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The Conjure Book
Life is lonely for 13-year-old Jane Riggs in the historical New England village that is her new home -- until she discovers a four-hundred-year-old book of spells that really works. Guided by the ghost of the witch who wrote the conjure book, Jane embarks on a terrifying but glorious quest for magical power. Her ambition is to contact her mother, dead these ten years and remembered only in photographs. For such a great prize, Jane is willing to risk much among the weird creatures she conjures out of the spirit world. But she will need more than courage when her magic follows her to school. After an evil spirit fox steals her classmate's soul, life suddenly gets very complicated. Coming of age among dark, elemental powers while not missing a day of seventh grade is not easy. And the answers Jane needs for growing up don't seem to be in the conjure book.
224 pages, Paperback
First published May 2, 2007
22 people are currently reading
197 people want to read
About the author
A.A. Attanasio
47 books360 followersI’m a novelist and student of the imagination living in Honolulu. Fantasies, visions, hallucinations or whatever we call those irrational powers that illuminate our inner life fascinate me. I’m particularly intrigued by the creative intelligence that scripts our dreams. And I love carrying this soulful energy outside my mind, into the one form that most precisely defines who we are: story.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 2, 2014
-Cerca del cuento y la fábula.-
Género. Narrativa Fantástica.
Lo que nos cuenta. Jane Riggs es una niña de trece años que vive en Massachusetts y que encuentra los restos de una casa y, entre otros artículos inquietantes, un libro que resulta ser un grimorio perteneciente a una bruja del siglo XVII. Cuando el familiar de la antigua dueña visita a Jane, esta debe abrir los ojos y ver el mundo desde otra perspectiva.
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...
Género. Narrativa Fantástica.
Lo que nos cuenta. Jane Riggs es una niña de trece años que vive en Massachusetts y que encuentra los restos de una casa y, entre otros artículos inquietantes, un libro que resulta ser un grimorio perteneciente a una bruja del siglo XVII. Cuando el familiar de la antigua dueña visita a Jane, esta debe abrir los ojos y ver el mundo desde otra perspectiva.
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...
August 5, 2013
Attanasio is one of speculative fiction's more cerebral authors, and I approached this young adult book with some trepidation. In that, I was partly right, and partly wrong.
Attanasio tones down both his vocabulary (some) and his customary ethereality to a level appropriate for intelligent youngsters. The story is fairly simple, though in some ways not credible. The protagonist, a 13 year old spelunker, thinks nothing of plunging immediately into a deep hole in the ground. Since she's otherwise moderately wise and rule-abiding, this seems unlikely. Unfortunately, that incredbility infects much of the rest of the plot. Many of the things that happen, and the choices the protagonist makes, just don't seem believable.
It's a shame, because the language is mostly smooth, the characters are likeable, and the general story is interesting. The reading level seems to vary sometimes between 8 and 15, but the mix is not really suitable for either.
All in all, a decent book (2.5, rounded up because it is a nice story), but not one you'd go back to. If you're looking for intelligent adult fiction, by all means, try Attanasio's other books. For the young adult in you, look further.
Attanasio tones down both his vocabulary (some) and his customary ethereality to a level appropriate for intelligent youngsters. The story is fairly simple, though in some ways not credible. The protagonist, a 13 year old spelunker, thinks nothing of plunging immediately into a deep hole in the ground. Since she's otherwise moderately wise and rule-abiding, this seems unlikely. Unfortunately, that incredbility infects much of the rest of the plot. Many of the things that happen, and the choices the protagonist makes, just don't seem believable.
It's a shame, because the language is mostly smooth, the characters are likeable, and the general story is interesting. The reading level seems to vary sometimes between 8 and 15, but the mix is not really suitable for either.
All in all, a decent book (2.5, rounded up because it is a nice story), but not one you'd go back to. If you're looking for intelligent adult fiction, by all means, try Attanasio's other books. For the young adult in you, look further.
January 4, 2013
A very delightful read. Not too surprising, given the author. Highly recommend any of AAA's to new readers of his books.
March 29, 2021
Middle grade
There are points where this book was very bizarre. A tale that explores magic as much as it does the morality of revenge and how far we will go to get what we want.
There are points where this book was very bizarre. A tale that explores magic as much as it does the morality of revenge and how far we will go to get what we want.
October 20, 2021
Awesome
It was different on what i usually read but I loved this tremendously. It is a really good book from the first page to the last page.
It was different on what i usually read but I loved this tremendously. It is a really good book from the first page to the last page.
August 16, 2018
Good
But not great.
Lacking in the depth I usually admire in his books.
Ok for young readers I guess but it's no Radix.
But not great.
Lacking in the depth I usually admire in his books.
Ok for young readers I guess but it's no Radix.
May 29, 2017
This book started off so well. The description of the knoll was amazing. The tone was nicely creepy and magical. The apple dolls in the underground house were so well-painted by words that they gave me the chills just reading about them.
But then, Jane left the knoll.
I didn't mind cranky ghost witch. I accepted that to make magic work, the main character had to stop wearing jeans, shoes, or anything with buttons or zippers. I didn't say anything about her hairstyle making magic more effective. I sat through all of the Sabrina the Teenage Witch jokes. I didn't grind my teeth in frustration about the villain's name being Trick E. I didn't question the Jamaican gnomes. I didn't groan about the bad math equation pick up lines.
But I draw the line at "Life is horrible, but love is the reason for life!" Even I have my limits to how much hokieness I can handle.
The message itself wouldn't even have bothered me so much, if it hadn't been delivered the way it was. It was not at all subtle. They may as well have shouted, "PAY ATTENTION, THIS IS THE MORAL OF THE STORY!!!" before Jane comes to that conclusion.
I did love the descriptions.
Trick E, despite his name, was a very colorful and fun villain. (I might not be a fair judge though, since I always enjoy vulpine villains.)
I also totally want a digital witch.
This was a fun, silly book to read. And it would have been a much better book if it were just fun and silly, and didn't try to suddenly become all metaphysical at the end. Or, if the book had been serious and metaphysical the entire time. But you can't go from Sabrina the Teenage Witch jokes to seriously philosophizing about the reason for existence. The tonal change is just incredibly jarring.
But then, Jane left the knoll.
I didn't mind cranky ghost witch. I accepted that to make magic work, the main character had to stop wearing jeans, shoes, or anything with buttons or zippers. I didn't say anything about her hairstyle making magic more effective. I sat through all of the Sabrina the Teenage Witch jokes. I didn't grind my teeth in frustration about the villain's name being Trick E. I didn't question the Jamaican gnomes. I didn't groan about the bad math equation pick up lines.
But I draw the line at "Life is horrible, but love is the reason for life!" Even I have my limits to how much hokieness I can handle.
The message itself wouldn't even have bothered me so much, if it hadn't been delivered the way it was. It was not at all subtle. They may as well have shouted, "PAY ATTENTION, THIS IS THE MORAL OF THE STORY!!!" before Jane comes to that conclusion.
I did love the descriptions.
Trick E, despite his name, was a very colorful and fun villain. (I might not be a fair judge though, since I always enjoy vulpine villains.)
I also totally want a digital witch.
This was a fun, silly book to read. And it would have been a much better book if it were just fun and silly, and didn't try to suddenly become all metaphysical at the end. Or, if the book had been serious and metaphysical the entire time. But you can't go from Sabrina the Teenage Witch jokes to seriously philosophizing about the reason for existence. The tonal change is just incredibly jarring.
May 27, 2013
In this YA mystical story, a 13 yr old goes exploring where she shouldn’t and ends up at the bottom of a hole. In this hole are things she never imagined (including a hanging body!), many, many dolls hanging for the ceiling, out of the walls, etc. She realizes she is in what once was someone’s house; although many years ago. It is underground, after all. The girl sees an old book, pages stuck together and decides to take it to show her father.
Error! The book is the Grimoire of Hyssop Jane from 1626. Jane Riggs (our heroine) says some words she finds and that’s when the problems begin. There was a reason Hyssop Jane was buried, house and all – she was not a nice witch. In fact she wasn’t nice at all. The more Jane experiments, the odder things become. She meets Jeoffry (aka Lester the farm cat) who explains much of what’s going on and advises Jane to step away and forget about the book, the witch and the potions.
Alas, 13 yr old girl’s never do what they’re told. Problems arise concerning faeries and promises made; a spirit fox who is nastier than the original witch and Jane seems to be caught in the middle. What’s a girl to do?
This book will entertain the younger teens and cause laughs for the older ones. The plot is excellent and Hyssop Jane is a nasty old bag – just right for disliking. Well worth the time.
Error! The book is the Grimoire of Hyssop Jane from 1626. Jane Riggs (our heroine) says some words she finds and that’s when the problems begin. There was a reason Hyssop Jane was buried, house and all – she was not a nice witch. In fact she wasn’t nice at all. The more Jane experiments, the odder things become. She meets Jeoffry (aka Lester the farm cat) who explains much of what’s going on and advises Jane to step away and forget about the book, the witch and the potions.
Alas, 13 yr old girl’s never do what they’re told. Problems arise concerning faeries and promises made; a spirit fox who is nastier than the original witch and Jane seems to be caught in the middle. What’s a girl to do?
This book will entertain the younger teens and cause laughs for the older ones. The plot is excellent and Hyssop Jane is a nasty old bag – just right for disliking. Well worth the time.
August 19, 2015
This was quite pleasurable. I'm not really sure why I chose to read it with several hundred books on my to read list, but about a month ago I started it and promptly forgot. Today I found it again in the pile and a few hours later I'm sad it finished so quickly.
What's to like:
1. Wicca theme. It is drenched in the mood of the supernatural.
2. The faeries and gnomes were fun.
3. BEST of all: the seductive hook of dragging Jane in deeper each time she makes a choice. She becomes responsible.
4. I enjoyed the cat familiar and the fox villain.
5. I actually enjoyed the philosophical idea of multiple existences of now.
What's not to like:
1. Jane at 13 seems pretty naïve. That actually may be believable given her sheltered background.
2. The solutions to the problems are too close to the presentation of the problem.
3. I would have liked a more tragic end. It came off a little too well for the protagonist.
I finish every book I start and so when I found it was young adult fiction I was disappointed, but I vowed to make the best of it because maybe someday I'd like to try this genre too. I was hoping for some really horrific things to happen to Jane, but she (mostly) escaped injury. If I had written it her mom would be a brain-eating zombie that invades their house and eats her dad. Munch, munch... The End.
It's best I didn't write it. :-)
What's to like:
1. Wicca theme. It is drenched in the mood of the supernatural.
2. The faeries and gnomes were fun.
3. BEST of all: the seductive hook of dragging Jane in deeper each time she makes a choice. She becomes responsible.
4. I enjoyed the cat familiar and the fox villain.
5. I actually enjoyed the philosophical idea of multiple existences of now.
What's not to like:
1. Jane at 13 seems pretty naïve. That actually may be believable given her sheltered background.
2. The solutions to the problems are too close to the presentation of the problem.
3. I would have liked a more tragic end. It came off a little too well for the protagonist.
I finish every book I start and so when I found it was young adult fiction I was disappointed, but I vowed to make the best of it because maybe someday I'd like to try this genre too. I was hoping for some really horrific things to happen to Jane, but she (mostly) escaped injury. If I had written it her mom would be a brain-eating zombie that invades their house and eats her dad. Munch, munch... The End.
It's best I didn't write it. :-)
July 12, 2016
What a wonderful book for an imaginative child to read! I wish I had this book to carry me off when I was a child. This is the first book by this author that I have read. I had to expectations other than to be told a story. Perhaps it was this that allowed me to enjoy this book. Perhaps it was that I treasure my inner child and hold dear the things she holds dear. Whatever the reason, I was enchanted by this story. It took me far away from this world and allowed my imagination to dance. I think this is an excellent book to share with a child. In my household we had family reading. We chose a book and read it, aloud, together. Sort of like a bedtime story for children who grew too old to want me sitting by their bed reading them to sleep, (that is actually how it started). This book would have been a favorite for that, I am certain. A bonus is the increase in vocabulary. The author uses words to expand a child's vocabulary. I found that part of the magic, (kind of like when I read Anne of Green Gables and Anne's love of using "big words" held me charmed). There are witches, familiars, faeries and gnomes awaiting. Suspend your belief and enter the realm of magic.
April 24, 2014
A very quick read. I read it in about 3 days. It is cute and has a nice flow to the storyline. I absolutely loved Joeffry. He was a more developed character than I think Jane was. Often, I just kept saying to myself that Jane is just a spoiled little brat. The ending was a little disappointing. Not so much how the story ended, but more the final chapter. It felt like I was being lectured about religious beliefs. (I don't if others would agree with that) I would have preferred, to not have so much time dedicated to the "NOW" and more time mom and Jane enjoying each other's time together. Also, I don't agree with the ending of "she is done with being a witch." If she was supposedly a "Full fledge witch" she would truly believe in the "wic" principle. It would be once a witch always a witch theory. And the mother re-iterating that she was a witch and then talk about being done with being a witch? It is a religion, its a belief, so how are you done with it? Trivial, I know, but it kind of bothered me.
January 7, 2013
This was actually a very pleasurable book to read. Loved ALL the characters,, from Hysop Joan to Jeoffry the "familiar" cat.
When I finished the book and was on the last page where the author listed more of his books, I kinda looked for more books on Janes further adventure of her witchcraft learning.
But then I thought that well.. maybe its best that the author finished his tales on Jane, and Hysop Joan and Jeoffry that way we can remember them pleasurably as we did when we finished.
When characters are spanned out between 2-3 or maybe even 4 books or more... they tend to get lost or to stretched out from the way they were in the original book.. anyway enough blabbering :P
Will say once again I loved this book !
When I finished the book and was on the last page where the author listed more of his books, I kinda looked for more books on Janes further adventure of her witchcraft learning.
But then I thought that well.. maybe its best that the author finished his tales on Jane, and Hysop Joan and Jeoffry that way we can remember them pleasurably as we did when we finished.
When characters are spanned out between 2-3 or maybe even 4 books or more... they tend to get lost or to stretched out from the way they were in the original book.. anyway enough blabbering :P
Will say once again I loved this book !
May 1, 2013
This book wasn't bad, it just wasn't anything special. I've been reading it between classes and unlike many of the books I read during class, I didn't feel that invisible pull to keep reading once class began. It was easy to put down. I'd suggest it for a younger teenager, maybe about 13. I do enjoy young adult books, but sometimes you run into one that is for a younger crowd.
April 8, 2013
Jane moved to Massachusetts from New Mexico and is lonely because her scientist father is always gone. When she decides to explore a hole in a knoll and finds a buried witch's cottage from the 1600s, she finds herself in an adventure that quickly turns quite frightening!
Read
January 11, 2016Started this book about a year and a half ago.
Read the first 30 pages or so, then laid it aside and forgot about it.
Picked it up a few days ago and wound up getting lost inside it, not sure why I laid it aside for so long as it was really a fun little book.
Read the first 30 pages or so, then laid it aside and forgot about it.
Picked it up a few days ago and wound up getting lost inside it, not sure why I laid it aside for so long as it was really a fun little book.
August 24, 2011
What a great read.
I picked this book just beacause of the cover and good price.
What a lucky find.
I picked this book just beacause of the cover and good price.
What a lucky find.
May 6, 2014
I wanted to like this book, but could never really get into the story, it just wasn't that great.
March 8, 2014
Interesting young teen fantasy story. Initially hard to get into the story but the more i read the better it got. Nice bitter sweet ending.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews