Run, don’t walk, to pick up a copy of Adam Gidwitz’s unbelievably great book, The Inquisitor’s Tale! A blend of medieval history, myth, commentary, fantasy, comedy, and drama (and probably a bunch of other genres too), The Inquisitor’s Tale, or The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog, is so different from most books in the library.
The story is told from multiple perspectives, and it is “illuminated” (or illustrated) so beautifully by the amazing artwork of Hatem Aly. On a dark and rainy night in 1242, an “inquisitor” visits a tavern in France, to hear the tale of three children that the King of France has declared war upon. The people in the tavern all add tidbits, their perspectives, and lots of opinions to tell the story of Jeanne, a peasant girl with visions of the future, and her holy dog, Gwenforte; William, a teenage monk with unmatchable strength; and Jacob, a Jewish boy who can heal any wound. Jeanne, William, and Jacob met days earlier in that very tavern, became unlikely friends, and embarked upon a thrilling quest.
The Inquisitor’s Tale is exactly what the very best reading experiences are, completely entrancing and entertaining. You will sit on the edge of your seat the whole time you are reading. With its humorous narration and gripping story, you will laugh, gasp, and cry alongside these three engaging protagonists. The Inquisitor’s Tale is a great story for readers of any age, not just for children. Go find a copy now! 5/5