The Wingfeather Saga Review: A Series Worth Every Laugh, Tear, and Goosebump

Now, this was a truly special story. Reading The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson is a journey through beauty glimpsed, truth felt, and a world so lovingly built that you’re reluctant to leave it behind. The first book made me laugh, and the fourth made me cry.

Here's a compliment: I have read with my children (and loved) The Chronicles of Narnia and The Little House on the Prairie series, and they come in second and third on my list of series to read as a family. These books are that enjoyable.

With that said, here's my honest The Wingfeather Saga review as a lover of kid literature:

(Don't worry... NO SPOILERS!)

If you’re unfamiliar with this four-book fantasy series (On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness, North! Or Be Eaten, The Monster in the Hollows, and The Warden and the Wolf King), allow me to introduce you. In the land of Aerwiar (a place as quirky as its name, pronounced "’ere we are"), we meet the Igiby family: three siblings, Janner, Tink, and Leeli, along with their steadfast mother, Nia, and loving yet enigmatic grandfather, Podo. What begins as a whimsical, laugh-out-loud adventure quickly deepens into a tale of courage, sacrifice, and the unyielding power of love and goodness in the face of darkness. As it says on Andrew Peterson's website, "The stories are True," and I think that they are. They are a true testimony that we each have evil at work inside of us (temptation, laziness, resentment, etc.) that needs to be battled by an internal goodness we cannot muster on our own, but that only our "Maker" (God) can bring out. It is a goodness beyond human understanding, and it is a goodness the characters battle with through their development in the series.

Each character has their own relatable personality, from sweet and loyal Leeli, quirky and always-hungry Tink, down to every last minor character you come across. Each has his own unique voice, and the creativity never slows! My favorite character, however, is Oskar N. Reteep, with his endless supply of excellent quotes.

The Wingfeather Saga Is More Than "Just Another Fantasy Series"

Peterson blends humor, heartbreak, and hope in a way few authors can. The books start light and playful (e.g., “toothy cows” and “Peet the Sock Man”) in a self-aware narrative style that tickles you. While the first book does kick off the series with humor, The Wingfeather Saga doesn’t shy away from life’s darker realities—loss, fear, failure—but it never leaves you in despair! Instead, it showcases the transformative power of redemption, the beauty of sacrificial love, and the quiet strength of hope and familial bonds.

Readers who cherish Tolkien and Lewis will find familiar echoes here, and while reading, I imagined Peterson was inspired by both authors. Aerwiar has the rich history and earthy details of a well-planned world. I certainly don't believe Peterson was imitating those great authors. His own world-building feels tangible, and his characters are achingly relatable. Unlike Narnia’s Aslan or Middle-Earth’s absence of a personal divine presence, Peterson strikes a thoughtful balance. The Maker, Aerwiar’s creator, is always present but never overt, allowing readers to encounter faith woven naturally into the narrative.

Who Is The Wingfeather Saga For?

These books are for everyone who craves an adventure. For children, the series offers thrills, laughs, and characters who grow alongside them. For adults, it delivers wisdom with a hint of childhood-inspired imagination. Each chapter is short and manageable and leaves you with a clever cliffhanger that makes it challenging to put the books down. Each night, when reading together, we were often met with groans from our kids about putting the book down. (My husband, Brian, took the lead on reading this one out loud to us all and used some pretty great character voices, I might add.)

This all being said, it is only fair to warn you that while the imagery is imaginative enough not to be gruesome or gory, there is a fair share of themes that might be considered scary to the sensitive child. There is violence, kidnapping, feeling lost or alone, and even death.

On the other hand, this is a clean read. There is no yucky (for lack of a better word) romance or fear of inappropriate themes concerning reading to children. I find this is an excellent story for middle school kids, but our children enjoyed it greatly at ages 6 and 8!

Final Thoughts: "The Stories Are True"

The tagline on The Wingfeather Saga website reads, “The stories are true.” It’s a bold claim but one that holds weight, not in the literal sense, of course, but in the way that all great fiction reflects the deepest truths of life. These books remind us that evil is real and relentless, but more powerful is goodness, love, and an ever-present Maker (God).

So, if you’re looking for a series that will make you laugh, weep, and ponder long after you’ve turned the last page, I cannot recommend The Wingfeather Saga enough. Read it with your kids and let it shape their imaginations!

Thank you so much for reading The Wingfeather Saga Review!

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