North! Or Be Eaten (The Wingfeather Saga) Paperback – August 18, 2009

If I had to pick one Wingfeather Saga book to tell people to reread, it would be this one. Obviously, you have to read the whole series. Read it multiple times, better still! But this is the one for which I consider a reread most essential.Read it once, to hear the story, to feel the pain of mistakes made by broken people.Read it again, once you know how the story ends, so you can realize how far those people go and how the seeds of the growth were planted in their mistakes.(And then reread Chapter 59 about ten more times because it's amazing and inspiring and beautiful and makes your heart sing.)This story hurts the first time you read it, as I said already, because, as in the first book, it's full of broken characters trying to deal with their brokenness in ways that are often destructive. It's in this book that we really see the beginning of the struggle that Janner and Kalmar won't resolve until the end of book 4. They're boys who've been thrust into new roles, new identities, and new responsibilities that they never asked for, that weigh them down because they don't yet have the maturity to handle them, that spark resentment even towards the people they love the most. And, let me tell you, I feel that.On a side note, I really appreciate the fact that this book lets the kids be kids. I have steadily increasing issues with some fantasy books in which the kids are given an unrealistic amount of responsibility and then handle it unrealistically well, or where it's constantly the kids solving the problems because the adults are, for some mysterious reason, unable to do so. (*cough*HarryPotter*cough*Fablehaven*cough*KeepersoftheLostCities*cough*) But in the Wingfeather books, the kids are kids. They generally think like kids and act like kids, and they're treated like kids. When they aren't treated like kids, when they're forced into situations that force them to grow up too fast, that strip away joy and innocence, it's treated as a genuine tragedy. And I appreciate that a lot.This book is Janner and Kalmar's book, yes. But it's also Artham's book more than any of the others. And, as a firm fan of Artham P. Wingfeather, that may be why it's become one of my favorites. While the start of his story won't be revealed for some time, he has one of his best moments here and it's really hard to talk about without giving spoilers, but yeah.I also very much appreciated Podo's arc here. Characters with a dark past that catches up to them at the worst possible moment aren't exactly uncommon in fantasy fiction, even Christian fantasy fiction. But I think Podo may be one of my favorite examples of such a character. Podo is an old man with scars that run deep, but he hides them well. He's ashamed of what he's done, but not the brooding type of ashamed that's so popular now. And he's afraid — but not solely for himself, and when the time comes, he still stands despite his fear.I could also talk about Gammon . . . but I think I'll hold off on my ramble about him until the next two books rerelease, eh? Suffice it to say that I appreciate him as a character for myriad reasons.Plotwise, this book is a little more straightforward than the last, but still quite full of unexpected twists and turns. It has a few more threads than the last one did as well, which helps keep things moving. And the ending is superb, absolutely superb. Plus, we get to see more of Skree in this book than we did in the last one, which is fun!Once again, if you haven't read this book yet, do so as soon as possible. And if you have read it before, well, maybe it's time for a reread. Trust me, it's worth it.

This has become one of my new favorite book series of the last few years. It’s definitely YA fiction or even borderline kids fiction, closer to Percy Jackson and Narnia than Harry Potter and Eragon. As the story develops though and the characters age, so does the content and tone.What do I like about it? The writing is some of the best line for line besides Peace like a river, one of my favorites of all time. It’s very engaging, and author Andrew Peterson has a tremendous voice that takes on a poet/artist feel. The worldbuilding is incredible, especially in the first book. The story and world feel lived in, and the footnotes/history elevates that quality to the closest I’ve seen to Tolkien in fantasy probably. You are invited as a reader to engage your imagination fully, which is always wonderful. My least favorite of the series is The Monster in the hollows. My favorite is North or eaten by a mile, the middle chapter.This one has the best mix of character growth, plot, and worldbuilding. It’s fast paced from the get-go and feels like the hobbit as the main characters set off on a long journey. The worldbuilding isn’t as deep, but we naturally explore more of the landmarks and Peterson does a great job of working things in along the way. There is a great sense of forward momentum to the story, and the spiritual themes that are developed are rich and memorable. The climax in particular had me on the edge of my seat, and that almost becomes a hallmark of the series: the last 5-6 chapters are some of the best of each book, and the reveal and action are astonishing for this one in particular. I was fully engaged until the final sentences, mainly because the writing is so descriptive and the characters are so relatable.

This book has everything! Great plot, relatable characters, settings that awake the imagination, well-written, and wholesome. It's a book and series young and old will enjoy!

Peterson’s story telling is fantastic. The characters are lovable and easy to attach to. The world building is fresh and doesn’t smack of a copy cat epic like some fantasy or YA or sci fi novel you can find in overstock today.

Great experience in buying, very fast shipping and perfect condition. This saga has been really enjoyed by our daughter and is very clean and good.

As the first one, the book sãs awesome, I enjoyed for the first page to the last one. Really recommend it if you like a good adventure.

I have read the first 3 books in the Wingfeather series to my grandson age 8. We have both loved them and can’t wait for the next one. The writing is beautiful, descriptions so real you feel you are there. It is original and engaging,

I really liked this book.It is really interesting.It is also very,Very cool. I really liked the part where Tink says that he is the high king of Anneirea and then he opens his eye's and they were clear and blue.

Andrew Peterson is an amazing storyteller!! It captivates you and drags you into the story. His books are full of adventure with beautiful messages. Each book of the serie is better and better and more exiting.... OMG,This book really surprised me. Cant wait to read the next one!!!

Gift was a hit.