Thursday, June 2, 2011

Monster in the Hollows book review, rabbits and more...

neighborhood rabbit sighting


Today I received a link to a posting in the Rabbit Room.  How fitting it came from my husband especially since our recent close encounter with our very own neighborhood rabbit.  Another story for another time.  I know you are all breathlessly waiting to hear how Andy and the kids attempted to corner the poor beauteous animal but for now onto the link.  Andrew Peterson posted "write a review of The Monster in the Hollows (and the Wingfeather Saga in general) for your blog...  winners will receive an original hand-drawn picture from the Wingfeather Saga. Hand-drawn by me, that is, just for you."  Oh, I was all over that.  We received the most recent book, book number three in The Wingfeather Saga series just the other week.  A few days later our son had fully devoured each and every page- wanting to show me pictures along the way and trying his hardest to not speak of where the characters were headed or what they were doing.  Perfect, get him to write a little bit about his experience in the book and maybe win his favorite character to put up on his our wall!



In the humble opinion of my 12 year old son, his own typed words as to why this series is a good read:













The books by Andrew Peterson are very well written.  They make me feel like I am inside the books filled with adventure but also taking on the personal aspect of the story.  The third book, The Monster in the Hollows still gives us this feeling of anxiety and adventure. 


When they arrive at the green hollows what will happen to the family?  When they don't fit in and everyone makes fun of Kalmar what should they do?  And does Kalmar's change effect how he will act without knowing what he is doing?  Then read and find out the secret of the Hollows.


To the Rabbit Room for your purchasing pleasure...



I have not had the opportunity to begin reading this newest addition to the Wingfeather series as I am looking for the perfect time of quiet and space to entrench myself back into this world.  It would be preferable to read it before Caleb gets too chatty about what has transpired and I know the ending before I have even begun!  I have to admit, the maps and the background given in the first one had a hard time drawing me in but before I knew it the pages had flown by my fingers and I was completely immersed in this new world.  A world where a fair ruling system had gone awry when evil infiltrated it.  I agree with Caleb, the writing is such that even though it is so otherworldly you feel the characters pain and triumphs.  It becomes very personal as you walk the journey with them.  Peterson writes in such a way that you almost feel that if you were to sneeze the people on the pages would offer you a tissue.  It's real stuff the characters wrestle with, choosing between what's best and what's better, struggling with where your allegiances lie, who you are going to choose to follow, wanting the power of recognition and fame but knowing your place is to serve with humility and forgo gain for self. 



Speaking on behalf of my husband and I, we don't know when or how it happened, just that it did, we encountered Andrew Peterson.  We have never met him personally but we were first touched deeply by his music.  He paints a picture with words that goes way beyond the surface.  Joy abounded when Slugs & Bugs & Butterflies (Peterson and Goodgame) entered our world.  So much joy that during a family vacation we were asked politely to turn him off for awhile because the kids kept replaying some of the songs over and over and over again!  We have laughed and we have cried with him.  I know I speak of it often... but Peterson's music was a comfort to us when when we were processing the death of Andy's brother while working the land.  


Lay Me Down


...Oh, and I recall
We rode the combines in the fall
And there comes a time
For gathering the harvest after all

So when you lay me down to die
I’ll miss my boys, I’ll miss my girls
Lay me down and let me say goodbye to this world
You can lay me anywhere
But just remember this
When you lay me down to die
You lay me down to live...

As Peterson's music has been timely in our life and in our healing of day to day happenings so have his books been able to transport us into another realm.  One of fantasy yes, but more importantly it has brought up questions in my mind such as how do I deal and react to injustice in the world and how far would I go to protect those whom I love?  Even if it meant losing myself and my ambitions in the process?



I can't tell you why or why not to read this series of books.  I can tell you that they make you wish for something more, for something greater to challenge all the bad guys in the world and to right all the rotten cards you feel you have been dealt.  Whether it be physical challenges or emotional ailments as the lots you have been been dropped and planted in- you will bloom if your face is towards the light.  We were created to crave something more, to serve something more.  So much darkness has filled this world that it's easy to give in, to succumb, to feel defeated, to join forces with the darkness.  If you choose to read the Wingfeather Saga books you will be inspired to take up your sword and fight awhile.   In the end, God will triumph.  I sure do want to be on His side when it all comes down.