Spellbound

The Books of Elsewhere #2

by Jacqueline West, Poly Bernatene (Illustrator)

The mysteries grow deeper and the secrets darker in the second volume of the New York Times bestselling Books of Elsewhere series.

With no way into the McMartin house's magical paintings and its three guardian cats reluctant to help, Olive's friend Morton is still trapped inside Elsewhere. So when Rutherford, the new oddball kid next door mentions a grimoire—a spellbook—Olive sees a glint of hope. If she can find the McMartins' spellbook, maybe she can help Morton escape Elsewhere for good. Unless, that is, the book finds Olive first.

The house isn't the only one keeping secrets anymore. You'll never guess what happens next in this thrilling, chilling fantasy series, perfect for fans of Pseudonymous Bosch, Coraline , and Septimus Heap.

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Mystery, Childrens, Adventure, Magic, Fiction

295 pages, Hardcover

First published July 12, 2011

About the author

Jacqueline West on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jacquel...

Jacqueline's blog: http://jacquelinewest.com/blog/

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in a lovely children's series by Jacqueline West. Odds are you've never read it.

I think Spellbound wasn't quite as good as its predecessor, but hot diggity dog was it still fun to read.

Why I Loved It
No question here-- the talking cats MADE this story. Horatio, Leopold, and Harvey are basically my new best friends. Somebody somewhere needs to name their cats after these guys, cause they deserve it. Leopold especially continues to deliver epic cuteness, and remains my favorite. I think that without the cats, the Elsewhere series would be decent but lacking all specialness. I hugged the book and spoke tenderly to it many a time, all on account of the kitties. MY BABIEZ.

Also, the plot revolved around Olive trying to locate a spellbook that the old owners of the house-- evil witches-- hid somewhere. I really liked the alternate, and probably more realistic, depiction of magic here. I was legitimately creeped out by the changes Olive went through, the creepy pull the book clearly had on her. The magic wasn't dark on a Voldemort level, but reading this book really revealed to me how dangerous magic can be. When Olive's obsession with the spellbook causes her to betray... wait for it... Leopold, my FAVORITE CHARACTER, I was so ready for her to get rid of all the magic in the house and just play videogames outside like a normal kid.

And I think that if you're wishing that the magic in a fantasy book would just disappear so you can read a "normal" book (but keep the talking cats around, duh), the author is succeeding at making her magic disturbing.

One other thing I love: the magical method of exploration! This was more present in the first book, but it still played a role here so I get to talk about it. The evil witches who used to live in Olive's house painted magical pictures that you can enter if you're wearing an enchanted pair of spectacles. Yes, I know. It's great. The only downside is that they liked to lure unsuspecting victims into their paintings and leave them there until they changed into paint and could no longer be part of the real world. A little depressing.

Why it Wasn't as Good as the First One
My main problem was the ending. It was too children's book-y. There were a lot of cliches, not enough build-up, and basically the action was lame. I didn't like the cliffhanger either, to be honest. Not to mention that it took Olive a bit too long to put the pieces together. But hey, she was being distracted and nearly controlled by evil magic, so she has an excuse. I liked the ending of the first book much, much better. I remember being actually freaked out, huddled in my bed clutching my blankie. Not so much in this book.


Well, that's about it for negatives. A few more honorary mentions for the positives, then!

Rutherford. This is Olive's new neighbor boy. He's a total nerd, complete with dragon shirts, a nasaly voice, and an obsession with the Middle Ages and dinosaurs. I loved this kid sooo much. Plus, there's a slight possibility of romantical feelings between him and Olive at some future date, and I was a huge fan of the way Ms. West worked that into the book. The way Olive obsessively replayed her conversations with him-- cringing the whole time-- was hilarious and cute. True, it might have just been because she was afraid she gave away too much about the secrets of her home, but I'd like to think otherwise...

Olive's Parents. They had a smaller role in this book, mostly because Olive's obsession with the spellbook caused her to push away those around her. But her mom and dad are amazing. They're math geniuses who comment on Olive's eating 50% less lasagna than usual, and then get into an argument about whether it's actually 40%. Love, love, love.

The Illustrations. I'm not a very nifty goodreads user, so I'm not going to add any of the illustrations to my review. I Google Imaged this baby and here's the best I could find (they're from the first book, though): some illustrations of Olive. I wish all books had such pretty pictures in them.

The Talking Cats. Wait, I already mentioned them, didn't I? Um, in case you missed it, this book has three talking cats. They are amazing. One has multiple personality disorder (as do most cats, I feel), one believes he is a soldier (and therefore says "negative" and "affirmative" a lot), and one is Olive's best friend and sleeps at her feet every night, and also happens to be the only normal one. I want to snuggle them all.

So, that's about it for reasons to adore this series. I forgot to mention the writing... it's interesting and creative, without seeming forced. I think it's pretty exceptional for a children's book. There are probably other intellectual things I could say to prove that I paid attention to things other than the talking cats, but to be honest I don't have time to write about that now... I need to go re-read all of Leopold's scenes and daydream about owning a cat just like him.

[Tatiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mysterious evil lurks at every corner in the second installment in "The Books of Elsewhere, Book 2: Spellbound." It has only been a few weeks since Olive buried the sinister painting of Annabelle McMartin and has broken the magic eyeglass frames of creepy Aldous McMartin. Of course, Olive feels obligated in trying to save her friend Morton from his permanent purgatory of being a painted person instead of being human. So, she tries again to search for clues in her home with her three feline friends, finding trouble everywhere she goes.

SPOILER ALERT!!!

Featured in this second story is my favorite cat, Harvey, who happily lives in many guises and delusions, but you get the feeling this feline is just crazy like a fox, and dons his goofy personalities to throw people, animals and otherworldly creatures off. It is Harvey that lends Olive a hand in her search for a book of spells, something Olive is certain contains the answers to Morton's dilemma. Olive also meets her the new neighborhood boy, Rutherford Dewey, a strange, smart off-kilter kid who strives to make Olive his friend, but cannot help himself in boring her senselessly with a litany of little known facts he finds absolutely fascinating. Without being asked to, Rutherford helps Olive in her quest for the spell book, and inadvertently inserts himself into her spectral drama. Harvey's sense of happy high adventure is sorely tested when Olive does discover the spell book, and all three cats -- Harvey, Horatio and Leopold -- brace themselves for the unsavory and scary changes they witness in Olive once she possesses the book.

This is a taut and exciting mystery book not to be missed by middle grade students. "Spellbound" delivers a thrilling read, full of uncovered secrets and haunting pasts that culminates in a spellbinding finale. Highly recommended for ages ten and up.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it...and so, it seems, do the young readers who've been anxiously waiting since last summer for this second in the Elsewhere series! The power and charm of West's writing for children seem to lie in her delightful sense of humor, her sensitive portrayal of young characters, and her unerring recall of even the most detailed childhood experiences. (Yes, those Freeze Pop bags do sort of cut the inside of your mouth while you're sucking the last of the flavor out of the icicle inside!) I'm enjoying the book again on my car's CD player this week.

[Sepideh Dehghani · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 🌟

[Katie Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast paced, weird, mystery and a dash of spooky. I liked this a lot. *nod*

[Steph Lovelady · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sequel was just as appealing as the original book. Olive, who lives in a house formerly occupied by a family of witches and filled with paintings that are portals to mini-worlds, continues to interact with the people in the paintings. She has to resist the seductive power of the house to divert her from her real goal trying to save a boy who's been trapped in one of the paintings for eighty years and battling others who are either responsible for or complicit in his entrapment. The talking cats who live in the house play a bigger role than in the previous book and they are good for comic relief (especially Harvey). A new character, Rutherford, an eccentric neighbor boy, befriends Olive and he, like Olive, is a nice rounded character. We also learn more about two women in the neighborhood, Mrs. Nivens and Mrs. Dewey (Rutherford's grandmother). Neither is what she seems.

Without giving anything away, Olive has some limited triumphs at the end of the book, but there's plenty left for her to do in the remaining three books, which I look forward to reading.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just as adorable as the first book! I guess I shouldn't say adorable when this book was pretty dark in places. But still totally appropriate and fun for 5th grade on up. Looking forward to continuing this series!

[Ben Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it. It's spooky, mysterious, and pretty good.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spellbound, the second novel in The Books of Elsewhere series features Olive a young girl who is determined to help free her friend Morton from the painting he is trapped in. Where in book one Olive had magical spectacles that allowed her to enter paintings, now she will need something more. Something that seems to be calling her to release it from the clasp of a pair of large bony hands. Will Olive be able to convince the three guardian cats of the house to help her? Or will the new boy next door have the key to freeing Morton? I absolutely adore this story in part to the author's style of descriptive writing and use of imagery. Especially with the addition of the inquisitive next door neighbor boy and the mysterious Mrs. Nivens. I also really love the illustrations which contain equal parts of spooky and suspense. Olive is such a fun character who I think many people can identify with. She's the girl who wears jeans and has her hair pulled back. The girl who does not have many friends and although she makes mistakes in this story will own up to them in the end. Lovely book that unfolds more secrets about Morton but leaves room for the story to continue. I for one will be waiting for the next book in the series and can't wait to see what personality Harvey will take next.

edited to add: In the spirit of All Hallows Read (2011), author Jacqueline West offered a giveaway of a signed hardcover copy of her book The Books of Elsewhere, Volume Two: Spellbound on her blog for which I was very lucky to win. Love the spectacles with her signature!

[Jessica Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

read full review on Cracking the Cover
“Spellbound” opens where “The Shadows” left off. Olive successfully stopped the McMartins, but Morton is still trapped inside Elsewhere. Olive’s magical glasses broke in the battle, and she has no way to get back inside the paintings on her own. The three guardian cats could help her return, but they’re reluctant to help.

With each day that passes, the weight of leaving Morton behind grows. So when Rutherford, Olive’s new neighbor, suggests the McMartins may have had a spellbook, a new hope blossoms. With the spellbook she might be able to save Morton.

Olive thought the house’s secrets had been uncovered, but at each turn, more are exposed, and if Olive’s not careful, they might just suck her back in.

“Spellbound” is a fine follow up to “The Shadows.” It, too, has twists and turns, and it’s full of mystery and magic. And author Jacqueline West balances intense scenes with touches of humor throughout. There are some spooky elements, but West knows her audience and delivers age-appropriate material.

“Spellbound” may not have the same charm as its predecessor but is compelling enough to keep a young reader’s interest. The pacing is sound and the story enjoyable. And the story is nicely wrapped up at the end, though it’s clear a third book is in the works. Young readers will continue to identify with Olive’s sense of adventure as she battles her own fears and learns to equally rely on herself and others.

[Rick Stuckwisch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is proving to be a really delightful, well-written series. It moves along at a nice pace, without feeling rushed or thin. Marvelous storytelling. Excellent, likable, well developed characters, and a rich, imaginative plot. Ideal for middle grade and junior high readers and listeners, but I'm also having a great time reading it aloud.

[Christina (A Reader of Fictions) · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was pretty cute and entertaining, but it didn't really do anything new plot or character-wise that the first book didn't. As I'm not invested in the larger plot or in the characters, I'm bowing out now. That should be less of an issue for the target audience, and I would recommend this for children who enjoy creative fantasies.

[Pumkin pie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it!!! It was scary, but I still loved it!!!!😁

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second book in The Books of Elsewhere series is just as magical as the first. Olive is still searching for a way to save Morton, the boy trapped inside a painting. Now that the spectacles are broken, Olive must rely on the permission of one of the three cats to enter the paintings. But nothing she tries is working. So when her new neighbor, Rutherford, mentions that there may be a spellbook left by the McMartins, Olive immediately begins searching. When she finds it though, she may not be ready for what it brings with it. Plenty of adventure, magic and surprises await the reader.

West writes with an ease, a comfort that makes the book read quickly. At the same time, she does use imagery very well, especially when describing characters. Olive continues to be a great protagonist. She is far from perfect, allowing her pride to get her into further scrapes in this book. I am a fan of a flawed protagonist and Olive manages to be human and relatable throughout the novel.

As Olive spends more time outside the house, the neighborhood begins to come to life in this book much more completely than in the previous novel. Olive’s parents are also more involved in this second book, though they do continue to leave Olive alone often, much to the delight of the storyline.

This is a charmer of a series filled with witches, magic, cats, and danger. Fans of the first novel in the series will be clamoring for this second one. A perfect summer read for ages 9-12.

[Charlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Olive and her parents live in a large, old house where an evil woman once lived. The girl has few contacts with people, depending on her friendship with Morton, a child she met inside a painting, and the three cats who came with the house. But she no longer has the glasses that helped her climb inside the paintings and the cats have become even more aloof. Then a new character steps into her world: Rutherford, the grandson of a neighbor, brings his curiosity, his knowledge of all things knightly, and his vast holding of unnecessary information and offers his help. When he suggests to Olive that she should be looking for the family spellbook, or grimoire, the story takes off. Olive has been warned not to delve into these secrets for good reason, but she believes her desire to help Morton find his family is a more important reason. Soon after she finds the book, it appears that she has fallen under its control. And she quickly realizes that her neighbors may have hidden identities and plans. Olive will need all the help she can get to stay out of the way of the evil around her. The book concludes with a new problem for Olive, so readers will look forward to the next book.

[Maggie Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I chose the book, Spellbound, from The Books Of Elsewhere by Jacqueline West. I picked this book because I read the first book, and I really liked it. This second book was a really fun story with a mystery plot. Someday I would like to solve mysteries like Olive. I don’t think boys should read this book because this is about a girl who solves mysteries. I want to read the rest of the books to discover more secrets of Elsewhere.

People who like mysteries should read this book and the series because it has secrets and magic. The main character in this book is named Olive. The mystery in this book is Olive rescuing her friend who is trapped in an enchanted painting. Horatio, the cat, is still involved by helping and talking to Olive. My favorite quote is Horatio telling Olive, “I heard you Olive. Even though I was asleep, I heard you.” Leopold and Harvey the other two cats are also involved. They also help Olive and talk to her. Olive’s parents still don’t know that the house is enchanted and that Olive is keeping secrets about solving a mystery about her friend that is trapped in elsewhere.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

With Morton still a painting and Olive's unique inquisitive nature readers venture into the world of Elsewhere in this second installment of the series.

All the elements that I loved about the first book - the talking cats, the real nature of Olive (Hey it's a character who makes mistakes and does things on her own and isn't perfect all the time), as well as the magic and mystery of Elsewhere are all in this second installment.

West introduces some new elements such as a new character and readers are taken beyond the walls of Olive's old house.

I found this book a page turner, and West seems to know just when to unveil a mystery and keep readers in suspence that they aren't getting bored. For some older readers you may be able to pick out the twists and turns, but for the middle grade audience they'll be pleasently surprised with what happens throughout the book.

This book was every bit as enjoyable as the first one, but I do have to warn ya there is a bit of a cliffhanger that will leave you on the edge of your seat yearning for more.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic! Jacqueline West manages to make the second book in her series as interesting as the first. I was pleasantly surprised that Spellbound takes an even darker turn than book one. Olive's search for the McMartin's book of spells results in Olive turning against those she loves.

The character of Rutherford was incredibly amusing (especially read by audiobook narrator Lexy Fridell, whose childlike voice is a constant and delightful surprise) and I was glad to learn more about the neighbors. Still plenty of questions about the house, so I can't wait for book three!

This is a fantastic series for kids ages 10 to 12 or mature readers age 8 and up, especially those who enjoy spooky mysteries with a dash of humor.

If you want to know more about the books and the author, I highly recommend visiting her website, which is pretty fantastic.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, Olive. You and your curious ways! I kept getting mad at her choices, and then I remembered I'm an adult ... reading a story through the lens of a pre-teen. Ha! I didn't love this book as much as the first in the series, The Shadows The Books of Elsewhere 1, but still a great story. And I love the cats. A little slow at the beginning, but stick with it. You won't be disappointed. Jacqueline West is a fresh voice. I can't wait to read the next book, The Second Spy.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was wonderful! This second installment in the Books of Elsewhere series is yet another great mix of humor, insight, and suspense from Jacqueline West. Once I hit Chapter 10, I honestly could not put the book down again until I had finished it. It will be difficult to wait until the summer of 2012 to find out what happens in book #3!

[Karen Arendt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good continuation of The Book of Elsewhere. Olive finds a spell book of the McMartin family. She also meets her neighbor Rutherford, who always turns up at odd moments. Morton wants to find out what happened to his family and get out of the painting.... Lots of action and suspense, especially when the book of spells starts to turn Olive into an evil person....

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderfully creepy second in the series of Elsewhere. Olive is a spunky female character. She is trying to save Morton from inside a painting where he's been spellbound by a wizard. She also meets a new neighbor boy, Rutherford, who turns out to be very helpful.

[Victoria Carella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just another one of Jaqueline West's great miserious novels. Can't wait for the next one!

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is fun. I sometimes wish I had a little girl that I could read stories like this with. I'm looking forward to more adventures with Olive and her funny cats.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adore Olive and pals. Each page keeps me going after more like river rafting. West is talented and I'll dive into more.

[Delaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book much better than the first. I put my back against the wall so that nobody would sneak up on me. I really enjoyed this book.

[Chantele Sedgwick]

Great sequel! This is a fun series middle graders will love!

[Anika · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book, and it ties into the first book.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading the series with Alex. We love it!

[Daisy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful