Every once in a while, a book comes along that is just so charming and magical and enchanting that you fall in love. This is exactly what happened to me upon picking up Peter Nimble & His Fantastic Eyes by Jonathan Auxier.
The book tells the story of Peter Nimble, a blind orphan who is also the world’s greatest thief. After finding a box containing three sets of fantastic eyes, he embarks on a quest to save a vanished kingdom, with the help of a knight (who has been magically turned into a cat with horse hooves).
I first cracked open the pages of Peter Nimble when reviewing submissions for Wordstock Festival last year and was instantly charmed. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to continue reading the book in its entirety at the time — but upon revisiting it more recently, I was once again enchanted.
Auxier’s writing has a voice that is just perfection: it’s no-nonsense and whimsical all at the same time. He’s truly mastered the art of storytelling, and Peter Nimble is middle grade fiction at its finest. (Heck, it’s storytelling at its finest, plain and simple!) His style invites you into Peter’s world, the life of a blind orphaned thief, and the crazy adventures that ensue as the book unfolds.
Peter Nimble is proof that this level of excellent fiction written for children still exists, something of the caliber of J.K. Rowling (yes, I went there) and C.S. Lewis. It’s the kind of book that reminds me of the stories I read as a child and cherish still to this day. It’s a book that both kids and adults can read and adore.
Peter Nimble & His Fantastic Eyes is currently in stores. Here is the official synopsis:
Peter Nimble & His Fantastic Eyes is the utterly beguiling tale of a ten-year-old blind orphan who has been schooled in a life of thievery. One fateful afternoon, he steals a mysterious box that contains three pairs of magical eyes. When he tries the first pair, he is instantly transported to a hidden island where he is presented with a special quest: to rescue a lost kingdom from its tyrannical ruler. With the help of the Fantastic Eyes and his loyal companion (a knight who has been transformed into an unfortunate combination of horse and cat), Peter Nimble embarks on an unforgettable, swashbuckling adventure to save a people in need — and to discover his true destiny.
For the comments: Have you read Peter Nimble & His Fantastic Eyes? Share your thoughts below!
Novel Novice 
I agree. 100% LOVED this book.