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The Basilisk’s Lair
(Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist #2)
by
Nate Fludd, Beastologist, is back in the camel saddle in hot pursuit of a missing, deadly Basilisk--the King of Serpents. As if saving an entire Dhughani village from the Basilisk's poisonous gaze isn't difficult enough, Nate and Aunt Phil must begin to piece together the mystery of his parents' disappearance and protect the lone copy of the "Fludd Book of Beasts" from a s
...more
Hardcover, 150 pages
Published
June 7th 2010
by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
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Start your review of The Basilisk’s Lair (Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist, #2)

This, Book II, is another fun adventure in the life of Nathaniel Fludd. This book picks up almost immediately after the end of the last book, and sends Nathaniel through the Sahara to small village in the hills in order to track down an escaped Basilisk.
I still love the characters and the details about the creatures Nathaniel encounters. The bond here between Nathaniel and Greasle grows, and Aunt Phil is in the book quite a bit more, too.
I'm afraid this book didn't contain quite the same charm a ...more
I still love the characters and the details about the creatures Nathaniel encounters. The bond here between Nathaniel and Greasle grows, and Aunt Phil is in the book quite a bit more, too.
I'm afraid this book didn't contain quite the same charm a ...more

This book focuses on another mythical creature, the basilisk, and the damage it could do if it’s not caught. The beast is kept in a cave, watched over by the people of a remote village who’ve made a deal with it and Nate and company must find out how it escaped.
Nate gets to use his drawing skills in this book and has learned how they can help him in his adventures. Once again, much of the travel is glossed over, which is fine by me. The characters get to where they need to be quick so they can s ...more
Nate gets to use his drawing skills in this book and has learned how they can help him in his adventures. Once again, much of the travel is glossed over, which is fine by me. The characters get to where they need to be quick so they can s ...more

"The truth was, he approached animals like he wished people would approach him. Well, except for the sniffing part."
I liked it. It's fast-paced, full of adventure and travelling. ...more
I liked it. It's fast-paced, full of adventure and travelling. ...more

I did the mistake of reading the second book instead of the first book. I came across this book, hidden in my closet. It was another one of those books I bought from a Book Fair back in elementary school solely because I liked the cover. I never read it until now.
What I liked about this book is that I didn’t have to read the first one to understand what was going on. Sure, I wasn’t properly introduced to the characters nor did I really understand how their relationship with each other started, ...more
What I liked about this book is that I didn’t have to read the first one to understand what was going on. Sure, I wasn’t properly introduced to the characters nor did I really understand how their relationship with each other started, ...more

This book is a wonderful tale of the further adventures of Nate, his Aunt Phil and his best friend Greasle the Gremlin. Nate just recently learned that he comes from a long line of Beastologists who travel the world protecting rare beasts such as Phoenixes, Griffins, Unicorns, Dodo Birds and many others.
Nate and his Aunt Phil find themselves on a journey to Africa to learn about a Basilisk which is supposed to be a fairly safe observation but things don't go quite as planned and the beast has s ...more
Nate and his Aunt Phil find themselves on a journey to Africa to learn about a Basilisk which is supposed to be a fairly safe observation but things don't go quite as planned and the beast has s ...more

This is clearly a children's story, a chapter book for whatever age group that is. I love magical creatures, the paranormal, science fiction, fantasy and I don;t really care what age group it is aimed at as long as it is entertaining and well-written and that is true for all of the books in this series that are in my local library.
If you love Harry Potter, you will probably love these and might enjoy reading them to kids.
Trigger warning: Nathaniel finds out her is an orphan in the first chapter ...more
If you love Harry Potter, you will probably love these and might enjoy reading them to kids.
Trigger warning: Nathaniel finds out her is an orphan in the first chapter ...more

Aug 29, 2018
Carmen
rated it
it was amazing
Recommends it for:
Anyone who likes a good myth
Recommended to Carmen by:
Mrs. Kurtzi
Shelves:
carmen-s
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.

Nate can't believe it... they're lost. And it's all his fault. Aunt Phil relied on him to get them back to the plane with the compass she entrusted to him and he goes and gets them lost. But his navigation lessons are cut short by a band of men on the horizon. There is a telegram for Aunt Phil from Bamanko. The Basilisk has escaped! They are on the move again, but Nate feels not just the hesitation steaming from the fact he feels incompetent, but from the fact that the Basilisk, unlike the Phoen
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September 1928. Nate accompanies intrepid Aunt Phil, insists on keeping small gremlin Greasle, named for her oil hunger. Phil pilots to Sudan West Africa, Cairo for fuel, then Bamako, on camel to remote village where basilisk escaped, now leaves trail of venom destruction heading to Niger River, where poison would spread far by water.
Here weasels tease and distract monster, part of Nate's plan to conquer. Conveniently, Nate remembers what he needs from The Book of Beasts. After "droplets of poi ...more
Here weasels tease and distract monster, part of Nate's plan to conquer. Conveniently, Nate remembers what he needs from The Book of Beasts. After "droplets of poi ...more

Liam and I have been loving this series. Can't wait to read the next one!
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Nate Fludd, Beastologist in training, has just barely recovered from his adventure protecting the Phoenix egg and rescuing Aunt Phil from the Bedouin when adventure once again comes knocking while Nate is struggling with his (lacking) navigation skills. A basilisk, the King of the Serpents, is loose and must be contained before he destroys a Dhughani village and poisons the entire region's water supply.
Nate would much rather return to London with his new pet/friend Greasle the Gremlin than trek ...more
Nate would much rather return to London with his new pet/friend Greasle the Gremlin than trek ...more

Nov 02, 2009
Jennifer Wardrip
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
trt-posted-reviews,
read-by-other-reviewers
Reviewed by Joan Stradling for TeensReadToo.com
After saving the Phoenix from extinction, ten-year-old Nate continues his adventures with his Aunt Phil. This time they're headed to Africa to investigate the escape of a basilisk. Nate is supposed to "watch and learn" as his aunt deals with this dangerous and deadly beast that can kill with just a look.
Unfortunately, things tend to go wrong when Nate and his best friend, Greasle (a gremlin), are around. Things won't be easy, especially when it seem ...more
After saving the Phoenix from extinction, ten-year-old Nate continues his adventures with his Aunt Phil. This time they're headed to Africa to investigate the escape of a basilisk. Nate is supposed to "watch and learn" as his aunt deals with this dangerous and deadly beast that can kill with just a look.
Unfortunately, things tend to go wrong when Nate and his best friend, Greasle (a gremlin), are around. Things won't be easy, especially when it seem ...more

This is book two of the continuing saga of Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist!
You may remember from the first book Flight of the Phoenix (Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist, Book I) Nathaniel Fludd is a beastologist in training - learning at the hands of his quirky Aunt Phil. Unfortunately it appears that the first book was not a fluke and it looks like Aunt Phil favors the "learn by doing" method. So in book two The Basilisk's Lair (Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist, Book 2) she drags the young boy beastolog ...more
You may remember from the first book Flight of the Phoenix (Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist, Book I) Nathaniel Fludd is a beastologist in training - learning at the hands of his quirky Aunt Phil. Unfortunately it appears that the first book was not a fluke and it looks like Aunt Phil favors the "learn by doing" method. So in book two The Basilisk's Lair (Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist, Book 2) she drags the young boy beastolog ...more

This is the second book in the Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist series. Overall I enjoyed it, although it is a pretty short book meant for younger readers.
Right on the heels of his first adventure with the Phoenix, Nathaniel is spirited away by his Aunt to help capture a Basilisk that has gone astray.
This book is very short, would probably take an adult 20-30 minutes to read, but is very readable and enjoyable. There are nice pictures throughout so children just starting chapter books would be a go ...more
Right on the heels of his first adventure with the Phoenix, Nathaniel is spirited away by his Aunt to help capture a Basilisk that has gone astray.
This book is very short, would probably take an adult 20-30 minutes to read, but is very readable and enjoyable. There are nice pictures throughout so children just starting chapter books would be a go ...more

I really like this series because it is just right for those children who really, really want to read a fantasy but just can't take on the challenge of a book that's three inches thick. Nathaniel Fludd is an apprentice beastologist, a position he has not gotten because of desire for the job. No, Nathaniel's parents are gone and Aunt Phil, herself a beastologist, has taken on rearing and training Nathaniel to take on the familial responsibility. Now he finds himself reluctantly accompanying Aunt
...more

After saving a phoenix egg, Nathaniel Fludd is off on another adventure to see a basilisk. Unfortunately, Nate looks in his aunt's Book of Beasts and learns that a basilisk is extremely dangerous. He tries to suggest that he should stay behind, but Aunt Phil will have none of that.
This seems to be a good series for boys who've maybe grown out of the Magic Tree House or who liked the Secrets of Droon series. I picked it up for my 8 year old daughter who enjoyed the Magic Tree House books, but is ...more
This seems to be a good series for boys who've maybe grown out of the Magic Tree House or who liked the Secrets of Droon series. I picked it up for my 8 year old daughter who enjoyed the Magic Tree House books, but is ...more

Apparently I must really need to read the first one and then give this one another shot. It averages four stars? Don't get me wrong. I love the author. Theodosia is one of my favorite characters.
I just couldn't help feeling that a lot of the story was sacrificed for brevity in a way that left me wanting. I don't necessarily think that is the way to make a fantasy story for a middle reader. Could I have done any better? No. I do know that. I just know I left this one wanting ... and the story pre ...more
I just couldn't help feeling that a lot of the story was sacrificed for brevity in a way that left me wanting. I don't necessarily think that is the way to make a fantasy story for a middle reader. Could I have done any better? No. I do know that. I just know I left this one wanting ... and the story pre ...more

This series is wonderful! (LOVERS OF MYTHICAL CREATURES, GO AND SUPPORT THIS SERIES!) I really REALLY like this story about a basilisk, it was actually pretty scary for a kids book! When (view spoiler) my jaw literally dropped and my mind screamed, "THIS IS NOT THE WAY A CHILDREN'S BOOK SHOULD END!" Well, I knew it wouldn't REALLY end that way, but still. It certainly caught me by surprise, and I loved every moment of it.
This story is very, ...more
This story is very, ...more

The kids and I really enjoyed this second book in the series and can't wait for the third! We hope she writes a lot more. But we sure don't like the waiting in between. I guess that's why it can be better to read a series that is already written, instead of one that is a work in progress!
Samantha was trying to explain to Mikey the other night how I won an Advanced Readers Copy from the author. She told him, "Guess what? We get to read it before everyone else! It isn't even for sale yet!" He tur ...more
Samantha was trying to explain to Mikey the other night how I won an Advanced Readers Copy from the author. She told him, "Guess what? We get to read it before everyone else! It isn't even for sale yet!" He tur ...more

Another adventure of beastologist, Nathaniel Fludd!
Right after the saving the pheonix, aunt phill found out the basilisk, king of serpent, is missing! Of course as beastologist, they have to save it. What's more they have to save the Dhugani village from it. Basilisk as we all know is deadly.
In case you are wondering, this is what a basilisk look like
It look like part snake part cockerel which it exactly is. ...more
Right after the saving the pheonix, aunt phill found out the basilisk, king of serpent, is missing! Of course as beastologist, they have to save it. What's more they have to save the Dhugani village from it. Basilisk as we all know is deadly.
In case you are wondering, this is what a basilisk look like

It look like part snake part cockerel which it exactly is. ...more

These books are such great fun to read. Straightforward adventure without trying so hard to be complicated and overwrought as many middle-grade fantasies do nowadays. The characters are loveable (Greasle is one of my all time favorite sidekicks - in my head she sounds like Eliza Doolittle). these books are perfect for a quick read while you sit on the patio, your favorite shady spot in the backyard, your your comfortable reading chair. Perfect adventure without taking hardly more than an hour ou
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I read first book in this series of chapter books awhile back and so when I saw it at the library decided to check out the second book. This one continues the theme and style of the series: new mythological beast presents new challenge; Nathaniel is not sure he is up to it; but in the end he finds a way.
Cute and well packaged series but not enough suspense of imagination for me to continue to read but recommended for age appropriate readers. (Grade 3–5)
Cute and well packaged series but not enough suspense of imagination for me to continue to read but recommended for age appropriate readers. (Grade 3–5)

This sequel to the Beastologist series does not disappoint. In this story, Nathaniel is on the hunt for a basilik. Nathaniel once again finds himself in an excited world that blends monsters and mythology while showcasing the beauty of exotic places around the globe. This book is a great new chapter book for readers that are looking for an exciting adventure. Any fledgling fantasy readers will enjoy. Recommended for young elementary readers and anyone just starting to read chapter books.

Nathaniel Fludd is turning out to be a Beastologist that honors his family lineage. In this adventure Nate, Aunt Phil and his small gremlin friend Greasle travel to Niger to return a rare basilisk back to his/her lair. Dangerous beast these creatures are, but no match for Nathaniel Fludd. Sadly this book brought the reader no closer to find out the questions that were left in book one... holding hopes that book three has answers as well as adventures.

Another quick and compelling read about Nate Fludd. This time, his adventures take him to save an entire Dhughani village from a Basilisk. His gremlin friend, Greasle, makes herself useful once again. The main protagonists of Nate, Greasle, and Aunt Phil are endearing...and the mystery behind the disappearance of Nate's parents keep the series going. I can definitely see my youngest children reading these books and being delighted with them.
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A mash up of 1920s adventurers and mythical creatures complete with a high-flying aviatrix for an aunt, it's as fun as the first book, with a more dangerous task. I would still recommended it to young readers, though it irked me a bit that Nathaniel Fludd was experiencing a rehashing of his clash with fear without truly developing from the previous adventure. Kids will still love it, and want to read more.
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R.L. LaFevers (Robin Lorraine when she’s in really big trouble) grew up surrounded by shelves of old dusty books and a passel of brothers. She has also spent a large portion of her life being told she was making up things that weren’t there, which only proves she was destined to write fiction. She is the author of over fourteen books for young readers, including THEODOSIA AND THE SERPENTS OF CHAOS
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