Evocative of Alice in Wonderland, this novel from New York Times bestselling author Lauren Oliver is a bewitching story about the reaches of loyalty and the enduring power of hope. Perfect for fans of the author's other middle grade novels: Liesl & Po and the Curiosity House series.
Looking across the breakfast table one morning, twelve-year-old Liza feels dread wash over her. Although her younger brother, Patrick, appears the same, Liza knows that he is actually quite different. She is certain that the spindlers--evil, spiderlike beings--came during the night and stole his soul. And Liza is also certain that she is the only one who can rescue him.
Armed with little more than her wits and a huge talking rat for a guide, Liza descends into the dark and ominous underground to save Patrick's soul. Her quest is far from easy: she must brave tree-snakes, the Court of Stones, and shape-shifting scawgs before facing her greatest challenge in the spindlers' lair, where more than just Patrick's soul is at stake.
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A Fierce Sibling Bond: When twelve-year-old Liza realizes a stranger has replaced her brother, she vows to travel into a terrifying underworld to bring the real Patrick home.
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Portal Fantasy Adventure: Liza's only way to the spindlers' lair is through a crawl space in her basement that leads to the dark, magical, and dangerous world of Below.
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Monsters and Mythical Creatures: Guided by a huge, makeup-wearing talking rat, Liza must face tree-snakes, shape-shifting scawgs, and other strange beings on her journey.
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A Brave Girl Hero: Armed with only her wits, Liza must prove her courage in a world of riddles, traps, and monsters to save the person she loves most.
Back Jacket
When Liza's brother, Patrick, changes overnight, Liza knows exactly what has happened: The spindlers have gotten to him and stolen his soul.
She knows, too, that she is the only one who can save him.
To rescue Patrick, Liza must go Below, armed with little more than her wits and a broom. There, she uncovers a vast world populated with talking rats, music-loving moles, greedy troglods, and overexcitable nids . . . as well as strange monsters and terrible dangers. But she will face her greatest challenge at the spindlers' nests, where she must pass a series of deadly tests--or else her soul, too, will remain Below forever.
