Mightier Than the Sword: The Edge of the Word

Mightier Than the Sword: A review and summary. This new action packed series for kids ages 8 to 12 is an interactive adventure that will give your kid a break from screens to engage in some tried and true analog creativity. Scroll down for a fun Book GIVEAWAY!

I get so excited every time I find a book (or, even better, a series) that will engage and appeal to the reluctant reader crowd. There is nothing more satisfying to me than matching up a kid who thinks they don't like to read with a book that will have them eagerly turning pages.

When Mightier Than the Sword showed up at our house, I knew it was something to get excited about.

This two book series is an engaging spin-off from the Choose Your Own Adventure books from my childhood. I used to love being able to decide what would happen next in the story in those old CYO Adventure books, but these new books from Drew Callander and Alana Harrison really take the fun to the next level.

In these unique books, the reader is a main character in the book with the power to create. Throughout the book are prompts to draw and write, and everything the reader creates becomes part of the story. It's wildly imaginative and so much fun!

Note: the Amazon links in this post are affiliate links. Also, I partnered with The Children’s Book Review, Drew Callander, and Alana Harrison on a book tour for Mightier Than the Sword. I received books and compensation. Review opinions are 100% my own.

What is Mightier Than the Sword About?

When the book opens, the reader wakes up in the fictional land of Astorya, where the stories from our human world come to life. In this wacky world, the reader is like a superhero because, armed with a pencil, the reader can make and create the story.

The first book in the series, Mightier Than the Sword, is an adventurous rescue mission to save Prince S. from the evil Queen Rulette. There are giant dung beetles, vicious dust bunnies, sentient trees and killer robots. It gets pretty crazy, but as the reader finds out, their pencil is always mightier than the sword. It's hilarious and fun in all the best ways.

In book two, Mightier Than the Sword: The Edge of the World, the reader has finally rescued Prince S., but now it's time to find their way back home from the land of Astorya. And while the reader may have defeated many foes in the first book, there are all new dangers in the second book and the added challenge of keeping the "Original Document" that the entire kingdom of Astorya is founded on safe from harm. Another delightful adventure ensues!

Our Review

These books are awesome! We loved the first book and the sequel has proven to be just as entertaining and exciting.

Almost as soon as these books arrived at our house, my kids were digging in, pencils in hand. They enthusiastically made their way through both books in the series and then promptly asked for more! It was a pretty strong endorsement and I feel confident saying that kids will love these books!

In addition to a great story, they are filled with fun illustrations, crossword puzzles, fill-in-the-blank pages, character design pages, flip book art, and more. These are so much more than just chapter books! I especially love that it's sneakily educational. While kids are having fun reading, they'll also learn about parts of speech, practice handwriting skills, drawing, and problem-solving.

Reading time becomes infinitely more fun when reading also includes drawing and puzzles - it's genius. These are perfect for kids who think they don't like to read, as well as kids who love an action packed quest and adventure story.

We highly recommend these creative interactive chapter books for kids ages 8 to 12! These also make great read aloud books too.