The Bibliophile's Bookshelf

Title: Sisters Ever After- The Piper’s Promise

Series: Sisters Ever After #3

Author: Leah Cypess

Genre: Middle Grade, Retelling, Fantasy, Family

Rating: 4.25

Review:

Clare’s brother, Tom, also known as the Pied Piper, has stolen the children of Hamelin. But Clare knows that isn’t the full story. Tom isn’t always easy to love, but Clare is certain he can’t be that cruel. There has to be a good reason why he stole the Fae Queen’s magic pipe and led the children of Hamelin to a faraway land to never be seen again. Together with Anna, the mayor of Hamelin’s daughter, Clare embarks on a journey to the Faerie Realms. She will have to evade Faerie traps and stay out of the Rat King’s claws. Only she can save the children of Hamelin and clear her brother’s name. But who will she have to betray to do it?

I am not very familiar with the tale of The Pied Piper, but I really liked this book.

This series is one I recommend if you or your kids want to read stories with the fey that is done in a manageable way. This series really introduces the fey in a way that is understandable and digestible for younger readers. This book especially, out of the other books in the series.

Clare and her brother have grown up in the Fey world. Tom is a little bit more familiar and part of this violent world. Clare was very protected by Tom, so she is more able to be part of the human world.

Tom and Clare are close, but they have their differences that become clearer and clearer as the story continues. Tom really is a morally gray character. He is willing to do whatever if it gets him what he wants. It takes Clare some time to realize this. I think this had my favorite sibling relationship, out of all the books I have read in this series. For all their faults, Tom and Clare really do love each other.

Clare was an interesting main character. She was feisty and fun, as well as confused about where she belonged. Throughout the course of the book, she made friends and learned what it meant to be human. When the book started, she was very fey-like.

This book also had Clare working really hard to save her brother. There were many struggles and misunderstandings. This was the one book where the older sibling really had made a big mistake, and the younger one had to fix it/go against them.

There was also a blind character. She wasn’t completely blind, but it was nicely written and good representation.

This book was quite an adventure. It was still very quick-paced, like Thornwood and Glass Slippers but there was more adventure and travelling in this book. It was especially noticeable during these parts how much Clare still needed to learn about the human world.

Again, I am not super familiar with the tale of the Pied Piper, but I think this story answered the question of why he did what he did in a nice and manageable way. The reasoning behind his actions is very thought-provoking.

The Piper’s Promise explores a unique fairytale in a new way. It has fey and magic and tells the story of two siblings doing whatever they can to save the other. Truly a fun read, especially for young fairytale lovers.