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Apr 09, 2017forbesrachel rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Nathan Hale has crafted a thrilling post-apocalyptic story with a distinct landscape. Strata, Inby, and Auger hale from a people who live in old, modified trailers, skirting around dangerous places known as hot zones, while trying to preserve what is left of technology. They have a few robots, and records, but they can't completely rely on these remnants. Others though, have reverted to a bronze age level of civilization, for technology attracts the pipers, alien entities which eat anything mechanical. It is the pipers who brought about the downfall of mankind, and it is they who have carved holes into the land and buildings from that by-gone era. Avoiding these bubble-making, insect-like creatures, is the key to survival, something which becomes impossible when the three young protagonists discover an undiscovered cash of tech, and a golden robotic pony. While much of the volume is filled with an exciting chase sequence, the author also takes the time to build up the world and impart some wisdom. One such instance has the characters drawing a parallel between this story and that of Pied Piper of Hamlin, a tale about value. The splashes of yellow used throughout this grey-toned world help draw our attention to different spheres of this concept; there are the things that are valued, there are greedy who eye things of value (all the pipers have globular eyes!), etc. As a final note on the art, Hale has an excellent sense of composition. One Trick Pony has some strong themes for its foundation, however, in the end, it all ties back to the idea behind the title... sometimes a one trick pony can be the most valuable thing in the world, if you are broad-minded enough to see it.