Much later than I planned, but here it is.
As I posted last week, I got the opportunity to read and review Andrew Peterson's new book, "On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness" before it hit bookracks. I was really excited to receive that package in the mail. But I was a little apprehensive too.
What if I didn't like it?
What if I couldn't read it by the deadline.
What if...?
I don't know what I was worried about. From the moment I cracked the cover of the book, I was mesmerized by writing that echoes Andrew's songwriting, storytelling, and true imagination. Everytime I tried to put it down, I was drawn back into the story. I managed to get cover to cover (close to 300 pages), in a matter of hours.
As much as I'd like to compare it to Narnia...it's not. Yes, it's got kids. Yes, it's got creatures that talk. But "On the Edge..." is in a genre of it's own.
The book tells the story of the Igiby children - two brothers and a sister - and their life in Skree. Janner, the eldest boy, longs for a life of action and adventure, far away from the sleepy town he calls home. Through the story, the children learn who they are and what they are made of. They learn that a person is not always what he seems, and that loyalty and integrity are much more important and valuable than fame or fortune.
Andrew's characters are engaging and intriguing. The story travels fast, and before you know it you're entrapped in a world of toothy cows, singing dragons, thwaps, and stinky Fangs.
For those of you familiar with Andrew's music live or via CD, the book captures his lighthearted wit and boyishness. Although I know the story was borne out of bedtime stories he told his own three children, I can see some of the excitement from "Little Boy Heart Alive" in Janner and his younger brother Tink. And baby sister Leeli steals your heart with her confident bravery and sweetness.
The book is sprinkled with anecdotes and footnotes that will make you laugh outloud. Their placement and descriptiveness add shadows and detail to an already well-defined story. If you skip any of the special notations...including the introductions and appendices...you are truly missing out.
The only negative I can say is that now I have to wait until the second book of the trilogy comes out. I don't know that I can wait that long to find out where the Igibys land next.
So the bottom line: get a copy of this book and find yourself lost in the most creative story you've read in years.
Here's how to get it: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1400073847
