North! Or Be Eaten by Andrew Peterson Review

Book Two of The Wingfeather Saga by Christian Singer/Songwriter

Aug 26, 2009 Shane Werlinger

North! Or Be Eaten by Andrew Peterson is the second book in the fantasy series The Wingfeather saga. Peterson is a successful Christian musician and author.

It’s a rare feat when an artist can excel in more than one art form. There have been many successful actors that have tried their hand at music and didn’t do so well and vice versa. Andrew Peterson is an accomplished Christian singer/songwriter that has excelled at writing music and has made a stab at writing books.

Waterbrook Press published Peterson’s first book, On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness: Adventure. Peril. Lost Jewels. And the Fearsome Toothy Cows of Skree, in March of 2008. On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness is the first book of the Wingfeather saga. Waterbrook has now released Peterson’s second book, and the second in the Wingfeather saga, North! Or Be Eaten: Wild Escapes. A Desperate Journey. And the Ghastly Fangs of Dang.

The Wingfeather Saga

In the first book we are introduced to the world of Aerwiar and the Igiby family. North! Or Be Eaten picks up right where the On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness leaves off.

The Igibys, now known as the Wingfeathers, are making their plans in the tree lair of Peet the Sockman, aka Artham Wingfeather, the Igiby children’s long lost uncle, in Glipwood forest. They are rudely interrupted by the Fangs of Dang and their journey starts; boy does it start.

The hapless group is chased by the Fangs of Dang, nearly eaten by a Gargan Rockroach, captured by Standers, betrayed by allies, and so much more. The goal of all of this is to get the Wingfeather children, also known as the Jewels of Anniera, to the Ice Prairies where a group of rebels is said to be gathered. Between Glipwood Forest and the Ice Prairies is a desperate journey filled with wild escapes and the Fangs of Dang.

North! Or Be Eaten is Exciting

Andrew Peterson shows that he can carry over his storytelling talent from his songs to his books with On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness. North! Or Be Eaten shows that he is able to take that storytelling to another level.

The first book set the stage and introduced us to the main characters paving the way for North! Or Be Eaten. The second book builds on the solid foundation delving to the heart of the story. Because the business of introducing the characters has been done, Peterson gets right to the meat of the story. Right from the beginning the reader is taken on a rollercoaster ride of thrills that lasts to the end.

Mixed with all of the excitement the characters grow and change and learn. The story is told mainly through the eyes of Janner, the oldest of the children and Throne Warden of Anniera. The reader watches him grow up and take on his responsibility and struggle with the hard decisions he must make.

Even though the focus is mainly on Janner, Tink, the middle child and High King of Anniera, fights against his fate and responsibilities. The consequences of his actions cut his family to the bone, literally. Their little sister Leeli, the Song maiden of Anniera, is a sweet girl that handles what has been thrust on her with grace and poise.

North! Or Be Eaten is Dark at Times

North! Or Be Eaten is chock full of adventure and excitement, but there are many times when there seems to be no hope and gets a little heavy. Moving on to the next chapter usually breaks through that darkness though, shinning that glimmer of hope. Peterson explains, “Sometimes it is necessary to paint the sky black in order to show how beautiful is the prick of light.”

Andrew Peterson has raised the bar with his latest book. On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness is the tasty appetizer to the rich and full main course that is North! Or Be Eaten. The only problem he may have is making the dessert taste as good. Peterson’s proven he can do it with his music, there is probably a good chance he can do it with his books as well.

The copyright of the article North! Or Be Eaten by Andrew Peterson Review in Sci-Fi/Fantasy Fiction is owned by Shane Werlinger. Permission to republish North! Or Be Eaten by Andrew Peterson Review in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.