A review by alyciakawitzki
Winterhouse by Ben Guterson
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?’