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asreadbykat's review against another edition
4.0
True Rating: 4/5 Stars
My Thoughts
I'm writing this review as a re-read of this first book, and upon reading it a second time I remembered how much I enjoyed it. This is a fun middle grade read that includes some interesting puzzles, realistic characters, and some dark mystery.
Elizabeth Somers lives with her financially poor and emotionally neglectful aunt and uncle in a small town where she doesn't seem to fit in. She loves reading, and any kind of codes and puzzles, like anagrams. One winter, she's told that she's going to spend 3 weeks at a hotel called Winterhouse while her aunt and uncle go on vacation. Elizabeth certainly isn't expecting much, but Winterhouse is even more than she ever could have expected. She meets interesting people, is accepted and even makes a friend. But there's a secret in Winterhouse that's determined to come out, and Elizabeth just can't let this puzzle go.
This book is a perfect winter read. There are plenty of descriptions of ice and snow, talk of skiing and ice skating, and it even takes place over Christmas. Besides that, the mystery is just intriguing enough to keep the story moving, but light enough (most of the time) to avoid destroying to the cozy feel of the book. What makes it even better is that Elizabeth's life doesn't suddenly pull a "fairy tale" at the hotel; she still has some trouble fitting in, has fights and disagreements, and still acts like a very believable 11 year old. although admittedly one with a large vocabulary from reading.
If I had to nitpick with the plot of the book, I'd say it's not quite as strong as it could be because it's rushed at the end. Elizabeth finds the key to the mystery far too easily at just the right time, and there's no buildup or explanation about certain aspects of the characters or story. However, that doesn't detract from the book's fun.
If you just want a cozy read this winter, or have a young reader in your family, this book may just be the one.
My Thoughts
I'm writing this review as a re-read of this first book, and upon reading it a second time I remembered how much I enjoyed it. This is a fun middle grade read that includes some interesting puzzles, realistic characters, and some dark mystery.
Elizabeth Somers lives with her financially poor and emotionally neglectful aunt and uncle in a small town where she doesn't seem to fit in. She loves reading, and any kind of codes and puzzles, like anagrams. One winter, she's told that she's going to spend 3 weeks at a hotel called Winterhouse while her aunt and uncle go on vacation. Elizabeth certainly isn't expecting much, but Winterhouse is even more than she ever could have expected. She meets interesting people, is accepted and even makes a friend. But there's a secret in Winterhouse that's determined to come out, and Elizabeth just can't let this puzzle go.
This book is a perfect winter read. There are plenty of descriptions of ice and snow, talk of skiing and ice skating, and it even takes place over Christmas. Besides that, the mystery is just intriguing enough to keep the story moving, but light enough (most of the time) to avoid destroying to the cozy feel of the book. What makes it even better is that Elizabeth's life doesn't suddenly pull a "fairy tale" at the hotel; she still has some trouble fitting in, has fights and disagreements, and still acts like a very believable 11 year old. although admittedly one with a large vocabulary from reading.
If I had to nitpick with the plot of the book, I'd say it's not quite as strong as it could be because it's rushed at the end. Elizabeth finds the key to the mystery far too easily at just the right time, and there's no buildup or explanation about certain aspects of the characters or story. However, that doesn't detract from the book's fun.
If you just want a cozy read this winter, or have a young reader in your family, this book may just be the one.
hawksquill's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
katdfleming's review against another edition
4.0
Such a fun story! Will continue reading the series!
katykelly's review against another edition
4.0
Children's hotel-set mystery story, with a delightful focus on word puzzles.
The oft-used protagonist of the orphan again comes into play here, as Elizabeth Somers', who lives with her neglectful aunt and uncle, is unexpectedly sent to a hotel for Christmas. Finding a delightful library she can revel in, and meeting a like-minded cruciverbalist (puzzle enthusiast), finding the Winterhouse Hotel a fascinating and mysterious place, they stumble across a mystery with clues to unlock... Though some other residents seem determined to dislike and even hinder her.
The draw for me was the constant referral to word puzzles, the games Elizabeth and Freddy compete in, and the use of such puzzles in the clues they find to try and solve the mystery.
It's fresh and different, as well as an unusual setting for a children's book - I've recently enjoyed other hotel-set novels for adults (A Gentleman in Moscow, Hotel Alpha) and found this the same. Lovely to see puzzles feature so strongly and positively.
A fine audio read as well, easy to listen to, and enthusiastically read. A book to recommend to ages 9-13 in particular.
The oft-used protagonist of the orphan again comes into play here, as Elizabeth Somers', who lives with her neglectful aunt and uncle, is unexpectedly sent to a hotel for Christmas. Finding a delightful library she can revel in, and meeting a like-minded cruciverbalist (puzzle enthusiast), finding the Winterhouse Hotel a fascinating and mysterious place, they stumble across a mystery with clues to unlock... Though some other residents seem determined to dislike and even hinder her.
The draw for me was the constant referral to word puzzles, the games Elizabeth and Freddy compete in, and the use of such puzzles in the clues they find to try and solve the mystery.
It's fresh and different, as well as an unusual setting for a children's book - I've recently enjoyed other hotel-set novels for adults (A Gentleman in Moscow, Hotel Alpha) and found this the same. Lovely to see puzzles feature so strongly and positively.
A fine audio read as well, easy to listen to, and enthusiastically read. A book to recommend to ages 9-13 in particular.
witchy_squirrel's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
rjdenney's review against another edition
5.0
***Re-Read DECEMBER 2020!!! - Loved it just as much as the first time.
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I love when a book has be guessing!! I've read a lot of them and can usually see what's coming and with this one, I was pleasantly surprised. The first 100 pages of this book had me on the edge of my seat wondering what the heck was going on and I really enjoyed that about this story. Reading this I couldn't help but be reminded of my favorite author John Bellairs. The way John told his stories with so much mystery and darkness, yet they had this cozy feeling at the same time. This book felt a lot like a Bellairs book and I really appreciated that. There's mystery, magic, darkness, puzzles, and so much more in this story and I'd really recommend it. The only issue I had, which tends to be an issue I have all the time with big books is that it went on 100 pages too long, but that doesn't take away from my enjoyment of it. I've started the second book already and I have a feeling I will enjoying it and hopefully a lot more than the first! - Richard
_______________________
I love when a book has be guessing!! I've read a lot of them and can usually see what's coming and with this one, I was pleasantly surprised. The first 100 pages of this book had me on the edge of my seat wondering what the heck was going on and I really enjoyed that about this story. Reading this I couldn't help but be reminded of my favorite author John Bellairs. The way John told his stories with so much mystery and darkness, yet they had this cozy feeling at the same time. This book felt a lot like a Bellairs book and I really appreciated that. There's mystery, magic, darkness, puzzles, and so much more in this story and I'd really recommend it. The only issue I had, which tends to be an issue I have all the time with big books is that it went on 100 pages too long, but that doesn't take away from my enjoyment of it. I've started the second book already and I have a feeling I will enjoying it and hopefully a lot more than the first! - Richard
fishbowlsquid's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
huddlej's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
bessadams's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, and Death of parent
Minor: Car accident and Toxic relationship