| Title | : | The Nixies Song (Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles, #1) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0689871317 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780689871313 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 162 |
| Publication | : | First published January 1, 2007 |
But an "expedition" to a nearby lake turns up a little nixie with a giant problem - the huge, lumbering, fire-breathing variety - and it's up to Nick; his stepsister, Laurie; and his big brother, Julian (plus a familiar face from the original Spiderwick Chronicles) to figure out the best way to stop a host of rampaging giants before all of Florida goes up in smoke.
The Nixies Song (Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles, #1) Reviews
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I read the first five-book series of The Spiderwick Chronicles, and saw the movie when it was released a few years later, but until lately hadn't felt much interest for the follow-up series of three. It seemed like a opportunist spin-off, and it felt like the first one tied itself up pretty nicely. Besides, they didn't REALLY have that much of an effect on me, as books that I found to be, as a friend put it, Lemony Snicket Lite. Then when browsing at the library, I found all three just sitting there, nice and small and very attractive in design, so I decided to pick them up.
This first in the series was pretty weak. The characters are flat and have very little personality (and when they do, it seems pretty forced), and Nick, the main protagonist, is unpleasant throughout. The story doesn't really go anywhere to speak of, and it all seemed a little bit like an excuse to just drop the series in the new, interesting locale of Florida during the muggy summertime (the original series was set in Maine) and introduce a bunch of new creatures that they didn't get to use last time. Then, the story REALLY took a bizarre turn when the authors actually inserted themselves in the book, as writers of the original series and the spin-off Field Guide who do a book signing in Orlando. This self-inclusion works great for Lemony Snicket, since he's actually a character in the story, and of course a pseudonym besides, but in Spiderwick it comes across as gimmicky and self-indulgent. Then, don't let's forget to mention the appearance of the twin boys from the other books, whose names were apparently changed prior to publishing to protect their identities... Jared "Grace" has become a very nasty bully, and seems like a totally unnecessary addition to the book. Then, they arbitrarily introduce a brand new character in the very last few pages. The whole affair just seems kind of rushed and not totally thought-out. It also just seems like the authors don't really know what kids think or talk like, and they come across as kind of too grown-up and cynical. What age group is this book aimed at anyway? There's some pretty inappropriate language, and some pretty heavy subject matter. (I understand that divorce and adjusting to step-siblings is a topic that can be handled in kidlit, it's just a matter of whether or not the authors know how to do it right, and I don't think these quite do.) Just because a book is written for kids doesn't mean it can't be well-written.
I gave it a couple of stars, because the idea had potential, and the next two volumes might build on that. Also, the overall design is just beautiful. (Still, while I really do like the illustration style and a lot of the art, some of the drawings seemed sort of similarly self-indulgent, even to the point of including character portraits of the authors themselves. It just seemed sort of tacky.) I'll read the other two and see if this goes anywhere, but I'm not holding out much hope. -
I'm probably overrating this book, but I just LOVE the magic of Spiderwick!! Satisfying and relaxing read. Can't wait to read the rest of this spinoff.
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Omg! I think I am in love with Holly and Tony for writing such an amazing series. The original series were all 5 🌟 for me and this spin-off series also started with a bang. Loved this book. It was sweet, amazing, short and a splendid read😊
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Eleven year olds risking their lives to stop fantastical creatures. So cool.
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In the continuing adventures that started with The Spiderwick Chronicles, DiTerlizzi and Black do not disappoint with their Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles series. This new adventure involves all new characters (with the Grace children thrown in for support), and the characters are just as interesting, engaging, and dynamic as those in the first series.
What I really love about this book, aside from the gorgeous illustrations and the driving plot, is the fact that the writers have the ability to create realistic characters. Not everyone is beautiful or smart or quick or athletic or happy. The characters seem like people I might know in real life, and I love that.
Although this story is book one in a series of three, I feel as though this section is complete. I want to buy the second book and see what happens, but I don't feel as though I have to buy it. This story had a beginning, middle, and end, and that makes me happy. -
This was okay I guess. Not as good as the original Spiderwick Chronicles but this was eh and okay.
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I really liked this book that I really wanted to read the second book of SPIDERWICK but my teacher said that she baerly order it and that it was going to come that maybe on Friday I liked how Nick got introuble just because he saved a Nixie's life and that he got in trouble because of his step sisters fault they killed the giant and found the sisters of the Nixie.
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A short, fun read. A few questionable words, but nothing terrible! I enjoyed this book:)
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3.5
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Vermakelijk.
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I want to read the whole series, I just didn't like how it got meta with the original books existing in this book's world. It took a little of the magic away somehow, you know what I mean? It would have sat at a perfectly respectable 3*, otherwise.
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I grew up with the Spiderwick. I loved the original, and this is a perfect sequel to that.
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I likely should have started with the original Spiderwick Chronicles series first instead of skipping to the sequel series instead, but I'm a rebel that way. This does make me curious on reading the original series, which I'll eventually get to. Written through the POV of the chubby and enjoyable character Nick, his family has been rather empty-hearted since his mother died and his father remarried. His older brother has vanished into phone calls, girls and video games - his father into his new wife. Enter a new stepsister he has to keep occupied, and fairies literally start coming out of the woodworks. The two team up with the originals from the first series to battle the beast, kind of. It's a fun start to a series, humorous writing, colorful characters, downright pretty illustrations, charming cover and concept.
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RE-READ June 2022!!
Just as magical and fun as I remember. :) -
I enjoyed The Field Guide more, but this story wasn't bad. 8)
There's always fun to be found inside these Spiderwick books.~ -
This was just sort of underwhelming. It didn't have the spark that the original series had.
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I loved the original Spiderwick Chronicles storyline so much, it was literally a constant in my childhood(the movie), and I read the books for the first time earlier this year. This sequel series is good, but it just didn't have the same vibes as the o.g. series did for me.
I still really enjoyed the storyline: the mixed family dynamics and struggles, the accidently getting in trouble, and of course, the original characters cameos.
Sidenote: I don't know why, but I love the cover. I just wanted to take a second and acknowledge the beauty of it. -
2.5/5 Stars
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Super cute!! These books are lovely, fun, quick, and cute. I love the lowkey meta-ness in this one with Nick and Laurie going to a book signing of the Spiderwick, and certain ...elements... from the original series crossing into this one. Looking forward to the rest of this little series!
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A very fun and exciting continuation of the original Spiderwick books! This does not feel like a pointless cash grab and is very much its own story with familiar faces but all new action and peril!
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This was a high three stars! It was so comforting to revisit Spiderwick after so many years - I can’t wait to start the next book, and may have to go back and reread the original series too!
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Sympa, mais attention c'est un peu redondant, ça commence à se voir...
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I've had these ones but never read them, they are good and add to the spiderwick universe but not entirely the same vibe.
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Character - 4
Atmosphere - 5
Writing - 5
Plot - 5
Intrigue - 5
Logic - 5
Enjoyment - 5
Rating: 4.86 / 3 stars -
It’s cute, throwback to my childhood
