Warning: Do Not Read This Book...

So, in preparation for last night, Medeia and I stalked the local library for Holly Black books. The Spiderwick Chronicles to be exact. And then, as a reward for our "efforts" we went to see the movie. Despite the irritating green line projected down the middle of the screen by faulty equipment for the duration of the film, I must say that it was greatly enjoyed. And I don't know how it happened.

Seeing as I tend to be something of a purist in book to movie transitions I was shocked by how much I liked Spiderwick. Although the first half was accurate enough, the second took great liberties with the plot, building on the events in the very short books. But the dialogue was humorous, intelligent, sometimes even snarky and the characters turned out to be well acted. Freddie Highmore, a young English actor, played both of the Grace twins wonderfully, adopting completely different persona whenever he made the switch. And Mallory was noteworthy as well (note* expect swords and plenty of green blood). Happily, even through the big screen portrayal, the essence of the books remained. The fantastical and borderline macabre sensations from the works of Holly Black's incredible talent were maintained and worked upon to make a film that the target audience could enjoy as well as the older set (leaning, but not catering, to a younger crowd).

Not to mention that the creatures looked as if they had come from the Field Guide itself. There were griffins, sprites, rock trolls, goblins, griffins, flower fey, brownies, boggarts, griffins *blithers for another hour or so*. Even Mulgarath, the ogre, closely followed the illustrations of the honorable Mr. Diterlizzi and was suitably fearsome.

To say the least, Medeia and I's conversation while leaving the theater went something like...

M: And did you see...
A: I know and then the sword *jabs air* in that part...
M: That was brilliant! And the rock troll...
A: And HOGSQUEAL!!
M&A: *burst into laughter*
Father Siofra: *odd look*

So go see it, but with an open mind. There might be room for compromise in novelty cases after all.


Bewildered and Searching the Sky for Griffins,
Aella Siofra

Books for 2008 (that I know about so far)

Hello. It appears as if you followed (no pun intended) my little hint on Maelstrom Central. So I've got some books that appear to be coming out in 2008. Release dates are prone to changing, and most of these are from different sources. If you have any changes to the list or things I should add either e-mail us (maelstrombooks@gmail.com) or comment away!

• The Glass Word (!!!) by Kai Meyer (Dark Reflections 3)
• January 1st

• The Case of the Bizarre Bouquets by Nancy Springer (Enola Holmes 3)
• January 31st

• Maximum Ride: The Final Warning
• March 17th

• Nobody's Prize by Esther Friesner (Sequel to Nobody's Princess)
  
• April 22nd

• Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr (courtesy of Serafina Zane)
• April 29th

• The Host by Stephenie Meyer
• May 6th

• Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan (Percy Jackson 4)
• May 6th

• Pirate Wars by Kai Meyer (Wavewalkers 3)
• May 8th

• Saga (!!!!!!!!)by Conor Kostick (Sequel to Epic)
• May 15th

• Raven Rise by DJ Machale (Pendragon 9)
• May 20th

• Feast of Fools by Rachel Cain (Morganville Vampires 4-also courtesy of S. Zane)
  
• June 3rd

• Superior Saturday by Garth Nix (Keys to the Kingdom 6)
• July 1st

• Artemis Fowl: The Time Paradox by Eoin Colfer (Artemis Fowl 6)
• July 15th

• Inkdeath by Cornelia Funke (Inkheart Finale !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
• April 7th (from a few reliable reports, lets hope they're true)

So cheers to everyone! I hope 2008 is splendiferous and that I can add more books to this list as we go along! And sorry about the last title on the list. I have personal reasons for making it huge-er.

Screaming with Inkdeath joy until hoarse,
Aella Siofra