story beforehand could provide helpful context, though the book does a good job of explaining the backstory. The book can be read cold, but awareness of the themes is beneficial. The parent has a child who is becoming keenly aware of injustice in the world or in stories, asking questions like, "Why did the bad guy get away with it?" or declaring, "That's not fair!" This book provides a space to explore how ordinary people can stand up to powerful, unjust systems.
Age Experience
A younger reader (8-9) will latch onto the exciting chase plot, the clear villains, and the mystery of the queen. They will see it as a thrilling adventure. An older reader (10-12) will better grasp the critique of greed, the queen's profound sorrow, and the book's central message that true wealth lies in kindness and courage, not gold.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many fairy tale retellings that focus on a princess protagonist or a romance, this book is a quest-driven adventure that explores the long-term consequences of a classic tale. Its focus on two determined boys and its deep, poignant examination of grief, greed, and justice give it a unique weight and emotional resonance in the genre.
Read plot summary
Two boys, Tousle and Innes, embark on a perilous quest to reach the king and stop the wrongful hanging of seven innocent men. Pursued by the ruthless Lord Beryn, they flee into a dark wood where they encounter a woman living in exile. She is revealed to be the queen from the Rumpelstiltskin story, banished after the loss of her son. She shares her story of sorrow and regret, ultimately helping the boys see the emptiness of the king's greed and giving them the means to confront him and save the men.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
The Queen tells the boys her version of the Rumpelstiltskin story. How does hearing her side change how you think about the original fairy tale and its characters?
2
Tousle and Innes risk their lives to save men they have never met. Why do you think they felt it was so important to do this? What does this tell you about their character?
3
At the end of the story, the king is left with his gold but is truly poor, while the queen has nothing but is rich. What do you think the author means by this?
4
The queen chooses to help the boys instead of seeking revenge on the king. Do you think this was a difficult choice? Why is helping others sometimes more powerful than getting revenge?
