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Underworld Chronicles #2
Elliot and the Pixie Plot
Elliot thought Goblins were scary―until he gets caught in a fight between the Fairies and a Pixie Princess An entire floor of St. Phobics Hospital for Really Scared Children has been set aside just for readers of this book. You may wish to take a minute before you start reading and reserve yourself a bed there. As you read, you may begin to understand myctophobia (mic-tofo-be-a), or the fear of darkness. However, do not expect this book to help you with arachibutyrophobia (a-rak-i-something-be-a), the fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth. If you can't get yourself to St. Phobics, then get every lamp, flashlight, and lantern you can find and drag them into your bedroom. Turn them all on. You'll need them until you're certain there is nothing lurking in the dark. At least, that's what Elliot wishes he had done.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2011
6 people are currently reading
684 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer A. Nielsen
53 books9,426 followersJennifer lives at the base of a very tall mountain in Northern Utah with her husband, three children, and a naughty puppy. She loves the smell of rainy days, hot chocolate, and old books, preferably all at once. She is a former speech teacher, theater director, and enjoyed a brief but disastrous career as a door-to-door pollster. In her spare time, Jennifer tends to panic, wondering what she has forgotten to do that has allowed her any spare time.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
January 21, 2013
In Jennifer Nielsen's follow-up to Elliot and the Goblin War, Elliot Penster must once again prove himself worthy of his title, King of the Brownies.
Written with in the same silly and lighthearted style, Elliot and the Pixie Plot brings back several characters besides Elliot, including: Fudd Fartwick, Patches, Grissel, Mr. Willimaker, Tubs and Elliot's entire family. The story also introduces a few new characters including: the shapeshifter - Harold; the evil demon - Kovol; a pixie princess named Fidget Spitfly; and Elliot's almost-but-not-quite love interest - Cambria Dawn Wortson (Cami for short).
If you enjoyed the first book, you are bound to enjoy the second. Though I will add I wasn't as "WOW'd" by the second book. Maybe the narrator's frequent interaction with the reader, or the exaggerated silliness, which felt both fresh and clever in the first book, got a little tired by the second.
However, I'm not sure this would be the case with the book's target audience, the 9-12 year-old age group.
Overall, this was a clever book, with several laugh out loud moments. The characters are fun and the protagonist Elliot is still hopelessly dorky, yet profoundly likable. I particularly enjoyed the addition of Harold's character. If you are a fan of children's literature, this is a book that you will enjoy reading to the kids, or reading alone.
Written with in the same silly and lighthearted style, Elliot and the Pixie Plot brings back several characters besides Elliot, including: Fudd Fartwick, Patches, Grissel, Mr. Willimaker, Tubs and Elliot's entire family. The story also introduces a few new characters including: the shapeshifter - Harold; the evil demon - Kovol; a pixie princess named Fidget Spitfly; and Elliot's almost-but-not-quite love interest - Cambria Dawn Wortson (Cami for short).
If you enjoyed the first book, you are bound to enjoy the second. Though I will add I wasn't as "WOW'd" by the second book. Maybe the narrator's frequent interaction with the reader, or the exaggerated silliness, which felt both fresh and clever in the first book, got a little tired by the second.
However, I'm not sure this would be the case with the book's target audience, the 9-12 year-old age group.
Overall, this was a clever book, with several laugh out loud moments. The characters are fun and the protagonist Elliot is still hopelessly dorky, yet profoundly likable. I particularly enjoyed the addition of Harold's character. If you are a fan of children's literature, this is a book that you will enjoy reading to the kids, or reading alone.
April 27, 2021
Loved this second book in the Underworld Chronicles! I highly recommend reading it out loud. Why? If you enjoy doing accents, there are two characters, a pixie and a fairy who happen to love a tv show called Surfer Girl, and you guessed it, they are "like totally cool." Way!
Elliot is a loveable 11 year old human boy who also happens to be crowned King of the Brownies. When he and his former bully are kidnapped by the Pixies, Elliot has to find a way to free himself and his friend. What's the price? He must get a certain item from an evil demon named Kovol. When the fairies find out about this they have their own demands. What follows is a fun, adventurous, funny journey through the underworld with shadowmen, pixies, fairies, brownies, and one scary demon.
Love these smartly written books that are perfect for kids aged 9 and up. Also love the fact that these books are intelligent and don't rely on a lot of potty humor. Excited to read the third book in the series!
Elliot is a loveable 11 year old human boy who also happens to be crowned King of the Brownies. When he and his former bully are kidnapped by the Pixies, Elliot has to find a way to free himself and his friend. What's the price? He must get a certain item from an evil demon named Kovol. When the fairies find out about this they have their own demands. What follows is a fun, adventurous, funny journey through the underworld with shadowmen, pixies, fairies, brownies, and one scary demon.
Love these smartly written books that are perfect for kids aged 9 and up. Also love the fact that these books are intelligent and don't rely on a lot of potty humor. Excited to read the third book in the series!
September 15, 2024
I think I liked this one less than the first. I'm finishing the series despite them not being exactly my type of books (a little too silly, even when I was kid I steered away from that) but I do enjoy the characters. While I loved the ending of this one, the middle plot was annoying to me (I get annoyed with feuding plots and I was also annoyed with him being forced to do things). But overall, it was pretty good and I know my kids will love it.
November 8, 2019
This one was much better than book 1. Except the way the fairies and pixies talked lol
Elliot had to go on a mission for a sock and hair that each group wanted to fight over a forest, but really Elliot just wanted to save his friends. The way trust was built and stuff was what made the story for me. Not bad.
Elliot had to go on a mission for a sock and hair that each group wanted to fight over a forest, but really Elliot just wanted to save his friends. The way trust was built and stuff was what made the story for me. Not bad.
September 3, 2017
I'm not sure if this book was less funny than the first one or if the novelty just wore off. There were still parts I found absolutely hilarious, I do really love the voice. But I also felt like there was more grossness in this one. I still enjoyed it, just not as much as the first.
October 30, 2018
Great for 5th and 6th grade readers. Funny and entertaining. I have loved having my 5th grader read this out loud to me.
February 20, 2025
Libby. Fun kids book. Fairies, Pixies Monsters in the Underworld where Elliot is King of the Brownies.
August 17, 2011
Have I mentioned how much I seriously love this growing series? If I haven't, permit me a moment to gush. Book 1 was fabulous, a reading gem to enjoy in beauty and form, and a wonderful addition to the children's literature arena. With its creative storyline, wonderful narrative style and illustrations to add just enough of a visual, the overall picture was one to behold.
When I heard book 2 was coming out, I pounced...well, not literally, but as soon as I saw it arrive in store, I had to read it. What I expected was an enjoyable jaunt with Elliot and friends in somewhat the same tone as the first time around; what I got was a vibrant story with a magical adventure just bursting at the seams with creativity. Yes my friends....it was as good as gold or even better.
This time around Elliot Penster, real world boy and yet king of the Brownies in the Underworld, has many problems on his hands. From the mundane to the migraine inducing, the real world is hard enough...let alone the life of a king. But a king he is and so he inherits the problems of his people and right now that problem is Grissel.
Grissel is the Goblin king currently imprisoned in the brownie jail...who will do anything to get out. ANYTHING. Like what you ask? Oh I don't know....how about having the fairies abduct your friends, the pixies abduct another close acquaintance, and then both of them make an unreasonable request in order for them to be returned unharmed. Yeah, he's desperate alright...but you would be too if you were fed chocolate cake all day with nothing the drink (well, you would be after a while at least). The release of this creature sounds easy, but in fact the last time he was out, many Brownies went from friendly little Underworldlings to appetizers, entrees, and desserts.
Suffice it to say, his chances of getting out by word of the king are slight...but it IS the Underworld and there are OTHER ways of getting him to agree. Can we say Kovol? (Who's that? Oye..you NEED to read book 1!) Yeah, a demon that's feared across the land...and Elliot's being sent to do what to him? ~rereads plot~ Oh boy. O_O. Guess it's a good thing he's asleep... ~gulp~
As the book warns you from the beginning, the middle and the end, prepare yourself to face your fears and if you're lucky, you just might avoid an extended stay at St. Phobics Hospital for Really Scared Children. (Yeah, I ended up cancelling my stay...so they TOTALLY have rooms available...) Don't get me wrong, it's state of the art, but I think I'll stick with the 3 hour tour....the 3 hour tour (sorry, couldn't resist).
Recommended reading for older children (8ish and up) through adults. It's a wonderful tale of adventure and magical creatures, you won't soon forget.
When I heard book 2 was coming out, I pounced...well, not literally, but as soon as I saw it arrive in store, I had to read it. What I expected was an enjoyable jaunt with Elliot and friends in somewhat the same tone as the first time around; what I got was a vibrant story with a magical adventure just bursting at the seams with creativity. Yes my friends....it was as good as gold or even better.
This time around Elliot Penster, real world boy and yet king of the Brownies in the Underworld, has many problems on his hands. From the mundane to the migraine inducing, the real world is hard enough...let alone the life of a king. But a king he is and so he inherits the problems of his people and right now that problem is Grissel.
Grissel is the Goblin king currently imprisoned in the brownie jail...who will do anything to get out. ANYTHING. Like what you ask? Oh I don't know....how about having the fairies abduct your friends, the pixies abduct another close acquaintance, and then both of them make an unreasonable request in order for them to be returned unharmed. Yeah, he's desperate alright...but you would be too if you were fed chocolate cake all day with nothing the drink (well, you would be after a while at least). The release of this creature sounds easy, but in fact the last time he was out, many Brownies went from friendly little Underworldlings to appetizers, entrees, and desserts.
Suffice it to say, his chances of getting out by word of the king are slight...but it IS the Underworld and there are OTHER ways of getting him to agree. Can we say Kovol? (Who's that? Oye..you NEED to read book 1!) Yeah, a demon that's feared across the land...and Elliot's being sent to do what to him? ~rereads plot~ Oh boy. O_O. Guess it's a good thing he's asleep... ~gulp~
As the book warns you from the beginning, the middle and the end, prepare yourself to face your fears and if you're lucky, you just might avoid an extended stay at St. Phobics Hospital for Really Scared Children. (Yeah, I ended up cancelling my stay...so they TOTALLY have rooms available...) Don't get me wrong, it's state of the art, but I think I'll stick with the 3 hour tour....the 3 hour tour (sorry, couldn't resist).
Recommended reading for older children (8ish and up) through adults. It's a wonderful tale of adventure and magical creatures, you won't soon forget.
September 6, 2011
As the second one in this series, this title is funny and fiesty like the first one. This time Elliot, now crowned King of the Brownies, has been paired up with Cambria on a science fair project, much to his dismay. However, before they can get very far, Elliot is approached by Mr. Willimaker who demands that Elliot release Grissel the Goblin, except that Mr. Willimaker doesn't seem like Mr. Willimaker. The next thing you know, Tubs and Elliot get "fairied" to the underworld. Elliot, wanting to help his friends, then goes on a dangerous quest get certain things from a very evil and dark creature. Told in a sarcastic, witty way, readers will laugh, worry and rejoice as the plot develops. Black and white line illustrations by Gideon Kendall highlight the wonderful expressions on the characters' faces. Although it is the second one in the series, readers need not fear. Nielsen writes, ..."if you haven't read it, don't worry. Neither has Elliot."
July 1, 2011
I have not read the first book in the series, but I found this book easy to read and follow. Jennifer keeps the action going in this book. I enjoyed the humor that flowed from one silly obstacle to the next as Elliot tries to meet the demands of the angry Pixies. This is a fun book to read and hard to put down, a real page turner. I enjoyed the Gripping Mud, surprisingly tasty turnip juice and a tingly invisibility potion gone wrong. Along the way in the journey Elliot learns how to navigate some different kinds of relationships and appreciate the better qualities in unlikely allies.
January 27, 2019
- The chapter names are fun.
- The story happens a few weeks after the first one ends.
- The "no pixies were hurt in the making of this book" bit at the front made me laugh.
- The wit and banter is really funny.
- All the stuff I liked in the first book are in this one. (Examples: Author talking to the reader, Illustrations, and Humor)
- I like that Elliot missed his family while he was away. His family is far from perfect, but it is his, and he missed them.
- Fun characters and fun story.
- This is another great read for younger audiences!
- The story happens a few weeks after the first one ends.
- The "no pixies were hurt in the making of this book" bit at the front made me laugh.
- The wit and banter is really funny.
- All the stuff I liked in the first book are in this one. (Examples: Author talking to the reader, Illustrations, and Humor)
- I like that Elliot missed his family while he was away. His family is far from perfect, but it is his, and he missed them.
- Fun characters and fun story.
- This is another great read for younger audiences!
September 10, 2016
Another fun adventure with Elliot! In this one, Elliot and the readers visit the Underworld as he is forced by the pixies and fairies to steal a sock and hair from the sleeping demon Kovol. Some new characters are introduced and readers are again laughing aloud at the humorous writing and illustrations. There are interesting facts as well (I learned about the muskox and was refreshed on the Mariana Trench) randomly throughout the story. I think this one was just as interesting and good as the first; I have already started on the third and final book.
August 19, 2011
Jennifer has turned out another fun book. I love that it picks up shortly after the first book ended. Again it is whimsical with enough seriousness and unexpected turns of events to keep me interested. Again she did a great job with the voice and those random bits of useless pieces of information. I especially loved how the science project becomes a major part of the story.
July 31, 2011
These are such fun books! Jennifer A. Nielsen keeps the narrative humorous, and Elliot is so likable. The comic danger keeps readers at the edge of their seats. I am looking forward to more adventures with Elliot.
Full review soon at www.mangamaniaccafe.com
Full review soon at www.mangamaniaccafe.com
November 15, 2014
I could see Jennifer's writing style appealing to a younger audience. She continues to pause the story throughout to inform the reader about one thing or another but less often than in the first book.
June 29, 2015
The action picks up where the first book left off.
Elliot is attempting to balance his duties as the new brownie king with being a normal eleven year old kid.
Gideon Kendall's black and white illustrations are funny and help with the plot.
Elliot is attempting to balance his duties as the new brownie king with being a normal eleven year old kid.
Gideon Kendall's black and white illustrations are funny and help with the plot.
October 30, 2011
Another fun, wacky, exciting book from the author. Kids should really enjoy the craziness!
January 27, 2013
The characterization is great, and I think Lemony Snickett fans will like this book. It is much more upbeat, which I liked.
June 9, 2012
Loved it as much as the first and so did my students.
June 17, 2012
it was totally awesome
May 23, 2013
Darling second book in this series. My son and I can't wait to start the third! We love reading it out loud.
October 2, 2013
Elliot continues his adventures with the underworld as the pixies and fairies place their demands upon him.
August 12, 2014
Just as cute as the first book! I really enjoy Jennifer A. Nielsen books!
February 18, 2015
Elliot met a shape shifter! The shape shifter's name was Harold.Elliot was kidnapped by pixies. The pixies made him get a hair from Kovel. Kovel is a demon - the most powerful demon!
June 3, 2015
fun second book in the series! entertaining for my boys!
May 26, 2015
Good second book. Again, the younger kids would enjoy reading this.
*No Favorite Passage*
*No Favorite Passage*
August 1, 2012
cheesy rip off of the Spiderwick chronicles. short and rather boring.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews