Amber House

 
3.3 (2)
 
4.7 (2)
190 0
Amber House
Publisher
Age Range
14+
Release Date
October 01, 2012
ISBN
9780545434164
Buy This Book
      

 

"I was sixteen the first time my grandmother died. . . ." Sarah Parsons has never seen Amber House, the grand Maryland estate that's been in her family for three centuries. She's never walked its hedge maze nor found its secret chambers; she's never glimpsed the shades that haunt it, nor hunted for the lost diamonds in its walls. But after her grandmother passes away, Sarah and her friend Jackson decide to search for the diamonds--and the House comes alive. She discovers that she can see visions of the House's past, like the eighteenth-century sea captain who hid the jewels, or the glamorous great-grandmother driven mad by grief. Sarah grows closer to both Jackson and a young man named Richard Hathaway, whose family histories are each deeply entwined with her own. But when her ghostly visions start to threaten the person she holds most dear, Sarah must do everything she can to get to the bottom of the House's secrets, and stop the course of history before it is cemented forever.

 

"I was sixteen the first time my grandmother died. . . ." Sarah Parsons has never seen Amber House, the grand Maryland estate that's been in her family for three centuries. She's never walked its hedge maze nor found its secret chambers; she's never glimpsed the shades that haunt it, nor hunted for the lost diamonds in its walls. But after her grandmother passes away, Sarah and her friend Jackson decide to search for the diamonds--and the House comes alive. She discovers that she can see visions of the House's past, like the eighteenth-century sea captain who hid the jewels, or the glamorous great-grandmother driven mad by grief. Sarah grows closer to both Jackson and a young man named Richard Hathaway, whose family histories are each deeply entwined with her own. But when her ghostly visions start to threaten the person she holds most dear, Sarah must do everything she can to get to the bottom of the House's secrets, and stop the course of history before it is cemented forever.

Editor reviews

4 reviews
Overall rating
 
3.3
Plot
 
3.0(2)
Characters
 
4.0(2)
Writing Style
 
3.0(2)
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A(0)
A Little Gothic Now and Then...
Overall rating
 
3.3
Plot
 
N/A
Characters
 
N/A
Writing Style
 
N/A
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
Amber House contains some great elements of a Gothic novel. Once Sarah finds herself at Amber House, she hears the faint laughter of children- who aren't there, visions in mirrors, and a faint sense that someone is always watching her.

I loved the history behind the house and the idea that a home can hold the secrets of generations. Amber House is all about family and how one belongs to all the memories a family can hold throughout the generations.

Although written by three different authors, the story is seamlessly put together. Each story element fits with the next. Sarah is a strong character, which I find refreshing, yet not without her own flaws. The story brings out the explorer in the reader. I loved reading the book and trying to find things and figure out the meaning behind everything.

Recommended to fans of mysteries and historical fiction. Can't wait for the rest of the trilogy.
Good Points
Great Fall or Summer read.
Epilogue
Report this review Comments (0) | Was this review helpful? 0 0
For Lois Duncan fans
(Updated: October 01, 2012)
Overall rating
 
3.3
Plot
 
N/A
Characters
 
N/A
Writing Style
 
N/A
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
When Sarah's grandmother dies, she and her mother, along with her four-year-old brother Sam, travel from Oregon to Maryland to prepare the house for sale. Sarah's mother and father are having marital difficulties, her mother doesn't care at all for the multi-generational history and family connections that the house has, and is rude to the family retainers who are trying to help. Sarah's brother is difficult to take care of, since he is on the autism spectrum, and much of his care falls to Sarah. She is glad for the distraction of Jackson, whose grandmother works at the house and who wants to work with Sarah to try to find diamonds that were lost in the house years ago, but also likes the attention of Richard, the really attractive son of a senator whom her mother likes. While all of this is going on, Sarah starts to realize that when she touches objects in the house, she can read the emotions of the people who owned them, and she gets glimpses into a huge array of personal histories. She also has the problem that ghosts appear to her, and some of them are somewhat threatening. She would like to save Amber House from being sold, so cooperates with her mother when she wants to throw an elaborate birthday party for Sarah and invite all of the local wealthy people who might be interested in the house. Can the mysteries and ghosts of the past work in Sarah's favor to keep the house from being sold?

Good Points
This reminded me of some of Lois Duncan's writing (such as Down a Dark Hall). I liked the history of the house and the appearance of all of the characters from the past. The romances were a nice touch, as was the rarefied atmosphere of wealthy families and coming out parties. This would be a great summer read, or a book to curl up with while drinking a cup of cocoa by the fire.

Report this review Comments (1) | Was this review helpful? 0 0

User reviews

2 reviews
Overall rating
 
4.7
Plot
 
5.0(2)
Characters
 
4.5(2)
Writing Style
 
4.5(2)
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A(0)
Already have an account? or Create an account
Awesome Book
Overall rating
 
5.0
Plot
 
N/A
Characters
 
N/A
Writing Style
 
N/A
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
Amber House - Kelly Moore, Tucker Reed, & Larkin Reed
349 Pages Finished 1-8-13
Main Characters - Sarah, Jackson, & Sam
Part 1 of 3 Book 2 - Neverwas
Great paranoralish novel! Like nothing I've ever read, deliciously creepy in some places.
After going to her grandmother's funeral Sarah meets Jackson and they become friends while checking out her families ancestral home called Amber House. Her brother Sam has Autism. Her parents are in the process of a divorce. She discovers an ability to "see" the past lives of the women that lived in Amber House. It has a amazing twist that I wouldn't spoil for anyone reading this for the wide world!
I HIGHLY recommend this book!!
Report this review Comments (0) | Was this review helpful? 0 0
This book tripped me out
Overall rating
 
4.3
Plot
 
N/A
Characters
 
N/A
Writing Style
 
N/A
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
I found myself thinking about Amber House long after I had finished reading the last page. It's genre-defying. It spooked me over and over again, but it's not a horror story. The romantic elements left me breathless, but it isn't a cliche romance. It's a family drama with a Gothic feel and a sci-fi twist you'll never expect. I loved it. I can't wait for the sequel.
Good Points
This book was the definition of a page turner! Easily digestible prose from a likable narrator, didn't-see-it-coming plot developments, and richly developed characters with heart-wrenching backstories.
BP
Top 1000 Reviewer
Report this review Comments (0) | Was this review helpful? 1 0