REVIEW: "On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness" by Andrew Peterson
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About the Book:
✦ Title: On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness
✦ Author: Andrew Peterson
✦ Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy (Christian)
✦ Series: Book #1 in The Wingfeather Saga
✦ Recommend for: ages 10+ who can handle some violence, blood, and peril
My Personal Rating
⭐⭐⭐.5
📖 Synopsis
Once, in a cottage above the cliffs on the Dark Sea of Darkness, there lived three children and their trusty dog Nugget. Janner Igiby, his brother Tink, their crippled sister Leeli are gifted children as all children are, loved well by a noble mother and ex-pirate grandfather. But they will need all their gifts and all that love to survive the evil pursuit of the venomous Fangs of Dang who have crossed the dark sea to rule the land with malice and pursue the Igibys who hold the secret to the lost legend and jewels of good King Wingfeather of the Shining Isle of Anniera.
Andrew Peterson spins a quirky and riveting tale of the Igibys’ extraordinary journey from Glipwood’s Dragon Day Festival and a secret hidden in the Books and Crannies Bookstore, past the terrifying Black Carriage, clutches of the horned hounds and loathsome toothy cows surrounding AnkleJelly Manor, through the Glipwood Forest and mysterious treehouse of Peet the Sock Man (known for a little softshoe and wearing tattered socks on his hands and arms), to the very edge of the Ice Prairies.
Full of characters rich in heart, smarts, and courage, On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness presents a world of wonder and a tale children of all ages will cherish, families can read aloud, and readers’ groups are sure to discuss for its layers of meaning about life’s true treasure and tangle of the beautiful and horrible, temporal and eternal, and good and bad.
Andrew Peterson spins a quirky and riveting tale of the Igibys’ extraordinary journey from Glipwood’s Dragon Day Festival and a secret hidden in the Books and Crannies Bookstore, past the terrifying Black Carriage, clutches of the horned hounds and loathsome toothy cows surrounding AnkleJelly Manor, through the Glipwood Forest and mysterious treehouse of Peet the Sock Man (known for a little softshoe and wearing tattered socks on his hands and arms), to the very edge of the Ice Prairies.
Full of characters rich in heart, smarts, and courage, On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness presents a world of wonder and a tale children of all ages will cherish, families can read aloud, and readers’ groups are sure to discuss for its layers of meaning about life’s true treasure and tangle of the beautiful and horrible, temporal and eternal, and good and bad.
💭 My thoughts
Though I've heard a lot about it, I've never been interested in this series. But after reading Andrew Peterson's nonfiction books, attending his concert, and listening to his beautiful music almost daily, I decided I would finally try to read The Wingfeather Saga...despite not being a fan of middle-grade fantasy.
Honestly, I liked a lot of elements of this story. The writing style is quirky and fun, the footnotes amusing, the characters vivid and easy to grow attached to and root for, and the plot exciting, unique, and humorous at times.
I did think the constant danger the characters were in was a little repetitive and chaotic, but I'm sure middle graders wouldn't mind that at all. Also, some things mentioned throughout the story were kind of gross, but again, readers in the target market would likely find those parts amusing.
I totally guessed all the little plot twists throughout, but perhaps the later books in the series will surprise me 😉
Overall, I enjoyed the story pretty well and plan to continue the series!
⚠️ Broad content notes
A fair amount of violence, blood, injuries, and peril; characters are captured, attacked, and beaten; a character's dog is ruthlessly killed in front of her but *SPOILER* is healed/brought back to life with some kind of healing water that I don't fully understand yet.
Bookishly yours,
Lottie M
