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posies23's review against another edition
4.0
The last of the novels that John Bellairs finished before his untimely death, THE MANSION IN THE MIST really showcases the strengths and weakness of Bellairs as a writer.
This book features Anthony Monday, his librarian friend Miss Eells, and her brother, Emerson setting off for a quiet Summer vacation. As one would expect, it isn't actually very quiet, as Emerson reveals that their vacation destination was the site of some mysterious happenings, including the disappearance of three tourists. Things get creepy, and Anthony, Miss Eells, and Emerson eventually find themselves working to save the world from other-dimensional evildoers.
As usual, Bellairs is great when it comes to creating mood and setting. His prose is effortless, and filled with strong imagery and memorable moments. But, Bellairs's weak spots are also here: plot developments that come out of nowhere, weak characterization, and an over-reliance on coincidence.
But, really, Bellairs's books occupy their own unique universe -- lodged firmly between Roald Dahl, HP Lovecraft, and Stephen King, his books are scary and tap into adolescent fears and feelings, they are creepy without being terrifying, and everything mostly works out for the best, at least for most folks.
I started reading the Bellairs books two-and-a-half years ago, and I've found them to be entertaining and worthwhile. Some are better than others, but each had something unique enough to make it worth the time and effort. It's a shame he didn't get a chance to write more, because his voice was one worth seeking out.
This book features Anthony Monday, his librarian friend Miss Eells, and her brother, Emerson setting off for a quiet Summer vacation. As one would expect, it isn't actually very quiet, as Emerson reveals that their vacation destination was the site of some mysterious happenings, including the disappearance of three tourists. Things get creepy, and Anthony, Miss Eells, and Emerson eventually find themselves working to save the world from other-dimensional evildoers.
As usual, Bellairs is great when it comes to creating mood and setting. His prose is effortless, and filled with strong imagery and memorable moments. But, Bellairs's weak spots are also here: plot developments that come out of nowhere, weak characterization, and an over-reliance on coincidence.
But, really, Bellairs's books occupy their own unique universe -- lodged firmly between Roald Dahl, HP Lovecraft, and Stephen King, his books are scary and tap into adolescent fears and feelings, they are creepy without being terrifying, and everything mostly works out for the best, at least for most folks.
I started reading the Bellairs books two-and-a-half years ago, and I've found them to be entertaining and worthwhile. Some are better than others, but each had something unique enough to make it worth the time and effort. It's a shame he didn't get a chance to write more, because his voice was one worth seeking out.
bookjerm's review against another edition
2.0
This was a recommendation by a close friend. It was good, but I probably won’t remember much about it. I love that a librarian could be such close friends with a 12 year old. I feel like this book is trying to do what John Connolly’s The Gates did much better.
novelesque_life's review against another edition
1.0
3 STARS
"A new Gothic horror story for middle readers from the author of The Letter, the Witch, and the Ring. Summer vacation soon turns to terror at a house on a desolate island when Anthony finds a magic trunk that transports him and his friends to a parallel world, where a maniacal group has a deadly plan." (From Amazon)
A great mystery paranormal children's novel.
"A new Gothic horror story for middle readers from the author of The Letter, the Witch, and the Ring. Summer vacation soon turns to terror at a house on a desolate island when Anthony finds a magic trunk that transports him and his friends to a parallel world, where a maniacal group has a deadly plan." (From Amazon)
A great mystery paranormal children's novel.
calistareads's review against another edition
5.0
Wow! I loved this book. This book was published in 1992 and John Bellairs died in 1993 so this is one of the last completed novels he wrote. Anthony Monday was the first series he started and he added this on at the end.
I thought this was a great book. It might be my favorite Anthony Monday book of the 4. I had so much fun reading it and I loved the creepy, gothic feel to it. It's a portal fantasy. This time, Anthony and company are at a remote cabin in Canada for the summer and they find a truck that transports them to another world, a dangerous creepy world.
John Bellairs does tone and setting so well. I love it. This is it, the last book that John had any thing to do with that I have no read. I've completed my goal and read them all. They have been delightful and I only wish I would have read them all when I was young and enjoyed them more. John Bellairs is an underrated treasure.
I thought the mansion was super creepy and being out in the middle of nowhere added to the feeling of isolation and being on your own.
I am working on my niece and nephew reading this, but so far, they have not bitten.
I thought this was a great book. It might be my favorite Anthony Monday book of the 4. I had so much fun reading it and I loved the creepy, gothic feel to it. It's a portal fantasy. This time, Anthony and company are at a remote cabin in Canada for the summer and they find a truck that transports them to another world, a dangerous creepy world.
John Bellairs does tone and setting so well. I love it. This is it, the last book that John had any thing to do with that I have no read. I've completed my goal and read them all. They have been delightful and I only wish I would have read them all when I was young and enjoyed them more. John Bellairs is an underrated treasure.
I thought the mansion was super creepy and being out in the middle of nowhere added to the feeling of isolation and being on your own.
I am working on my niece and nephew reading this, but so far, they have not bitten.
sharonskinner's review against another edition
2.0
Odd little book. Interesting set up, but I didn't really connect with the characters, at all. In fact, they were more like caricatures than characters. I winder if that was what the author intended?
theybedax's review against another edition
4.0
This creepy, atmospheric novel was full of hi jinks and danger! While it was never a super scary story you could feel the tension on every page; wondering if there was a man in a robe about to disintegrate your very being.
mixxie67's review against another edition
1.0
Not his best. Not at all scary and badly edited. There is far too much 'telling' and not enough 'showing'. I had to wonder how a passage like this following get by his editor?
"When Miss Eells, Anthony, and Emerson came to, they felt very dizzy and scared to death."
After a quick google search I discovered Bellairs died in '91. This was published in '92. I guess it was an unfinished manuscript hastily cobbled together for print. Too bad as it could have been good. I noticed that "The Secret of the Underground Room" was published in '90 and that one was plenty creepy with all the characteristic Bellairs charm. It's good to know he had not lost his touch with age.
"When Miss Eells, Anthony, and Emerson came to, they felt very dizzy and scared to death."
After a quick google search I discovered Bellairs died in '91. This was published in '92. I guess it was an unfinished manuscript hastily cobbled together for print. Too bad as it could have been good. I noticed that "The Secret of the Underground Room" was published in '90 and that one was plenty creepy with all the characteristic Bellairs charm. It's good to know he had not lost his touch with age.
estefanyb's review against another edition
3.0
It was entertaining. Not too much story build up, as you can expect in a short book like this. It all happens so fast and makes you roll your eyes a lot :P.