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Peter Nimble, The Vanished Kingdom
The War of the Maps
This epic middle-grade adventure—companion to Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes and Sophie Quire and the Last Storyguard—will take readers to the very ends of the earth . . . and beyond.
From the New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of The Night Gardener and Sweep.
The War of the Maps is a breathtaking fantasy in the vein of His Dark Materials and The Last Battle that dares to give new answers to age-old questions—inviting readers of all ages to sail beyond the edges of the map into a world of magic, myth, and boundless adventure.
Since time before time, two opposing forces have been locked in an endless It is the war between magic and reason—between what if and what is. And the victor will not just shape the future but the very nature of reality.
Peter Nimble and Sophie Quire have spent the last four years fighting to protect a world of magic from the insidious, unstoppable forces of “progress.” But, every day, the wonders that once surrounded them are vanishing. Lurking behind this transformation is a mysterious group called The League of Maps that seems to hold the answers.
As Peter and Sophie fight to untangle this mystery, they find themselves thrown into opposing sides of a vast war that stretches from the very beginning of humanity and into our present age.
Enjoy the fantasy adventure Vanished Kingdom books by Jonathan Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes tells the story of a ten-year-old blind orphan who discovers three pairs of magical eyes Sophie Quire and the Last Storyguard continues the tale with Sophie Quire joining Peter in his quest The War of the Maps explores a vast conflict between magic and reason
From the New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of The Night Gardener and Sweep.
The War of the Maps is a breathtaking fantasy in the vein of His Dark Materials and The Last Battle that dares to give new answers to age-old questions—inviting readers of all ages to sail beyond the edges of the map into a world of magic, myth, and boundless adventure.
Since time before time, two opposing forces have been locked in an endless It is the war between magic and reason—between what if and what is. And the victor will not just shape the future but the very nature of reality.
Peter Nimble and Sophie Quire have spent the last four years fighting to protect a world of magic from the insidious, unstoppable forces of “progress.” But, every day, the wonders that once surrounded them are vanishing. Lurking behind this transformation is a mysterious group called The League of Maps that seems to hold the answers.
As Peter and Sophie fight to untangle this mystery, they find themselves thrown into opposing sides of a vast war that stretches from the very beginning of humanity and into our present age.
Enjoy the fantasy adventure Vanished Kingdom books by Jonathan Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes tells the story of a ten-year-old blind orphan who discovers three pairs of magical eyes Sophie Quire and the Last Storyguard continues the tale with Sophie Quire joining Peter in his quest The War of the Maps explores a vast conflict between magic and reason
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Published April 29, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
June 6, 2025
Jonathan Auxier ruins all the characters.
temporary-dnf
August 3, 2025Pre-Read ~ Omg I didn’t realize this was even coming let alone almost here!!!!
Still Pre-Read ~ It’s here! I can’t wait to get my hands on this book!
Still Pre-Read Again ~ Hehehe it’s here! Like it’s actually here! In my hands! Ahhhhhhh!!!!!! Can’t wait to start!!!!!!!!! Sleep? Who needs sleep? (lol I just took like a 3-4 hour nap so sleep tonight is definitely not happening 🤪)
Still Pre-Read ~ It’s here! I can’t wait to get my hands on this book!
Still Pre-Read Again ~ Hehehe it’s here! Like it’s actually here! In my hands! Ahhhhhhh!!!!!! Can’t wait to start!!!!!!!!! Sleep? Who needs sleep? (lol I just took like a 3-4 hour nap so sleep tonight is definitely not happening 🤪)
July 4, 2025
Complicated plot and too many Marxist and leftist ideologies. A character named Horace wants to go by a female name. Queen Peg says several times that she doesn’t like boys and feels a spark of something when looking into the eyes of another girl. Not appropriate for children.
September 23, 2025
Read aloud. We felt like the story was alright, But it killed the magic and wonder we so loved in books 1 and 2. Definitely some “wokeness” I had to skip over, so wouldn’t recommend.
May 24, 2025
I have been a long time fan of the Vanished Kingdom series. (I’m so glad it has a name now!!!!) I love Peter and Sophie so much. Auxier did such a good job writing these characters!
Throughout this book I was kind of dreading where it was going. I didn’t want the adventures to end. But I was flipping these pages so fast and when I got to the end I was very satisfied. It was the most perfect way to end the series!
Throughout this book I was kind of dreading where it was going. I didn’t want the adventures to end. But I was flipping these pages so fast and when I got to the end I was very satisfied. It was the most perfect way to end the series!
August 3, 2025
As a mom, you ask your kids to read books. They complain, but read, and then … require you read the book too! This is how it started with Auxier’s Peter Nimble… and then our oldest made his siblings read Peter Nimble, Sophie Quire and the Fabled Stables. They were ALL excited to get their hands on this final book and were definitely not disappointed… “mom, you just HAVE TO read this one too now that you’ve read all the others. It’s absolutely amazing. It’s sad and beautiful and it’s the perfect ending.”
They were not lying. This book - just like the others in the series - was absolutely fantastic . I would have loved to hang out with Peter, Sophie, and all their friends a little bit longer.
They were not lying. This book - just like the others in the series - was absolutely fantastic . I would have loved to hang out with Peter, Sophie, and all their friends a little bit longer.
May 16, 2025
Such a fittingly beautiful conclusion to Peter Nimble’s story. Just like the other two books, it focuses on the value of stories, belief, wonder, curiosity, discovery, love and courage. This would have been a hard one to wrap up, for the author, and I found myself pushing against where I felt it heading. But, that’s kind of the point, isn’t it, not wanting it to end? Auxier fan forever. 🫶🏻
November 30, 2025
So…I think this book broke me.
“‘Ah, Peter Nimble…’ The man shook his head. ‘I’m not sure you can ever understand how proud I am of what you have become.’
‘I don’t know about that.’ Peter sniffed, wiping his nose. ‘I’m considerably less impressive than when I started out.’
‘No, my boy,’ the man gripped him hard by the shoulders. ‘You are as you have ever been—a wonder.’”—Jonathon Auxier.
First let’s address the fact that I was told this book is woke. I was thoroughly disappointed considering how much I enjoy the other books, but I was pleasantly surprised by how clean it truly is:
Peg says she’s not interested in boys but I take it as her just not wanting to get married. She’s a fourteen year old tomboy. That’s basically her whole character right there, and no fourteen year old girl should want to get married right then anyways.
I was misled to believe there’s a character that is called a they them, or enjoys being called that, which is false.
Mother hen actually mentions later on in the story that she can see peg’s greatest desire (at least the one she has at the beginning of the book), and that’s ALONE on the throne. No husband, but also no wife. Peg is just a girl who doesn’t care about dudes right now, and I think that’s just fine.
Peg be like: DEMOCRACY 🇺🇸 🦅
I saw someone angry because Horace remembers his name and wants to be called Shasta—you guys, into it. Do your research. Shasta is NOT a strictly female name. I see no reason why you should assume he thinks he’s a girl.
This COULD be the only place when they them pronouns or whatever come in, but it also states that the speaker is a small child, and you’ve never seen his face before. It’s often quite hard to tell a child’s gender based off their voice, especially considering that the name he was given beforehand was Cormorant, and they all had bird names, so easily gender neutral. I for one was not triggered, and I wouldn’t have even noticed it if I wasn’t looking for it.
NOW. Everything else. A little slow at first but absolutely beautiful. I adored Sophie’s character arc, but man, PETER. Poor kid just wants everyone to feel the safety that seems unknown to him, and he would easily sacrifice everything to give it to those he loves.
And the ending. I can’t even explain how incredible it was. And the only true way to end this series.
Peter and Sophie are growing up and have to grapple with the fact that the world they were born into is not the same world they’re currently presiding in. Magic fades. The years go on no matter what they do.
And they still get a beautiful ending, despite it all.
“‘Ah, Peter Nimble…’ The man shook his head. ‘I’m not sure you can ever understand how proud I am of what you have become.’
‘I don’t know about that.’ Peter sniffed, wiping his nose. ‘I’m considerably less impressive than when I started out.’
‘No, my boy,’ the man gripped him hard by the shoulders. ‘You are as you have ever been—a wonder.’”—Jonathon Auxier.
First let’s address the fact that I was told this book is woke. I was thoroughly disappointed considering how much I enjoy the other books, but I was pleasantly surprised by how clean it truly is:
Peg says she’s not interested in boys but I take it as her just not wanting to get married. She’s a fourteen year old tomboy. That’s basically her whole character right there, and no fourteen year old girl should want to get married right then anyways.
I was misled to believe there’s a character that is called a they them, or enjoys being called that, which is false.
Mother hen actually mentions later on in the story that she can see peg’s greatest desire (at least the one she has at the beginning of the book), and that’s ALONE on the throne. No husband, but also no wife. Peg is just a girl who doesn’t care about dudes right now, and I think that’s just fine.
Peg be like: DEMOCRACY 🇺🇸 🦅
I saw someone angry because Horace remembers his name and wants to be called Shasta—you guys, into it. Do your research. Shasta is NOT a strictly female name. I see no reason why you should assume he thinks he’s a girl.
This COULD be the only place when they them pronouns or whatever come in, but it also states that the speaker is a small child, and you’ve never seen his face before. It’s often quite hard to tell a child’s gender based off their voice, especially considering that the name he was given beforehand was Cormorant, and they all had bird names, so easily gender neutral. I for one was not triggered, and I wouldn’t have even noticed it if I wasn’t looking for it.
NOW. Everything else. A little slow at first but absolutely beautiful. I adored Sophie’s character arc, but man, PETER. Poor kid just wants everyone to feel the safety that seems unknown to him, and he would easily sacrifice everything to give it to those he loves.
And the ending. I can’t even explain how incredible it was. And the only true way to end this series.
Peter and Sophie are growing up and have to grapple with the fact that the world they were born into is not the same world they’re currently presiding in. Magic fades. The years go on no matter what they do.
And they still get a beautiful ending, despite it all.
April 23, 2025
These books are pure magic. Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes kicks off with a blind orphan thief, magical eyes, and an adventure that’s weird in the best way. Then Sophie Quire and the Last Storyguard take things deeper with a brave girl, enchanted books, and a mission to save stories themselves. And now there's the third book that brings everyone and everything together! Each book has its own mystery and adventure and each one is just as fun and exciting! This is a great series for our young readers who enjoy strange new magical lands, epic quests and fun interesting and clever characters! Thank you Amulet Books and Jonathan Auxier for sharing these books with me!
June 27, 2025
Absolutely masterful plotting and pacing. There is a vast chasm between this book and the first one in the trilogy, which was Auxier's debut. His ability as a storyteller has improved drastically with this long-awaited finale to the trilogy; I struggled to get through the first one but this was like being borne along on the tide of a deftly told tale, doled out piece by measured piece.
A huge thank you to Tundra Books who sent me a finished copy for review.
A huge thank you to Tundra Books who sent me a finished copy for review.
July 2, 2025
At first I said "Didn't need a third book."
Then I started reading it.
At first I was annoyed by all the teenage drama (glares pointedly at younger self).
Then I read the ending.
I'm a sucker for Tolkien-esque, and that ending was everything.
(ugh, the love triangles at 14 years old though, we are dropping it to a four for those)
Then I started reading it.
At first I was annoyed by all the teenage drama (glares pointedly at younger self).
Then I read the ending.
I'm a sucker for Tolkien-esque, and that ending was everything.
(ugh, the love triangles at 14 years old though, we are dropping it to a four for those)
March 21, 2025
Oof, all the feels. Most deeply felt if you’ve read Peter Nimble, Sophie Quire, and Fabled Stables…
For fans of Hardinge and Pullman…and the old tales, macabre and complex.
W gratitude to the publisher and Edelweiss+ for the eARC
For fans of Hardinge and Pullman…and the old tales, macabre and complex.
W gratitude to the publisher and Edelweiss+ for the eARC
June 4, 2025
I dislike not loving a book when I love an author. This is complex and provides ample opportunity for book club discussions. It feels equally fantastic and relevant. I was sometimes confused and had to remind myself about who a character was and where they were.
November 9, 2025
When I first started writing this review, it was full of thoughts on wonder, whether that found in our world or in the worlds of our imaginations. I did that because the end of this book left me feeling hollow because the wonder in the ends of the other books in this series was not there. It seemed to me that Auxier did not understand that there is wonder even in our ordinary, every day world.
But I really thought about it.
I skimmed over the epilogue to remind myself of what it contained.
And I think that maybe he did understand in a way. He just didn’t put it across very well.
The theme of this book seems to be about magic versus science.
Imagination versus reason and fact.
(If it’s not, then Auxier did not do a very good job of showing what his theme was here.)
Auxier says in his author’s note (which you definitely need to read once you’ve finished) that he was attempting to show the struggle he has with stories of wonder. He loves them. They thrill him. But they break his heart once he has to come back to reality.
I think he was also trying to show that when you grow up, you don’t get to keep the magic you once had.
I don’t think he truly understood the fact that there is true wonder and beauty in our world without the kind of magic in this book. Stories of wonder don’t break my heart. They excite me. They open my eyes to the wonder around me.
I didn’t like the end of this book (for the reasons I stated above). Auxier said he didn’t know how Peter’s story could end in anything other than tragedy. I’m not sure whether he was admitting that there was a tragic element to the end of this book or not. Because there most certainly was.
But whether I liked it or not, the end certainly made me think deeply about it.
I’ll begin the review now.
It was a joy to read about Peter and Sophie again. This book gripped me from the first chapter to the last. However, for those worried about content in this book, I will list a few things:
1. This book was violent. It did not go into detail, but there are a LOT of mentions of blood.
2. Near the end there is a child who says that “their” name is Horace but “they” always wanted to be called Shasta. The child is explicitly called “they”. This instance is short, and does not remotely affect the story.
3. One character, Peg, feels a “jolt” when she looks into another girl’s eyes. I would like to say that it was a feeling of kinship, as these girls both experienced tremendous amounts of loss and sorrow in their lives. However, judging from the context, I don’t think that’s what the author was trying to put across.
Those last two can easily be ignored if you want to do so.
Another thing is that I felt that Auxier was trying— in several instances— to draw lines from his story to the Bible. Not in a bad way, I don’t think. But I really don’t think it worked, either.
This book also had extraordinary connections between… well, everything. That is something Auxier is brilliant at— making connections between his own stories. There’s even a connection to Peter Nimble in Sweep, if you look carefully (it’s one sentence, but so exciting all the same). You have to read The Fabled Stables before you read the final book of Peter Nimble’s story. It just makes everything so much better if you understand who Auggie is— what all these things mean.
To be honest, you can read Peter Nimble and Sophie Quire without reading this book. If you don’t care about knowing the end, you’ll survive without reading it. But if you do want to see it to the end— be prepared to hurt. It’s not until the very end, though of course the whole book has you groaning or writhing about foolish decisions, what in the world’s going to happen next, and so on. But there is loss in the end.
And also— be prepared to think. Maybe you won’t have as much of a problem with the end as I did. But if you do, it will make you think. (And to my friends: if you do pick up this series— and please do, the first one is one of my favorite books— and you do finish it, as I suspect you will, I want to talk to you about it, so I can voice all the thoughts I decided didn’t need to be in this review.)
But I really thought about it.
I skimmed over the epilogue to remind myself of what it contained.
And I think that maybe he did understand in a way. He just didn’t put it across very well.
The theme of this book seems to be about magic versus science.
Imagination versus reason and fact.
(If it’s not, then Auxier did not do a very good job of showing what his theme was here.)
Auxier says in his author’s note (which you definitely need to read once you’ve finished) that he was attempting to show the struggle he has with stories of wonder. He loves them. They thrill him. But they break his heart once he has to come back to reality.
I think he was also trying to show that when you grow up, you don’t get to keep the magic you once had.
I don’t think he truly understood the fact that there is true wonder and beauty in our world without the kind of magic in this book. Stories of wonder don’t break my heart. They excite me. They open my eyes to the wonder around me.
I didn’t like the end of this book (for the reasons I stated above). Auxier said he didn’t know how Peter’s story could end in anything other than tragedy. I’m not sure whether he was admitting that there was a tragic element to the end of this book or not. Because there most certainly was.
But whether I liked it or not, the end certainly made me think deeply about it.
I’ll begin the review now.
It was a joy to read about Peter and Sophie again. This book gripped me from the first chapter to the last. However, for those worried about content in this book, I will list a few things:
1. This book was violent. It did not go into detail, but there are a LOT of mentions of blood.
2. Near the end there is a child who says that “their” name is Horace but “they” always wanted to be called Shasta. The child is explicitly called “they”. This instance is short, and does not remotely affect the story.
3. One character, Peg, feels a “jolt” when she looks into another girl’s eyes. I would like to say that it was a feeling of kinship, as these girls both experienced tremendous amounts of loss and sorrow in their lives. However, judging from the context, I don’t think that’s what the author was trying to put across.
Those last two can easily be ignored if you want to do so.
Another thing is that I felt that Auxier was trying— in several instances— to draw lines from his story to the Bible. Not in a bad way, I don’t think. But I really don’t think it worked, either.
This book also had extraordinary connections between… well, everything. That is something Auxier is brilliant at— making connections between his own stories. There’s even a connection to Peter Nimble in Sweep, if you look carefully (it’s one sentence, but so exciting all the same). You have to read The Fabled Stables before you read the final book of Peter Nimble’s story. It just makes everything so much better if you understand who Auggie is— what all these things mean.
To be honest, you can read Peter Nimble and Sophie Quire without reading this book. If you don’t care about knowing the end, you’ll survive without reading it. But if you do want to see it to the end— be prepared to hurt. It’s not until the very end, though of course the whole book has you groaning or writhing about foolish decisions, what in the world’s going to happen next, and so on. But there is loss in the end.
And also— be prepared to think. Maybe you won’t have as much of a problem with the end as I did. But if you do, it will make you think. (And to my friends: if you do pick up this series— and please do, the first one is one of my favorite books— and you do finish it, as I suspect you will, I want to talk to you about it, so I can voice all the thoughts I decided didn’t need to be in this review.)
July 18, 2025
I’m a huge fan of Jonathan Auxier’s work. His novel The Night Gardener is one of my favorite children’s books of all time. Thus, when I heard he was coming out with a new novel, I didn’t preorder it, but got it pretty close to the publishing date…
Then let it sit on my “to be read” shelf for two months.
Why? It’s similar to the themes of this book, actually. I was afraid of reading it and being disappointed. It’s like MJ said in Spider-Man before she had a change of heart…I was avoiding the book because I expected to be disappointed.
Well, dear reader, I’m happy to report that this book did not disappoint me in the slightest. I’m glad I didn’t read some of these Goodreads reviews before I read it, because that definitely would have influenced the lens through which I read this story. Now, having read the book…
I can confidently say that those negative Goodreads reviews are quite unfair.
I loved the comparison between wonders (meaning fantastical things) and reality. He mostly strikes a good balance in this “battle” between the League of Maps and the Rooks, demonstrating the beauty of appreciating the unexplained wonders we see in our world, but also the importance of understanding natural order.
His narrative voice is also a delight to read. I remember reading the first book out loud to my younger brother, so it was quite nostalgic returning to the world of the Vanished Kingdom.
Is it a perfect book? No. After reading the author’s note at the end, I could see that he drew a line between myth and fantasy stories (myths based on system of belief vs fantasy stories we know are completely made up), which I believe (along with Tolkien and Lewis) that those stories have a purpose in leading us to the One True Myth. Thus, in this war between faith and fact, as Auxier puts it, he is unable to declare a winner because he believes those ideas are separate entities. Which is sad. There is a God and he has created a natural order to things…so ultimately faith and fact are intertwined.
Ultimately, I loved this book, and think it would be an interesting one to discuss in a group setting…but given that people would probably want to read the first two books and apparently the Fabled Stables as well (which I have not read, but will be reading next), it’ll probably be a while before I can convince my current book club or start a new book club to read this book.
Then let it sit on my “to be read” shelf for two months.
Why? It’s similar to the themes of this book, actually. I was afraid of reading it and being disappointed. It’s like MJ said in Spider-Man before she had a change of heart…I was avoiding the book because I expected to be disappointed.
Well, dear reader, I’m happy to report that this book did not disappoint me in the slightest. I’m glad I didn’t read some of these Goodreads reviews before I read it, because that definitely would have influenced the lens through which I read this story. Now, having read the book…
I can confidently say that those negative Goodreads reviews are quite unfair.
I loved the comparison between wonders (meaning fantastical things) and reality. He mostly strikes a good balance in this “battle” between the League of Maps and the Rooks, demonstrating the beauty of appreciating the unexplained wonders we see in our world, but also the importance of understanding natural order.
His narrative voice is also a delight to read. I remember reading the first book out loud to my younger brother, so it was quite nostalgic returning to the world of the Vanished Kingdom.
Is it a perfect book? No. After reading the author’s note at the end, I could see that he drew a line between myth and fantasy stories (myths based on system of belief vs fantasy stories we know are completely made up), which I believe (along with Tolkien and Lewis) that those stories have a purpose in leading us to the One True Myth. Thus, in this war between faith and fact, as Auxier puts it, he is unable to declare a winner because he believes those ideas are separate entities. Which is sad. There is a God and he has created a natural order to things…so ultimately faith and fact are intertwined.
Ultimately, I loved this book, and think it would be an interesting one to discuss in a group setting…but given that people would probably want to read the first two books and apparently the Fabled Stables as well (which I have not read, but will be reading next), it’ll probably be a while before I can convince my current book club or start a new book club to read this book.
September 2, 2025
When I tell you that this is one of the greatest books I've ever read, I'm not exaggerating in the slightest. This is the perfect finale to an incredible series, packed with suspense, adventure, and magic. But more than that, this book addresses one of the greatest fears a person can have: growing up and leaving magic behind.
I won't spoil anything because the book is better read blind, but I will say this. The themes in this book run so much deeper than "growing up." It also talks about preservation vs. progress, faith vs. fact, even imperialism. Yes, those themes are really mature for a children's book, but they're handled in a way that's digestible for people of all ages. The people you thought were the heroes and villains will change throughout the book. There is no fixed point of right and wrong. There are just people who take things too far. It's a message I believe more kids (and honestly, more adults) need to hear.
Jonathan Auxier has made me grow so unbelievably attached to these characters from the very first book. Watching them finally grow up and face their fear of being ordinary really resonated with me. I'm not a kid anymore, but I've definitely struggled to say goodbye to my inner child and accept that I'm an adult now. It's only now, after I've read the bittersweet finale of this series, I realize that adulthood is not an end but a new beginning. Turning the page to a new chapter. Seeing it that way has helped me cope with growing up.
This series has impacted me in such a profound way, especially this last book. If you haven't already, please read this series from the beginning. Who cares if you're a grown adult? You're never too old to read a kid's book. And honestly, children's books tend to handle mature topics better than adult books do anyway.
So Jonathan Auxier, if you're reading this, you knocked it out of the park with this one. My little sisters and I read it together and had a blast. At the end, we all sat down and talked about the symbolism, the themes, and how it made us feel. You are not just writing books; you are encouraging young (and old) minds to think in brand new ways and having a positive impact on everyone who reads them. You are an inspiration!
I won't spoil anything because the book is better read blind, but I will say this. The themes in this book run so much deeper than "growing up." It also talks about preservation vs. progress, faith vs. fact, even imperialism. Yes, those themes are really mature for a children's book, but they're handled in a way that's digestible for people of all ages. The people you thought were the heroes and villains will change throughout the book. There is no fixed point of right and wrong. There are just people who take things too far. It's a message I believe more kids (and honestly, more adults) need to hear.
Jonathan Auxier has made me grow so unbelievably attached to these characters from the very first book. Watching them finally grow up and face their fear of being ordinary really resonated with me. I'm not a kid anymore, but I've definitely struggled to say goodbye to my inner child and accept that I'm an adult now. It's only now, after I've read the bittersweet finale of this series, I realize that adulthood is not an end but a new beginning. Turning the page to a new chapter. Seeing it that way has helped me cope with growing up.
This series has impacted me in such a profound way, especially this last book. If you haven't already, please read this series from the beginning. Who cares if you're a grown adult? You're never too old to read a kid's book. And honestly, children's books tend to handle mature topics better than adult books do anyway.
So Jonathan Auxier, if you're reading this, you knocked it out of the park with this one. My little sisters and I read it together and had a blast. At the end, we all sat down and talked about the symbolism, the themes, and how it made us feel. You are not just writing books; you are encouraging young (and old) minds to think in brand new ways and having a positive impact on everyone who reads them. You are an inspiration!
December 22, 2025
After years protecting the magic of the world from disappearing, Peter and Sophie finally face off against The League of Maps, but what they find as they do is rather surprising in The War of the Maps (The Vanished Kingdom #3) by Jonathan Auxier.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Returning to Hazelport after years traversing the world in an effort to protect magic and seeking out The League of Maps, as directed by Professor Cake, Peter and Sophie arrive to find themselves interrupting a rather elaborate ordeal, which happens to be Peg’s wedding. While struggling to understand why Peg would form an alliance and marry, as suggested by an incredibly logical, mapmaking outsider, Sir Cuitous, Peter doggedly aims to rescue the uncharted Hazelport from outside forces, resulting in a Rook being called upon to join in on the fighting. With Sophie, Peter, and Peg and Mister Pound, who has regressed into Auggie, dispersed to various regions, with Sophie taken in by the League of Maps care of Hugo, Peter taken by the Rooks and Mother Hen, and Peg and Auggie making their way to Professor Cake’s island, they each see and experience different sides of the mysterious vanishing and reappearances of wondrous things in the world; when pieced together and the story is told as a whole, the reality of what they’re facing in the war that’s being fought, what’s being sought, and what could be gained is finally revealed.
Bringing the magical world and characters presented in the first two books of the series together for grand culminating events, with some newly added characters, the adventure picks back up a couple years after the second book as Peter and Sophie return to Hazelport and find things amiss, which quickly throws them, and others, into scenes of action as they each embark on their respective paths forward with trials to endure. The chapters are presented from various perspectives to help provide a more thorough picture of the waging war of mysterious origins driving the parties of The League of Maps, Rooks, and Professor Cake; however, it began relatively evenly split between Sophie, Peter, and Peg before becoming much more unevenly balanced. The descriptive writing overtly conveys the role of wonder within the world and how it is a counterpoint to reason, using both as a method to demonstrate growing up, with changes in characters, depicted and discussed, as being difficult to accept yet necessary for growth, both personal and within the world. The story’s conclusion does a good job of wrapping up the various threads and pieces that were introduced in the earlier installments, if a bit too conveniently, though there are consequences that helps bring some believability into the wonder and leaves a bittersweet ending.
Overall, I’d give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Returning to Hazelport after years traversing the world in an effort to protect magic and seeking out The League of Maps, as directed by Professor Cake, Peter and Sophie arrive to find themselves interrupting a rather elaborate ordeal, which happens to be Peg’s wedding. While struggling to understand why Peg would form an alliance and marry, as suggested by an incredibly logical, mapmaking outsider, Sir Cuitous, Peter doggedly aims to rescue the uncharted Hazelport from outside forces, resulting in a Rook being called upon to join in on the fighting. With Sophie, Peter, and Peg and Mister Pound, who has regressed into Auggie, dispersed to various regions, with Sophie taken in by the League of Maps care of Hugo, Peter taken by the Rooks and Mother Hen, and Peg and Auggie making their way to Professor Cake’s island, they each see and experience different sides of the mysterious vanishing and reappearances of wondrous things in the world; when pieced together and the story is told as a whole, the reality of what they’re facing in the war that’s being fought, what’s being sought, and what could be gained is finally revealed.
Bringing the magical world and characters presented in the first two books of the series together for grand culminating events, with some newly added characters, the adventure picks back up a couple years after the second book as Peter and Sophie return to Hazelport and find things amiss, which quickly throws them, and others, into scenes of action as they each embark on their respective paths forward with trials to endure. The chapters are presented from various perspectives to help provide a more thorough picture of the waging war of mysterious origins driving the parties of The League of Maps, Rooks, and Professor Cake; however, it began relatively evenly split between Sophie, Peter, and Peg before becoming much more unevenly balanced. The descriptive writing overtly conveys the role of wonder within the world and how it is a counterpoint to reason, using both as a method to demonstrate growing up, with changes in characters, depicted and discussed, as being difficult to accept yet necessary for growth, both personal and within the world. The story’s conclusion does a good job of wrapping up the various threads and pieces that were introduced in the earlier installments, if a bit too conveniently, though there are consequences that helps bring some believability into the wonder and leaves a bittersweet ending.
Overall, I’d give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
July 15, 2025
All right. I just want to say: this is a great book. Not at all leftist, and anyone who thinks so is misunderstanding the book. I've seen multiple reviews that complain about Peg being attracted to a girl. It is not so. The girl only had interesting eyes, there was nothing romantic about that at all. For the record, Shasta is a boy's name. Using 'they' for the Rook was a little irritating, but I understand why he did it. The Rook was a girl, so it might be weird to use 'he', Peter didn't know that the Rook was a girl, so it would be weird for her to be called 'she'. The following contains spoilers:
I think the characters were much nicer in this book than in Sophie Quire, and also more mature. I usually don't approve of characters helping the bad guys to save their friends, but I think we can excuse Peter for this one. He didn't know what Mother Hen had in mind for the world, and he had no time to think about it. And he wasn't just helping, he was sacrificing himself. That whole part was beautiful. And I like how less-than-ordinary he became at the end, and he repented from being snooty. And I like how even though Professor Cake's finding him hurt him a lot, it was still good. Because even though he not only lost his eyesight, but also his talent and his hand, he was no longer a slave. After reading this book, I'm pretty sure Jonathan Auxier is a Christian.
I think the characters were much nicer in this book than in Sophie Quire, and also more mature. I usually don't approve of characters helping the bad guys to save their friends, but I think we can excuse Peter for this one. He didn't know what Mother Hen had in mind for the world, and he had no time to think about it. And he wasn't just helping, he was sacrificing himself. That whole part was beautiful. And I like how less-than-ordinary he became at the end, and he repented from being snooty. And I like how even though Professor Cake's finding him hurt him a lot, it was still good. Because even though he not only lost his eyesight, but also his talent and his hand, he was no longer a slave. After reading this book, I'm pretty sure Jonathan Auxier is a Christian.
September 21, 2025
I absolutely loved these books and was so excited to find out there was another. I first read these books years ago and I was totally captivated by the writing. Jonathan Auxier does such a beautiful job with the characters, and I always felt like I was being immersed into a different world. He makes you believe that you don’t have to be a super hero or a celebrity to accomplish great things, and that a person worth is not found it what they own. As a big fantasy reader I know the feeling of finishing a book and then remembering you have to return to you normally life. I felt that this book helped me realize that my life is full of magic like the ability to have people you love and who love you. I am def sad to have reached the end of this series I am walking away happy and pondering many things. The reasons I did not give this book five stars is because I did have a a few things I did not agree with. The main one being Peg’s statements about how she was not interested in boys, and her one interaction with one of the other female characters. Besides that Ienjoyed this book immensely and want to thank Jonathan Auxier for working so hard to create books for readers like me.
October 11, 2025
I have mixed feelings about this book. It was a bit like eating the best dessert I'd ever tasted - but with sand mixed into it.
There were parts that made me literally gasp in wonder (and a splash of delighted horror).
There were also some heavy handed, kooky things woven throughout it...especially on the subjects of the evils of 'chosenness' and reality as it really is. Some reviewers have mentioned Professor Cake being a christ-like figure - it seemed to me like he was closer to an Adam/Eve character seeking atonement. I have so many more thoughts and questions, but it's better suited to a book discussion than a review.
The parts that took my breath away won out overall. To witness Peter's trials was particularly heart rending, and I'll be revisiting this story for that reason alone. Auxier somehow managed to put so much of the wealth of the human experience of suffering into the fantastical life of this single character (sometimes I wonder if authors even know what it is that they've done...).
There were parts that made me literally gasp in wonder (and a splash of delighted horror).
There were also some heavy handed, kooky things woven throughout it...especially on the subjects of the evils of 'chosenness' and reality as it really is. Some reviewers have mentioned Professor Cake being a christ-like figure - it seemed to me like he was closer to an Adam/Eve character seeking atonement. I have so many more thoughts and questions, but it's better suited to a book discussion than a review.
The parts that took my breath away won out overall. To witness Peter's trials was particularly heart rending, and I'll be revisiting this story for that reason alone. Auxier somehow managed to put so much of the wealth of the human experience of suffering into the fantastical life of this single character (sometimes I wonder if authors even know what it is that they've done...).
September 25, 2025
This is such a hard review to write because I have really loved all of the Vanished Kingdom books previous to this final book. I think I had ideas of where the series would go and unfortunately this didn't line up with any of those ideas and I think maybe because these ideas were so different I ended up not enjoying it as much as I expected to. It has some really wonderful parts and is filled with brilliant word play which I always love but the way it ends was so not what I was hoping for. I did end up in tears because these characters mean so much to me and there were parts that made my soft heart hurt. After reading the author's note, I can see how much love and effort and time Jonathan Auxier put into this series and this book so I want to love it as much as the first two in the series but I just didn't. I think this one leans too hard into the logic and reason and it takes the magic and wonder of the previous books that felt special and wonderous out of the equation in the end. I read this series with my son and while reading this final chapter both of us felt like the characters lost what made them special and acted in ways that felt discordant with the previous books. The ending was also heartbreaking for us both and not at all what we were hoping for.
I received an early digital reader copy of this book through NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for my honest review.
I received an early digital reader copy of this book through NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for my honest review.
July 26, 2025
I liked the second book better. This book is well done but tries to push moral relativism— despite the presence of a capital g Good character who is an obvious Jesus figure (the incarnation of a supernatural force, sacrifices himself for the good of humanity).
Also I dislike authors who take away gifts they’ve already given characters in previous books (eg., the Fantastic eyes, Peter’s awesome fishhook hand, Peter’s best friend Sir Tode, and Peg’s kingdom). What were the characters fighting for if they were only supposed to lose it all in the end? It’s a major issue for people like me who revel in a happy ending.
Also I dislike authors who take away gifts they’ve already given characters in previous books (eg., the Fantastic eyes, Peter’s awesome fishhook hand, Peter’s best friend Sir Tode, and Peg’s kingdom). What were the characters fighting for if they were only supposed to lose it all in the end? It’s a major issue for people like me who revel in a happy ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2025
Five stars, and six if I could. This book was so good, and I was overjoyed that another Peter Nimble book came out, and that it upheld the tradition that the other books were written in, while resolving the philosophical dilemma that the series has been wrestling with. Which would be cheating if I told you, so go read it already!
August 7, 2025
Adventure. Friendship. Heartbreak. Magic. Realism. Wonder. But most of all, this book is about belonging. ✨
Content Warning: This third book in the trilogy was more violent than I remember in the others and includes intense scenes/themes that may be frightening for younger readers.
Content Warning: This third book in the trilogy was more violent than I remember in the others and includes intense scenes/themes that may be frightening for younger readers.
August 29, 2025
Wow. Through tears we finished and said goodbye. What a ride. There is so much I could say, but I feel I would spoil the magic. Thank you, Jonathan, for honoring these stories with a fitting conclusion.
May 4, 2025
This story is a bridge between the world of the vanished kingdom, of Peter Nimble and his fantastic eyes and our prosaic, ordinary lives. Somehow, that's satisfying.
June 28, 2025
This is not a personal favorite, but the kids enjoy the series.
August 3, 2025
A great finish to the series
August 28, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
October 6, 2025
The author's note is basically my review
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