http://clare-dragonfly.insanejournal.com/ Clare-Dragonfly - InsaneJournal gwraig.annwn@gmail.com Wed, 02 Jan 2008 22:46:05 GMT LiveJournal / InsaneJournal http://www.insanejournal.com/userpic/138895/39171 http://clare-dragonfly.insanejournal.com/ 100 100 http://clare-dragonfly.insanejournal.com/10401.html Wed, 02 Jan 2008 22:46:05 GMT gwraig.annwn@gmail.com http://clare-dragonfly.insanejournal.com/10401.html <b><u>The Spiderwick Chronicles</u> by Holly Black and Tony DeTerlizzi</b><br /><br />What a delightful little series! I'm a huge fan of Holly Black, and as usual she didn't disappoint, with a thrilling tale of true-to-life (and -legend) faeries and children. I was delighted that they took a classic story, unhappy kids moving into a strange new house, and--well, didn't exactly turn it on its head, but created an engaging and original tale. The protagonist, Jared Grace, is a well-drawn and very sympathetic little boy whose parents' divorce has led to anger issues as well as a move to a house owned by his Great-Aunt Lucinda, where hides a very special book. His twin brother Simon and their older sister Mallory are also unique and fun characters, and the interactions between the siblings are quite believable--they squabble a lot, but when it's important (and when they have to hide things from their mother) they stick together. The story is also populated by faeries of all types and sizes--a brownie, some goblins (and one hobgoblin, thank you very much), a griffin, a phooka, elves, and more. I was happily surprised b y some of the story's twists and gleefully predicted others. I really look forward to the movie. Of course, it will be lacking Tony DeTerlizzi's delightful illustrations, but I'm sure it will be wonderful anyway. http://clare-dragonfly.insanejournal.com/10401.html faeries book reviews security: public public