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

Andrew Peterson (Author)

Book Description

Release date: August 18, 2009 | Series: The Wingfeather Saga (Book 2)

Janner, Tink, and Leeli Igiby thought they were normal children with normal lives and a normal past. But now they know they’re really the Lost Jewels of Anniera, heirs to a legendary kingdom across the sea, and suddenly everyone wants to kill them.
In order to survive, the Igibys must flee to the safety of the Ice Prairies, where the lizardlike Fangs of Dang cannot follow. First, however, they have to escape the monsters of Glipwood Forest,1 the thieving Stranders of the East Bend,2 and the dreaded Fork Factory.3
But even more dangerous are the jealousies and bitterness that threaten to tear them apart, and Janner and his siblings must learn the hard way that the love of a family is more important than anything else.


1. All possessing very sharp teeth.
2. Murderous scoundrels, the lot.
3. Woe!

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for
North! Or Be Eaten

“Peterson deserves every literary prize for this fine book. It is obvious that his musical talents have been put to good use as his use of words, plot and narrative read like a well scored film script. A very fine book, by a very fine writer and future talent. Amazing - thrilling and well worth reading again and again.”
–G. P. Taylor, New York Times best-selling author of Shadowmancer and The Dopple Ganger Chronicles

“Toothy cows are very dangerous. Andrew Peterson convinced me and shivers run down my spine at the very thought of meeting a toothy cow face to face. The author spills characters like Podo and Nurgabog onto the page, then weaves a tale of danger that holds the reader captive. Believe me, you will relish being held captive by this master storyteller. But be sure you don’t get caught by the Stranders. Those people just ain’t civilized.”
–Donita K. Paul, author of The Vanishing Sculptor

“In a genre overrun by the gory and the grim, Peterson’s bite-sized chapters taste more like a stew of Gorey (Edward) and Grimm (the Brothers). North! Or Be Eaten is a welcome feast of levity--and clearly a labor of love. Andrew Peterson has awakened my inner eight-year-old, and that is a very good thing.”
–Jeffrey Overstreet, author of Auralia’s Colors and Cyndere’s Midnight

“An immensely clever tale from a wonderful storyteller - filled with great values and even greater adventure!”
–Phil Vischer, creator of VeggieTales

“Thrills, chills, spine-tingling mystery, and lots of smiles. It’s not easy to combine heart-pounding danger with gut-busting laughs and make it work, but Peterson pulls it off. For readers who want nonstop action infused with powerful, life-changing themes, North! Or Be Eaten is a must-read.”
–Wayne Thomas Batson, best-selling author of The Door Within Trilogy, Isle of Swords and Isle of Fire

“Andrew Peterson is a gifted storyteller, scene painter and wordsmith who takes you on a rollicking white-water ride of adventure. Readers of all ages are sure to find North! Or Be Eaten worthy of a big mug filled with a favorite beverage and a cozy nook near a crackling fire for hours on end. Here there be tales within yarns within stories. Listen, reader, bend your ear, but keep an eye peeled lest the dreaded Fangs of Dang be near!”
–R. K. Mortenson, author of Landon Snow and The Auctor’s Riddle

About the Author

Andrew Peterson is the author of On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness, Book One in the Wingfeather Saga, and The Ballad of Matthew’s Begats. He’s also the critically-acclaimed singer-songwriter and recording artist of ten albums, including Resurrection Letters II. He and his wife, Jamie, live with their two sons and one daughter in a little house they call The Warren near Nashville, Tennessee. Visit his websites: www.andrew-peterson.com and www.rabbitroom.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: WaterBrook Press; Original edition (August 18, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1400073871
• ISBN-13: 978-1400073870
• Product Dimensions: 5.9 x 1 x 8.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (76 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #145,615 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Hey, folks. If you're just discovering me or any of my work, it can be a little confusing because there are several facets to it. Here's the rundown:

* I write songs. I also record them to these cool things called CDs and put on concerts around the country. (And beyond! To my great delight, I get to play in Europe every year or so.)

* I write books. Right now I'm three books into a fantasy series for young readers. It's called the Wingfeather Saga. I just published book three (of four), in May of 2011. I also illustrated some of the pictures. (WingfeatherSaga.com)

* I'm the proprietor of the Rabbit Room., a community of songwriters, authors, and artists interested in storytelling, faith, and fellowship. We have a yearly conference called Hutchmoot, which is as awesome as it sounds. (Hutchmoot.com)

* I'm a proud member of the Square Peg Alliance, a happy band of singer/songwriters who write together, tour together, and eat together. (SquarePegAlliance.com)

* I've been married for fifteen years to Jamie, and we have three sweet children: Aedan (12), Asher (11), and Skye (8). We live in a magical place we call the Warren, just south of Nashville.

The common thread in all this is my love for Christ and his Kingdom, my belief in the power of story and art, and my need for family and community. If I had to boil it all down, I'd say this: I want to use my gifts to tell the truth, and to tell it as beautifully as I can.

That ought to get you started. For a more in-depth look at what I do, visit Andrew-Peterson.com. Thanks!

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Well-written fantasy August 21, 2009

By momtotheincredibles

Format:Paperback

Let me start out by saying that I am no fan of fantasy fiction, even when it is considered Christian. C. S. Lewis has never appealed to me. But, since my favorite Christmas song, "Labor of Love", was written by Andrew Peterson, I decided to give his book a try. "North or Be Eaten" was so intriguing that I read it in one night without putting it down. Yes, I got to bed about 2 in the morning! Each time I thought that this chapter would be the last, I would read just one more. Andrew's descriptive language is so perfect that you feel as if you are right in the midst of the drama. More than once, I looked up to make sure that a Fang of Dang was not peering in through my window. No need for a movie adaptation as my mind was reeling with it's own pictures.

"North or Be Eaten" is actually the 2nd book in The Weatherfeather Saga. It begins with Janner Igiby and his family hiding from the Fangs of Dang. (The unusual names definitely took some getting used to!) Janner is the Throne Warden of Anniera, which means he is charged with keeping his younger brother, Tink the High King, protected at all costs. Everyone and everything is out to get them and they must flee to the Ice Prairies. This book follows them on their journey full of dangers. Throughout are themes on the Christian life. The theme of choices/consequences towards the end of the book impressed me. Humour is injected now and then, especially with Oskar's quotes. Mainly, it is just a very good read. If you read it aloud to the kids, be warned they will beg you to continue.

Andrew Peterson was first introduced to me as an amazing songwriter. Now I understand that he is also a gifted writer and artist.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Longer, Darker, Deeper - Better September 4, 2009

By Singin' in the Rain

Format:Paperback

Peterson's first book, On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness, was a quirky romp with surprising depth and a dash of scare-inducing moments. The second book in the Wingfeather Saga, North! Or Be Eaten takes the series to the next level: deeper, darker, heart-wrenching, hilarious, hopeful, redemptive.

As the Igiby family sets off for the promised safety of the Ice Prairies, they're separated both physically and emotionally. The book follows Janner, the oldest sibling, as he struggles to find his family and come to terms with the conflicting feelings inside him. Along the way, he's chased by Fangs, captured by cold-blooded thieves, held prisoner in the dreaded Fork Factory, and battles all sorts of ferocious, unique fantasy creatures. It's a journey, a quest, and though somewhat episodic in nature, it never feels disjointed as every event pushes the characters toward the climax.

Though darker than the first book, it's an organic change as the Igibys face a dark world and find their own hope in each other. The book still packs plenty of humor - the footnotes, quirky characters, and my favorite, the Florid Sword. It's Peterson's Empire Strikes Back. The end of the book is a game-changer, making me antsy for book three. These characters have taken root in my heart and I look forward to seeing them again soon.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars We've been North! and we were not eaten! September 15, 2009

By J. Gardner

Format:Paperback

I LOVE THIS BOOK!!

I especially love that I'm acquainted with the author and his other work and that he chose to include the whole family in this story - no typical "home away home" children's literature this one. No, in this wonderful story, each person in the family is a hero - Grandpa Podo with his world of wisdom and Momma Nia fiercely loving and full of surprises, both respectful of the children as they begin to realize the roles they were born into.

I love that the story works on all levels. For our grandchildren, it's an amazing fantasy adventure into another world; for me, the adventure was thrilling, but I identified so intensely with the family struggles and values, that I often had to stop reading and speak with "The Maker" myself before I could continue. I had such tears of joy, relief, encouragement, hope and love as I finished the last page.

Can you enjoy North! Or Be Eaten without reading On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness, the first book in the Saga? As I began reading, I was wondering about that and yes, I think it would work. Right now, my daughter's family is reading North! Or Be Eaten aloud. Dad wasn't there for the first book, but seems to be getting into the story just as well as everyone else.

I heartily recommend North! Or Be Eaten for all ages, keeping in mind that it might be best considerably ahead of bedtime for younger, more sensitive listeners, as there are scary monsters and situations.

So, come aboard for a desperate journey through Skree to the Ice Prairies, then join us as we cheer, "We've been North! . . . and we were not eaten!"