| This is book 2 of the Landon Snow series. In the first book, a boy named Landon Snow had discovered a secret passage in his grandfather's study that leads to the town's big library where books come alive at night. One of the books also serves as a passage – a passage to Wonderwodd inhabited by Odds, a small, dwarflike creatures. In this second book, Landon makes another trip to his grandfather. Naturally, he wonders whether he would be able to get to Wonderwood again. He tells about his adventure to his younger sister Holly. Holly does not believe him – until she sees the bookcase-door swing open, revealing the passage. Together, they go to the library and then to Wonderwood.
Landon sees right away that something is wrong in the world of Wonderwood: it is much colder and darker than it was during his first visit. His suspicions are soon confirmed. There is a war going on; the evil Malus Quidam wants to conquer Wonderwood and fill it with darkness. His shadowy creatures have already invaded the world and are fighting the powers of good. It turns out that Ludo, the Chief Odd, has already given up and is basically working for Malus who wants to rule the Odds. When Holly is kidnapped by shadowy wolves, Landon runs to the rescue. Melech, a talking horse he'd met during his first adventure, is back to help him, and so is Auctor, the riddle-writer. Auctor shows Landon a vision that tells him how to find Holly. Very soon Landon realizes that he can't just take Holly and go back; in order to rescue her, he must fight the shadows and Malus himself. If he fails, both him and his sister will be trapped in the Wonderwood, under the power of darkness. Landon challenges Malus, as well as Ludo, the chief of the Odds because it is Ludo who actually kidnapped Holly and put her under a spell. | ||
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Plot & Themes FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - part earth & part fantasy world Explore/1st contact/ enviro story Yes Explore: Is this an adult or child's book? - Kid's book (ages 7-14) Family relations Yes Descript. of chases or violence - 30 % planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 20 % Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 20 % Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 30 % Main Character Identity: - Male Age: - a teen Main Adversary Identity: - magical being Has magical powers? Yes How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a moderate amount Setting Terrain Earth setting: - during "Tolkien" (fairytime) times Takes place on Earth? Yes Writing Style Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment How much dialogue? - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog |
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