The Seeing Stone

The Spiderwick Chronicles #2

by Tony DiTerlizzi, Holly Black

Thanks to the mysterious field guide left behind by their long-lost great-great-uncle Arthur Spiderwick, life for the Grace kids—Jared, Simon, and Mallory—is beyond weird. When Simon goes missing, Jared is convinced creatures from the faerie world have something to do with it. Mallory is not convinced. That is, until she and Jared have to contend with a band of menacing, marauding goblins. Simon is clearly in danger, and it’s up to Mallory and Simon to save him, before it’s too late…

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Childrens, Fiction, Young Adult, Adventure, Magic

124 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2003

About the author

#1 New York Times bestselling author and illustrator, Tony DiTerlizzi, has been creating children’s books for twenty years. From fanciful picture books like The Broken Ornament and The Spider & The Fly (a Caldecott Honor book), to chapter books like Kenny and The Dragon and The Search for WondLa, DiTerlizzi imbues his stories with rich imagination. With Holly Black, he created the middle-grade series, The Spiderwick Chronicles, which has sold over 20 million copies, been adapted into a feature film, and translated in over thirty countries. He teamed up with Lucasfilm to retell the original Star Wars trilogy as a picture book and his collaboration with celebrated author Mo Willems created the bestseller The Story of Diva & Flea. The Norman Rockwell museum’s retrospective, “Never Abandon Imagination”, featured artwork from the beginning of DiTerlizzi’s career as a contributing artist for Dungeons & Dragons and broke attendance records. He has been featured in Time magazine, USA Today, CNN, PBS, NPR the BBC and The Today Show.

Reviews

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Today my son caught my eye, then pointed conspiratorially to his sweat pants. Then he pointed to his shirt.

It took me a moment to realize that he was wearing all his clothes inside out. Because that's one of the ways you keep yourself safe from faerie magic.

So yeah. It think it's safe to say that these books have had an impact on him.

[Miranda Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Jared could feel his skin prickle as they got closer to the rubble, but there was no sign of goblins."

Siblings Jared, Simon, and Mallory know that there's a world beyond ours - full of wondrous and beautiful fair folk...and evil black-hearted creatures as well.

On top of that revelation, Jared has to deal with detention in his new school on top of living in a (mostly) dilapidated mansion.

But things quickly become far worse when Simon is kidnapped and only Jared and Mallory knows what truly happened to him - goblins! And they are known for the voracious appetites. Can the siblings save Simon in time? Or will he be another missing child in the newspaper.

This was a fairly solid follow up to the first book - Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi do such a great job of balancing the creepy fairies with the lighthearted fun and banter between the siblings.

I also liked the way they introduced the beautiful and whimsical fairies along with the scary ones.

One thing that really stood out to me is despite all of the bickering, you can absolutely tell that the siblings are 110% there for each other. I really like stories like that - where the family bonds pull together the kids regardless of their differences or personalities.

ALSO - did I mention the GORGEOUS illustrations throughout the book? DiTerlizzi does such an amazing job of drawing the characters and the various creatures they run into - it really elevates the book for me!

All in all, I'm really excited to continue the story.

[Iben Frederiksen · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books are such sweet, magical and quick reads.

[April (Aprilius Maximus) · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.) The Field Guide ★★★
2.) The Seeing Stone ★★.5

-----------------------------------------------

BOOK #7 READ FOR BELIEVATHON ROUND 2.

[trigger warnings are listed at the bottom of this review and may contain spoilers]

★★.5

didn't enjoy this one nearlllyyyy as much as the first. I wanted more spooky mansion stuff! probs won't continue on with the series ><


trigger warnings: injured and dead animals (goblins like to eat cats ><)

[MissBecka Gee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am loving all the cute voices Mark Hamill does for these!

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

These are cute. It's really stupid that they come as short little nothing stories, though. All five of these would probably add up to half of one novel, so why they're separate is either a poor artistic choice or a really transparent way to make a buck.

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the Spiderwick Chronicles back when I was quite young, maybe eight or nine. My sister and I read the crap out these books (we must have read them 15 times, no joke) and I've been wanting to revist this series and the wonderful fantasy world that Holly and Tony created for awhile now but I've finally gotten around to it.

The writing partnership of Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi is remarkable and this series is by far some of the most well written literature that I've ever read.
The three main characters, Jared, Simon, and Mallory, are so relatable and realistic. I can relate to each of them in a different way and I think most readers will feel the same.

I felt like The Seeing Stone had expanded a lot of the world that was created in this series. Readers get a lot of new information on new creatures and a new character is introduced. The Seeing Stone is a lot faster paced than the first book.

I loved the illustrations and artwork a lot. There's wasn't really any descriptions on the creatures so I had to rely on the illustrations a lot.

Overall, I loved this book and I highly recommend this series to readers of all ages. It's such a great fantasy series and it's amazingly well written. I can't wait to continue rereading this series.

[Reem Alkhalaf · Rating 5 out of 5]

من الحماس أود البدأ بالجزء الثالث حالياً لولا أن النوم سلطان وقد بدأ بسلبي قدرتي الكاملة على الإستيعاب

[Jenny Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm so glad that the rest of the series was available on Overdrive! I didn't have to wait to continue the series!

[Alexis Ayala · Rating 3 out of 5]

En esta segunda entrega de las crónicas de Spiderwick vemos una historia con más acción que la primera. Tras ver como los trasgos secuestraban a Simon, su hermano gemelo Jared y su hermana Mallory emprenden una misión para rescatarlo de las garras de los Trasgos. En el proceso se encontraran con más obstáculos de los que tenían pensados.

Esta es una de esas sagas que conforme avanzas con los libros, estos van mejorando. A pesar de que en este segundo tomo hay cosas que siguen siendo introductorias, la historia de los hermanos Grace avanza con más misterios por resolver y más aventuras por vivir.

En cuanto a la escritora, percibo como paulatinamente nos van llevando a un mundo de fantasía bastante interesante, y sin dejar atrás las ilustraciones, que complementan visualmente a la narración de una forma satisfactoria.

El libro continua en las 3 estrellas porque se mantiene en el hilo del primero a excepción de algunos cambios que son gratos en la historia.

[P · Rating 3 out of 5]

อ่านได้เพลินๆดี ความสนุกเท่าเล่มที่แล้ว ปกตินิยายเล่มสองของชุด ความรู้สึกที่อ่านจะไม่ได้แปลกใหม่อีกแล้วเหมือนตอนอ่านเล่มแรก แต่เล่มนี้คือโอเคเลยนะ นิยายสไปเดอร์วิกนี่จะค่อยๆเผยปริศนาเรื่องราวรวมถึงสิ่งมีชีวิตแปลกๆมาทีละนิดทีละหน่อย ตอนทิ้งท้ายก็ทำไว้ได้น่าติดตามดี

ไซม่อนถูกพวกก็อบลินลักพาตัวไป จาเร็ดและมัลลอรี่จึงออกตามหาโดยใช้ศิลาที่ทำให้พวกเขามองเห็นสิ่งมีชิวตเหนือธรรมชาติได้ เมื่อสองพี่น้องเดินทางเข้าไปในป่า พวกเขาได้เจอกับโทรลล์และได้ช่วยเหลือไซม่อนรวมถึงสิ่งมีชีวิตอื่นๆจากก็อบลิน เด็กๆได้พบกับฮอบก็อบลินที่ช่วยเหลือพวกเขาอีกที โดยสามพี่น้องได้ล่อพวกก็อบลินลงไปในแม่น้ำที่โทรลล์อาศัยอยู่ทำให้พวกมันถูกเขมือบ

[Mehdi Str · Rating 3 out of 5]

خب روند وقایع توی این جلد خیلی سریع بود به نظرم و یه خورده هم کلیشه‌ای. البته داستان جذابیت خودش رو داره. اما توجه به جزئیات کمه.

محتوای این کتاب می‌تونست به جلد قبلی اضافه بشه و جلد یک کامل‌تری داشته باشیم.
یا اصلا محتوای کل پنج جلد هم می‌تونست در یک کتاب ۶۰۰ صفحه‌ای ارائه بشه و در اون صورت "ماجراهای اسپایدرویک" رو به عنوان یکی از بهترین تک‌جلدی‌های ژانر فانتزی می‌شناختیم.

در مجموع اتفاق خیلی خاصی نیفتاد، گره‌گشایی به اون شکل نداشتیم و در کل بیشتر تکمیل‌کننده‌ی همون جلد اول بود.

[Michael Sorbello · Rating 3 out of 5]

Things get weirder and a helluva lot more dark for the Grace kids when Simon gets kidnapped by a pack of bloodthirsty goblins. One thing I really loved about this one is how disturbing the monster designs are. They look like something you would see in a 18+ dark fantasy manga, not a kid friendly adventure story. There were also scenes where the goblins cooked cats alive over a fire while making Simon watch as they planned to cook him alive next. Surprisingly brutal and scary for the age rating and I think I liked this one more than the first for that reason.

The stakes were higher and the monsters were impressive. The Grace kids seem to be growing closer to each other as they find themselves thrown into one nasty situation after the other. As Stranger Things would say, shared trauma brings people together.

***

If you're looking for some dark ambient music for reading horror, dark fantasy and other books like this one, then be sure to check out my YouTube Channel called Nightmarish Compositions: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPPs...

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, full review to come.

[Mindy Conde · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, a fun and enjoyable little read. I'm a little irritated by some of these reviewers who are being so harsh about these books; the big complaint that it is just too short, that all of them could have been strung together into a single novel, I understand a bit, but disagree with. I think we're forgetting the audience here: children, young readers! I think this is perfect for them. It is short enough to not be intimidating, but long enough to resolve the story with some humor and messages to the reader. Do I think that this is good for a young reader looking for a challenge? Probably not. But I do think it is a fun and easy read and it might be really great for kids who don't have a long attention span or who aren't avid readers. For the age group, I think anything that gets kids into reading is great. I read a ton as a kid, but I'm sure it wasn't always great literature. I devoured books and I think this would have been a fun little read even then.

[Kat (Lost in Neverland) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fuck you, goblins, for murdering Tibbs the cat. I was pissed about it when I was ten and I'm still pissed now.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this series. It's very exciting - there's adventure and fantasy. However, I think it can be really scary for kids. Especially the part of the goblins in the woods with jagged teeth and long claws that eat cats & dogs and drag small children off into the woods. I think you really have to know your child's tolerance for "creepy" before you let them read this book. But a great series so far...

[Peter Monn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Check out my full review on my booktube channel at youtube.com/peterlikesbooks

[Faseeh Ilahi a.k.a Sunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another five star read of the day. This was even more better and scary than the first one. It had Griffins, goblins, trolls and faeries in it and I freaking adore this book.

[Haniye · Rating 3 out of 5]

لعنتی انقد حجمش کم بود که انتظارشو نداشتم :)
فکر کنم کل مجموعه رو امروز تموم کنم

[Melcat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second instalment of the series and I have a great time devouring it. The childrens get in some trouble and the faeries are quite maléficient which I really love ! It makes my heart warms to follow their adventures and it really is a nice break between some much heavier reads. Onto the next !

[Aly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think these are fun books and I only give a three star rating because they're so short that they barely have time to start the story before it's over. I know they're geared toward a younger audience, but I think they could be a little longer.

In this story we saw a troll, a griffin, and a hobgoblin, plus there was a kidnapping! The author's definitely put a lot of action into these books and I appreciate how entertaining they are. I'm excited to continue the series and see what else the kids learn about their ancestor and the other creatures they encounter.

[Tawfek · Rating 3 out of 5]

جرعة الفانتازيا بتزيد الجزء ده
بعد الجزء الأول و ظهور الجني ثيمبلتاك
بيظهر الجزء ده غيلان و بعبع و وحش بركة عملاق و جريفين جريح
و جنية صغيرة بتطير زي بتوع تنكربل
الأخوات الثلاثة بيستمروا في مقابلة المخاطر بسبب اكتشافهم كتاب المخلوقات السحرية
بتيجي الغيلان تختطف سايمون
و لازم جارد و مالوري ينقذوه بس لازم يجمعوا عدسة سحرية عشان يعرفوا يشوفوا بيها المخلوقات السحرية لان كلها غير مرئيين للعين المجردة
بس بنلاقي حل للموضوع ده بعد كده البعبع اللي اسمه ملعبك و نسيته اصلًا جروكسل باين بيبصق في عيون الاطفال و من بعدها بيقدروا يشوفوا المخلوقات السحرية للابد
بيحاول جارد و مالوري ينقذوا سايمون بس الغيلان وحوش مفترسة برغم صغر حجمهم و بيطاردهم عشرة منهم بس بيتخلصوا منهم بخطة ذكية بانهم يجروهم لوحش البحيرة و هو بيتصرف معاهم و بياكلهم
سايمون ابو قلب رقيق و رهيف بيصعب عليه الجريفين و بيتعاون الاطفال انهم يرجعوا الجريفين للبيت عشان يعالجوه من جراحه
انا كده تقريبًا حرقت الرواية كلها اي خدمة

[Chantal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well book 2 was a lot better then book 1. I really enjoyed the adventure they went on. Easy to read book and I loved the drawings.

[Esme · Rating 4 out of 5]

these books are just an insane amount of fun. So whimsical and silly.

[Josie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit darker than book 1. Things keep getting curiouser and curiouser.

[C.P. Cabaniss · Rating 5 out of 5]

This second installment in the Spiderwick Chronicles held up well with the first one. The characters were once again a great group to tag along with. Mallory, Jared, and Simon seem like real siblings that I am joining on these adventures.

The plot continues to build on information we received in The Field Guide as Jared and his siblings delve deeper into the faerie world. And things are not always nice. This time we deal with goblins, trolls, kidnapping, and a few other unpleasant things.

These are very magical and quite superbly written, so I don't want to delve too deeply into the story and plot. They might be for children, but anyone can enjoy them and I highly recommend that you give the series a read. I can already tell that I will revisit them many times in the future.

[Himanshu Karmacharya · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Grace siblings go on yet another fun filled adventure. When Simon is kidnapped by goblins, Mallory and Jacob join forces to rescue him. They meet new friends and make unlikely allies. The book is mostly plot driven, but it is great to see the siblings getting along.

[Lupe Dominguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are just such fun and quick reads! I'm disappointed I didn't read them when I was younger!!

[Simona · Rating 4 out of 5]

As much fun as the first one! 🙈 can’t wait to read more when I get home😍