On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness by Andrew Peterson came into my life through a list of chapter books recommended by the publisher of my son’s spelling and reading curriculum. I had no expectation at all, and the whimsicality of the name flew right over my head. As I began reading it aloud to my kids the whimsicality of the title and the story rushed in full force. As an adult reader of a middle grade novel, the suspension of disbelief required was a bit much in the beginning (gray snake people, anyone?), but since my kids had completely bought in my continued reading was assured. I did get over the hump into full investment in the story quickly. This novel was immediately a best read of the year, even the best read of several years, for my kids. It took a little longer for me but I ultimately agreed with their assessment. The first novel introduces the three Igiby siblings, their family, and their hometown of Glipwood. Some backstory of the larger world of Aerwiar they inhabit and the dreadful conflict reaching from their family’s and their world’s past into their present are also introduced, but quite a bit of mystery remains. The conflict is temporarily resolved by the end, so it doesn’t read like an incomplete story, but the reader is certainly ready to move on to the next book in the series for more clarity and ultimate resolution. Powerful themes of family love, home, freedom, and self-sacrifice run through the story. I highly recommend, especially if you have kids to enjoy it with.
