pine_wulf's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.0
Definitely reads like a kid's book. The characters are all given fun backstories, except for the main character, strangely enough. The story opens up with a metaphorical/literal storm the causes Emma to lose everything and that's all we learn about her past. The beginning is clearly meant to be metaphorical, but I didn't get that sense for the rest of the book. The rest is fun whimsiness. There isn't much of an ongoing plot. They find the hotel and decide to get it running, with a treasure hunt in the middle. It was a fun, quick read.
jonmhansen's review against another edition
4.0
No bully is a match for a dreadful ghost, nor for two determined ladies with a cannon.
lisalark's review against another edition
4.0
This is a sweet little book, aimed more at younger readers but with broader and more serious themes. Reminds me a bit of A Little Prince. Not my favorite of Baker's works, but good.
thomcat's review against another edition
4.0
Emma is a strong girl character, focused on the sorts of things that all children love to read about - adventure. Joining her are a cast of characters and caricatures, whose interactions are fun (if a bit predictable). The hotel that rises from the sand and it's time distorting history are pure fantasy, and the later guests layer that on even deeper.
While the message was strong, the story wasn't as solid. The ending comes quickly, the resolution mostly in the background. Perhaps this was because she was considering a sequel, perhaps it was an artifact of how the book was written.
This book was written for Kage Baker's niece and delivered to her, a chapter a week. In an interview, the author revealed that her niece had undergone some personal tragedies, and this book was written to help her get through that. This same interview said that the proceeds from the book would go to this girl's college fund.
So great characters and setting, a decent story, and fast-paced fun. Well worth 4 stars!
While the message was strong, the story wasn't as solid. The ending comes quickly, the resolution mostly in the background. Perhaps this was because she was considering a sequel, perhaps it was an artifact of how the book was written.
This book was written for Kage Baker's niece and delivered to her, a chapter a week. In an interview, the author revealed that her niece had undergone some personal tragedies, and this book was written to help her get through that. This same interview said that the proceeds from the book would go to this girl's college fund.
So great characters and setting, a decent story, and fast-paced fun. Well worth 4 stars!
tregina's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not in the habit of reading middle grade books, but between the author and the premise I just couldn't resist this one. And oh, it was delightful and imaginative and managed to stay that way even when exploring such things as loss and loneliness, which were handled deftly and openly. I have such a fondness for abandoned places and discovering lost things and ghosts and pirates and really, this gave me everything I wanted.
beththebookdragon's review against another edition
4.0
This book is full of Kage's amazing imagination. Just when I think, "oh, this is the way the plot is going, cool!" then another character, another plot twist, or both shows up! Keeps going wonderfully right to the end.
Excellent story for fourth-grade reading level and up, including adults. Fine read-to or book for bright kids for second grade and up. Great summer read for girls and boys alike (yeah, the main character is a girl, but promise the boys adventure and cool male characters. And a dog and a parrot. And some creepy stuff.
What a pity Kage Baker died this past spring and won't write another children's book.
Excellent story for fourth-grade reading level and up, including adults. Fine read-to or book for bright kids for second grade and up. Great summer read for girls and boys alike (yeah, the main character is a girl, but promise the boys adventure and cool male characters. And a dog and a parrot. And some creepy stuff.
What a pity Kage Baker died this past spring and won't write another children's book.
hsquared's review against another edition
3.0
Nine-year-old Emma, the sole survivor of a terrible storm, discovers a hotel trapped by time and buried in the sand. Together with a ghost bell captain and a one-eyed cook. she decides to return the hotel to it's former glory as a retreat from time and the world. This is a sweet story, though the voice is at times a bit condescending, and not in a funny Lemony Snickett kind of way.
lindzee's review against another edition
3.0
Mostly magical realism. Okay for kids, does not read as well for adults.
cindywho's review against another edition
4.0
Spent a few cozy hours reading about a young girl shipwrecked on a sandy beach. In between storms she discovers a magical hotel and builds a new family.