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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Just as cozy and magical as the first instalment. I liked this more in some ways while the first one in others, but my most favourite thing about both is the closed location and how no one leaves the Greenglass House yet crimes keep happening. The book is full of intrigue and makes you constantly try to figure out the criminal, which is amazing.
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I really liked the first book in this series, so of course I had to read this one. I found it a little hard to get into, but at about half way through I couldn't put it down. It was a great mystery that includes a few ghosts. I would love to visit Greenglass House. If only it was a real place. *sigh* I'm curious if kids will lose interest and give up on it?
2018 Popsugar Reading Challenge: #22 A book with alliteration in the title
2018 Popsugar Reading Challenge: #22 A book with alliteration in the title
I had read and enjoyed the first Greenglass House book last year, coincidentally during my Christmas break, which was perfect timing since the story takes place during the main character Milo's Christmas break. This book is also set during Christmas break the following year, so I listened to this one in December through my break, as well, which I highly recommended if cozy middle-grade family-centric mysteries (that include unusual houses, inexplicable towns, worlds with historical context, and various odd/unexplained events) are your thing. And I would say that if you haven't read Greenglass House, you may not appreciate the characters as much, nor the predicaments they find themselves in, so I recommend starting with the first book.
Also, a few random notes:
- This series isn't exactly "fantasy," but it kind of has to fall into that category because there are various unexplainable phenomena that happen. I don't want to say more because that might give spoilers for the first book, if you haven't read it. So I would so if you don't really like fantasy in its more traditional forms, this book probably won't give you the same feels as typical fantasy books, and if you do like fantasy, this series will still qualify--but in a much different way.
- The most unusual thing about the series, though, is the lack of time/place context for the reader to situation this world in. At first, it seemed to me that this was a kid in the modern world who happens to live in a really unusual house that is also an inn run by his parents. But there are other elements throughout the series that make it clear we aren't really talking about our own real world. It's very close, but just a bit...slantwise here and there.
This story picks up beautifully from the previous year and moves quickly into a new unexpected holiday adventure for the Pine family. I fully and thoroughly enjoyed the mystery and mishaps that occur (you think Milo's *last* winter break was weird--just wait for this one!), and I again enjoyed being in Milo's POV and watching him grow and develop. I am not sure whether the author is intentionally writing Milo as an autistic character, but he certainly has many autistic traits, and it's delightful to see the portrayal of Milo's individual characteristics as both assets and challenges. The author shows Milo's daily challenges (including being an adopted child of Chinese heritage in a White family) and also how Milo bravely faces the dangers of the unusual situations he finds himself in.
Sadly, the ending of the book kind of lost me a bit. There was a twist, and another really great twist! And then...another twist, and another! Honestly, it got a little out of hand, and the last ones strained my credulity to the point where I just didn't buy it. So the ending just didn't satisfy like the rest of the book does. This one rates three stars instead of the four I had thought it would get. Still, the series is worth checking out if you want something different in the Middle Grade realm.
Also, a few random notes:
- This series isn't exactly "fantasy," but it kind of has to fall into that category because there are various unexplainable phenomena that happen. I don't want to say more because that might give spoilers for the first book, if you haven't read it. So I would so if you don't really like fantasy in its more traditional forms, this book probably won't give you the same feels as typical fantasy books, and if you do like fantasy, this series will still qualify--but in a much different way.
- The most unusual thing about the series, though, is the lack of time/place context for the reader to situation this world in. At first, it seemed to me that this was a kid in the modern world who happens to live in a really unusual house that is also an inn run by his parents. But there are other elements throughout the series that make it clear we aren't really talking about our own real world. It's very close, but just a bit...slantwise here and there.
This story picks up beautifully from the previous year and moves quickly into a new unexpected holiday adventure for the Pine family. I fully and thoroughly enjoyed the mystery and mishaps that occur (you think Milo's *last* winter break was weird--just wait for this one!), and I again enjoyed being in Milo's POV and watching him grow and develop. I am not sure whether the author is intentionally writing Milo as an autistic character, but he certainly has many autistic traits, and it's delightful to see the portrayal of Milo's individual characteristics as both assets and challenges. The author shows Milo's daily challenges (including being an adopted child of Chinese heritage in a White family) and also how Milo bravely faces the dangers of the unusual situations he finds himself in.
Sadly, the ending of the book kind of lost me a bit. There was a twist, and another really great twist! And then...another twist, and another! Honestly, it got a little out of hand, and the last ones strained my credulity to the point where I just didn't buy it. So the ending just didn't satisfy like the rest of the book does. This one rates three stars instead of the four I had thought it would get. Still, the series is worth checking out if you want something different in the Middle Grade realm.
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Reviews and more on my blog: Entering the Enchanted Castle
Another comfort reread from Milford. I think the reviews that complain this one is more of the same are a bit unfair -- a lot of the same elements from GGH appear, but there is a subtle change and growth in Milo that Milford aptly portrays through his creating a new role-playing character. The details about the latter were a little unbelievable, but maybe kids who are really into RPG do imagine themselves into the part so thoroughly? Anyway, in the context of the story I was fine with it.
Marzana was an intriguing character who could have played more of a role. It's good that she got her own book (The Thief Knot) and I hope we'll still see more of her, maybe together with Milo. I also enjoyed the lore and tradition around the Waits.
I'm going to stop now with Milford as I don't feel in the mood for the darker ones I have not yet read, The Boneshaker and The Broken Lands -- but I'll get to them eventually.
Another comfort reread from Milford. I think the reviews that complain this one is more of the same are a bit unfair -- a lot of the same elements from GGH appear, but there is a subtle change and growth in Milo that Milford aptly portrays through his creating a new role-playing character. The details about the latter were a little unbelievable, but maybe kids who are really into RPG do imagine themselves into the part so thoroughly? Anyway, in the context of the story I was fine with it.
Marzana was an intriguing character who could have played more of a role. It's good that she got her own book (The Thief Knot) and I hope we'll still see more of her, maybe together with Milo. I also enjoyed the lore and tradition around the Waits.
I'm going to stop now with Milford as I don't feel in the mood for the darker ones I have not yet read, The Boneshaker and The Broken Lands -- but I'll get to them eventually.
I really liked The Greenglass House when I read it, so I have no idea why I decided NOT to read this one when it came out. I read The Thief Knot this fall and I LOVED it, so I went back to read this one. It was fabulous! The only problem was that I spoiled some of the reveals in this book by reading the series out of order. If you love classic mysteries set in a slightly fantastical world, you need to read these books. But learn from my mistakes and read them in order. Highly recommended for grades 4 & up.
I absolutely love this series! I don't know how I've gone so long without hearing about it. I did read the 5th book first (accidentally) but because it's referenced so much in the previous novels, I'm actually happy I read it first! The characters are the best.