What do you think?
Rate this book
The Wilderking Trilogy #3
The Way of the Wilderking
Aidan Errolson, recently returned home to Corenwald, learns of a new party of Aidanites who believe he is the destined king to overthrow the tyrant King Darrow.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2006
128 people are currently reading
1395 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Rogers
44 books305 followersJonathan Rogers grew up in Georgia, where he spent many happy hours in the swamps and riverbottoms on which the wild places of The Wilderking are based. He received his undergraduate degree from Furman University in South Carolina and holds a Ph.D. in seventeenth-century English literature from Vanderbilt University. The Bark of the Bog Owl has already found a receptive audience among Jonathan’s own six children. The Rogers clan lives in Nashville, Tennessee, where Jonathan makes a living as a freelance writer. The Bark of the Bog Owl is his first novel.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 228 reviews
June 7, 2017
((No Spoilers))
In The Wilderking trilogy, Rogers takes the story of King David and tells it anew. Without changing the spirit of David’s miraculous story, Rogers re-contextualizes it. He changes the location to something that looks a lot like Southern Georgia. He changes the time to something that resembles the Middle Ages. He changes the story of the Israelites to something that echoes the story of Colonial America. And, he changes the cast of characters to include an almost mythical race of people who live entirely in the swamps. Without being slapstick, without feeling forced, and without diminishing the way that God works His will in the human story, Rogers tells an entirely new story that feels deliciously familiar. Also, he tells it in such a way that he helps his readers to imagine the Bible as being relevant for all ages and in all places. The storytelling is nothing short of inspired. To boot, Rogers has a Ph. D. in seventeenth century literature from Vanderbilt University, which is kenspeckle in the beauty of his writing.
In the this book, The Way of the Wilderking, Rogers integrates the first two stories into one new reality. While a new, stronger, and more confident Aidan emerges from the swamp, the shepherd boy is still in him as well. More importantly, his friendship with the King’s son is still precious to him. And no matter how unhinged the King has become, Aidan and his family remain loyal subjects. The entire third book can be understood as a tension between two goods. Two rights. Two bests. Discerning how to strike the balance, while the king sinks into an unrelenting dark and dangerous depression requires everything Aidan and his friends are capable of commanding.
“Father is a man of faith. That’s why he can sleep on a night like this. He prayed for an hour or more this morning, just like every morning, while you were still snoring. He prayed for you by name, in fact, Marvin. I heard him. Father’s been praying all day. And now he’s resting in the mercy of the living God.” – The Way of the Wilderking
It is really tricky to talk about the third book without spoiling it. Suffice to say, it ends extremely well. In fact, my kids and I read the last third of it in one day, because we had to know how it ended. And everything that happened was a surprise while none of it was a surprise. Somehow, Rogers was able to take the forgone outcomes that we know so well and present them in unexpected and deeply satisfying ways.
One of the great tensions in the third book is the triangular relationship between King Darrow, Prince Steren, and Aidan. I think that many of us who have studied the story of David have been struck with great sadness over the death of Jonathan. Saul’s unwillingness to live in the grace he had been given ruined not just his own life, but that of his son’s as well. Perhaps Rogers shares my regret over Jonathan’s demise. The way in which he writes the character of Prince Steren gives us something noble and exciting to love. The way that Steren loves both his father and his friend is beautiful. In this story, we know that Steren cannot survive to the end because we know that Jonathan did not. But instead of being a mere casualty of his father’s wickedness, he is a hero. In some ways, this is almost harder. In Steren, we see what King Darrow robbed his people of; a king who would have been worthy indeed if his father’s sins had not cut him down.
I think the genius of the Wilderking books is that they allows us to bring our knowledge of the Bible into a different setting. Instead of miraculous events which took place thousands of years ago in a foreign desert, they feel much more familiar. They feel like they could have been a part of our American story. This story is not a true allegory. Not everything represents something. It is, however, an exciting and relatable reimagining of one of God’s greatest stories. This reimagining, which is informed by the Bible, but grown out of Rogers own creativity, enhances a delightful boy adventure story. This excellent story is elevated by the biblical truths it incorporates.
In The Wilderking trilogy, Rogers takes the story of King David and tells it anew. Without changing the spirit of David’s miraculous story, Rogers re-contextualizes it. He changes the location to something that looks a lot like Southern Georgia. He changes the time to something that resembles the Middle Ages. He changes the story of the Israelites to something that echoes the story of Colonial America. And, he changes the cast of characters to include an almost mythical race of people who live entirely in the swamps. Without being slapstick, without feeling forced, and without diminishing the way that God works His will in the human story, Rogers tells an entirely new story that feels deliciously familiar. Also, he tells it in such a way that he helps his readers to imagine the Bible as being relevant for all ages and in all places. The storytelling is nothing short of inspired. To boot, Rogers has a Ph. D. in seventeenth century literature from Vanderbilt University, which is kenspeckle in the beauty of his writing.
In the this book, The Way of the Wilderking, Rogers integrates the first two stories into one new reality. While a new, stronger, and more confident Aidan emerges from the swamp, the shepherd boy is still in him as well. More importantly, his friendship with the King’s son is still precious to him. And no matter how unhinged the King has become, Aidan and his family remain loyal subjects. The entire third book can be understood as a tension between two goods. Two rights. Two bests. Discerning how to strike the balance, while the king sinks into an unrelenting dark and dangerous depression requires everything Aidan and his friends are capable of commanding.
“Father is a man of faith. That’s why he can sleep on a night like this. He prayed for an hour or more this morning, just like every morning, while you were still snoring. He prayed for you by name, in fact, Marvin. I heard him. Father’s been praying all day. And now he’s resting in the mercy of the living God.” – The Way of the Wilderking
It is really tricky to talk about the third book without spoiling it. Suffice to say, it ends extremely well. In fact, my kids and I read the last third of it in one day, because we had to know how it ended. And everything that happened was a surprise while none of it was a surprise. Somehow, Rogers was able to take the forgone outcomes that we know so well and present them in unexpected and deeply satisfying ways.
One of the great tensions in the third book is the triangular relationship between King Darrow, Prince Steren, and Aidan. I think that many of us who have studied the story of David have been struck with great sadness over the death of Jonathan. Saul’s unwillingness to live in the grace he had been given ruined not just his own life, but that of his son’s as well. Perhaps Rogers shares my regret over Jonathan’s demise. The way in which he writes the character of Prince Steren gives us something noble and exciting to love. The way that Steren loves both his father and his friend is beautiful. In this story, we know that Steren cannot survive to the end because we know that Jonathan did not. But instead of being a mere casualty of his father’s wickedness, he is a hero. In some ways, this is almost harder. In Steren, we see what King Darrow robbed his people of; a king who would have been worthy indeed if his father’s sins had not cut him down.
I think the genius of the Wilderking books is that they allows us to bring our knowledge of the Bible into a different setting. Instead of miraculous events which took place thousands of years ago in a foreign desert, they feel much more familiar. They feel like they could have been a part of our American story. This story is not a true allegory. Not everything represents something. It is, however, an exciting and relatable reimagining of one of God’s greatest stories. This reimagining, which is informed by the Bible, but grown out of Rogers own creativity, enhances a delightful boy adventure story. This excellent story is elevated by the biblical truths it incorporates.
October 26, 2013
I can't even begin to describe the impact this allegorical trilogy has had on my son and I... it has brought us through nearly every emotion... there were times we were laughing so hard that tears were falling down our faces. There were times we were quite angry. And there were times when we were so distraught (like near the ending of this last book in the trilogy)that we both started sobbing.
The characters have wormed their way into our hearts, in a way that not many literary characters ever do.
It is a trilogy that, for me, compares very much with the Chronicles of Narnia and I know that the memories my son and I have gathered through this reading will stay with us for quite some time... We need to purchase this series for our library so that we can reread it in a couple of years.
Highly recommended! And if you do read it aloud - try to do so "in character" - especially for the Feechie characters.... it'll be an absolute riot during many parts of this trilogy.... its a book that begs to be read aloud.. :)
The characters have wormed their way into our hearts, in a way that not many literary characters ever do.
It is a trilogy that, for me, compares very much with the Chronicles of Narnia and I know that the memories my son and I have gathered through this reading will stay with us for quite some time... We need to purchase this series for our library so that we can reread it in a couple of years.
Highly recommended! And if you do read it aloud - try to do so "in character" - especially for the Feechie characters.... it'll be an absolute riot during many parts of this trilogy.... its a book that begs to be read aloud.. :)
August 28, 2021
Definitely the best book in the series.
January 29, 2025
Such a great series!! Teared up at the end of this one. Our whole family thoroughly enjoyed these on audio!
November 7, 2018
“False love I could handle. Flattery, using people, even being used-I understood all of that. That made sense to me. But unconditional love was the last thing I wanted, from Father or anybody else. Because to receive unconditional love is to know somebody loves you more than you deserved to be loved.”
March 7, 2023
I deeply enjoyed this series. It has everything to make it a good series in my book - adventure, loyalty to a kingdom, redemptive love, and strange old prophets that repeat lines, which will now be hopelessly stuck in your head.
Very glad to have this in my library, and I will definitely be recommending it right after the Wingfeather saga and the Mysterious Benedict Society and the like (although most likely not before those).
I appreciated Aiden’s character development in this book that showed him having to wrestle with the responsibility of his calling, and it went beyond the “perfect character that can’t make a wrong decision” that the first two books gave.
On a literary note, there were a few points were I felt kind of cheated with the story - like significant moments in the story that were just brushed over in a sentence or two. Also don’t really know how I feel about the king David tropes…kinda cool, I guess.
Very glad to have this in my library, and I will definitely be recommending it right after the Wingfeather saga and the Mysterious Benedict Society and the like (although most likely not before those).
I appreciated Aiden’s character development in this book that showed him having to wrestle with the responsibility of his calling, and it went beyond the “perfect character that can’t make a wrong decision” that the first two books gave.
On a literary note, there were a few points were I felt kind of cheated with the story - like significant moments in the story that were just brushed over in a sentence or two. Also don’t really know how I feel about the king David tropes…kinda cool, I guess.
November 27, 2017
My favorite quote, “The future is a dark path, Aiden. It’s even dark for me most of the time and I’m a prophet. But the living God always gives you the light to get to the next turning. Stay in the path, Aiden. There’s light enough. When you get to the second turning, the third, the twentieth, they’ll be lit too.”
March 17, 2012
This was my favorite book of the three. Dobro is still my favorite character. He is funny. He always stands by Aidan. He is wild, hyper and brave. Except when it comes to Sinking Canyons. After this I'd like to read The Charlatan's Boy.
My daddy read this series out loud to me.
My daddy read this series out loud to me.
July 16, 2022
Goodness, that was enjoyable.
November 29, 2024
My 9-year-old and 7-year-old boys loved this fantasy series that's loosely based on the early life of King David. In this final book, Aidan Errolson must come out of hiding in the Feechiefen to face the impending downfall of King Darrow. The only question is will Darrow take down Corenwald with him? Well, we know that Aidan won't let that happen without a fight, and we know that he has what it takes.
This book has some of the best Dobro moments in the series. He's such a funny character, and my boys have now incorporated a new inside-joke phrase into their repertoire: "Time to leave these neighborhoooooooods!" For whatever reason, that one stuck.
This book also has a few very touching moments that made me choke up. No spoilers.
A few thoughts on the series overall:
There are almost no girls in the series. My boys did not comment on this or bat an eyelash. They are boys and love reading about boys. Girl readers, though, may notice. This book contains a few girl characters—rich ladies from Tambluff, including one spirited young woman who can match Dobro stride for stride.
The series focuses so closely on Aiden that the worldbuilding and external plot feel rather loose. It's rather like the first Narnia book. We don't get a lengthy deep-dive into the lore of the land, nor do we get our specific questions answered. We just take things as they come at us. This is largely the same. Although it's a fantasy, don't expect the granular detail or tightly woven fabric of a series like HP.
In fact, Rogers seems to intentionally go in the opposite direction, dedicating whole chapters to tree-chopping contests, feechie ballads, and other seeming side notes. Often, these colorful scenes were favorites of my boys. They are young and always up for a laugh.
A SMALL SPOILER: I will say that I find it incredibly interesting that Rogers chose to make the feechies and civilizers long-lost relatives. They both descend from the same mainland tribe. The feechies came to the island first, and the civilizers came much later—so much later that they didn't recognize any shared history with the feechies. Far from being two separate peoples, they discover that they are, in fact, one. I find spiritual significance in this.
This book has some of the best Dobro moments in the series. He's such a funny character, and my boys have now incorporated a new inside-joke phrase into their repertoire: "Time to leave these neighborhoooooooods!" For whatever reason, that one stuck.
This book also has a few very touching moments that made me choke up. No spoilers.
A few thoughts on the series overall:
There are almost no girls in the series. My boys did not comment on this or bat an eyelash. They are boys and love reading about boys. Girl readers, though, may notice. This book contains a few girl characters—rich ladies from Tambluff, including one spirited young woman who can match Dobro stride for stride.
The series focuses so closely on Aiden that the worldbuilding and external plot feel rather loose. It's rather like the first Narnia book. We don't get a lengthy deep-dive into the lore of the land, nor do we get our specific questions answered. We just take things as they come at us. This is largely the same. Although it's a fantasy, don't expect the granular detail or tightly woven fabric of a series like HP.
In fact, Rogers seems to intentionally go in the opposite direction, dedicating whole chapters to tree-chopping contests, feechie ballads, and other seeming side notes. Often, these colorful scenes were favorites of my boys. They are young and always up for a laugh.
A SMALL SPOILER: I will say that I find it incredibly interesting that Rogers chose to make the feechies and civilizers long-lost relatives. They both descend from the same mainland tribe. The feechies came to the island first, and the civilizers came much later—so much later that they didn't recognize any shared history with the feechies. Far from being two separate peoples, they discover that they are, in fact, one. I find spiritual significance in this.
March 16, 2025
This was a final book that did the first two justice! A funny and heart-tugging storyline, with a bit more worldbuilding detail than we got in the first two books (though still not enough! I wanted more). The plot twists were a little easy to see through, and I don't feel Rogers did enough with Aidan's character development as he truly could have, so this book is a 4-star and not a 5-star in my opinion, though it's still a worthwhile read. I think Dobro's feechie sonnets after the epilogue may have been my favorite part of the whole thing. "On second thought, in real important ways / You do not make me think of summer days." !
February 23, 2018
A very satisfying conclusion to an excellent trilogy! These books are pure wisdom wrapped in a rollicking adventure. Perfect for all ages. This last one was really more of 4.5, but only because it wasn't quite as good as the first two in the trilogy. I don't think it's fair to dock stars just because the book doesn't quite measure up to the author's other wonderful books, books I would have given 10 stars if I could have.
December 21, 2024
Oh man, what a fantastic ending to this trilogy. There were a lot of hard things Aiden and his people had to go through, but there were enough feechies antics to keep the book from feeling too heavy. And there was always hope! Hope for deliverance, hope for their country, hope for their people. Fantastic read aloud with my boys!!
April 12, 2025
So sad this series is finished. It will be a highlight read aloud for our family this year. The third one did not disappoint as we see the to the point of Aiden leading an army not against King Darrow but the Prythians and leading the life before him. Great quotes again, funny parts — dobro at a play!, and so much beautiful depth in this novel. The love sonnets at the end were a favorite too.
January 9, 2019
Notably more entertaining than the first two.
Still, not my cup of tea.
Still, not my cup of tea.
October 9, 2025
Excellent book to finish out the series! Highly recommend. (I didn’t take detailed notes on this one).
Some primary themes:
-Forgiveness (there’s a phenomenal section on this)
-Unconditional love
-Loyalty
-Unity
-Honor
-Leadership
_
Notable Quote:
“The future is a dark path, Aidan […] But the living God always gives you light to get to the next turning. Stay in the path, Aidan. There’s light enough. When you get to the second turning, the third, the twentieth, they’ll be lit too.”
_
Additional notes:
Throughout the series, there's a group of people who do a lot of fist fighting / brawling type stuff in their culture and don't act "civilized" (they call the town people "civilizers"). But they are super fun and hilarious, so none of that is intended to be intense or scary.
Also, almost all of the characters in the series are male (one girl plays a small role in Book 3). It makes sense in the storyline and there is respect for women, but girly girls may not be as interested in the story.
Some primary themes:
-Forgiveness (there’s a phenomenal section on this)
-Unconditional love
-Loyalty
-Unity
-Honor
-Leadership
_
Notable Quote:
“The future is a dark path, Aidan […] But the living God always gives you light to get to the next turning. Stay in the path, Aidan. There’s light enough. When you get to the second turning, the third, the twentieth, they’ll be lit too.”
_
Additional notes:
Throughout the series, there's a group of people who do a lot of fist fighting / brawling type stuff in their culture and don't act "civilized" (they call the town people "civilizers"). But they are super fun and hilarious, so none of that is intended to be intense or scary.
Also, almost all of the characters in the series are male (one girl plays a small role in Book 3). It makes sense in the storyline and there is respect for women, but girly girls may not be as interested in the story.
April 6, 2021
This series is a fictional retelling of the story of David from the Bible, and I really enjoyed the first two books. But this final installment was a disappointment.
The Way of the Wilderking is pretty short at just over two hundred pages, but it should have been much shorter. Really, the series could easily have been two books instead of three. The first two thirds of this one felt unnecessary. I was really bored and was wondering what the point of what I was reading even was. And then the last third, where things were actually happening, felt very rushed, and also very vanilla. The first two books had interesting things happening in the important parts of the story, but everything was straightforward and dull and predictable in this book.
Many people absolutely love this series, so I wouldn’t say to steer clear, but it’s also not a series I would say to go out of your way to read.
The Way of the Wilderking is pretty short at just over two hundred pages, but it should have been much shorter. Really, the series could easily have been two books instead of three. The first two thirds of this one felt unnecessary. I was really bored and was wondering what the point of what I was reading even was. And then the last third, where things were actually happening, felt very rushed, and also very vanilla. The first two books had interesting things happening in the important parts of the story, but everything was straightforward and dull and predictable in this book.
Many people absolutely love this series, so I wouldn’t say to steer clear, but it’s also not a series I would say to go out of your way to read.
May 20, 2025
"The future is a dark path, Aidan. It's even dark for me most of the time, and I'm a prophet. But the living God always gives you light to get to the next turning. Stay in the path, Aidan. There's light enough. When you get to the second turning, the third, the twentieth, they'll be lit too."
An eminently satisfying conclusion to the trilogy, saturated with adventure, hijinks, the fulfillment of legends, and the grace of the living God.
👑 content: none really, just some battles (very non-graphic) 👑
April 29, 2025
I enjoyed this trilogy despite some of its shortcomings. Again, development is rushed in places, and characters are a little slow in putting the obvious together at times (which makes it seem like it's for a fairly young audience). It is mostly the Biblical story of Saul, Jonathan, and David with some additions and fusions of other Biblical ideas. Enjoyable characters, fun settings, and important themes that would make a great read aloud for young to mid elementary students.
Read
March 31, 2019THIS is an AWESOME BOOK!!!! It kind tells the story about David and his run from king Saul.
GREAT BOOK!!!!!!
It is a story meant for all ages. From 5 to 100.
Good book for Christian teenagers. Who need a good Christian book to read, since most books today are not meant for christians.
GREAT BOOK!!!!!!
It is a story meant for all ages. From 5 to 100.
Good book for Christian teenagers. Who need a good Christian book to read, since most books today are not meant for christians.
January 31, 2020
This was good but definitely not our favorite of the trilogy. I would give it 3.5. There were times that the Dobro parts felt “forced” into the story to give it some humor. And a time or two we felt the story dragging. Also the character Sadie was developed a bit and then we never hear what happens to her or what exactly her purpose was.
October 17, 2023
Not quite as much fun as the others, it felt a little rushed, especially towards the end. As if the author wanted to fit as much of David's arc into Aidan's but didn't quite have the space.
A rare case where a fourth book would have benefited.
But it's still excellent and the series overall is well worth the time.
A rare case where a fourth book would have benefited.
But it's still excellent and the series overall is well worth the time.
January 30, 2024
I liked this book best of the trilogy - the storyline seemed more creative and interesting. But the characters still felt flat and there were several plot holes. My kids loved it, though, and I had to remind myself that they are the intended audience and I can’t expect every book to be of classic quality.
October 7, 2021
SSSOOO GOOD!!!! OH!!!! The perfect ending to an amazing series!! When Aidan Errollson returns home to Corenwald after three years in the Feechiefen Swamp, he is shocked to discover a newly formed party known as the Aidanites. They believe the ancient Wilderking Chant makes reference to Aidan, and that he is destined to overthrow the tyrant, King Darrow. Aidan has no intention of leading any rebellion. However, as Corenwald weakens and the Pyrthen Empire threatens to invade, it seems that the Aidanites may be the only army the Corenwalders have left. What happens next among civilizers, Feechiefolk, and Pyrthens, no one could have imagined. Ages 10-15.
June 11, 2024
Excellent finish to this series. Between the setting and the Feetchifin people and the wonderful biblical illusions throughout this is book is one we will remember for a long time. We are already on a relisten in our house!
This scene and line had me crying near the end - “You were never meant to be a slave, son.” 😂😂
This scene and line had me crying near the end - “You were never meant to be a slave, son.” 😂😂
April 16, 2025
This final installment did not disappoint. Highly recommended. This is one of my favorite stories of the year, and it may become one of my lifetime favorites.
(Finished with the kids and Luke on Mar 31)
(Finished with the kids and Luke on Mar 31)
December 14, 2019
We read the trilogy with our kids and I can't wait to start them over. Full of imagination, adventure, bravery, loyalty and laugh out loud funny.
February 6, 2021
Great read aloud
Very much enjoyed reading this trilogy to the kids—ages 13 down to 6 all enjoyed it. They will forever make fun of my attempts at the feechie battle cry. Theirs are much more believable. Great story all around—following the Bible just closely enough and with the author’s own tale and knowledge of the southern setting intertwined.
Very much enjoyed reading this trilogy to the kids—ages 13 down to 6 all enjoyed it. They will forever make fun of my attempts at the feechie battle cry. Theirs are much more believable. Great story all around—following the Bible just closely enough and with the author’s own tale and knowledge of the southern setting intertwined.
October 5, 2021
It kinda ended fast, but the story was great and the parallels between it and the Bible were good too.
April 30, 2024
Don’t mind me. I’m just over here WEEPING.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 228 reviews