Book 3 was amazing! I am so glad I started reading this series but I don't want it to end, only one book left. :(

Once again the Wingfeather have kept me on the edge of my seat as they try to avoid Gnag the Nameless. I definitely did not see the twist (no spoilers) coming, well played. I highly recommend this series to anyone (no matter your age) that enjoys an adventure!

On to book 4!

This series is epic. The heart-wrenching beauty of this tale mixed with fun and laughter makes these stories not to be missed. A series for all ages, the Wingfeather Saga deserves a rating of 10 (on a scale of 1-5). Please do yourself a favor and read them.

I have purchased several sets of these books, but I was also given digital copies with the new (amazing) illustrations for free in exchange for my review.

WalterBrook & Multnomah is re-releasing this series with new illustrated editions; the first two were published in March 2020 and the final two this October 2020. The included illustrations sprinkled throughout enhance the experience -- they are engaging and draw in readers.

The Igiby children find themselves in the Green Hollows, but what was meant to be a restorative time of safety is fraught with tension as they navigate charged relationships and uncertain futures. Will the community trust them, or will they be forced out? Secrets come to light and lives are altered yet again, heightening the tension as the story culminates in the next installment.

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

Book Review: The Monster in the Hollows by Andrew Peterson
Posted on October 6, 2020 by Kevin Holtsberry / 0 Comment
For those of you not following along, I’m reading the Wingfeather Saga to mark the release of new collectable hardcover editions being released this year. Specifically, books three and four being released today, October 6.

As I noted with book 2, the books seems to be getting better as we go. I enjoyed On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness, and found the second half of the book more engaging than the first, and that pattern continued with North! or Be Eaten.

And that pattern continued with The Monster in the Hallows.

Janner, Tink, and Leeli Igiby, the Lost Jewels of Anniera, are hiding from Gnag the Nameless in the Green Hollows, one of the few places in the land of Aerwiar not overrun by the Fangs of Dang. But there’s a big problem. Janner’s little brother–heir to the throne of Anniera–has grown a tail. And gray fur. Not to mention two pointed ears and long, dangerous fangs. To the suspicious folk of the Green Hollows, he looks like a monster.

But Janner knows better. His brother isn’t as scary as he looks. He’s perfectly harmless. Isn’t he?

Each book builds on the previous; more history revealed, more surprises, more depth to the characters, etc.

Peterson continues to balance a focus on the inner lives of the children, Janner in particular, with the history and myth of Anniera. He adds in secondary characters that help flush out the details and color of the world he has built but also keeps readers on their toes with twists and turns.

The last third of this book in particular is pretty intense as the action and intrigue ratchets up. Things are barrelling towards the fourth and final book.

As I have said before, great series for young readers and particularly a read out loud or audiobook to share as a family. But something adults can enjoy too.

There is only one phrase that I think adequately describes The Wingfeather Saga-- soul-stirring. There are stories that you just read. And then there are stories that you read and along the way they prick your heart, making you realize that you needed to hear the message contained within it's pages. The Monster in the Hollows was one of those books for me.

The struggles and joys of the Wingfeather siblings are compelling and it's a fascinating journey to watch them grow into their roles. I love the fact that Mr. Peterson brought back characters from North! Or Be Eaten, which helped tie the different threads of the tale together. I especially loved the character of Nia in this book!. We get to spend a little more time with her since the family is together for the whole book, and her strength, grace, and fierce love for her children really comes through.

I"m still recommending this series every chance I get. I look forward to finishing The Warden and the Wolf King.

At last the little Igibys have a small respite. They arrive at their mother's native land and find a home to stay in. But that doesn't mean that their life is now full of happiness. The transformation that Tink (now Kalmar) went through is filling every townsmen with distrust and the eleven year old boy is having a very hard time.

This book made me suffer in a different way than it's predecesors. In the first two books their lives were in constant danger and it had me at the edge of my seat but The Monster in the Hollow made my heart hurt. Kalmar's treatment from the first was awful and it made me want to cry. He was such a brave little soul and I know he hasn't made the best decisions but no one deserves to be treated like that.

There is a new POV in this book that I enjoyed a lot. That whole plot was interesting and it developed in a way that had me absorbed every time it came up.

I´m loving this series, the characters are really well written, they feel real and I am very invested in them and I think the author is doing a great thing with this story. It has been very surprising to find such a rich world in these pages. I am very happy that I can read this saga.

This book was good, I liked it, I really enjoyed the characters, it was happy to read this saga again.

Monster in the Hollows is the third book in the series and is so so good. I enjoyed the multiple POV’s and the adventure and lessons learned in the book are just fabulous. Bring on book 4!

I was provided with an electronic ARC through NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Andrew Peterson is an amazing storyteller!! It captivates you and drags you into the story. His books are full of adventure with beautiful messages. Each book if the serie is better and better and more exiting.... OMG,This book really surprised me. Cant wait to read the next one!!!

WOW. I have so many feelings now that I finished these books, but I think the greatest praise I can give them is that I cannot wait to read them with my kids one day. Filled with beautiful life lessons woven into the narrative, these books whisk you to the world of Aerwiar and lets you ride the rollercoaster of emotions that is three children fighting forces of evil and finding out who they are in the process.

The Monster in the Hollows perhaps is my favorite of the 4 books because I love the setting of the Green Hollows and all the characters we meet there, plus the B-plot of this book is so charming that I was delighted every time we switched perspectives to Sarah.

Andrew Peterson has created magic in these books that isn’t just about the extraordinary powers used for good and evil in these stories. The magic lies in the actions and choices of the characters to be loyal, to be kind, and to be selfless. When you can see beyond evil and “ugly” to provide love, it can maybe change the heart of even the worst monster.

What would you if your siblings begin to transform and looks like a monster? The story is book 3 of a 5 part series. Trust, God and forgiveness are themes within. A great saga for families to read together. The illustrations are magnificent and help the readers envision the story better.

The story continues. I enjoyed the different points of view in different chapters. Parts of this story took me by surprise (no spoiler). The end of the book definitely leaves you anxious for the next one.

I have heard so much about this series over the last year or so. I read the first two books several months ago and enjoyed them, although I was a bit shocked at how the second book ended. Let me stop right here and say, you need to read the first two books to really enjoy this book. I read some spoilers for this book and wasn't sure that I wanted to read it. BUT, I am SO GLAD I DID. This is my favorite book of this series! In fact, I think that I like these books more than the Narnia books (there, I said it!).

What I especially loved:

(1) It wasn't hard for me to pick up from the previous book, even though it had been several months since I had read it. I appreciated that the author reminded me of what happened, without being too obvious.

(2) The book was too fast or too slow. I thought that the story developed at a really nice pace that made me want to pick it up again, but didn't keep me up too late (ok, maybe it did a few nights).

(3) I thought that the characters were so relatable! I can't wait to read this book with my son (who is just 2.5). This book deals so well with real topics of concern, like self-esteem, forgiveness, jealously, bitterness, anger, self-worth, redemption, learning from mistakes, not being perfect, and body image. There are so many profound, real feelings in this book, and they are addressed in good, real, profound ways. Wow.

Thank you Netgalley and publishers for the free e-ARC.

** “I have seen many like you who, in one moment of weakness, were forever marked. But you aren’t your fur any more than I am my flesh. Who you are runs deeper than your skin. A man may be handsome in aspect but black as death in his heart, you know.” **

WaterBrook is re-releasing Andrew Peterson’s Wingfeather Saga as hardcovers with new cover art and illustrations, with the first two novels released back in March and the final two on Oct. 6.

The third novel, “The Monster in the Hollows,” picks up immediately after the series’ second installation, with the Wingfeather family seeking refuge in Green Hollows. As siblings Janner (Throne Warden), Kalmar (High King) and Leeli (Song Maiden), along with their grandfather Podo, mother Nia, friend and book lover Oskar, and uncle Artham return to their family’s ancestral home, they must overcome suspicion and discrimination against Kal who is now partly a Gray Fang — enemies of the Hollows.

As the family attempts to earn the townsfolk’s trust, they must dig deep into themselves to learn their true gifts and worth. And as Artham leaves to help rescue Janner’s friend Sara Cobbler from the horrific Fork Factory where Janner once found himself enslaved, the Wingfeathers must figure out how to protect the town from an impending attack from evil creatures, all while protecting their own place in the community.

A story of love, sacrifice and identity, “The Monster in the Hollows” will appeal to all ages and is a delightful story that will deeply move the reader. Besides creating an entertaining and fantastical tale, Peterson builds many great lessons in it, like we are more than our outward appearance; the sense of aching for a home; the impact of sharing our gifts and light with others; finding hope and courage; we’re better for our scars; sacrificing ourselves for others; and how to deal with feeling inadequate.

“The Monster in the Hollow,” which contains some amazing jaw-dropping moments, also reminds us we can find strength not only in ourselves, but in the One who made us: “Every time he let his heart believe that they were out of danger, something dangerous found them. Every time. He ignored the quiet inner voice that reminded him that the Maker had sustained him, had brought him safely to Chimney Hill.”

Once again, the illustrations in this re-release are fun and glorious, and the cover is sublime.

Fans of the fantastical worlds created by C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, The Spiderwick Chronicles, or Matt Mikalatos’ Sunlit Lands series will love these stories.

Five stars out of five.

WaterBrook provided this complimentary copy for my honest, unbiased review.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."
One of my favorite things about quarantining this year was Andrew Peterson's nightly read-alouds of the first two books in this series. I am beyond excited that he is picking that back up in October. My daughter is waiting until then to read these with him. I highly recommend purchasing books 3 &4 to follow along as he reads. This was just as excellent and I can't wait to hear it read by him.

Book 3 of the Wingfeather Saga, The Monster in the Hollows by Andrew Peterson is the next wonderful installment! The three Wingfeather children have been through many harrowing experiences and have run for their lives to finally reach a place of safety among their mothers people. There is still struggle as Janner wrestles with being the older brother and Kalmar also struggles with guilt and results of decisions he has made. Leeli begins to explore special gifts that she has and begins to realize that she plays a significant role as one of the Jewels of Anniera.

Is Green Hollows really safe for the family? Can they really rest and relax. NO! As the title indicates, there is a monster in the hollows. Now they face school, identity struggles, mistrust betrayal, and fitting into a foreign land. I am completely invested in these characters and what is going to happen next.......it has never been what I thought it was going to be. The mixture of fantasy creatures, morals, evil, good and hope make this saga a rich reading experience.

I HIGHLY recommend this book to ANYONE!

The third book of The Wingfeather Saga, The Monster in the Hollows, is a good combination of cozy reprieve and heart-pounding adventure and danger. Janner, Tink(Kalmar) and Leeli, along with the rest of their family and friends, find out what it means to confront age-old issues of the heart while coming together as a community to fight the evil that threatens to overcome their precious Hollows. Bravery, intelligence, sacrifice and honor are all on display as the Wingfeather children come to discover more about their family history and themselves. Don't miss this third book in this wonderful series!

I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this story after the way it ends in book 2. I’m really enjoying this series and so many aspects of this story really come to fruition in this book. I was smiling and broken-hearted at the same time at the end. I am a big fan of this series and will be recommending it to everyone!

The Monster in the Hollows picks up where we left the Igiby family at the end of North! Or Be Eaten, which is still one of the best titles for an adventure book ever. Aboard their boat sailing for the Green Hollows, the Igiby children get their first glimpse of their homeland. In the distance they can see no land, but they can see smoke rising, from the fire that is still burning nine years after Anniera was set ablaze by the evil Gnag the Nameless. Their arrival at the Green Hollows is soothed by the music of the song maiden, but it is still a bumpy arrival. The people have grown hardened over the years. While their land never fell to the Fang army, their borders grew tighter, their hearts colder. The arrival of the Igiby’s with the winged Throne Warden, and the Wolf King, is immediately under suspicion. Nia Wingfeather steps into her role as the Queen of Anniera and pledges her own life for her youngest son. Now Kalmar’s fate,Kalmar’s actions, are directly linked, by some kind of blood oath, to his mother’s. If he is to be punished she will receive the same punishment.

After they have arrived and been given permission to stay, they discover that their ancestral home on their mother’s side is still there, and is still theirs. Along with an old friend, they settle into life with the Hollowsfolk. The children find and fight for their place at school. The Queen’s heart learns to beat again. Oskar N Reteep begins to translate the first book with more vim and vigor. Janner begins to think that they might know peace here.

All he really wanted were good books to read, a warm bed, and his family and friends near.

But of course the evil still lurks in the west. Anniera still burns. The borders of The Hollows are still plagued by the cloven, and other unnatural beasts. And within their lands are enemies that smell sweet, but are fouler by far. When Kalmar makes some secret decisions, he places his entire family in danger. As a result of his actions, more is drawn into the light than we could ever have known was hiding in the darkness, and the future becomes something else entirely.

The third installment of The Wingfeather Saga is gripping from first to last page. Things we thought we knew are upended, and things we had long hoped for are attained and then dashed to pieces. Yet as much of the development of the story of Anniera is engaging, it is the stories of the female characters in the saga that are the most interesting, and best developed in this installment.

In Nia Wingfeather we are given a Queen to rally behind, then shown how you can be a Queen, a mother, a friend, and interestingly enough, a lover, all without sacrificing any part of your character. She remains one of the strongest characters in this saga, and I am seriously contemplating some cosplay this Halloween if I can get my family on board. The culmination of the events of this book are devastating for her, and I am keenly anticipating where she goes after this.

Leeli Wingfeather is given the chance to shine in this book, finding her true calling in life. It is a joy to read as her talents are explored, and as the adults around her build her up, recognizing her gifts and encouraging her to pursue them. The teachers at the school are remarkable. They treat their young charges as valuable contributors to society, whilst educating them. Some of the scenes with the boys in training are amongst the best Peterson has written so far, but it is the relationships that Leeli builds that ultimately provide the most aid to the family and enjoyment to the reader. The O’Sally boys are everything their name sounds like they should be.

Then we come to Sara Cobbler. Sara was a throwaway line in the first book. The name of a child taken by the black carriage, seemingly just to show the evils that lurked in the night. In North! Or Be Eaten we come across Sara in the fork factory at Dugtown, and she helps Janner in his escape. In The Monster in the Hollows Sara becomes her own hero, the director of her own fate, and in many ways the leader of a whole new nation. Her character development is perhaps my favorite. Imagine Hermione Granger, but with more pluck, more danger, and less boys. Sara Cobbler’s character arc, and her ultimate showdown, receives a lot of chapter space in this book and rightly so. When you are with her, you are never too eager to get back to what is transpiring in the Green Hollows. You want to be with Sara, you want to be Sara.

This book definitely finds a better balance between male and female characters, and while Janner and Kalmar develop, it is the growth and strength of the various female characters that really stand out here. Nia’s relationship with her childhood friend. Leeli’s growing position in her guild. Sara, just for Sara alone.

She wanted them to know it was better to fight and lose than to sink away into nothingness under the Overseer’s evil grin.

Unfortunately Peterson does not continue with his delightful footnotes in this book, but there are still some gems in the Appendices which he uses to help further our history of this world. Indeed throughout this book we are given more history, whether through the studies of Oskar N Reteep, the recollections of Artham, or the relationships between NIa and the Hollowsfolk. If North! Or Be Eaten showed us a world outside of Glipwood, The Monster in the Hollows shows us just how interconnected everything and everyone actually is. Whether they know it or not, whether they accept it or not, the fate of the Annierans is directly tied to that of the Hollowsfolk, the Stranders, and even the dark beings that lurk in the forest. It isn’t just the distant smoke that hovers over them. More than anything however, Peterson shows us that there is always hope.

He had grown into something more and not less. That meant that the power Gnag the Nameless and his Stone Keeper had unlocked in the music could do more than just warp and deform. It could do more than destroy.
It could change something twisted into a flourish.
It could take what was bent and make it beautiful.
It could heal.


This saga shows us what can be accomplished when good people step up, when good people start speaking out, when we fight for what is right despite our own personal comfort. It’s a great book to read as a family this year, and is certainly the tonic that I needed right now.

I finished book 3, The Warden and the Wolf King of this Wingfeather series and was happy to have book 4 available immediately. As a fantasy series aimed at middle school children, I think these books hit all the right notes. The characters are believable, the plot is exciting, and the themes are echoed in the real world. The 3 children whose adventures the story follows have experienced the loss of their home, their family and their country. They have unique gifts, but struggle with their own and others flaws.
Although there is juvenile humor about smells and peoples appearance that as an adult I found jarring, many of my students would appreciate them. The best part is, that some of the most disgusting looking and smelling characters turn out to be real heroes. I felt it was a wonderful way to learn not to judge by appearances.