The Spell/Sorcerer's

by John Bellairs

Book Overview

When Johnny Dixon takes a tiny skull from a haunted dollhouse, demonic forces are released,capturing Professor Childermass and leading Johnny on a harrowing chase to a deserted island off the coast of Maine.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0553153579
• ISBN13: 9780553153576
• Release Date: October 1985
• Publisher: Yearling Books
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.33 lbs.
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

Casts a "Spell"

"Spell of the Sorcerer's Spell" has everything that one expects from a John Bellairs book -- cheesy title, shapeless supernatural evil, plenty of dark visions, weird dreams, and the occasional lapse into weird humor. Bellairs was in top form when he wrote "Spell."Professor Childermass's car breaks down in a small town. While he waits for it to be repaired, he and his young friend Johnny Dixon are shown a dollhouse connected to the professor's grandfather, who died under mysterious circumstances. Johnny finds a tiny skull, which he finds he can't speak to anyone else about -- then he has a vision of a ghostly figure killing the old man. Soon afterwards, Professor Childermass vanishes under mysterious circumstances.Johnny finally approaches the priest Father Higgins, who promises to help if he can. A petition to Saint Andrew provides sudden answers, in the form of a cryptic rhyme that leads Johnny, Fergie and Father Higgins to a remote island in Maine. But even if they can find the professor, how can they defeat the evil forces that center on the sorcerer's skull?One of the best things about this book is that it introduces the character of Father Higgins, a gruff but kindly priest who serves as the authority figure in this book. One of the funniest moments in the book is when he produces a guitar and starts singing a folk song, much to Johnny's bewilderment. (Hey, priests have to have hobbies too!) He serves as a good temporary replacement for the professor, even if he isn't quite as knowledgeable as his friend is. Johnny and Fergie serve their usual roles of the timid, quiet boy and his brash best friend; they complement each other flawlessly, even when they annoy one another.Bellairs does an exceptional job with the effects of the skull and its spell, the visions of skeleton scarecrows and Victorian mansions, the ghostly presence trying to overcome the Professor, and the creepy caretaker of the clock museum. Best of all, the plot twists will keep readers guessing right up to the last chapter. A few of the plot twists seem a little contrived, but if those can be overlooked, this is the best that a kid can find in fantasy/horror.One of Bellairs' best novels, "Spell of the Sorcerer's Skull" is a Gothic thriller for anyone who enjoys a good chuckle and shiver.

A Good Action/Adventure Mystery that any reader will love!

I'm a big fan of John Bellairs and have read about 6 of his books....The Spell of the Sorcerer's Skull is by far the most thrilling. Johnny Dixon and his funny friend, Fergie find themselfs in the middle of a mystery, Just after Johnny takes a strange small skull (that he beleives to be good luck) from a miniture room that the Professor's granduncle was murdered in, they're friend, Professor Childermass has suddenly disappeared. And it's up to Johnny, Fergie, and Father Higgins to find the Professor before it's too late. I hope this review helped you and I hope you enjoy the book as I did.

A Good Action/Adventure Mystery that any reader will love!

I'm a big fan of John Bellairs and have read about 6 of his books....The Spell of the Sorcerer's Skull is by far the most thrilling. Johnny Dixon and his funny friend, Fergie find themselfs in the middle of a mystery. Johnny has taken a strange small skull (that he beleives to be good luck) from a miniture room that Professor Childermass's granduncle was murdered in. Just after that they're friend the Professor has suddenly disappeared. And it's up to Johnny, Fergie, and Father Higgins to find the Professor before it's too late. I hope this review helped you and I hope you enjoy the book as I did.

what happened

John Bellairs was my favorite author when I was in fifth grade and this was my favorite book. Any kid will absolutely be enthralled by it. The sad thing is, is that what I find even more horrifying than Bellairs' creepy tales is the fact that Edward Gorey's covers have been replaced with some rather bland artwork. Gorey was a true master and no other artist could possibly conjure up the lurking fear of these books. Very bad move. To me, Bellairs and Gorey will forever be linked together. Sadly, kids today won't be able to ponder his wonderfully shadowy covers. Very sad.

Brilliant!

I love Bellair's books. I am twenty-one and remeber fondly the first time I read this book. I was drawn into the marvelous story and could not put it down. Reading under the covers with a flashlight, I reveled in the unfliching Bellairs style. His writing was dark, gothic, and deeply atmospheric. The stories were incredibly well crafted and the characters deeply intersting. I urge every child to read Bellairs books. They never treat you like a kid -- they make you part of the story. Each book is an exhilirating, eerie, often nightmarish ride that never lets you down. Those of you who love "Goosebumps" should read a Bellairs book -- they are BETTER. PS -- for some reason the publishers have seen it fit to change the Edward Gorey covers to somthing flashier. This is too bad as the Gorey covers were FAR scarier and atmospheric.