Sir Seth Thistlethwaite and the Soothsayer's Shoes

by Richard Thake, Richard Thake

The world of Seth Thistlethwaite is full of adventure that makes his everyday routine anything but. Dreary, dark, dank castles. Biting bushes of bumbleberries. And a saber-toothed . . . sloth? Seth is no ordinary kid - he is SIR Seth Thistlethwaite, and along with his best buddy, Sir Ollie Everghettz, he leads The Mighty Knights of Right and Honor. Together, they embark on adventures high and low, to and fro, day and night, or at least as long as weekends, curfews, and supper time will allow. In the self-created world of Thatchwych, they are gallant adventurers up to any task. But can these errant young knights contend with the scheming Prince Quincy Poxley and collar his latest theft - the Soothsayer’s Shoes? Will Seth, Ollie, and their horse (who’s really a dog named Shasta) be able to resist the dangers of dog-eating bog frogs, fire-breathing bats, elephant ants, and invisible voices to save the day?

144 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2010

Reviews

[Brendan Butterworth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two boys imagine an adventure in the kingdoms of Thatchwych and High Dudgeon. Sir Seth and his buddy Sir Ollie go a-questing in their tinfoil armor to find the missing Soothsaying Shoes of Sir Shawn Shrood. They wend their way to the dark, lonely castle of Prince Quincy of Poxley with the help of saber-toothed sloth Edith-Anne and the ghost of Jolly King Wally. Can they brave the weezils and weevils and elephant ants with measles and worse? With the help of new friends, it’s easy-peasy! Published in an avowed attempt to revive the read-aloud for middle graders, Canadian ad-man Thake’s first work of fiction will, more likely, sour their stomachs. The forced rhymes and treacly descriptions would set teeth on edge in a picture book. The bad grammar and cutesy made-up words are anything but instructive, easily addressed “dangers” kill any sense of adventure and the characters never develop beyond caricatures.

I did not personally enjoy this book but it was a read that was pretty simple. I would recommend this book to people that like adventure books. Overall the book was OK and I don't think I would be reading the rest of the series.

[Rebecca · Rating 1 out of 5]

I rarely don't finish a book. As in it pretty much never happens. I have a compulsion about finishing books I've started, but this one ... well, I just couldn't do it. Which made me sad. It looked cute. I liked the premise: a boy and his friend dressing up like knights and going out on imaginary adventures.

I gave it a good 30 pages or so - I really tried.

One of the biggest problems I had was that it couldn't figure out what kind of book it was. It's set like an imaginary adventure, so the audience knows that it's pretend, but the boys are pretending that it's real. And there are random reminders of this - the fact that the dog isn't a horse, that their armor is made of tin foil or cardboard. However, at the same time it tried to play it off like it was a full-fledged fantasy. There were too many details that didn't correspond to or match up with what the real life equivalent was supposed to be.

At times the vocabulary seemed too advanced for the age it seemed to be written toward yet it also seemed a little simple - leaving me with a feeling of condescension towards the young audience.

It just didn't work for me at all. I know I'm not the intended audience, but I've read a lot of fiction written for this audience and loved most of it. This one went back to the library unfinished.

[Jessica at Book Sake · Rating 4 out of 5]

This new series is aimed at boys 9-12 years old. It’s a chapter book that includes wonderful black and white illustrations to go along with the writing. While I was reading the book I found myself wanting to read some of the story out loud because there are many rhyming lines throughout. This would make a perfect book to read to younger kids as they will find interest in the rhyming and the creative characters as well.

While aimed at boys, many girls will find an interest in this as well. I have always loved stories that feature knights going on an adventure and this is exactly what this book is about. Two young friends set off on a quest together and they stumble upon adventure after adventure, creature after creature. Throughout the story the two boys, Seth and Ollie, make gallant decisions and choose to make friends instead of fighting whenever possible. There are many morals within the book and it reminds the reader to always try to do the right thing, even if that might mean taking a chance that’s far out there.

The book flowed smoothly and the writing had no lack of imagination. This is a great series to get boys hooked and prepared for more in depth books such as The Rangers Apprentice.

[Amalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sir Seth provides a rambunctious romp through Thake's boyhood imagination. Full of alliteration and surprisingly rhyme-like prose, Sir Seth sets of on a quest to save the soothsayer's stolen shoes. In typical adventure style, he has a sideick and a horse and meets up with some unexpected allies as he battles the Enemy.

I thought it was a fun read and am definitely going to try it as a read aloud with my seven year old son. I think he'll enjoy the playful language and have fun with the characters. I hope I am right!

[Peggy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the adventure of Seth and Ollie, who become knights and set off to capture the magical soothsaying shoes that have been stolen by the "poxy Prince Quincy of Poxley." This book is great for young readers with its use of alliteration, rhyme, and simple vocabulary, all used to create a fun story of make-believe that kids will enjoy.

[Rachel Seigel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a sometimes clever and entertaining adventure story for early readers. The language is sometimes a bit complex for the intended audience, but it will work well as a read-aloud and is perfect for any kid with a really vivid imagination.

[Lori]

galley from BEA