Title: The Wrath of Mulgarath
Author: Tony DiTerlizzi & Holly Black
Series: The Spiderwick Chronicles #5
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Fae, Fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Year: 2004
5th sentence, 74th page: “They’re all dragons.”

Three ordinary kids, Jared, Simon, and Mallory Grace, have entered another world — without leaving this one! Two remarkable talents, New York Times best-sellers Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black, have risked everything to bring this remarkable account to light. Five books — one thrilling adventure — the Spiderwick Chronicles!

Their world is closer than you think.

Throughout the past week or so of reading this series, I’ve been a little perplexed. Some of the bits and pieces I remember seeing in a movie from a long time ago, but there was a lot that I didn’t remember. Which, to be completely honest, is fairly typical for a book turned movie. It really wasn’t until reading this story that I 100% was like, YES! I did see that movie!

The rest of the Spiderwick books have been a great read before bedtime – they’re short and sweet, and quite easy to put down halfway through. Not so with this tale. Which, since it’s the conclusion to a series, should probably have been a little more expected. After all, they’re tying up loose ends, neatening a storyline and finishing off a great tale that ends with the Grace children sending their letter to the authors – the instigator for this whole series.

I really liked how everything in this series feels like it has come full circle at the conclusion. There is still room for more tales, but there isn’t the overwhelming urge to find out what happens next. It’s neat, tight and kind of sweet. Just what I like in a good children’s books’ ending…

Image source: Simon and Schuster

Title: The Ironwood Tree
Author: Tony DiTerlizzi & Holly Black
Series: The Spiderwick Chronicles #4
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Fae, Fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Year: 2004
5th sentence, 74th page: Jared looked at him with surprise.

First a pack of vile, smelly goblins snatch Simon. Then a band of elves try to entrap Jared. Why is the entire faerie world so eager to get their hands on Spiderwick’s Guide? And will the Grace kids be left alone, now that the Guide has mysteriously disappeared? Don’t count on it.

At school, someone is running around pretending to be Jared, and it’s not Simon. To make matters even worse, now Mallory has disappeared and something foul in the water is killing off all the plants and animals for miles around. Clues point to the old abandoned quarry, just outside of town. Dwarves have taken over an abandoned mine there. And the faerie world’s abuzz with the news that a creature with plans to rule the world has offered them a gift to join with him — he’s given them a queen…

Throughout The Spiderwick Chronicles so far, Mallory has seemed like a bossy, tough, almost larger than life character. Probably because you’re almost seeing the story through the lens of one of her younger brothers. There is a sense of not-quite-hero-worship, and antagonism between Jared and Mallory, so it’s kind of fun that in this tale of the Grace children, it is Mallory who needs to be saved.

The problems that have slowly been building with Jared’s actions, the fae and the fieldguide finally start to come to a boil in this story. Not only are they forced to confront kidnappers and a shapeshifting horror, but they also find themselves betrayed, and confronted with Mulgarath for the first time. It’s a great way to open up the storyline for the next (and final) tale in this series.

Actually, this tale was such a great way to open up the storyline for the next Spiderwick Chronicles, that it took me a lot of willpower to turn off the light and go to sleep…

Image source: Goodreads

Title: Lucinda’s Secret
Author: Tony DiTerlizzi & Holly Black
Series: The Spiderwick Chronicles #3
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Fae, Fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Year: 2003
5th sentence, 74th page: “We were looking for some trace of our great-uncle.”

Let the story of my niece and nephews be a warning. The more you know, the more danger you’re in. And trust me, you don’t want to meddle with the Little People. — S.S.
One thrilling adventure — The Spiderwick Chronicles!
Their world is closer than you think.

The Grace siblings seem to steadily get pulled further and further into the world of the fae. From every book I’ve ever read, this just doesn’t seem to be such a great idea… but, the Grace children haven’t read as much as I have. You know, and they’re fictional children’s characters designed to emphasise that idea.

I loved the imagery of Aunt Lucinda in her little home, and the reasons why she was put there… the back story to the Spiderwick estate just seems to keep getting better and better too. After all, there’s a great tale there that is slowly being unfolded in front of your eyes. So much so that I actually struggled to put this book down, when the first two novels were much simpler to put down and walk away from.

Now I just can’t wait to open The Ironwood Tree… where will the Grace children find themselves next?

Image source: Simon & Schuster