Andrew Peterson is such an excellent author and I really enjoyed this one. Can’t wait to read the rest of the series!

I made it about 10% in on this one. It was a cute idea, but it felt like a lot of the older middle grade books. I’m also not sure about how the character with a disability was presented.

I find The Wingfeather Saga reminiscent of the Narnia series, but not derivative, insofar as there are young children facing real danger, overcoming obstacles, and learning what it is to be brave.  

We meet the Igiby family in On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness, and the early chapters gradually introduce you to the events that will consume much of the book and hint at the further action in the series. Each sibling has a specific gift that will serve them well when they work with each other.

This book was previously published in 2008, but the purpose of this new release is to roll out illustrated hardcovers (books 1 and 2 were released this March 2020, while books 3 and 4 are slated for release in the fall of 2020). There are about ten black-and-white pictures in this volume.

I confess that the former covers didn't draw me in and felt dated to me (this helps to explain why I never read the series before now). This new cover is captivating, and the illustrations draw you in. I highly recommend being introduced to the Wingfeather Saga through the illustrated volume.

I am not a huge reader of fantasy as an adult, so while I was open to the story, more of my thought process was, "My oldest will really devour this series!' I believe my nearly ten-year-old is more than ready for this fantasy series, whereas, even as a read-aloud, some of the action might be too much for my tender kindergartner. I am interested to see how the story transforms in later titles.

(I received a digital ARC copy from WalterBrook & Multnomah via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.)

On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness has a superbly creative storyline lined with mystery to unravel. I appreciated the style of the writing, the character development, and piecing together the puzzles. I also enjoyed the different character perspectives and the wittiness of the author.

Oh my goodness did we love this book! My son and I read many fantasy adventure books and it seems that many of them have the same premises. But, this book is unique and intriguing that kept us turning the pages and wanting to know more! I highly recommend!

This beautiful novel is captivating and full of adventure. Andrew’s writing take after writers like C.S Lewis and Tolkien. Highly recommend for middle grade readers and fans of fantasy and adventure!

I was really happy when Netgalley granted me a copy of this book. It looked awesome and I saw that it's a book that is published for the second time this year. The original book is from 2008. I also noticed right away that it was pretty popular on Goodreads with 8000+ ratings. I had a great time reading this book and I'd recommend anyone who likes Fantasy/Adventure books to pick this up.

Pros
Illustrations: The book started with a map and I was so excited to see that. It's been way too long since I've read a book with a map. I always love to see how an author sees it, and it doesn't always come across by just describing it with words. When I kept reading I saw that the book also has some illustrations. They are small and are a nice addiction to the great story. In the back of the book are some hilarious forms as well, loved it!
Use of language: The first two chapters totally captured my attention. The use of language was so great and I felt like being immersed in a fairy tale right away. I loved the little layer of humor. That makes it interesting for adults to read as well.
Footnotes: The book uses footnotes and I find that a great addition to the already lovely story. It feels much more like a universe on its own, when you get more information about stuff in the footnotes. I had so much fun learning more and I also feel like it's a great way to teach Middle Graders about footnotes, books and literature.

Cons
Figured out: I love being surprised and that was sadly not the case when the big ending was revealed. I had it figured out pretty quickly. I think the author made it a bit too clear throughout the book and that's also the only reason I didn't give it 5 stars.

Overall
A great Fantasy/Adventure story for Middle Graders, but at times hilarious for adults to read as well. I loved exploring this new world and getting to know the characters. I'd definitely be up to read the other books in this series as well!

Name: On The Edge of The Dark Sea of Darkness
Author: Andrew Peterson
Genre: Children Fiction, Fantasy, Sci-fi
Age: +6
Review:
Beautiful and enchanting cover.
This is the story of three siblings; Janner Igiby, Tink and their crippled sister Leeli. These three are gifted children and are loved by their noble mother and grandfather, who was once a pirate.
Fangs of Dang has crossed the Dark Sea to rule the land with his evil and malicious intent. He pursue the Igibys who hold the secret to the lost legend and jewels of good King Wingfeather of the Shining Isle of Anniera.
Now, the three children has to use their gifts to survive against the venomous Fangs of Dangs, who will stop at nothing to fulfill his evil pursuit.
A quirky, thrilling and enchanting story which will keep you engaged throughout the book. Peterson is a master storyteller with his quirky writing style and a good sense of humour.
He presents a tale for children of all ages, along with the beautiful illustrations throughout the pages which will keep the reader's undivided attention.

On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness is a fantasy that takes a few chapters to pull you in, but once you are fully engaged in the Igiby children's adventures in the land of Skree, you don't want to leave. This is a story that everyone will enjoy and would make a great read-aloud.

In this first book of the Wingfeather Saga, On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness introduces us to the world of Aerwiar and the Land of Skree where the Igiby family lives. The opening of this book is a little dark as the oldest Igiby, Janner, lays awake listening for the black carriage that carries children away in the night. No one know when it will come. This little beginning glimpse for the reader gives a window into this world that everything is not all right. Bit by bit you come to realize that their world was meant to be more, but is suppressed by an evil that is ruling. At first, it was a little hard to get my head around all the opening paragraphs of background information especially with all of the names of the different lands I was unsure of how to pronounce. But as I read more of the book, I was drawn in to the story and the lives of the characters. The added illustrations in this new hardcover book were delightful, and I'm sure the kids reading these books will enjoy them. Overall, it was a fun story filled with quirky names and silly animals.
If your tween is looking for a series that will take them on a fun adventure, then pick up these new hardback books of Andrew Peterson's Wingfeather Saga! I will also say that these books are enjoyable for adults too, so don't be afraid to pick them up for yourself!

I thought this book was a tons of fun. Tink and the gang are quite the group to read about. Not quite sure if it would be for all adults, but tweens and early teens will like it.

On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness was an interesting read but a bit underwhelming.
The story felt as if it lacked a linear plot and rising action. Instead it's a series of interesting or dangerous situations where the characters find themselves in or get themselves in danger. The situation is however quickly resolved each time and then the characters try to return to their regular life. The characters and the world seemed to change very little, if at all until the end. The climax then, feels less like a climax and like a more intense chapter in an episodic series. I was always waiting for the story to start, for true the inciting incident to happen, which didn't until near the end.
As the first book in a series it did a good job in introducing fleshed out characters and a detailed, inventive world with history and conflict but as an individual book it wasn't remarkable.

There was also a mentally ill supporting character suffering some form of PTSD or trauma who was mistreated several times during the course of the book both verbally and physically. It wasn't extreme or explicit but it wasn't pleasant to read about.

E-arc was provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

I requested and received an e-ARC of this book from NetGalley and WaterBrook & Multnomah publishers in exchange for my honest review.

This book was awesome and I did not want to put it down. I love the Igiby family, the Sea Dragon festival, all of the creatures the author has created. I cannot wait to read the rest of the series!

#OnTheEdgeOfTheDarkSeaOfDarkness #NetGalley

A fantastic new fantasy series emerges with On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness. The book opens on the town of Glipwood where the inhabitants live under the thumb of the Fangs of Dang, smelly, scaly creatures who answer to the evil Gnag the Nameless. We find the lovely Igiby family trying their best to lead a normal life in their home just outside of town. Of course, that doesn't happen and we follow along with Janner, Tink, Leeli and their graceful mother Nia and their pirate grandfather Podo, on a sweeping adventure to find and then protect the Jewels of Anniera.

While the beginning of the book is a bit slower due to introducing all of the colorful characters, once the adventure starts it doesn't slow done. You grow to love the Igiby family and desperately root for them. There is intrigue throughout because some characters seem trustworthy, but are they? This book contains adventure, suspense, mystery, humor, as well as characters to admire as they struggle to overcome fear and self-doubt to do their duty to each other and their destiny.

This edition puts illustrations to a great treasure of a series. My daughter could not put these down. She really liked Leely because when the Fangs were going to bite her puppy, she went right up and kicked their shin.

A good story for tweens and maybe teens although totally acceptable for all ages. Reminiscent of Tolkien and Lewis, author Andrew Peterson puts us in a world of strange people and strange creatures in strange places. His colorful descriptions will hold your child’s attention, even though this book seems to start a bit slow. It picks up pace about half way through, so keep going.

Peterson shows great imagination as his characters go through trials, tribulations, and adventures. Included in the book are maps and footnotes that add to the story.

If you enjoy fantasy then I recommend this book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.

This is a creative, unique, funny book. Andrew Peterson has created a world populated with toothy cows, sea dragons, and secrets, with a new surprise on every page.

Janner Isiby, a 12-year-old boy, and his two younger siblings, Tink and Leeli, are excited about the Dragon Day Festival, an annual holiday that will bring interesting people from around the country to their little town, bringing some excitement. But when Leeli’s little dog attacks a Fang, everything starts to go wrong – and things only get worse.

Despite the fear and misery that haunt the land of Skree, the love and joy that can still take place in the Isiby family is comforting to see, and also inspiring. The relationships are far from perfect, but that only makes it all the more real. Once the story got moving it was hard to put down, and Janner was easy to relate to. The story is really targeted at kids, not one of the “children’s books” that are really meant for adults that seem all too common these days. The jokes are very kid-oriented; I can imagine my nine-year-old brother start giggling at most of the jokes.

Some of it, however, went a little too far. There were a lot of footnotes, giving interesting but mostly not useful information, and the first few pages where the world and the Isiby house are introduced are tedious. These things would be very annoying if you were reading the book aloud, and I would probably leave them out.

A fun, light read, with plenty of plot twists. I’m looking forward to the next one.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness, along with the other 3 books of The Wingfeather Saga, should be on every family's bookshelf! While stated as being written for children and young teens, this book and the series as a whole, have much value for readers of all ages. As the first book in the series, On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness begins by introducing readers to not only a whole new world of adventure, creatures and lands, it brings the reader into the lives of the Igiby family, its daily doings, the perils of living in Scree, and the unfolding of the 3 children's treck to finding out who they are meant to be. I have read this book twice and listened to the audio versions twice. It is one of those delightful books that one wants to read each year, visiting again with characters who have become friends, thrilling and fretting over each triumph and trial. In the vein of Narnia, Middle Earth or the neighboring country of Gilder, time spent in the land of Aerwiar is exciting, silly, perilous and profound. On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness and the whole Wingfeather Saga should not be missed.

My favourite thing about middle-grade fantasy books is the whimsical worlds and On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness ticks the box.

Janner, Tink and Leeli Igiby live in a little cottage on the outskirts of Glipwood with their mum, Nia, and grandfather. It all appears idyllic, if not for the cruel, lizard people called Fangs who now rule over Skree. They came from the across the Dark Sea of Darkness 9 years earlier. The Fangs rule with iron fist except for one day when people all across Skree come to Glipwood for the Dragon Day Festival. On this day, the Igiby children are allowed to go to the festival early without supervision. Janner has been tasked with looking after this bother and sister. It’s going well until the Fangs take Leeli. With this Janner learns what it means to do whatever it takes to keep his siblings safe.

I’m in awe with just how big and developed this world is — from its history, games, legends and strange creatures. We are eased into the world with two introductory chapters, which gives us enough history to understand how the Fangs got to Skree and why they are in charge. I adore the use of footnotes. It was a great way to include all the little everyday details without detracting from the narrative.

The story is told with a third omniscient perspective. While the story mostly unfolds from Janner Igbiy perspective but it does jump from different characters including some of the Fangs. For me, I would’ve preferred to stay with Janner and the rest of the Igiby’s for the whole narrative.

I feel there was a pacing issue and it was quite slow to start. While I was interested in the world, I did find myself losing interest at some point due to the lack of action. The action doesn’t pick up until halfway through. From then I was hooked into the story but I wish the action started earlier.

Overall, this was a fun fantasy read with a whimsical world. Since the last half of the book captured my attention and left of a cliffhanger I’m interested to pick up the sequel, North! Or Be Eaten to see what happens to the Igiby family.

“Aw, but this ain’t life, lass!” Podo said. “Not as it’s meant to be. Do you see the way the people’s heads bow? Do you see the fear that leaks out of ’em and sits on this town like a fog on the sea? Bah! They’ve forgotten what it is to live anymore. But yer Podo hasn’t.”

The town of Glipwood is the setting for the first book in Andrew Peterson’s series. It might have been like any other town except for the presence of Fangs - cruel and scaly creatures that ruled the people and kept everyone’s hearts in fear. Of the three Igilby children, Janner, was often frustrated that he had to keep an eye on his siblings. Tink didn’t have his older brother’s natural courage but time and time again found himself having to face his fears. Leeli, the youngest, was altogether a mystery. One night, as she peered over the edge of a cliff, she saw sea dragons bursting from the water and found herself singing a song that had them all spellbound. This is the story of how three children escaped from the pursuit of the Fangs and grew in courage and hope. They found themselves on an adventure that would take them from Glipwood Forest into Anklejelly Manor, onto the Catacombs and finally to a castle in the trees. It was a little tricky to keep up with the twists and turns in their adventures but this book sets the scene for the rest of the Wingfeather Saga. Kids as young as 5 will enjoy having this book read to them whilst older children will be glued to this page-turner. Adults who need to learn how to chill out during quarantine and who are in want of a chuckle are highly recommended to join the Igilby children on their escape from toothy cows and horned hounds. If you want a taste of the series then enjoy this short film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iaIAii9gdE

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