Oliver, Lauren (text) Iacopo Bruno (illus.) The Spindlers.

Murphy, David

[A] OLIVER, Lauren (text) Iacopo Bruno (illus.) The Spindlers Hodder & Stoughton, 2012 248pp $18.99 pbk +e ISBN 9781444723137 SCIS 1580394

This is a new novel by Lauren Oliver which revolves around the plight of young Liz who thinks her little brother's soul has been stolen by Spindlers. These are spider like creatures who come in the night, steal your soul and replace it with eggs that eat the host from the inside out. Liz, having failed to convince the higher authorities, being the grown ups, of this state of affairs sets out to save her brother's soul from the Spindler's nest and return him to his original state of annoying little brother. Liz then enters a world of faery markets, many headed monsters, disembodied voices and talking rats.

The story is fast paced and the characterisations are interesting and involving. The quest draws you in to a world where everything has multiple meanings and is not quite as it seems. The Spindlers is a fantastic dark adventure for older confident readers. It is reminiscent of Spiderwick and Neil Gaiman's books for younger readers. DM

[c] The copyright of all articles and reviews remain with the author.

All prices are recommended only.

** Book by all Australian author or illustrator

[dagger][dagger] Book by a New Zealand author or illustrator

[A] An outstanding book of its kind as recommended by the reviewer

[B] An outstanding New Zealand book of its kind as recommended by the reviewer