The Monster in the Hollows is the third installment in Andrew Peterson’s “The Wingfeather Saga.” We are first introduced to Janner, Kalmar (a.k.a. Tink), and Leeli Igiby in the series opener, On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness. The brothers and sister live in the small town of Glipwood with their mother, Nia, and their grandfather, Podo, and enjoy a relatively quiet life until they come into conflict with the dreaded Fangs of Dang. Their lives are suddenly filled with danger as they begin an adventure that leads to the children’s discovery of their true, royal identity: Janner is a Throne Warden, Tink is the High King, and Leeli the Song Maiden of the fallen kingdom of Anniera. Their father, Esben Wingfeather, was the High King of Anniera, and their mother his queen. The story continues in North! Or Be Eaten as the children embark upon a harrowing journey for the Ice Prairies, fleeing for their lives from the Fangs, who have discovered the children’s true identity and value to their leader, Gnag the Nameless. In the midst of indelible trials, Janner and Tink engage in deeper struggles with the responsibilities placed upon them by their new-found identities.
Hollows takes Janner, Kalmar, and Leeli’s journey of identity to a profoundly deeper level. What does it mean to be a song maiden, a throne warden, or even a king? Through the instruction they receive from their mother, their teachers at school, and the personal humiliation they must regularly endure, the children learn that their royal identity is a call to service and humility. In fact, the Wingfeathers acutely learn who they are through what they suffer (cf. Hebrews 5:8). Nia’s daily reminder, “Remember who you are,” acts as a refrain of one of the book’s central themes: the importance and power in a name defining identity. In many respects, herein lies the masterful way in which Mr. Peterson weaves the heart of the Gospel into his story. The Gospel of Mark is the story of Jesus, the Servant-King, the center of which is found in chapters 9 and 10. After Jesus foretells of his coming death and resurrection (9:30-32), He immediately tells them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all” (v. 35). Then in chapter 10, after again foretelling of his coming suffering and death in Jerusalem, and subsequent resurrection, He teaches the disciples again what their calling entails after James and John’s request to be seated at Christ’s left and right in glory. Gathering all of the disciples to him, Jesus says,
“You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (vv. 42-45).
Hold that picture in place and consider one of the central exhortations of Paul’s letter to the Colossians. He calls believers to consider what Christ has accomplished (see 2:6-15), and to live according to their identity in Him (especially note 3:1-17). Essentially, Paul is saying, “Be who you are.” Furthermore, as kings (Revelation 1:6, 1 Corinthians 6:2), God’s people are called to a life of service and humility patterned in the life of Christ. The Monster in the Hollows vibrantly brings these themes to life, resonating in the soul.
The consensus of the Thacker home is that this is Mr. Peterson’s best story-telling yet. My simple proof is the two-plus hours my wife and boys sat in rapt attention last night. As long as my voice held out there was little doubt we would get through all seventeen chapters left in order to finish the book. “The Wingfeather Saga” is to be concluded in the fourth volume, The Warden and the Wolf King. Deborah initially vowed to be “mad” at Mr. Peterson that the last book wasn’t written yet, but has since changed her mind, so satisfying was Hollows. I hope that more children and parents will read The Wingfeather Saga, and for the discussions it will lead to as we endeavor to remember who we are, and instruct our children in the same.