Let me say this first: I’m an Andrew Peterson fan. I’ve seen him play live a couple of times and his songs have touched me in ways that few others have. So, when I was perusing his site a little over a week ago and saw the invite for bloggers to join his new book’s blog tour, I decided to send an email to the listed address.
A few months ago, I read that Andrew Peterson was writing a book and I casually investigated the details. I think a few weeks went by and I looked into the story a bit, as it existed at his web site. The title sort of caught me off-guard at first. “Does he realize…” I thought to myself, noting the obvious redundancy in the book’s title. The answer is “Yes. Yes he does realize.”
On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness releases Tuesday, March 18th. This is book one of the Wingfeather Saga and it primarily follows three siblings, Janner, Tink and Leeli Igiby, as they make attempts to pursue a happy life in a town that isn’t altogether happy. The children live with their brave peg-legged grandfather, Podo and nearly-as-brave mother, Nia. The family and other residents of Glipwood, live in what has become a police state run by Fangs (a sort of snake/human creature). One afternoon, in all the hustle and bustle of the local Dragon Day Festival, Janner, Tink and Leeli manage to make one of the Fangs hate them even more than he already does. Could this be the beginning of the end of their semi-peaceful existence in Glipwood Township?
So I started reading this book with the expectation of a Lord of the Rings style tale. It has a bit of that, but it’s difficult to say how it’s so different than that. One thing is certain, and this is the charming thing that sets The Dark Sea of Darkness apart from stories like the one I mentioned: the novel really doesn’t take itself too seriously for very long. Let me explain by giving a couple examples. The top Fang in the township of Glipwood is named Gnorm. Gnorm. It’s really not that silly until you say it out loud. And almost every one of the story’s short chapters has a footnote that is completely ridiculous, yet completely effective at moving the story along. To me, these endearing little bits made the story really enjoyable.
In a way, the silly elements and the fact that the lead characters are all under the age of 13 might make you think it’s just a kid’s story. On the contrary, I think it’s a story that will engage kids of any age, like all the great stories. There’s action, humor, peril and toothy cows (which are much worse than they sound). Actually, I think some of the other animals are worth mentioning just for their creative names. There are thwaps, ratbadgers, flabbits, sea dragons, horned hounds, quill diggles, digtoads and more.
Andrew Peterson’s On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness is an excellent book. The tale is engaging and absolutely satisfying. The characters leap off the pages like a pack of ratbadgers. In fact, I was so riveted that I plowed through the last two-thirds of the novel this evening. And amid all the silliness, there are some deep, important themes to the story–things I’ll be thinking about for a few days. I know a part of me really longs to attend the Dragon Day Festival and be rapt by the songs of the Sea Dragons…
Honestly I’m not surprised that I enjoyed this book so much. Andrew was already one of my favorite singer/songwriter/story-tellers. I just didn’t know he could write fiction.
I have a brand new, extra copy of the book to give away. If you’d like it, send me an email and I’ll give the book away on my next podcast. Email to jeff@jeffcaylor.com.
If you’re interested in finding out more about Andrew Peterson, visit his web site here and be sure to check out his writer’s collective web site, The Rabbit Room (I’m waiting for him to rename it “The Flabbit Room”).
On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness can be ordered at Amazon.com here
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March 18th, 2008 at 11:13 am
I read the book already, as I’m also part of Andy’s blog tour, but your review makes me want to have a second read.