House of Secrets
Ratings5
Average rating2.2
15
Ratings5
Average rating2.2
Hailed as “a breakneck, jam-packed roller coaster of an adventure” by J. K. Rowling, this New York Times bestseller is the first installment in the explosive tween fantasy series by famed Hollywood director Chris Columbus (of Harry Potter fame) and bestselling author Ned Vizzini (It’s Kind of a Funny Story).
Siblings Brendan, Eleanor, and Cordelia Walker once had everything they could ever want. But everything changed when Dr. Walker lost his job. Now the family must relocate to an old Victorian house, formerly the home of occult novelist Denver Kristoff—a house that simultaneously feels creepy and too good to be true. By the time the Walkers realize that one of their neighbors has sinister plans for them, they’re banished to a primeval forest way off the grid.
Bloodthirsty medieval warriors patrol the woods around them, supernatural pirates roam the neighboring seas, and a power-hungry queen rules the land. To survive, the siblings will have to be braver than they ever thought possible—and to fight against their darkest impulses. The key may lie in their own connection to the secret Kristoff legacy. But as they unravel that legacy, they’ll discover that it’s not just their family that’s in danger . . . it’s the entire world.
Featured Series
3 primary books4 released booksHouse of Secrets is a 4-book series with 3 primary works first released in 2012 with contributions by Chris Columbus, Ned Vizzini, and 2 others.
Reviews with the most likes.
I wanted to love this book. It's amazing advertisement on TV, endorsements by Rowling and a great idea for a story I thought it was worth a shot.
That is not to say I didn't have my reservations before beginning. Written by the man responsible for producing the first Harry Potter movie I imagine access to the ear of Rowling was not too hard, and just because you can turn someone else's vision into a great film does not mean you can create your own great story.
This book just felt disjointed from the off. It seemed to bounce around like a kid on a sugar rush. The three main characters barely had their back stories laid out before we were off into a strange land. There they seem to encounter all kinds of strange goings on only to have it last 2 pages then stop, then something else comes along and then stops. All of it seemingly leading precisely nowhere.
It talks in riddles about things which may or might have happened, there is no clarity or substance or resolution in the story.
I have to admit to giving up half way through this one because I just didn't care enough about the lead characters to keep going. I felt each time I opened it I was having to endure it rather than enjoy it and life is full of so many other good books waiting to be read that I just wanted to move on. Disappointed.
3.5 stars
My feelings about this book are pretty controversial. It was a great plot and all but the writing wasn't exactly good. The strongest point about this book is that, even though it has 2 authors, there was no difference at all in the writing style, as if it was written by only one person. However, I did not find it a book suitable for children or middle grade kids at all. The book had so many cruel points.
I know, I know, kids should know about these stuff but heck, I don't even know about them :P
On the whole, it was a bit entertaining although it felt quite random and the description wasn't clear. I had a trouble envisioning a lot of things but that might have been my fault, English not being my first language and all.
I don't regret reading this but I don't exactly recommend.
