The Spindlers

Lauren Oliver

2012 • 246 pages

Ratings7

Average rating4.1

Evocative of Alice in Wonderland, this novel from New York Times bestselling author Lauren Oliver is a bewitching story about the reaches of loyalty and the enduring power of hope. Perfect for fans of the author’s other middle grade novels: Liesl & Po and the Curiosity House series. Looking across the breakfast table one morning, twelve-year-old Liza feels dread wash over her. Although her younger brother, Patrick, appears the same, Liza knows that he is actually quite different. She is certain that the spindlers—evil, spiderlike beings—came during the night and stole his soul. And Liza is also certain that she is the only one who can rescue him. Armed with little more than her wits and a huge talking rat for a guide, Liza descends into the dark and ominous underground to save Patrick's soul. Her quest is far from easy: she must brave tree-snakes, the Court of Stones, and shape-shifting scawgs before facing her greatest challenge in the spindlers' lair, where more than just Patrick's soul is at stake.

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Popular Reviews

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Margaret

I started this one by reading an advanced copy, but I finished it up via the audiobook version through the Overdrive library system. This was an interesting read and one I plan to keep on the shelves. I also plan to watch for more stories from Lauren Oliver in the future. The Spindlers is the adventure of one girl named Liza who is searching for her real brother's soul and she believes he has been replaced by evil spider-like beings that suck out his soul. As she sets off to find Patrick she comes up against many different tests to find him again, or at least attempt to... This has a flavor of Alice in Wonderland and on some elements I even got a hint of Harry Potter here and there, and even Coralinebut really it's just the bringing out historical mythology of legends past.

This is a neat and interesting story that keeps a reader hooked, but that's not the important part. This is a book about maturity, about what matters most, about the truly important things. It touches on lots of issues that current in-between age children may see or experience but not really understand in relation to their siblings, friends and parents. This is a quest novel through an unbelievable underworld and has just the right amount of scary, and just the right amount of challenge. It is one of those that I truly think a reader can find his or herself growing in the end.

There is also a Discussion Guide available.

I received this product free for the purpose of reviewing it. I received no other compensation for this review. The opinions expressed in this review are my personal, honest opinions. Your experience may vary. Please read my full disclosure policy for more details.

Will be posted to CreativeMadnessMama.com

October 18, 2013

Lexie Hardy

This book reminds me of Gregor the overlander, so if you have a child who,enjoys make believe and adventure it's perfect

July 27, 2016

Deb Nance

Liza is the only one who realizes her brother Patrick's soul has been stolen by wicked Spindlers, spider-ish creatures who live Below. Liza slips through a secret hole in the wall in her family's basement to search for her brother. She befriends a giant rat, Mirabella, who agrees to take her to the Spindlers.

Action. Adventure. Humor. Wit. This story has it all. You will love it, middle-grade readers.

November 11, 2012