Edge Chronicles 2: Stormchaser

Book 2 is where the Edge Chronicles really takes off. The sky pirate adventures finally begin after the rough start of the first book. Before going any further, potential readers should be warned that this is by far the most disturbing book in the Edge Chronicles. In fact, I have not read many children's books that contain such extreme levels of carnage. Just a few of the topics touched upon in this book are death (don't get too attached to many of the characters), torture, maiming, and a serial killer who takes and displays certain body parts of his victims. At times you get the feeling that the author enjoys tormenting his characters, but I guess it just drives home the point that the Edge is a dangerous place. Violence aside, "Stormchaser" is probably the most memorable book in the series so far (we're up to Book 7 as of this review). If you want sky pirate action, this book certainly delivers. As always, the writing is clever and the descriptions rich and detailed (not to mention the wonderfully grim illustrations as well). It is amazing how much story the author is able to cram into such a small space. We get the main story arc, plus multiple side stories that all tie into the main plotline. Unlike the first book, all of the events in this story have significance and help to advance the plot. Readers of Book 1 will be pleased to find that the author brings relevance to the events of that story as well (although it may come too late for readers who were put off by the lack of direction found in the first book). Overall, Book 2 of the Edge Chronicles is a well written adventure that is certainly memorable, although not necessarily "fun," due to the exceessive violence. Readers who are left with a bad taste in their mouth after this book should still continue with the series, as it hits its stride and settles down after this installment.

Young Twig having found his father, has become a sky pirate. He has one incident with his father aboard the Stormchaser where he gets to fly the ship all by himself. With Twig's screw up the Stormchaser lost its rudder weight and Twig was forgiven miracuousley by Cloud Wolf. Vilnix,the Most High Acadame, has heard rumor that Cloud Wolf is going off to find the legendary and valuable stormphrax. Twig was not allowed to go along with his father stromchasing. Spleethe trickes Twig into sneaking onto the ship. Then everything falls down the pipes!Twig's father ashamed of Twig for disobeying him leads the Stormchaser into the eye of a Great Storm and lightning strikes the ship with everyone abandoning the ship Twig leaves his father abord the ship unforgiven as Cloud Wolf tries to regain its control. Will Twig ever be forgiven?Find out in this exciting thriller!

Picking up more or less where the first book left off Twig is now aboard the Stormchaser with his father, and the adventure begins. Perhaps it's that I was now familiar with the characters, but I found this to exceed the original on all counts. The one down side to it was the death count. Alot of characters bit the dust, some that surprised me. But that being said it's still a fun ride that ends with a literal cliffhanger.

This book is much different in theme from the first. Not only is it more plot oriented, but it is much, much darker. The politics of the floating city of academics (which, come to think of it, resembles the Philosopher's Isle in Gulliver's travels), Sanctaphrax and time spent in the bustling, corrupt Undertown are the most intruiging parts of the book. Also, the character Screed is very interesting, in an extremely gruesome, grim (or, more accurately, Grimm) sense. This book is incredibly tragic for literature labeled for 9-12 year olds, but if you are not faint of heart, it is still more than just worth reading.

First, I'd like to say that this isn't a book for early childhood readers... I really wouldn't recommend it for children under twelve or so. There's rampant character death in all manner of gruesome ways.That aside, I think this is my favorite book in one of my favorite series. The story is interesting, the characters are likeable and believeable (especially Twig!). The world that the author creates is so complex and elegantly detailed, I think that it's actually developed better than Rowling's wizarding world. Very very good book!