Title: Amber House
Author: Kelly Moore
First published October 1, 2012
368 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780545434164 (ISBN10: 0545434165)
Rating: 3.9
Overview
“When Sarah Parsons’ grandmother dies, she inherits Amber House, the mysterious Maryland estate that has been in her family for generations. Despite never having set foot in the house, Sarah is drawn to it and decides to uncover the secrets that lie within.
With her friend Jackson by her side, they embark on a hunt for lost diamonds and discover a world beyond their wildest imaginations. Sarah begins to see visions of the House’s past, from a sea captain’s hidden jewels to a great-grandmother driven mad by grief.
As she delves deeper, Sarah grows closer to Jackson and Richard Hathaway, whose own family histories are intertwined with hers. But as the ghosts of the past threaten the present, Sarah must race against time to unravel the House’s secrets before it’s too late.
Will she be able to stop history from repeating itself, or will Amber House’s dark past swallow her whole?”
About the Author
Meet Kelly Moore – a successful author, former litigator, and a single mom to three amazing kids. Her talent and hard work have earned her a spot on the prestigious New York Times best-seller list.
Editoral Review
Kelly Moore’s Amber House is a haunting and suspenseful novel that will keep readers captivated until the very end. Published on October 1, 2012, this young adult novel explores the themes of family, secrets, and the supernatural with a deft touch that is sure to appeal to readers of all ages.
The novel follows Sarah Parsons, a sixteen-year-old girl who has just inherited Amber House, her family’s ancestral home. Sarah has always been fascinated by the house, but she soon discovers that it holds more secrets than she ever could have imagined.
As she delves deeper into the history of Amber House, Sarah begins to uncover dark secrets about her family’s past, including a long-forgotten tragedy that still haunts the house.
Moore’s writing is both lyrical and atmospheric, and she excels at creating a sense of tension and unease that permeates the entire novel. The setting of Amber House is beautifully rendered, with the old mansion coming to life on the page.
The characters are well-drawn and complex, with Sarah’s journey of self-discovery and growth providing a strong emotional core to the story.
One of the strengths of Amber House is its seamless integration of historical elements into the narrative. The novel is set in a small town in Virginia, and Moore does an excellent job of incorporating real-life historical events and figures into the story.
This adds a layer of depth and richness to the novel that elevates it above other young adult paranormal books.
That being said, there are a few flaws in Amber House that prevent it from being a perfect novel. The pacing can be slow at times, and the plot can feel a bit convoluted as more and more layers are added to the story.
Additionally, some of the supporting characters feel underdeveloped, and their motivations can be unclear at times.
Despite these flaws, Amber House is a strong debut novel that is sure to appeal to fans of young adult paranormal fiction. Moore’s writing is evocative and haunting, and Sarah’s journey of self-discovery is both compelling and emotionally resonant.
Overall, Amber House is a book that is well worth reading.
For its strengths in writing, character development, and historical significance, Amber House earns a rating of 4 out of 5 stars. This is a book that will appeal to fans of Gothic horror and paranormal romance, as well as readers who enjoy stories with strong family themes and historical elements.
