Scan barcode
katykelly's review against another edition
3.0
Domestic family story with a touch of magical realism/fantasy.
Blended family, children each with their own story, and a slightly magic house/occupants. It's quite a brief one, but did make me think of Robert Westall and The House of Green Knowe.
I'm not a huge fan of fantasy that seems to envelop a real-world story, but like A Monster Calls, it can sometime be relevant.
Abi, a reader, finds her life change quite dramatically when her dad falls for a single mum, and she is made to share a house with no only a stepmother, but two step-brothers. Who can't seem to leave her her own space and things. The house they rent is old, a little spooky, and little Louis starts seeing a cat around the place. Or is it?
It's really not what I would have chosen as a child, though I can see that both the domestic/family issues of blended families raised and the fantastical elements will play well with the intended audience.
The siblings' rivalries, arguments, conversations and bonding are all pretty realistic. I definitely wanted more of this side of things, but the narrator captured Abi's young voice and those of the boys convincingly on audiobook.
For ages 8-11.
With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy.
Blended family, children each with their own story, and a slightly magic house/occupants. It's quite a brief one, but did make me think of Robert Westall and The House of Green Knowe.
I'm not a huge fan of fantasy that seems to envelop a real-world story, but like A Monster Calls, it can sometime be relevant.
Abi, a reader, finds her life change quite dramatically when her dad falls for a single mum, and she is made to share a house with no only a stepmother, but two step-brothers. Who can't seem to leave her her own space and things. The house they rent is old, a little spooky, and little Louis starts seeing a cat around the place. Or is it?
It's really not what I would have chosen as a child, though I can see that both the domestic/family issues of blended families raised and the fantastical elements will play well with the intended audience.
The siblings' rivalries, arguments, conversations and bonding are all pretty realistic. I definitely wanted more of this side of things, but the narrator captured Abi's young voice and those of the boys convincingly on audiobook.
For ages 8-11.
With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy.
graceelenora's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
maddycat13's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
This book is so lovely and incredibly sweet! It’s a great reminder that magic is all around us and reading can take us to worlds with no bounds.
aradhnak's review against another edition
4.0
Oh this was sweet and fun and magical.
To be edited.
*EDITED*
It took me longer than I liked to finish this book, not because it was not a good book. No, it was great and cute and well-crafted, and the few times I picked it up, I flew through chapters. No, it was just because I have been busy with other things.
But I finally finished it and I loved it so much! This was written really well, and writing child characters can be very difficult, but I thought it was done amazingly. All three main characters - Abi, Max and Louis - are different ages, but they are very distinct, and come across very much as the age they are said to be.
Abi and her love for reading clicked with me the most, because I am like that. Getting lost in the book and the way the author wrote it was very magical. Which added to the mystery of the story, and whether or not Abi was imagining actually getting lost in her books.
Louis was adorable and stubborn, and he reminded me so much of the nephews I have at his age. He felt things so much, and loved so fiercely, and his emotions were so strong, and I loved that he was the first of the three kids to want them to actually be a family. Blended families can be difficult, but Louis really embraced it, and his confusion as to why Abi was not doing the same was sweet and sad in the same moment.
Max was a very well-written and well-fleshed out teenager. He came across as young and yet wanting to be older at the same time. He was ready to be treated as an adult, even as he was experiencing growing pains - the first real crush, the fight with his friends, the newness of his mother’s marriage to Abi’s father. It was all done very well.
And the way the three learned to come together as siblings slowly over the book was unfolded very nicely. I really enjoyed it, and will be recommending this to all the young readers I know.
To be edited.
*EDITED*
It took me longer than I liked to finish this book, not because it was not a good book. No, it was great and cute and well-crafted, and the few times I picked it up, I flew through chapters. No, it was just because I have been busy with other things.
But I finally finished it and I loved it so much! This was written really well, and writing child characters can be very difficult, but I thought it was done amazingly. All three main characters - Abi, Max and Louis - are different ages, but they are very distinct, and come across very much as the age they are said to be.
Abi and her love for reading clicked with me the most, because I am like that. Getting lost in the book and the way the author wrote it was very magical. Which added to the mystery of the story, and whether or not Abi was imagining actually getting lost in her books.
Louis was adorable and stubborn, and he reminded me so much of the nephews I have at his age. He felt things so much, and loved so fiercely, and his emotions were so strong, and I loved that he was the first of the three kids to want them to actually be a family. Blended families can be difficult, but Louis really embraced it, and his confusion as to why Abi was not doing the same was sweet and sad in the same moment.
Max was a very well-written and well-fleshed out teenager. He came across as young and yet wanting to be older at the same time. He was ready to be treated as an adult, even as he was experiencing growing pains - the first real crush, the fight with his friends, the newness of his mother’s marriage to Abi’s father. It was all done very well.
And the way the three learned to come together as siblings slowly over the book was unfolded very nicely. I really enjoyed it, and will be recommending this to all the young readers I know.
tiffani_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.0
decembermagpie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
nicolemhewitt's review against another edition
5.0
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Hauntingly lyrical and eerie, A Time of Green Magic paints a portrait of a blended family learning to love each other in a new house touched by something mystical. The story follows Abi, Max, and Louis, who are all just trying to figure out where they fit after the boys’ dad and Abi’s mom get married. When they move to a new house, strange things start happening—Abi’s always got her head in a book, and the house seems to brings those books to life right around her. Meanwhile little Louis finds a strange creature in his room that keeps him company, but grows ever wilder and more intimidating, and Max is dealing with a first crush that he definitely doesn’t know how to handle. The kids eventually have to come together to solve the mystery of the house’s magic and find a way to keep it in check before it goes too far. This is a quiet book, best for patient MG readers who don’t need everything spelled out for them right away and don’t need every loose end tied up with a bow at the end. But the writing is utterly gorgeous, and what kid wouldn’t love the idea of a magical house that brings books to life?
Hauntingly lyrical and eerie, A Time of Green Magic paints a portrait of a blended family learning to love each other in a new house touched by something mystical. The story follows Abi, Max, and Louis, who are all just trying to figure out where they fit after the boys’ dad and Abi’s mom get married. When they move to a new house, strange things start happening—Abi’s always got her head in a book, and the house seems to brings those books to life right around her. Meanwhile little Louis finds a strange creature in his room that keeps him company, but grows ever wilder and more intimidating, and Max is dealing with a first crush that he definitely doesn’t know how to handle. The kids eventually have to come together to solve the mystery of the house’s magic and find a way to keep it in check before it goes too far. This is a quiet book, best for patient MG readers who don’t need everything spelled out for them right away and don’t need every loose end tied up with a bow at the end. But the writing is utterly gorgeous, and what kid wouldn’t love the idea of a magical house that brings books to life?
kg18's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
frankie89's review
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
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? It's complicated
3.75
amber_hastings's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Hilary McKay can do no wrong! This was an unusual story that balanced dreamy, magical realism with a very realistic depiction of a chaotic blended family.
It's rare that I enjoy a wandering perspective but I think Hilary masters it so well, giving you just enough insight into the secondary characters to build empathy for them while remaining invested in the protagonist.
I'd have liked a little bit more insight into the magic of the ivy and where the kids go when they're transported from the house to the worlds within their books ... but I suppose the message is that readings books is such a solitary, personal adventure.
After reading the Casson series it was nice to see a parent who was a little bit more engaged with the kids while still busy with their own work life.
I thought it was lovely that the main character, Abi, held her tongue so many times when cross with her stepbrothers — a subtle way of showing kids that venting anger in a hurtful way is never the best thing to do. I appreciated the earlier dialogue where she tells her new brothers she's had to give up everything, and the fact she retreats from the family when they're first blended. Very realistic without being over explained.
It's hard not to love little Louis and his acceptance and love for Iffen. And Max's awkward teen crush was delightfully embarrassing to read.
It's rare that I enjoy a wandering perspective but I think Hilary masters it so well, giving you just enough insight into the secondary characters to build empathy for them while remaining invested in the protagonist.
I'd have liked a little bit more insight into the magic of the ivy and where the kids go when they're transported from the house to the worlds within their books ... but I suppose the message is that readings books is such a solitary, personal adventure.
After reading the Casson series it was nice to see a parent who was a little bit more engaged with the kids while still busy with their own work life.
I thought it was lovely that the main character, Abi, held her tongue so many times when cross with her stepbrothers — a subtle way of showing kids that venting anger in a hurtful way is never the best thing to do. I appreciated the earlier dialogue where she tells her new brothers she's had to give up everything, and the fact she retreats from the family when they're first blended. Very realistic without being over explained.
It's hard not to love little Louis and his acceptance and love for Iffen. And Max's awkward teen crush was delightfully embarrassing to read.