WINTERHOUSE
Author: Ben Guterson
Ages:10-14
Eleven-year old Elizabeth, orphaned at four, lives an extremely boring and lonely life with her aunt and uncle – until a mysterious opportunity for her to spend the Christmas holidays at the famous Winterhouse hotel appears. There she meets the creative, fascinating old manager, a couple dressed entirely in black who apparently carry half a library around in a coffin, and her first real friend.
I’ve heard that this book is similar to Greenglass House and Book Scavenger, but I think the similarity to Greenglass House is more or less only that it takes place in an old hotel in winter. I personally prefer Greenglass House.
Eleven-year old Elizabeth, orphaned at four, lives an extremely boring and lonely life with her aunt and uncle – until a mysterious opportunity for her to spend the Christmas holidays at the famous Winterhouse hotel appears. There she meets the creative, fascinating old manager, a couple dressed entirely in black who apparently carry half a library around in a coffin, and her first real friend
Like Book Scavenger, Winterhouse is packed with ciphers, anagrams and other word puzzles. It also involves the make-first-friend, lose-first-friend-due-to-obsession-with-puzzle, remake-friend.
This is a colourful and creative book. I found it a bit predictable; a bit of typical mysterious-orphan-with-strange-mind-and-memories. It is a bit creepy, but if you’re specifically looking for a creepy book, look somewhere else. The general atmosphere is of exiting, new and overall enjoyment.
7.6ish/10
PLEASE RATE/REVIEW THIS BOOK!
Comments wil remain anonymous if requested.