Gary Chalk

Like many a reluctant hero, Trundle is a bookish homebody of a hedgehog, happy to live his lamplighter life. A mysterious princess/gypsy hedgehog named Esmeralda barrels her way into his life, cajoling him into a quest to find six mythical crowns. I included this in the pirate roundup because the hedgehogs' main adversaries are dastardly pirates in the form of hogs, rats, and shrews. Trundle and Esmeralda manage to elude the pirates, save a mineful of slaves, and test their abilities. The show more best part of this book was the relationship between Trundle and Emerald, including their witty banter and their growing friendship. This is a nice introduction to fantasy for young readers. show less

Playing this on the Lone Wolf Saga app. Would this choose your own adventure delight be if it wasn't both a nostalgia trap and also scratching my very modern itch for a solo rpg that doesn't demand a 100 hour investment in front of a screen?
I'll never know.

A sweet and fairly easy read, The Six Crowns: Trundle's Quest pleasantly surprised me! It's always nice to find a fantasy story that younger readers can enjoy as well. Weighing in at less than 200 pages, this is the perfect fit.

Trundle is a humble lamplighter who loves his job. His quiet existence is very much to his liking. Enter Esmerelda! A princess whose sole purpose in life seems to be adventuring and, unfortunately for Trundle, causing lots of trouble. These two unlikely heroes set of show more on an fantastic adventure. Filled with pirates, explosions, and even the occasional sword or two.

To me, the best part was definitely the characters. Trundle and Esmerelda are like night and day. They compliment one another perfectly. I also liked very much how Allan Jones gave Trundle a conscience. He is unwilling to steal, even when it seems the only way to get things done. Overall I'd say that this is a perfect fit for a reader around the fourth grade mark! Just enough story and action to keep them intrigued, without overburdening them. Pick this up. It's adorable. show less

Trundle Boldoak is off on an adventure -- whether he likes it or not! Esmeralda Lightfoot knows he is the one to help her find the six lost crowns of the Badger Lords of Old, scattered throughout the Sundered Lands: an archipelago of islands adrift in the sky. Before Trundle can finish his cabbage tea, they're off in a windship bound for strange and distant worlds - with the fearsome Captain Grizzletusk and his pirates hot on their heels!