shilten_k's review
adventurous
lighthearted
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
3.5
frogie's review against another edition
4.0
3.75 stars
Not going to lie, I spent most of this book wishing I could visit the Winterhouse hotel. It sounds like the perfect place to spend the Christmas holidays! You know, mysterious happenings, creepy people and not withstanding.
(Also, is it just me or were there some notable Harry Potter vibes here and there?)
Not going to lie, I spent most of this book wishing I could visit the Winterhouse hotel. It sounds like the perfect place to spend the Christmas holidays! You know, mysterious happenings, creepy people and
Spoiler
freaky old undead ladies(Also, is it just me or were there some notable Harry Potter vibes here and there?)
alyciakawitzki's review against another edition
2.0
Elizabeth is now one of my least favourite protagonists ever. For someone who knows what it’s like to be bullied, she sure knows how to bully others. She manipulates, coerces her friends (no means no!!!) and lies. I’m all for unlikeable characters, but this is someone we’re supposed to root for. It wasn’t even backed by strong supporting characters, so this was hard to make up for.
The atmosphere was completely lacking, too. In what should have been a magical setting (slow falling snow and Christmas pudding and fireplaces) read a story that fell very two-dimensionally.
Also, don’t come to this book looking for a mystery. The plot lies itself out pretty clearly early on, and the only thing that you’re left questioning is, ‘how has Elizabeth not figured this out yet?’
The atmosphere was completely lacking, too. In what should have been a magical setting (slow falling snow and Christmas pudding and fireplaces) read a story that fell very two-dimensionally.
Also, don’t come to this book looking for a mystery. The plot lies itself out pretty clearly early on, and the only thing that you’re left questioning is, ‘how has Elizabeth not figured this out yet?’
aleexe's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
ddiazmoron's review against another edition
4.0
The keyword is amazing
Did you chose this book because of the cover? Perhaps. We all know we fall for that sometimes and could be not a good choice but Winterhouse could be a good book after all. Winterhouse is a story that you might like if you enjoy reading a little of mystery or you like word games. If this doesn’t satisfy you to know if to read it or not then think that is a book that you read quite fast.
The story start with Elizabeth, she is impulsive, enjoy all kind of puzzles and dislike their aunt and uncle but this Christmas she’s gonna spend it in a hotel called Winterhouse in the beginning she don’t like the idea but this change when she meets Freddy, an inventor who also likes puzzles. That’s how they start their friendship and is because of their likes why they start trying solving the mysteries of the hotel. There’s a painting with a unbreakable code, a gigantic puzzle and more but there is a book that Elizabeth found, this item give her a felling and that’s why she steals it from the library.
Speaking of her, she is one of those characters that you feel like they could be in front of yours eyes and you believe they’re real. For her personality and i say this because in my opinion when there’s a character who likes books I have always feel like that little detail make them a little more realistic normally to this kind of story but is also a little funny because they are inside of a book.
To end this review, I’m gonna say that Winterhouse make me to don’t want to stop reading and I highly recommend it. You’re going to want to read the sequel immediately and don’t forget that Winterhouse is a trilogy so there is a lot more to discover.
Did you chose this book because of the cover? Perhaps. We all know we fall for that sometimes and could be not a good choice but Winterhouse could be a good book after all. Winterhouse is a story that you might like if you enjoy reading a little of mystery or you like word games. If this doesn’t satisfy you to know if to read it or not then think that is a book that you read quite fast.
The story start with Elizabeth, she is impulsive, enjoy all kind of puzzles and dislike their aunt and uncle but this Christmas she’s gonna spend it in a hotel called Winterhouse in the beginning she don’t like the idea but this change when she meets Freddy, an inventor who also likes puzzles. That’s how they start their friendship and is because of their likes why they start trying solving the mysteries of the hotel. There’s a painting with a unbreakable code, a gigantic puzzle and more but there is a book that Elizabeth found, this item give her a felling and that’s why she steals it from the library.
Speaking of her, she is one of those characters that you feel like they could be in front of yours eyes and you believe they’re real. For her personality and i say this because in my opinion when there’s a character who likes books I have always feel like that little detail make them a little more realistic normally to this kind of story but is also a little funny because they are inside of a book.
To end this review, I’m gonna say that Winterhouse make me to don’t want to stop reading and I highly recommend it. You’re going to want to read the sequel immediately and don’t forget that Winterhouse is a trilogy so there is a lot more to discover.
tracybabler's review against another edition
4.0
Thanks to the Kid Lit Exchange for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
I was utterly charmed by this magical new middle grade novel. Although written to entertain kids aged 8-12, I devoured WINTERHOUSE in just a few hours. The mystery was enough to captivate me, and I enjoyed the children’s wit and wisdom as they decoded the mystery. The fast pace will keep young readers intrigued, and the dark parts of the book are balanced with a cast of light, lovable characters that help us understand the draw of the hotel.
WINTERHOUSE has a few weaknesses. We never quite learn why evil lurks in the building, only that a relative of the owner chose evil over good. This is the first in a three-part series, so perhaps the author will delve deeper into the root cause in a future volume. The dialogue between Elizabeth and Freddy is clunky in spots, but that likely won’t deter young readers.
In all, it’s an enjoyable read that I’d recommend to fans of HARRY POTTER and NEVERMOOR without hesitation. I bought a copy for my 8-year-old daughter, and I’m already looking forward to the sequel.
I was utterly charmed by this magical new middle grade novel. Although written to entertain kids aged 8-12, I devoured WINTERHOUSE in just a few hours. The mystery was enough to captivate me, and I enjoyed the children’s wit and wisdom as they decoded the mystery. The fast pace will keep young readers intrigued, and the dark parts of the book are balanced with a cast of light, lovable characters that help us understand the draw of the hotel.
WINTERHOUSE has a few weaknesses. We never quite learn why evil lurks in the building, only that a relative of the owner chose evil over good. This is the first in a three-part series, so perhaps the author will delve deeper into the root cause in a future volume. The dialogue between Elizabeth and Freddy is clunky in spots, but that likely won’t deter young readers.
In all, it’s an enjoyable read that I’d recommend to fans of HARRY POTTER and NEVERMOOR without hesitation. I bought a copy for my 8-year-old daughter, and I’m already looking forward to the sequel.
evawondergem's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75