Beyond the Deepwoods - The Edge Chronicles

A fantasy world of strange creatures and perilous adventures is encountered by Twig as he sets out from the Woodtrolls' village where he was abandoned as a child. Each chapter introduces a new, fantastic creature and often new dangers for Twig to survive which gives an easy structure for reading and free rein to Stewart and Riddell's imaginations. (Readers will like the detailed, often spiky drawings, which they may know already from Philip Ridley's Scribbleboy or Kasper in the Glitter.) The pair have probably been too generous with their inventions for this one book - some creatures, some adventures deserve more chapters, more time. The pace is too furious. But, finally, I was hooked and 'left wanting to know what more fantastic things can happen.