The Sword in the Grotto

Araminta Spook's second story (as told to Angie Sage) is a Perilous Adventure that she and her new friend Wanda get themselves into when they need to find the perfect gift for a 500th Birthday Present....
Araminta's attitude is all present and correct (or self-centred) but doesn't get the free play it did in her first book, where the order of the day was Mayhem and Ghost-hunting, rather than Danger and Gift-hunting.
The Sword in the Grotto is perhaps not quite as good as its predecessor but is still a heap of fun (not bat poo).

I enjoyed this one as much as the first one. In The Sword in the Grotto, Araminta must figure out the perfect birthday present for Sir Horace's 500th Birthday (he's a ghost). This volume finds Uncle Drac in a bit of a pickle and our two intrepid adventurers shoveling bat poo and exploring deep, dark caves. It is a trip out to a mushroom farm that nets them an idea for the perfect gift for Sir Horace...but will this trip through the secret passage and into the secret grotto be their last? You simply must read The Sword in the Grotto and find out how Araminta and Wanda overcome the biggest of obstacles and find out if they get that sword for their favorite 500 year old ghost!

Overall, this is a quick easy read that would work well as a show more read aloud (for about ages 3-6) or an excellent chapter book for ages 6-9, older kids probably won't enjoy this simply because it's more of a campy type of creepy than spin-tingling type of creepy and the illustrations are a nice accompaniment to the story! Both of my kids will be happy to read the next book in the series when it comes out...and this one so clearly left the door open for yet another Addams family type of ghoulish fun fest! show less

{My thoughts} – Sir Horace is one of the ghosts that Araminta has found living among them in her house. The other is Edmund. Both have become friends with Araminta and Wanda one of the new residents of her home.

These books are mostly mystery and adventure and they take Araminta and Wanda on some adventures with a bit of mystery tied into them.

In this book Sir Horace is about to celebrate his 500th birthday and Araminta wants to get him the best present she can find. While Araminta and Wanda are out running and errand with Wanda’s dad for Araminta’s Uncle Drac they come across what Araminta believes to be the best present ever for Sir Horace.

They mutually decide to go through the same secret passage that Araminta had used in the show more first book as a means of getting to the grotto in which the present has been left. Edmund tries to stop them from going any further but fails in his duty. The girls trek on and apparently they get themselves trapped.

Are they able to get free or do they stay trapped? What happens if they can’t get out? How will anyone find them?

Many questions and they all get answered within the pages of the book. We even get to learn much more about Edmund and Sir Horace. Things that we didn’t already know, things that help the storyline along!

I can’t wait to start the next book and see what adventure Araminta and Wanda will be going on! show less

{My thoughts} – Sir Horace is one of the ghosts that Araminta has found living among them in her house. The other is Edmund. Both have become friends with Araminta and Wanda one of the new residents of her home.

These books are mostly mystery and adventure and they take Araminta and Wanda on some adventures with a bit of mystery tied into them.

In this book Sir Horace is about to celebrate his 500th birthday and Araminta wants to get him the best present she can find. While Araminta and Wanda are out running and errand with Wanda’s dad for Araminta’s Uncle Drac they come across what Araminta believes to be the best present ever for Sir Horace.

They mutually decide to go through the same secret passage that Araminta had used in the show more first book as a means of getting to the grotto in which the present has been left. Edmund tries to stop them from going any further but fails in his duty. The girls trek on and apparently they get themselves trapped.

Are they able to get free or do they stay trapped? What happens if they can’t get out? How will anyone find them?

Many questions and they all get answered within the pages of the book. We even get to learn much more about Edmund and Sir Horace. Things that we didn’t already know, things that help the storyline along!

I can’t wait to start the next book and see what adventure Araminta and Wanda will be going on! show less

Sparkling with originality, the spooky and funny tales of Araminta and co. are full of delightful twists and surprises. Readers of adventure, magic and mystery will gobble these up.

I was not disappointed by this book at all. Though it was a quick read it was also a really cute story. I enjoy the dynamic between the members of the house much more with the addition of the Wizzard family. I'm looking forward to reading the next book very soon

Reviewed by MF

I read a book called Araminta Spookie 2: The Sword in the Grotto. The author is Angie Sage. The story is about Wanda and Araminta finding a sword for Sir Horace’s birthday. Wanda is interesting because she is crazy! Uncle Drac is Araminta’s Uncle. The funniest part of the story is when Uncle Drac fell out of his sleeping bag and squished his friend Big Bat. I liked the character Sir Horace because he is a ghost and a knight. I would recommend this book because it has a lot of details and a good ending. I would give this book a score of 10 out of 10.

Reviewed by SI

I read the book Araminta Spookie 2: The Sword in the Grotto by Angie Sage. This book is about two girls, Wanda and Araminta, who need to find a present for Sir show more Horace’s five hundredth birthday. They found what they want to give him, but a portcullis trapped them. This story took place in a cave and a haunted house. The eight characters in the house include ghosts and wizards. My favorite character is Edmund, who is a ghost. I like him because he is brave and helpful. Funny things happened like Uncle Drac falling out of his bedroom. I recommend this book because it is funny and gives many details. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would give this book an 8. show less