I saw the film before reading the book, and that might've tainted my reviews a little (though book/movie contrasts don't bother me, as they are different genres). Most of the film came from book 1 and 5, maybe a chapter or so from book 3. This last book was very different than the ending of the movie, - I would have loved to see the junkyard castle, etc., in the movie.

Anyhow.

The defeat of Mulgrarath is about as anti-climactic as in the film, but it's still pretty funny. ;)

I was surprised that the end of the story left me wanting so much more - Perhapse I should check out the "Beyond Spiderwick" series?

This was a series carried by plot - a fantastic, innovative idea, but the middle felt uncertain. I would still recommend it, but I probably won't read it again.