A review by tracybabler
Winterhouse by Ben Guterson
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.