I was able to join the launch team for Andrew Peterson's Wingfeather Saga - Book 4 - The Warden and the Wolf King.



Long review made short - If you are looking a a book series to hold your attention and full of adventure, read the Wingfeather Saga!



Okay, now to the review.



WARNING:



SPOILERS AHEAD!



What a ride book 4 was. Quite a bit longer than the other books, almost 200 pages longer. In book 4, it is obvious that the enemies and heroes will clash, with good and evil facing off.



What I didn't expect was all of the twists and turns along the way. As the book series focuses on Janner, and watching his growth in book 1-3, his growth seems to slow, or maybe even go backwards in book 4, before he becomes the hero of all.



Kalmar grew into his role as King in very impressive ways.



Leeli perhaps grew the most in Book 4. She showed her bravery and courage in the face of overwhelming circumstances.



I will admit that I shed tears through book 4 and found that although I may not have at first agreed with the turn of events, after the fact, I appreciated why Andrew Peterson wrote what he did, and it makes me love the series all the more.



If I had to describe The Warden and the Wolf King in one word, I would choose redemption. Redemption is everywhere, especially in unexpected situations.



I appreciate one particular quote which discusses the thought that light conquers the dark. So true that is. Whether physical or spiritual, light conquers the dark. Redemption is at hand.



Is the series dark at times? Perhaps, but so is our world. Could Andrew Peterson made the series all sunshine and rainbows, free of problems? Yes, but then what role would redemption play in the story? And redemption brings hope to the world.



I for one, appreciate this series, as it reminds us that there is hope to be found. Redemption awaits.

In this last book, Andrew continues to write an adventurous tale for both audiences of all ages. This series has been rereleased with new cover artwork and I hope more readers will discover it!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was disappointed with this one. It was probably just my expectations that were too high, but still. After the escalation throughout the rest of the series, I wanted something deep and relatable and satisfying, but instead I felt like everything happened too smoothly to be believable. On the bright side, Peterson did a very good job tying up all the loose ends, so it really does feel like the story is finished, which is satisfying.

This is the last book of the series. The Wingfeathers need to end Gnag the Nameless, defeat the Fang army, get back to Anniera, and figure out how to fix Kalmar. Of course, I can’t tell you how much of this happens, but for most of the book it all looks hopeless. But then it’s as if Peterson thought “Oh no! Nothing’s happening!” and then Poof! whatever problem they are trying to solve magically disappears. It wasn’t convincing enough. The standard formula: something is wrong -- they fight it for a while with no success -- they realize they were looking at it wrong/misunderstanding something -- this misunderstanding is corrected in about five sentences -- ta-da! Everything is fixed. This quickly became boring. Really? It’s that simple? It’s that easy to fix the problem? Yeah, right. Not in real life. It almost felt like Peterson had too many deadlines and just didn’t have the time to make this book really shine. The problem with the last book in a series is that it always affects how you remember the entire series, which is too bad for me in this case.

But enough negativity. There were several strong themes in this one that were built up to in previous books but were much better developed in this one: the importance of names; what it means to protect someone; anger with the Maker and selfishness, to name a few. I think Andrew Peterson was really trying to finish the story strong, and he did a good job of finishing up all of the different strands he had going at the same time. There were no loose ends at the end of the story, except for a… well, no spoilers. If your kids are reading it or you are reading it to them it will be a satisfying end to the Wingfeather Saga. It may not be better than The Monster in the Hollows, but it is probably not worse. It’s really just a continuation of the story, feeling pretty seamless from the last book.

All in all, everything was wrapped up well, but I was disappointed in the telling of the story.

Thank you to the publisher for giving me this free copy in exchange for an honest review.

I forgot to check if this one was the first in a series and accidently got a copy of the fourth one.
However I still read it because I was curios and it was quite fun. I quickly noticd the fun sketches in between pages and thought that gave it big spark. I also managed to catch on to the story and the situations quite quickly which was nice.
I enjoyed the story. it was pretty fast paced which I liked and there wasn't too much fuss in between the events. I think it's a great story for a younger audience and I think many will enjoy it as well.

This entire series is exceptional. The Warden and the Wolf King is a wonderful and heart-breaking end to the tale of the Wingfeathers (though I'll always hope for more!).

The Warden and the Wolf King is a book filled with adventure, a little mischief and a positive message of what it means to be a family. In this final installment of the series Janner, Kalmar and Leeli, prepare to defeat Gnag the nameless and his evil Fangs of Dang. The warden, king and song maiden each play an intricate part in bringing an end to the evil that has plagued the land for years.

We come to the end of adventures and a wonderful world that is undoubtedly one of the best I have read.
I would like to say more about the plot but I feel that the book will be ruined, with this book it was very exciting and emotional because it is already the end, and I will miss the brothers Janner, Kalmar and Leeli; This book and the others give you a great narrator and that makes you enjoy the story more.

War has come to the Green Hollows and surrounding lands. King Kalmar knows that fighting the overwhelming forces of Fangs won't be enough, though, and is determined to confront Gnag the Nameless himself. The Wingfeathers hope for a better future and a return to their homeland, but what will it cost to get there?

Again I find myself wishing I could say more, but not wanting to have to post behind a spoiler tag. The conclusion to the saga was at least as amazing, if not more so, as the run to get here. For a series that started a bit slow (not boring, but slow), the ensuing adventure, peril, emotion, and character development was worth every bit of the build up.

The character development throughout the series, and especially this last book, was realistic and even made me examine my own heart more closely. Though I have to admit that I don't think Leeli had much development overall. The ending was incredible, and I never saw it coming. It left me in shock, and with the biggest book hangover I've ever experienced. I am already looking forward to when I re-read this series (which will probably be in September when the second half of the re-released books come out, which my husband already pre-ordered for me).

Keeping in mind that that this series is middle grade fiction, I'm going to share a bit of a story:

I read the first 2 books earlier this year, as ARCs for the re-release that will include all new illustrations and footnotes (the books originally came out 10 years ago). I remember thinking that my then 9-year-old daughter might enjoy them, but she likes reading in theory more than in practice, tending to start books and not finish them.

When Andrew Peterson started reading the first book live online during the quarantine back in March, she started listening with me part way through (she was usually outside playing when he read, and she didn't have enough interest initially to stay inside to listen). By the time he finished reading book 2, she was hooked. She sped on ahead of me and listened to the audio books for 3 & 4. She loved them so much, she was desperate for me to read the rest so she could talk about them with me. She then proceeded to go back and read the first 2 books and re-listen to the last 2 books a few times. All in the space of a few months, by a girl who only halfheartedly read before this.

So to sum up, while the series itself is incredible–inventive, adventurous, emotional, even beautiful–the best thing about these books is that it gave my daughter and me something to enjoy together and discuss. Though we have to do it in whispers, because our enjoyment has gotten my husband’s interest piqued, and we don’t want to spoil anything for him.

Though I've been saying all through the reviews for this that the book is not overtly Christian--and it's not--there was a message in this book that I really appreciated. And I just have to say that I think it's okay to be jealous about someone else being allowed to literally directly encounter God, and you're not invited. I can't recommend this book enough to readers of all ages, and particularly suggest that reading it along with your kids, or even out loud to your kids, might just provide hours, days, weeks of great bonding time.

A great end to an even greater adventure. Perfect for the young, young at heart and those searching for strength and light in trying times.

Name: The Warden and the wolf King
Author: Andrew Peterson
Genre: Children Fiction, Fantasy, Sci-fi, Adventure, Mystery, Drama
Age: +6
Review:
This book is brings us to the very end of the adventures of three siblings, Janner, Kalmar and Leeli.
The final battle between the Fang of Dang and Gnag, the Nameless is about to begin. Janner, the throne warden; Kalmar, the Wolf King; and Leeli, the Song Maiden of Anniera—are ready to fight alongside the Hollowsfolk. But the lizardlike monster, Fangs of Dang makes the first move and invades Ban Rona, which leads to the seperation of the three siblings. Janner is lost in the hills alone; while Leeli is fighting the Fangs from the rooftops of the city; and Kalmar, who carries a terrible secret in his heart, is on a course for the Deeps of Throg.

Nowhere is safe, in the waters, dangerous sea dragons lurk; in the burrows, Wicked Stranders crawl; on the land Ridgerunners and trolls prowl. Forest are haunted while monsters and Fangs and villains lie between the children and their only hope of victory.

Once again, our favourite master storyteller, Andrew Peterson returns with his quirky writing style and homour. The story is thrilling and enchanting for the readers just like the first three books. It feels like this book devours the reader's attention with absolutely amazing story and wonderful illustrations throughout the pages of the book. An epic conclusion which brings an ending to this amazing series.

For Further Reading:
Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
Eragon by Christopher Paolini