The Bell, the Book, and the Spellbinder

This is one of the best books in the entire series. A lot of people complain that Brad Strickland isn't as good as Bellairs, that the newer books aren't as great as the old ones they remember. Those people are wrong, and here's why: Most people don't re-read the older books in tandem with the new on......more

No harm can come up from reading a book. Well, think it over folks because if it is written by evil sorcerer harm will definitely find your way. Byron 'Fergie' Ferguson, Johnny's best friend picks up a book in library to tackle his boredom but it turns out book has magical abilities. Professor Child......more

I've slowly reread all of John Bellairs' novels, and I'm now amid the Strickland novels involving Bellairs' characters and gothic style. Some of these I read before, but this one, and others to come will be new to me. The formulaic nature of these books becomes much more apparent as an adult, and de......more

I'm a little disappointed in this iteration of the Johnny Dixon story. The reason is that if you change the book into a blue Egyptian figurine and Fergie into Johnny, this is effectively a retelling of the first book. It doesn't sufficiently distinguish itself from that earlier book. Otherwise, the p......more

A fast-paced story that keeps the pages turning. I agree with another review that Strickland doesn’t capture the weird and mysterious like Bellairs’ does. He is, however, adept at setting up a plot and delivering some genuinely creepy moments. The Thanatos Mouse, the mummy crickets and ghost boy, al......more