a magical middle grade read. when I read these I feel my adult side yelling, just go tell your grandpa! lol I would have loved to see some weirder abilities in living people instead of just in rooms in the house. it was harder to imagine some of the rooms as someone's ability at one time. ( )

It’s been a while since I’ve enjoyed a Middle Grade book as much as I did this one. I loved following Chase, Andy, Janie and Persephone around the House of Magic – and the other places they travel in an effort to stop the evil ambitions of the Dark Enemy.

Though there’s a lot going on with the house, kids, a little time travel, and some twists now and then – it is never confusing. This book is very well written with great character development. It’s quite entertaining from start to finish.

I’ll be adding the rest of this series to my “To Be Read” list asap.
( )

I simply did not want this book to end I was enjoying it so much!

The story is presented with skill and lots of imagination, for example, the rooms and people are not the only magical things in the rambling old house. ( )

Let me start off by saying that I've never read a book, in the fantasy genre, with images so perfectly clear and descriptions that didn't leave me mind-boggled for, like, and entire half hour. I didn't have to go back and reread anything, I didn't have to spend the next ten minutes trying to decipher the true meaning of the words, and I didn't space out anywhere in the ENITRE book! (Notice that I've just died and gone to heaven)

Chase Tinker and the House of Magic is a wonderfully written clash between Alice in Wonderland and Harry Potter. It's got everything, from giant houses with moving staircases to walking hat stands and grinning ferrets (FERRETS!!! :D).
And the best part? It's not boring. It's not full of cliches. It's not confusing in any way. And besides, it has everything a middle-grade book should have. It's funny, witty, exciting, bone-chilling, romantic, adventurous, and MAGICAL!

The Characters
Chase Tinker is, primarily, the main character. He's a cool kid, barely reaching his teen years. He's the sort of boy that, the more you get to know him, the more you love him. It's impossible not to. It's one of those attractions you can't run away from. He's not difficult to understand either. Even though the story is written in third person, Chase's thoughts and feelings were easy enough to get. I fell in love his witty sense of humor and his undying enthusiasm, it's just so addicting!
His little bro, Andy, is as cute as can be! He's the little guy anyone would want as a brother. Besides, he's hilarious and smart. He's 10 1/2, but he hasn't lost his little-boy charm yet. It's adorable.
Together the two brothers are inseparable. Ever since Andy discovered his time-stopping power, the connection between the brother's has strengthened.
Let's hope it's enough to keep the bad guy away :)

Plot
Apart from: magical, truly captivating, and fluidly paced, I can only describe the plot in one other word: unique.
So, ok, there are some resemblances to things in other books, but what Malia Ann Haberman has done to add those finishing touches to the magic is... it's just out of this world. Imaginative doesn't even start to cover it. The story is a whirlwind between the used and the original. It's a nice mix too. This way, you never know what to expect. And trust me, expect the unexpected in this book (Keep an extra sharp eye on that ferret, Maxwell. He's a tricky little devil he is. Adorable, but tricky).

Overall
I honestly can't believe I hadn't heard of this book before. In my opinion, it should be in every elementary school library. Kids will LOVE this! And so would tweens/teens. It's an adventure you just can't miss!
I couldn't get enough of Chase and Andy, or the Magic House, or their wonderful adventure together through this magical place.
I highly recommend this one to anyone at all. It's a fun, light read that makes you smile all the way :) ( )