Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Review: The Mysterious Howling

Title:  The Mysterious Howling
Author:  Maryrose Wood
Series:  The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place [1]
Rating: 4.5

Summary:

Found running wild in the forest of Ashton Place, the Incorrigibles are no ordinary children: Alexander, age ten or thereabouts, keeps his siblings in line with gentle nips; Cassiopeia, perhaps four or five, has a bark that is (usually) worse than her bite; and Beowulf, age somewhere-in-the-middle, is alarmingly adept at chasing squirrels.

Luckily, Miss Penelope Lumley is no ordinary governess. Only fifteen years old and a recent graduate of the Swanburne Academy for Poor Bright Females, Penelope embraces the challenge of her new position. Though she is eager to instruct the children in Latin verbs and the proper use of globes, first she must help them overcome their canine tendencies.

But mysteries abound at Ashton Place: Who are these three wild creatures, and how did they come to live in the vast forests of the estate? Why does Old Timothy, the coachman, lurk around every corner? Will Penelope be able to teach the Incorrigibles table manners and socially useful phrases in time for Lady Constance's holiday ball? And what on earth is a schottische?


Review:

Shockingly awesome!  I thought the premise was interesting to start (thus why I picked up the book), but it actually turned out better than I expected for a juvenile book.  The language (as it takes place "back in the day" in England) is a little difficult for a younger audience I think, I'd say it's geared towards middle schoolers and older.

Anyway, the children were absolutely endearing, and I liked the other characters as well, and they certainly are "characters", like Lady Constance, she's crazy!

The only reason I didn't give this a higher rating because the book led up to this one scene that spanned about two chapters, and those were the only chapters in the book I did not care for.  I think the goal was accomplished, but I didn't love it, I don't know.

Recommended to people middle school aged and older.

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