The Four Children of Night

During a storm, Peter feels a sense of foreboding, although the rest of his family is at ease. When a lull occurs, he goes out to check on things - but straying too far he is pulled out to sea with the Seafolk. There he is drawn into a quest where he encounters a whole myriad of unusual creatures from all parts of the earth. During this quest he is assisted by Moke, a renegade goblin, and Elsa, the daughter of a hermit. Dialogues and scenery in the story are richly described by Whitaker with the sort of detail that lends credibility and interest to the proceedings. Questions, too, are raised that are worth pondering. My one complaint was that this book could profitably have continued for a few more chapters without detracting from the whole.