On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness

I'm not really sure how to explain the plot of On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness. This may be because a lot of the plot is revealed in the title. First thing revealed: the book takes place on the edge of the Dark Sea (of darkness). Second: it is suppose to be a humorous book. Third: the humor is obviously geared towards an audience that finds the title humorous. Which I did not. The story follows Janner, and his two siblings Tink (of the masculine variety) and Leeli as they encounter mysteries and evil reptilian authorities.

The bad: Just general boy humor. Which, being a teen girl, didn't really appeal.

The good: I enjoyed the brief allusions to familial responsibility, and the joy and hardship that it presents.

My view: There are only so many stupid footnotes I can take before I go insane, I can read about gross-out stuff for only so long before becoming disgusted, I only read an "adventure" book for so long without adventure before becoming bored. This book crossed all of the "for so long"s. By the time the book finally got started, it was the last chapter. But my PW said that her boys really loved it...
My one word:

Contrived