the_sassy_bookworm's review
4.0
⭐⭐⭐⭐ -- Perfect cover on this book!
"The Carrefour Curse" by Dianne K. Salerni is an exhilarating and spooky mystery that will have readers on the edge of their seats. The story follows twelve-year-old Garnet, who has always been kept at a distance from her magical family, until she finally gets summoned to their crumbling ancestral home known as Crossroad House. When Garnet arrives, she learns a dark secret. The family patriarch is stealing power from others to stay alive. As the Carrefours squabble over who will inherit his role, Garnet uncovers evidence of an even deeper curse.
Salerni's writing is well-paced and creates a creepy atmosphere that perfectly suits the theme of the book. She also does an excellent job of building tension throughout the story, making it hard to put down, and the Haunting of Hill House vibe makes it perfect for a late-night spooky read.
The characters are likable and easy to root for in their quest to break the curse haunting their family. My only issue with my ARC copy was that graphics were missing, which took away from my overall enjoyment. However, I am confident that they will be included in the retail copy.
Overall, "The Carrefour Curse" is a well-written and engaging read that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a fun yet spooky mystery."
**ARC Via NetGalley**
"The Carrefour Curse" by Dianne K. Salerni is an exhilarating and spooky mystery that will have readers on the edge of their seats. The story follows twelve-year-old Garnet, who has always been kept at a distance from her magical family, until she finally gets summoned to their crumbling ancestral home known as Crossroad House. When Garnet arrives, she learns a dark secret. The family patriarch is stealing power from others to stay alive. As the Carrefours squabble over who will inherit his role, Garnet uncovers evidence of an even deeper curse.
Salerni's writing is well-paced and creates a creepy atmosphere that perfectly suits the theme of the book. She also does an excellent job of building tension throughout the story, making it hard to put down, and the Haunting of Hill House vibe makes it perfect for a late-night spooky read.
The characters are likable and easy to root for in their quest to break the curse haunting their family. My only issue with my ARC copy was that graphics were missing, which took away from my overall enjoyment. However, I am confident that they will be included in the retail copy.
Overall, "The Carrefour Curse" is a well-written and engaging read that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a fun yet spooky mystery."
**ARC Via NetGalley**
itratali's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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? Yes
5.0
naomiysl's review
challenging
dark
inspiring
mysterious
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
5.0
So deliciously creepy! Give to all the baby goths and watch them grump in delight. Seriously, so so great! And finds the balance of creepy and child friendly quite well! No gore, but suspense galore. Plus, the magical world building is great, and i hope we get more set in this world in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Child death
scoutabout's review
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.5
jaime_of_gryffindor's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
This was an amazing, magical middle-grade book! I read this book in one sitting and did not want to put it down! I loved the main character Garnet and her family at Crossroad House. I loved learning about the family’s history with magic and their magic system. This book was magical, mysterious, and very well written. I think this is a book that people of all ages will enjoy reading. I loved everything about this book, I definitely recommend checking it out!
chitownjr's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0