Reviews

The Fall of the House of Tatterly by Shanna Miles

pcarney's review

2.0

Not what I thought, but okay

jilljemmett's review

5.0

Twelve-year-old Theo Tatterly can see ghosts, which is useful in his family full of witches. He can communicate with his dead ancestors who live in their house, but he doesn’t have friends outside of the family. When he fails at an exorcism, everything starts to fall apart for his family. The Tatterly family must work together using their unique magical skills to save their family home. 

This was an exciting paranormal story. I love ghost stories, especially middle grade ones. They were my favourite when I was a kid. Theo came from a big family with many aunts and a few cousins, but they each had distinctive powers. He was able to see some older ancestors so he was in a unique position to get their help with problems too. Though Theo didn’t have many connections outside of the family at the beginning of the story, when he started playing basketball, he made some friends. The ending of the story was action packed and a little creepy too. 

The Fall of the House of Tatterly is a fun paranormal middle grade story! 

Thank you Union Square and Co for sending me a copy of this book!

Content warning: death of parent, parental abandonment

kecasey's review

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

3.75

srmilesauthor's review

adventurous funny hopeful mysterious medium-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

5.0

minniestronni's review

adventurous funny mysterious fast-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? No

4.75

jaime_of_gryffindor's review

4.0

This was an excellent paranormal middle grade read! This book’s amazing cover immediately made me want to pick this one up! I loved following Theo Tatterly and was intrigued by his ability to see ghosts. I found it interesting to see how he used his ability to see his dead relatives. And how he brought his living and dead relatives together in this story. Overall this was a great middle grade read and I highly recommend it for the spooky season. 

thtblklibrarian's review

adventurous funny hopeful informative mysterious reflective fast-paced

5.0

Theo Tatterly sees ghosts everywhere which can make it difficult to act like a "normal" 12 Y.O. He does his best to keep his head down and not garner too much attention from the non magical folks. Until an exorcism goes wrong and he needs to fight for his family's home against gentrifyers and confederate ghosts.

bluebookroad's review

adventurous emotional informative slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Thank you netgally for giving this copy to review*

Theo can see ghosts and it not just him but his whole family have a connection with spirits. I enjoy reading about the different Generation a living in the house. I love seeing that beautiful moments with Theo and his Nana because even she saying she want be his for long. 

Definitely interesting see the way Theo hide the way he talk to ghost and learn that some move on and other are okay with just being her watching and protecting Innocent people.

One of my issues is the pacing, it like at the hight of the book and just drop gor 50+ pages. Another things the aunties they were just soo annoying, keeping kids our adult business Definitely understand but getting made when they don't know it

_soraya_pl's review

3.0

ARC review: It’s a fine magical book for a middle level reader. This I would suggest for 4th-6th grade readers but past that it won’t give the fantasy older readers are looking for. The ending feels like a lazy and cheap ending to wrap up the family’s story but the family characters are developed enough you feel like you know them a bit.

lala_books's review

emotional funny informative mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

I love the way Miles built on history in this magical story. She doesn't shy away form the trauma of our past, referring to enslaved ancestors and systematic violence against black people, and she doesn't pretend everything is grand now, but she still highlights the beauty & joy in the community.
This book has mystery, over protective mothers, new friendships, and a few dangerous demons - great ingredients for an engaging middle grade novel.