Spindlers

Evocative of Alice in Wonderland, this captivating middle grade fantasy 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 on a daring sibling quest.

Armed with little more than her wits and a huge talking rat for a guide, Liza descends into the dark and ominous underground world 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.

• Portal Fantasy Adventure: Liza's journey begins not in a wardrobe or down a rabbit hole, but through a secret hole in her own basement, leading to a world Below she never knew existed.
• A World of Magical Creatures: Guided by Mirabella, a huge talking rat with a flair for fashion, Liza must navigate a realm of tree-snakes, shape-shifting scawgs, and the wise, dream-bringing nocturni.
• An Unlikely Heroine: Twelve-year-old Liza isn't a knight or a chosen one. She's just a sister armed with her wits, a broomstick, and a fierce loyalty that drives her to face the darkest of fears.
• A Dark Fairy Tale: Evocative of classic tales but with a chilling new twist, this story confronts the evil, soul-stealing spindlers and their terrifying queen in a quest that is both wondrous and dangerous.