Book Review: On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness

You know how sometimes you hear about a book or series, and when you finally read it, the books are even better than you expected? The Wingfeather Saga was like that for me. After hearing my friends talk about it for months, I put the series on my Christmas list. My sister Betsy got it for me, and I started reading the first book, On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness, right away.

If you asked me to describe the Wingfeather Saga in one word, I’d probably say “page-turner.” (Yes, that counts as one word!) From the first family interaction to the final triumph, each adventure had me laughing (or crying) and hoping for more.

The characters are what make the story, and especially so for this series. Janner, Tink, and Leeli are dynamic characters that seem like they could be your own friends or siblings. I could very much relate to Tink with his fear of heights. I understood Janner’s longing for adventure, for something else outside his small town. Yet, he did what he was supposed to, (mostly without complaint!), and I admire his character for that. And Leeli, she’s so sweet and wise. She doesn’t let her injury slow her down; Leeli does her best to keep up with her two brothers. Nia, too, is wise and kind, taking care of her family and rescuing them from danger. And Podo! He’s the best book grandfather ever. His humor and to-the-point answers were my favorite things about him.

The world of the Wingfeather Saga is genius. Some creatures and objects sounded familiar; others are unique to the series. Every detail and description makes the world of Skree come alive. As I read, I could see the hideousness of the Fangs and see the place where the townspeople gathered along the sea to hear the dragons. Andrew Peterson is a master worldbuilder.

Everything that happens in On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness is thrilling. Not everything goes as you might expect. There are friends and foes, narrow escapes and unexpected allies. And the ending. My goodness, I did not see that coming. Without giving anything away, I’ll just say that it’s something I hadn’t even considered. 

Andrew Peterson’s writing style is enjoyable to read. His prose combines humor, description, dialogue and suspense very well. The editions I have have footnotes about different people, places, and books mentioned in each chapter. In summary, On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness is a page-turning fantasy that any fantasy or adventure fan should have for their collection.