Over the summer I had the chance to read The Spindlers by Lauren Oliver (author of Delirium Stories, Liesl and Po, and Requiem). This is a wonderful fantasy that combines some suspense and mild horror. I will let you read the full plot summary below, but I would highly recommend this book. If you are a fan of Neil Gaiman (Coraline, and The Graveyard Book), or The Mysterious Benedict Society books, you will likely enjoy this, as well. Happy reading!
Summary:
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, spider-like 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.
