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The Wingfeather Saga
Wingfeather Tales: Seven Thrilling Stories from the World of Aerwiar
RETURN TO THE WORLD OF THE WINGFEATHER SAGA WITH ANDREW PETERSON AND HIS ALL-STAR AUTHOR FRIENDS.
Enter a world of bomnubbles and quarreling cousins, sea dragons and book publishers, thieves and Fangs and secret maps, with brand new tales written by:
•
Andrew Peterson - "The Prince of Yorsha Doon" and "Shadowblade and the Florid Sword"
•
Jonathan Rogers - "The Ballard of Lanric and Rube"
•
N.D. Wilson - "Willow Worlds"
•
Jennifer Trafton - "The Wooing of Sophelia Stupe"
•
Douglas Kaine McKelvey - "The Places Beyond the Maps"
•
A. S. Peterson - "From the Deeps of the Dragon King"
Featuring illustrations by Justin Gerard, Cory Godbey, John Hendrix, Nicholas Kole, Aedan Peterson, Joe Sutphin and Doug TenNapel.
Enter a rich, imaginative world that becomes more real, more mysterious, more dangerous, and more beautiful with each story's telling.
RUNNING TIME => 10hrs.
©2021 Jonathan Rogers, N.D. Wilson, Jennifer Trafton, Douglas Kaine Mckelvey (P)2021 Listening Library
Enter a world of bomnubbles and quarreling cousins, sea dragons and book publishers, thieves and Fangs and secret maps, with brand new tales written by:
•
Andrew Peterson - "The Prince of Yorsha Doon" and "Shadowblade and the Florid Sword"
•
Jonathan Rogers - "The Ballard of Lanric and Rube"
•
N.D. Wilson - "Willow Worlds"
•
Jennifer Trafton - "The Wooing of Sophelia Stupe"
•
Douglas Kaine McKelvey - "The Places Beyond the Maps"
•
A. S. Peterson - "From the Deeps of the Dragon King"
Featuring illustrations by Justin Gerard, Cory Godbey, John Hendrix, Nicholas Kole, Aedan Peterson, Joe Sutphin and Doug TenNapel.
Enter a rich, imaginative world that becomes more real, more mysterious, more dangerous, and more beautiful with each story's telling.
RUNNING TIME => 10hrs.
©2021 Jonathan Rogers, N.D. Wilson, Jennifer Trafton, Douglas Kaine Mckelvey (P)2021 Listening Library
Audible Audio
First published November 25, 2016
373 people are currently reading
3499 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Peterson
20 books4,690 followersHey, folks. If you're just discovering me or any of my work, it can be a little confusing because there are several facets to it. Here’s the rundown:
• I write songs. I also record them to these cool things called CDs and put on concerts around the country. (And beyond! To my great delight, I get to play in Europe every year or so.)
• I write books. I’ve written a four-part fantasy series for young readers called the Wingfeather Saga, along with Pembrick's Creaturepedia and A Ranger's Guide to Glipwood Forest. The Wingfeather Animated Series is wonderful, and you can watch for free over at Angel.com. I've written two memoirs: Adorning the Dark, and The God of the Garden.
• I'm the founder of the Rabbit Room, a community of songwriters, authors, and artists interested in storytelling, faith, and fellowship.
• I'm married to Jamie, and we have three sweet (grown) children, each of whom has a (grown) spouse (who is also sweet), and one very sweet granddaughter. We live in a magical place we call the Warren, just south of Nashville.
The common thread in all this is my love for Christ and his Kingdom, my belief in the power of story and art, and my need for family and community. If I had to boil it all down, I'd say this: I want to use my gifts to tell the truth, and to tell it as beautifully as I can. Andrew-peterson.com
• I write songs. I also record them to these cool things called CDs and put on concerts around the country. (And beyond! To my great delight, I get to play in Europe every year or so.)
• I write books. I’ve written a four-part fantasy series for young readers called the Wingfeather Saga, along with Pembrick's Creaturepedia and A Ranger's Guide to Glipwood Forest. The Wingfeather Animated Series is wonderful, and you can watch for free over at Angel.com. I've written two memoirs: Adorning the Dark, and The God of the Garden.
• I'm the founder of the Rabbit Room, a community of songwriters, authors, and artists interested in storytelling, faith, and fellowship.
• I'm married to Jamie, and we have three sweet (grown) children, each of whom has a (grown) spouse (who is also sweet), and one very sweet granddaughter. We live in a magical place we call the Warren, just south of Nashville.
The common thread in all this is my love for Christ and his Kingdom, my belief in the power of story and art, and my need for family and community. If I had to boil it all down, I'd say this: I want to use my gifts to tell the truth, and to tell it as beautifully as I can. Andrew-peterson.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 373 reviews
April 24, 2024
Excellent! Just pausing temporarily on the last story for now. Will finish it at a later date.
Overall, 4.5 stars!
Overall, 4.5 stars!
November 16, 2016
Having loved Andrew Peterson's Wingfeather Saga, I was thrilled to participate in the Kickstarter campaign to bring an animated series based on the books to the screen. Wingfeather Tales was one of the promised rewards for backers. I was intrigued by the concept--a collection of short stories by different authors set in the Wingfeather World. Not a sequel, but a companion to the original works. I was intrigued, but I can't say I was all that enthusiastic, because it just wouldn't be the same, and, therefore, would inevitably not measure up to the caliber of the first four books. How could it if it were written by others?
But then I was privileged to hear a few excerpts of the Tales read a month ago at Hutchmoot, a yearly event Andrew Peterson and The Rabbit Room community he has gathered hold in Nashville each year. What a delight! I began to have a cautious optimism. And now the book has arrived, been read, and it was wonderful.
Given the nature of the format, I'm going to attempt to include a few comments on each of the six tales without revealing too much. And I'm going to do so in the order I read them.
99% of the time I'm a strictly sequential sort of girl, but I opened The Wingfeather Tales needing something light. I had a hunch Jennifer Trafton's missive would provide a welcome uplift. "The Wooing of Sophelia Stupe" delivered. Jennifer has such a gentle humor and an amazing way with words. Her tale gives voice to Ollister B. Pembrick of Creaturepedia fame and brings him vividly and bumptiously to life. I chuckled my way through the pages and in so doing received solace for my soul. Jennifer is a gifted author, and I can't wait for her next book to come out in the spring.
I was ready for "The Places Beyond the Maps" by Doug McKelvey now. Douglas had read the opening scene from his massive (over 150 pages) contribution at Hutchmoot, and I was spellbound. It's the tale of a man whose daughter is taken from him by the Black Carriage. When Doug read, the pain was palpable. I wanted to weep for the anguish of this man and his family. And as a mother of a little girl about the same age as the one in the story, the thought of what having her snatched away would do to me was a devastating thing to imagine. The narrative Doug crafted so skillfully rings so true and is a thing of rare tragedy and beauty, despair and hope. This story was immensely satisfying on many levels.
Andrew Peterson's own offering "The Prince of Yorsha Doon" was chock full of engaging characters, plot twists, humor, puzzles, treachery, and courage. It was simultaneously fresh and yet connected enough to his earlier works to be a great fit.
"Willow Worlds" by N.D. Wilson was a fun read for fans of his 100 Cupboards, and as always, imaginative and highly original, but definitely left me wanting more!
Pete Peterson's (Andrew's brother and Jennifer's husband) "From the Deeps of the Dragon King" fleshed out important pieces of Podo Helmer's backstory. It was heart wrenching and lovely and gripping. Pete's experience made for an authentic and compelling sea tale, and I am so impressed that he wrote this while also writing the amazing script for the Battle of Franklin play (based on actual events of the Civil War) as well as the 41,000 other responsibilities he handles so well for the Rabbit Room. One thing that struck me in both of Pete's most recent works is his deftness at scattering truly funny moments in the midst of agonizing events.
I finished with "The Ballad of Lanric and Rube." Jonathan Rogers is one of my favorite storytellers to hear in person. He sounds like a cross between Garrison Keillor and Atticus Finch. Jonathan shared his poem at Hutchmoot to the amusement of all. He is such a master of rhyme and the sound. His lilting delivery was spot on.
Each of these stories was illustrated by a different artist. I have long been a fan of Justin Gerard's work, so it's always a pleasure to see more. Joe Sutphin and Aedan Peterson created much of the artwork for the Wingfeather Saga, and Pembrick's Creaturepedia, and these new illustrations just keep getting better! Cory Godbey, Nicholas Kole, John Hendrix, and Doug TenNapel were unfamiliar to me. They all did a great job as well. It was fascinating to me how seven different artists who obviously have individual styles could still bring a cohesive look to the book.
All in all, this book far exceeded my expectations. Incredibly it does justice to the Wingfeather legacy. Never once does it feel like a pathetic attempt to relieve the glory days or capitalize on more royalties from an established fan base. Nothing is a reach. Each tale belonged. They were just right. We all know the disappointment of a much loved book or movie being followed up by one (or more) inferior add-ons. There is none of that here. The Wingfeather Tales are every bit as much a part of the canon. In some mysterious and organic way, Andrew Peterson introduced us to a world we loved exploring and now brought us additional guides to help us love it even more. And I don't know why I should have ever doubted that he would, because he's been collecting and connecting kindred spirits for years now. It's what he does.
But then I was privileged to hear a few excerpts of the Tales read a month ago at Hutchmoot, a yearly event Andrew Peterson and The Rabbit Room community he has gathered hold in Nashville each year. What a delight! I began to have a cautious optimism. And now the book has arrived, been read, and it was wonderful.
Given the nature of the format, I'm going to attempt to include a few comments on each of the six tales without revealing too much. And I'm going to do so in the order I read them.
99% of the time I'm a strictly sequential sort of girl, but I opened The Wingfeather Tales needing something light. I had a hunch Jennifer Trafton's missive would provide a welcome uplift. "The Wooing of Sophelia Stupe" delivered. Jennifer has such a gentle humor and an amazing way with words. Her tale gives voice to Ollister B. Pembrick of Creaturepedia fame and brings him vividly and bumptiously to life. I chuckled my way through the pages and in so doing received solace for my soul. Jennifer is a gifted author, and I can't wait for her next book to come out in the spring.
I was ready for "The Places Beyond the Maps" by Doug McKelvey now. Douglas had read the opening scene from his massive (over 150 pages) contribution at Hutchmoot, and I was spellbound. It's the tale of a man whose daughter is taken from him by the Black Carriage. When Doug read, the pain was palpable. I wanted to weep for the anguish of this man and his family. And as a mother of a little girl about the same age as the one in the story, the thought of what having her snatched away would do to me was a devastating thing to imagine. The narrative Doug crafted so skillfully rings so true and is a thing of rare tragedy and beauty, despair and hope. This story was immensely satisfying on many levels.
Andrew Peterson's own offering "The Prince of Yorsha Doon" was chock full of engaging characters, plot twists, humor, puzzles, treachery, and courage. It was simultaneously fresh and yet connected enough to his earlier works to be a great fit.
"Willow Worlds" by N.D. Wilson was a fun read for fans of his 100 Cupboards, and as always, imaginative and highly original, but definitely left me wanting more!
Pete Peterson's (Andrew's brother and Jennifer's husband) "From the Deeps of the Dragon King" fleshed out important pieces of Podo Helmer's backstory. It was heart wrenching and lovely and gripping. Pete's experience made for an authentic and compelling sea tale, and I am so impressed that he wrote this while also writing the amazing script for the Battle of Franklin play (based on actual events of the Civil War) as well as the 41,000 other responsibilities he handles so well for the Rabbit Room. One thing that struck me in both of Pete's most recent works is his deftness at scattering truly funny moments in the midst of agonizing events.
I finished with "The Ballad of Lanric and Rube." Jonathan Rogers is one of my favorite storytellers to hear in person. He sounds like a cross between Garrison Keillor and Atticus Finch. Jonathan shared his poem at Hutchmoot to the amusement of all. He is such a master of rhyme and the sound. His lilting delivery was spot on.
Each of these stories was illustrated by a different artist. I have long been a fan of Justin Gerard's work, so it's always a pleasure to see more. Joe Sutphin and Aedan Peterson created much of the artwork for the Wingfeather Saga, and Pembrick's Creaturepedia, and these new illustrations just keep getting better! Cory Godbey, Nicholas Kole, John Hendrix, and Doug TenNapel were unfamiliar to me. They all did a great job as well. It was fascinating to me how seven different artists who obviously have individual styles could still bring a cohesive look to the book.
All in all, this book far exceeded my expectations. Incredibly it does justice to the Wingfeather legacy. Never once does it feel like a pathetic attempt to relieve the glory days or capitalize on more royalties from an established fan base. Nothing is a reach. Each tale belonged. They were just right. We all know the disappointment of a much loved book or movie being followed up by one (or more) inferior add-ons. There is none of that here. The Wingfeather Tales are every bit as much a part of the canon. In some mysterious and organic way, Andrew Peterson introduced us to a world we loved exploring and now brought us additional guides to help us love it even more. And I don't know why I should have ever doubted that he would, because he's been collecting and connecting kindred spirits for years now. It's what he does.
January 8, 2019
This book gets five enthusiastic stars on the strength of the heartbreakingly poignant novella The Places Beyond the Maps. It also has 4 other short stories and a poem.
The Prince of Yorsha Doon: Fun, solid short story about a distant city that (I think) was mentioned a few times in the Wingfeather Saga canon. It gets 3+ stars that are swamped by the gripping & epic 5 star journey in The Places Beyond the Maps.
The Wooing of Sophelia Stupe: Short, goofy, semi-neurotic story that gets 3 stars which are thundered over by the inexorable push to the brink of madness that is The Places Beyond the Maps.
Willow Worlds: (Way too) short story about portals between worlds. Its 3 stars shrink to insignificance as the sense of wilderness and isolation expands in The Places Beyond the Maps.
From the Deeps of the Dragon King: 4 stars. Podo Helmer (who is the most interesting character in the Wingfeather saga and whos backstory needs more exposure) is at his piratical peak. Some of the Podo secrets are revealed, but most remain hidden - as it should be. In many ways the story is one more reflection of the genius of Podo Helmer as a character in the Wingfeather Saga. He is enigmatic, contradictory, seemingly at odds with the message of the main canon while actually complementing it. This story sets the reader up, gets him in the mood for an epic Tolkienish quest. It manages to not be blown to atoms by the five-supernova event of The Places Beyond the Maps which is soon to follow.
The Ballad of Lanric and Rube: Charming, rhythmic poem worth 4 stars. It avoids pretensions of sophistication which would only have detracted from the funny, if predictable story. Possibly an unassuming morality tale, it is nonetheless overwhelmed by the existential anguish that we are never quite sure The Places Beyond the Maps is going to resolve.
The Places Beyond the Maps: Really good.
The Prince of Yorsha Doon: Fun, solid short story about a distant city that (I think) was mentioned a few times in the Wingfeather Saga canon. It gets 3+ stars that are swamped by the gripping & epic 5 star journey in The Places Beyond the Maps.
The Wooing of Sophelia Stupe: Short, goofy, semi-neurotic story that gets 3 stars which are thundered over by the inexorable push to the brink of madness that is The Places Beyond the Maps.
Willow Worlds: (Way too) short story about portals between worlds. Its 3 stars shrink to insignificance as the sense of wilderness and isolation expands in The Places Beyond the Maps.
From the Deeps of the Dragon King: 4 stars. Podo Helmer (who is the most interesting character in the Wingfeather saga and whos backstory needs more exposure) is at his piratical peak. Some of the Podo secrets are revealed, but most remain hidden - as it should be. In many ways the story is one more reflection of the genius of Podo Helmer as a character in the Wingfeather Saga. He is enigmatic, contradictory, seemingly at odds with the message of the main canon while actually complementing it. This story sets the reader up, gets him in the mood for an epic Tolkienish quest. It manages to not be blown to atoms by the five-supernova event of The Places Beyond the Maps which is soon to follow.
The Ballad of Lanric and Rube: Charming, rhythmic poem worth 4 stars. It avoids pretensions of sophistication which would only have detracted from the funny, if predictable story. Possibly an unassuming morality tale, it is nonetheless overwhelmed by the existential anguish that we are never quite sure The Places Beyond the Maps is going to resolve.
The Places Beyond the Maps: Really good.
February 6, 2017
This book is awesome!!!! I should warn you, it doesn't mention any of the Wingfeathers in it, so you will finish reading it knowing just as much about the outcome of their family as you would after having read his other four books. Also, Andrew Peterson only wrote one of the short stories within. So basically, this collection of tales is like very high end fan fiction. It IS high end though. All the stories are written extremely well. (Some arguably better than Andrew Peterson.) I really enjoyed every tale, and if you are a fan of the Wingfeather Saga, you will too.
November 19, 2019
Sad, but great.
February 8, 2017
First off: You should buy this book. Here. It's on sale right now.
When on Saturday, a friend asked me what my plans for this week were, I told him it was to read one more book. I had spontaneously set 50 books as my to-read goal on Goodreads at the beginning of the year- I had one more book to go. Because I have no life, I had no other plans.
Christmas morning (well, all right, it was Christmas Eve due to the shifting of schedules for Church on Sunday, Christmas morning), I was handed a package by my mother. "Open it carefully," she said. "There's another package inside of it." I opened it to the bright yellow of the back of a shipping envelope, flipped it over, and -- "A.S Peterson" was the return address. "Yes."
Of course, it was The Wingfeather Tales. (I, um. *cough* May have mentioned once or twice when it came up for sale on the website.)
And it did not disappoint.
The Prince of Yorsha Doon by Andrew Peterson: Obviously the one I was looking forward to the most, because it's by Mr. Peterson himself. It was fabulous. I really liked the setting, and pictured it as very similar to the setting for Disney's Aladdin. Thanks to this, I was humming the "Street Rat" song for the rest of the day. Upon finishing, I smiled a lot and thought, "I want to draw a fanfiction for this." I do not draw. -.- (But if anyone else does... We need an Aladdin-esque picture of Safiki holding the book and saying, "All this for a recipe book?")
The Wooing of Sophelia Stupe by Jennifer Trafton: This one was kind of weird, a little quirky, a little sweet. xD So in-world. I do hope he found her someday.
Willow Worlds, by N.D. Wilson: HENRY. xD This one seemed to me a little bit more like flash fiction than a full-plot short story. I was slightly disappointed because of that--aside from the story by Mr. Peterson, himself, I was looking forward to this one by N.D Wilson the most.
From the Deeps of the Dragon King, by A.S. Peterson: This one was rather solemn. I've heard that A.S. Peterson writes his novels very emotionally; he quite skillfully managed to evoke whatever emotions he desired in this story.
The Ballad of Lanric and Rube by Jonathan Rogers: Ah! A traditional ballad from the depths of the storyworld! This was a little weird, but masterfully done for a tale that is told in the world.
The Places Beyond the Maps by Douglas Kaine McKelvey: I knew just by the size of it that this would be a deeper story than the others had been. It was. It reminded me of The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane (by Kate DiCamillo). The author writes like Paul; I don't think I've read such long sentences in years, but it didn't detract from the story. [If you haven't read the book. DON'T READ THE SPOILER. Even if you normally read them. Just DON'T. There's no need.] I'm trying to decide if I want to look up some of this man's other work - I'd like to read it and all, but if he writes all of his novels like this, I'm going to be an emotional wreck literally all the time.
This truly a fabulous book. FABULOUS, I say. Stupendously indibnible indeed.
[Note: You really ought to read The Wingfeather Saga before you read this, though, or many things will not make sense to you or they shall be spoiled for you, or you shall proceed into things with more knowledge than you ought. Terrible things shall happen if you do not heed my warning.]
When on Saturday, a friend asked me what my plans for this week were, I told him it was to read one more book. I had spontaneously set 50 books as my to-read goal on Goodreads at the beginning of the year- I had one more book to go. Because I have no life, I had no other plans.
Christmas morning (well, all right, it was Christmas Eve due to the shifting of schedules for Church on Sunday, Christmas morning), I was handed a package by my mother. "Open it carefully," she said. "There's another package inside of it." I opened it to the bright yellow of the back of a shipping envelope, flipped it over, and -- "A.S Peterson" was the return address. "Yes."
Of course, it was The Wingfeather Tales. (I, um. *cough* May have mentioned once or twice when it came up for sale on the website.)
And it did not disappoint.
The Prince of Yorsha Doon by Andrew Peterson: Obviously the one I was looking forward to the most, because it's by Mr. Peterson himself. It was fabulous. I really liked the setting, and pictured it as very similar to the setting for Disney's Aladdin. Thanks to this, I was humming the "Street Rat" song for the rest of the day. Upon finishing, I smiled a lot and thought, "I want to draw a fanfiction for this." I do not draw. -.- (But if anyone else does... We need an Aladdin-esque picture of Safiki holding the book and saying, "All this for a recipe book?")
The Wooing of Sophelia Stupe by Jennifer Trafton: This one was kind of weird, a little quirky, a little sweet. xD So in-world. I do hope he found her someday.
Willow Worlds, by N.D. Wilson: HENRY. xD This one seemed to me a little bit more like flash fiction than a full-plot short story. I was slightly disappointed because of that--aside from the story by Mr. Peterson, himself, I was looking forward to this one by N.D Wilson the most.
From the Deeps of the Dragon King, by A.S. Peterson: This one was rather solemn. I've heard that A.S. Peterson writes his novels very emotionally; he quite skillfully managed to evoke whatever emotions he desired in this story.
The Ballad of Lanric and Rube by Jonathan Rogers: Ah! A traditional ballad from the depths of the storyworld! This was a little weird, but masterfully done for a tale that is told in the world.
The Places Beyond the Maps by Douglas Kaine McKelvey: I knew just by the size of it that this would be a deeper story than the others had been. It was. It reminded me of The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane (by Kate DiCamillo). The author writes like Paul; I don't think I've read such long sentences in years, but it didn't detract from the story. [If you haven't read the book. DON'T READ THE SPOILER. Even if you normally read them. Just DON'T. There's no need.] I'm trying to decide if I want to look up some of this man's other work - I'd like to read it and all, but if he writes all of his novels like this, I'm going to be an emotional wreck literally all the time.
This truly a fabulous book. FABULOUS, I say. Stupendously indibnible indeed.
[Note: You really ought to read The Wingfeather Saga before you read this, though, or many things will not make sense to you or they shall be spoiled for you, or you shall proceed into things with more knowledge than you ought. Terrible things shall happen if you do not heed my warning.]
Read
March 5, 2024Lovely! I liked the Wingfeather Saga books better, but this was still good!
April 29, 2021
✦ 3.5/5 ✦
This review is going to be pretty short because I don't have many thoughts to share.
To me, most of the stories in Wingfeather Tales just didn't feel...Wingfeatherish. It was disappointing but makes sense because giving a world of your imagination's creation to other writers to play with won't always turn out the same way. I found myself skimming pretty often because I just wasn't interested in many of the stories, and like I was getting at, a lot of it felt more like fanfiction. I do have to say that N.D.'s story was fantastic, and I am time and time again blown away by AP's writing style. I loved the new illustrations as well!
Many thanks to Netgalley and Waterbrook & Multnomah for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
This review is going to be pretty short because I don't have many thoughts to share.
To me, most of the stories in Wingfeather Tales just didn't feel...Wingfeatherish. It was disappointing but makes sense because giving a world of your imagination's creation to other writers to play with won't always turn out the same way. I found myself skimming pretty often because I just wasn't interested in many of the stories, and like I was getting at, a lot of it felt more like fanfiction. I do have to say that N.D.'s story was fantastic, and I am time and time again blown away by AP's writing style. I loved the new illustrations as well!
Many thanks to Netgalley and Waterbrook & Multnomah for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
August 9, 2021
This is a hard review to write for me because I loved some of the stories but others I cared less for. Some of the additional authors really impressed me with their ability to capture the weight, but also the silliness of Aerwiar, while others took it so much in their own direction that the stories felt out of place. There were parts I adored--especially the story of Safiki--and the cameos were very fun, but I just can't in good conscience rate this anthology as high as I rated the original Wingfeather Saga.
February 9, 2017
This book is awesome in every sense of the word. Full review to come.
January 22, 2026
As good as the rest of the wingfeather series, and similarly beautiful and painful as well. Included backstory for of one of my favorite parts of the original four books.
November 14, 2019
2019:
Each story is so different. Trying to put down a few thoughts about each
Story 1: I liked better on reread. The first time I was wanting a different story; knowing what was coming helped me appreciate it even more.
Story 2: My least favorite. Clunky to read, especially the first half. I do think it finishes strong.
Story 3: Still think it’s almost too short but really well done.
Story 4: I liked this one more on reread as well. It’s a fantastic look into the early life of Podo, of what made him how he is in the main books.
Story 5: So much fun to read aloud. I laughed a lot.
Story 6: Is it heretical to say that McKelvey wrote the best Wingfeather? It would not have been the best without the 4 books as background though. But the writing, oh the writing caught me mid-breath so many times. The emotions and weight of life are captured in words like very few things I’ve ever read. And the ending is sheer perfection.
2017:
Story 1, by Andrew Peterson was a fun continuation.
Story 2, by Jennifer Trafton was the most silly but had some nice connections.
Story 3, by ND Wilson was the shortest, almost too short.
Story 4, by AS Peterson was full of history of a made up world.
Story 5, by Jonathan Rogers was hilarious and a tickling read aloud.
Story 6, by Douglas McKelvey was perhaps the most beautiful and heart wrenching book I’ve ever read aloud. As close to perfect as we’ll find in Aerwear.
Each story is so different. Trying to put down a few thoughts about each
Story 1: I liked better on reread. The first time I was wanting a different story; knowing what was coming helped me appreciate it even more.
Story 2: My least favorite. Clunky to read, especially the first half. I do think it finishes strong.
Story 3: Still think it’s almost too short but really well done.
Story 4: I liked this one more on reread as well. It’s a fantastic look into the early life of Podo, of what made him how he is in the main books.
Story 5: So much fun to read aloud. I laughed a lot.
Story 6: Is it heretical to say that McKelvey wrote the best Wingfeather? It would not have been the best without the 4 books as background though. But the writing, oh the writing caught me mid-breath so many times. The emotions and weight of life are captured in words like very few things I’ve ever read. And the ending is sheer perfection.
2017:
Story 1, by Andrew Peterson was a fun continuation.
Story 2, by Jennifer Trafton was the most silly but had some nice connections.
Story 3, by ND Wilson was the shortest, almost too short.
Story 4, by AS Peterson was full of history of a made up world.
Story 5, by Jonathan Rogers was hilarious and a tickling read aloud.
Story 6, by Douglas McKelvey was perhaps the most beautiful and heart wrenching book I’ve ever read aloud. As close to perfect as we’ll find in Aerwear.
September 5, 2020
I finished this book a few weeks ago and forgot to update.
Oh, what sweet little adventures were awaiting me in this book! I would highly recommend!
Oh, what sweet little adventures were awaiting me in this book! I would highly recommend!
May 19, 2021
A fun set of short stories that add character depth to the original saga.
April 26, 2025
Worth reading for the last story alone. Simply beautiful.
“Love means never having to say you’re a cave blat.”
“Love means never having to say you’re a cave blat.”
August 2, 2018
So this wasn't as epic as the original series. :)
But I still liked it.
Especially the Ballad of Lanric and Rube.
But I still liked it.
Especially the Ballad of Lanric and Rube.
March 18, 2020
This book is hard to rate because of the variety between stories, but overall I'd give it a solid 4, maybe even pushing to 4.5 -- but I'm picky with my 5-stars.
The novella that closes this out is fantastic in theme and subject matter (and twists!), though even my forgiving self found the author's long-winded sentences and liberties with punctuation a little taxing at first.
For the rest, I found them enjoyable, fun in the typical whimsical Wingfeather way. Somehow, without a common plotline to tie them together... I don't know, it's not something I'd pick up to read again really soon. Many of the writing styles I found difficult to love on such short acquaintance (though I deeply appreciated the author humor in "The Wooing of Sophelia Stupe"). Still, enjoyable. Would recommend to fans of the Wingfeather Saga or anyone in a mood for quirky fantasy collaborations and inventive (read: slightly unorthodox) use of the English language.
The novella that closes this out is fantastic in theme and subject matter (and twists!), though even my forgiving self found the author's long-winded sentences and liberties with punctuation a little taxing at first.
For the rest, I found them enjoyable, fun in the typical whimsical Wingfeather way. Somehow, without a common plotline to tie them together... I don't know, it's not something I'd pick up to read again really soon. Many of the writing styles I found difficult to love on such short acquaintance (though I deeply appreciated the author humor in "The Wooing of Sophelia Stupe"). Still, enjoyable. Would recommend to fans of the Wingfeather Saga or anyone in a mood for quirky fantasy collaborations and inventive (read: slightly unorthodox) use of the English language.
July 11, 2021
Can't remember the last time I read a collection like this. Jumping from author to author was rather disorienting — especially when the tone changed dramatically from one selection to the next. The last one, in particular, was sooooo somber for Aerwiar. But it was good, in a kick-my-backside sort of way. I think The Wooing of Sophelia Stupe was my favorite. I do like a good love story!
May 7, 2025
This would have been 4 stars, they were good stories but it was that last one that got me. So beautifully written, so relatable and heart wrenching. It was so good to be back in this world
October 4, 2017
I began reading this one out loud to my kids, who all loved the Wingfeather Saga. They loved these too, until we got about half way through "The Places Beyond the Map."
All of the stories are good, but some are simply great. "From the Deeps of the Dragon King" and the "The Places Beyond the Map" are two of the very best. These stories are complex, emotive, and beautiful.
Though Douglas McKelvey lost my kids (10, 8, and 6) half way through his novella, I read on myself and found the story only got better. The story is profoundly woven around a few key characters, with raw, rich prose that was startling to find in such a book as this. This story, more than any other, made me wonder at the writer. He's simply incredible. The book is worth this story alone.
All in all, fans won't be disappointed, in fact, this is a terrific book. Highly recommended.
All of the stories are good, but some are simply great. "From the Deeps of the Dragon King" and the "The Places Beyond the Map" are two of the very best. These stories are complex, emotive, and beautiful.
Though Douglas McKelvey lost my kids (10, 8, and 6) half way through his novella, I read on myself and found the story only got better. The story is profoundly woven around a few key characters, with raw, rich prose that was startling to find in such a book as this. This story, more than any other, made me wonder at the writer. He's simply incredible. The book is worth this story alone.
All in all, fans won't be disappointed, in fact, this is a terrific book. Highly recommended.
May 20, 2024
Ended up throwing in the towel on this one. It just didn’t measure up to the other books in the series at all. It was mostly written by other authors and honestly I had to skip a couple of the stories because I just found them annoying. There might be something ok in here, but I got about a third of the way and didn’t find it.
(Also - some story inconsistencies were present - both stories from Podo’s early years had references to Nag or Dang or Fangs - all of which weren’t supposed to exist yet.)
Top Fantasy Series by Algorithm List
(Also - some story inconsistencies were present - both stories from Podo’s early years had references to Nag or Dang or Fangs - all of which weren’t supposed to exist yet.)
Top Fantasy Series by Algorithm List
March 12, 2021
So, I originally reviewed the Kickstarter version of this book when it was first published. Most of my opinions and impressions stand for this reread, so I'll copy it below my reread-review. Scroll down and read it (or go to this link: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...). Then read my new thoughts.
-I continue to be glad that these are not sequels to the main Wingfeather family storyline. No matter what Peterson decided regarding that storyline, someone would've been upset, and something would've been lost in the themes of the tale, and so it's best to just leave it alone.
-The one story in this collection that was not in the original anthology is "Shadowblade and the Florid Sword", a comic chronicling some of the later adventures of our own much-loved Maraly and Gammon. This comic was super fun, and I liked how it mixed superhero and noir vibes in with the fantasy of Aerwiar. It was a little hard to read in Kindle form, but I also have a small Kindle with no ability to Zoom. I still think it's worth getting in paper if you're really excited for the comic.
-How do the stories hold up in the reread? A general opinion for each tale:
--"The Prince of Yorsha Doon": Better on the reread — the first time I read this, I think I was disappointed by everything it wasn't (which is to say, it didn't deal with familiar places or problems and only featured one character from the main series). The second time around, I knew what the story wasn't already, and so I could appreciate it for what it was, which is a delightfully written Arabian-esque tale with a decidedly enjoyable protagonist.
--"The Wooing of Sophelia Stupe": I liked this less on the reread, but I think that's because I had a headache when I read it and therefore was not as amused by the particular voice with which it was written. The story is still good, and the book-signing scene is funny on its own and funnier the more you know about writer/author life. But it paled next to what I'd read before and what I knew was coming.
--"Willow Worlds": Definitely my least favorite story in the series. That's partially because, if you think about it, you can either take this as canon or "From the Deeps of the Dragon King" as canon, and I prefer "From the Deeps." People who've read the 100 Cupboards series, which it connects to, would probably like it more.
--"The Ballad of Lanric and Rube": Still excellent. I quite appreciate how the author of this most excellent poem took a footnote from one of the books and expanded it into a full story.
--"From the Deeps of the Dragon King": Just as good on the reread — I'm not sure I liked it better, but that's because I already loved it quite a lot. The author's voice is just right for this kind of tale, and the narrative and themes are magnificent.
-- The Places Beyond the Maps : This is a masterpiece. Easily the best story in the book. It's heartbreaking — we see a man driven to the ends of himself, and it's raw and aching, but beautiful in that rawness. It was excellent the first time around, and it's better on the reread.
----------
ORIGINAL REVIEW — 11/26/2016
Before I start this review, a few things to clear up: Wingfeather Tales is not a sequel. It's a companion anthology of short stories; some take place before the Saga, some after, and some during roughly the same time. It also does not explicitly suggest anything more about what happened with the epilogue of Warden, which is actually good- I have my headcanon and it makes me very happy, and I like not having said headcanon shattered by actual canon. (That said, there is a tiny piece near the end of the last story which hints at how it might have worked out, and which supports my headcanon, so!)
That said, reviews of each story:
The Prince of Yorsha Doon was a fun short story with a Persian/Arabian flavor. I will confess that it wasn't my favorite story in the anthology- not that I didn't enjoy it; just that I liked others better. Part of that might be that it seems to be the least connected to anything else in the rest of the series. So, still a great story, just not the best in the anthology.
The Wooing of Sophelia Stupe , on the other hand, was a delightful story: lighthearted, sweet (a bit bittersweet, actually), and just the right blend of humor and poignancy. There's some nice author-humor (though of the published-author variety, which means I'll probably appreciate it even more after I've actually been published myself), a bit of explanation of Anklejelly Manor, a surprising twist partway through, and the wonderful Sophelia Stupe. It also contains what I think might be a bit of a crossover with N. D. Wilson's 100 Cupboards book(s?), which I now feel as if I ought to read.
Willow Worlds was fascinating and featured a younger version of a character we know quite well . . . but that's not really the main focus. Like the previous story, it connects (I think) to the 100 Cupboards. My main complaint is that, while a complete story, it's almost too short- I wish I could've heard more. Ah well.
The Ballad of Lanric and Rube is a pleasant break from the prose to a comic ballad about two cousins (more like brothers) fighting (literally!) over a girl, though, happily, not in a bitter way. I saw the twist at the end coming, to a degree, but it was still very fun to read.
From the Deeps of the Dragon King showed a significant piece of Podo's backstory in a magnificent way. It's all high-seas adventure here- a cross between pirating and whaling. Young Podo is quite a character, let me tell you- and also quite different from the Podo we know. It's humorous, yet there's a poignant message amidst the lightheartedness.
Finally, The Places Beyond the Maps was a heartbreaking novella of a man whose daughter is taken by Fangs. It's so sad that it's truly difficult to read at times, but there's beauty amidst the rawness and redemption at the end of all things. The style is unusual; it keeps you distant and draws you in at once. I am slightly confused by the epilogue, but overall, a wonderful, though sad story.
All in all, this is an excellent collection of stories. I'm sad that this brings the Wingfeather Saga very much to a close- but I'm glad that it ended with this.
-I continue to be glad that these are not sequels to the main Wingfeather family storyline. No matter what Peterson decided regarding that storyline, someone would've been upset, and something would've been lost in the themes of the tale, and so it's best to just leave it alone.
-The one story in this collection that was not in the original anthology is "Shadowblade and the Florid Sword", a comic chronicling some of the later adventures of our own much-loved Maraly and Gammon. This comic was super fun, and I liked how it mixed superhero and noir vibes in with the fantasy of Aerwiar. It was a little hard to read in Kindle form, but I also have a small Kindle with no ability to Zoom. I still think it's worth getting in paper if you're really excited for the comic.
-How do the stories hold up in the reread? A general opinion for each tale:
--"The Prince of Yorsha Doon": Better on the reread — the first time I read this, I think I was disappointed by everything it wasn't (which is to say, it didn't deal with familiar places or problems and only featured one character from the main series). The second time around, I knew what the story wasn't already, and so I could appreciate it for what it was, which is a delightfully written Arabian-esque tale with a decidedly enjoyable protagonist.
--"The Wooing of Sophelia Stupe": I liked this less on the reread, but I think that's because I had a headache when I read it and therefore was not as amused by the particular voice with which it was written. The story is still good, and the book-signing scene is funny on its own and funnier the more you know about writer/author life. But it paled next to what I'd read before and what I knew was coming.
--"Willow Worlds": Definitely my least favorite story in the series. That's partially because, if you think about it, you can either take this as canon or "From the Deeps of the Dragon King" as canon, and I prefer "From the Deeps." People who've read the 100 Cupboards series, which it connects to, would probably like it more.
--"The Ballad of Lanric and Rube": Still excellent. I quite appreciate how the author of this most excellent poem took a footnote from one of the books and expanded it into a full story.
--"From the Deeps of the Dragon King": Just as good on the reread — I'm not sure I liked it better, but that's because I already loved it quite a lot. The author's voice is just right for this kind of tale, and the narrative and themes are magnificent.
-- The Places Beyond the Maps : This is a masterpiece. Easily the best story in the book. It's heartbreaking — we see a man driven to the ends of himself, and it's raw and aching, but beautiful in that rawness. It was excellent the first time around, and it's better on the reread.
----------
ORIGINAL REVIEW — 11/26/2016
Before I start this review, a few things to clear up: Wingfeather Tales is not a sequel. It's a companion anthology of short stories; some take place before the Saga, some after, and some during roughly the same time. It also does not explicitly suggest anything more about what happened with the epilogue of Warden, which is actually good- I have my headcanon and it makes me very happy, and I like not having said headcanon shattered by actual canon. (That said, there is a tiny piece near the end of the last story which hints at how it might have worked out, and which supports my headcanon, so!)
That said, reviews of each story:
The Prince of Yorsha Doon was a fun short story with a Persian/Arabian flavor. I will confess that it wasn't my favorite story in the anthology- not that I didn't enjoy it; just that I liked others better. Part of that might be that it seems to be the least connected to anything else in the rest of the series. So, still a great story, just not the best in the anthology.
The Wooing of Sophelia Stupe , on the other hand, was a delightful story: lighthearted, sweet (a bit bittersweet, actually), and just the right blend of humor and poignancy. There's some nice author-humor (though of the published-author variety, which means I'll probably appreciate it even more after I've actually been published myself), a bit of explanation of Anklejelly Manor, a surprising twist partway through, and the wonderful Sophelia Stupe. It also contains what I think might be a bit of a crossover with N. D. Wilson's 100 Cupboards book(s?), which I now feel as if I ought to read.
Willow Worlds was fascinating and featured a younger version of a character we know quite well . . . but that's not really the main focus. Like the previous story, it connects (I think) to the 100 Cupboards. My main complaint is that, while a complete story, it's almost too short- I wish I could've heard more. Ah well.
The Ballad of Lanric and Rube is a pleasant break from the prose to a comic ballad about two cousins (more like brothers) fighting (literally!) over a girl, though, happily, not in a bitter way. I saw the twist at the end coming, to a degree, but it was still very fun to read.
From the Deeps of the Dragon King showed a significant piece of Podo's backstory in a magnificent way. It's all high-seas adventure here- a cross between pirating and whaling. Young Podo is quite a character, let me tell you- and also quite different from the Podo we know. It's humorous, yet there's a poignant message amidst the lightheartedness.
Finally, The Places Beyond the Maps was a heartbreaking novella of a man whose daughter is taken by Fangs. It's so sad that it's truly difficult to read at times, but there's beauty amidst the rawness and redemption at the end of all things. The style is unusual; it keeps you distant and draws you in at once. I am slightly confused by the epilogue, but overall, a wonderful, though sad story.
All in all, this is an excellent collection of stories. I'm sad that this brings the Wingfeather Saga very much to a close- but I'm glad that it ended with this.
April 15, 2025
4.5 Loved the Wingfeather saga and this is of the same ilk. Fun, engaging, imaginative, deeper than fairy tales.
July 3, 2024
Loved these tales. They give some excellent world building and background you don't get in the series. I especially love the redemption and Christian story at the end.
May 15, 2021
great collection of stories from the Wingfeather universe, most of them were really interesting! My personal favorite of the stories was probably The Wooing of Sophelia Stupe which was so funny! I also really enjoyed the emotional, heart-wrenching last story in the book, really just a small novella, with a great redeeming quality at the end. Some are a little dry, but i would recommend to all Wingfeather Saga fans
May 14, 2021
Great collection of tales. It was nice to read stories of familiar characters and new ones alike. That last story though.... That was both beautiful and sad.
May 22, 2021
This compilation of stories and illustrations are a wonderful background of the realm of Aerwiar. Wow. And as hard as it is to think about a favorite, I think the last one was- so raw. I’m impressed with this collaboration and how well they all went together!
August 20, 2021
The first several stories were varied types of sweet and clever prose and poetry. The final story, however, is why I'm giving it 5 stars. It was sublimely what it needed to be and what I hoped it would be from nearly the first page.
September 9, 2021
Will write a review when I can see through my tears. Oh my goodness.
July 1, 2025
This is just awesome, including one story that is among the best I have ever read.
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