On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness

Content Warning: This section of the guide discusses the source text’s depiction of antisemitism.

Janner, Tink, and Leeli are the book’s main protagonists. At 12, Janner is the eldest. He dreams of a world beyond Glipwood, and he resents having to take care of his siblings. Janner is at the beginning of a complicated coming-of-age journey in this first installment of the series. Janner struggles to accept the responsibilities that Nia and Podo place on him. Janner must learn to navigate between his desires and his duty to his family, and he must also find a way to understand his feelings about legacy and belonging. Janner often feels homesick for a place he does not know. This feeling is explained when he learns that he and his family came to Glipwood from Anniera, where they were once the royal family. At the end of the book, it is revealed that as the eldest Wingfeather son, he is destined to protect his brother as the Throne Warden of Anniera. Nia assures Janner that his role is a meaningful one, and that Throne Wardens are “accorded a place of honor like no other kingdom—like no other king—in the world—not because they’re lords, but because they’re servants” (317).