On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness

I don't normally like juvenile fantasy books (unless they're by Tolkien and C.S. Lewis), which is why I was so surprised that I loved On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness by Andrew Peterson. Perhaps we're long lost friends. (He is a pastor's kid from the South.) All I know is that the book had me sucked in and laughing hysterically.

Here's the plot: Three children live in a small town by the sea with their grandpa and mom. The town has been taken over by Fangs from Dang and life is not great. Janner and Tink (both boys) find a map at the bookseller's store to lost treasure in a mansion. An adventure enfolds from the discovery under the mansion that leads to the family's destiny, the town's destruction, and book 2 of the series.

Along the way, you'll read lots of footnotes to books that don't exist, but that add some background explanation to the story. You'll learn the alternate names of Adam and Eve (Dwayne and Gladys). You'll meet crazy and amazing forest creatures (including horned hounds and toothy cows). This book is a fun read that will delight middle-grade readers on up. (PG for thematic elements, highly recommended)