Other Book [Paperback]

Philip Womack (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 7, 2008

Over four hundred years ago, a book is buried within the grounds of Oldstone Manor. There it lies, shrouded in a brooding curse, until one day the earth stirs and the book is discovered once more. As twelve-year-old Edward Pollock starts to turn the pages of an ancient book, he is drawn into a place that is both terrifying and bewitching. A place where dark forces imperil charmed lands. Soon Edward begins to realise that malicious powers are at play. The wall between man and ghost is weakening, and the world beyond is threatening great fear and destruction.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6–9—Edward, 12, finds The Other Book, old and dusty, in the school library, and suddenly his life is far more interesting than he would like. Connected with Merlin, this magical tome gives whomever possesses it tremendous powers, which have been horribly misused in the past. While trying to protect the book and figure out what's going on, Edward experiences terrifying visions, ghostly knights, betrayal upon betrayal, kidnapping, and a sinister new teacher who will do anything, including commit murder, to get her hands on it. Part Arthurian quest, part gothic boarding school fantasy, the story includes a fair amount of violence and a not-completely-coherent plot. Characters appear out of the woodwork to rescue or impede Edward, who seems to make the wrong decisions over and over. Darren Shan fans might find this one appealing, but most readers can skip it.—Mara Alpert, Los Angeles Public Library
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

After an opening chapter set in the Middle Ages, the scene shifts to a present-day English boarding school, where the students may not be wizards, but powerful magic is afoot. Twelve-year-old Edward Pollack discovers a dead raven, a mysterious stone monument, and an object of elemental power called the Other Book, which at times is actually absorbed into his body. The plot twists as Edward tries to discover how to protect himself and the Book from the powers of evil, represented by haughty, nefarious Lady Anne and her minions. Woven through the novel are references to Arthurian legend as reinterpreted in the works of nineteenth-century poets and painters, particularly Tennyson in his Idylls of the King. The backstory and plot are more intricate and fully developed than the stock characters. Though readers may find the complexity confusing at times, Womack’s first novel shows promise. And that’s fortunate, since the ending paves the way for sequels. Grades 5-8. --Carolyn Phelan --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Childrens Books (January 7, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0747590435
• ISBN-13: 978-0747590439
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,411,601 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Little book big story, March 9, 2008

By 

Melissa Henstra "Glittersparrow" (Florida) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Other Book (Hardcover)

If you think a book with a low page count can't satisfy think again.

There's nothing 12 year old Edward Pollock likes more then a good book, a fact that is about to change his life forever. It began with Merlin and Viviane, and a book. A book that contains Merlin's wisdom and Vivane's magic. A book capable of wonderous good and unimaginable evil. The de la Zouche bloodline, decendents of Merlin and Viviane have been the gaurdians of The Other Book for centuries. until one of their own currupts the books purpose, which is to protect humanity from the foul creatures of the other world. A dark prophacy is set in motion. The pure one must find it, find it, guard it and return it to the rightful de la zouche heir. But there's a problem, onther of the de la Zouch line has been serching for The Other Book for years, her very blood is drawn to it. She will stop at nothing to possess the power. Can Edward stand against her or will her be distroyed by the very book he's protecting.

I was engrossed after only a few words, In his debut novel Womack goes straight for the Jugular and doesn't let go till the end.

Seriously good!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A dark but exciting adventure, August 1, 2008

By 

Teenreads.com (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Other Book (Hardcover)

Philip Womack's debut novel, THE OTHER BOOK, starts off with an introduction so involving it's almost disorienting. A boy stands in a medieval hall, Oldstone Manor, surrounded by the destruction wrought by his power-mad father and the mysterious book that was the cause of his downfall.

Just as readers are settling in to this gruesome medieval setting, they are whisked away just as quickly to the present, to a modern-day Oldstone Manor that now houses the strict boarding school attended by Edward Pollock. Edward has always felt at odds with his surroundings, convinced he can see supernatural beings and happenings at the edge of his consciousness, haunted by vivid dreams (like one about a medieval boy and his power-mad father) that seem a little too real to be mere figments of his imagination.

But soon Edward finds himself inexplicably drawn to an ancient, ominous Book in his school's library, becoming absolutely convinced that he must keep this tome safe from the beautiful but menacing trustee of the school, Anne de la Zouche, and her nebulous lackey. Is it possible that Edward might not just be seeing things after all? Could it be that he is just more sensitive than other mortals to the nefarious creatures of the Other world, those who would do everything in their power to cross over into this world and wreak havoc? Edward is convinced that the book he possesses (and that soon possesses him) holds the answers.

At times Womack's first novel seems almost to collapse under its own weight, as he plainly introduces elements and characters that will only come into their own in the book's planned-for sequels. Womack also freely incorporates existing fantasy elements (especially Arthurian legend) that have been handled, perhaps with greater facility, by more experienced authors.

That is not to say, though, that THE OTHER BOOK is disappointing or merely derivative --- instead, it is simply promising. Womack's vision of a book with such great mythical import that it becomes, in effect, a character in its own right is one element that readers will hope to be explored more fully in future series installments. Edward is also a fascinating character; by turns melancholy, furious, frustrated and overwhelmed, he exhibits great potential as a heroic figure for Womack to explore more fully in subsequent books. The author already shows great talent at plotting; in addition to the dynamic opening described above, he incorporates many plot twists, revelations and moments of genuine suspense.

Given the brief glimpses of the Other world with which Womack teases his audience in THE OTHER BOOK, this menacing place --- peopled with horrific creatures and morally corrupting powers --- is one that will likely make this eventual series even darker than its shadowy debut. Readers who are eager to grapple with metaphysical puzzles and moral enigmas, however, will find much to ponder in THE OTHER BOOK --- and much to anticipate from newcomer Womack.

--- Reviewed by Norah Piehl

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Courtesy of Teens Read Too, June 26, 2008

By 

TeensReadToo "Eat. Drink. Read. Be Merrier." (All Over the US & Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Other Book (Hardcover)

Oldstone Manor is a strange old place all by itself. When you add in a boarding school where Greek and Latin aren't dead languages, it gets just plain weird. But something particularly strange, even for Oldstone, is going on. The problem is that no one, other than Edward, seems to be noticing. Well, maybe not no one.

It started with the crazy recurring dreams. Dreams about places he recognizes even though he's never been there, people who seem familiar even though he's never met them. Then there's the strange Lady that suddenly comes to stay and teach. As intimidating as she is, her companion, Mrs. Phipps, is one hundred times creepier. And then there's the book. The one that calls to him, invades his sleep, and magically disappears as if Edward somehow absorbed it into his body.

If only someone would listen to him! That is, someone who wasn't locked up in an insane asylum or someone who wanted to kill him.

This is a creepy, dark book. There is magic, drama, danger, and chills. It may be a bit slow to start, but once it gets going... It's like a roller coaster; you might want to stop and get off, but there's no way you can.

Reviewed by: Carrie Spellman