As often happens in a multi-volume series, there's one volume that seems to slow down a bit. That would be the first part of this book. Don't get me wrong. It was still delightful to read about the Igiby-Wingfeathers settling in to their lives in the Hollow as well as dealing with the Hollow residents prejudices against Kalmar. But when the action does finally pick up, it's non-stop with plenty of twists and turns and surprises. The book ends well, with a moment of quiet before the battle that will inevitably come in the final book of the series.

I’m dead! 😵
I think this is by far my favorite book in the series!

This book started on a happy note and slowly escalated with more and more conflict. It was well paced and there was space to breathe between each problem or rather trouble that occurred. The story was adventurous. The troubles made me nervous. The lessons touch my heart in a special way.

What I love about this book or this series is the developing characters. I enjoy seeing how they grow and mature and face challenges in life. They learnt to overcome circumstances and doubt through love and perseverance. I especially was so proud of Janner when he stood up to the bully for his brother.

The best part for me though was the ending. There was so many plot twist! Even though I expected them, I was still wreaked! The revelations were astounding but in the end, the joy was taken away by death. I was devastated! Why allow readers such a short lived happiness? 😭

Even so, I’m excited to read the next installment and then I’ll be investing my money in a set of the physical books 😍 I mean.. it’s so worth to keep them as a collection!

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from WaterBrook & Multnomah through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I received a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review from the publisher via NetGalley. Thank you to author Andrew Peterson, to the publisher WaterBrook & Multnomah, and to NetGalley for this opportunity. The Wingfeather trilogy books are getting new hardback editions with new illustrations. How exciting!

The Monster in the Hollows delivers an exciting non-stop final third with so many twists and turns that I did not see coming. To the readers who may find that this book starts a little slow, as I did, I say keep reading. It's worth it! If I could give partial star ratings, I would give this a 3.5, as it is clearly a good book for the target demographic. Since I personally felt that the first two-thirds were quite slow during my read through, I cannot personally give it 4, but readers who have recently enjoyed the previous two books may be more forgiving of world-building tangents. Consider this a very high 3-star, almost 4-star rating.

I confess that this is the first Wingfeather book I've read, and I expected to be confused. I wasn't! The cast is arriving in a new place at the beginning of this installment, so there's a lot of worldbuilding and history to explore. Through the process of all that, any reader new or old should be informed enough about the events of the previous two books to proceed without feeling like information is missing. I hope that doesn't mean readers who start at the beginning of the series and read through without delays between books might find the world-building repetitive, but as I did not read the previous book, I cannot comment on that.

The school system in this new country is very interesting, and clearly not at all what the kids are used to. Although I felt sorry for Janner not being able to choose the specialty that called to him, since he had to go where his brother chose to go, experiencing the two brothers together in what seems to be this world's version of cadet training is highly entertaining. (Get the boot!)

Although the first two-thirds of this book didn't particularly grip me, I'm not the target audience. Progressive adults looking for a light read may be bothered by the frequent affirmation of traditional gender roles, and at points I felt that the rejection of evil message was in danger of bordering on xenophobia, which I don't think was the author's intent. That said, this is most definitely an entertaining family read for Christian families with preteen children who enjoy fantasy worlds and creatures. This book features strong themes of family values, faith, forgiveness, and defending what is good and right.

The Monster in the Hollows continues the story of the Jewels of Anniera,:Jenner, Kalmar and Leeli. They are about to enter the land of Anniera for the first time, their homeland where they are considered royalty. After escaping Gnag the nameless and crossing the Dark See of Darkness, the children began to piece together their families history. On top of that they have a fantastic adventure that includes, swords fights, songs and them befriending a monster who in fact may hold the key to solving more mysteries of the past. The new illustrations have made this book even more memorable. This book is worth reading over and over again, it has a beautiful story about a family, who is not always perfect, but in the end is always there to forgive, love and encourage one another.

Following the adventures of our great protagonists we venture to new adventures, and people, in this book is more full of answers to our questions from the first 2 books, it is a story that has amazed me in its creative way and its construction of the world, the family is still the important thing in this book, fighting against adversity and seeing that light of hope and quality so that the family is finally together and heals and is happy.
Without a doubt this is a saga that deserves to be read and to be able to enjoy the great world

The three Wingfeather siblings finally reach the Green Hollows, where their mother grew up, and hope that finally they are safe. But are they truly safe? With Gnag the nameless after them, how long can it actually last? When will they be found again, and where else is left for them to go?

Finally, I got some answers! I was once again impressed with Andrew Peterson’s creative talents. He manages to weave depth into a children’s book that you don’t find very often. And not the normal attempted depth, someone’s grandma dying, or a parent losing a job, or losing a friend -- what you normally find in children’s books, and what is normally ineffective. This book had real depth. The story of a family trying to find happiness when the whole world is up against them. The story of finally finding it, only to have it ripped away -- again. This is the story of music, magic and mistakes. It’s a tale of looking past appearances. It’s about sacrifices, both large and small.

There are some problems that I feel were glossed over too much. Why do the Wingfeathers always run and hide, instead of trying to do anything about Gnag and the Fangs? I don’t like to say it, but they come across as… selfish. They never seem to form real attachments to the people they have lived among for years. We really only hear about the present, which seems rather simplistic. Also, Leeli is completely perfect. When has she done anything wrong in all three books so far? It’s starting to bother me.
But I guess to put it in perspective, if these are my biggest complaints about a book, the book must be pretty good.

I don’t have much to say that I didn’t say in my review of North! Or be Eaten. This book is very much a continuation of that one. I think it is just as good or better, but it left me with almost as many questions as answers. What will happen next? I plan to find out.

The joyful ending of the previous book only carries so far into the Green Hollows, where the residents are wary, to say the least, about having a Grey Fang in their midst. Even as his family defends him, Janner can't seem to help but be afraid of his brother as well. The Igibys begin to try to make their home in the Green Hollows, but there is more danger nearby than just the little Grey Fang.

Though there were some slower parts for me in this book, as I wasn't as interested in the school system in the Green Hollows, it was not nearly enough to detract from the rest of the book as an exciting, heart-filled addition to this series.

Looking back on it, most of what I'd want to expand on would be a spoiler, so I don't feel like I can say much in this review. However, as the danger ramps up, the heroes learn more and more who they are and who they should be. And though there were some dark and gut-wrenching moments, I have so much anticipation for the finale of this great series. More importantly, my 10-year-old daughter has gotten into this series since I started it, and she LOVES it! In fact, she's kind of obsessed with it. She's not an avid reader, so I'd say that's a huge endorsement.

I highly recommend this book, and the series so far, for folks of all ages who enjoy clean, fun fantasy adventures. And to restate from my previous reviews--you might see it labeled as Christian, and there are some references to a deity that many of the people believe in, but it is not overtly Christian.

On a technical note, I initially listened to this as an audiobook, which isn't normally my thing. It's narrated by the author, though, and he does such great voices and really makes the characters come alive. When I got a copy of the ARC, I flipped through to find all of the illustrations and extras that the re-release will have, and they are great too! Definitely worth having the physical copy when it comes out someday.