The Spiderwick Chronicles is a serialized fantasy story for kids.  Each book is just over 100 pages in length and tells the story of twins Jared and Simon Grace and their older sister Mallory as they discover that faeries are real creatures.  Some of the are looking for The Field Guide their great uncle left behind, meaning that the three kids face plenty of danger.

The Wrath of Mulgarath is the final volume in the five book series.  While you could jump in here, it will make much more sense if you start at the beginning.  And the books are so short, it won't take you long to catch up.

The Grace children are tired when they arrive home from their escape in the quarry (see the last book for details).  Fully prepared to tell their mother everything that has been happening, they are surprised to find her gone and the house in shambles.  Byron the Griffin is on the roof attacking a hobgoblin.  It's from the hobgoblin they get the full story.  Mulgarath the Ogre has been there, stolen the book, and kidnapped their mother.  With just a tiny bit of information and a half of a plan, they set out to face their greatest foe.  Can they defeat him?

I actually saw the movie version of this story before reading the books, so I was surprised that this, the climax of the story, bears very little resemblance to the climax in the movie.  I'm not going to get into which one is better or worse because they both work remarkably well.

What we do get here in plenty of action.  All the things that have been worked into the previous four books comes into play here in some form, so there is little need for further exposition.  While all the books have flown by, this one felt the most action packed.  I was just settling down only to discover that the book was over.  And what a climax.  It was gripping and exciting.  It might scare the younger crowd, but old kids and adults will love it.

There is really nothing here in the way of new character development.  A few secondary characters get a little, but that's about it.  But what we do know of the characters comes into play here.

The first four books in the series were exactly 108 pages each.  This one is actually 28 pages longer.  As I said, however, there is not a word wasted.  I raced through it almost as quickly as the others.  Once again, the book is filled with detailed black and white illustrations that add to the fun.

You really don't want to start with The Wrath of Mulgarath.  Go back to the beginning and start there.  You'll be enjoying this book before you know it.

This review is part of laurashrti's Second Annual National Library Week Write-Off because I borrowed the book from my library.

The Spiderwick Chronicles:
1. The Field Guide
2. The Seeing Stone
3. Lucinda's Secret
4. The Ironwood Tree
5. The Wrath of Mulgarath (You are here)

And when you have read the books, but sure to check out the movie as well.

Recommended: Yes