 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Beyond the Deepwoods: The Edge Chronicles #1
- By Paul Stewart
- Genre: Fantasy
Common Sense Media says
Weird creatures and nonstop action.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this book isn't meant for thoughtful discussion. It has some fantasy violence and may not be a good choice for kids prone to nightmares.
What's the story?
The Edge is a bizarre world filled with weird creatures ("woodtrolls, slaughterers, gyle goblins, termagent trogs ... monstrous creatures, flesh-eating trees, marauding hordes of ferocious beasts," and many, many more) and altered physics (certain types of rocks and wood float, powering sailing ships that ply the air).
Hiding from sky pirates, Twig strays from the path in the Deepwoods forest and encounters one weird creature and gruesomely dangerous situation after another, all the while trying to find a place where he can belong.
Is it any good?
The Edge may refer to the part of the world where the story takes place, but it also describes the part of the seat where your child will breathlessly linger. This author and illustrator team possess seemingly inexhaustible, if somewhat rank and fetid, imaginations, just the kind to delight kids with a taste for the creepy, gross, and bizarre. They trot out one all-too-vividly ghastly place and creature after another with wild abandon.
Twig stumbles (usually literally) from frying pan to fire over and over at a pace that some may find exhausting, and the lack of any real goal can make it seem pointless, if exciting, at times. But it's well-written, with crystal clear descriptions and delightfully creepy illustrations, and set into an inexpensive, old-fashioned hardcover edition. Many kids are going to eat this up and beg for more.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the dangers (and possible benefits) of "straying from the path."
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AGE
Nonstop action with plenty of yelling
This book dosen't have a very good plot, yet the action keeps you reading. Twig yells quite a bit, and doesn't make a great role model. The illustrations are great, and that is the best thing about this book. Read if you want, but please stray away form the sequel. Read Redwall, Artemis Fowl, or Lord of the Rings for better fantasy.
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AGE
Stepping off the path leads to....adventure
This book shows the reader what awaits off "the path".
A warning: There is a death of an important character. A friend of Twigs.
And there is alot of vicious things in this book. Plants and animals mostly. Not everything is as it first appears.
It is fast paced and easy to read.
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AGE
gross dont get it!!!
this book was absolutly DISGUSTING. im telling you i dont know what everyone thinks fantasy is, but for me, i wouldnt want blood drinking... umm..things to be in a story..there was just a lot of stuff...these little animals the attack in packs and strip flesh off of any creature...just so much stuff that i just found to be...gross...i hated it!
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AGE
Violent, exciting, not for kids under 12
As a teacher, I read many children's books and I must say, I am hooked on this series. I must caution parents that the theme is dark and that there is much violence in this series. I would only recommend this, with care, to those who are not sensitive and can handle graphic violence. Personally, as an adult, I just finished book 6 and can't wait to see what happens next. The illustrations are BRILLIANT!!!
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AGE
A fantastic book
This book by Chris Riddle and Paul Stewart is a superb book! This is a very interesting book it has fasinating pictures very detaild creatures , trust me this book will keep you at the edge of you seat you will not want to read another book seriers for a longggg time!
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Kid, 12 years old
September 1, 2011
AGE
You should read this book.
This series is brilliant! I have read the first nine books and am half way through the last. I have loved them since the start. Twig is a very good role model who over comes his fear of the gloamglozer. This is possibly the best series of books I've ever read. And deffinately the best fantasy one.
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AGE
AMAZING
this is the best book in the world coz its very exiting and breath taking. there are a few unhappy moments when the sky ship crew keep on dieing but appart from all that its the best book in the world and you have to read the others coz i have and i read each one about 10 times each
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Kid, 12 years old
March 26, 2010
AGE
Good family reading book.
I loved this book! There's plenty of action, with a little violence but not TOO much. The rest of the series is even better, and I'm surprised anyone would give this a bad review.
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| Topics: | magic and fantasy |
| Author: | Paul Stewart |
| Illustrator: | Chris Riddell |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Fantasy |
| Publisher: | Random House |
| Publication date: | June 22, 2004 |
| Number of pages: | 278 |
| Hardcover price: | $12.95 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 9 - 12 |
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