I expected to really enjoy this book and then it surpassed even that expectation. I'm a little biased in that I love all things fairy tale. However I would recommend it to people who are less rabid than I am. It should also be noted that this book is just as enjoyable coming at it having not read the associated comics. It's a clearly established completely self contained story. I liked the introduction to the relationship between the Piper brothers being peppered throughout rather than laid out chronologically. I also rather gleefully enjoyed noting all the nursery rhyme and fairy tale references that were layered throughout the story. I found myself hating Max in a rather personal way and cheering Peter on as he grew up. Emotional involvement with the characters is always a hallmark of a well told story.The version in question is an audiobook and was my first experience with Wil Wheaton. It was a very positive one. I've even looked into the other books he's narrated. Some of his female voices were a bit silly sounding but all the male voices and general narration was very good and likely contributed to my level of engagement. An enjoyable tale from the Fables universe that is either a nice introduction to how Fables twists fairy tales or it is an extra treat for people that are already fans. The story follows the lives of two brothers, Peter and Max, that are both famous fairy tale characters, one of whom becomes the Pied Piper of Hamelin. The story weaves between past in the fables world and present in the Fables farm and headquarters as well as Hamelin. I found the story easy to read, entertaining, and pretty much a perfect tale complete with a fairytale ending. I recommend this story to anyone!
Loved this fables novel. Would like to see more of Fabel's characters in this form.
—sarah
A must read for any "Fables" comicbook reader.A great dark story worth picking up.
—Tricia
if you can find the audio book listen to it... read by WIL WHEATON!
—csshutes
Pretty gruesome. Ending felt rushed and uncharacteristic.
—leanne
It was actually really good, except at the end.
—Saranya