The Hatmakers

We got this book as an advanced reader's copy through our library. Just a few chapters in and my 14 year old was hooked... Until 2 of the boys start "passionately kissing." This is not for us. If this theme had been clearly stated somewhere she never would have started it. Such a bummer as she loved the book until that moment. Fot families who aren't concerned about this theme it's probably a great book. I wish though that publishers would not label books for a certain age group without also giving parent's a heads up on any potentially objectionable content. I realize not every one will share these views and thats ok. I just want parents to know so they can make the best decisions for their family.

Poorly written. Cordellua is supposedly so worried about her missing father but then she seems to forget all about him. The story jumps all over and then there is a blip about her father. Was trying to decide if the story was worth finishing and then I got to the duel. Done! Not appropriate for children. Shame on the author

The recommended age range is 9 -12; an obvious misprint due to The Hatmakers appeal to everyone with a spark of magic in their heart. A brilliant new world to explore, filled with magic and treachery, emotion and triumph, to rival the other "Wizard-ing world" we love. Cordelia Hatmaker will steal your heart from the first page...feel her raw emotion, and experience her world through the expert composition of Ms. Tamzin Merchant.

Ms. Merchant continues to prove her creative genius with her debut masterpiece. The Hatmakers' world is one to watch, and I dare you to be swept up in their marvelous appeal. The Hatmakers by Tamzin Merchant is on it's way to greatness. I highly recommend it.

Wow! This book is phenomenal! It is magical, whimsical, full of adventure, enchanting, intriguing, full of twists and turns, and so much more! Whenever I picked up "The Hatmakers", I was whisked away on a magical adventure with this story!

This is the first book I have read by Tamzin Merchant, and it absolutely will not be my last. Her writing style is visceral, moving, powerful, gripping, and so much more. The world she has created in her story truly comes to life before the reader's eyes, and all of her characters feel like such incredibly real people. Some you will absolutely love from the beginning, some will grow on you, and some...I will simply say...UGH! I can only imagine the amount of thought Ms. Merchant must have put into her novel, as every moment helps to push the plot forward in one way or another, and Ms. Merchant's love for writing, to me, is so absolutely clear.

Cordelia Hatmaker is such a kind, brave, intelligent, loving, and warm-hearted young lady who wants the best for those she cares about most. She lives in a society full of "makers", people who make various aspects of clothing to help those in need. While they can do good, if used incorrectly, the power that is used can do much harm. When Cordelia is told her father has gone missing at sea and is presumed dead, she believes with all of her heart that he is still alive out there somewhere. This sets into motion a series of events which will lead Cordelia and her friends to help save those she cares about most, and not everything, or everyone, is as they seem. Will Cordelia and her friends be able to save the day before it is too late? Is there any chance Cordelia's father is really alive? You will just have to read to find out!

I listened to the audiobook of this novel! Tamzin Merchant, in addition to writing the book, also narrates the audiobook, and she is absolutely incredible! She breaths such passion into each word, and makes the story jump right off of the page! Her intonations, accents, pacing, and storytelling are truly breathtaking, and I enjoyed every moment.

I highly recommend this book! I am so eagerly awaiting, what I hope will be, many more books continuing this story.

I just expected more excitement, surprises, and hoped for more interesting characters. The story was cute but pretty meh

British-born actress Tamzin Merchant ("Pride & Prejudice," "The Tudors") makes her literary debut with "The Hatmakers," a delightful and engaging middle-grade novel centered around one compelling young child, Cordelia Hatmaker, whose beloved father fails to return from his ingredient-hunting expedition.

While most consider him to be lost at sea, Cordelia isn't quite convinced and determines to discover the truth while her family members continue to go about their daily business including fulfilling a very important order from the King for a Peace Hat.

I will confess that it took me a couple of chapters to immerse myself in the world being created by Merchant, though once I did so I was enchanted from beginning to end.

This fantasy adventure is a highly visual story - I found myself imagining the tale along with Merchant's words as I encountered such delightful characters as Cordelia, Sam, Aunt Ariadne, those Bootmakers, and others. It's not particularly surprising, I suppose, that an actress would so vividly bring to life such a story yet I must also say that "The Hatmakers" feels like the kind of book made for delightful late-night storytelling and bedtime adventures.

Everything in Cordelia's world starts to go awry when the enchantments woven into the magically manifested goods of the Hatmakers, Cloakmakers, Bootmakers, Glovemakers, and Watchmakers all begin to induce rage and chaos rather than their intentions and other mysterious happenings advance the prospect of war between England and France despite everyone's stated desire to stop it!

By following her heart, Cordelia's bravery and resourcefulness may very well prove to be essential to restoring order and unity in the Kingdom and to Making peace in the land once more.

With illustrations by Paola Escobar, "The Hatmakers" is a wonderfully paced non-stop adventure filled with imagination and heart and more than a few themes that could easily relate to our more contemporary world.

I couldn't help but adore the characters created by Merchant, especially the children, and while certain elements of the story are rather predictable Merchant beautifully weaves into that tapestry other unexpected surprises and occasional twists.

I've always felt like British writers have a tendency to speak up to children rather than down, a tendency that is fully alive in Merchant's intelligent, slightly progressive writing that that reveals a trust in children to understand complicated relationships and the sometimes weird world of adults. Merchant nicely blends together the innocent curiosity of childhood and that stage in development where a child begins to more enthusiastically assert that curiosity to learn and grow.

While quite often an actor's venture into writing feels vain or self-serving, with "The Hatmakers" Tamzin Merchant asserts herself as a worthy author of whom we should most certainly pay attention. "The Hatmakers" feels like a natural manifestation of Merchant's marvelous talent and it's a talent I hope she will continue to explore for years to come. "The Hatmakers," indeed, feels like it could easily be a series or a world of adventures and it's a world to which I'd happily return even as this reader is much more a middle-age reader than a middle-grade reader.

"Keep wildness in your wits and magic in your fingertips." ✨

I picked up The Hatmakers because I wanted a cute and cozy middle grade book to read this season, and it was much more than that.

The Hatmakers really impressed me. We get lovable characters, Makers who weave magic and intentions into their crafts, beautiful writing, and a mystery for our main characters to solve. Certain scenes were hilarious, the plot was exciting, and the whole book has left a big smile on my face.

There’s also a cliffhanger at the end that makes me want to pick up the next book. I absolutely recommend this if you’re interested in reading a fun and magical middle grade book.

I can’t wait for the next book to come out

This is a fun and magical read for all ages. I got this book for my 4th grader and they enjoyed it. The story is a bit of drama mixed with humor so I found it was entertaining even for an adult.

Unique premise with a liberal sprinkling of English history and culture from the time of King George all combine to make this fantasy read worthwhile for readers in grades 5-8. War is coming and “Makers” are tasked with creating accessories that are woven with enchantments that promote peace. But something is wrong and chaos and rage are emerging instead, can Cordelia/Dilly and her friend from a rival guild resolve the conflict AND find her missing father?

Middle grade readers will enjoy this fast-paced magical book and while it does not end on an incomplete note, Merchant certainly left Dilly’s world in circumstances that leave the way clear for an anticipated sequel.

The Hatmakers is free of profanity and sexual content. Themes of determination and friendship are strong. Violence is mild. Includes a same sex couple.