Consider the Wildflowers

Welcome to the “book of the month” section of the blog! This is where I tell you all about my top pick from each month.

June’s book of the month was the most unlikely winner in my eyes. This is a book that was recommended to me by one of my students, and as eager as I was to read this series, it isn’t a series I would have likely picked up on my own! This book had been on my TBR for a few months now, as it was always the last one I wanted to pick up. This was simply because I was more excited for some of the other books I had on my list. However, I wish I would have picked this book up sooner, because it was my absolute favorite read this month!

“The Warden and the Wolf King” by Andrew Peterson is the fourth book in the Wingfeather Saga. I slowly read through this series starting in January, and just wrapped it up in June. The first book was good, but it didn’t hold my attention. I wasn’t eager to pick it up and keep reading as the story progressed. However, I can confidently say that this was not the case for the last three books. These books held my attention the entire time, with the last one being my very favorite. I simply could not put them down.

The series follows three siblings by the names of Janner, Tink, and Leeli. They live with their mother, Nia, and grandfather, Podo, in a humble home in a town called Glipwood. This town (and the islands around it) are being attacked by an enemy known as Gnag the Nameless. He and his crew of “fangs” kidnap children and attack the villages. The three siblings are his prime targets, as they are known as the “Jewels of Anniera”. The three children are the heirs of the King of Anneria, their father, who passed away in the war while trying to save the land. Anneria, a beautiful island, is a lost land that is often spoken of as a myth in the surrounding islands. As the series progresses, more secrets are unlocked about the three children and their father’s past, and I was hooked for every bit of it. The three children embark on a journey that takes them far from home in order to defeat Gnag and save everyone they love. Each obstacle in the way teaches them something new, and there is action-packed adventure around every corner.

I listened to the majority of this book on audible while I was at work. This book made me cry (at work!!), but in a good way. I would call this series “Children’s Fantasy,” but it can also be categorized with “Christian Fiction”. There are so many references to the Bible and the Christian faith, but they are very subtle. The author mostly writes of kindness, forgiveness, grace, and what it means to be loved even in the midst of your wrongdoings. He refers to God as “The Creator,” and I think even the “non-Christian” reader would enjoy the principles and heart of this book. With all of that being said, there are still a number of serious topics that are discussed throughout. This book made me cry both tears of joy and sadness because of the loss that Peterson so beautifully incorporates in this book. I feel that we need more books like this one in the world–books that bring difficult, dark concepts to the light–ones that inspire us to keep doing the right things, even when it feels like the hardest thing in the world to do. I applaud Andrew Peterson on his intricate storytelling skills. Each book in the series flows seamlessly into the next, and his writing style is both humorous and encouraging. The book’s main characters are children, and I think Peterson captures the voice and the thoughts of a child/early teen so accurately. Even I, as a twenty-four year old, related to the fears and the insecurities of these main characters. Peterson discusses the insecurities we have all faced at some point–and even the ones we may still carry with us–causing a childhood part of me to feel whole and happy and a little more healed in the process.

I rated this book five stars! When I listen to an audiobook, I often have a very hard time paying attention to it unless it is fast paced and holding my attention. Considering the fact that I ADORED this book while listening, I think I would have loved it even more if I had physically read it. I almost forgot I was working because I was so enthralled with the story–it was like I was there myself as I was listening to it! And the ending ripped my heart out and put it back together again. Just an all-around incredible book. I’m thankful one of my students recommended this series to me! I hope you’ll pick it up next–if you like fantasy and Christian topics, I highly recommend that you do!