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asreadbykat's review against another edition
4.0
True Rating: 4.35/5 Stars
Content/Trigger Warnings: Discussions of death, brief non-graphic depiction of someone dying
My Thoughts
Like the first boo, my writing of this review is my second time reading this novel (although I never added it to GR). I honestly forgot most of what happened, however, so it was almost like reading it for the first time again. And, just as with "Winter House," this novel is a nice cozy, wintery fantasy/mystery for readers old or young.
This is a pretty good example of how to keep what was good about the first installment in a series, but add in something new. "Secrets of Winterhouse" doesn't ignore the trauma Elizabeth experienced in the first novel; it touches on it, hinting multiple times that she still has a lingering fear over what happened with Gracella, and that she still suffers in different ways from the encounter. Elizabeth also now has to deal with having family that really and obviously cares about her, something she's not used to, and this causes a very realistic conflict when she wants to be involved in the darker and more mysterious goings-on but is held back by her grandfather.
If the first Winterhouse novel focused more on the setting and world building, this one definitely focuses more on Elizabeth as a character and the growth she goes through. There are still fun puzzles, interesting side characters, and that touch of fantasy and whimsy that made the first book so charming and cozy. However, this book adds in the necessary pre-teen angst a 12-year-old may experience and combines it with Elizabeth's particular circumstances.
Again, this isn't a series that's going to rock anyone's world. It's not mind-blowing, it's not trying to get some big message across, and it's not filled with the biggest battles. But it's a warm, cozy novel that's great to read on a cold winter night, and if you're looking for something relatively low-stakes then this is a trilogy for you.
Content/Trigger Warnings: Discussions of death, brief non-graphic depiction of someone dying
My Thoughts
Like the first boo, my writing of this review is my second time reading this novel (although I never added it to GR). I honestly forgot most of what happened, however, so it was almost like reading it for the first time again. And, just as with "Winter House," this novel is a nice cozy, wintery fantasy/mystery for readers old or young.
This is a pretty good example of how to keep what was good about the first installment in a series, but add in something new. "Secrets of Winterhouse" doesn't ignore the trauma Elizabeth experienced in the first novel; it touches on it, hinting multiple times that she still has a lingering fear over what happened with Gracella, and that she still suffers in different ways from the encounter. Elizabeth also now has to deal with having family that really and obviously cares about her, something she's not used to, and this causes a very realistic conflict when she wants to be involved in the darker and more mysterious goings-on but is held back by her grandfather.
If the first Winterhouse novel focused more on the setting and world building, this one definitely focuses more on Elizabeth as a character and the growth she goes through. There are still fun puzzles, interesting side characters, and that touch of fantasy and whimsy that made the first book so charming and cozy. However, this book adds in the necessary pre-teen angst a 12-year-old may experience and combines it with Elizabeth's particular circumstances.
Again, this isn't a series that's going to rock anyone's world. It's not mind-blowing, it's not trying to get some big message across, and it's not filled with the biggest battles. But it's a warm, cozy novel that's great to read on a cold winter night, and if you're looking for something relatively low-stakes then this is a trilogy for you.
rjdenney's review against another edition
5.0
***Re-read January 2021
__________________________
I can't say much since this is the sequel to Winterhouse but holy crap! Things got so much more intense and dark in this one and I freaking loved it. I also really enjoyed the twists, some I didn't see coming and I love that. I can't wait to read the third and final book when it comes out. I'm glad this is one of my final reads of Winter too (currently re-reading The Dark Secret of Weatherend by John Bellairs) because I just don't think you can read books that take place in Winter in Spring or Summer, it just doesn't do it for me. The cold weather and rain has been the perfect mood for reading these books.
- Richard
__________________________
I can't say much since this is the sequel to Winterhouse but holy crap! Things got so much more intense and dark in this one and I freaking loved it. I also really enjoyed the twists, some I didn't see coming and I love that. I can't wait to read the third and final book when it comes out. I'm glad this is one of my final reads of Winter too (currently re-reading The Dark Secret of Weatherend by John Bellairs) because I just don't think you can read books that take place in Winter in Spring or Summer, it just doesn't do it for me. The cold weather and rain has been the perfect mood for reading these books.
- Richard
aubrey_the_explorer's review against another edition
5.0
Enjoyable read. Similar dynamic to the first, but with some new characters and some new twists.
monstera_99_'s review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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? Yes
5.0
mtbaird's review against another edition
5.0
I enjoyed this book, the second to Winterhouse. Elizabeth returns to Winterhouse for second time. She meets up with her friend, Freddy. They again find themselves into situations and questioning what some people are up to. Elizabeth being curious as she is, she is always into something.
gerdasversion's review against another edition
Winter ist vorbei aber Buch nicht😔
susrutha_sam's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I actually thought the first book in the series was just okay but I'm so glad I stuck with it because this gave me everything I wanted from the first one. Definite must read!
jessbianconi's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
thebookishunicorn's review against another edition
4.0
"We have to keep the faith. Hold it up in any light."
Another fun puzzle filled mystery!
Another fun puzzle filled mystery!
gingervandorsten's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
relaxing
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? It's complicated
3.75