Unfortunately, things are piling up on my to-read list and I know I'm not going to make it through this. It's good, but a little too long and too many characters for me to handle right now. Maybe I'll return to it someday. ( )

Obviously a fun adventure, full of colorful characters and puzzles, great for fans of [book:The Westing Game|902] or [book:The Mysterious Benedict Society|83369]. But it was too cute at times, with just too many incongruous elements and unnecessary twists. ( )

Kate Milford's novel was difficult to assess: do I review from a middle-grader view point or do I "be the adult" in my evaluation? From the 'Tween perspective, it was an interesting story about an old house and the search for something hidden. Whether the 'something' was valuable and to whom was as much a part of the story as the shenanigans of the search. For that aspect it was a 3½-star read. However, the slow-moving narrative and the characters' back story-telling could well lose this intended audience.

From my 'adult' perspective, there was an unnecessary emphasis on the adopted status of Milo (the main protagonist). This focus was more reflective of Milford's state of mind (clarified in her afterword) and really, did it have much to do with the plot to be brought forward several times? While the twist with respect to Meddy was a fun reveal, it might be an aspect (especially coupled with her father's situation) that could derail enjoyment of the novel for older children or even sensitive young teens. I wouldn't wholeheartedly recommend this for kids until the adults who know them best have a skim through. ( )

I found this an utterly engaging read, particularly during the holidays. A sort of The Westing Game meets Christmas. Was surprised by the ending! ( )

This middle-grade mystery was OK. The mystery itself wasn't all that interesting. The setting was delightful, as was the premise of guests stuck at a remote inn over the innkeepers' son's Christmas vacation. The plot was slow-moving. I wonder if the indended audience would lose interest. Things got a little better toward the end, and everything was wrapped up nicely. ( )

I loved this book! It or The Inquisitor's Tale are my favorite read of the whole year. It is finely wrought with layers and mysteries which feel like opening Christmas present after Christmas present as you progress through the story. I thought the awkard, gameplaying, inquisitive Milo was a charming protagonist. His courage and confidence developed through his roleplaying gaming, the discovery of his "orphan magic," his friendship with Meddy and his insatiable curiosity. I loved the setting, too -- the snowy landscape and the Greenglass House, with its attic, secret rooms and stained glass. ( )

Milo's mystery is set in a huge old house that has been his home ever since he was a baby. His home is also an inn mostly frequented by smugglers. The setting is wintry, stormy, cozy, and perfect for a mystery because there are so many rooms, staircases, and an old attic for people to sneak around. As the inn unexpectedly fills up with visitors when Milo planned on having a nice quiet holiday, Milo's questions about his own past get caught up with the personal stories of the unusual characters he winds up spending the holidays with. ( )

Oh, this is good. The first - two-thirds? Three-quarters? is a mildly interesting YA story, a couple kids making an adventure and a mystery game out of some odd circumstances in an interesting old house. Then the circumstances get odder and odder, there are revelations... And then the reveal of Meddy's secret, which I figured out about half a page before we're told. And everything that happened before gets realigned - suddenly I understand some of the oddities from earlier. The story gets a lot richer, and more complex. The end was lovely (and reasonable), and I really want to read the next one. ( )

I have had this on my list to read with my daughter for a long time but I got tired of waiting for her and it fit a prompt so I went ahead and read it. There were a lot of things I really liked about this book, especially the wintery atmosphere and the premise of being stuck in a snowstorm and it felt a lot like an Agatha Christie book to me. I think my enjoyment of the book would have been better if I had actually read it over Christmas break, though, as the warm weather and a/c kept taking me out of its imaginary world. But it has lots of ideas and themes that I think my daughter would definitely enjoy so I will recommend it to her and maybe we can read the sequel together. ( )

This is a special one -- puzzles on puzzles, weird characters and endearing ones, and at the heart of it Greenglass House -- a remote inn with many windows and secrets on every floor. I particularly loved the role-playing aspect to the storytelling, and the blurring of reality when you visit the author's realistic travel website about her fictional town. ( )

This book did and did not go where I think it was going to go. Some of the plot lines were predictable, but others I didn't figure out before they were revealed. This is one of those rare books that is written probably for a juvenile audience, but never feels juvenile. I also liked the sort of Dungeons and Dragons shout out (although in the novel it is called a benign "Odd Trails.") ( )

Milo lives in an inn, with his adoptive parents, the Pines. They are looking forward to a quiet Christmas, when a series of unexpected guests arrive, each with stories relating to the mysterious inn, a smuggler's place. Milo was a good lead character: honest, hardworking, but unsure of himself. Help arrives, including Meddy, who helps him dig into his imagination through a role playing game, through which he gains self confidence by to solving the mysteries of the guests' stolen belongings and ultimately, the mystery behind the house itself. There is some town folklore, a cast of quirky guests at the inn, and a good plot twist at the end. I also enjoyed the endnote by the author about adoption. My only complaint was I found it slow at times. ( )

children's fantasy fiction (treasure hunt quest with lots of odd mysterious characters). This one looks like a good adventure, and would probably make a good read aloud, depending on your audience.

This book had been on my list for a long time and I have many GR friends who’ve enjoyed it so I decided to read it and stick with it no matter how I felt about it. I’d been on a streak of reading nothing but great books right for my mood at the time but recently I’d been having a hard time finding a book I wanted to read. Either they didn’t feel worth picking up or I started them and could feel no enthusiasm for continuing. I’m in the mood for certain books not yet available. I know there must be many books that would be working for me but I haven’t been able to think of them.

I enjoyed this book but until I was far into the book it did not call to me and it was a chore to pick it up. That was my mood more than the book. Once again I found it harder to want to start reading because of the very long chapters (maybe 30 minutes each, perfect for bedtime stories but not for me these days.) I did end up enjoying it though and I’m really glad I read it.

I loved the humor.

The foods & drinks described was scrumptious, especially all the hot chocolate.

I hated the violence. Gun violence which seemed a tad out of place. I wish the bad guy(s) had been less villainous. It seemed a bit over the top, especially for this story.

I knew that there was a supernatural aspect to this book but until the reveal I couldn’t quite figure out precisely what it was. There were certainly abundant clues but they went right over my head. It’s tempting to reread it (someday) to know from the beginning what is going on.

I found the game tedious at times and fun at times.

This is a great book about the adoption and I found the author’s note in the back of the book affecting.

Even though I was enjoying the book, I didn’t think I’d be interested in reading any sequel and I probably won’t, but I found the last two chapters touching and fun and I could be being interested enough to read beyond this book.

This would be a good book to read around Christmastime.

For much of the book I thought it would be a 3 star book but it ended up being a solid 4 star worthy book for me. ( )

Greenglass House was one of my many book purchases last year when I had a couple of gift cards and a long wishlist. Though I had wanted to read it for quite some time, I saved it for the Winter because just look at that cover! I have to admit, while the synopsis is what sold me on this book, the cover art is what initially caught my interest. I was not disappointed.

This is the perfect book for curling up under a blanket with an endless mug of hot chocolate, especially if you have a fireplace, and I'm not sure there's a better book out there to read during the Winter. I read it over the Holidays since the story takes place over Milo's Winter break from school, and I would have finished it much more quickly if life hadn't gotten in the way.

I will definitely be checking out Kate Milford's other books. If you're looking for a fun Winter read, give Greenglass House a try. ( )

A kid book club pick and a nice alternative to the post-apocalyptic, dystopian stories that dominate the YA shelves. This is fanciful, heart-warming and mysterious. Milo and his adoptive parents live in and run an old Inn that is often frequented by smugglers due to its river port location. During a pre-Christmas snowstorm several guests show up unexpectedly, with agendas that center on the house and its history. To Milo's thinking their presence is simply to ruin his relaxing break and holiday with his family. However once he begins to investigate their secrets and background via a role-playing game, he learns a lot about the various characters, his house and his own family. Several unexpected plot turns make this a gripping read -- a good book to ingest with a warm drink and cozy fire. ( )

Books written for a middle-school audience can sometimes annoy me. Often the characters seem either too old or too young to seem real, but this one felt true to the concerns of this age range. Milo’s parents make themselves available while also respecting Milo’s need to work things out for himself. It’s something of a model for parents, as well, but not in a preachy way. In fact, the lessons never seem heavy-handed at all.

The mystery piece was intriguing and suspenseful without being scary. The reader is presented with clues at the same time Milo is, and we’re all cautioned not to jump to conclusions. The ending isn’t “OMG! I never saw that coming!” But neither is it boring and predictable.

After reading it on my own, I got the audiobook for us (my 12yo, 8yo, spouse, and me) to listen to while we’re on a cross-country road trip, and it’s drawn us all in.

—————-
After listening to the audiobook, I’m less thrilled with this than I was when I first read it. Some of the things that annoy me about the story:

1) Christmas Eve is the longest day ever. That one day seems to take up almost as much time as all of the other days put together. Reading the book-book, I didn’t notice how much the story drags, but on audio...ugh.

2) The author refers to the male characters of all ages as “young men” but refers to grown women as “girls.” I could accept this if it were just characters doing it, but when the narrator/author does it, it just rankles me.

3) There are a couple of other small things related to the audiobook narration that bothered me (the narrator couldn’t decide whether Brandon had an Australian accent or a Cockney accent, and the voice he used for Meddy sometimes was just weird), but that doesn’t figure into my star review.

My children, however, loved the book. I’m just a humbug, apparently. ( )

This is a book I'd have enjoyed as young reader... 4th or 5th grade. I saw the anomaly as an adult, but I'm not sure I'd have caught when I was a kid. Very good. very fun. ( )

Milo expects he and his parents will be celebrating a quiet Christmas when suddenly the inn fills up with strangers. But these strangers all have secrets that include his home. Milo and Meddy who comes to help with Mrs. Carraway and her daughter start playing a game to discover who and what these strangers are up to. Will Christmas just be the family or will it include these strangers?

I enjoyed this book. Milo and Meddy are fun as they become the characters in the game they play. The strangers are an interesting group of people as are the regulars to the inn. Each tells a story as suggested by Milo and as I read the stories they told I figured each one was talking of him/herself through the story. Milo and Meddy listen and observe and put together their clues. I will admit I did not see the twists coming until I was hit over the head with them. A detective I'll never be but this story was an excellent read. I look forward to reading the rest of the series. ( )

Milo Pine lives in Greenglass House with his adoptive parents. Greenglass House was originally built by a famous smuggler. The Pines run an Inn in the house that caters, mostly, to smugglers. It's the start of Christmas vacation and Milo is looking forward to relaxing, sledding with his parents, drinking hot chocolate and all his other favorite Christmas and winter related activities. Then, unexpectedly, five guests show up with plans to stay over the holiday. Each of these guests has a connection to Greenglass House. When things start disappearing from the guests rooms Milo, and his new friend Meddy, begin playing an RPG with the goal of finding the missing objects and the identity of the thief. The mystery becomes bigger as the story progresses. So does the danger. There is also a paranormal plot twist near the end.
This middle grade read was a lot of fun. I enjoyed it start to finish. ( )

One of the best middle grade mysteries I've read: well-written, deeply-plotted, insights into being adopted, fascinating setting with well-developed history and folklore, strong characters. ( )

This book sounded intriguing due to it being a mystery in an old inn, plus its literary awards and nominations, so our book group chose it for our December book as it takes place during the Christmas holidays. It was as good a read as I had anticipated with quirky characters, suspicions, thefts, hidden clues, cozy inside with hot chocolate while snow storms raged outside. But it had some mature topics of friendship, adoption, family, honesty, and role playing games(!) that took it out of the "typical" realm to provide a memorable, charming story. ( )

I wanted to like this, truly I did. I also feel like I could write a much longer review, but let me just say this: A Series of Unfortunate Events this is not. I enjoy kid lit that raises expectations on what kids can handle/understand/be entertained by, and I feel like this book is, in the end, condescending where it could have demanded *so much more* from its readers. ( )

Started out a little slow and confusing for me as I couldn't figure out what the setting (time or place) or the genre was supposed to be. Eventually I just gave up and that's when I started enjoying the book. I still have no clue what the setting is besides a house on a cliff and they have electricity and only a vague idea of the genre- suitable for any age. It would have been a five star book for me had there been more background given for the actions of the "bad guys". They seemed to show up out of the blue though the character was there all along. ( )

Twelve-year-old Milo is snowbound over the Christmas holiday in his parents’ inn. One after the other, five unexpected guests seek lodging out of the winter storm. The surprise influx of guests necessitates the return of the inn’s chef, her daughter (a baker) and, and Meddy, a young girl apparently of the same age as Milo, that he assumes is the baker’s daughter.

Initially, Milo is upset because he was counting on a relaxing Christmas vacation alone with his parents, and he does not handle change well. While retrieving a book he accidentally left behind when helping the guests with their luggage Milo discovers a leather wallet that contains a mysterious navigational chart. The chart does not depict the local bays and rivers. Reluctantly, Milo agrees to Meddy’s suggestion that they “go in search of whatever this chart leads to.” Meddy insists that they adopt alternate personas for their quest, so Milo becomes an escaladeur named Negret and Meddy adopts the persona of a scholiast, Sirin.

The interesting premise of unexpected guests arriving out of the winter storm, a mysterious navigation chart, and the children’s intent to identify the location depicted in the chart quickly catches the reader’s attention. That was countered slightly by the unfamiliar names Milford invented for the location (e.g., Skidwrack, Magothy). I was unable to place the setting in a real or imagined universe and their use caused a “head-scratching pause”.

A more substantial barrier to my enjoyment of the story was the overlay of the mystery with the gaming context. The actions, discoveries, and conclusions of Milo and Meddy would have been every bit as feasible if Milford had adopted a more straightforward approach. In short, Milford provided no convincing reason that Milo needed to pretend to be Negret to investigate the mysterious actions occurring in the inn.

As the plot builds towards a climax Milo and the others are in a precarious situation with no feasible means of escape. Milford then springs a stunning surprise that permits their ultimate triumph; one of the primary characters is a dishonest narrator. Although Milford undoubtedly had this ending in mind, it struck me as an author “cheat” that diminished my affection for the book and some of the central characters. ( )