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The Edge Chronicles: The Twig Saga #1-3
Edge Chronicles Box Set
A fantastic hardcover edition of the Twig trilogy of THE EDGE CHRONICLES, bringing together Beyond the Deepwoods; Stormchaser; and Midnight Over Sanctaphrax.
Beyond the Deepwoods is the first title in the Twig trilogy and tells the story of young Twig’s quest to discover his roots, not among the trees in Deepwoods, but high in the skies.
Stormchaser is the second title in the Twig trilogy and follows Twig who is now a crew-member on his father’s sky pirate ship, Stormchaser. Initially, Twig’s dreams of exploration seem fulfilled. But a much higher destiny awaits him.
In Midnight Over Sanctaphrax, the third title in the trilogy, Twig, now a sky pirate captain, is the only one who can save the Edgelands from disaster. But the task is daunting: his crew lost and his memory shattered. Can he make the journey back into the Deepwoods to recover his memory and take action?
Beyond the Deepwoods is the first title in the Twig trilogy and tells the story of young Twig’s quest to discover his roots, not among the trees in Deepwoods, but high in the skies.
Stormchaser is the second title in the Twig trilogy and follows Twig who is now a crew-member on his father’s sky pirate ship, Stormchaser. Initially, Twig’s dreams of exploration seem fulfilled. But a much higher destiny awaits him.
In Midnight Over Sanctaphrax, the third title in the trilogy, Twig, now a sky pirate captain, is the only one who can save the Edgelands from disaster. But the task is daunting: his crew lost and his memory shattered. Can he make the journey back into the Deepwoods to recover his memory and take action?
Paperback
First published October 2, 2003
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407 people want to read
About the author
Paul Stewart
216 books914 followersPaul Stewart is a highly regarded author of books for young readers – from picture books to football stories, fantasy and horror. Together with Chris Riddell he is co-creator of the bestselling Edge Chronicles, which has sold more than three million copies and is available in over twenty languages. They have also collaborated together on lots of other exciting books for children of all ages. The Far-Flung Adventure series includes the Gold Smarties Prize Winner Fergus Crane, and Corby Flood and Hugo Pepper, both Silver Nestle Prize Winners. Then there are the Barnaby Grimes books, two Muddle Earth adventures, and the sci-fi Scavenger and fantasy Wyrmeweald trilogies. For younger readers there is the Blobheads series, while for the very young, Paul has written several picture books, including the Rabbit and Hedgehog series, In the Dark of the Night and, his latest, Wings.
Other authors by this name disambiguation Note:
Paul Stewart - business and management books
Other authors by this name disambiguation Note:
Paul Stewart - business and management books
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
January 6, 2016
The Edge Chronicles should come with a warning. Caution: this series contains reminders that life isn't fair, and in the grand scheme of things, every endeavor is futile. Enjoy the illustrations.
I picked up these books because they were in the children's fantasy section of the library and looked like a fun, easy read. "Oh, a boy raised by woodtrolls!" I read on the back. "How whimsical! I bet this will be a pleasant diversion from my woe-begotten life."
WRONG. DEAD FREAKING WRONG.
This trilogy is supposed to be for KIDS...and yet it's one of the most grotesque, horrifying, trippy, violent, tragic, and downright effed up things I've ever read. I can barely even describe the kind of suffering the main character, Twig, goes through. Abandoned by his father at birth. Lost in the scariest damn forest I've ever encountered in a fantasy novel. Hunted by ferocious beasts. Lied to, stolen from, tricked, betrayed. Beloved pet-companion eaten alive in front of him. Held captive. Friends murdered and dismembered before his eyes. Father freaking evaporates after they're finally reunited. Works his ass off and gets a skyship, only to have it destroyed and have his companions flung to the far corners of the wilderness. All beautifully described and illustrated, all charmingly situated within the confines of a cruel, schizophrenic, polluted world that doesn't give a shit.
THIS AUTHOR IS A SADIST.
Now, I'm not saying this series is poorly written. It's marvelously, grotesquely crafted - it was just too damn cruel for my tastes. I have this expectation, when I read books, that if a protagonist goes through hell and back, s/he deserves a happy ending. Or at the very least, a meaningful one. The Edge Chronicles denied me the fulfillment of that expectation. Even more disturbingly, the narrative never gave any indication that such an expectation even existed.
In a way, I really respect Twig's character for his ability to keep some semblance of hope, of charity, of honor, and of direction throughout his ordeals. The world he inhabits is so schizophrenic, so unreliable, that he's like a tiny ship cast about in a maelstrom, with no hope of ever finding his way to shore. More often than not his fate is woefully outside his control. There's no anchor. No center of gravity. Even the sky-ships he loves are constantly in a state of flux and uncertainty. Reading a story like that is disorienting, maddening, and alienating. It drags you down into that world, and you feel as though you could plunge over the edge at any minute and fall forever into the who-knows-what. How fitting, then, that the story takes place on a gigantic jutting rock called The Edge, with water eternally pouring off the sides into the nothingness below.
Strangely, I think this series would have bothered me a lot less if I had read it as a child. The world of the story is so primordial, pitiless, and savagely simple. It's like something from a long-ago, half-forgotten dream. Although The Edge is populated by sentient beings, their societies don't follow the laws of our world. In our world, there's always some security and structure, because we are a cooperative species with the ability to form strong social bonds. The Edge Chronicles follow the laws of nature at its most basic. There is no pity, no thought, no conscience...only hunger. It's a world where everything eats everything, both literally and metaphorically, and where any moment might be your last. There's no such thing as an "important character"...everyone's on the menu, and it's dinnertime, baby. I felt like I was looking into humanity's distant past, or maybe even a past before humanity, when our prey-animal ancestors lived in constant fear of being devoured.
Compelling, but deeply disturbing.
I picked up these books because they were in the children's fantasy section of the library and looked like a fun, easy read. "Oh, a boy raised by woodtrolls!" I read on the back. "How whimsical! I bet this will be a pleasant diversion from my woe-begotten life."
WRONG. DEAD FREAKING WRONG.
This trilogy is supposed to be for KIDS...and yet it's one of the most grotesque, horrifying, trippy, violent, tragic, and downright effed up things I've ever read. I can barely even describe the kind of suffering the main character, Twig, goes through. Abandoned by his father at birth. Lost in the scariest damn forest I've ever encountered in a fantasy novel. Hunted by ferocious beasts. Lied to, stolen from, tricked, betrayed. Beloved pet-companion eaten alive in front of him. Held captive. Friends murdered and dismembered before his eyes. Father freaking evaporates after they're finally reunited. Works his ass off and gets a skyship, only to have it destroyed and have his companions flung to the far corners of the wilderness. All beautifully described and illustrated, all charmingly situated within the confines of a cruel, schizophrenic, polluted world that doesn't give a shit.
THIS AUTHOR IS A SADIST.
Now, I'm not saying this series is poorly written. It's marvelously, grotesquely crafted - it was just too damn cruel for my tastes. I have this expectation, when I read books, that if a protagonist goes through hell and back, s/he deserves a happy ending. Or at the very least, a meaningful one. The Edge Chronicles denied me the fulfillment of that expectation. Even more disturbingly, the narrative never gave any indication that such an expectation even existed.
In a way, I really respect Twig's character for his ability to keep some semblance of hope, of charity, of honor, and of direction throughout his ordeals. The world he inhabits is so schizophrenic, so unreliable, that he's like a tiny ship cast about in a maelstrom, with no hope of ever finding his way to shore. More often than not his fate is woefully outside his control. There's no anchor. No center of gravity. Even the sky-ships he loves are constantly in a state of flux and uncertainty. Reading a story like that is disorienting, maddening, and alienating. It drags you down into that world, and you feel as though you could plunge over the edge at any minute and fall forever into the who-knows-what. How fitting, then, that the story takes place on a gigantic jutting rock called The Edge, with water eternally pouring off the sides into the nothingness below.
Strangely, I think this series would have bothered me a lot less if I had read it as a child. The world of the story is so primordial, pitiless, and savagely simple. It's like something from a long-ago, half-forgotten dream. Although The Edge is populated by sentient beings, their societies don't follow the laws of our world. In our world, there's always some security and structure, because we are a cooperative species with the ability to form strong social bonds. The Edge Chronicles follow the laws of nature at its most basic. There is no pity, no thought, no conscience...only hunger. It's a world where everything eats everything, both literally and metaphorically, and where any moment might be your last. There's no such thing as an "important character"...everyone's on the menu, and it's dinnertime, baby. I felt like I was looking into humanity's distant past, or maybe even a past before humanity, when our prey-animal ancestors lived in constant fear of being devoured.
Compelling, but deeply disturbing.
April 27, 2018
This set includes three of the books in the Edge Chronicles. This series follows Twig as he grows from a scared boy raised by woodtrolls to a brave sky pirate captain. The world building is wonderful. This book is dark and deals with themes such as slavery, human trafficking and urbanisation. There are some scary scenes and some genuinely touching moments. A great series.
August 15, 2013
I would be lying if I said I was an 'old school' Edge chronicles fan, nor if I said I only discovered them recently...
Heres my story in how I got into the series.. (scroll down to read the review, some spoliers)
On the 15th April 2002, (my 8th Birthday) I was given my very first 'proper' book novel.
Beyond the Deepwoods! Given to me by my secret primary school crush. I hesitated to open it. Dazed and hypnotized by the exciting front cover. I used to stare at it for hours, observing the mark-making and various creatures that decorated the page. Everything had disturbing features and quirky characteristics.
Unfortunately, it absolutely repulsed me. I remember it, just the cover, terrifying me.
But I was never much of a reader. Infact, It wasn't until I turned 12 that I read my own full book. (Ai Buster) And even that was a struggle. I suffer with dyslexia which affects my reading and writing, and probably concentration. So to sit down and read a book, of any level, was extremely difficult; and something which would never happen with this thick book I acquired. I definitely found it extraordinary how other children would sit in the playground of library for long periods of time and read at such a young age of 9 or 10.
But that's the important thing, don't read a book because everyone else is reading that certain type of book at the time. Do you remember the 'Harry Potter' trend? Don't feel the inclination to force yourself to read something. It can ultimately destroy and spoil your potential love of reading. There is nothing worse than reading a book with you don't like or understand; that's not the idea of reading for pleasure and discovering yourself as a reader. Read when you are ready.
So Deepwoods stayed in my drawer. Longer than myself or my parents had hoped. it laid untouched- I didn't like the damn thing.
As I grew up, the book didn't remain in the drawer. It was lost or possibly donated to charity.
But the cover stuck in my head. Of the boy lurching over the scroll, holding onto it with one hand which the other gripped his naming-knife. The creatures and tribes staring all in the same direction. The Banderbear, of course.
I was 16 when I started getting into reading for pleasure. My favorite writer is Stephen King, for his excellent story telling through his sophisticated level of writing. It finally came! my love of reading!
Nothing prompted me to buy Beyond the Deepwoods. Accept perhaps the imprinted image of the Chris Riddells illusrtation.
2 Years passed, and only recently did I discover a gap in my reading.I had nothing to read! So I headed to my favorite charity book shop to find something I'd enjoy. And there I saw it.
the Edge Chronicles: Beyond the Deepwoods.
With a quick thumb through, I bought it.
The images didn't scare me anymore, and having a peek inside, neither did the language! let's finish what I didn't start, let's face my fears and read the book. Who cares if its a book for 9 year olds.
Edge Chronicles: Beyond the Deepwoods is the first chapter to the Twig Trilogy. And I bought this trilogy after I had enjoyed the first book so much.
Twig is our main protagonist. 'He's a not a hero' (Paul Stewart).
He lives amongst the woodtrolls in a small village in the Deepwoods. But, he isn't a woodtroll himself. Abandoned right after birth, Twig never knew his parents. I would describe this first tale of how he discovers himself. Paul Stewart does a remarkable job at evolving a character. With little confidence at the start, Twig journeys through the Deepwoods on his own where he learns to toughen up with the environment which surrounds him. After all, if he doesn't, he would remain vunreable.
The plot thickens as he encounters tribes, monsters, friends, foes and all sorts of strange and weird living, and non-living entities which also inhabit in the Deepwoods. Everything from the slaughter tribe, to the Trog tribe strengths Twig; allowing for the reader to sympathize and root for his victory in anything he undergoes.
The illustrations enrich the story. Mostly they are scattered every couple of pages, so look forward to beautiful artwork. Sometimes they are stranger than your personal idea of the ongoing events taking place. But other times they merely compliment the chapters bringing to life our idea of the narrative.
What Stuart and Riddell are able to achieve is commendable. The ability to write a book which can be read on its own as a stand alone adventure, without the need to read the others AND to create an evolving and expansive world with greater story's in a timeline.
It is impossible to stop at the first edition to the series.
-Unfinished-
Heres my story in how I got into the series.. (scroll down to read the review, some spoliers)
On the 15th April 2002, (my 8th Birthday) I was given my very first 'proper' book novel.
Beyond the Deepwoods! Given to me by my secret primary school crush. I hesitated to open it. Dazed and hypnotized by the exciting front cover. I used to stare at it for hours, observing the mark-making and various creatures that decorated the page. Everything had disturbing features and quirky characteristics.
Unfortunately, it absolutely repulsed me. I remember it, just the cover, terrifying me.
But I was never much of a reader. Infact, It wasn't until I turned 12 that I read my own full book. (Ai Buster) And even that was a struggle. I suffer with dyslexia which affects my reading and writing, and probably concentration. So to sit down and read a book, of any level, was extremely difficult; and something which would never happen with this thick book I acquired. I definitely found it extraordinary how other children would sit in the playground of library for long periods of time and read at such a young age of 9 or 10.
But that's the important thing, don't read a book because everyone else is reading that certain type of book at the time. Do you remember the 'Harry Potter' trend? Don't feel the inclination to force yourself to read something. It can ultimately destroy and spoil your potential love of reading. There is nothing worse than reading a book with you don't like or understand; that's not the idea of reading for pleasure and discovering yourself as a reader. Read when you are ready.
So Deepwoods stayed in my drawer. Longer than myself or my parents had hoped. it laid untouched- I didn't like the damn thing.
As I grew up, the book didn't remain in the drawer. It was lost or possibly donated to charity.
But the cover stuck in my head. Of the boy lurching over the scroll, holding onto it with one hand which the other gripped his naming-knife. The creatures and tribes staring all in the same direction. The Banderbear, of course.
I was 16 when I started getting into reading for pleasure. My favorite writer is Stephen King, for his excellent story telling through his sophisticated level of writing. It finally came! my love of reading!
Nothing prompted me to buy Beyond the Deepwoods. Accept perhaps the imprinted image of the Chris Riddells illusrtation.
2 Years passed, and only recently did I discover a gap in my reading.I had nothing to read! So I headed to my favorite charity book shop to find something I'd enjoy. And there I saw it.
the Edge Chronicles: Beyond the Deepwoods.
With a quick thumb through, I bought it.
The images didn't scare me anymore, and having a peek inside, neither did the language! let's finish what I didn't start, let's face my fears and read the book. Who cares if its a book for 9 year olds.
Edge Chronicles: Beyond the Deepwoods is the first chapter to the Twig Trilogy. And I bought this trilogy after I had enjoyed the first book so much.
Twig is our main protagonist. 'He's a not a hero' (Paul Stewart).
He lives amongst the woodtrolls in a small village in the Deepwoods. But, he isn't a woodtroll himself. Abandoned right after birth, Twig never knew his parents. I would describe this first tale of how he discovers himself. Paul Stewart does a remarkable job at evolving a character. With little confidence at the start, Twig journeys through the Deepwoods on his own where he learns to toughen up with the environment which surrounds him. After all, if he doesn't, he would remain vunreable.
The plot thickens as he encounters tribes, monsters, friends, foes and all sorts of strange and weird living, and non-living entities which also inhabit in the Deepwoods. Everything from the slaughter tribe, to the Trog tribe strengths Twig; allowing for the reader to sympathize and root for his victory in anything he undergoes.
The illustrations enrich the story. Mostly they are scattered every couple of pages, so look forward to beautiful artwork. Sometimes they are stranger than your personal idea of the ongoing events taking place. But other times they merely compliment the chapters bringing to life our idea of the narrative.
What Stuart and Riddell are able to achieve is commendable. The ability to write a book which can be read on its own as a stand alone adventure, without the need to read the others AND to create an evolving and expansive world with greater story's in a timeline.
It is impossible to stop at the first edition to the series.
-Unfinished-
May 12, 2017
Amazing.
The creatures. The characters. The places. The adventure. It's a perfect read for anyone who read the Magic Tree House series when they were young.
Twig is a young boy- who barely fits in anywhere. He is not a wood troll, as he always strays off the path. He is not a slaughterer,because he does not have fiery red hair, or red dyed finger tips. He is not a banderbear, he does not look or sound like one at all. He believes that he is not a sky-pirate, for the sky-pirates are "selfish plunderers and arrogant thieves".
So what is he? And who are his parents?
Find out in The Twig trilogy- a captivating and compelling book.
The creatures. The characters. The places. The adventure. It's a perfect read for anyone who read the Magic Tree House series when they were young.
Twig is a young boy- who barely fits in anywhere. He is not a wood troll, as he always strays off the path. He is not a slaughterer,because he does not have fiery red hair, or red dyed finger tips. He is not a banderbear, he does not look or sound like one at all. He believes that he is not a sky-pirate, for the sky-pirates are "selfish plunderers and arrogant thieves".
So what is he? And who are his parents?
Find out in The Twig trilogy- a captivating and compelling book.
January 4, 2012
I absolutely loved The Twig Trilogy. Since I do not have a physical copy of this series, I cannot give a satisfying review. The world-building is amazing in the Edge Chronicles. Paul Stewart created a world that I have never seen before. All the places and adventures Twig goes on are fantastical. You just have to read the book to see all the places, species, and customs of this world. Everything was beautifully woven together. I don't want to give any spoilers, but this book's world-building is the best I've seen yet.
December 21, 2011
I read this when I was a little girl and I still flip through it from time to time.
It's really imaginative and the characters are realistic and likable. There's a lot of action and some violence,but nothing worse than what's already on tv. Also, it's not one of those "the good guys always come through" kind of books so you never know what's going to happen.
I think a lot of kids (especially boys) would enjoy this.
It's really imaginative and the characters are realistic and likable. There's a lot of action and some violence,but nothing worse than what's already on tv. Also, it's not one of those "the good guys always come through" kind of books so you never know what's going to happen.
I think a lot of kids (especially boys) would enjoy this.
March 7, 2008
Wonderfully imaginative. Offers a fantasy that can be both out of this world, yet strangely and comfortably familiar. I enjoyed reading all three books, as well as the various others in the Edge Chronicles.
June 16, 2008
Very interesting story. The series (as you get into the later books) has a fantastical political feel. Thats what I thought although it is not very obvious.
November 29, 2008
abidit!abidit!abidit!good book!
-porky pig
-porky pig
January 27, 2014
Incredible book. One of the best I have ever read!
August 31, 2011
while it was an easy read (a couple hours per story), the story itself was highly enjoyable with memorable characters. It's a must read for anyone who enjoys fantasy/action.
April 10, 2012
Good books. Kind of young for me, but a quick and easy read. I think I would have found them a bit more exciting if I was younger
August 4, 2013
I loved this set of books. I still do. they are my childhood companions and i still read them till this day.
December 30, 2014
Easily one of the most incredible worlds ever created by an author. Augmented with illustrations.
October 5, 2015
Great book that i loved as a kid
Read
March 3, 2016gggggggggggggggggggggggggoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooodddddddddddddddddddddd
September 15, 2017
I picked this up at the library one day, not knowing what it was, but loving the cover art.
After reading it, i searched out every last book in the series. This is one of my favourite serials.
After reading it, i searched out every last book in the series. This is one of my favourite serials.
July 25, 2019
My favourite book series ever. The Edge Chronicles provides a rich, incredibly detailed and wildly imaginative world full of floating rocks, sky pirates, wonderful creatures but it all feels so real. The characters and world are so rich and incredibly creative it makes other books worldbuilding seem old and unoriginal.
The series also gets quite dark at points as well, and has some very thought provoking and gray villains. It also deals with slavery and other dark subjects which is unusual for a kids series but really brings the whole of the Edge to life. The illustrations are also amazing, and I know I’ve this many times, but make the world really feel like it could exist.
Although the series has many fantastical elements as well, there is no magic which makes the series different to other books in the fantasy genre. Instead, the Edge chronicles just has very different laws of physics, that although and very fantastic, always stay the same. Floating rocks always go up when their cold, and down when their hot, and this works with all similar fantastic things which I won’t reveal because of spoilers.
In the end, although there are a few flaws in the books, they are such great example of world building and imagination, you’d be would be silly not to try these books out.
The series also gets quite dark at points as well, and has some very thought provoking and gray villains. It also deals with slavery and other dark subjects which is unusual for a kids series but really brings the whole of the Edge to life. The illustrations are also amazing, and I know I’ve this many times, but make the world really feel like it could exist.
Although the series has many fantastical elements as well, there is no magic which makes the series different to other books in the fantasy genre. Instead, the Edge chronicles just has very different laws of physics, that although and very fantastic, always stay the same. Floating rocks always go up when their cold, and down when their hot, and this works with all similar fantastic things which I won’t reveal because of spoilers.
In the end, although there are a few flaws in the books, they are such great example of world building and imagination, you’d be would be silly not to try these books out.
August 9, 2018
General Overview
An series of adventurous tales, with art style and writing reminiscent of the film Labyrinth.
Style
My wife picked this up in a charity shop. She recommended it to me after reading it some years ago herself. The style of writing is clear, and simple enough that most children will be able to read it this doesn't dim the strength of it though. Almost with the first page, in part thanks to the art, I was transported to The Edge.
The whole series reminds me of films like Labyrinth, the Secrets of Nymn, and other such media, where the world is dark and terrible, with a sense of dread and doom, and yet still being appropriate for children.
Story
The three books tell the tale of Twig, an are a colourful romp through the darkly whimsical world of the Edge. There are great lessons to be learned in these stories. The threats of abusing the world, the reasons why people lust for power, and the importance of friendship.
They are written for children, but I enjoyed them as an easy read very much so. The art aids and builds on the books.
Final Thoughts
The artwork makes this series of books all the better. They help turn what could be an adequate adventure story into something more.
An series of adventurous tales, with art style and writing reminiscent of the film Labyrinth.
Style
My wife picked this up in a charity shop. She recommended it to me after reading it some years ago herself. The style of writing is clear, and simple enough that most children will be able to read it this doesn't dim the strength of it though. Almost with the first page, in part thanks to the art, I was transported to The Edge.
The whole series reminds me of films like Labyrinth, the Secrets of Nymn, and other such media, where the world is dark and terrible, with a sense of dread and doom, and yet still being appropriate for children.
Story
The three books tell the tale of Twig, an are a colourful romp through the darkly whimsical world of the Edge. There are great lessons to be learned in these stories. The threats of abusing the world, the reasons why people lust for power, and the importance of friendship.
They are written for children, but I enjoyed them as an easy read very much so. The art aids and builds on the books.
Final Thoughts
The artwork makes this series of books all the better. They help turn what could be an adequate adventure story into something more.
Read
April 22, 2025read these as a kid and have been thinking about them recently - just finished the twig books, fascinated by the world building!!!
read all 3 in hardback!
read all 3 in hardback!
April 8, 2011
This was probably one of the worst books I have ever read. It was the gross that I actually ended up skipping parts. I mean, disgusiting gross. It was revolting. Also the authour didn't describe any of the characters. The author just started talking about them and nobody had any idea what was going on! It didn't make sense either. My mum bought the book for me when I was 9 and I only read it last year. I would not recommed this book to anyone but if you like being grossed out and almost sick... this is the book for you!!!!!
August 8, 2015
The story itself is great.. But the writing, the details and the descriptions are not good at all.. Sets you off the reading itself unfortunately
June 6, 2025
Geweldige fantasyboeken voor adolescenten. Heel mooie illustraties.
March 7, 2009
This is a fun series, the boys LOVED it. Lots of fun characters.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews