Far-Flung Adventures: Hugo Pepper

Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell first came to attention with their intriguing series, the Edge Chronicles. These books conformed to a recent trend in children's books of having well made hardcover editions sized for young readers' hands filled with Mr. Riddell's brilliant illustrations. I have been reading this series to my two sons, age 7 and 8. The difficulty is that as attractive as these books are, the Edge Chronicles are not really appropriate for younger readers. There is some complex psychology of guilt and blame, some very gory descriptions and deaths, and some quite scary moments. I have had to edit as I read aloud, and even skip a few paragraphs.This is to put into context what a joy the Far Flung Adventures series is. You get the same clever plot, whimsical inventions, incredibly beautiful illustrations and striking characters we have come to expect from this creative team. However, it is all very much accessible to kids under age 12. There may be danger or the threat of violence but there is no imagery or description that would give a parent pause. The protagonists in all the books are younger than the Edge books, making it easy for kids to identify with the heros/heroines.My boys have loved Fergus Crane and Corby Flood, and were swept away with Hugo Pepper. They love leafing through the book to look at the illustrations, unfolding the gorgeous map and referring back to the earlier books to characters and events referred to in the latest installment. They are captivated by the plot and held breathless by the adventure.In this book Hugo Pepper comes back to Harbor Heights from the Frozen North on a flying sled, and lands in the middle of a mystery that involves dastardly deeds, conniving characters and perhaps lost pirate treasure.If your children are fans of Spiderwick or Harry Potter they are in for a real treat! Did I mention I liked it too?

This is the third book in the "Far Flung Adventures" series by the dynamic duo that gave us "The Edge Chronicles". This adventure series is for younger readers from about eight, and each book includes a fold out map cleverly disguised as a dust jacket.Although each one can be read on its own, you should still read Far-Flung Adventures: Fergus Crane (Far-Flung Adventures) and Far-Flung Adventures: Corby Flood (Far-Flung Adventures), because there are sneaky references to these highly imaginative books in Hugo Pepper.In a nutshell, young Hugo Pepper is rescued from the perils of the Frozen North by a couple of reindeer herders after his parents become the special of the day for a pack of marauding polar bears. Ten years later, he sets off to find his real home, and lands up in Firefly Square, where he meets a cast of eccentric and magical characters, including land-loving mermaids, tea-blenders, moth-eating dogs, and cloud sheep whose wool is in high demand, to say the least. The villains in this book are exceptional also - a snooping, conniving cat lady and an editor with an axe to grind who controls a work force of snow monsters.Filled with action, adventure, intrigue and even treasure-hunting, this book is another must-read from Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell.Amanda Richards, March 31, 2007

I bought this book for my 8 year old, having a sister who adores the Edge Chronicles. She tore through this book and the other Far Flung adventures in less than a week and has started to re-read them again. The stories are fantastic and my wacky little person completely loves them! There are illustrations with every page turn that are so unusual and captivating. No detail was spared with this series. Highly recommend for young readers!

My daughter got into the series of three books (with Corby Flood and Fergus Crane) when she was about 8 and she still loves them 5 years later! The stories are captivating and imaginative so they hold your attention. And they're fun!

Great story and illustrations as always.

love this series and how all the books refer to each other. i have bought this set as gifts

I read this to both my boys, 5 and 11, and they really enjoyed it. When we go to the libary I try and look for any book by this author. The author has an awesome imagination and the books that I have read seem to have elements in each of them that relate or tie into another book he has written.

Our Four year old has read every book these two have written, including The Edge Chronicle series that they wrote. She loves the characters and following the story.

The premise is good, the illustrations are wonderful, but there are too many characters (described at length, which prevents plot development) and an attempt at metafiction, which is out of place in a book for young children... unless you actually use it to propel the plot. My son and I are over half way through. Hugo has left his childhood home and is meeting a lot of people in Harbour Heights, but there is no sign of any plot development on the horizon.A good book varies its pace and tension, has a few interesting characters who you can feel for (or against!) and see them develop. This has none of that.

The problem with good books is that they are hard to put down. So when you are reading a bedtime story and you agree with your children that you must absolutely read "one last" chapter, bedtime gets pushed back some. Lovely, lovely books. Brilliant, imaginative, suspenseful adventures with great, quirky, well-developed characters and wonderful illustrations! An absolute pleasure to read.

Perfect for my 7 year old grandaughter Holly. Great to read aloud or for her to read herself. The pictures really added to the fun and helped her to visualise all the characters,

my son loves these books. beautiful illustrations and fun adventures

Loved reading this to my 8 year old

My son loved this, brilliant!

Simply fantastic book, for any age. The Far Flung Adventures cannot be beaten, and Hugo is probably the best of the lot.

Everything perfect, thanks!

my granddaughter loved it.

I bought this book for my daughter after she had read the Ottaline books by Chris Riddell and it did not disappoint; just as enthralling and beautiful as the others I would highly recommend this for any child.