In this novel, the first book of The Wingfeather Saga, Andrew Peterson invites his readers to visit the
Land of Skree, a conquered land occupied by the Fangs of Dang, the villainous troops of Gnag the Nameless. Fangs
are terrifying creatures who look exactly like humans "except for the greenish scales that covered their bodies
and the lizard-like snout and the two long, venomous fangs that jutted down from their snarling mouths."
Except for that.
The Igibys - Podo, Nia, Janner, Tink and Leeli - lived in Glipwood township where garden pests, the
rodent-like Thwaps, fight back. For reasons unknown to the Igiby children, the local Fangs believe the Igibys are
protecting the legendary Jewels of Anniera. Consequently, the Igibys are persecuted more than any other villagers.
For the children of Skree there is a greater Boogieman than the dread Fangs. It is the Black Carriage which
sometimes arrives in the night and carries children off to Fort Lamendron where they are enslaved by the Fangs
of Dang.
Despite their constant fear, the folks of Glipwood celebrate the Dragons Day Festival when the sea dragons
rise from the deeps and enchant the people of Glipwood with their mesmerizing songs. During this festival, the
dragons themselves are entranced by Leeli Igiby’s evocative singing. The unexpected reaction of the dragons
focuses the Fang’s attention even more sharply on the already suspect family.
The ensuing tale is a fantastic, frightful frolic. A fabulous cast of characters populates this book. Some
are friends; some are foes. The Fangs of Dang reign most heinous, but the Ridgerunners, horned hounds and toothy
cows, cave blats and quill diggles trot at their heels. Oskar N. Reteep and the mysterious Peet the Sock Man wave
the Igiby colors. In this romping adventure story, Peterson’s playful language bubbles off the page like a porridge
pot overflowing. He creates creatures and images that would make Lewis Carroll grin. Flabbits, Meeps and Thwarps
scamper about. Horned hounds, toothy cows and cave blats haunt the forest. Peterson presents a menu with foods
sure to generate gags and giggles in young readers. He serves a "bowl of booger gruel" and a dish of "broiled
rump of snapping diggle."
I promise you, readers of On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness will reluctantly close its covers and
immediately holler for more, more, more.