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Rating: 4 stars
Cover Rating: 4 stars (I really enjoy this cover, it captures Celie and the castle perfectly.)
Genre: Middle Grade
Publication Date: October 25, 2011
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Page Count: 254 p.
Buy it: Book Depository | Indie | Amazon
Add it: Goodreads
The Castle Glower is part of the Glower family, or they are a part of the Castle Glower. Either way, the castle seems to have a mind of it's own. It sprouts new rooms and corridors and you can tell if it likes you or if you aren't it's favorite. Celie is the youngest sibling in the Castle Glower and the Castle seems to like her the best. When the King and Queen are traveling one day, they are ambushed and go missing. Many claim that they are simply dead, but their children won't believe it. Then some of the neighboring princes come to the castle to "show their respect". The children think that they are up to no good however. With the help of the Castle it's up to the kids to defend their home and find their parents.
What a fun book. I want a Castle Glower of my own. It has such personality so a building. Each of the family members treat the Castle exactly as they should and the Castle respects them for it. You wouldn't think that you could tell much from a castle, but this one is special.
I loved Celie and her inquisitiveness. It came in very handy many times throughout the story. Each of the siblings had their own strengths and luckily together they did well. It was nice that they got along pretty well, because otherwise I fear what could have happened to them and the Castle.
There were a few times that I thought I had sorted some things out, but I often turned out to be incorrect. It was nice that it kept me guessing. The villains were not quite as evil as they could have been, but they helped give the story a lighter feel to it even when things looked grim.
This story sort of reminded me a bit of Howl's Moving Castle, both the Castle and the atmosphere. This is a great read for middle grade, young adults, adults, boys and girls; pretty much anyone who loves a great story. With a fun cast of characters. This was a very fun read and I'm looking forward to getting my hands on a copy of the next tale in the Castle Glower.
First Line:
"Whenever Castle Glower became bored, it would grow a new room or two."
Favorite Line:
"Celie didn't know how she knew, but there was the strangest feeling that something, some part of the stones was just gone."
(doesn't have to be posted on a Monday)
Castle Glower sounds like an awesome place! I love it when buildings in books seem to have a certain charm/personality. And a fun cast of characters? I'll have to see if my library has this.
ReplyDeleteGreat review :)