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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
This book gave me chills so many times! It kinda hit home a lot because my mom tells me I’m a touch clairvoyant. Where Sarah could see her echoes, I feel mine. I wish they’d be more vivid like hers, but it was still an awesome read!
adventurous
dark
emotional
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:
Yes
Full review: kashyw.wixsite.com/kashyw/single-post/Review-Amber-House
Every character in here only exist for one big scene with the main character and then they are forgotten. Also, the love triangle is uncomfortable when you really start to realize that everything happened within a month or so.
Plus spiders... so many spiders. *shudder*
Every character in here only exist for one big scene with the main character and then they are forgotten. Also, the love triangle is uncomfortable when you really start to realize that everything happened within a month or so.
Plus spiders... so many spiders. *shudder*
What a perfect time of year to read this super creepy book! I haven’t read a good book about a spooky house in a long time and I really enjoyed this novel about the mysteries surrounding the Amber House.
The novel is told from the point of view of Sarah, a teenage girl who has just attended the funeral for her grandmother. While her mother sets out to sell the family home, she decides to throw Sarah a sweet sixteen birthday party. Sarah has other plans since she agrees to help Jackson, a boy who lives on the estate, to search for a set of lost diamonds that are said to be hidden within the house.
This book had something for everyone. There was romance (a hint of a love triangle between Sarah, Jackson and the senator’s son Richard). The mystery and suspense aspects were the strongest as Sarah tries to unravel the secrets of her ancestors. Also, there were paranormal touches as Sarah begins to see echoes (past memories) contained within the house.
The characterizations were expertly done. Sarah felt like a real teen girl and it was interesting to witness the growing conflict between her and her mother. Her little brother Sam was endearing and I loved every scene he had with Sarah. The love interests were mysterious, but I liked that quality about them.
When I saw the book had three authors (a mother and two daughters trio), I had some hesitation. Novels with too many hands in it can sometimes feel like the story doesn’t flow well. This is certainly not the case with the Amber House. It’s superbly written and the descriptions were eerily beautiful. One section in particular about a mother spider gave me the chills and I couldn’t get it out of my head.
I wasn’t expecting the novel to be part of a trilogy. It felt like a standalone, so I was surprised to find out there are planned sequels. I’m anxious to see what happens next!
Rating 5/5 Stars
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book for review!
The novel is told from the point of view of Sarah, a teenage girl who has just attended the funeral for her grandmother. While her mother sets out to sell the family home, she decides to throw Sarah a sweet sixteen birthday party. Sarah has other plans since she agrees to help Jackson, a boy who lives on the estate, to search for a set of lost diamonds that are said to be hidden within the house.
This book had something for everyone. There was romance (a hint of a love triangle between Sarah, Jackson and the senator’s son Richard). The mystery and suspense aspects were the strongest as Sarah tries to unravel the secrets of her ancestors. Also, there were paranormal touches as Sarah begins to see echoes (past memories) contained within the house.
The characterizations were expertly done. Sarah felt like a real teen girl and it was interesting to witness the growing conflict between her and her mother. Her little brother Sam was endearing and I loved every scene he had with Sarah. The love interests were mysterious, but I liked that quality about them.
When I saw the book had three authors (a mother and two daughters trio), I had some hesitation. Novels with too many hands in it can sometimes feel like the story doesn’t flow well. This is certainly not the case with the Amber House. It’s superbly written and the descriptions were eerily beautiful. One section in particular about a mother spider gave me the chills and I couldn’t get it out of my head.
I wasn’t expecting the novel to be part of a trilogy. It felt like a standalone, so I was surprised to find out there are planned sequels. I’m anxious to see what happens next!
Rating 5/5 Stars
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book for review!
This was a straight up, old fashioned ghost story. It reminded me of the ghost books I used to read as a kid, like Wait Til Helen Comes and Time For Andrew.
The story took a little bit to get started but once things got less confusing it was really entertaining and interesting.
However, the cliffhanger is so frustrating and now I have to read the second book!
The story took a little bit to get started but once things got less confusing it was really entertaining and interesting.
However, the cliffhanger is so frustrating and now I have to read the second book!
I honestly don't see why people don't like it this is an amazing book full of spooks love triangles and stubborn mothers! I highly recommend this book!
There was sooooo much potential for this book - the echoes of time, a masquerade ball, a love triangle, and a mysterious treasure? Sign me up! However, the writing kind of fell short, and what could have been beautifully crafted glances into the past of Amber House turned into a jumbled mess of characters and plots that I still don't understand (and I've read this book twice!). I'm not really sure what was going on with the love triangle if I'm being honest because Sarah (the main character) never really defines her feelings so it's a little weird. Also I felt that this book could have been a lot better if the author wasn't constraining herself to themes appropriate for the middle school-ish age. She mentions some abuse, mental illness, drinking, rape, and slavery, along with the themes of surviving loss. However, instead of fully exploring these ideas and showing how they really affect people, they were merely just mentioned casually and that was that because they aren't appropriate for younger readers. I would love to see this book re-written for a YA or adult crowd because I think then it would be a 5/5 for sure.
4.5 stars. I really need to read more books with creepy old houses and strange visions.
I enjoyed this so much. It reminded me of a YA version of Green Knowe. In a lot of ways it seemed like an old-fashioned children's timeslip story, but it definitely had a modern YA sensibility overall.
There were a few parts I had problems with. First of all, I hatehatehate love triangles, so I didn't like that there was one here (sometimes it can be hard to find a YA series without one, however). I also didn't love the parts that took place away from Amber House - namely the sailboat race. The party at Kathryn's house wasn't that interesting either, but it didn't drag on quite like the race.
Other than that, I loved this book. The 'echoes' were my favorite. I absolutely love stories with old family houses, antiques, timeslip(ish), family secrets, secret rooms & passageways, etc.etc.etc. It's rare to find one of these stories set in the US, no less. I'll definitely have to pick up the sequels to Amber House.
There were a few parts I had problems with. First of all, I hatehatehate love triangles, so I didn't like that there was one here (sometimes it can be hard to find a YA series without one, however). I also didn't love the parts that took place away from Amber House - namely the sailboat race. The party at Kathryn's house wasn't that interesting either, but it didn't drag on quite like the race.
Other than that, I loved this book. The 'echoes' were my favorite. I absolutely love stories with old family houses, antiques, timeslip(ish), family secrets, secret rooms & passageways, etc.etc.etc. It's rare to find one of these stories set in the US, no less. I'll definitely have to pick up the sequels to Amber House.