Andrew Peterson has more than proven himself as a singer/songwriter over the years. With the third book of the Wingfeather saga, The Monster in the Hollows, Peterson is well on his way to prove himself as an author as well.
Sneakery, Betrayal, and a Deadly Secret in The Monster in the Hollows
The Wingfeathers have finally made it to the Green Hollows, the land where the children’s mother, Nia, grew up. But even in a land where safety seems to be in their grasp, Janner, Kalmar, and Leeli, face suspicion and outright hostility. This is because Kalmar is part boy and part wolf.
As the Throne Warden of Anniera, Janner is charged with protecting Kalmar, his little brother and High-King of Anniera. This is hard to do when they are thrown into a school of children that either ignore them or try to bully them. That may be a lot for a twelve year-old, but there is more for Janner yet to bear.
As time passes, the Jewels of Anniera start to find their place in the Green Hollows and even begin to get comfortable with their lot in life. Janner and Kalmar learn how to fight, wrestle and sneak while little Leeli proves herself in the Houndry. Just when it seems like the haggard family can take a breath, lies and betrayal threaten to shatter their new found life.
The Monster in the Hollows is Less Action, More Substance
The first two books, On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness and North! Or Be Eaten, were filled with non-stop action and constant travelling. The Monster in the Hollows is set wholly in the Green Hollows so the pace isn’t as frantic. That’s not to say it’s not as exciting, because the Jewels of Anniera, Nia, Podo, and Otto have a lot to get through with the Hollish folk.
Because there isn’t so much action, The Monster in the Hollows has the chance to really show different aspects of all of the characters. The reader sees how they handle life when they aren’t running or having arrows shot at them. The characters are put into social situations they have never experienced. In many ways this is as interesting as the non-stop action of previous books.
As the characters grow, this gives way to many emotional moments. When Janner deals with the bully or Sara Cobbler first draws the other “tools” out it’s a possible a lump may form in the reader’s throat. When they see Kalmar’s mercy or even Leeli’s joy as she rides her houndrick, a tear might fall. When the children’s father’s fate is revealed, those tender hearted may need a tissue.
The Monster in the Hollows is Deep and Lush Storytelling
Peterson is already a master at telling stories in his songs. Whether it is a sad lover who builds a monument to his lost love or a night of longing for God, he skillfully paints a scene with the lyrics. It should come as no surprise that he is able to do the same thing with The Monster in the Hollows.
The setting comes alive as Peterson shows the Green Hollows. The characters grow and change through their interaction with the Hollish folk. Lessons are learned and taught naturally. Aerwiar becomes a real world.
There is a lot happening around the main characters that is exciting. Questions are answered while others are raised. The answer to what happened to Artham is revealed and the Fork Factory is revisited. The Monster in the Hollows releases the pressure of the previous books but now comes the hard part, waiting for the last one, The Warden and the Wolf King.
Shane Werlinger - Shane Werlinger has been published in anthologies and written reviews and articles for BuddyHollywood.com and reviews for Infuze Magazine ...
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