The Monster in the Hollows by Andrew Peterson

I tend to like series books, much like many young readers. A new book in a favorite series is like a blanky fresh out of the drier: it’s still comfortable and familiar but there’s a new warmth and freshness inviting you to snuggle on the couch.

But I don’t generally reread the previous books before curling up with the latest title. The Kane Chronicles, The 39 Clues, the Penderwicks, Alex Rider, Diary of a Wimpy Kid - I love them all, but I didn’t reread them to prepare for the next installment.

There are exceptions, however, and the exceptions are exceptional. The Hunger Games is the most recent. Harry Potter before that. The Giver and Gathering Blue before the release of Messenger.

And now The Wingfeather Saga.

Readers met Janner, Tink, and Leeli Igiby in On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness. Their adventures both fighting and fleeing the Fang minions of Gnag the Nameless continued in North! Or Be Eaten! Now comes The Monster in the Hollows. The Igiby children and their grandfather, Podo, are headed with their mother to her homeland. The Green Hollows is where Nia grew up, and just off the coast is the Shining Isle of Anniera, the ancient kingdom still smoldering nine years after its destruction.

In the Green Hollows the Igiby children find the closest thing to a home since leaving their cottage in Glipwood. There’s a home, a school, classmates, and neighbors. And peace … sort of. While the Igibys are no longer running for their lives, they still can’t find peace. There are suspicious looks from curious Hollish people, difficult lessons learned in school and life, and the mysterious cloven - beasts of the forest - boldly entering the towns of the Green Hollows in ways they never have before.

But what is the monster in the Hollows? The possibilities grow in number along with the pages. Is the monster one of the new residents of the Green Hollows, the Igibys? Is it the cloven leaving the safety of the forest to seemingly terrorize the Hollish folk? Is the monster unseen, like jealousy or greed or hatred or fear? One could make an argument for all of them, but it’s the unexpected monsters that leave readers waiting (im)patiently for the final installment, The Warden and the Wolf King.

I know I’m placing The Wingfeather Saga in rarefied air, and I know many will question my judgement. How can someone put Andrew Peterson’s books in the same company as Hollywood buzz and celebrity casting (The Hunger Games), bajillion copy sellers (Harry Potter), and Newbery Medals and the canonical works of children’s literature (The Giver)?

It’s a fair question. But even though Mr. Peterson is a relative unknown in the world of children’s literature, he has pulled me into Aerwiar just like I was pulled into Panem, Hogwarts, and Jonas’s Utopian society. And that’s sayin’ something.

Movies, sales figures, and awards aren’t hugely important to readers. It’s the books that stay fresh in your mind long after you’ve finished reading that truly make a difference, and The Monster in the Hollows and the entire Wingfeather Saga have a lasting impact indeed.

And I can't wait to reread them again.

North! Or Be Eaten by Andrew Peterson

The Wingfeather Saga continues in North! Or Be Eaten, sequel to Andrew Peterson’s first novel, On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness. Janner, Tink, and Leeli Igiby have learned the truth about the Jewels of Anniera and the Wingfeather family. So, unfortunately, have the evil Fangs of Dang, henchmen of ruthless ruler Gnag the Nameless. Glipwood Township, the only home the Igibys have ever known, is but a remnant of what it once was, mostly destroyed by a storm the night they escaped to Anklejelly Manor and is deserted by nearly all its occupants.

The Igibys, along with Podo, Nia, Nugget, and Peet the Sock Man, are at Peet’s castle preparing to flee to the northern Ice Prairies and the increased safety brought by its freezing temperatures. The Fangs, unable to manage the cold, will be unable to pursue them. Nearly all their preparations must be deserted, however, when they receive warning from Oskar N. Reteep, a friend thought to be dead, of another betrayal by Zouzab the Ridgerunner.

The Fangs are coming for them. Now.

The Igiby journey is rife with adventure and close calls. The family narrowly escapes Fangs and trolls and a gargan rockroach and snickbuzzards and even a toothy cow of Skree. Or two. They face the dangers of Dugtown, the Stranders of the East End, and a fork factory so horrible it earns two exclamation points, as in Fork! Factory!

But after the events of Book One, adventure in Book Two is a given. Seeing the Igiby children grow as they face new responsibilities and dangers, not only as people, but as royalty, is where North! Or Be Eaten excels. Janner’s reluctant acceptance of being Throne Warden, coupled with shaky confidence in fulfilling his call, has him walking a fine line between honored Throne Warden of Anniera and the despair of Artham Wingfeather, previous Throne Warden. Tink simply longs for the lost peace of the Igiby cottage and refuses to seize his role as High King. Leeli transforms from little sister to one who brings confidence to her family and calm maturity to times of distress.

Podo, Nia, and Peet don’t show growth as characters as much as their true character is revealed. Podo’s pirate past, thus far only casually mentioned, becomes a major factor in whether the Wingfeather legacy will continue. Nia gently slips back into her previous role as royalty, and the mystery of Peet’s past comes to the forefront as he must either give in to despair or move ahead in a new role.

Darker than its predecessor, North! Or Be Eaten draws readers into the hopelessness of Skreeans without allowing readers to completely lose hope themselves. The magnitude of Gnag’s evilness is infinitely clearer, but through it all is a family who refuses to give up, believing their quest to reestablish a kingdom of good can ultimately prevail. The family is not perfect. Individuals make decisions that clearly won’t move them toward their goal, but a loved one is always there offering encouragement and forgiveness.

Together is the only way they can succeed.

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On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness by Andrew Peterson

Adventure. Peril. Lost Jewels. And the Fearsome Toothy Cows of Skree. The Wingfeather Saga: Book One.

(I had to include all that as it's on the cover but wouldn't all fit in the post's heading. Anyway, it got my attention on the cover. Maybe it'll get your attention here.)

The Igiby family lives in a small cottage outside Glipwood Township, upon the cliffs overlooking the Dark Sea of Darkness. Janner and Tink, the eldest brothers, live with younger sister Leeli, their mother, Nia, and grandfather, Podo. They, along with all the residents of Glipwood - and indeed, all of Skree - live under the harsh occupation of the Fangs of Dang, lizard-like creatures who carry out the rule of the evil Gnag the Nameless.

Janner, as eldest, has been given the responsibility of watching his siblings. But Leeli's tendency to wander with her dog Nugget and Tink's tendency to act before thinking make Janner resent his new found maturity. The Igiby children make an enemy in Slarb, one of the nastiest of Glipwood's Fangs of Dang, yet at the same time make a friend in Peet the Sock Man, a strange fellow known for conversing with sign posts.

As the trouble builds between the Igiby family and the occupying Fangs, a hint that the Jewels of Anniera could be in or near Glipwood reaches General Khrak, a Fang sure to report back to Gnag the Nameless. In fact, Nia and Podo seem to know some secret about them. The Jewels, formally of the Isle of Anniera and High King Wingfeather, and also said to have great power, are deeply desired by Gnag the Nameless, who believes possessing them will solidify his rule.

There are secrets - locations, occupations, identities, enemies. There are near escapes and non escapes. There are tragedies and near tragedies. And through it all is the love of the Igiby family, more willing to enter the Black Carriage together than be separated, holding them, and even the hopes of Glipwood, Skree, and all of Aerwiar, together.

On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness is traditional fantasy in many ways. But right away one notices that the voice of this novel is different from most fantasy novels. There's a playfulness here. A tongue-in-cheek, did-you-catch-that? sort of tone. From the name of this world, Aerwiar (the first words of creation's first person were "Well, here we are.") to the Great Nameless Evil that has devastated Aerwiar (an evil whose name was Gnag the Nameless), readers immediately get a sense of the humorous vibe. Included throughout the novel are footnotes referencing the literature of Aerwier including documentation (Torrboro, Skree: Blapp River Press, 3/113) that creatively gives additional insight to the novel's events.

Oh, and there's one final trait the book shares with the best fantasy novels: It most certainly leaves readers wanting more.