The Spook's Bestiary

Gr 6 Up—Delaney, author of the eight (so far) titles in this popular series, provides a supplemental text for becoming a spook—one who battles the Dark and its powers. Presented as the knowledge, and wisdom, needed to face evil beings and forces, collected by the spook John Gregory, this book describes many of those beings and beasts. They include numerous boggarts, with explanations of how to drive them away or bind them; the Old Gods, many of whom are based on those in Greek myth; and several varieties of witches and mages. The spook narrator also discusses how to bind both a living witch and a dead one, and how necromancers use the dead as spies. Heller's creepy drawings fill the pages and, like the whole book, they should delight fans of the series.—Walter Minkel, Austin Public Library, TX