• The Edge Chronicles
    The Edge Chronicles is a series featuring a world of made-up characters by both the author, Paul Stewart and the wonderful illustrator, Chris Riddle. The Edge is a floating rock that is supposedly the only existence in the world around itself. Across the Edge there are unruly Sky Pirates, naïve academics and nasty Leaguesman! The series showcases an enthralling collection of 11 books. Including the: Quintinius Trilogy, the Twig Trilogy and the Rook Trilogy. Today, I’ll be talking about the Quint and Twig Trilogies. There have been many reviews, being positive mostly; from children and adults alike all over the country.

    First of all, we’ll skip through Quint’s story. Being a son and grandson of sky pirate captains, the young boy had big boots to fill. His adventures started as a ship mate before he’s taken to Sanctaphrax, the floating city of Academies, in order to be the Most High Academe’s Apprentice. Unlike most, Quint’s was fuelled by the thrilling adventures he’d been on in a sky ship alongside his father, Wind Jackal. Befriending the Linius’ (Most High Academe) only daughter, Maris, the two went on many adventures in the Heart of the Flight Rock on which Sanctaphrax lays; and progressing through the Knight’s Academy where he is separated from his friend. Not too fear though, as Quint makes some friends and also a treacherous rival, Vilnix Pompolnius. After these adventures, he and Maris take flight in the journey for revenge.

    The Second Trilogy of the series, Twig’s Trilogy, starts in a small woodtroll village. Twig lives there after being abandoned in the Deepwoods by his mysterious parents. Growing up as a Woodtroll was hard for him, not being able to fit in. But one day, he goes off to chop wood and trade with his step-father being he is festooned off to another village in order to retreat from the clutches of sky piracy. However, Twig does was no other Woodtroll should do. He strayed from the well-trodden path. This took him on an adventure through the treacherous but bewildering Deepwoods. He becomes a sky-pirate and ends up meeting his father, Quintinius Verginix, the finest sky pirate of all. Twig is taught the rules of sky-sailing before losing his father to a treacherous storm. Completing a successful voyage for stormphrax soon after gave the pirates hope, after using force and courage against treacherous trickery. During his time as an academic, Twig saves the Edge, but ends up having to cut loose Sanctaphrax from its chain in the slums of Undertown.

    What I enjoyed in this series is that the places; characters and the different kinds of beasts are completely original and how it’s it not merely a story, it is a world of fun. There are non-stop thrills and eccentric characters. Also the minor characters can fill big gaps in the story and how they come back in different books. The series is absolutely excellent. However the simple things are also made, such as the maps, and even a timeline. Noticeably you can see how the landscape changes through the whole series.

    From this review, I hope you got the impression that I, personally, loved this book. It’s a must read, so get reading. The utterly fantastic drawings by Chris Riddle kept the creatures of the Edge compromising the imagination of the two geniuses. Watch out for new books. The Edge Chronicles is a must read, but the two have worked on many intriguing stories. Have fun reading.