Title: Mimic
Author: Tamora Pierce
In: Tortall and Other Lands: A Collection (Tamora Pierce)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Dragons, Easy reading, Fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Bluefire
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: Hail came – hurtful knobs of ice as big as pigeon eggs – just when I found Brighteyes and my missing sheep.

A young girl rescues an ugly bird like creature. Mimic is a wonderful companion. But, one day, when the village is threatened, Mimic’s miraculous transformation might just save them all.

This is an incredibly sweet little story. It is about a girl who doesn’t quite want to grow up, and the power of our connection to nature. Both aspects of which I can relate to entirely. After all, who really wants to grow up and take on the mantle of responsibility?

The act of saving those less fortunate than you, and protecting the weak is such a recurring theme in Tamora Pierce’s writing. And, Mimic is no different. Ri’s willingness to take care of even the most ugly of creatures may have put her at odds with her grandfather, but it does lead her to finding a fantastic companion and friend. The fact that it also leads to the rescuing and redemption of the entire village, and even Ri’s eventual choice to enter the adult world only helps to add to the unforeseen benefits of such a selfless act.

Image source: Tamora Pierce Wiki

Book Review Dragons Easy Reading Fantasy Tamora Pierce Tortall and Other Lands