Ned Vizzini and Chris Columbus. From their writing, we know what to expect. Something magical, cinematic and with their experience in the film industry it's no wonder the book read like a movie script. Action, romance, I can see this being the next blockbuster. Whether a house was being tossed round on the sea, or witches were dressed in robes of purple, this was exactly the kind of story which you could play out in your head. Marvelous stuff, with some real twists.
I'm normally averse to age guidelines in books, but as a thirteen year old, I imagined my eleven year old brother would enjoy the story more than me. I believe it is directed towards a tween audience, although I'd stretch that and say that young adults may appreciate this fast-paced, rollicking read.
The fact that it had been praised by J K Rowling wasn't a surprise. She owes a massive debt to Chris Columbus. It was, after all, he who directed the first two films of what would become part of the Harry Potter phenomena. It really is such a great book though, and very reminiscent of the total fantasy indulgence which came when reading Harry Potter.
Onto the plot, the story follows three siblings on their fantasy adventure to rescue their parents. At this point, I should mention that although I enjoyed the story and thought some of the plot ideas were wonderfully clever, I fear it is very much like most other books lining the sections of 9-12 years in Waterstones.
I don't often read tween fiction, and so I relished this story all the more, since young adult topics are often more somber. This was a pleasant relief from all that, but I don't think I could handle more than a couple of these kind of fantasy adventures a year. However, for a younger audience, they make up a huge part of what's on offer to read nowadays, and perhaps the story would seem hackneyed to me if I was ten now - but I'm rambling!
When Cordelia (a true heroine name, don't you think?), Brendan and Eleanor move into a stunning new home on the edge of a cliff, it feels as if all their hardships are over. Their father, once a celebrated surgeon, lost his job after The Incident - a chilling story in itself and one I won't reveal, but living in dingy flats should be a thing of the past now. Yet there is mystery in the air from before they move in, why is Kristoff House cheaper than a flat? And who was the woman who grabbed Brendan's arm and hissed at him, the woman no one else saw?
When their house is blown away to a magical land (Wizard of Oz, anyone?) and they realize they have landed within a book, things begin to heat up. Not just any book, mind, a book written by Denver Kristoff, the original owner of this house. With their parents gone, and a seriously attractive (but ridiculously sexist, to the point of me wanting to slap him) WW1 pilot landing in their backyard, the children have to figure out a way to save their new friend and get back home.
The children themselves are fantastic, incredible, brilliant and I honestly adored them. Cordelia is fifteen, Brendan is twelve and Eleanor, by far my favorite, is eight. At points where the plot was weak, as if this was in a movie, it was them that rescued it.
Witty banter, sarcasm, love triangles and flying ponies (compliments of Eleanor) will be found in this story. The writing style may not be out of this world but it's a brilliant holiday read. Save it for half term so you can devour it in one day. Congratulations to Columbus and Vizzini! I knew your story would be in vivid 3D but not that the plot would be so strong as well. The only things missing are bloopers and credits at the end.
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