Young witch Tiffany Aching took on the Queen of the Fairies with a cast-iron skillet, defeated the mind-controlling hiver with sheer force of will and escaped the frozen embrace of the Wintersmith, but can she handle the centuries-old Cunning Man, a sort of disembodied hatred that seeks to destroy all witches? Tiffany’s fans know there’s nothing easy about witchcraft. What may even be harder, though, is the knowledge that this is the last Tiffany Aching book; she’s 16, after all, and putting away childish things. Tiffany’s creator, the brilliant Terry Pratchett, holds out a bit of hope for them. “Tiffany has grown up in this series and is now herself entering adulthood,” says the author. “It was quite an engrossing task to write the last book of a children’s series and meld it into an adult book. Have we seen the last of Tiffany? Possibly. On the other hand, if she does turn up, it will probably be an in adult Discworld book. On the whole, I doubt if this matters because I suspect that part of my success is that children read my ‘adult books’ and adults read my ‘children’s books.’ Fantasy, after all, is uni-age, and long may it survive.” Amen to that—or, as Tiffany’s friends the Feagles would say, “Crivens!” 

A number of beloved series came to an end this year. Click here to see all of the series conclusions that are among Kirkus’ Best of 2010 for teens.

For a complete list of the fantasy and science fiction among Kirkus’ Best of 2010 for teens, click here.

Pub info:

I Shall Wear Midnight

Terry Pratchett

HarperCollins / October / 9780061433047 / $16.99 / ages 12 & up