Care and Feeding of Sprites

Care and Feeding of Sprites
by Tony DiTerlizzi & Holly Black

Pet Owner's Guide!

  

A sprite is not your typical 'pet', and so caring and feeding a sprite is not something a typical pet owner may know about. But the first thing you have to have, the most important thing you must possess, when caring for a sprite is the sight to see your sprite. Otherwise you may as well just hang an empty cage, claim to possess a sprite and be done with the whole thing, because really who would know? But if you do possess the sight and have a sprite flitting about your home that you wish to care for, then this is the book for you.

Care And Feeding Of Sprites delves into enclosures, appetites, habits and the awkward question of asking your sprite what gender they are, a question that should really be avoided because really what business is it of yours anyway. A 'pet' that is growing ever more popular amongst the sighted, and strangely the unsighted, this invaluable book offers all you would need to know about the care and feeding of these delicate and conniving creatures. But be forewarned, caring for sprites is not for the faint hearted, hot tempered or unadvised as sprites have been known to bite.

Tony DiTerlizzi Webpage

Holly Black Webpage

Tony DiTerlizzi & Holly Black @ Simon & Schuster

(includes Full Size Glow int the Dark Poster)
On sale: 01 November 2006
Price (AU): $24.95
ISBN: 9781416927570
Recommended age: 12+
In a word: Sprites
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide to the Fantastical World Around You

Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide
to the Fantastical World Around You
by Tony DiTerlizzi & Holly Black

Open Your Mind To A World Unseen!
   

These are the beings that exist in dreams and haunt our nightmares. Creatures of myth, unseen and forgotten by humankind for so long. But they have not forgotten us. They hide in shadow, play in darkness, live beside us and all the while we go about our lives ignorant of their existence. But there are those who believe, and a smaller few who have seen. This book is their proof, their warning, these creatures are real, and though not all are to be feared they are all to be respected.

Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide to the Fantastical World Around You offers detailed descriptions, depictions and dwellings of these unique and extraordinary creatures. A treasured resource that will be appreciated by both believers and non believers of the magical world. This essential tome will bring enlightenment, enchantment and entertainment to those brave enough to open its pages, not to mention opening your eyes to a world rarely seen, often wondered about and greatly misunderstood.

Tony DiTerlizzi Webpage

Holly Black Webpage

Tony DiTerlizzi & Holly Black @ Simon & Schuster

On sale: 01 March 2008
Price (AU): $39.99
ISBN: 9781416960959
Recommended age: 12+
In a word: Fantastical Creatures
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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The Good Neighbors Book Two

THE GOOD NEIGHBORS:
Kith by Holly Black
art by Ted Naifeh

A Heart Of Wood!

The revelation that Rue's mother still lives brings more questions and more danger. As her grandfather plots against the humans his faeries are praying on Rue's friends causing mayhem through trickery, temptation and seduction. With one friend missing, her boyfriend acting strangely and people disappearing as part of her grandfather's schemes, Rue can't save all the humans in town from the faeries. She can however save those she cares for, or at least she can try too.

Rue is not human, as much as she'd like to think she is, and even as she fights her own kind to save her friends, she is tempted by music and dance and Tam. Meanwhile, Rue's grandfather is increasing his power by sacrificing humans. But as Rue delves deeper then ever before into the realm of faerie and into the secrets of the past in an effort to stop her grandfather and save those she loves, will it be enough to save them or is it already to late?

Kith see lives lost and hope fade as Rue and her friends make a last stand against Rue's grandfather, if they loose all human life in town will be forfeit, lost to the world, and the faeries will be unstoppable as they stake there claim over the town. As we delve deeper into this story we find a plot as rich in history and magic as the images are haunting, a tale full of depth and darkness and faeries. As A graphic novel it is the ideal format for this faerie tale.

Holly Black Webpage
Ted Naifeh Webpage

Holly Black @ Scholastic

The Good Neighbors

On sale: 01 February 2011
Price (AU): $16.99
ISBN: 9780439855662
Recommended age: 12+
In a word: Friends
Re-read it: probably
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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The Good Neighbors Book One

THE GOOD NEIGHBORS:
Kin by Holly Black
art by Ted Naifeh

I Can See Clearly Now!

Everything was fine, normal even, except for the fact that Rue's mother has disappeared. Missing for over three weeks with no place to go, Rue can't imagine where she has gone to. But more disturbing then that is the things Rue has been seeing, things she shouldn't be seeing; things with wings, sharp teeth, pointy ears and claws. Rue was going crazy, but besides that everything was fine, normal even.

Then the police arrived to take her father away. A student of his was dead and with her mother missing it looked as though her father was now responsible for two deaths. But how could it be true? There had to be another explanation for her mother's disappearance, for the death of a young girl and for the crazy things Rue was seeing. If there wasn't then it meant her father was a murderer, if there was then it meant there were far more things to fear in the world then anyone believed.

Kin reveals to Rue the true nature of her mother's family, her parents past and her own identity. With a broken promise comes heartache and retribution. Danger, sacrifice and love reveal to Rue the mystery that has torn her world apart and what may be the only hope to bring it back together. Timeless themes of changelings and faerie wives are portrayed within these dark and gothic images, telling a story that is just as dark and it is tragic.

Holly Black Webpage
Ted Naifeh Webpage

Holly Black @ Scholastic

The Good Neighbors

On sale: 01 February 2011
Price (AU): $16.99
ISBN: 9780439855655
Recommended age: 12+
In a word: Changeling
Re-read it: probably
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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Zombies vs Unicorns

Zombies vs Unicorns
by Justine Larbalestier (Team Zombie)
& Holly Black (Team Unicorn)

Which Team Are You On!

How many times have you asked yourself 'which is the better creature, Zombies or Unicorns?' Now you can wonder no longer as this anthology puts that question to rest, or slays it with a sharp pointy object depending on your view point. Then again it may just dig up a whole pile of gross human remains which only goes to spark this debate once again.

Zombies, although only born in more recent times, have a wide reaching appeal. But not all zombies are slow mindless creatures, although some certainly are, as some are calculating and resourceful who are able to blend in to the world around them for the most part, that is if they can control their desire for that culinary delicacy that is human brains.

Unicorns have always existed either as symbols of purity and hope or as vicious blood thirsty killers. But even while ripping your heart out these unicorns are still able to fart rainbows and sparkle with magic. Their impossible existence is always questioned but their ability to charm has never failed, well not on anyone still living.

Zombies Vs Unicorns answers the age old question 'would you rather be killed by a Unicorn or loved by a Zombie?' As surprisingly it is the Zombie stories that are more to do with love and the Unicorn stories that are more to do with death. Even though I have long been an admirer of Unicorns with their intriguing nature and timelessness I must admit that Zombies are very compelling and haunting. Decide for yourself which creature reins supreme and read this book.

Justine Larbalestier Webpage
Libba Bray Webpage
Cassandra Clare Webpage
Alaya Dawn Johnson Webpage
Maureene Johnson Webpage
Carrie Ryan Webpage
Scott Westerfeld Webpage

Holly Black Webpage
Meg Cabot Webpage
Kathleen Duey Webpage
Margo Lanagan Webpage
Garth Nix Webpage
Naomi Novik Webpage
Diana Peterfreund Webpage

Justine Larbalestier & Holly Black @ Allen & Unwin

Zombies vs Unicorns

On sale: 01 November 2010
Price (AU): $18.99
ISBN: 9781742375502
Recommended age: 14+
In a word: Zombies/Unicorns
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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A Modern Faerie Tale #1

A MODERN FAERIE TALE:
Tithe by Holly Black

An Exchange That Will Turn You Green!

When Kaye was little she had friends that only see could see, everyone knew her as the girl who believed in faeries. Now, Kaye is sixteen and people still remember her as the girl who believed in faeries.

One night while walking home Kaye hears a noise and goes to investigate, and there she finds an injured boy. But he is no ordinary boy, he is a faery; a faery knight. Not long after this her old childhood faery friends, who she had long assumed make-believe, return to her asking for help.

Kaye didn't really want to get involved in faery affairs but she agrees to do all she can to help her past faery friends, even when they ask her to trust them with her life, literally. Kaye is warned also to stay away from the very dangerous faery knight, but she can't seem to keep from thinking about him, and running into him. Things are changing for Kaye, and so is she...

Tithe is a book of faery Queens, and magic, and sacrifice. But it is also a book of smoking and alcohol, and lust, and teen angst. Although there are some good ideas in this book, there is also a lot that seems stale and monotonous. I think my expectations were a little to high.

 

Holly Black Webpage

Holly Black @ Simon & Schuster

 

On sale: 01 June 2005
Price (AU): $16.99
ISBN: 9780689860423
Recommended age: 12+
In a word: Fairies
Re-read it: possibly
Recommend: possibly
Star rating: two out of five
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