Early Review - The Spindlers by Lauren Oliver (5/5 stars)

Reading Level: Middle Grade
Genre: Fantasy/Adeventure
Size: 256 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins
Release Date: October 2, 2012
ISBN: 978-0061978081
Stand Alone or Series: Stand Alone
Source: eGalley through NetGalley.com
Rating: 5/5 stars


I got an eGalley of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I loved Liesl and Po by Lauren Oliver and was very excited to read The Spindlers. The Spindlers was even better than Liesel and Po, it was just fantastic. It was a very engaging and super imaginative story that reminded a little bit of Gaiman’s Neverwhere and a bit of Alice in Wonderland.

When Liza wakes up one morning her brother, Patrick has changed into something...not Patrick. He is something evil and strange. That’s when Liza realizes that the Spindlers have taken his soul and it is up to her to journey deep into Below to rescue him.

This was a wildly creative and fun quest-based adventure fantasy story. Liza runs into a number of fantastical characters and journeys through a creative and breathtaking underground landscape. She also has to solve numerous puzzles on the way. Her dedication to finding her brother and her steadfast bravery (in spite of being quite afraid at times) is admirable.

Liza is joined in her quest to find the Spindlers by a giant rat named Mirabella who talks and loves to wear pretty clothing. As Liza and Mirabella travel towards the Spindlers through one danger after another they develop a tentative friendship. It is a friendship which is sorely tested by some of the twists and turns the story takes towards the end.

The illustrations are few (in the ARC) but beautifully done and really convey the feeling of the story very well. The description throughout really makes the crazy settings Liza travels through come alive.

This book might be a little creepy or scary for young kids because it is a pretty dark tale. As mentioned above it reminded me of a cross between Gaiman's Neverwhere and Alice in Wonderland...maybe with a little Labyrinth in there as well. This is a book that would make a fantastic movie.

Overall I really loved this book. It was creative, had wonderfully descriptive writing, a spunky and heartfelt heroine, and a wonderful fantasy adventure. It is a book that people of all ages can enjoy. I highly recommend to those who love fantasy adventure stories.

This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
- 150+ Books Reading Challenge