Beyond The Deepwoods - Paul Stewart

Advantages: Quite a long story and in a series
Disadvantages: It is a bit sad and depressing sometimes

This book is the first one of a series called The Edge Chronicles. The Edge Chronicles books are by Chris Riddell and Paul Stewart and they are all very good. It’s about a being called Twig, who is adopted by Woodtrolls. Twig didn’t know this at first (that he was adopted). His mother Spelda, often told him stories about when he was little, and he loved hearing them. Then oneday, Spelda said to Twig that she wanted to tell him the story ...
...that story so he thought he knew what it would be, but Spelda told him stories could have different endings. She told him that she wasn’t his real mother and his father Tuntum wasn’t his real father. They had found him and looked after him because he had been abandoned at the bottom of their tree. Spelda and Tuntum did love Twig very much, but they decided he had to be told the truth about everything. Spelda was very upset and kept crying, ... Read review

Advantages: A great book with a good story line.
Disadvantages: Nothing really

The story is about when Twig, a wood troll (he thinks he is but he isn’t), doesn’t fit in and gets sent away to his cousins house, he does what no wood troll has ever done before, he strays from the path. He goes on a long journey meeting lots of different fictional creatures and even The Gloamglozer himself (the most feared creature of all). It is a fairy tale sort of story that would not have happened in real life because of all the strange creatures. ...
...The Edge (the world that Twig and all the others live). The main character was Twig, there weren’t any other main characters just ones he met on his journey. I didn’t have a best character as they all have their unique personalities and ways of living. One of the characters was a big Blanderbear, a bear that has green algae in it’s fur and makes it look green, he met it when it was yelling out in pain because he had a rotting tooth and Twig had ... Read review

Advantages: Enthralling, entertaining, and makes you want to read the series
Disadvantages: You lose sence of time

This story kept me sat in my room for a week. I didnt know it was a week at the time. So I warn you... this book eats your life! The story starts with Twig, Twig lives in the woods with his Mother and father. They are very different from him, for they are woodland creatures, and he is a man. He would constantly get bullied for beign different One day Twig gets told that he is adopted, and in fact he was found under a tree. Twig is shocked by this, ...
...into the woods and find his destiny. His mother and father are destraught, as they know the perils of the deepwoods. Even though Twig was warned about straying from the path when in the dangerous deepwoods, he does, and encounters all sorts of colourful (and mostly dangerous) characters. From Slaughters (who despite their name, are actually quite friendly) to the Legendary Gloamglozer to Sky Pirates. I promise, once you read this book, you will able ... Read review

Advantages: The text is accompanied by illustrations throughout the novel.
Disadvantages: Some of the characters may seem a little scary to really young readers.

Beyond the Deepwoods is the first of three books in a group of novels based on a young boy called Twig. Although there are prequels to this novel, I would suggest that any young reader to start with this book. The first impression I got of this novel is set by the detailed map of the fictional world, The Edge. This shows a perculiar landscape one end of which is shrouded in cloud which really made me want to read the book to discover the secrets ...
...was about to embark on a mystical adventure just by reading this book! Reading the book was a fantastic experience and the illustrations add to the amazing descriptions of infamous monsters and woodland creatures. The final chapters have been cleverly written to leave a slight cliff hanger but still managing to wrap up the currently story line nicely. ... Read review

Advantages: Fun plotlines, with a deeper edge.
Disadvantages: Not for teenage readers, slightly childish style

...18 years older, and so beyond the age of "child" kept me gripped and after I had finished I went out immedietely to buy the next books in the Twig saga. The story was fun and exciting, with brilliant illustrations to add to the reading experience. That is what reading this book was like. It opens up a whole new world of fantasy for the reader, and whilst the book is rich with description and information, it leaves just enough tantalising space for ...
...fulfilling journey. The main character and hero of the story, Twig, brought up by the woodtroll Spelda, is a young boy in the first book of the Edge Chronicles. He goes on an exciting adventure when sent away by his woodtroll "Mother" (he does not realise he isadopted) to stay with his cousin Snetterbark, because he is in danger. On the way, he strays from the path and meets many weird magical creatures, both his friends and foes, such as the bloodoak ... Read review

Advantages: Cant put down type of book.
Disadvantages: Makes the reader feel a bit of an idiot.

...An excellent book for children ages 8-13 and very addictive (cant put down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!). I have read all 12 works out so far and must say this isnt my favorite. Can get very irratating when he explains everything and occaisionally a bit reppetative. The Good Points far outwiegh the bad points! The sort of people that would enjoy this book would probably be the sort of person that enjoyed the following: Any of the Harry Potter Books by J K Rowling Phillip Ardaughs books like Awful End Eva Ibbotsons The Secret of Platform Thirteen Any of the Edge Chronicles by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddel including Beyond the Deepwoods and The last Sky Pirate So overall i would say that this is a good book but would probably seem a little bit wierd if you havnt read the previos ones: The Bad Beginng The Reptile Room The Wide Window... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful