The+Edge+Chronicles+(EH)

__**The Edge Chronicles**__**,** Book 1 //**Beyond The Woods** Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell Reviewed by Elise Hartwig

////**Beyond The Deepwoods**// //is the first book of a thrilling fantasy series called __**The Edge Chronicles**__. The EDGE is a desolate, mythical place where the story begins in the dangerous Deepwoods. The Deepwoods is filled with strange people and sharp-toothed, drooling creatures ready to add thrill and adventure to this story. The main character is Twig Snatchwood, a young boy who was abandoned in the dangerous woods at birth and is brought up by a family of Woodtrolls. In the beginning, Twig is talking to his adoptive mother, Spelda. She is telling him how he got his name and also that from the minute he was born how different he was from everyone in the Deepwoods. When Twig turns 13, Spelda tells him about a dangerous secret about himself and Skypirates! The Skypirates are a group of rugged scallywags that fly on ships through the sky. If the pirates find out who he is and where he is from, Twig will never be free from their slimy grasp. Fearing for his safety, Twig leaves his home and ventures out to escape the Skypirates and go beyond to discover his true identity and his destiny.

Twig is alone for the very first time and has to rely on his wits to get him through his journey. Twig encounters mystical, ugly, horrid-looking characters like Banderbears, Goblins, Woodtrolls and Elfs during his travels throughout the story. These creatures either try to kill him or help him along his path of destiny. Twig moves very quickly through the Deepwoods encountering more new characters like blood-thirsty beasts and flesh-eating trees who morph into what Twig thinks are his trusting friends. If Twig falls for these tricks, he will be captured and eaten. Will Twig find his destiny? Will he survive these deady challenges? Will the Skypirates finally capture him for their slave?

I would definately recommend __**The Edge Chronicles**__ to anyone that likes adventure and fantasy. This book will keep you on your toes and keep you turning the pages. **Beyond The Deepwoods** is a quick and easy read, probably meant for kids ages 9-12. However, I wouldn't recommend this book to 9-10 year olds because of the creepy subject matter. At one point, when Twig finally makes a friend, a loveable banderbear, the wig wigs attack and devour his new buddy and that might be hard to take. The illustrations in this story are amazingly details but, sometimes disturbing. So, I wouldn't read this book at night or look at the pictures too closely because they can be frightening and gross! This series is not something I would normally read, but the author/illustrators are extremely creative in their writing and really draw you into the story. This is the first book of ten in this series and it sets you up to want to read more about Twig's adventures in the EDGE.//

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