Spellbound [Paperback]

Anna Dale (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2, 2008

When Athene finally discovers a way to get rid of the bane of her life, her younger brother Zach, it is all made so simple for her. She meets the Gloam who casts a spell on everyone who knew Zach so that they forget all about him. But it is Athene who can't forget Zach and soon she is drawn into an incredible world of dark magic, underground kingdoms and twisted histories in her attempt to save her brother.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for Anna Dale: 'The writing is fresh and vivid, with many humorous touches' The Children's Bookseller 'Dale nimbly ties together the spidery threads of the story in a beguiling denouement' Publisher's Weekly Praise for Spellbound: 'I was reminded of two other distinguished writers as I read this - Enid Blyton and C.S. Lewis. The story has that same magical edge about it, with its well-formed imaginary creatures and their world ... [it] would work well as a bedtime story or as a book for a pre-teen to read by themselves' Thebookbag.co.uk --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Anna Dale lives in Southampton. This is Anna's third book for Bloomsbury. Whispering to Witches, her first book, sold in twenty-five languages.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC; Export ed edition (June 2, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0747595224
• ISBN-13: 978-0747595229
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A charming and funny tale, August 6, 2008

By 

A Customer (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Spellbound (Hardcover)

Twelve-year-old Athene and her little brother Zach have nothing in common. Even their names are at the opposite ends of the alphabet. Athene is clever, loves big words and is very neat. Zach is six, has messy hair and is very annoying. Athene has hated Zach ever since she first laid eyes on him in his little white baby blanket.

While the family is vacationing at a remote farmhouse, Athene stumbles upon magical gnome-like folk called the Humble Gloam, who hide from humans whom they call the Glare, only coming out at night. She is having the time of her life with her new Gloam friends when her pesky brother decides to tag along, spoiling her fun as always. Athene tricks Zach into entering a tree stump that she knows has been put under a terrible magic spell by the Low Gloam, the sworn enemies of the Humble Gloam. Anyone who enters the tree stump becomes a slave of the cruel Low Gloam and can never escape. Trusting, naïve, stupid Zach enters the stump and disappears forever.

Life could not be better for Athene. The Humble Gloam have put a spell on Athene's parents so that they forget Zach ever existed. They spend their days doting on her, and only her. She has everything she has ever wanted, and most especially, there is no Zach around to annoy her. Why then does she feel so bad?

Athene decides that there is only one thing to do: she must disguise herself as a Gloam and enter the magic tree to rescue her little brother. Accompanied by her new friends, she descends into the underground caves where the Low Gloam hold Zach captive and plots a daring rescue. Can she bring him back, end the long-standing feud between the Low Gloam and Humble Gloam, and maybe even convince the Gloam that humans aren't so bad?

SPELLBOUND is a charming and funny tale from British children's writer Anna Dale. The first half of the story is considerably stronger than the second half, but the book as a whole is very entertaining. The reader is kept guessing as to what our little firebrand Athene will come up with next. Dale has a winner in the characters of Athene and Zach, and I hope we get to read more about their adventures soon.

--- Reviewed by Usha Reynolds

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, December 18, 2011

By 

good energy (DC, US) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Spellbound (Hardcover)

An excellent little read for children of all ages with an interesting societal set-up of Day creatures (people who live in the Day) and Night creatures. The Night beings are driven underground into the roots of a great tree and will enslave anyone including the day creature, bunnies, turtles, etc who ventures there.

If you have an older girl who is less than amorous with her little brother, this is the book to give her to set things right. Could apply to any older child regardless of sex.

4.0 out of 5 stars Very entertaining, must be patient, reads by itself., December 2, 2011

By 

A. Mendez "Elite Photo" (FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Spellbound (Hardcover)

Look beyond the basics and the book teaches you many things about judging others, perseption, attitude, the value of simple things we take for granted, etc.

I like the book is not spoon-fed, it unravels itself, very easy reading, her reading tempo is very good, highly recommended.