The five Witches of Wadingburn find themselves the unwilling hosts to Truda Hangnail, a Deep Magic witch who quickly shrinks the good witches to the size and appearance of rats. Little Loobly, an orphaned assistant, is the only one to escape Truda and run for help.
Gracie Gillypot, also an orphan, is aware that evil has entered the kingdom and sets out to find it, but she soon takes the place of the missing Loobly in the prison-like orphanage and must rely on her friends to rescue her and stop Truda from ruling the kingdom.

Yes, this book has talking rats and bats and witches and a troll. It also has a prominent character that has a very low IQ, possibly meant as brain damaged. This is the second book of a trilogy, and I consider French an imaginative writer rather than a great one. There are sentences that fall with a thud, but overall this is a story that entertains. I do have to say how much the character of Marlon the bat irritates me. It occurred to me that he may be meant to be American (the author is Scottish). He speaks in a combination of 40's movie gangster and 80's teen slang while constantly calling everyone "kiddo". So. Annoying. ( )

This is a marvelously gothic gem of a book. I bought it a couple years ago, I think the title and description appealed to me, and tossed it on the shelf and that was it. Until I saw a very enticing blog review of it (sorry, I forgot where. I tend to forget things like that) and decided to read it for myself. It was deliciously creepy, delightfully wicked, and tartly sweet. We begin with the Lady Lamorna, a wicked sorceress, who has decided she needs a new dress - and not just any new dress, a marvelous new dress decorated with skulls. Unfortunately, even a powerful sorceress needs money when she's going to buy a marvelous velvet dress with skulls from the Ancient Crones. Enter a wicked plan, complete with princes and frogs, an abused but courageous Trueheart, and a very wicked stepsister indeed. Every sentence of this story is perfectly crafted and perfectly positioned to create an amusingly creepy story with a satisfying ending and memorable characters.

and then there just had to be a sequel. *mutter* remember what I said earlier about my desire to whap people over the heads with their sequels? Well, this one falls into whapping category. There's no growth in the main characters, just additions of quirky but unmemorable characters to the cast. There's a different plot, but the ending is too pat and the main characters from Robe feel like they're there for the series, not to perform any specific role. It feels as though the author tried to recreate the magic of Robe of Skulls, but it just didn't work.

and now I'm grumpy. Whap!

Verdict: I will happily recommend Robe to all and sundry, but I don't plan to continue the series.

Robe of skulls
ISBN: 978-0763635312; Published July 2008 by Candlewick; Borrowed from the library; Purchased for the library

Bag of bones
ISBN: 076364255X; Published July 2009 by Candlewick; Borrowed from the library

This is the second book in a series that takes place in the Five Kingdoms. Witches are commonplace but only do good magic that provide cures. Witches who live outside of the Five Kingdoms can perform Deep Magic which is done for selfish or vengeful reasons. Deep Magic has been outlawed within the borders of the Five Kingdoms. Deep Magic witches, werewolves and sorcerers were banished years before this story takes place.

Queen Bluebell is ready to announce the female heir to the kingdom but her daughter ran off while still young. Only a male baby with one of her royal shoes was ever found. Meanwhile, a witch who performs Deep Magic has crossed into the Five Kingdoms decides she wants to be named the next heir.

This book has rats, bats, a troll and orphans. The black and white drawings add to the story. This book is geared towards young adults and I would have enjoyed it more if I were closer in age to the intended audience. It has humor to lighten things up. This is heavily plotted with enough character development to get the reader to like or dislike some characters. My favorite books make me feel something for the characters too. ( )