On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness (Wingfeather Saga Book 1) by Andrew Peterson
It’s been a long time since I was a little girl listening to stories being read or told to me by my dad, but Andrew Peterson’s On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness took me right back to remembering.
This is a story about three children, Janner, Tink and Leeli and their adventure in the town of Glipwood. Other characters include Podo, the ex-pirate Grandfather, Nia, the brave mother, Nugget, Leeli’s loyal canine companion and Peet, the mysterious, crazy protector.
Peterson provides a wonderful, fantastic world for the adventure to take place in. Beautiful lyrics to local folk songs are provided (of course they are beautiful lyrics, it is Andrew Peterson afterall) and there are plenty of touching moments – with just the right about of comedy in them to make you laugh through your tears.
Although the beginning of the book was funny and easy to read, it wasn’t until the latter half of the book that things really began to pick up and Peterson seemed to realize you have to actually keep the pace moving or the book might just go on forever. Still, with the interesting footnotes, the funny descriptions and the curious (And rather scary) villans (Toothy Cow anyone?) it was an enjoyable ride, despite the slower pace.
When I finished this book, all I could think about was what a good Christmas gift this series will make for my (to-be 7 year old) nephew next Christmas. A thoroughly wholesome, exciting, fantastic adventure in all.
North! Or be Eaten (Wingfeather Saga Book 2) by Andrew Peterson
Unlike his first book in the Wingfeather Saga, this book did not possess the same light-hearted feel. It was easier to take seriously – but in a sense, harder for me to will myself to pick up to read.
The story did not seem to change all that much. The same themes were repeated from the first book – with variations, but there was still the boy rescues brother, girl sings song to help escape, mother worries over children, children get captured, escape, and captured to escape yet again. I had a difficult time picking up this second book every time I set it down because I knew what was coming, not what was going to happen story-wise, but I knew well at this point the ups and downs that I was sure to read about, and I wasn’t wrong.
I did appreciate the bit of growth Janner showed toward the end of the book, but the remainder of the characters (Peet aside) really did not change all that much. Peet.. I think Peet was my favorite part of the book. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the new (old?) Peet, or the little we got to see of him, and it’ll be because of Peet alone that I’ll be reading the third book when it is released.
