When Anthony Monday stumbles upon the diary of J.K. Borkman, he thinks he's unearthed a worthless piece of junk. But Borkman's mysterious writings turn out to be much more--plans to turn the world into an icy wasteland. By the time ghastly weather sets in and Anthony realizes it's Borkman's fanatical son who is bent on carrying out his father's horrific work, it may be too late to stop him.
When I was in 7th grade, I read every John Bellairs book that the library had. His modern gothic tales of dark suspense were unlike any other stories to be found, and they captivated me entirely with their mystical charm. Some 14 or 15 years later, the memory of his stories remained so strong in my mind that I recently sought out and read "The Dark Secret of Weatherend" once again. And once again, I was taken under the spell of Bellairs' literary magic, enjoying it as much as I had so long ago.Every one of his books is excellent. The writing, the intrigue, the dark mood he creates for the reader, are crafted with mastery. They are ideally suited for reading to children, especially since the hero is always a young boy or girl, and are entirely unique in the realm of children's literature. It is that very quality that makes them just as enjoyable for the mature reader. At such a low price, I highly reccommend anyone who enjoys reading to check them out. "Dark Secret" is a perfect place to start.The only similar comparisons I can make to the stories of Bellairs are the poems and illustrations of Edward Gorey, the films of Tim Burton, and the music of Danny Elfman. If you like one, you'll probably like them all.
If you like Harry Potter....
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
then you'll LOVE books by John Bellairs! This man invented mysteries for young readers. Try it, and you won't be able to put it down. The characters are easily to identify with as they seem like ordinary kids, yet they have extraordinary adventures! Bellairs is funny, intelligent and entertaining in his writing. Read it to your kids as a bedtime story, and YOU'LL keep reading it to yourself long after they've nodded off.
Chills once again
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
It's a nice one that gives you that creeping feeling, and is interesting. Its thrilling ending is synomous with John Bellairs.
This book is great.
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
As always, a great book by Bellairs! Anthony discovers a plot to turn the world into an icy wasteland and must stop Anders Borkmans son, the person who is trying to do it.
This book almost gave me nightmares----- just what i wanted!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
i am a very large fan of John Bellairs, and I must state, this is him at his very best. This book entrigues you. You will never have a chance to put it down. It has the perfect plot to capture your imagination. Read IT!
ThriftBooks sells millions of used books at the lowest everyday prices. We personally assess every book's quality and offer rare, out-of-print treasures. We deliver the joy of reading in recyclable packaging with free standard shipping on US orders over $15. ThriftBooks.com. Read more. Spend less.