A thrilling sequel to follow an already amazing book. 'North! Or Be Eaten' carries on the imaginative, quirky adventure of the first book, but it broadens the horizons and deepens the characters.

I was so drawn into the story and couldn't put it down. The struggles of the characters get a little darker here, and my heart ached for them as they battled through each obstacle.

The new settings were so imaginative and realistic. I loved where Andrew Peterson took the characters in this story--both physically and emotionally! It's a beautiful journey of growth, with a wild ride of laugh-inducing sections, and almost-tearful moments. A perfect mash of light-hearted and meaningful, with some heart-stopping action scenes in the mix!

I absolutely loved this book. It's definitely one I'll read to my kids one day.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. Thank you NetGalley for the e-ARC!

In my experience, the second book in a series is almost always the worst one, but I am pleased to say that in the Wingfeather Saga that is not the case. Some of the issues with the first book, such as the excessive footnotes, were either minor or entirely gone in this one. As the darkness in Skree grew stronger, the light did as well, giving this book a lot more depth. Often the second book in a series is awkward, as the stakes must be raised without making the story seem exaggerated or forced. In North! Or be Eaten the stakes are certainly higher, but it is achieved without ridiculousness. A lot of the loose threads from the first book were resolved, from what happened to Peet to Podo’s mysterious past. But a lot of variables are added as well. The characters face many different obstacles and trials, putting their courage to the test. And sometimes they fail. They must deal with guilt and forgiveness, betrayal and justice. Mistakes are made, life-changing ones, and more questions are raised than answered. The story is deeper and broader than the first one in every way. And darker. Which leads to a problem.

On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness is very much a kids’ book. The characters are young, the Fangs are only sort of scary, and there is the odd bit of toilet humor. I would be fine with giving it to a nine-year-old. North! Or be Eaten is not a kids’ book. Children being locked in a lightless box for three days is not something I would want read to a nine-year-old. I don’t think I would give this one to someone younger than twelve. It reminds me a lot of the How to Train Your Dragon series by Cressida Cowell. My brother and I read all of the books as they came out, so that as we got older, the books dealt with more serious issues and became more advanced. The series grew with us, and it remains one of our favorites. The same thing is happening in the Wingfeather Saga. It would have been great to read each book as they came out, but finding the right age to read them all at once might be difficult.

One other issue I had was that the characters felt… whiny. Mostly Janner and Tink, but that was already two people too many. They had plenty of emotions, and that was great, and while the results were important to the plot they still felt like a couple of six-year-olds sometimes. Which might be adding to my confusion about the intended audience. 

But the world-building was well developed, the plot picked up more, and the depth made it well worth reading. I continue to look forward to the rest of the series.

My daughter gobbled up both of these books, new editions with illustrations. She is so bummed she'll have to wait until September to complete her illustration series. Captivating plot line.

The saga continues! Peterson encourages his readers to return to the land of lizards, monsters, and enemies. Such great adventures for our characters. And yet it’s not all adventure. Siblings Janner, Tink, and Leeli must learn the importance of family, making this story a great analogy for your children.

As in Book 1, the footnotes add a lot to the story. A bit more serious than Book 1, the pace in this one was quicker, which many readers appreciate. I know I do. So if you and your children enjoy the fantasy genre then continue on with the Wingfeather Saga.

I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.

This book. Ahhhhh. North! Or Be Eaten is the second in a series that is such an adventure for the whole family. Especially while we are in a phase of life that has us stuck at home, we read this one and On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness for a journey into a land of great adventure and excitement. Peterson writes with such conviction and beauty, but also grief and humor... It is a full range of connection for any reader. More than all of those, it is such an inspiring read; Peterson has crafted a book that makes you long for the end, an end that is full of joy and fulfillment. I am so thankful for these books and what they've meant to our family. 

Thank you so much to Waterbrook Press and Netgalley for the free eARC of this excellent read.

These are such wonderful middle grade/young adult books! I cannot praise enough that if you have a younger reader getting into fantasy and worry about them stumbling upon something too heavy or dark to pick these up! They land lord of the rings feels, but with such a great story.

I am going to make this review really short. The book 'North! Or Be Eaten' is the second book of the Wingfeather Saga. This book is a good sequel but I personally felt that the first book was a bit better. The are loads of bad things happening in this book. By the time I finished this book, I was filled with mixed emotions- anger, happiness, sympathy, sadness etc. The illustrations and the world-building was wonderful. The character-development was also great as most of the characters mature as the story goes on. But this book, unlike the first one, was filled with adventures right from the start. Another thing that I personally liked in this book is the ending which is filled with hope. 
Overall, this is a great saga, which would be loved by both adults and children, filled with adventure, fantasy, family drama etc. I am eagerly waiting to read the next book!
I thank NetGalley and WaterBrook & Multnomah for giving me this amazing opportunity to read and review this amazing saga.

This was a good sequel to the first book. Overall it didn't capture my attention very much though I'm sure others would disagree. I can see why people really love it but it just wasn't for me.

I've been in love with the Wingfeather Saga for a while now, and I was thrilled to discover the new editions! These books have beautiful new artwork sprinkled throughout the pages and an updated cover.
I rarely find a series of children's books that can make me cry. These books touch on themes much bigger than simple heroic quests, showing real darkness overcome by light and goodness in the end. The Wingfeather Saga starts off a bit slow in On The Edge Of The Dark Sea Of Darkness, picks up the pace in North! Or Be Eaten, and then comes to a crashing climax in The Monster In The Hollow and The Warden and The Wolf King. 
I would highly recommend the Wingfeather Saga.

"North! Or Be Eaten" by Andrew Peterson is the second in the Wingfeather series. The series is written for children but adults will love it, too. This book does not disappoint and continues the saga with the same intrigue and drama, but this second book is more intense and dark in some points, so if you read it with your children just be ready to explain and de-brief those parts. It's not a deal-breaker, just depends on what you feel like your kids can handle. I would suggest reading it first to ascertain how your kids will receive it, if that is an issue. 

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

Have you ever showed up late for a party? I know that sometimes it can be awkward like you missed the cake and people are already starting to wander their way to the door. But sometimes, you get welcomed in and it's like the party has been waiting for you to just get itself going. I was late to the Wingfeather Saga from Andrew Peterson, but it feels like the party has been waiting for me and for you to show up! And they've put on new party clothes to mark the occasion.

The Wingfeather Saga is the story of three young children that are heirs to the throne of the country Anniera that has been ransacked by an evil ruler who is determined to capture them as well. We meet Janner, Tink and Leeli in the first book of the series On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness, where they are just a small family living in the countryside of Skree and the land of Anniera is a fairy tale at best. Gnag the Nameless has taken over this land and is using Fangs to search for the children. The children are discovered and unexpectedly find themselves fleeing for their lives. They are not alone, their mother, grandfather, crazy uncle, and the faithful family dog are there to help them navigate the way. The first book is in someways an introduction to the action of book two North! Or Be Eaten.

North! Or Be Eaten seamlessly picks up the story of book one without a lot of retelling to weigh the story down. It's just enough in all the right places to remind of the things you may have forgotten since you read book one and to allow a new reader to pick up the story independently without too much confusion. The story of North! is the family's journey to the Ice Prairies, where they will hopefully escape the Fangs and Gnag the Nameless.

The family encounters several adventures along the way. Janner and Tink get separated from the family. Janner's journey is the focus of the story, showing us the life of children in Skree and the culture of those that live in the countryside.

These two books are the first of the re-release as hardcovers with illustrations. Even in the kindle version, the illustrations make the story richer and vibrant. The fantasy is well told, with enough that's different from the every day but also not so far fetched that the reader can't connect with the ideas. The stories aren't too scary for younger chapter book readers but adventurous enough that a parent reading along will keep their interest. I personally finished the second and sought out the third and fourth books so I could find out how the story ends.

If you're late to the party, come join us! This is a story that you and your children and children's children will enjoy for years to come.


Copies of books one and two were given to me by Waterbrook Multnomah for the purpose of review. I'm not required to write positive reviews but I'm always thankful when I can!

The illustrations for this new edition are absolutely gorgeous and perfectly compliment the characters and story world. It was like I was jumping straight into the scenes with the characters and could see and feel what they were experiencing. The characters were deep and layered, the plot was intense, and the world drew me in. The appendices and historical notes added some amusing anecdotes and were much less distracting than they were in book one. This series is perfect for the middle-grade reader with an interest in fantasy and adventure.

I am happy to say that I enjoyed this one more than the first book in this series. It still took me a ridiculously long time to read a 300 page middle grade book, but I'm going to say that's because life has been generally very distracting lately and not blame it on any part of this book. The cliff notes were thankfully fewer this time around which led to the chapters flowing with much more ease. It still was annoying to have to flip back and forth for the few that were still included but it wasn't quite as distracting as the first book.. 

The characters were still their same quirky selves which made it easy to jump right back into this world and continue on this journey from where the first book left off. I found that I liked the travel and adventure more knowing that they were on the move and so much more of the land and the creatures and the people were introduced which made this book feel a bit more lively. 

It was also a little darker and more gruesome with some pretty tough circumstances befalling Janner and Tink. They had to make some tough decisions and go through hell to keep their family together and fighting to bring Anniera back to fend off the Fangs and the new and even more evil Grey Fangs.

If I had time to sit down and read through the rest of this series I might keep going but as of right now there are a lot of other books calling to me and these were unfortunately not the quickest of reads. But I think maybe in the future I will continue just to find out what happens.

This second book in the Wingfeather Saga continues the adventures of the Igiby children that began in _On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness_.  While they encounter many heartbreaking trials, terrible enemies, and are forced to make hard decisions where it seems that neither option is good, there are also moments of shining hope and beauty.  

Peterson does a masterful job of delving into dark, relatable human emotions, such as Janner's struggle between loving Tink and wanting to protect him on the one hand, and anger with his impetuousness and disgust as his unworthiness on the other.  While these books make for great read-alouds with children, they have a depth of insight into suffering and joy, despair and hope, that adults will also find their own hearts revealed, broken, and reset to heal as they get caught up in the Igibys' journey.

A very good read!

I dived to this second volume with very good memories of the first volume, read a few months ago.
Unlike the first, this volume starts in action, with a leak from the first pages ... and it isn't the only one in this book. We learn more about the character of Peet, who intrigued me a lot since the first volume, but also about all the characters.
Again, the writing is very pleasant, and some passages can be appreciated more by reading them aloud ...

In short, a very nice second book! ^^

Read! and Be Delighted

It was delightful! When I picked up the first book in the series, On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness, I literally laughed out loud just reading the introduction. Then I found myself immersed in the saga of the Wingfeather children. This second book in the series continues the compelling tale of the Jewels of Anniera.

The method of storytelling bordered on ridiculous at times, in the way that only a fanciful tale can do, and for me personally that creativity is what made the book so delightful. I could imagine my own grandfather narrating such a story. I was truly swept along in a whimsical world full of joy and terror. I connected deeper with the truths of rejoicing in simple blessings, persevering through suffering and longing for a world without cruel injustice than I expected from a fantasy series billed for youth.

Peterson's storytelling and creativity truly shine creating a delightful tale for youth and adults alike. Even more, the deeper truths of discovering who you are and becoming who you were born to be, will challenge and inspire readers of all ages.

I highly recommend both On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness and its sequel North! or Be Eaten. I haven't enjoyed a tale so much in years.

If you have a tween boy, get these books for him. Tween boys are often hard to get interested in reading. These new editions have a few pictures, to entice them to read more, but the adventure and journey will pull any boy (AND his parents AND siblings) into the book. The book also has moments that left my kids breathless with laughter.

This book and the 4-book Saga as a whole, are in my personal top 5 books/series of all time. In fact, both my husband and I stole the book from the “read aloud” area so we could devour it faster. The 4-book journey is a beautiful, amazing, captivating, and heart-rending story of love, courage, redemption, family, and hope.

The Wingfeather Saga is a series. The second book picks right up where the first left off. While you might be able to start the series with this book, I recommend reading all four books in order.

I received this book via netgalley in exchange for a review. I was so happy to get this as I’d read the first book in this series and was looking forward to this next book. 
It did not disappoint. Again we are immersed in the world of the Igiby’s. No spoilers but it picks up where the last one left off. This world is amazing with its characters and creatures and towns. I can’t wait to read book 3. 
I just finished this and I’m still wiping tears (of joy? Of sadness? Not telling you). So good.

Book 2 was such a surprise!! The intricate plot, the twists I never saw coming, and that ending: you will fly through this adventure packed read! 

I love the artful language of the Wingfeather Saga. It is overall a masterpiece, and this book is a perfect fit. The artwork is beautiful & keeps the storyline flowing in my boys’ imaginations. Having the artwork makes reading it aloud more fun as they anticipate getting to ‘see’ what things look like. 

I would recommend this to adults and children alike. It is a story with high risk plot lines, so read with younger readers to comfort them during certain portions. You will love it!

I tried so hard to get through this book, but in the end it just wasn't for me. I absolutely loved the story and the characters, however.