Review: Spellbinder by Helen Stringer

From the Back:

Belladonna Johnson can see ghosts. It's a trait she's inherited from her mother's side of the family, like blue eyes or straight hair. And it's a trait she could do without, because what twelve-year=old wants to be caught talking to someone invisible? It is convenient, though, after Belladonna's parents are killed in a car accident. The can live with her the same as always, watching the same old TV shows in their same old house. Nothing has changed...until everything changes.

One night, with no warning, they vanish into thin air-along with every other ghost in the world. It's what some people think ghosts are supposed to do, but Belladonna knows it's all wrong. They may not be living, but they're not supposed to be gone.

With the help of her classmate Steve, a master of sneaking and spying, Belladonna is left to uncover what's become of the spirits and to navigate a whole world her parents have kept well hidden. If she can't find her way, she'll lose them again-this time for good.


My Take:

This book starts out slow, really slow. According to the press information, Spellbinder was written for the 9-12 age group. I believe a large number from that demographic will become bored and put down the book before the story picks up. That is a shame, because the story is actually quite good once it starts rolling along.

While the subject matter is certainly nothing new, the author does provide a unique spin. The idea of there being a world for the living and a world for the dead is intriguing. Not to mention the seven other worlds that we do not get to visit, at least not in this book. The mission to find out why the ghosts disappeared gives us plenty of insight into how the two worlds interact with each other.

I loved the unlikely friendship between Belladonna and Steve. It turns out they are both smart, although one of them applies his intelligence with a little more zeal than the other. Belladonna is a strong lead character, having previously overcome the loss of her parents. Steve is the class trouble maker, most likely bored from not being challenged enough in school. The interactions are quite fun and give the book its charm.

Other than the slow beginning, I enjoyed this book. It is written with children in mind, but Helen Stringer does not water down the language to the point where adults would lose interest. Some of the words may challenge younger readers, but that is a good thing. I always enjoy a book that makes me want to go look something up.

There is closure to the main story, but a lot of questions are left unanswered. This leads me to believe there will be a sequel in the future. I look forward to this.


About the Author:
Helen Stringer grew up in Liverpool, England, and currently lives in Los Angeles. Here in the U.S., she studied film, winning several student film awards, and was a Directing Fellow at the American Film Institute Center for Advanced Film and Television Studies. This is her first novel.