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3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Trevor's parents have a trial separation and Trevor goes with this father to his father's childhood home to help his father sell it. He hopes that once the house sells, his parents will get back together. Once at the house, Trevor is surrounded in the mystery that is in his family's past.
This is an interesting book because it's told through the eyes of adult Trevor looking back on 14 year old Trevor's adventures. I think that was a pretty cool idea. Anyway, the Riddell house is delightfully creepy and I loved learning about Trevor's mysterious/sad family history and figuring everything out with him. It was interesting to read this right after finishing Garth Stein's first novel [b:Raven Stole the Moon|613959|Raven Stole the Moon|Garth Stein|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1387717801s/613959.jpg|600410] because there were some similarities on how spirits are discussed. I liked the discussions in both books! It was also interesting to read after [b:Raven Stole the Moon|613959|Raven Stole the Moon|Garth Stein|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1387717801s/613959.jpg|600410] to see how Garth Stein's writing style has changed over the years and it made me wonder if he can write a decent female character..... It's a challenge, Garth!
This is an interesting book because it's told through the eyes of adult Trevor looking back on 14 year old Trevor's adventures. I think that was a pretty cool idea. Anyway, the Riddell house is delightfully creepy and I loved learning about Trevor's mysterious/sad family history and figuring everything out with him. It was interesting to read this right after finishing Garth Stein's first novel [b:Raven Stole the Moon|613959|Raven Stole the Moon|Garth Stein|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1387717801s/613959.jpg|600410] because there were some similarities on how spirits are discussed. I liked the discussions in both books! It was also interesting to read after [b:Raven Stole the Moon|613959|Raven Stole the Moon|Garth Stein|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1387717801s/613959.jpg|600410] to see how Garth Stein's writing style has changed over the years and it made me wonder if he can write a decent female character..... It's a challenge, Garth!
It pains me to rate a Garth Stein book with only 3 stars...but honestly, this book was just too slow going for me. It started out pretty good and finished GREAT...however the middle was a drag. I had to FORCE myself to pick it up and finish...my reward being I could move on to the new Jodi Picoult. The story was there but the delivery just wasn't. I still love and admire Garth Stein and will continue to read anything he puts out.
Reasons I read this book...it was recommended to me and that's it...the only reason I finished it. It wasn't bad but it was a bit painful. When I got to the point where Serena's feeling for Jones surfaced, I was just confused by what the author was trying to gain. Like I said not a bad book, but not one I will recommend.
Difficult to characterize. Family drama, ghost story, haunted house, and more.
The story of 14 year old Trevor meeting his father's family for the first time, and coming to know his family's home, the Riddell House on the North Estate. He also gets to me his aunt Serena and his grandfather Samuel.
The main drama comes from what will happen to Riddell House after Samuel dies. The house and land has originally been promised to become a park and return to its state before the Riddell family began their lumber empire.
But it's also a love story, forbidden love, familial love, love of nature. Will have to read Muir's "The Mountains of California" sometime.
The story of 14 year old Trevor meeting his father's family for the first time, and coming to know his family's home, the Riddell House on the North Estate. He also gets to me his aunt Serena and his grandfather Samuel.
The main drama comes from what will happen to Riddell House after Samuel dies. The house and land has originally been promised to become a park and return to its state before the Riddell family began their lumber empire.
But it's also a love story, forbidden love, familial love, love of nature. Will have to read Muir's "The Mountains of California" sometime.
I really enjoyed this book, especially having lived for a time in this part of the Pacfic Northwest. Part mystery, part family history and part social message, this book scratched a lot of itches for me. Every once in a while Garth Stein crossed over into being a bit preachy with his social messages, but on the balance I didn’t really mind since it was on topics we are in agreement on such as the environment. I could see it being something that might put some readers off however. The main character seems wise beyond his years but I chalked that up to the narrator retelling the story of his youth, as an adult. It was an immersive read and one I would highly recommend
I enjoyed this book. It was a quick read, and I found the story about the ghosts of Riddell House to be very interesting. I expected the twist with Jones and his mother - so that wasn't surprising to me - but this book didn't need to be surprising to be interesting. Rather, I enjoyed the progression of the Trevor's relationships with his family and learning about the dynamics of the Riddells that would eventually lead to the book's conclusion.
I loved this book. At the heart it is an examination of relationships and family. Fantastical/spiritual elements.
I always enjoy Garth Stein, but this one isn't my favorite of his. It's a decent read, but it didn't blow me away like the others.