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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
http://wordnerdy.blogspot.com/2017/08/2017-book-146.html
I'm not sure if the sequel to Milford's Greenglass House is AS awesome as its predecessor, but that book is a tough act to follow, and this is certainly still pretty awesome. It's Christmas at Greenglass House again, with just one guest staying at the hotel, when two of the characters from the previous book show up needing a place to lay low after a HEIST GONE WRONG. And then a whole bunch of mysterious characters show up, things go missing, and everyone is a suspect! Milford does a deft job of layering a fun YA mystery with ghost stories and more serious stories about racism and insensitivity. I will say that I spotted one twist immediately and so the conclusion was not AS exciting, but there were still a few twists to go. Really a fun and satisfying story. A-.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released on October 3rd.
I'm not sure if the sequel to Milford's Greenglass House is AS awesome as its predecessor, but that book is a tough act to follow, and this is certainly still pretty awesome. It's Christmas at Greenglass House again, with just one guest staying at the hotel, when two of the characters from the previous book show up needing a place to lay low after a HEIST GONE WRONG. And then a whole bunch of mysterious characters show up, things go missing, and everyone is a suspect! Milford does a deft job of layering a fun YA mystery with ghost stories and more serious stories about racism and insensitivity. I will say that I spotted one twist immediately and so the conclusion was not AS exciting, but there were still a few twists to go. Really a fun and satisfying story. A-.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released on October 3rd.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
This is a delicious sequel to Greenglass House, and a surprise in so many ways. First, I didn't think Greenglass was going to have a sequel -- truly it can stand alone, but I also didn't expect that Milford would be able to infuse quite as much mysterious and magical delights into a second book, and I was astonished to find that she could. It's a bit of a challenge this one if you haven't read the first -- I kept having to try and remember who all the characters were. It became clear pretty quickly, but I think I would have enjoyed them more back to back.
Another excellent mystery, another smuggling related intrigue, and more Christmas adjacent shenanigans in our favorite historical house. Milo is a year older, and having some frustrations in school with a teacher that seems to fail at engaging with him on the subject of his Chinese heritage and his adoption. This is a strong and well handled theme throughout the book -- how to be who you are, feel comfortable, and find ways to interact with people who don't get you at all. A new ghost appears, some previous acquaintances return, and the house is visited by the marvelously creepy Christmas Waits, a caroling tradition/Abbots Bromley mashup that I want to exist in the real world -- it kind of does in the Christmas Revels, but anyway, let's hear it for reviving folkloric practices and dressing up in bones. It's complicated, not as spooky as it sounds, and a completely engrossing read. I so want Nagspeake to be a real place, and I really hope we get more stories. I do, I do, I do.
Another excellent mystery, another smuggling related intrigue, and more Christmas adjacent shenanigans in our favorite historical house. Milo is a year older, and having some frustrations in school with a teacher that seems to fail at engaging with him on the subject of his Chinese heritage and his adoption. This is a strong and well handled theme throughout the book -- how to be who you are, feel comfortable, and find ways to interact with people who don't get you at all. A new ghost appears, some previous acquaintances return, and the house is visited by the marvelously creepy Christmas Waits, a caroling tradition/Abbots Bromley mashup that I want to exist in the real world -- it kind of does in the Christmas Revels, but anyway, let's hear it for reviving folkloric practices and dressing up in bones. It's complicated, not as spooky as it sounds, and a completely engrossing read. I so want Nagspeake to be a real place, and I really hope we get more stories. I do, I do, I do.
I just love Milo and Meddy. Another mystery that kept me guessing. I enjoy how things start to get resolved, but ends still need to be tied up as you finish. The setting again being Christmas helps with the Magic. The Waits were fascinating. Must learn more about caroling traditions! I plan to read more of Milford’s books, but I really hope she brings back this dynamic duo.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
tense
medium-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:
No
4.5 stars
This was SO close to being as good as the first book, and I think it might actually be my fault!
I read the first book a couple of days before Christmas (these are Christmas books) so I think that might have made the read a bit more gripping/atmospheric...
However!
I still adored this book so much
This was SO close to being as good as the first book, and I think it might actually be my fault!
I read the first book a couple of days before Christmas (these are Christmas books) so I think that might have made the read a bit more gripping/atmospheric...
However!
I still adored this book so much
dark
emotional
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No