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ㅤㅤ 3.5 stars
ㅤㅤ The illustrations are beautiful and really helped with the ambience of the story. However, the story was quite short and the current lore / the possibility of future lore takes up more space than the story that disturbs the daily lives of the characters.
ㅤㅤ In fact, the story is very focused on the faerie aspect of the book, but fails to expand on the parent's divorce or submerge us in the life of the children's mother, or tell even a short tale of what their school life is like or the neighborhood (we are given a map of the nearby neighborhood of the house, but not much else is mentioned in the story concerning it).
ㅤㅤ I decided to reread these series; all I could recall were the spectacles that allowed a boy to see otherwise invisible creatures (apparently, the plot of the second book). That just shows how unmemorable the first book in the series is.
ㅤㅤ I did enjoy the old house, the secret room, the dumbwaiter and descriptions, but yet again in hindsight - I wanted more. So, hopefully, the next books in the series will provide that.
ㅤㅤ The illustrations are beautiful and really helped with the ambience of the story. However, the story was quite short and the current lore / the possibility of future lore takes up more space than the story that disturbs the daily lives of the characters.
ㅤㅤ In fact, the story is very focused on the faerie aspect of the book, but fails to expand on the parent's divorce or submerge us in the life of the children's mother, or tell even a short tale of what their school life is like or the neighborhood (we are given a map of the nearby neighborhood of the house, but not much else is mentioned in the story concerning it).
ㅤㅤ I decided to reread these series; all I could recall were the spectacles that allowed a boy to see otherwise invisible creatures (apparently, the plot of the second book). That just shows how unmemorable the first book in the series is.
ㅤㅤ I did enjoy the old house, the secret room, the dumbwaiter and descriptions, but yet again in hindsight - I wanted more. So, hopefully, the next books in the series will provide that.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Ohhh, I wish I'd read this as a child! Loved this first book and can't wait to read more. Intriguing concept, relatable family dynamics, and the promise of magic and adventure. The artworks are beautiful too.
My only complaint is that it's SO short, leaving you on such a cliffhanger. But the beauty of reading these some 20 years after their release date is that all books are available to read at once!
My only complaint is that it's SO short, leaving you on such a cliffhanger. But the beauty of reading these some 20 years after their release date is that all books are available to read at once!
Reading this series to my 4 year old. The chapters and concepts are manageable but still fun. Short and sweet, not too scary.
I think I would have liked to get all these books in one volume, and I hope their is a reason for splitting them up besides the obvious monetary boost it would give the publisher.
This book was good, but only barely begun.
This book was good, but only barely begun.
adventurous
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I decided to read this book series because I used to love the movie growing, still do. However I never read the books until now. But, the book is just as good as I remember the movie being, so I’m excited to read the rest.
3.5 stars — just as charming and slightly creepy as I remember as a kid. I love the illustrations as an added bonus. Certainly an engaging story, and I can directly trace my obsession with fantasy and horror and faeries to The Spiderwick Chronicles books.
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes