Cover Image: North! Or Be Eaten

North! Or Be Eaten

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Member Reviews

Andrew Peterson does not disappoint with the second volume of the Wingfeather Saga. This outstanding sequel pulls on the heartstrings even more than the first. Peterson's character arcs are top-notch. As the stress builds during their journey north and away from the fangs, the children's relationships begin to suffer. You can sense the internal anguish that all three of them possess as the grapple with life-threatening dangers, jealousy, stubbornness, and pride. Yet Janner never gives up on his mission of becoming a Throne Warden of Anniera. He will - and does - travel to the ends of the earth to rescue, and his king.

This book takes an unexpected turn that impacts the rest of the saga permanently. Yet as outlandish as the premise, the character responses are so true. Ultimately, this book deepens one's understanding of the sibling relationship and what it means to love above all else.

Well done, Andrew Peterson!

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I find The Wingfeather Saga reminiscent of the Narnia series, but not derivative, insofar as there are young children facing real danger, overcoming obstacles, and learning what it is to be brave.  

North! Or Be Eaten is the second in the four-part series. The Igiby family has left their home and they are setting out for a new land. The children are learning more about their world and the historical events that led to the present moment. The first volume was more meandering, whereas this installment is filled with regular danger. There is no guarantee that everyone will be okay; there is sacrifice and loss that must be faced.

This book was previously published in 2009, but the purpose of this new release is to roll out illustrated hardcovers (books 1 and 2 were released this March 2020, while books 3 and 4 are slated for release in the fall of 2020). There are about ten black-and-white pictures in this volume.

I confess that the former covers didn't draw me in and felt dated to me (this helps to explain why I never read the series before now). This new cover is captivating, and the illustrations draw you in. I highly recommend being introduced to the Wingfeather Saga through the illustrated volume.

I am not a huge reader of fantasy as an adult, so while I was open to the story, more of my thought process was, "My oldest will really devour this series!' I believe my nearly ten-year-old is more than ready for this fantasy series, whereas, even as a read-aloud, some of the action might be too much for my tender kindergartner. I am interested to see how the story transforms in later titles.

(I received a digital ARC copy from WalterBrook & Multnomah via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.)

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Wingfeather series book #2. The Lost Jewels of Anniera, Janner, Tink and Leeli Igiby, are hiding out from the Fangs. Gnag the Nameless wants them alive for some unknown reason and the Fangs are desperate to find them. With a warning from their friend, the town bookseller, the Igibys are able to escape just ahead of the Fangs finding their hideout. Now they must head North but the way is treacherous and who can you trust when you are on the run.
This second book in the series is better paced and is a sure bet for fantasy adventure fans.
#NorthOrBeEaten #NetGalley

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My son and I fell in love with North! Or Be Eaten! It is such a great fantasy adventure novel that leave no room for boredom! We can't wait for the next book in this saga! We recommend.

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Name: North! Or Be Eaten
Author: Andrew Peterson
Genre: Children Fiction, Fantasy, Sci-fi
Age: +6
Review:
Sequel of On The Edge of The Dark Sea of Darkness.
The cover is full of illustrations, which makes it eye catching for the readers.
First they found themselves on the edge of the dark sea of Darkness, but now they are forced to the North or be eaten.
Three siblings, Janner Igiby, Tink and Leeli were supposed to be ordinary children with a normal past. But the truth is uncovered now, they are the Lost Jewels of Anniera, heirs to a legendary kingdom across the sea, and suddenly everyone wants to kill them.
The story follows from the end of the first book, where the three children, Janner Igiby, Tink and their crippled sister Leeli have to flee to the Ice Prairies in order to survive against the lizardlike monster, Fangs of Dangs.
Master storyteller, Andrew Peterson returns with his quirky writing style and homour. The story is thrilling and enchanting for the readers and it feels like this book devours the reader's attention with absolutely amazing story and wonderful illustrations throughout the pages of the book.

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North! Or Be Eaten is not only an adventure story with heart, travail, victory and perseverance, it tells the story of growing from immaturity to maturity by learning that sacrifice and giving are far more fulfilling than selfishness and self-protection. As the Wingfeather children continue fleeing from their pursuers, through defeat and victory, mistakes and forgiveness, they come closer to realizing their true selves and who really holds their destinies. Andrew Peterson grows in his storytelling with each volume in this fabulous Saga. Praise be to the Maker!

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This whole series is probably going to be golden. I have no idea how I'd never heard of it before. It's definitely up there with the Hobbit and The Chronicles of Narnia. I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good story full of bravery and fantastical adventure. The characters mean something, the story is grand, and the environment is unprecedented. I can't wait to continue reading more!

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ook Live reading and it was so enjoyable.

I love how Andrew Peterson captures the birth-order struggles. You truly feel the challenges of Janner as the oldest resenting his younger siblings' needs eclipsing his own needs. It's subtle, but impactful as the characters work through the struggles and consequences of making bad decisions.

And those bad decisions can be heartbreaking. That's what makes this series so good. The characters aren't perfect. While they falter and fail, as a reader you don't feel annoyed by their missteps, but you feel compassion because it is so relatable. This is me. I fail, feel shame, and believe I'm a lost cause.

Andrew Peterson writes hope. This story gets dark, but it's never without hope. The dark is what brings the incredible beauty of the light. It is allowing others into our pain, failures, and messes that we can receive the love that the Maker offers.

The stories are just getting better, and we didn't wait a day to start into reading the next book of the series: The Monster in the Hollows!

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All of my opinions are my own!

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Andrew Peterson has penned another great story! The magical journey continues as the Igiby family presses northward to escape the Fangs and meet up with others who want to be rid of the Fangs. The journey is filled with many dangerous trials for these sojourners and leads the reader on an adventurous ride through hollows, abandoned ghostly mansions, rockroach invested valleys, and dark forests filled with toothy cows. The creatures are quite the combination of animals with suitable silly names. The added illustrations were delightful, and I'm sure kids and adults alike will enjoy them. The Igiby children are each learning and growing in different ways throughout the story. I appreciated the struggle the characters went through and the lessons that were learned with regard to jealousy, bitterness, secrets and shame.
This story beautifully pulls in the reader and captures their attention page after page. I can't wait to read the next book! If your tween is looking for a series that will take them on a fun adventure, then pick up these new hardback books of Andrew Peterson's Wingfeather Saga! I will also say that these books are enjoyable for adults too, so don't be afraid to pick them up for yourself!

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I thought the follow up to this series was one of those few sophomore books that trumped the first one. You find out more on the characters and to me the writing was stronger. Kids will love it!

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The Igilby children are well on their way to the safety of the Ice Prairies but of course their adventures along the way take many twists and turns. There were moments when I laughed out loud and enjoyed the humour - Nurgabog’s name matches her description and she doesn’t deny that she is as “ugly as a dittoed” but has never lost her romantic streak. Meanwhile Tink meets Maraly, a girl Strander who is as tough as nails and covered in dirt - but proves to be a trustworthy friend. Sara’s blue eyes haunt Janner and we wonder if they will meet again after she helps him to escape a horrible prison. There were moments when and I had to turn the page to see what happened next and other times when my whole body felt the relief of a rescue at the last moment.
And then there was the box. This piece of writing was moving and I resonated with the aloneness that Janner felt as he was entombed in darkness - the sort that comes from feeling completely helpless, overwhelmingly lonely - and in this case it was real as well. I was reminded of a similar line in one of the author’s song lyrics when I read… “And the Maker’s answer was a hollow silence.” I come to this book as an adult - but I appreciate the inclusion of sadness in a children’s book. Janner is learning how to be a grown up, how to navigate adventures and his own emotions. It seems fitting that the sadness is not glossed over.

This second book in the Wingfeather Saga is better than the first and I eagerly anticipate reading the third!

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I requested and receive an e-ARC of this book from NetGalley and WaterBrook & Multnomah publishers in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this book! I cannot wait to read books 3 and 4 because I need to know what happens to the Igiby family.

I thought the Ice Prairies were awesome and the creatures that the author has created are fantastic!

#NorthOrBeEaten #NetGalley

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The adventure with the Igiby children continues in "North! or Be Eaten." This is a wonderful second installment in the Wingfeather Saga. The story teaches of love, loyalty, courage, perseverance, honesty, and faithfulness. This is a book that the whole family will be challenged by and will enjoy!

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Book 2 of the Wingfeather Saga takes off right where Book 1 ends, and I do mean takes off. It is a rocket ride of adventure and tension and excitement, and worthy of binge reading.

The Igiby children know now that they are really the Wingfeather children, the jewels of Anniera. Janner, the Throne Warden. Tink, the High King. Leeli, the Song Maiden. And Nia is Queen. That brings burdens that each of them must shoulder. Janner is a wonderfully drawn teenager. He loves his headstrong, willful brother, but loses patience with the jams he has to pull Tink out of. After all, his role as Throne Warden is to protect the King. Tink struggles with the position he finds thrust upon him. He has never known his father, and he has no one to teach him how to manage the responsibilities of kingship. Never mind that he currently has no kingdom to be responsible for, Tink is constantly reminded that he is the king and must act accordingly.

In the course of trying to make their way to the Ice Prairies, Janner and Tink are separated, first from the family, and then from each other. Can Janner find Tink? Has Tink made an irredeemable choice? Will either (or both) of them find their family? What awaits them in the Ice Prairies? The story answers these questions in epic fashion, and we also get some insight into Podo's past.

I love these books. There is good and evil, and battle between the two. There is doubt, and resolution into faith. There is love and family and so much more. I've seen some reviews that describe these books as intense, and they are. But my 11-year-old is loving them, and so am I. They're great for reading aloud, or for reading to oneself.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley (and boy, am I glad I did!). All opinions here are my own, and I don't say nice things about books I don't like.

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I'm so glad I started reading this series! The first book spent quite a while building a quirky world to set the story in, but this book dives right in to the adventure. There were several sections that I had to read late into the night because I didn't want to put it down.

In addition to the suspense, this book draws you a lot deeper into the minds and inner conflicts of the characters. The battles in the souls of the Wingfeathers is shown as at least as significant as the battles with Fangs and trolls.

I'm looking forward to reading this series with my kids when they get a bit older and I'm also looking forward to continuing with this series.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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