"North! Or Be Eaten" is an amazing, heart warming (and wrenching) book. Just as beautifully told as "On the Edge of the Dark Sea Darkness", this second book in the Wingfeather Saga will pull you even deeper into the story of the Wingfeather family as they fight for what they love, try to find who they are, and find a place of safety while being pursued by the deadly Fangs of Dang. A GREAT read for all ages!

I really liked the first book in this series, but I loved this one. I read it while travelling and I was chuckling audibly at some parts and just so completely absorbed in others that my husband had to tell me to board the plane. Maybe I loved it more because I knew the characters and this world better this go round, but I also think this book is written with more depth of feeling. It's a middle grade novel, so it moves quickly, but this book makes more space for you to relate to the emotions as well as the actions of this saga.

The adventure of the Igibys/Wingfeathers continues!

After quite the harrowing escape from death and destruction, the Igiby/Wingfeather children have to come to grips over who they truly are, and how they've found themselves fleeing for their lives from the Fangs and He Who Must Not be Named. They've heard of the town of resistance up in the Ice Prairies and set off with the help of Oskar and Pete the Sock Man/Uncle Arthram. But, can they cross the forest in time? Can they make it without detection in Dugtown? Can Tink come to grips with what his identity means? Can Janner protect them all? What about Podo? He seems to be keeping yet more secrets from the family, ones that even his daughter Nia know nothing of.

Continuing with the themes of identity, destiny, and repentance, North or Be Eaten takes us on a journey fleeing the rubble of Glipwood Township, in search of the remote outpost of resistance living in the Ice Prairies far to the north. However, the journey is fraught with dangerous animals that can eat you in a few bites, bands of roving Stranders, grieving parents in search of a way to get their children returned, and the ever present Fangs of Dang and a betrayal by the one they sought refuge from.

North or Be Eaten continues the saga of the Wingfeathers as well as On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness began it. In my experience, the second book of a series typically is found lacking for story. This was not the case here. North or Be Eaten is as strong of a story as the first book and leads us to discover what the Fangs really are, and that there is always redemption available in some form when we've done things we are not proud of. This is ultimately a story of redemption for many people in the story. May we learn the lesson that no one is too far from repentance.

This is probably an "it's not the book, it's me" case. Everyone seems to love this book, but I just can't get into it. I thought the first book was just okay (see my review here), but nothing great, and I only picked this second one up because I got it via Netgalley before reading book one.

I read about 15% of this, and again it is giving me Narnia and Redwall vibes. So if you like those books you will probably like this series as well. I am going through a (reading)slump at the moment and this is Not the book that will get me through it. So I quickly decided to give up on it.

I would still like to thank Netgalley for sending me this.


Because I DNFed it so quickly I'd rather not give it a star rating. My review will be posted on my blog on the 9th.

Wonderfully imaginative adventure story. Appeals to all ages - our whole family listens to the audio book together. That’s two adults, a five year old, a seven year old, and an eleven year old, and we have lively discussions about the plot, the characters, and the story as well as motivation, integrity, etc. So much can be learned from this other world that contains good and evil just like our own!

We love the Wingfeather Saga and are so excited to have the beautiful new illustrations. They add so much to the stories. Can’t wait to see what #3 and #4 look like when they come out.

This is a re-release of the second book in Peterson's popular Wingfeather Saga, and this book is the one that really captured my interest in the full set.. Joe Sutphin's illustrations are spot on! I will be buying the hardcover editions of these books. Do yourself a favor and add these books to your reading/purchasing list.

Andrew Peterson is a writer/musician that is very well known among his following. I had not heard of the Wingfeather Saga prior to this but have researched and found he has quite a following throughout the years. This is a rerelease of the series in a hardback cover with new illustrations. While this is not my normal genre of book, I truly enjoyed the story and can see where it would definitely be a hit with a preteen and older crowd.

The stories are action packed and full of adventure. Janner, Tink, and Leeli are the main characters of this story. These children are very brave and able to tackle any obstacle that comes their way. Along their journey they meet many friends and foes. There are many areas where I was on the edge of my seat just reading. I can't wait to see how their story ends.

I highly recommend this author and this series for anyone who loves fantasy and adventure. I am honored to be selected by the publisher to review these works on netgalley. All opinions are mine.

I actually enjoyed this book in the series more that the first which never happens when reading series. The humour in the book was definitely amped up, but I feel like it did so in a better way further in the book, the first section still wasn't quite there for me. I think the characters could have done with a bit more development and you would think that by this point in these rather large children's books they would be fully developed but unfortunately they were not. I don't think I would carry on with the series but I think for the right audience they would genually really enjoy this story.

Andrew Peterson has done it again! This book is an incredible addition to the series. The story is absolutely captivating and enjoyable for the entire family. It has become one of our family favorites, one we'll return to again and again.

North! Or be eaten by Andrew Peterson is an amazingly awesome work! Andrew Peterson is truly a gifted writer. He has a way with words, being able to grab your attention and take you deep into another world. I love this book!

A fun read! I didn't know what to expect when I started this one, but I liked the cover, and the blurb sounded fun. I really enjoyed it, though, and am glad I got the chance to read it! I enjoyed the characters, and the story was well written!

I am thoroughly hooked on this story now. We have followed the family from their home into the woods and so begins their journey to the ice fields where they feel they’ll be safe from the fangs. Along the way the children are forced to grow up. They try and run from their responsibilities but are faced with the consequences of their actions and must come to terms with the reality of their situation. They discover more about the fangs and their plans and meet some interesting people along the way, some that are exceedingly mean and some that are amazingly helpful.
A heartbreaking and hopeful coming of age tale that all ages will enjoy. I can’t wait to see what happens next to our weary and resilient band of travellers.

*I was given a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review; all opinions expressed are my own.*

North! Or Be Eaten is overall an excellent sequel to On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness. It is clear to see that Janner and Tink are both changing and maturing as their character arcs progress and this is such a delight to watch. There were many things to enjoy about this installment of the Wingfeather saga, like the crafty twists and turns, new faces, and a further expansion of the world the Igiby children know.

However, North! Or Be Eaten suffers from the same flaws as Dark Sea of Darkness -- a slow beginning and various scenes that feel like unnecessary filler. Other than these, the story is relatively solid and does push me to want to read the next book.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Solid second book in a series, more interesting and complex than the first!

4-4.5 stars

I definitely liked this better than the first book. It was a bit more complex and less frustrating than the first book. The exciting rescues that occurred also didn't seem quite as contrived although they were just as exciting! There were some very sad parts, but they were realistic and made sense in the context of the story. I liked that things didn't resolve in a need package tied up in a bow, the way it felt sometimes with the first story. I also liked that the divide between "good" and "bad" wasn't quite so clear cut and that some of the "good" guys did evil and some of the "bad" guys were actually pretty cool (Maraly, for instance). We also see where some of the Fangs come from and it makes me feel sorry for them (and extra mad at the ones who are responsible). Overall, this is a darker, more serious book than the first one, but I like the direction it's taking as the original characters become more complex and less cliched and we meet some very interesting new characters. My favorite was probably Maraly! She was totally kickass. For the older characters, I like how Janner sees the connection between himself and Artham, and I love what happens with Artham. Podo's backstory was somewhat unexpected, but it explains a lot and I love Leeli's magical music and the impact it has on everyone.

I am now looking forward to further adventures in this series!

Special thanks to #AndrewPeterson, #NetGalley, and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Once again, Andrew Peterson surprised me by his writing abilities. Not just a songwriter (though I do enjoy his music), Peterson has crafted a unique world with fascinating (and hilarious) creatures and beautiful characters.

While the first book in the series, On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness, was a fun introduction to the Wingfeather family, Peterson's writing and creativity advanced tremendously in this second book, in my opinion. His characters were better developed, and his plot was built on more thoroughly. Peterson continues his tongue-in-cheek rendition of the fantasy genre, though a little less heavy handed in this second book (though the Toothy Cows are still a thing, which is great).

If you're looking for a light introduction into allegorical and (mildly) philosophical writings, this is a fantastic series. With moral and faith-based themes woven throughout, it is a fun way to enjoy deeper concepts such as family loyalty, trust in God (or "the Maker"), repentance from evil, forgiveness, hope and standing for truth, especially for young adults.

I'm really looking forward to book three in the series.

So we are back with Tink, Janner and Leeli, who now know who they are and why they are being chased. The book picks up right where the first book left off and it is immediately gripping and exciting to read. I loved this a lot more than the first one! I actually loved this surprisingly much. It has a lot more action and the plot was always driven forward by something I did not see coming, which was fun.

This book also follows one of the sibling more than the others: Janner. I personally loved this! It made it a lot more interesting to read the book, to know how he experienced it and what he thought about things. Janner, who now knows he is The Throne Warden, tasked with protecting his brother. But his brother seems to be so ungrateful and uninterested in his sudden role as king, and Janner can’t help but be annoyed. We see Janner grow a lot as a person in this book, he becomes a lot more independent and more secure in himself. He’s slowly but surely learning to trust himself.

Another thing I loved about North!, as opposed to the first book, is that the world-building grew a lot. Because the characters are running through foreign lands, we get to experience more of the world alongside them, which was a lot of fun. We also finally got to know more about Podo’s past, and why he knows everything he does. We, alongside the characters, get to experience being chased by monsters in the woods, trying to outsmart the thieves known as Stranders, being caught and separated and having our wits and loyalties put to the test. This was a proper exciting book to read, and I think it is perfect for the younger audience and families. The book also has fun illustrations, footnotes and maps, which makes the world seem all the more real.

I would highly recommend this book, and this series, to anyone looking to go on an adventure! It’s a perfect read for parents reading to their children or for youngsters reading on their own. It is also a lot of fun for the older audiences, like me! I really loved it and I will most likely be continuing on with the series, to read book 3 and 4.

I CAN'T EVEN COPE RIGHT NOW. WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ME ANDREW PETERSON???!!!! *endless screaming*

My heart is tangled in knots. Again. As if it wasn't enough to absolutely destroy me the first time, you had to do it again. Only this time you scared me so bad I put off reading it for a week. :P

*Side Note* This review is full of spoilers for those who haven't read the first book. 😃

Only amazing storytellers cause such emotion to rise in me, and I doubt I could relay to you my joy at the torture finally being over. 😂 The torture of watching these beloved characters suffer through so much. It's like we just get bad thing after bad thing after bad thing and FINALLY, the ending helps heal us...a little bit. *sigh*

Andrew Peterson reminds me of C. S. Lewis and Robin McKinley combined (in some weird way). Both are masters at storytelling and yet can be so deep. I don't think Mr. Peterson gets as deep as either of them, but his style is similar. He adds his own taste of humor as well. :) I've really enjoyed being immersed in his world.

Setting ~ The ice prairies, all manner of lands and experiences. I felt like the setting was always changing (because they were always on the move) and keeping you excited. The surrounding elements definitely added color and suspense to the adventure.

Plot ~ Well...I've noticed a lot of mixed opinions on the pacing, but to me, it was really fast-paced--especially because the chapters are so short. The action, emotions, decisions, etc that the characters dealt with really effected the story nicely.

Description ~ My heart is invested in Andrew Peterson's details. His way of describing things is unique, and I really liked that. The scenery and hard choices Janner had to make were really detailed well, and forced you to see--feel--like you were really there.

Content ~ Ehhh....it can get violent. And there were somethings that could definitely be triggering for anyone who has controlling fears. I'd rate it PG 13 mostly for the action and violence.

Characters ~ They twisted my heart in knots. They're epic. And honestly, Podo's secret surprised me...but I wasn't surprised if those contradicting statements make sense. 😂😂😂 The development was amazing.

Janner ~ I love how he's grown into his Throne Warden instincts and allowed them to build him. His love for his siblings is so heartwarming. I weirdly like how he fought with Tink because it shows that he himself is flawed, and I love flawed characters. 😏

Kalmar (AKA Tink) ~ I felt bad for him. He doesn't have a father figure to guide him into his role as King. He's alone in a way that other people can't fix. He now has a weight of responsibility that has nearly strangled his youth from him...and because of this struggle, he now suffers for a fatal mistake. 😭😭😭

Leelie ~ Again. I loved her so much. She's so adorable and yet acts all grown up. A mature young Song Maiden that her mother has raised perfectly. If she has any faults I haven't discovered them yet...and I'm kinda disappointed by that. . .TBH. But I overlook that often because of her gift in music. 😂😏

Podo ~ I wanna strangle you rn. Why? I mean why on the face of God's green planet would you go and do a thing like that? *headdesks multiple times*

Overall ~ Nothing cliche or annoying. I really loved this hard-worked tale that left me screaming. Although I hope for some slight reprieve at the beginning of the next book before everything picks up pace again. ^.^

**FTC DISCLOSURE** I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review (you're awesome NetGalley!!). This is my personal review (aka my opinion), so if you were offended by anything that was said don't take it personally. It wasn't meant to offend. Thanks! :)

Due to time restrictions, I wasn't able to get to this title. I will say that the entire series looks amazing, and I will be reading it in the future.

Andrew Peterson is one of the very best modern YA writers I have read. His command of language, his ability to paint you into the story, and his storylines are fabulous. While the first book in the Wingfeather saga began painfully slow, albeit with a lot of wit and amusement, this one begins smack in the action of the life of Tink, Janner, Leeli, Nia, and Podo. The story gets increasingly exciting. I will not reveal any spoilers, but know that these books are WELL worth your time in reading, even as an adult. Especially one such as I. I love YA and particularly fantasies. Introducing my son to the Hobbit has been lovely. While these are slightly more intense they are on the docket for future reading and I will likely purchase all of the audiobooks.

North! or be eaten, isn't as quick a read as the first in the series. This is mainly because so much is happening. We are following along in the adventures of Leeli, Tink, Janner and their family. In book one they are finding out who they are and the story is based in their town. In this book the adventures are fully in action. The family are separated, captured, torched, saved, betrayed and escape over and over.

I love this series and shall be buying them all to share with my daughter and nephew when they are available to buy.

Exiting, thrilling and a jolly good old fashioned adventure.