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samanthas92's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
good read but kept waiting for the twist at the end that never came
sydglove13's review against another edition
5.0
Though I read this when I was much younger, I still remember the dark and compelling story. I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery and I hope to read it again now that I'm older
aeoliandeductress's review against another edition
4.0
This book kept me intrigued and was super creepy given the age range it was geared towards. However there were a few story pieces that weren't handled to my satisfaction. Eve and Jacob were fascinating characters but didn't make sufficient appearances for their ultimate role in my view. One child's death was left out which just felt awkward. Some language choices were meh. But it was overall a well-crafted and well-designed tale. Just expect it to potentially have these few irksome details. In fact, I think they are irksome only specifically BECAUSE it was otherwise so well-done.
breadhag's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
3.75
moxiereads's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted this book to be good. Yes it's YA, but I tend to like YA books, so that's not the issue.
The sentence structure was strange. Random capitalization and sentences that weren't complete were there from page 1.
The twist was completely predictable if you were paying attention. Plus the poem that was repeated about 12 times was unnecessary.
Both of the main children were annoying and the dad was such a mess. Plus the son getting "disgusted" when he heard his dad crying was extremely off-putting.
The worst part was the inclusion that the owner's son was autistic and that was his only personality trait. It felt incredibly gross for the main character to keep getting annoyed that this children wouldn't make eye contact when that was his ONLY GIVEN PERSONALITY!
Overall I don't suggest this. Thankfully it was fairly short so I didn't DNR, but I very nearly did.
The sentence structure was strange. Random capitalization and sentences that weren't complete were there from page 1.
The twist was completely predictable if you were paying attention. Plus the poem that was repeated about 12 times was unnecessary.
Both of the main children were annoying and the dad was such a mess. Plus the son getting "disgusted" when he heard his dad crying was extremely off-putting.
The worst part was the inclusion that the owner's son was autistic and that was his only personality trait. It felt incredibly gross for the main character to keep getting annoyed that this children wouldn't make eye contact when that was his ONLY GIVEN PERSONALITY!
Overall I don't suggest this. Thankfully it was fairly short so I didn't DNR, but I very nearly did.
sarahanne8382's review against another edition
3.0
Jim, his father, and his younger sister Sally are trying to start their lives over after the death of Jim and Sally's mother. When Jim's father gets a job as the head gardener at Minerva Hall, it seems like the opportunity they've all been looking for. But soon Jim starts seeing and hearing strange things and learns that several of the children of previous Minerva generations have died in horrible accidents, and time is running out for him to save this generation.
It took me awhile to get into this solid middle grade ghost story, but eventually it got too creepy for bedtime reading and I ended up finishing the second half of the book in one sitting so I didn't have to go to bed so unsettled. In addition to a ghost story that brought back memories of my own Mary Downing Hahn phase, the story also deals with loss, with each of the members of Jim's family dealing with the loss of Jim's mom in a different way.
It took me awhile to get into this solid middle grade ghost story, but eventually it got too creepy for bedtime reading and I ended up finishing the second half of the book in one sitting so I didn't have to go to bed so unsettled. In addition to a ghost story that brought back memories of my own Mary Downing Hahn phase, the story also deals with loss, with each of the members of Jim's family dealing with the loss of Jim's mom in a different way.
gbliss's review against another edition
4.0
Codes. Prophecies. Symbols. Mysterious passageways. And a moody, atmospheric setting.
All the details combine for a fun and suspenseful tale with just the right amount of fright and fear.
Parts of the story appear purpose-built to serve the constraints and needs of the plot, but this will not prevent most readers from enjoying this good addition to middle grade horror and mystery.
All the details combine for a fun and suspenseful tale with just the right amount of fright and fear.
Parts of the story appear purpose-built to serve the constraints and needs of the plot, but this will not prevent most readers from enjoying this good addition to middle grade horror and mystery.