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elmmom02's review against another edition
3.0
Read this one out loud to the kiddos. I liked it but not as much as the first one.
ash_hernick's review against another edition
4.0
The kiddie horror really ramps up in this one - West drops some surprisingly existentialist moments into "Spellbound" and goes deeper into the ramifications of making and entering living paintings.
jlynnelseauthor's review against another edition
4.0
West creates another intriguing and fun adventure with great characters and further exploration into the world. Quite fun, but with a bit of a darker twist as Olive makes a few bad choices and has to deal with some big consequences. I look forward to more!
leslie_d's review against another edition
3.0
Olive could not just leave well enough alone–her curiosity insatiable. And she may have an idea as to how to help Morton become a real boy again and get out of Elsewhere–at least, she’s looking for ideas. If only the cats were not keeping more secrets from her.
A neighbor’s odd grandson Rutherford redeems his interruption with a great idea: surely the witches who lived in the house before the Dunwoodys had a grimoire–a spellbook! Olive begins her hunt and it becomes unclear who is hunting whom as the book seems to be calling to her. With a fascination that reads not unlike the precious of Lord of the Rings, Olive becomes obsessed. Will she be able to come to her senses before it’s too late–before she does something they’ll all regret?
Olive’s attraction to Adventure marks the first volume in The Books of Elsewhere : The Shadows. In this sequel Spellbound, it is Magic’s overwhelming appeal. Ever present is Olive’s curiosity: she gets a hint of intrigue and she needs to find the answer. And lastly, there is the problem with Morton, with whom her difficult relationship continues–a troubled friendship that slowly warms in affection. I really like Morton.
The cats, one of the best features of The Shadows, get better and better. West has a way with her characters and settings that showcase a talent for characterization and strong description. The author shows a steady hand as she follows the first volume with the craftmanship that attracted the reader to the series in the first place. There are a few new characters and some illuminating and disturbing revelations of past ones. And Spellbound provides more creepiness (the precious) and more of a cliff-hanger ending. When is the next installment?
L @ omphaloskepsis
http://contemplatrix.wordpress.com/2011/08/25/the-first-two-books-of-elsewhere/
A neighbor’s odd grandson Rutherford redeems his interruption with a great idea: surely the witches who lived in the house before the Dunwoodys had a grimoire–a spellbook! Olive begins her hunt and it becomes unclear who is hunting whom as the book seems to be calling to her. With a fascination that reads not unlike the precious of Lord of the Rings, Olive becomes obsessed. Will she be able to come to her senses before it’s too late–before she does something they’ll all regret?
Olive’s attraction to Adventure marks the first volume in The Books of Elsewhere : The Shadows. In this sequel Spellbound, it is Magic’s overwhelming appeal. Ever present is Olive’s curiosity: she gets a hint of intrigue and she needs to find the answer. And lastly, there is the problem with Morton, with whom her difficult relationship continues–a troubled friendship that slowly warms in affection. I really like Morton.
The cats, one of the best features of The Shadows, get better and better. West has a way with her characters and settings that showcase a talent for characterization and strong description. The author shows a steady hand as she follows the first volume with the craftmanship that attracted the reader to the series in the first place. There are a few new characters and some illuminating and disturbing revelations of past ones. And Spellbound provides more creepiness (the precious) and more of a cliff-hanger ending. When is the next installment?
L @ omphaloskepsis
http://contemplatrix.wordpress.com/2011/08/25/the-first-two-books-of-elsewhere/
mizuci's review against another edition
3.0
Wherein Olive has some growing up to do and the cats steal the show.
Although the plotting of this one was for the most part very obvious, it was still very entertaining and atmospheric. The descriptions are vivid and imaginative, though still simile heavy.
I enjoyed how the story grew in this second novel and hope to see it expand even further in those to come.
Although the plotting of this one was for the most part very obvious, it was still very entertaining and atmospheric. The descriptions are vivid and imaginative, though still simile heavy.
I enjoyed how the story grew in this second novel and hope to see it expand even further in those to come.
readsforlove's review against another edition
4.0
Not as good as the first one, but I still really enjoyed it! The middle had me squirming and the whole thing is just so spooky ... O.o
I DON'T KNOW, MAN. JUST GO READ IT. XP
I DON'T KNOW, MAN. JUST GO READ IT. XP
thehodgenator's review against another edition
4.0
Olive is back, and she has a bit more to contend with in this sequel. The new little boy next door is odd, the guardians are acting even odder, and her parents are, well...mathematicians.
If this was not enough, now she must find a spell book to help her release Morton from Elsewhere. Luckily she has three trusty guardians to help keep her out of trouble (and away from that book), or are they as trustworthy as they appear?
Readers will not spend as much time in Elsewhere in this sequel, but they will have enough of it to make it worth their while. Olive is on the hunt for the spell book, and she is determined to find it with the help of the three guardian cats or not. Her motivation is not a selfish one - it is steeped in 100% concern in helping Morton join the world of the living. But what happens if and when Olive finds that book - and when Olive realizes that nothing really is as it seems.
The strength with this novel lies with its core character - Olive - but also with the minor characters. If you've read the previous novel, you will be pleased to see where West takes the reader.
If this was not enough, now she must find a spell book to help her release Morton from Elsewhere. Luckily she has three trusty guardians to help keep her out of trouble (and away from that book), or are they as trustworthy as they appear?
Readers will not spend as much time in Elsewhere in this sequel, but they will have enough of it to make it worth their while. Olive is on the hunt for the spell book, and she is determined to find it with the help of the three guardian cats or not. Her motivation is not a selfish one - it is steeped in 100% concern in helping Morton join the world of the living. But what happens if and when Olive finds that book - and when Olive realizes that nothing really is as it seems.
The strength with this novel lies with its core character - Olive - but also with the minor characters. If you've read the previous novel, you will be pleased to see where West takes the reader.
uyeb's review against another edition
4.0
4/5 stars
I don't really have a lot to say about this, it was just a solid 4. Pretty much the same as the first one in the series. It's still such a cool concept and I love reading both books from my childhood and middle grade/ books for younger kids so that's a plus. Just a great reading experience and uhhh highly recommend. :)
Oh and I LOVE LEOPOLD AND HARVEY AND HORATIO!!
I don't really have a lot to say about this, it was just a solid 4. Pretty much the same as the first one in the series. It's still such a cool concept and I love reading both books from my childhood and middle grade/ books for younger kids so that's a plus. Just a great reading experience and uhhh highly recommend. :)
Oh and I LOVE LEOPOLD AND HARVEY AND HORATIO!!
poojhap's review against another edition
5.0
The book Is really good! It's about making friends and searching for relationships... even with people you don't want to be friends with