Customer Reviews

Spellbound

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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

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.

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.

I loved Dale's Whispering for Witches, but this novel disappoints by comparison. The characters are not sharply drawn and the children are unpleasant. All of the mythical creatures are really creepy. I missed the scary charm of her other book. Look for her next; I'm sure she'll be back on form! Dale is a talented writer, despite this weak offering.

I did not think this book was written well enough to finish reading. The sisters hatred and malice towards her brother is too strong and her change of heart, too sudden.
The plot moves quickly.