A review by annashiv
The House with a Clock in Its Walls by John Bellairs

3.0

Very fun and whimsical. I thought the writing pretty decent, if not good, but especially talented when it came to sound descriptors. Still, it's a very strange book, nonsensical even. It just seems like the kind of story a parent would come up with on the spot when telling their child a bedtime story, especially the end which is basically just made up nonsense that wraps up everything. It's just odd. But it did feel nostalgic despite never reading it in my youth. It just has that feel, possibly because of the great moody illustrations or the whimsical magic and nonsense. It was enjoyable storytelling, but not great in terms of plot and development. So as long as you go into it knowing that and feel like reading something of this nature, by all means, pick it up. Otherwise, perhaps it's best left for children at bedtime.

I'm interested in seeing what the movie makes of it all and how closely it resembles this.