Another story from that master of fantasy, Diana Wynne Jones. By turns humorous, frightening, and thought-provoking, Jones writes clearly, imaginatively, with carefully plotted themes and very beliveable characters. This book is about a blended family, which is not blending very well. The ogre downstairs (step-dad) knows he has to do something and what he does goes way beyond what the reader ever expected. Mousy dustballs caper about, sisters dwindle, motor-cycle gang type demons pop out of the pavement and the two sets of siblings have to learn to cope, and while coping, appreciate each other.

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