She raved and raved about her love for this series, yet never posted a review on it – until now.
In the world of Aerwiar, where Fangs, snickbuzzards, and dragons roam, is a small cottage on a cliff. Its inhabitants are the Igiby family: Podo, Nia, Janner, Tink, Leeli, and their dog Nugget. On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness by Andrew Peterson is a story about this family and their struggle to survive the growing evils in their small township in Glipwood. After a dangerous encounter with patrolling Fangs, the Igiby’s lives are thrown into change. For unbeknownst to them, the Igiby children hold the secret to the legend of the Lost Jewels of Anniera.
Packed full of heart-warming characters, capturing story-telling, peril, and courage, On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness by Andrew Peterson is an illustrated epic for all ages.
On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness lies idly upon your shelf, waiting to be read. Finally, the occasion comes when you decide to pick it up. After gazing at the illustration of a dragon surrounded by the restless sea cradled by golden rimming, you open the cover.
(Fortunate for me, I own the older copy of this book with the previously described cover. This cover is now out of print. It is replaced by the image you see in this post.)
“So it begins.” -Theoden from The Lord of the Rings (movie trilogy)
This book is one of the most enthralling books I’ve ever read! It is asking a lot of the book’s spine and covers to support such awesomeness! Everything from the vivid imagery of the scenes to the detailed plot is absolutely fascinating. Though Andrew Peterson isn’t a professional author with degrees and lots of New York Time’s Bestseller awards, his writing is understandable, captivating, fluent, and funny. This book is simply PACKED full of humor, heart-warming relationships, mystery, peril, and thwaps. (No, that is not a typo. Read the book to find out what I mean.)
When it comes to characters, Andrew Peterson doesn’t have characters that leap out of the book, tip their hat, shake your hand, and guide you through the tale. Neither do his characters possess infatuating arcs or morally horrific dilemmas. Though there are a few genius characters, most of them are ordinary. They easily fall into a stereotype. Yet, Andrew Peterson takes those stereotypical, ordinary, and assumably “boring” kinds of characters and makes them part of both worlds. He makes them easily categorized, yet so relatable. Seriously, Janner is the male version of myself. If I had a dollar for every time Janner did something that was so like me, I’d be a millionaire. It is just so entertaining how real, funny, and loveable these characters are.
The story-telling in this is flawless. One friend I lent this to returned to me after reading the first TWO PAGES and said, “I can’t put this down.” This book just contains that element of transportation. It teleports you to Aerwair. It brings you straight into Janner’s daydreams beneath the morning sun and beneath Tink’s falling hammer. It is just so intriguing. I couldn’t put it down. I love it.
Seriously, people, I could write on and on about every aspect of this book and how awesome it is. I could write paper after paper breaking down, analyzing, and comparing the plot, characters, and story. I really could go on and on. Unfortunately, I’ll have to bring this review to a close, because I still have three more to write. However, I must mention one of the best things about this book. Similarly to Narnia, this series contains allegories of the Christian faith. There is a Creator that they pray to and believe in. In times of trouble, the Igibys ask their Maker for strength. It is just awesome that Andrew Peterson adds this to the book. Obviously, it is deeper and more meaningful than how I described it, but it is just all around beautiful.
One last thing, for real this time. Much like Lord of the Rings, Andrew Peterson contains poetry and songs in the book. Can you say awesome?!
In conclusion, On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness by Andrew Peterson is an amazingly fantastic read that I recommend to all ages. This book contains no profane content. The only downside of this book is that there is some scary imagery that could frighten a younger audience. Overall, you must buy this book! You won’t regret it!! Thanks for reading my review. God bless!
Fantasy is hardly an escape from reality. It’s a way of understanding it.
Lloyd Alexander
Millay's Musings 
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