Watch Hollow bu Gregory Funaro
Genre: Middle Grade
320 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication: February 12th 2019
Deep within the enchanted woods in the town of Watch Hollow stands the once-grand Blackford House, whose halls hold a magical secret: a giant cuckoo clock that does much more than tell time. But when the clock’s gears cease to turn, an evil presence lurking among the trees begins to come out of the shadows.
When Lucy and Oliver Tinker arrive in Watch Hollow, they have no idea that anything is wrong. A mysterious stranger has made their father an offer that’s too good for him to refuse. All Mr. Tinker needs to do is fix the clock at Blackford House and fistfuls of gold coins are his to keep.
It doesn’t take long, however, for the children to realize that there is more to Blackford House than meets the eye. And before they can entirely understand the strange world they’ve stumbled into, Lucy and Oliver must join forces with a host of magical clock animals to defeat the Garr—a vicious monster that not only wants Blackford House for itself, but also seeks to destroy everything the Tinkers hold dear.
—
This book was sent to me by Mr. Gregory Funari for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This charming spooky middle-grade thriller was delightful. It reminded a bit of the movie Monster House, just less scary.
We follow the story of 11-year-old Lucy and 13-year-old Oliver Tinker. The siblings live in a click shop, with their clocksmith father Charles Tinker. One day a mysterious man shows up at their shop — with a lot of money — wanting to hire Mr. Tinker to repair his clock. But his clock was part of a house and that clock gave the house power. Desperate for money, Mr. Tinker takes the job offer and soon Lucy and Oliver are their summer vacation at the Victorian style Blackford House.
Soon enough the Tinker siblings find out there is more to the house and the forest around it than it seems.
In Watch Hollow we follow the narrative of both Lucy and Oliver. However, what is most stricken and how distinct and different the two point of views are. Lucy does feel like a young child: young, curious, courageous and scared. While Oliver’s needs to be smart and be the older sibling while dealing with the start of puberty. Lucy’s sentences were straight forward and simple. And Oliver’s were more complex. It was nice being to feel their ages.
There were moments that felt that the siblings could feel or know each other thought which felt a bit unrealistic. Especially when a chapter was focusing on a specific voice.
The plot began slow, much like the start of a train, and then quickly built up to a story I had a hard time putting down! (I almost missed my train stop while reading it.) Once Lucy met the animals of the clock the story truly started moving.
I enjoyed the puzzles and hints Mr.Funaro left throughout the story giving you a chance to figure out the mystery of the Blackford house.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read and would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a fun quick spooky/thriller read.
My rating: 4/5