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The Edge Chronicles: Rook Trilogy #1
The Edge Chronicles 7: The Last of the Sky Pirates: First Book of Rook
Rook Barkwater lives in the network of sewer-chambers beneath Undertown, the bustling main city of the Edgeworld. He dreams of becoming a librarian knight – one of those sent out to explore the mysteries of their world. Somewhere out there lie the secrets of the past – including the lost floating city of Sanctaphrax – and hope for a future free from the fear of tyranny.
When his chance comes, Rook breaks all the rules and sets out on a journey to the Free Glades. His luck and determination lead him from one peril to another until he encounters a mysterious character – the last sky pirate – and is thrust into an extraordinary adventure.
The Last of the Sky Pirates is the first book of the Rook Saga – third trilogy in The Edge Chronicles. There are now 13 titles and four trilogies in the series, but each book is a stand-alone adventure, so you can read The Edge Chronicles in any order you choose.
When his chance comes, Rook breaks all the rules and sets out on a journey to the Free Glades. His luck and determination lead him from one peril to another until he encounters a mysterious character – the last sky pirate – and is thrust into an extraordinary adventure.
The Last of the Sky Pirates is the first book of the Rook Saga – third trilogy in The Edge Chronicles. There are now 13 titles and four trilogies in the series, but each book is a stand-alone adventure, so you can read The Edge Chronicles in any order you choose.
384 pages, Library Binding
First published January 1, 2002
57 people are currently reading
3165 people want to read
About the author
Paul Stewart
217 books919 followersPaul Stewart is a highly regarded author of books for young readers – from picture books to football stories, fantasy and horror. Together with Chris Riddell he is co-creator of the bestselling Edge Chronicles, which has sold more than three million copies and is available in over twenty languages. They have also collaborated together on lots of other exciting books for children of all ages. The Far-Flung Adventure series includes the Gold Smarties Prize Winner Fergus Crane, and Corby Flood and Hugo Pepper, both Silver Nestle Prize Winners. Then there are the Barnaby Grimes books, two Muddle Earth adventures, and the sci-fi Scavenger and fantasy Wyrmeweald trilogies. For younger readers there is the Blobheads series, while for the very young, Paul has written several picture books, including the Rabbit and Hedgehog series, In the Dark of the Night and, his latest, Wings.
Other authors by this name disambiguation Note:
Paul Stewart - business and management books
Other authors by this name disambiguation Note:
Paul Stewart - business and management books
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
July 20, 2024
50 years after the mother storm that ended the previous trilogy, things have changed drastically on the Edge. But not in a good way. Stone sickness has struck the Edge like an epidemic. Stones are losing their floating abilities, impacting the whole air trade economy of the Edge and bringing their whole society into a new depression. And the Guardians of Night now rule over New Sanctaphrax with an iron fist, while the opposing librarians have been forced to hide underground.
Rook is an under-librarian living in the sewers when, to his own surprise, he’s chosen to become a librarian knight. The librarian knights live in the woods and they are trying to find a cure for stone sickness. But the journey to get to the other librarian knights is long and treacherous.
This first book of the Rook trilogy is very similar to the first book in the Twig trilogy in concept. It’s episodic by design as Rook and his fellow chosen ones travel to the woods. Most chapters are simply a new encounter with one of the many fascinating creatures that live on the Edge. Though there actually is a plot here, so everything doesn’t feel so random anymore and the ending feels much more earned because of this. The world building is once again by far the biggest highlight in another great story in the Edge Chronicles, masterfully elevated by Chris Riddell’s amazing illustrations. And I also like the little references to Twig’s trilogy as it gives this book an extra touch of nostalgia, while still shining a new light on things we’re already familiar with in this series as a whole.
One of the things I’m noticing while rereading these books as an adult, is the subtle theme of basically how adaptable people can be when faced with a crisis that threatens or even destroys their entire way of life. It is quite subtle because most of this happened in between the two trilogies. But that doesn’t make it any less important. Because in this series, society doesn’t require larger than life heroes to bring them back to the status quo. The people adapt and find new ways to survive and even prosper.
Good start to another trilogy in The Edge Chronicles.
Rook is an under-librarian living in the sewers when, to his own surprise, he’s chosen to become a librarian knight. The librarian knights live in the woods and they are trying to find a cure for stone sickness. But the journey to get to the other librarian knights is long and treacherous.
This first book of the Rook trilogy is very similar to the first book in the Twig trilogy in concept. It’s episodic by design as Rook and his fellow chosen ones travel to the woods. Most chapters are simply a new encounter with one of the many fascinating creatures that live on the Edge. Though there actually is a plot here, so everything doesn’t feel so random anymore and the ending feels much more earned because of this. The world building is once again by far the biggest highlight in another great story in the Edge Chronicles, masterfully elevated by Chris Riddell’s amazing illustrations. And I also like the little references to Twig’s trilogy as it gives this book an extra touch of nostalgia, while still shining a new light on things we’re already familiar with in this series as a whole.
One of the things I’m noticing while rereading these books as an adult, is the subtle theme of basically how adaptable people can be when faced with a crisis that threatens or even destroys their entire way of life. It is quite subtle because most of this happened in between the two trilogies. But that doesn’t make it any less important. Because in this series, society doesn’t require larger than life heroes to bring them back to the status quo. The people adapt and find new ways to survive and even prosper.
Good start to another trilogy in The Edge Chronicles.
August 17, 2015
[4 Stars] I will forever be a fan of the Edge Chronicles, so obviously I loved this book. I didn't find it quite as engaging as either Twig or Quint's stories, but it was still wonderful. I can't wait to see what happens next, and I admit the ending of this book made me feel quite sad. But also a bit hopeful. This story definitely reminded me most of Beyond the Deep Woods where it is more of a coming of age story than anything else. Rook's story will probably get much better in the other two books!
September 25, 2015
A wonderful installment to the series. Always turn out to be a great read. I can recommend to children and adults alike, for an easier read.
November 18, 2024
Rook trifft auf Twig. Was soll ich sagen (es ist Teil 7), außer volle Leseempfehlung!
September 22, 2011
"The Last of the Sky Pirates" (Edge Chronicles #5) is Twig, who flew beyond the sickness that ate all the great stone ships, then was grounded when the last uncontaminated crew died from bad water. Library mislabeled this as #1 when #5, explains my confusion.
Paul Stewart writes, and Chris Riddell draws, a fantastical world. Names are redundant, reminiscent, or whimsical: leadwood, ironwood; woodbee, woodmoth, woodpear, woodmidge, woodcat, woodfowl, woodhog, woodwolf, woodtroll; lullabee wood; pinegrape; wig-wig, tilder, muglump. The author kills people gruesomely without compunction, at odds with the otherwise Family rating and light humor of language.
Librarian knights choose three apprentices at a time to leave the hidden sewers of Undertown and sneak past evil Guardians of the Night. Guided by a grokgoblin then a nightwaif, they ride prowlgrins past shrykes to the Free Glades. In Lake Landing, they build individual flyers to explore. The carved wooden ship shapes are lifeforms: Stormhornet, Ratbird, Hammelhorn. When research is complete, students fly home and contribute papers.
After an introduction fills in the history of the Edge Chronicles, we follow tiny overly curious Rook Barkwater. His fellow questers are one-dimensional. Stob is always loud, rude, and arrogant. Magda is always quiet, kind, and conciliatory. The sudden insertion of sallow withdrawn skinny traitor Xanth into the Announcement Ceremony Chapter Three, without any line or page demarcation, feels out of place. At least the enemy tower line drawing page could have been put first.
Spoilers & Whyning (sic):
They get three gifts upon departing. The bloodoak tooth is just the symbol recognized by their Underground Railroad, easily mistaken, for example by booksmart Stob. The invisibility cloak is only used unnecessarily some nights over their hammocks. The spark-stones are not used: light, fire, nought. Potential so valuable, unusual, powerful, sits useless. A single changeable recognition word could have prevented the network destruction. All those loyal hard workers endangering themselves constantly, betrayed? tortured? On the subject of prisoners, why does not Rook unlock all the cells he passes? Diversion, blockades, ending auffering: anything is better than leaving them.
The orphan protegé of a famous female (another book) thought his best friend Felix would be chosen; I thought at the very least the brave son of their leader would tag along, or follow later. The callous killing of the next three groups, no further thought of a lifelong BFF, puzzles me. If Felix is another book, shouldn't we get a clue? The valiant lad generously donates his special sword, and poof ... forgotten?
When Rook sneaks nourishment to a prisoner, the outcome seems obvious. That a lost boy aka professor motivate a battle finale, seems to bloat minor plot details out of proportion. Is not the main thread our persistent lad finding his banderbears? Two valiant air-crews killed right after their introduction seems excessively blunt violence. I would rather have a small cast I care for strongly, than an abundance of incomprehensible names.
When Rook's opening recurring childhood nightmare resolves at the end, I was surprised. I was overloaded in between, and failed to see significance in the huge shape leaning down before he awakes terrified.
Paul Stewart writes, and Chris Riddell draws, a fantastical world. Names are redundant, reminiscent, or whimsical: leadwood, ironwood; woodbee, woodmoth, woodpear, woodmidge, woodcat, woodfowl, woodhog, woodwolf, woodtroll; lullabee wood; pinegrape; wig-wig, tilder, muglump. The author kills people gruesomely without compunction, at odds with the otherwise Family rating and light humor of language.
Librarian knights choose three apprentices at a time to leave the hidden sewers of Undertown and sneak past evil Guardians of the Night. Guided by a grokgoblin then a nightwaif, they ride prowlgrins past shrykes to the Free Glades. In Lake Landing, they build individual flyers to explore. The carved wooden ship shapes are lifeforms: Stormhornet, Ratbird, Hammelhorn. When research is complete, students fly home and contribute papers.
After an introduction fills in the history of the Edge Chronicles, we follow tiny overly curious Rook Barkwater. His fellow questers are one-dimensional. Stob is always loud, rude, and arrogant. Magda is always quiet, kind, and conciliatory. The sudden insertion of sallow withdrawn skinny traitor Xanth into the Announcement Ceremony Chapter Three, without any line or page demarcation, feels out of place. At least the enemy tower line drawing page could have been put first.
Spoilers & Whyning (sic):
They get three gifts upon departing. The bloodoak tooth is just the symbol recognized by their Underground Railroad, easily mistaken, for example by booksmart Stob. The invisibility cloak is only used unnecessarily some nights over their hammocks. The spark-stones are not used: light, fire, nought. Potential so valuable, unusual, powerful, sits useless. A single changeable recognition word could have prevented the network destruction. All those loyal hard workers endangering themselves constantly, betrayed? tortured? On the subject of prisoners, why does not Rook unlock all the cells he passes? Diversion, blockades, ending auffering: anything is better than leaving them.
The orphan protegé of a famous female (another book) thought his best friend Felix would be chosen; I thought at the very least the brave son of their leader would tag along, or follow later. The callous killing of the next three groups, no further thought of a lifelong BFF, puzzles me. If Felix is another book, shouldn't we get a clue? The valiant lad generously donates his special sword, and poof ... forgotten?
When Rook sneaks nourishment to a prisoner, the outcome seems obvious. That a lost boy aka professor motivate a battle finale, seems to bloat minor plot details out of proportion. Is not the main thread our persistent lad finding his banderbears? Two valiant air-crews killed right after their introduction seems excessively blunt violence. I would rather have a small cast I care for strongly, than an abundance of incomprehensible names.
When Rook's opening recurring childhood nightmare resolves at the end, I was surprised. I was overloaded in between, and failed to see significance in the huge shape leaning down before he awakes terrified.
January 13, 2015
While the Edge world continues to bring new adventures, it seems that Mr. Stewart’s inventiveness may be grinding down a bit. Having explored the land from the Edge itself to Riverrise, there is really nothing left to cover. We are given a trip through the treacherous Deepwoods but that was been done before with the hapless Twig. Here again Mr. Stewart shows a paucity of imagination. Too many florae, faunae, people and objects seem to have the word wood as a prefix: woodale, woodsap, woodmoth, woodtroll, woodhog, woodwasp, woodwolf, et al.
Also, while descriptions of the Edge are bountiful, that of people seem a bit lacking. Rook and his travel companions Stob and Magda get along well enough. But there is little or no cohesion or sense of camaraderie amongst them. Rook separates from them too easily, leaving the reader wondering why they were included in the narrative in the first place. When Stob and Magda go off on their separate quests, you really don’t care much. Rook seems more connected to the mysterious banderbears than other people, a mystery that is conveniently elucidated at the end of the book.
This disconnection also plays out with the main protagonists and their immediate families. Time and again in this series, children are often separated from their parents and siblings, either through age, accident or malice. Quintinius lost most of his family except his father, Wind Jackal, who left him in the care of academics at Sanctaphrax to study. When they are reunited, Wind Jackal is killed by a traitorous crew mate. Quintinius has a son named Twig whom he abandoned as a baby with woodtrolls. They are reunited but then Quintinius is lost over the Edge. Twig finds him only to lose him to the Mother Storm. Young Rook lost both his parents as a baby. Mothers fare even worse, dying in fires or getting captured by slavers, e.g.
Decades of literary time pass between the books, reuniting us with older men who have aged into near decrepitude (the series doesn’t concern itself much with aged women) and act as narrators to the younger generation. However, it is a bit annoying for adult readers. You meet a youthful character like Twig, Cowlquape or Screedius Tollinix in one book and, in the next installment, they’re withered old men. Isn’t middle-aged adulthood worth writing about here?
While chronicles of the Edge world continue to absorb, new blood needs to be injected into it somewhere. A good book but nowhere near as creative as its predecessors.
Also, while descriptions of the Edge are bountiful, that of people seem a bit lacking. Rook and his travel companions Stob and Magda get along well enough. But there is little or no cohesion or sense of camaraderie amongst them. Rook separates from them too easily, leaving the reader wondering why they were included in the narrative in the first place. When Stob and Magda go off on their separate quests, you really don’t care much. Rook seems more connected to the mysterious banderbears than other people, a mystery that is conveniently elucidated at the end of the book.
This disconnection also plays out with the main protagonists and their immediate families. Time and again in this series, children are often separated from their parents and siblings, either through age, accident or malice. Quintinius lost most of his family except his father, Wind Jackal, who left him in the care of academics at Sanctaphrax to study. When they are reunited, Wind Jackal is killed by a traitorous crew mate. Quintinius has a son named Twig whom he abandoned as a baby with woodtrolls. They are reunited but then Quintinius is lost over the Edge. Twig finds him only to lose him to the Mother Storm. Young Rook lost both his parents as a baby. Mothers fare even worse, dying in fires or getting captured by slavers, e.g.
Decades of literary time pass between the books, reuniting us with older men who have aged into near decrepitude (the series doesn’t concern itself much with aged women) and act as narrators to the younger generation. However, it is a bit annoying for adult readers. You meet a youthful character like Twig, Cowlquape or Screedius Tollinix in one book and, in the next installment, they’re withered old men. Isn’t middle-aged adulthood worth writing about here?
While chronicles of the Edge world continue to absorb, new blood needs to be injected into it somewhere. A good book but nowhere near as creative as its predecessors.
August 25, 2023
Oh these books are just so endearing. Such easy reads too! I liked the extra story at the end about Rook’s mother, Keris. It’s so fun to see how all three main characters (Quint, Twig and Rook) all relate to each other. Looking forward to the next book!
June 2, 2025
I LOVE this series!! You should go read it, right NOW!
August 21, 2022
I was surprised by The Edge Chronicles which is a tremendously innovative and unique. The Twig trilogy was really stunning for me before I read years ago. I was entranced the world building, especially the WORLD BUILDING in The Edge is peculiar at any standard. Readers's attention would easily be snared by eerie and hostile creatures, special flora and fauna, spectacular ecosystem in The Edge. It's so conspicuous to readers that such strange but is full of vital and creative world is existed on the pages of The Edge Chronicles. And I must said that the Edge is a perilous place for the inhabitants. The Monstrosities of beauty always disengages pedestrians's defend therefore they would be trapped in the cruelty of the nature in the Edge. It would be a exultant reading experience for readers also has to prepare to be accustomed to this menacing story.
This tale is about a young librarian who wanted to go to the Deepwood and had some adventure instead remaining beneath in the sewers of Undertown, which is an inhabitat for the Librarian academics. They sent their superb candidates to the deepwood as librarian knights for training. The title of the book, The Last of the Sky Pirates: First Book of Rook means in this story that the buoyant stone was infected by the stricken-stone disease so that the sky pirate didn't appear after the disease. And a new technique appeared- skycraft, it doesn't need to use buoyant stone as fuel, and it resemble to paraglider. The world of the story progress well, and some old characters were back from previous Twig trilogy. Highly recommend this book!
This tale is about a young librarian who wanted to go to the Deepwood and had some adventure instead remaining beneath in the sewers of Undertown, which is an inhabitat for the Librarian academics. They sent their superb candidates to the deepwood as librarian knights for training. The title of the book, The Last of the Sky Pirates: First Book of Rook means in this story that the buoyant stone was infected by the stricken-stone disease so that the sky pirate didn't appear after the disease. And a new technique appeared- skycraft, it doesn't need to use buoyant stone as fuel, and it resemble to paraglider. The world of the story progress well, and some old characters were back from previous Twig trilogy. Highly recommend this book!
February 28, 2015
Again, like the others, I really like the illustrations and the world is well done. The plot isn't to bad either. It's a nice light read, good after a book like The Book Thief or The Count of Monte Cristo.
June 14, 2020
I'm very happy I picked up this series again after such a long time. If I had remembered more about the story, especially the Twig-Trilogy, this book would probably have hit even harder than it already did.
Regardless, the ending was still beautiful and emotional.
I love the world of the Edge, it is very dark and whimsical. The whole book is very dark as well. There was quite a bit of bloodshed and not all the characters made it all the way through.
I was a bit disappointed with Rook's time at Lake Landing. I guess the author noticed he didn't actually have enough pages to write a complete part about the school? I'm also confused about Rook's age and level of education. When did he learn to be a scientist? Don't they have scientific standards in this world?
At the moment Rook is a bit bland, but I hope he'll develop more in the next books.
Regardless, the ending was still beautiful and emotional.
I love the world of the Edge, it is very dark and whimsical. The whole book is very dark as well. There was quite a bit of bloodshed and not all the characters made it all the way through.
I was a bit disappointed with Rook's time at Lake Landing. I guess the author noticed he didn't actually have enough pages to write a complete part about the school? I'm also confused about Rook's age and level of education. When did he learn to be a scientist? Don't they have scientific standards in this world?
At the moment Rook is a bit bland, but I hope he'll develop more in the next books.
September 14, 2022
The exact same vibe as why I fell in love with this series at Beyond the Deepwoods. I loved rediscovering the world and seeing how much it changed through the eyes of someone. I loved how small things from the previous books came back, not necessarily important to the plot, but it did give me that "I UNDERSTOOD THAT I REMEMBER THAT NAME" feeling, made me feel very included in the world.
The ending I won't even talk about, it made me cry, it was probably the most beautiful ending any of the books in the series had so far.
The ending I won't even talk about, it made me cry, it was probably the most beautiful ending any of the books in the series had so far.
July 29, 2018
I really like Rook, he is a bookworm, so I can relate, but he is also compassionate and brave. It was both sad to see how things have changed, but also exciting to find out what happened and how it affected everyone. Can't wait to read the next one.
October 6, 2019
Loved it!
August 27, 2014
This book is set several decades after the adventures of Twig and Cowlquape in Midnight Over Sanctaphrax. It's a bleak world now. A strange sicknesses has come on the floating rocks, causing sky ships to crash, putting an end to sky-pirating, and dragging New Sanctaphrax to the ground. Cowlquape has been ousted from office by the jealous, treacherous Vox. Along with him, the Guardians of the Night have taken power, and they persecute the true scholars and librarians, who have taken refuge in the sewers.
Our protagonist in this book is Rook Barkwater, a Librarian with a sad, clouded past. He and two other young Librarians are picked to be Librarian Knights and go out to the dangerous world to study a subject each, adding to the body of learning. They must navigate some dangerous parts of Undertown while avoiding goblins, as well as get through the Market that the vicious bird-creatures, the Shrykes, control. They have several dedicated guides who put themselves on the line for their young charges. A spy from the Guardians of the Night complicates things. But the spy, Xanth, has misgivings about his current occupation. I look forward to seeing his return in subsequent books. Rook's studies about banderbears, travels through the forest, and flight in the fleet of Librarian Knight Captain Varis Lodd lead him to make new friends and discover things about himself he'd forgotten.
The biggest surprise is finding the last of the sky pirates, and discovering his identity. (Though if you've read the previous books, that won't be hard to guess.) A climactic battle in the style of a "storming of the castle" finishes things off.
It's nice to find out what happened to the old characters we've come to know through the previous books, namely Twig and Cowlquape. We get to find out what happened when Twig set off to reunite with his old crew. It didn't turn out how I'd expected.
Rook is a cool character (combined book lover and warrior?! Oh yeah!) and I look forward to reading more about him.
As always, there's everything I love about the Edge Chronicles: an easy read, depth and mystery, imaginative settings, memorable characters, action and adventure, moral values, and no romance!
Our protagonist in this book is Rook Barkwater, a Librarian with a sad, clouded past. He and two other young Librarians are picked to be Librarian Knights and go out to the dangerous world to study a subject each, adding to the body of learning. They must navigate some dangerous parts of Undertown while avoiding goblins, as well as get through the Market that the vicious bird-creatures, the Shrykes, control. They have several dedicated guides who put themselves on the line for their young charges. A spy from the Guardians of the Night complicates things. But the spy, Xanth, has misgivings about his current occupation. I look forward to seeing his return in subsequent books. Rook's studies about banderbears, travels through the forest, and flight in the fleet of Librarian Knight Captain Varis Lodd lead him to make new friends and discover things about himself he'd forgotten.
The biggest surprise is finding the last of the sky pirates, and discovering his identity. (Though if you've read the previous books, that won't be hard to guess.) A climactic battle in the style of a "storming of the castle" finishes things off.
It's nice to find out what happened to the old characters we've come to know through the previous books, namely Twig and Cowlquape. We get to find out what happened when Twig set off to reunite with his old crew. It didn't turn out how I'd expected.
Rook is a cool character (combined book lover and warrior?! Oh yeah!) and I look forward to reading more about him.
As always, there's everything I love about the Edge Chronicles: an easy read, depth and mystery, imaginative settings, memorable characters, action and adventure, moral values, and no romance!
September 29, 2025
Der Wechsel von Twig auf Rook ist bisschen schwer für mich, auch wenn beide Charaktere recht ähnlich sind. Es liegt wahrscheinlich auch an den anderen Veränderungen in den 50 Jahren, die in der Geschichte vergangen sind, und die vielen Änderungen im Setting, allen voran der Dunkelwald sowie das Fehlen der fliegenden Schiffe.
Trotzdem ein gutes Buch und eine schöne Geschichte.
Trotzdem ein gutes Buch und eine schöne Geschichte.
November 10, 2015
So glad I got to take another journey to the Edge. This whole series has just been consistently phenomenal, and I cannot wait to get my hands on the sixth book (7th chronologically). If you enjoy middle-grade/ children adventure stories, you should give this series a go.
March 26, 2024
I think what I qualify as a "good" book in this series, both now and as a twelve-year-old, is whether or not the book contains a bunch of flying. That's it. Maybe Banderbears, but mostly flying. That being said, this one was great!!
August 21, 2018
'The Last of the Sky Pirates' takes place fifty years after 'Midnight over Sanctaphrax' and follows our third protagonist, Rook Barkwater, on his quest to become a librarian knight. It's probably one of the weaker ones in the series for me, although it certainly has it's moments and is overall still an enjoyable read.
The great strength of this novel, as with the series in general, is the world. The Edge as Rook Barkwater knows it has changed drastically, and not for the better. Stone sickness has destroyed the sky ships and caused the rock on which New Sanctaphrax is built to sink and crumble, flattening large swathes of Undertown. Undertown and Sanctaphrax were never exactly sanctuaries of freedom, but now New Sanctaphrax is ruled by a ruthless evil cult and Undertown by slave taking mercenaries. Compared to what came before, it's almost post apocalyptic, and seeing what these places have become after reading three books about trying to save them is pretty devastating. It gets even worse when we found out what happened to the characters of the previous trilogy. 'The Last of the Sky Pirates' earns further points for introducing the character of Xanth, who I remember as by far the most interesting character in this trilogy and possibly the whole series.
As for the negatives, well... I have to say it. This one reminded me far too much of 'The Winter Knights' there's a large chunk dedicated to our protagonists education, where nothing much interesting happens. Rook is also pretty bland as a protagonist. He loves adventure, well, all three protagonists love adventure, so he's not all that distinct. He thirsts for knowledge as well, but it's not really explored all that much. He reads like a rehash of Quint in 'The Winter Knights'. Also, the snickets only ever seemed to show up to save him and ended up being more of a Deus Ex Machina than a genuine threat.
Also, after seven books I am heartily sick of being told about how awesome banderbears are. We get it. The one Twig met in 'Beyond the Deepwoods' was a friend who helped him survive and kept him safe. It was heartwarming. We don't need their gentle, calm nature constantly rammed down our throats. I'm exaggerating a little, but there was one scene regarding this that annoyed me a little. I'm sure that wasn't intentional, but still.
If I can be positive again, the ending is close to flawless. It's a great send off, both for the previous trilogy and all the previous books. I especially like the touch of the opening of the attack being told from the perspective of one of the tower guards. Seeing his shock and panic as something that should have disappeared before he was born appears from nowhere to attack his home adds a lot of weight to that scene.
So overall, I personally feel this is the second weakest of all the books in the series so far, but I still liked it and look forward to reading the rest.
The great strength of this novel, as with the series in general, is the world. The Edge as Rook Barkwater knows it has changed drastically, and not for the better. Stone sickness has destroyed the sky ships and caused the rock on which New Sanctaphrax is built to sink and crumble, flattening large swathes of Undertown. Undertown and Sanctaphrax were never exactly sanctuaries of freedom, but now New Sanctaphrax is ruled by a ruthless evil cult and Undertown by slave taking mercenaries. Compared to what came before, it's almost post apocalyptic, and seeing what these places have become after reading three books about trying to save them is pretty devastating. It gets even worse when we found out what happened to the characters of the previous trilogy. 'The Last of the Sky Pirates' earns further points for introducing the character of Xanth, who I remember as by far the most interesting character in this trilogy and possibly the whole series.
As for the negatives, well... I have to say it. This one reminded me far too much of 'The Winter Knights' there's a large chunk dedicated to our protagonists education, where nothing much interesting happens. Rook is also pretty bland as a protagonist. He loves adventure, well, all three protagonists love adventure, so he's not all that distinct. He thirsts for knowledge as well, but it's not really explored all that much. He reads like a rehash of Quint in 'The Winter Knights'. Also, the snickets only ever seemed to show up to save him and ended up being more of a Deus Ex Machina than a genuine threat.
Also, after seven books I am heartily sick of being told about how awesome banderbears are. We get it. The one Twig met in 'Beyond the Deepwoods' was a friend who helped him survive and kept him safe. It was heartwarming. We don't need their gentle, calm nature constantly rammed down our throats. I'm exaggerating a little, but there was one scene regarding this that annoyed me a little. I'm sure that wasn't intentional, but still.
If I can be positive again, the ending is close to flawless. It's a great send off, both for the previous trilogy and all the previous books. I especially like the touch of the opening of the attack being told from the perspective of one of the tower guards. Seeing his shock and panic as something that should have disappeared before he was born appears from nowhere to attack his home adds a lot of weight to that scene.
So overall, I personally feel this is the second weakest of all the books in the series so far, but I still liked it and look forward to reading the rest.
April 26, 2024
The Edge Chronicles is a bit of a one-trick pony. A very dear pony and one that you ride to all sorts of different places. And the trick is really something. But you've seen it a lot now and you're starting to wonder if there's anything else this horse can do.
The Last of The Sky Pirates opens a new trilogy in the world of the Edge. We're doing the time-skip thing and the world as we knew it has changed: no more sky ships, the power of Sanctaphrax broken and the Deepwoods opened up for trade by the Great Mire Road. We follow Rook, a young apprentice working in the sewers of Undertown, and who dreams of becoming a Librarian Knight and voyaging out to the Deepwoods to study banderbears.
For all the ostensible changes to the world, long-term fans of the series will note that there is a lot of reskinning going on. Librarian Knights are Knights Academic by another name and continue the proud tradition of sending barely-trained children off into the most dangerous parts of the world. The main conflict revolves around an academic dispute which the factions have blown well out of proportion. The book trades a lot on races and segments that have proven popular in earlier volumes: waifs, shrykes and banderbears; a whimsical schooling session; a hero with an innate talent for everything aeronautical; and an adventure through the dangers of the Deepwoods. Particularly in the latter part of the book, when one gets the impression that Stewart and Riddell used up all their ideas early and are now playing variations upon a theme.
I would have liked to see stronger emphasis given to the more unique aspects of the book (more delving into Xanth's character; more exploration of the additional banderbear lore we are teased with; a heavier weight given to Rook's academic side, which would distinguish him more from carbon-copy Twig and Quint in earlier books) rather than yet anther shryke market or another conflict above Undertown.
Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed the book. There is an imagination and whimsy, as well as a surprising darkness, to The Edge Chronicles that is missing from a lot of children's literature. These books remain fun, quirky, delightful - a series to recommend. But seven books in I am beginning to wonder if the remaining six will have anything new to offer.
The Last of The Sky Pirates opens a new trilogy in the world of the Edge. We're doing the time-skip thing and the world as we knew it has changed: no more sky ships, the power of Sanctaphrax broken and the Deepwoods opened up for trade by the Great Mire Road. We follow Rook, a young apprentice working in the sewers of Undertown, and who dreams of becoming a Librarian Knight and voyaging out to the Deepwoods to study banderbears.
For all the ostensible changes to the world, long-term fans of the series will note that there is a lot of reskinning going on. Librarian Knights are Knights Academic by another name and continue the proud tradition of sending barely-trained children off into the most dangerous parts of the world. The main conflict revolves around an academic dispute which the factions have blown well out of proportion. The book trades a lot on races and segments that have proven popular in earlier volumes: waifs, shrykes and banderbears; a whimsical schooling session; a hero with an innate talent for everything aeronautical; and an adventure through the dangers of the Deepwoods. Particularly in the latter part of the book, when one gets the impression that Stewart and Riddell used up all their ideas early and are now playing variations upon a theme.
I would have liked to see stronger emphasis given to the more unique aspects of the book (more delving into Xanth's character; more exploration of the additional banderbear lore we are teased with; a heavier weight given to Rook's academic side, which would distinguish him more from carbon-copy Twig and Quint in earlier books) rather than yet anther shryke market or another conflict above Undertown.
Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed the book. There is an imagination and whimsy, as well as a surprising darkness, to The Edge Chronicles that is missing from a lot of children's literature. These books remain fun, quirky, delightful - a series to recommend. But seven books in I am beginning to wonder if the remaining six will have anything new to offer.
May 9, 2020
Het is mij echt een raadsel waarom de Klif-kronieken niet bekender en populairder zijn. De verhalen zijn spannend en spreken tot de verbeelding. De plaatjes in het boek maken het geheel duidelijker en tegelijk leuk om naar te kijken.
Dit deel gaat over Roek die in een rood leeft vijftig jaar na het vorige deel. Als bibliotheekridder gaat hij op een gevaarlijke reis naar de Vrije Laren. Zoals we gewend zijn van deze reeks verhalen, is het verhaal makkelijk te lezen, door de makkelijke zinnen. De plaatjes verduidelijken eventuele omschrijvingen over enge monsters. Het boek is ook nog eens in hoofdstukken verdeeld en dat maakt het verhaal overzichtelijk.
Er zitten echter ook veel gruwelen in het verhaal, net als in de vorige delen. Niet alle personages overleven het en op zijn weg komt Roek veel schrikwekkende creaturen tegen, die de jongen dreigen op te eten en uiteindelijk elkaar verscheuren.
De personages gaan voor mij wel leven, hoewel de personages buiten Roek om wat vlak blijven. Voor een kinderboek is dat helemaal niet erg, de personages voldoen aan de verwachtingen en dat is fijn.
Hierna volgen nog twee delen van de 7-delige vertaalde boeken (officieel bestaan er veel meer delen) en ik hoop dat ze met zo spannend en boeiend zijn als dit deel. Ik ben benieuwd waar Roek ons nog meer naartoe zal brengen.
Oh en mocht je deze boeken niet kennen: koop boek 1 'Ver voorbij het Diepe Woud' en verdwaal even in de fantastische wereld van het Klif, daarna zul je de rest ook willen lezen.
Dit deel gaat over Roek die in een rood leeft vijftig jaar na het vorige deel. Als bibliotheekridder gaat hij op een gevaarlijke reis naar de Vrije Laren. Zoals we gewend zijn van deze reeks verhalen, is het verhaal makkelijk te lezen, door de makkelijke zinnen. De plaatjes verduidelijken eventuele omschrijvingen over enge monsters. Het boek is ook nog eens in hoofdstukken verdeeld en dat maakt het verhaal overzichtelijk.
Er zitten echter ook veel gruwelen in het verhaal, net als in de vorige delen. Niet alle personages overleven het en op zijn weg komt Roek veel schrikwekkende creaturen tegen, die de jongen dreigen op te eten en uiteindelijk elkaar verscheuren.
De personages gaan voor mij wel leven, hoewel de personages buiten Roek om wat vlak blijven. Voor een kinderboek is dat helemaal niet erg, de personages voldoen aan de verwachtingen en dat is fijn.
Hierna volgen nog twee delen van de 7-delige vertaalde boeken (officieel bestaan er veel meer delen) en ik hoop dat ze met zo spannend en boeiend zijn als dit deel. Ik ben benieuwd waar Roek ons nog meer naartoe zal brengen.
Oh en mocht je deze boeken niet kennen: koop boek 1 'Ver voorbij het Diepe Woud' en verdwaal even in de fantastische wereld van het Klif, daarna zul je de rest ook willen lezen.
September 20, 2018
this is a slightly better than average book about a young boy coming of age in a fantasy setting.
It is better than average in somuch as doing a good job of "humanizing" different species, and letting each individual be an individual; it wasn't like "oh, the dwarfs are all gruff, the elves are all prissy" and I like that. Also not terrible on gender stuff, but not great on it, either; there's one gal in the group of students and holy hell if she isn't the tenderest shoot to ever grow through a crack, with tears in her eyes at any possible occasion, but she IS pretty cool, and there's a pretty even mix of genders in the Banderbears, and while there is only one female teacher, she is the most badass of the bunch, so there's that.
Mostly, though, I give it credit for not making the main character into anything mythically special. He's not the best at anything, he's not the worst at anything, he studies hard, he learns stuff at about the same rate as normal, he's just... pretty normal for the world he's set in.
It is better than average in somuch as doing a good job of "humanizing" different species, and letting each individual be an individual; it wasn't like "oh, the dwarfs are all gruff, the elves are all prissy" and I like that. Also not terrible on gender stuff, but not great on it, either; there's one gal in the group of students and holy hell if she isn't the tenderest shoot to ever grow through a crack, with tears in her eyes at any possible occasion, but she IS pretty cool, and there's a pretty even mix of genders in the Banderbears, and while there is only one female teacher, she is the most badass of the bunch, so there's that.
Mostly, though, I give it credit for not making the main character into anything mythically special. He's not the best at anything, he's not the worst at anything, he studies hard, he learns stuff at about the same rate as normal, he's just... pretty normal for the world he's set in.
August 18, 2017
A fun, imaginative adventure romp. Clearly young adult, but I admit, sometimes it's nice to read a book with images, especially by a great illustrator like Chris Riddell.
I do have some issues with the book. The timing felt a bit weird sometimes. Especially the middle of the book felt like a long winded montage. The world, while nicely built, felt a bit small and cramped. And the main plot was a bit predictable. There were a few scenes that felt a bit gruesome for a YA novel.
But all in all, the word-building and well, the fun made this a great book to read. I loved the idea of librarian knights, would have been great if we could have focussed more on how Rook and his treatise.
So, while I give it 3 stars, that's a rounded down 3.5. I'll certainly pick up any other novels in this series I encounter.
I do have some issues with the book. The timing felt a bit weird sometimes. Especially the middle of the book felt like a long winded montage. The world, while nicely built, felt a bit small and cramped. And the main plot was a bit predictable. There were a few scenes that felt a bit gruesome for a YA novel.
But all in all, the word-building and well, the fun made this a great book to read. I loved the idea of librarian knights, would have been great if we could have focussed more on how Rook and his treatise.
So, while I give it 3 stars, that's a rounded down 3.5. I'll certainly pick up any other novels in this series I encounter.
July 16, 2018
The writing is okay but not great. What makes this a 4-star book is the raw creativity in the world that the authors built. Stone ships that fly? An endless waterfall pouring off the Edge? Librarians who've been driven into underground sewers... where they have libraries of floating bookshelves? Seriously, how could I resist a story about *librarian-knights* who go off on a quest, not to slay dragons, but to gain knowledge (and write a "treatise" to share it with everyone else)? Also, the drawings are delightful! I'm inspired to seek out some of the earlier books set in this world as well (but I suspect they may focus more on sky pirates than librarian knights - that's ok, pirates are cool too :) ).
February 23, 2023
All my compliments and no complaints. The world of The Edge continues to grow- if not in landscape, then certainly in how it's interacted with and viewed. Cultures have shifted, society progressed, the developed world a growing thing; this is not a static environment to be wrung dry with multiple stories and characters, but a world with just as much capacity for change as the protagonists themselves.
Another note I enjoyed in this particular installation was the introduction of a foil character who, if only lightly, mirrored the main character. Unlike the last few books where the main character exists as the sole measurement for progress or success, having a foil/rival character made it all the more interesting.
Very much enjoyed, definitely recommend. Will read again.
Another note I enjoyed in this particular installation was the introduction of a foil character who, if only lightly, mirrored the main character. Unlike the last few books where the main character exists as the sole measurement for progress or success, having a foil/rival character made it all the more interesting.
Very much enjoyed, definitely recommend. Will read again.
March 2, 2023
This is the first full book I remember reading as a child, loved it. My mum had bought every available book in the Edge Chronicles without telling me, each time I finished one she would mysteriously produce the next. I've read the Edge Chronicles three times, when I was a child, when I was a teenager and the latest was my mid 20s. This series is so incredibly fantastical. The illustrations are beautiful, the world building is something you could get lost in forever and characters are endlessly captivating.
I would recommend anyone, any age, to give this 10+ book series a try, you won't be disappointed.
I would recommend anyone, any age, to give this 10+ book series a try, you won't be disappointed.
January 31, 2021
As before with this series, I am often surprised by just how dark the stories get. Nobody is safe and anything can happen. That being said, the story itself did drag a little for me in that it retraced a lot of the ground covered in the Beyond the Deepwoods as Rook travels the Edge encountering weird and often dangerous things and environments. Fortunately, this story does pick up after a while and by the end has nicely picked up and was far more engaging. Chris Riddle's illustrations as always add something to the story. Full of imagination and adventure.
May 10, 2018
This book was one of my childhood favourites.
As far as fantasy goes, the ideas are well fleshed out. The narrative kept me reading late into the night with a torch, under the covers and the characters are driven, unique and well described.
One problem I have with it is the basic sentence structure and language used, however, for a kids book - this cannot drag the book down as a whole.
Certainly one of my earlier books that fostered my imagination as a child.
As far as fantasy goes, the ideas are well fleshed out. The narrative kept me reading late into the night with a torch, under the covers and the characters are driven, unique and well described.
One problem I have with it is the basic sentence structure and language used, however, for a kids book - this cannot drag the book down as a whole.
Certainly one of my earlier books that fostered my imagination as a child.
August 14, 2018
Ok I'm reading this series in reading order.
Even though ive had a few years break from the last one ive read I have had no problm slipping back into the Deepwoods and remembering all that has happened previously.
I just love the detailed illustrations that accompanies the story as it really brings the story to life.
Even though this is aimed for 11+ I think that anyone can enjoy the story after all I'm in my 30's and thoroughly enjoying the whole series so far
Even though ive had a few years break from the last one ive read I have had no problm slipping back into the Deepwoods and remembering all that has happened previously.
I just love the detailed illustrations that accompanies the story as it really brings the story to life.
Even though this is aimed for 11+ I think that anyone can enjoy the story after all I'm in my 30's and thoroughly enjoying the whole series so far
May 15, 2020
I read this originally as a child and I really remember enjoying it.
Upon reread I found the first half incredibly slow, there was something happening all the time but I just wasnt invested in it. I kept finding I was putting the book down every 50 pages then forcing myself to return to it.
The last 150 pages however was amazing, it was exactly what I remembered and I enjoyed it alot.
Overall it's a 3.5 stars simply because of how long it took me to be engaged in the story.
Upon reread I found the first half incredibly slow, there was something happening all the time but I just wasnt invested in it. I kept finding I was putting the book down every 50 pages then forcing myself to return to it.
The last 150 pages however was amazing, it was exactly what I remembered and I enjoyed it alot.
Overall it's a 3.5 stars simply because of how long it took me to be engaged in the story.
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