Lovereading Reader reviews of Tinder by Sally Gardner

Lovereading Reader reviews of
Tinder by Sally Gardner
Drawings by David Roberts
Below are the complete reviews, written by Lovereading members.

Juliana Christianson, age 14
‘Tinder’ by Sally Gardner is one of
the best books I have read in a
while, I especially loved the
illustrations used as they really
accentuated the themes of the book!
The storyline is generally easy to
follow and the main character, Otto
Hundebiss, gives a first person
account of his journey into the realms
of dark magic and mystery!
Filled with dramatic plot twists
and unexpected revelations this
book will keep you engaged and
up all night wanting to read
more. If anyone wants a book filled
with adventure, mystery, dark magic
and a hint of romance then I would
definitely recommend it for you!

Josh Hall, age 13
An unusual tale of war and love.
Otto Hundebiss, after surviving the bloody Battle of Breitenfield in 1642, sets out
alone across the land to evade the hunting soldiers and to find a place where he
can live in peace. Pursued by death and guided by a magical set of dice he
chances upon Safire, a werewolf, whom he falls in love with. When she leaves
Otto sets out to find her travelling through strange worlds and spooked by a
strange man who carries a belt in his hand and lives in the Tinder Box, which if

struck, releases his spirit. Will Otto survive, find Safire again and does the spirit
have its own reasons for helping him? Read and find out! Though well written
and a good storyline, I found the story a little strange and hard to
follow at times. Though not my type of book it did have its moments.

Aimee Sweet, age 13
“Once in a time of war, when I was a soldier in the Imperial Army, I saw Death
walking. He wore upon his skull a withered crown of white bone twisted with
green hawthorn. His skeleton was shrouded in a tattered cloak of gold and in
his wake stood the ghosts of my comrades, newly plucked, half-lived, from life.
Many I knew by name.”
Otto Hundebiss is a soldier, his family murdered by the enemies of his country.
He comes to stumble upon a forest with pain shooting through his body, where
a mysterious man with a wolf mask tends to his wounds. The wolf man sets Otto
off with five dice which he promises will show the way. Almost as soon as he
starts the epic adventure, Otto meets a woman with fiery red hair, called Safire.
He is with her for a short while, their friendship and love growing stronger
every second they are together. As suddenly as she comes, Safire is gone, and
Otto now embarks on a tricky quest to find his love, coming across many
strange and scary things…
Wow! When I read the first paragraph, shown above, I was astounded and
grew even more so until I had finished the book. The pictures are
enchanting (I would actually be satisfied if I just had the pictures,
that’s how good they are) and the plot is amazing. I would recommend
it to anyone because I am, sure that absolutely anyone would enjoy it. I think
readers would have to be 11+ because my brother, who is currently reading it
now and is 10 years old, is enjoying it but he says some of the words are quite
hard. Definitely a five star, Tinder’s words and pictures have grown to the
top of my book list. The publisher is Orion Books.

Adam Manning, age 14 - St. Colm's High School
The novel ‘Tinder’ turned out to be the MOST unexpected read. When Miss
asked me to read and review it I thought it was for much younger readers, but
boy was I wrong!!!!!
The story is creepy, scary and very atmospheric. The story line was
easy to follow and easy read. The graphics really enhanced the whole

story. It would not have had the same impact with text only. A really great
and surprising read.
The story centres round Otto who is lost in the woods during the war. His
nightmares keep returning to haunt him and he meets some of the strangest
creatures imaginable. The wolves are never far away. When he meets a
beautiful girl, Safire, he falls in love and the tale follows his quest to find and
capture her heart. But will the tinder box be his saviour or his enemy?
A really great and surprising read, with a dark twist on the original
fairy tale.

Karianne Turner, age 12 - Thomas Cowley High School, Lincolnshire.
‘Tinder’ by Sally Gardner (drawings by David Roberts) looked like a book that
would be confusing, but it wasn’t. When I started reading ‘Tinder’ I flicked
through the book to see some not nice pictures, but when I read that page, the
picture fitted perfectly. As I read more of the book, I didn’t want to put it
down and when I finished it, I realised that I would want to read more of her
books.
Sally Gardner sets her books on fairy tales and this one was based on ‘The
Tinderbox’. I have never read ‘The Tinderbox’ but I have a brief knowledge on
what it is about thanks to Sally Gardner. I would recommend this book to
people who like a modern fairy tale. This is a fairytale that has been
transformed into a marvellous book and that people should know more
about.

Madi Campbell, age 13
‘Tinder’ is a spectacular read which you can't put down. The detailed
drawings are amazing and the novel and illustrations put together
makes ‘Tinder’ the most outstanding book I have read in a long time.
Otto Hundebiss comes close to death more than once in this novel and also
interacts with wolves. He meets his true love, however soon loses her and
during his journey to find her he comes in contact with the tinderbox.
Sally Gardner keeps you in the dark and only reveals the smallest amount of
information possible. This makes you curious about what will come of the main
character next.
‘Tinder’ is a definite read for any age over 12 years. The mystery makes you

turn each page and keeps you reading, wanting to know more.

Jade Bailey
Magical dark fairy tale great for older teens who like a darkness to a
fairytale
“Once in a time of war, when I was a soldier in the Imperial Army, I saw Death
walking. He wore upon his skull a withered crown of white bone twisted with
green hawthorn. His skeleton was shrouded in a tattered cloak of gold and in
his wake stood the ghosts of my comrades, newly plucked, half-lived, from life.
Many I knew by name.”
Otto Hundebiss is a soldier, his family murdered by the enemies of his country.
He comes to stumble upon a forest with pain shooting through his body, where
a mysterious man with a wolf mask tends to his wounds. The wolf man sets Otto
off with five dice which he promises will show the way. Almost as soon as he
starts the epic adventure, Otto meets a woman with fiery red hair, called Safire.
He is with her for a short while, their friendship and love growing stronger
every second they are together. As suddenly as she comes, Safire is gone, and
Otto now embarks on a tricky quest to find his love, coming across many
strange and scary things…
This is an exceptional book, inspired by the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale,
reinterpreted in Sally Gardner’s unique fierce way. I would recommend older
teens who like a darkness to their fairy tales. The artwork is amazingly
beautiful in a haunting way. Once we read the first chapter we couldn't stop.
This is the first Sally Gardner book we have read and I am definitely a
converted Sally Gardner fan! This book is dark with a wonderful mix of
magic, witches, werewolves and curses; absolutely love it!
You can follow Jade’s blog at: http://sweatymummyontherun.blogspot.co.uk

Susana Sanchez Gonzalez, Adult
A refreshingly old-fashioned fairy tale written with the voice of a
seasoned storyteller, able to hide whispers in the shadows and
throw frights in the flames.
Those of you who read the award winning ‘Maggot Moon’ by Sally Gardner and
became, like me, Sally’s number one fans, will not be disappointed with her new
novel, ‘Tinder’. This is however, a very different book. Whereas ‘Maggot Moon’

was set in the future and told with the sweet naivety of a child, ‘Tinder’ is a
refreshingly old-fashioned fairy tale written in the way they were meant to be
told, that is, with the voice of a seasoned storyteller, able to hide whispers in the
shadows and throw frights in the flames. It is a voice that knows quite like no
one else how to keep its audience at the edge of their seats. In fact, I recommend
right now that you get hold of a torch and hide underneath your bedcovers in
order to give this story the setting it deserves. Such is Sally’s ability to make you
feel ten again!
 Most readers (?) will be familiar with the original story by Hans Christian
Andersen, so suffice to say that the plot has a soldier, a princess, two evil
witches, three wolfs, mysterious castles lurking in haunted woods and a
magical tinder box. Those who are not, should prepare for a delightfully scary
story of love, of loss and the dangers of power. It is dark, violent and gruesome -
David Roberts’ black, white and oh-so-effective red illustrations make sure of
this! And of course, there are lessons to be learnt while the possibilities of a
happy ending escape with every turn of the page but believe you me, by the time
you reach that point at the end of the story where your mouth just drops open,
you won’t care less about scruples and moralities and will find yourself begging
like a child to be frightened again and again.
You can follow Susana’s blog at: www.thetravellinglibrarian.moonfruit.com

Rachel Bourn Age 14
Congratulations again, Sally Gardner. I have not yet read a book of hers that I
did not enjoy. ‘Tinder’ is the perfect blend of masterful writing and
classic fairytale- though it should definitely not be read by young children.
‘Tinder’ begins in the midst of battle in 1642 and tells the story of Otto
Hundebiss; he was born in war, raised in war and in war he lost his family. His
only salvation is found in Safire, his beautiful love, the daughter of a Duke.
Tinder is a tale of werewolves and mercenaries, princes and sorceresses, cruelty
and beauty, love, death, and war. Just remember that not all fairytales have a
happy ending...
This is an enchanting book- and I rather think you should read it...
even if just for the incredible pictures.

Ruth Ward - Library and Resources Manager, Great Torrington
School, Devon
Sally Gardner builds a dark and exquisite tension in this tale. David Roberts
picks up the atmosphere in his wonderful illustrations; every feature and hair
carefully placed. Beautifully written with the merest hint of humour to
counterbalance the fearful curse-like tone. Dream, nightmare or reality? Read
it by a flickering candle if you dare….

Lucy Westmacott Age 12
I thought ‘Tinder’ was a wonderful, quirky read and one I would
definitely recommend.
The first thing that struck me was the beauty of the cover. It was also in
hardback so it seemed even the more enchanting. The images were drawn by
David Roberts, and yes, I said images, plural. The book was full of spectacular
pictures, each drawn with exquisite detail, capturing the moment perfectly.
There are elements of the traditional version of the story here, but Gardner has
also reinterpreted it in her own unique way. It is now set at the time of The
Thirty Years war when soldier Otto Hundebiss is given a pair of shoes and a set
of dice. These innocuous objects are set to change his future destiny as he
embarks on a strange and mysterious new journey where he will have to face
love and death and confront his own personal nightmares.
Weirdly though, I thought it was a bit…strange. Not that this is necessarily bad,
it just makes it seem unreal, like a dream. It doesn't let you completely connect
with the characters for they just seem so different in a way you never will be.
Though, this is supposed to be a fairy tale, and a fairy tale it is. It just seems so
magical, like another dimension and at the end I was tempted to throw the book
at my window in annoyance (which just so you know I didn't do…). What
annoyed me though, I won’t tell you, you will just have to read it for yourself.
‘Master, what is it that you desire?’
You can follow Lucy’s blog at: www.lucywestmacott.wordpress.com

James Smith, age 15
This book has changed my perception of fantasy novels, I went in not
expecting too much from this book, but I was proved wrong. Possibly
one of the best books I have even read.
I did not expect much from this book, I did not expect to like it at all.
But only when I started reading it I did get to appreciate it for what it was, a
truly epic book. It was really well developed, from the soldier fighting for his life
to cavalier. I like the way this book has developed pictures inside as-well.
I was maybe a little sceptical but it changed my view a lot. It’s been ages since I
last saw a book with pictures in! I believe some authors say that teenagers are
"too old" for pictures but it worked well in this book.
I like the way that the author transports us back to the village as it gives the
reader a chance to get to know Otto’s character, and we also get his reasons for
becoming a soldier, and what he had been through.
I also enjoyed the more truthful side of the book because the main character
does not get transported to Disneyland and live happily ever after, and that the
Tinderbox is more than it seems, it is both Otto's making and undoing.
As I have said this is a must read book, I shall certainly be recommending it!

Mae Exley, age 12
‘Tinder’ is a well written book which cleverly links in bit by bit with
a few great twists all through the tale!
Otto the main character has grown up witnessing nothing but war, it is all he
has ever really known. After he defied death he struggles to find his way in the
world, until he meets Safire. Love takes Otto on an incredible, but dangerous
adventure, not aware of the twists that will take place. Despite all this I didn't
really enjoy the book as it isn't for fans of thrillers. However I did enjoy the
ending. Overall ‘Tinder’ is great for fans of adventure books, or even life drama
novels. As a rating I would give Tinder 3 out of 5!

Nina London, age 13
Sally Gardner’s ‘Tinder’ is a truly heart wrenching tale of love,
desperation and loyalty, everything a good book needs. The
imagination and passion Gardner has for reading and writing seeps through

each and every page and into the mind of the reader. You literally can’t put it
down. It’s ‘Twilight’ meets ‘Harry Potter’ in the most amazing way.
Magic and Werewolves. The best combination there is. ‘Tinder’ is an incredible
fairy tale redone and redesigned from Hans Christian Anderson’s ‘The Tinder
Box’. It meets Death, destruction and despair. It’s an absolute breakthrough.
Five Stars all the way.

Rosa Boran, age 13
Loved the illustrations in the book and the storyline itself. Really
pleased with this.
I loved ‘Tinder’ by Sally Gardner. It was mysterious, dark and really good. The
main character Otto has run away from war, escaping death. He sets out on a
journey facing and finding love, werewolves, curses and power. This book by
Gardner has brilliant illustrations that go great with the plot. I loved learning
about Otto and the book was deliciously dark. I definitely want to read more of
Gardner's books. I recommend this to everyone who needs something
mysterious and creepy to enjoy.

Delilah Acworth - Teen
‘Tinder’ was one of the most pleasantly surprising books I have read in a very
long time. The story was stunningly written, but it was the images that really
brought the book to life. My fingers constantly itched to turn a new page and
find a more graphic-slightly disturbing- image that would spur the imagination
to new heights. It is one of the best fairy tale adaptations I have ever
read. Nothing but praise for it!

Ayesha Afghan
‘Tinder’, by Sally Gardner is a very unique novel. At first glance, you could
easily mistake this book as a children's book because of the drawings and the
cover. But this book is a very mature book and I found it extremely interesting.
It is filled with surprises and originality and I really enjoyed
reading it.

Alice D'Angelo, age 15

Most books have their plots laid out clearly and simply, but when reading
‘Tinder’ I felt as if I was floating along in a dreamlike state; completely caught
up in the fairy-tale. It is a truly surreal experience; there is nothing like it.
Gothic illustrations haunt every page in this spectacular adaptation that
captures the genuine fear in a fairy-tale.

Otto Hundebiss escapes death and drags himself on through the forest, where he
meets Safire. However, happiness isn’t all that it seems and he soon finds
himself on a quest that can only bring death. The question is, to whom?

It truly questions morality and the path of the heart. I found it
fearsome and haunting, just like every fairy-tale should be.