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lisakimmence3's review against another edition
3.0
I have mixed feelings on this one. Where I did enjoy the gothic vibe of this book and the characters, I didn't really get on with the storyline of the clock. The book starts off strong on the matter of the 'clock in the walls' but then diverts to Lewis and his relationship with his new friend, Tarby, and the things he tries to do to keep Tarby's friendship, which then diverts to Uncle Jonathan performing magic tricks, then back to Lewis plotting another means to keep on Tarby's good side, then back to Uncle Jonathan and Mrs. Zimmerman, sipping hot chocolate in her kitchen while more magic happens. Then, finally, back to the matter of the clock in the walls. I don't know; this just felt all over the place to me.
And though I did enjoy Lewis for the most part, I felt he was made into too much of a cry baby. It seems every other page, the tears are falling from him.
I can't say I disliked the story and I really did enjoy the setting and atmosphere so giving it three stars.
And though I did enjoy Lewis for the most part, I felt he was made into too much of a cry baby. It seems every other page, the tears are falling from him.
I can't say I disliked the story and I really did enjoy the setting and atmosphere so giving it three stars.
hedgielib's review against another edition
2.0
Darker than I expected and ultimately, Lewis was just a little too stupid.
kenmooney's review against another edition
3.0
Read the book in advance of seeing the film, after hearing very positive things about both; I've actually been waiting to see this at the cinema until I've finished the book.
Nothing wrong with the book, but it is perhaps a product of its time, very American and very naive and childish (it's a kid's book, I know but it lacks the grandeur of similar books and the fun of others.) A bit heavy on explaining things in a cozy fashion wherein nothing happens, and when it does, those things happen very quickly with no real explanation.
An interesting kids book with its scary elements, but this is perhaps the book that the kids can read on their own.
Nothing wrong with the book, but it is perhaps a product of its time, very American and very naive and childish (it's a kid's book, I know but it lacks the grandeur of similar books and the fun of others.) A bit heavy on explaining things in a cozy fashion wherein nothing happens, and when it does, those things happen very quickly with no real explanation.
An interesting kids book with its scary elements, but this is perhaps the book that the kids can read on their own.
kthornette's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted to enjoy this book but it was honestly slow and kind of dry. I would've cut out some of the middle and extend the mystery with the clock and the final battle against the Izards. I did like Lewis, Uncle Johnathan, and Mrs. Zimmerman as characters, and the relationships they had with each other.
horthhill's review against another edition
3.0
The House with a Clock in Its Walls by John Bellairs is a kid-sized horror novel. Our hero is 10 year-old orphan Lewis who is sent to live with his warlock uncle Jonathan. Supernatural weirdness happens in the appropriately spooky gothic mansion that becomes Lewis' home. After Lewis, to his surprise, re-invigorates the dead, things get serious. But, oddly, the weird "clock in the walls" disappears for much of the story only to be re-introduced quite late. Its demise is awfully swift. Quite a good story, though.
faemorgan's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted to read this because the movie looked interesting. A middle-grade book that was short and approached topics of gore well.
karigibb's review against another edition
4.0
Read this with my kids in anticipation of the upcoming movie. We couldn’t decide if it was 3.5 or 4 stars. Loved the story but it seemed to conclude too quickly and everything was a little too neat and tidy. We can’t wait to see the movie!
spookysoto's review against another edition
3.0
Rating: 3.5/5 Very good I liked it, 😁.
This is a Gothic middle grade book. It’s about Lewis, an orphan that goes to live with his uncle Jonathan. The house they live in has a loud ticking within its walls, there’s a clock somewhere in there, but they can’t find it.
This novel was a surprise, it is dark and spooky without being gory or inappropriate for its target audience. It was atmospheric, scary, the characters were likable and felt real, as did the danger. I was surprised, because at one point I was feeling anxious and on edge.
I liked Lewis, he was a shy boy, flawed, he acted like any boy his age. His uncle and Ms Zimmermann were interesting too, they were nice, kind and cool.
Lewis wanted to impress his friend Talby, so he took one of Jonathan’s magic book and performed a ritual that brought to life Mrs. Izard. She wanted to start the doomsday clock.
At the end, Lewis broke it and Mrs. Izard turn to dust.
I think this book is great for kids, they would be very scared reading this, so I’d say is for 10 and above.
If you want to read a magical book, with a touch of suspense, mystery and spookiness, I recommended it.
This is a Gothic middle grade book. It’s about Lewis, an orphan that goes to live with his uncle Jonathan. The house they live in has a loud ticking within its walls, there’s a clock somewhere in there, but they can’t find it.
This novel was a surprise, it is dark and spooky without being gory or inappropriate for its target audience. It was atmospheric, scary, the characters were likable and felt real, as did the danger. I was surprised, because at one point I was feeling anxious and on edge.
I liked Lewis, he was a shy boy, flawed, he acted like any boy his age. His uncle and Ms Zimmermann were interesting too, they were nice, kind and cool.
Spoiler
Both Johnathan and Florence are a warlock and a witch. Johnathan bought his house when the previous owner, Mr. Izard died. They think the clock in the house is meant to do something bad, and they’re right. It’s a doomsday countdown clock.Lewis wanted to impress his friend Talby, so he took one of Jonathan’s magic book and performed a ritual that brought to life Mrs. Izard. She wanted to start the doomsday clock.
At the end, Lewis broke it and Mrs. Izard turn to dust.
I think this book is great for kids, they would be very scared reading this, so I’d say is for 10 and above.
If you want to read a magical book, with a touch of suspense, mystery and spookiness, I recommended it.
tasharobinson's review against another edition
4.0
This is such a marvelous kids' book. Spooky and exciting, but more importantly, unique and full of flavor. It has such non-traditional heroes: A middle-aged pudgy bachelor, his old-lady best friend (who's better at magic than he is), and a fat kid who gets bullied and dismissed because of his weight but generally doesn't feel guilty or shamed about his size so much as frustrated with the bullying. And such oddball detail about historical re-creations, strange funny magic, and the process of becoming friends with someone, and then gradually drifting apart from that friend. A longtime favorite that was fun to revisit and lived up to my memories.