On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness: The Wingfeather Saga (Book 1 of 4)

By Andrew Peterson

On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness: The Wingfeather Saga (Book 1 of 4)

Content Meters

Sex, romance, and nudity:
0%
Violence and gore:
30%
Language:
0%
Substance use:
10%
Negative messages:
0%
Positive messages:
80%

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Recommended:
Ages 8+
Read time:
9 hours
Reviewed on:

Spoiler-Free Overview

I am in an ever-active effort to expand my home library. I have a goal that no matter who walks in my house, I have a book that will speak to them. It sounds fantastical (and maybe it is), but the Wingfeather Saga took me one step closer to that goal. In case that sounds dramatic, let me tell you a quick story.

One winter night, three of my nephews were visiting. They each asked me to find a book for them. The oldest—seven at the time— read like a champion but lacked the confidence to read a novel. A few graphic novels and the first episode of the animated Wingfeather series later, his mom told me he wouldn’t put the book down! Next thing I knew, he asked if he could borrow the second Wingfeather book from me!

On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness takes place in Glipwood and follows the Igibys as they struggle to survive the tyranny of the fangs of Dang. What starts as an easy-going, comedic narrative quickly spirals as Janner, Tink, and Leeli make an enemy of Slarb, the slimiest of the fangs, when they save Nugget from becoming lizard food and give Slarb a knock on the head.

Though slightly overprotective, Podo and Nia do their best to keep the trio safe. Podo, their ex-pirate grandpa, takes the helm as their strong protector while their mother, Nia, uses her cunning to win the favor of Commander Gnorm.

As all children do, Tink and Janner find their treatment unfair and strike out on their own during the day, knowing they can always go home come the setting sun. The children find their way in and out of the wildest mini adventures— Well… until they don’t. Tink can only drag Janner into so many hasty decisions before the consequences catch up to them.

Every character has so much character. Their oddities bring a smile to every page. From the sharp eyes of Zouzab the fruit-lover, to the crazed look of Pete the Sockman, you will never be left struggling to remember which character is which or why they’re significant. Peterson keeps track of every character and every question, from start to finish.

 Nia and Podo keep so many secrets that lead the kids to seek out answers in far more dangerous ways, a truth parents face today with the internet ready to answer any of your kids’ questions with no regard to their age, development, or spirituality.

Despite seeking answers, Janner is constantly trying to keep his siblings safe and being dragged into the worst situations because of them, including but not limited to theft, trespassing, and assault. If that doesn’t sound like a great time, the T.H.A.G.S. and bookstore adventures with Zouzab and Oskar may be more to your liking.

Either way, On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness will not disappoint.

Spoiler Alert

Venture beyond this point at your own risk!

Detailed Content Meters

0%
Sex, romance, and nudity:
rating: 0%

One mention that a girl looks pretty

30%
Violence and gore:
rating: 30%

The book starts with the threat of the Black Carriage kidnapping citizens.

Slarb tries to eat Nugget and stab him with a spear.

There are several tussles with Fangs that result in minor injuries.

The Igibys are held captive, awaiting the black carriage.

Nugget is killed with a spear trying to protect the Igiby children.

Podo kills Slarb, but you don’t “see it”

Janner and Podo kill Commander Gnorm with a knife and a sword.

Pete kills many fangs.

Oskar is left bleeding likely to death (Read book two review for more on this).

Podo received a fatal wound and would have died if it weren’t for Pete’s water from the first well.

A large battle occurs at the end of the book and the reader is led to believe Pete and Giant Nugget will die protecting them. It is the fang regiment that dies in the end.

0%
Language:
rating: 0%

None Present

10%
Substance use:
rating: 10%

 Getting nitpicky, Oskar smokes a pipe.

0%
Negative messages:
rating: 0%

None Present

80%
Positive messages:
rating: 80%

The Wingfeather Saga is jam packed with positive messages.

It humanizes parents, showing they make mistakes while always seeking what is best for the children.

It affirms the value of life.

The characters face the consequences of their actions and the need for grace from each other and the maker.

When Janner finds out he is the oldest son of the late king of Anniera, he believes he is the new king, but that is not how the kingdom works. The second son, Tink, becomes king and the first son becomes his guardian (thronewarden). Janner struggles with this servant leadership even into the second book.

Detailed Overview

Does the dog die? Nugget is the most lovable of all the characters in On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness. If you look up the question, “does the dog die?” you will get a couple different answers because the truthful answer is “Yes, but actually no.” Yes, Nugget dies protecting the children, but Pete brings him back to life with water from the first well.

With that settled, let’s dig into the spoiler details left out of the overview summary. Truthfully, I wondered what the hype was about after five chapters. It was a cute kids story with interesting and comedic characters, but nothing seemed to be happening.

Between chapter five and ten, my mind took a complete u-turn. Slarb almost killed my favorite character (Nugget), and Leeli sang the most beautiful song that even touched the dragons. Page after page, I fell more in love with the characters and was dying to know more about the jewels of Anniera, the Fangs of Dang, and the war that ruined the quaint town of Glipwood.

The snippits of Fang life showed a depraved desire for self-satisfaction with neither loyalty nor joy. Commander Gnorm seems bad until you meet General Khrak and suddenly Nag the Nameless seems a truly untouchable evil.

Even worse is the gut-wrenching betrayal of Zouzab. The book masterfully paints him in a gray area and then rips your heart out after you decide to trust him.

One by one, everything stable in Glipwood crumbles under your feet, and in a climactic moment, Janner takes a stand. He asks the question we’ve all been dying to know. What could possibly make these jewels so important that they’re worth a family’s life and freedom?

They are.

The children are the jewels.

The children are inherently valuable and worth more than anything the darkness has to offer. Not only are they inherently valuable, but they also possess the power to bring their kingdom wherever they go and to shine a light in the dankest dungeon.

With one answer, the children are thrust into unbelievable responsibility.

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