The Monster in the Hollows

If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times: It's ridiculously hard to read through tears.

This far along in the series, I'm way past the point of being invested in this story. No longer is the world of Aerwiar a fictitious place - it has become my reality.

Peterson masterfully spins his tale and expresses his characters' emotions so effectively that you can't help but get emotional yourself.

This third installment of the Wingfeather Saga kind of put me through the wringer, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm kind of dreading Book 4, not because I'm scared of the feels (I'm totally scared of the feels), but because I don't want this wonderful series to end.

Wow, so good. Some thing were predictable but I don't even care. I had a hard time getting into book 1, book 2 was great, the last half of The Monster in the Hollows was a real page turner. Andrew Peterson has done an excellent job of communicating Truth and beauty in the midst of tragedy and real life in an engaging way.

Janner, Tink, and Leeli Igiby, the Lost Jewels of Anniera, are hiding from Gnag the Nameless in the Green Hollows, one of the few places in the land of Aerwiar not overrun by the Fangs of Dang. But there's a big problem. Janner's little brother--heir to the throne of Anniera--has grown a tail. And gray fur. Not to mention two pointed ears and long, dangerous fangs. To the suspicious folk of the Green Hollows, he looks like a monster.

But Janner knows better. His brother isn't as scary as he looks. He's perfectly harmless.

Isn't he?

The joyful ending of the previous book only carries so far into the Green Hollows, where the residents are wary, to say the least, about having a Grey Fang in their midst. Even as his family defends him, Janner can't seem to help but be afraid of his brother as well. The Igibys begin to try to make their home in the Green Hollows, but there is more danger nearby than just the little Grey Fang.

Though there were some slower parts for me in this book, as I wasn't as interested in the school system in the Green Hollows, it was not nearly enough to detract from the rest of the book as an exciting, heart-filled addition to this series.

Looking back on it, most of what I'd want to expand on would be a spoiler, so I don't feel like I can say show more much in this review. However, as the danger ramps up, the heroes learn more and more who they are and who they should be. And though there were some dark and gut-wrenching moments, I have so much anticipation for the finale of this great series. More importantly, my 10-year-old daughter has gotten into this series since I started it, and she LOVES it! In fact, she's kind of obsessed with it. She's not an avid reader, so I'd say that's a huge endorsement.

I highly recommend this book, and the series so far, for folks of all ages who enjoy clean, fun fantasy adventures. And to restate from my previous reviews--you might see it labeled as Christian, and there are some references to a deity that many of the people believe in, but it is not overtly Christian.

On a technical note, I initially listened to this as an audiobook, which isn't normally my thing. It's narrated by the author, though, and he does such great voices and really makes the characters come alive. When I got a copy of the ARC, I flipped through to find all of the illustrations and extras that the re-release will have, and they are great too! Definitely worth having the physical copy when it comes out someday.

Thank you to Netgalley and WaterBrook & Multnomah for providing me a copy of this book to review. show less

This book did two things it's nearly impossible for a book to do:
1) Surprised me with a plot twist
2) Almost made me cry. (Tears were brimming, my throat was tight, but I'm a heartless reader so I didn't actually cry.)
The emotions in this book are fantastic and I'm both ecstatic and terrified to find out what happens next.

Gollll this series just keeps getting better. I am so happy and sad there’s another book in the series - happy because I have more to read, sad because there’s only one book left!

I really want to know how Peterson felt while writing this (especially the last third or so) - was he in the fetal position like I was, with all the feels and wanting to cry and never stop? (But like…the good cry.) “All the feels” just sums up how I feel right now.

Janner, Tink, and Leeli Igiby, the Lost Jewels of Anniera, are hiding from Gnag the Nameless in the Green Hollows, one of the few places in the land of Aerwiar not overrun by the Fangs of Dang. But there's a big problem. Janner's little brother--heir to the throne of Anniera--has grown a tail. And gray fur. Not to mention two pointed ears and long, dangerous fangs. To the suspicious folk of the Green Hollows, he looks like a monster.

But Janner knows better. His brother isn't as scary as he looks. He's perfectly harmless.