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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
fast-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:
Yes
MG
Fantasy / Mystery
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
4.5 stars
This was a lot of fun!
The MC, Elizabeth, is an orphan who lives with an uncaring aunt & uncle that send her away during Christmas break while they go off on a private vacation. Not only do they only give her $3 and 3 outfits, but Elizabeth must find her way, by train, to Winterhouse, a hotel that has been mysteriously paid for the entirety of her stay despite her aunt & uncle’s tight-pursed ways. The hotel ends up being cozy and charming and full of mystery, including a enormous library and a new friend or two, as well as a few baddies to look out for.
I especially loved how the MC, Elizabeth, and her new friend, Freddy, enjoy wordplay, including word ladders that are shared at the beginning of each chapter and a few riddles within.
Fantasy / Mystery
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
4.5 stars
This was a lot of fun!
The MC, Elizabeth, is an orphan who lives with an uncaring aunt & uncle that send her away during Christmas break while they go off on a private vacation. Not only do they only give her $3 and 3 outfits, but Elizabeth must find her way, by train, to Winterhouse, a hotel that has been mysteriously paid for the entirety of her stay despite her aunt & uncle’s tight-pursed ways. The hotel ends up being cozy and charming and full of mystery, including a enormous library and a new friend or two, as well as a few baddies to look out for.
I especially loved how the MC, Elizabeth, and her new friend, Freddy, enjoy wordplay, including word ladders that are shared at the beginning of each chapter and a few riddles within.
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A sweet middle-grade read that almost transcends the genre. It could almost be so much more, with slightly more sophisticated descriptions and a hint of complexity to the "bad" characters, but it will be appreciated by young bookworms.
adventurous
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:
No
Loved it! This one was so hard to put downs I couldn’t wait to find out what happened next to Elizabeth as she spent her holidays at Winterhouse. I highly recommend for middle grade readers!
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was a fun puzzle filled middle grade. I liked Elizabeth as a character and I identified with her love of puzzles and books. There was a compelling mystery that moved the story forward. I liked that the book wrapped up nicely, leaving it up to the reader whether to read further into the series.
I hardly ever read Mysteries, but when I do it is because I happened upon them by chance. This one is perfect—some mystery, some magic.. and all centering on a girl and a book. I loved this one. Can’t wait to pass it on!
This book was very unique and mostly unpredictable, which is a refreshing change. I really enjoyed the character development of the 2 children, and how there was a thread of the supernatural and magical throughout, but not in the usual way. It’s very vague through much of the story and makes you wonder what exactly is happening. I like that unpredictability.
The word games are such a fun extra detail as well. Makes me want to try my hand at some.
But the hotel itself may be my favorite element! I want to go to a hotel like Winterhouse! What a wonderful setting!
Overall, an enjoyable book! I’m curious to see where they go with this series in subsequent books.
The word games are such a fun extra detail as well. Makes me want to try my hand at some.
But the hotel itself may be my favorite element! I want to go to a hotel like Winterhouse! What a wonderful setting!
Overall, an enjoyable book! I’m curious to see where they go with this series in subsequent books.
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No