The Wrath of Mulgarath (The Spiderwick Chronicles, Book 5) by Holly Black Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Wrath of Mulgarath (The Spiderwick Chronicles, Book 5)
Book Review: In which a series ends in a surprising fashion
Summary: 5 Stars
Once again artist and author team up and deliver a rewarding story. The three children are given their most frightful and challenging test yet, as when they return home they find that the house has been ransacked and much out of place - including the Field Guide *and* their mother. Her loss devastates the children, as they have no idea how to find or free her. Then they happen upon Hogsqueal (or, rather, Byron happens upon him) and learn that he can lead them to Mulgarath's Palace where they hope to find and free their mother.
Along the way they are met with gruesome sights, and perform tasks they never could have imagined themselves doing in a hundred years, and their mettle is tested severely. None more so than that of Jared. But Jared has studied the Field Guide, and even though it is no longer in his possession, his memory serves him well. So does Arthur Spiderwick, who makes a brief appearance and offers most useful advice.
The ending began to seem typical, with Mulgarath in control and speaking of the how's and why's of his desire for domination. Even though his desire to speak has been explained earlier, it is a little tedious for too many "bad guys", i.e., Dark Lords and whatnot, do exactly this. However, the denouement is unique, original, and it made me laugh.
This was truly a delightful book, from beginning to end. The writing is top notch, and I can't say enough about the art. The book dips into darkness, rises into light, dips back into darkness and offers truly ghastly portraits that should keep kids on the edge of their seats and wishing their nightlights burned brighter. Also, I loved the character of Thimbletack, both how he was written and how he spoke. The rhyming was charming and delightful.
And the rhyme at the end of the book was most entertaining. I am looking forward to its fulfillment.
Book Review: Satisfying installment to the Spiderwick Chronicles
Summary: 5 Stars
It's hard to imagine a worse situation than the one that Simon, Jared and Mallory are in now. After escaping from Mulgarath the ogre and his goblin servants, the three dispirited and exhausted children head home. Upon their arrival at the Spiderwick estate they discover that the place has been ransacked and, most terribly of all, their mother has been abducted. Even though Mulgarath has Uncle Spiderwick's infamous Field Guide, there's apparently something else he wants from the Grace children. The question is what, and how will they rescue their mother without becoming Mulgarath's prisoners themselves?
The children feel unprepared for this new adventure. However, they receive unexpected and surprisingly useful assistance from some very unlikely characters. There's the highly annoying and untrustworthy hobgoblin, Hogsqueal; Thimbletack the boggart, who feels very badly about the fact that he wasn't able to protect the Spiderwick Estate and Mrs. Grace from Mulgarath's horrible goblins; Byron, the griffin, who has a most useful appetite; and Arthur Spiderwick himself, who supplies Jared with important information.
With these helpers, Simon, Jared and Mallory set off for Mulgarath's headquarters not knowing what to expect or how they're going to free their mother. With sharp wits, courage, intelligence and determination as their only real weapons, this is a battle they cannot afford to lose --- for everyone's sake.
Exciting and filled with unexpected twists and turns, this fifth and final installment in the first cycle of The Spiderwick Chronicles is a most satisfying read. Readers will encounter loss, grief and recovery, making this last book especially memorable.
--- Reviewed by Marya Jansen-Gruber, editor of Through The Looking Glass Children's Book Review (www.lookingglassreview.com)
Book Review: Wonderful conclusion to The Spiderwick Chronicles series.
Summary: 5 Stars
In the fifth book in the Spiderwick Chronicles series, The Grace children -- Mallory and her younger twin brothers, Jared and Simon -- have to rescue their mother, who has been captured by the evil Mulgarath. With the help of elves, the sneaky hobgoblin Hogsqueal, and, of course, their Uncle Arthur's guide book to the faerie world, the three kids set out to defeat Mulgarath once and for all. Will they succeed in stopping Mulgarath and save their mother before it's too late? Readers who enjoyed the first four Spiderwick Chronicles books won't want to miss the conclusion to this entertaining and unique fantasy series. I highly recommend this entire series to all readers who enjoy an enchanting fantasy.Book Review: The Final Installment of the Spiderwick Chronicles
Summary: 5 Stars
Another excellent series for children! Join Jared, Simon, and Mallory Grace as they come to the end (or is it? at least for this series) of their adventures into the faerie world. Guided by their mysterious uncle's sketch book the heroes and heroine of these stories will finally come face to face with the biggest, baddest, and meannest of the faeries, The Ogre Mulgarath! The first 4 in this series of five openned my eyes to a wonderful world of enchantment and I can't wait to see how it comes to an end.