Book Review: The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson

When I finished Narnia, I remember thinking that I would never find anything that came close. It brought to life a fantasy world so tangible, I spent a good amount of time searching wardrobes and closets for its entrance, with full faith that I would find it. However, the first time I picked up the Wingfeather Saga, I knew that I had found a series that was, if not completely on par with Narnia, a very close second. I know this is a bold statement - but if there’s one thing I love about the Wingfeather Saga, it’s the way it captures the classic charm of C.S. Lewis while still remaining it’s own series.

I will admit, the Wingfeather Saga is one of the more unusual books I’ve read - the title of the first book (On The Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness) proves it. This humor infuses the whole series, which is written in a light, quirky tone, and gives it a fairy-tale edge. It takes place in the fictional world of Aewiar in a tiny province called Glipwood. On the very edge of Glipwood, on a cliff bordering the Dark Sea of Darkness lies the Igiby cottage, inhabited by ex-pirate Podo, his daughter, Nia, and her three children: Janner, Tink, and Leeli. Glipwood is a peaceful, safe, harmonious town - aside from the oppressive, greedy Fangs who rule it.
One day, the Igiby children hear that a Great Evil named Gnag the Nameless (another one of Peterson’s jokes) is searching for the lost Jewels of Anniera. They decide to find the Jewels before Gnag does, with the help of the crazy-but-loyal Pete the Sock Man and their trusty dog Nugget.

Although on the surface the Wingfeather Saga seems like a children’s bedtime story, it’s actually rich in Christian allegories that have deeply impacted my faith to this day. Like Narnia, it immerses the reader in a magical, quirky world filled with characters who immediately become your best friend. More important, however, is the way it paints a picture of hope in darkness, courage in fear, unconditional love despite sin, and redemption from mistakes. Anybody struggling under the weight of the world, doubting their faith, discouraged by darkness - the irredeemable, the broken, those longing for hope - this book is for you. I cannot recommend it enough.