leahsharp's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
pinkalpaca's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent and Child death
treebark's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
elizadambrosio's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
karen_the_baroness's review
4.0
Greenglass House by Kate Milford is set during the winter vacation at a beautiful inn with many stained glass windows. We also have a bunch of guests popping up all over the place.
Will the Pines keep all the guests happy this winter?
The Pine Family
The Pine family consists of Nora, Ben, and Milo Pine. Nora has lived in Greenglass House since she was twelve when her parents bought it. Her family decided to turn the house into an Inn that many people have used. Let them be law-abiding citizens who just need a place to stay or smugglers. The smugglers who use the house only come during a particular season, and that's the way it has always been. While Nora was living there, she met Ben, and the two, as some would say, lived happily ever after. They are married and end up with the Inn when Nora's parents hand it off to them to be run by a young couple.
Nora and Ben decided to adopt a child out of the goodness of their hearts. That child is Milo, and he has been with them since he was a baby. The happy couple is happy to have a child run around the house and keep their guests on their toes. Milo is now twelve years old and does whatever his parents need him to do on their on-season but not off-season. Winter is usually their off-season since not many people would dare go to them as there aren't many different ways to get to the Inn. The fact that they ended up with five people this winter vacation didn't bode well for poor Milo.
The way that Ms. Milford wrote this family dynamic between the three of them was well executed. I loved how the three of them were intuned to what the other one of them needed. For example, Milo knows he must talk and be present with Nora. I love the little competition that the two of them do with their guests. Except when Milo was with Ben, Milo knew that Ben liked the silence, and just a head nod was all the acknowledgment that Milo needed to give at the time.
The Mystery
Milo is just starting his winter vacation right after finishing his homework when the guest bell rings throughout the night. They had an empty house with just the three of them, and then out of nowhere, five guests showed up, all wanting to stay during the holiday. Almost all of them had something to do with the house somehow, and Milo had no clue how or why they had to show up. Not only that, but why now, and what is the connection? Milo met a girl named Meddy, the Inn's chef's daughter, and they decided to figure it out while playing a game. I had difficulty keeping track of some things, but I did guess who the odd person was. Except I didn't figure out why that person was there.
Four Stars
Ms. Milford has written an excellent book, and I wouldn't mind diving back into the series at another date. Mostly to figure out what other types of trouble Milo and Meddy get themselves into. I am giving Greenglass House by Kate Milford four stars and recommending it. It's a good book for people who like roleplaying games like dungeons and dragons.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Greenglass House by Kate Milford.
Until the next time,
Karen the Baroness
If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out Baroness Book Trove.
Will the Pines keep all the guests happy this winter?
The Pine Family
The Pine family consists of Nora, Ben, and Milo Pine. Nora has lived in Greenglass House since she was twelve when her parents bought it. Her family decided to turn the house into an Inn that many people have used. Let them be law-abiding citizens who just need a place to stay or smugglers. The smugglers who use the house only come during a particular season, and that's the way it has always been. While Nora was living there, she met Ben, and the two, as some would say, lived happily ever after. They are married and end up with the Inn when Nora's parents hand it off to them to be run by a young couple.
Nora and Ben decided to adopt a child out of the goodness of their hearts. That child is Milo, and he has been with them since he was a baby. The happy couple is happy to have a child run around the house and keep their guests on their toes. Milo is now twelve years old and does whatever his parents need him to do on their on-season but not off-season. Winter is usually their off-season since not many people would dare go to them as there aren't many different ways to get to the Inn. The fact that they ended up with five people this winter vacation didn't bode well for poor Milo.
The way that Ms. Milford wrote this family dynamic between the three of them was well executed. I loved how the three of them were intuned to what the other one of them needed. For example, Milo knows he must talk and be present with Nora. I love the little competition that the two of them do with their guests. Except when Milo was with Ben, Milo knew that Ben liked the silence, and just a head nod was all the acknowledgment that Milo needed to give at the time.
The Mystery
Milo is just starting his winter vacation right after finishing his homework when the guest bell rings throughout the night. They had an empty house with just the three of them, and then out of nowhere, five guests showed up, all wanting to stay during the holiday. Almost all of them had something to do with the house somehow, and Milo had no clue how or why they had to show up. Not only that, but why now, and what is the connection? Milo met a girl named Meddy, the Inn's chef's daughter, and they decided to figure it out while playing a game. I had difficulty keeping track of some things, but I did guess who the odd person was. Except I didn't figure out why that person was there.
Four Stars
Ms. Milford has written an excellent book, and I wouldn't mind diving back into the series at another date. Mostly to figure out what other types of trouble Milo and Meddy get themselves into. I am giving Greenglass House by Kate Milford four stars and recommending it. It's a good book for people who like roleplaying games like dungeons and dragons.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Greenglass House by Kate Milford.
Until the next time,
Karen the Baroness
If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out Baroness Book Trove.
libertyreads789's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-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? No
3.75
This book surprised me so much. I think I went into it knowing so little that I had no idea where this story was headed. This is a middle grade story about an adopted boy living with his adoptive parents at a smuggler’s inn during the week of Christmas. His plans for the holiday were thwarted when the bell rings to let them know guests have arrive. But, as more and more guests arrive, a mystery unfolds.
I think I enjoyed this more as a middle grade than I ever could have as an adult novel. This is because the main character teams up with a girl to solve some of the mysteries and they use a role playing game as a method to solve it all. I liked that I could look at it all through the eyes of a child which kept a lot of the unsettling and scary feelings at bay. I also think the author did a good job with the house and making it so whimsical and child like. I would love to stay in a place like the Greenglass House. Maybe not while these people were there, but still. I also loved that Christmas was still included in the story. There’s a ton of stuff to distract from Christmas, but it still manages to be festive in moments here and there.
The major flaw in the story for me was the logic. Which might just be a me thing and not a book thing since this is a middle grade and I am not a middle grade reader. I thought the main characters would make decisions that we’re really great for themselves or for the situation, but that’s to be expected with children. I also wish that Milo’s parents were present more. I know it’s a staple of middle grade and young adult novels, but as an adult I can’t help looking at the situation and asking where the adults are. Again, a me thing. I know.
Overall, it was a fun read. I think it’s great for around the holidays if you want the Christmas vibes. It’s also such a fun and quick read.
kmowww's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
verydazedragon's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book is really cozy and mysterious. It felt like a comfort read for fans of the Mysterious Benedict Society. The plot was rich and nuanced with twists that were layered and fulfilling. Definitely a new favorite.
ebley101's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated