Stormchaser (The Edge Chronicles Series #2) Book

Since his childhood in the DeepWoods, young Twig has always longed to soar above the forest canopy and explore the sky. Now a crew member on his father’s sky pirate ship, the Stormchaser, his dream seems fulfilled. But a much higher destiny awaits Twig. The lofty city of Sanctaphrax—built on a giant rock, floating high in the sky—is at the point of disaster. The city’s future is dependent on stormphrax—a valuable substance available only from the heart of a Great Storm. And only the Stormchaser, with Twig onboard, could risk entering a storm. . . .

Cindy L. Carolan - Children's Literature

Will young Twig and his pirate crewmates upon the sky ship Stormchaser be successful in their mission to collect the stormphrax (solid lightening)? Find out in this second book in "The Edge Chronicles" series, continuing Twig's truly thrilling adventures! The cast of characters is wonderfully amusing, frightening and disgusting all at the same time, including the creatures Hammelhorn, Banderbear, Woodtrolls, Flatheads, Nightwaifs, Caterbird, and Prowelgrins. Story-wise, it is witty and substantive enough on its own, but combined with graphic artist Chris Riddell's drawings, it will embrace the reader and keep them completely engrossed in the numerous twists and turns the plot takes. The drawings are spare, pen sketches, yet the emotive power of his pen is difficult to communicate with mere words! Luckily for readers, at least every other or every third page is adorned with one of them. The very first one, depicting "The Edge" is enough to keep the first time reader hooked until they have been introduced to each and every place name. Highly recommended. 2004, David Fickling Books, Ages 9 to 12.