"On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness" by Andrew Peterson

I've been a casual listener of Andrew Peterson's music for a few years. I've often been struck at the way he uses his music to proclaim truth and tell stories in a way that is artistic and engaging. That being said I had no idea that Peterson had recently ventured into writing books until I stumbled onto his myspace page. At first I thought I had gone to the wrong Andrew Peterson, but to my surprise, the musician and the author were one and the same. Then again, it wasn't really a surprise at all. He has shown through his music that he is a masterful storyteller, so this venture into the young adult fantasy genre really is a perfect fit. I was instantly curious, and was grateful to see that my local library had the book in stock.

On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness (or OTEOTDSOD for short...ok nevermind) has been praised by Christian and secular critics alike. My favorite endorsement came from fellow Christian singer/songwriter and author Michael Card: “Sometimes, in order to find out who we were supposed to be, we need to get lost in other worlds: Oz, Camelot, Narnia. In On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness, Andrew Peterson provides new and needed places like Aerwiar, Skree, and Glipwood–places where we need to get lost and found.”

The story centers around the three Igiby children: Janner, Tink, and Leeli (could it be a coincidence that Andrew Peterson has two young boys and a little girl? I think not!), and their widowed mother and former-pirate peg-legged grandfather. The townspeople live in constant fear and submission to the Fangs (think orcs only more lizardy) who have taken over since the Great War and the black carriage which comes in the night to take children away never to be seen again.

Peterson is gifted in balancing the silly and the serious. There is plenty of wonder and fantasy to go around here. From the fanciful creatures Peterson has created (toothy cows, thwaps, horned hounds, etc.) and hilarious backstories which include original poems and songs and footnotes to make-believe books. At first it seems the reader will be overwhelmed trying to keep up with all the names of places and creatures which are hard (but fun!) to pronounce and border on Seussian. This feeling quickly goes away as the story progresses.

Yet there is also a seriousness in the danger the children face and the themes explored. There is real evil in the land and the author doesn't spare all the characters from bodily harm and death. It's a fine line to tread, but Peterson does it masterfully.

The chapters are short (there are over 50 of them) which makes it fun to read before bed (but beware dreams of Gnag the Nameless, toothy cows, and Fangs). It's a hard book to put down, as the chapters often end with you feeling you just have to keep reading to find out what happens. Peterson is currently working on the second installment to the Wingfeather Saga: "North! Or Be Eaten" (N!OBE).

Also, if you want to purchase this book, you can get it for a limited time for $12 and it will be autographed (and even personlized if you wish). Just go here