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jeep8read's review against another edition
3.0
I was not as entranced by this second book in the series. While the story was interesting the main character's inner mental musings and doubts became repetitious.
hollygo12345's review against another edition
5.0
I loved The Little Shop of Found Things and was very excited to read the second book in the Found Things series. Paula Brackston does not disappoint! Secrets of the Chocolate House is an extremely enjoyable read that I don’t think requires reading the first book. Brackston seems to provide the necessary information to new readers while also reminding the “old” readers. It was delightful to meet up with Xanthe again and to accompany her as she travels through time. It was also fun to see the Appleby clan, especially Samuel.
Xanthe has a gift. Certain objects “sing” to her, prompting her to travel to a certain time where her help is needed. She feels compelled to heed the call because otherwise the outcome could be regrettable and the future thrown off its proper path.
Secrets of the Chocolate House begins with the discovery of an old chocolate pot that “sings” to Xanthe and produces quite an adventure that challenges her resourcefulness and perseverance. Xanthe must deal with danger, intrigue and questions of who to trust and who to fear. She learns she is not the only time traveler or spinner. However, this other spinner is evil and wants to hurt her beloved Samuel. What can she do to save him?
I really appreciate that Brackston developed the time travel element. We learn more about spinning, for example that objects cannot travel forward in time because they will degrade or deteriorate. Xanthe learns to have a little more control over how to travel to specific times. Also, it was interesting for her to “compare notes” with another spinner and have a mentor to further her abilities.
The story is well structured and the characters are well developed. I particularly like Brackston’s writing style and her use of imagery. I cannot wait for the next book in the series to see what object sings to Xanthe and where it takes her.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
Xanthe has a gift. Certain objects “sing” to her, prompting her to travel to a certain time where her help is needed. She feels compelled to heed the call because otherwise the outcome could be regrettable and the future thrown off its proper path.
Secrets of the Chocolate House begins with the discovery of an old chocolate pot that “sings” to Xanthe and produces quite an adventure that challenges her resourcefulness and perseverance. Xanthe must deal with danger, intrigue and questions of who to trust and who to fear. She learns she is not the only time traveler or spinner. However, this other spinner is evil and wants to hurt her beloved Samuel. What can she do to save him?
I really appreciate that Brackston developed the time travel element. We learn more about spinning, for example that objects cannot travel forward in time because they will degrade or deteriorate. Xanthe learns to have a little more control over how to travel to specific times. Also, it was interesting for her to “compare notes” with another spinner and have a mentor to further her abilities.
The story is well structured and the characters are well developed. I particularly like Brackston’s writing style and her use of imagery. I cannot wait for the next book in the series to see what object sings to Xanthe and where it takes her.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
suzemews's review against another edition
2.0
*Spoilers Ahead*
This book was so frustrating. The general premise was fine, but Xanthe's infuriating insistence on keeping her mom in the dark annoyed me the entire time. Her mother has already accepted that Xanthe can hear antiques singing to her, what's the big deal with letting her in on the secret? It eliminated so many problems! Furthermore, Xanthe seems a little dense in ways that can sometimes grate on a person.
The book also dragged on A LOT. The plot was constantly hampered by Xanthe's several small trips all over the place and a lot of foot dragging on her part. I was also SO DONE with her incessant musings and brooding. YES, we KNOW you have a lot of feelings and wonderings, but they are repetitive. Give it a rest. It also felt that Samuel's very existence as a romantic interest was a fake out, but I can accept her not wanting the complication of him. Still, I got fed up with her whining about him the whole time while neither fighting for his love or admitting to herself at a reasonable point that they aren't meant to be.
After having said all that, Harley is still the best character. He is a fun character full of personality and childlike wonder- all with the ability to toss someone bodily from his pub! What's not to love!
I am torn about whether or not to read the next one. I still do have curiosity about how it all ends, but I am not keene on hearing Xanthe's constant brooding for two more books.
This book was so frustrating. The general premise was fine, but Xanthe's infuriating insistence on keeping her mom in the dark annoyed me the entire time. Her mother has already accepted that Xanthe can hear antiques singing to her, what's the big deal with letting her in on the secret? It eliminated so many problems! Furthermore, Xanthe seems a little dense in ways that can sometimes grate on a person.
The book also dragged on A LOT. The plot was constantly hampered by Xanthe's several small trips all over the place and a lot of foot dragging on her part. I was also SO DONE with her incessant musings and brooding. YES, we KNOW you have a lot of feelings and wonderings, but they are repetitive. Give it a rest. It also felt that Samuel's very existence as a romantic interest was a fake out, but I can accept her not wanting the complication of him. Still, I got fed up with her whining about him the whole time while neither fighting for his love or admitting to herself at a reasonable point that they aren't meant to be.
After having said all that, Harley is still the best character. He is a fun character full of personality and childlike wonder- all with the ability to toss someone bodily from his pub! What's not to love!
I am torn about whether or not to read the next one. I still do have curiosity about how it all ends, but I am not keene on hearing Xanthe's constant brooding for two more books.
decembermagpie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence and Blood
silverthistle's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
jsawyers1623's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
abharris's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
haileyrkane's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
leonore_book's review against another edition
4.0
This was a great story of spinning time. Time travel has always been a topic for books, but this has such a wonderful characters it's hard to put down. The towns visited seem so real and come to life in just a great way. It's such a wonderful curiosity and leaves you awaiting the next novel.