The Accidental Highwayman is the first swashbuckling adventure for young adults by talented author and illustrator, Ben Tripp.
In eighteenth-century England, young Christopher "Kit" Bristol is the unwitting servant of notorious highwayman Whistling Jack. One dark night, Kit finds his master bleeding from a mortal wound, dons the man's riding cloak to seek help, and changes the course of his life forever. Mistaken for Whistling Jack and on the run from redcoats, Kit is catapulted into a world of magic and wonders he thought the stuff of fairy tales.
Bound by magical law, Kit takes up his master's quest to rescue a rebellious fairy princess from an arranged marriage to King George III of England. But his task is not an easy one, for Kit must contend with the feisty Princess Morgana, gobling attacks, and a magical map that portends his destiny: as a hanged man upon the gallows….
Fans of classic fairy-tale fantasies will find much to love in this irresistible YA debut by Ben Tripp, the son of one of America's most beloved illustrators, Wallace Tripp (Amelia Bedelia). Following in his father's footsteps, Ben has woven illustrations throughout the story.
"Delightful and charming. A swashbuckling adventure in the vein of Robert Louis Stevenson." --#1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful.
This is the most fun I had reading a Historical fantasy YA in a long time!
By Van @ Short and Sweet reviews
Disclosure: I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for a honest review.4 1/2 stars.This is the most fun I had reading a historical fantasy young adult in a long time! The Accidental Highwayman is compared to be in the same vein as Star Dust and The Princess Bride and while I haven’t read either book I did see the movie, Star Dust; and I can definitely see some comparisons. The book is set in 18th Century England, and the dialogue/writing definitely reflects the time-period perfectly. The lingo might take a while to get used to, but I don’t think it detracts from the story. It instead gives an authentic feel to the characters and the setting. Tripp inhabits his world with fantastical creatures and beings that just leap off the pages, and enthralls the reader into a feel-good adventure with Kit and his misfit crew. What makes this book more charming is Tripp’s use of illustrations (full page and small pictures) throughout the book, I absolutely love it.The Accidental Highwayman is narrated in first person by 16-year-old Kit who is such an adorable and likeable character. Kit use to be part of a traveling circus before he was employed by Master Rattle as the sole servant of the manor. He lived quite a simple life and is very content with how things are but on one of Master Rattle’s usual nights, Kit finds his employer chased by bandits and injured at home. Kit dons his Master’s clothes to misdirect the intruders but instead he finds himself picking up Rattle’s task by a witch to save a lady who is none other then the Fairy King’s daughter and only heir. Kit is suddenly thrust into this magical world that he never knew existed and he took everything in better than I expected. Of course he was freaked out when he found out he had to complete his Master’s task, but I think how he handled it was very realistic…obviously scared and in awe at the same time. It was great to see Kit learn as he goes, and hilarious how he unintentionally out smart all his chasers from goblings, pixies, gryphons, Red Coats, The Rea Sea Duchess and even the Fairy King himself! Along his journey Kit picks up all sorts of wonderful unique friends such as the half human fairy princess who has unlimited powers yet to be discovered, tight-roper Lily (an old acquaintances when he was a kid), Lily’s eccentric Uncle Cornelius, a smart/ (non-talking?) baboon and two tiny fairies that pack a whole lot of attitude.I love, love, love The Accidental Highwayman! It has everything one looks for in a book; great world building, likeable characters and an action-packed plot. In my opinion, It embodies everything that makes a classic fairy tale-fantasy adventure story. The book is geared toward the young ddult audience, but I think even a younger audience such as middle-grade or older audience (like myself lol) will very much enjoy this book as it offers a little something for everyone. I highly recommend The Accidental Highwayman, and think readers will have as much fun reading it as I did. I can’t wait for the sequel, The Accidental Giant! Be sure to check the Editor’s Note on how the author came up with the story from using old documents he found in his ancestor’s sea chest. How cool is that?!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful.An Inventive and Imaginative YA Adventure
By Believer
"The Accidental Highwayman" is a fast-paced, action-packed fantasy in the vein of Brandon Sanderson that blends magic, romance and high adventure into a tale that begins with the death of the 18th century highwayman Whispering Jack. When Master Rattle shows up at his manor mortally wounded and dressed as a notorious highwayman, sixteen year old Christopher “Kit” Bristol his unwitting servant bravely leads the Redcoats away from where he lies dying. What he doesn't expect is to be swept up into the heart of a magical adventure that will have him rescuing the feyin Princess Morgana who's fleeing an arranged marriage, and escaping from her ruthless father, a soulless one-eyed aunt and magical creatures that threaten their lives.In a captivating plot that vibrates with the charm and thrill of a fairytale, Kit and the Princess contend with a witch, trolls, goblings, and gryphons among a bevy of magical creatures that inhabit the enchanted English landscape. With humor and wit Ben Tripp weaves a tale that has Kit and the Princess reeling from a succession of curious and unfortunate events, all which could lead the luckless boy to a hanging tree. With the help of Lily, a tight rope dancer, her mad uncle Cornelius, two rebel feyin and a baboon named Fred, they pose as travelling entertainers as they cross the countryside searching for a boat to take them to Ireland. The storyline is filled with bravery, loyalty love, friendship and laughter as dangerous and unpredictable events unfold. With every stroke of his pen Ben Tripp cleverly weaves in suspense and intrigue with devices like a map that portends the future, unique illustrations and multiple amusing anecdotal explanations. It's an adventure that tantalizes the reader from the first page to the last.I loved the characters with all their flaws and strengths that add their own brand of spice, drama and energy to this magical tale. Christopher “Kit” Bristol is an orphan who thinks with his heart instead of his head when it comes to Princess Morgana. He's resourceful, open, impulsive but loyal and dependable; traits that often get him into trouble. At first Princess Morgana is haughty, defiant and obstinate but with friends and the thrill of adventure becomes amiable, approachable and considerate. Among a long list of wonderful realistic personalities add the spirited performer Lily Stoker, her eccentric but humorous uncle Cornelius, the acute senses and hijinx of the feyin rebels Willum and Gruntle, and even a lively and faithful horse called Midnight.In an adventure filled with dark magic, narrow escapes and a dubious romance the antagonists add a slice of danger and intensity like Princess Morgana's power-hungry and heartless father King Elgeron, the conniving one-eyed Duchess and the demanding, arrogant, dogged Redcoat Captain Sterne.I thoroughly enjoyed "The Accidental Highwayman" the YA fantasy in the rowdy and dangerous world of 18th century England.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful.Ages 13 - 16
By E. B. MULLIGAN
My 13 year old loved it. Set 250 years ago in England, 16 year old Kit Bristol finds out his employer is also Whistling Jack, a thief, when Kit finds him dying from an ambush. Through a series of misadventures everyone thinks Kit is Whistling Jack, and Kit ends up on a run for his life (with his new awesome horse, Midnight) hoping to find safety in Ireland. Kit's first adventure is Whistling Jack's dying wish to free the faerie Princess Morgana. This story made me flash back to seeing the movie Captain Blood with Errol Flynn for the first time when I was 12 or 13 and found the adventure and swashbuckling derring do a huge entertainment.The line drawings and full page illustrations made this a keeper for the adult in the family.
