The Nixie’s Song by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi is the first book in the sequel series to The Spiderwick Chronicles. It brings back the magic, mystery, and fae creatures—but does it go too far with its tone?

In this episode of Fortress Fiction, I explore what worked, what didn’t, and why one jarring insult nearly pulled the whole story apart for me. I also talk about how the book handles character growth and whether it's a good fit for young readers.

SHOW NOTES - https://mjmunoz.com/2025/08/07/ff18/

What I cover:

– Nick’s arc and the story’s potential

– The infamous “Lard Mass” moment

– What makes a book belong in Fortress Fiction

– How this compares to Mockwing Mayhem, my own creature-led fantasy

Mockwing Mayhem is available now -

Stick around at the end for a special trailer—and don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe.

#SpiderwickChronicles #BookReview #MiddleGradeFantasy #FortressFiction #MockwingMayhem