The Crystal City

"The Crystal City" is a fabulous story about William and Maggie, an intrepid brother and sister duo from a space colony that settle onto a new planet. The constellations are sentient beings and have an alliance with William, who calls on them with a sword given to him by the constellations. On the new planet, they meet an alien race of spider type creatures who use scent to communicate. The spider-beasts help save them from an evil within as an ambitious colonist attempts to gain power by using the spider-beasts--one way or another.This story, written by Nancy Etchemendy (a wonderfully witty and cool author, who continuously writes believable characters), is aces. I highly recommend it for all youngsters--and even adults, given that I STILL greatly enjoy this book after all these years since it's debut in 1985.