North! Or Be Eaten: Wild escapes. A desperate journey. And the ghastly Fangs of Dang. (The Wingfeather Saga)

by: Andrew Peterson

Published by: Waterbrook Press

Reviewed by Jamie Driggers

The Igibys used to live a somewhat normal life—if Dragon Day’s Festivals and patrolling troops of Fangs of Dang could be considered normal—but now that they (and many others) know they are the lost Jewels of Anniera, heirs to the throne, normal is something they can only dream about.

Now Janner, Tink, Leeli, their mother, Nia, grandfather, Podo, and crazy Uncle Peet (the sock man) must make a quick escape to the hoped-for sanctuary of the Ice Prairies, as it is their only hope against the imminent threat of the Fangs of Dang.

Their adventure-filled trek has few down moments. The children progress from one scrape to another with few breathers. But before they can face the Stranders and the Fork Factory (Woe!), they must escape Glipwood Forrest—and the dreaded creatures within—and cross the mighty, and uncrossable, river Blapp.

As you might have perceived, this is a fanciful novel that takes more than a little imagination to enjoy to the fullest extent. The creatures are familiar and yet inherently different. Whoever heard of a carnivorous cow? And though this book will appeal to a wide audience with wordplay to entertain the adults and clean enough for the kiddos, there is probably a magical age that will consider it the gold standard. Hmmm…twelve-to fifteen-year-old boy, perhaps? It is still a little beyond my eight- and nine-year-old Narnia lovers (lots of questions on the read-aloud) and a little juvenile for this thirty-something mama.

Lovers of the first in the Wingfeather Saga, On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness, won’t be disappointed by this continuation of the series.

Armchair Interviews agrees this is a good Young Adult read.

Author’s Web site: http://www.Andrew-Peterson.com