THE NIXIE'S SONG (Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black) - April 21/08

This first installment of the three-book Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles is as entertaining as one might've expected, though the family issues at the story's core are occasionally a little on the heavy-handed side. Still, it's hard not to get caught up in the adventure and the surprisingly grim finale (that mysterious black guy shows up and finishes off the giant with a machete) does leave one itching for the next installment. *** out of ****