The Lighthouse at the World's End

The House at the Edge of Magic #4

by Amy Sparkes

Adventurous, magical and brilliantly funny final book in the House at the Edge of Magic series.Nine and her friends are headed to the mortal realm in search of the only thing that will shake a very tricky witch off their a priceless stargold locket. It lies hidden in the Nest of a Thousand Treasures, guarded by Nine’s old foe – the formidable gangmaster of all the thieflings in London.Even if Nine can get her hands on the locket, the friends must find a way to release its power – and for that they must travel through the World Between Worlds to the lighthouse on the Isle of Illusion, where nothing is quite as it seems…

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Young Adult, Magic, Childrens, Audiobook, Adventure

240 pages, Paperback

First published April 4, 2024

Reviews

[Patrizia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Epilogo della saga "La casa ai confini della magia" in cui ritroviamo la piccola Nove e i suoi "strambi" amici e scopriamo il segreto del suo passato che è stato filo conduttore dei quattro libri di questa magica serie.
Lettura consigliata a grandi e piccini. Incantevole.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actual rating - 4.5 stars.

Wow, I read this in a day, and just like that, the series is over. I know I'm very much not the target audience haha, but I've loved reading these books with their quirky cast of characters. Am sure I'll return for rereads in the future. :)

[Mairéad · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 A lovely conclusion to this highly enjoyable, wonderfully humourous, fantasy series for readers aged 8+

[Ella Howard · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the adventurous, magical finale to The House at the Edge of Magic series 🪄🏠 — a middle-grade fantasy full of charm, humour 😂, friendship 🤝, and imaginative quests 🗺️✨. It’s playful, fast-paced ⚡, and ideal for readers aged 8–12, while still offering emotional warmth 💖 and satisfying character growth 🌱.

📚✨ Summary (Spoiler-Light)
Nine and her wonderfully odd group of friends 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 set out on their most important mission yet 🚀: to recover a powerful stargold locket ✨🔑 that could finally free them from the witch’s control 🧙‍♀️.
Their journey leads them through the World Between Worlds 🚪🌌 — a strange, shifting realm — and ultimately to the lighthouse on the Isle of Illusion 🔦🏝️. Along the way, they face magical traps 🌀, unexpected allies 🦊, and emotional challenges that test their courage ❤️‍🔥, trust 🤍, and sense of belonging 🏠. The story balances action ⚔️ with emotional resolution, bringing long-running arcs to a gentle but satisfying close 🎯.

🧠🔍 Psychological & Critical Analysis
At its heart, this novel explores belonging 🏠, self-belief 💫, and cooperation 🤝.
Rather than focusing on trauma or darkness, the book frames fear 😟 and uncertainty 🌫️ as manageable experiences. Growth comes not from defeating others, but from trust, teamwork, and self-acceptance. Psychologically, this makes the book reassuring and empowering for its audience.
Critically, the emotional stakes remain gentle 🌤️. While this limits complexity for older readers, it strengthens the book’s message of emotional safety and hope 🌱.

🧠✨ Psychological Analysis of Key Characters
🌟 Nine 🧭
Nine is shaped by fear of abandonment and a need to prove her worth.
* 🪞 Core struggle: Low self-esteem masked as independence
* 🛡️ Defense mechanism: “I’ll handle it myself” thinking
* 🌱 Growth: Learning she doesn’t need to earn love
Psychologically, Nine represents a child moving from survival mode to secure attachment 💛.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Eric ⚙️
Eric struggles with self-doubt and feeling ordinary.
* 🤔 Core fear: Being replaceable
* 🧩 Coping strategy: Planning, logic, reliability
* 💡 Growth: Understanding that quiet strengths matter
He embodies the anxiety of children who don’t feel exceptional—but are essential ⭐.

🐸✨ Flabberghast 😂
Flabberghast uses humour as emotional armour.
* 🎭 Defense mechanism: Joking to avoid vulnerability
* 😬 Core fear: Not being taken seriously
* 🤍 Growth: Allowing sincerity alongside fun
His character shows how comedy can protect emotions while still building connection 🌈.

🧙‍♀️ Esther (the Witch) 🕯️
Esther represents control rooted in insecurity.
* 🕳️ Core wound: Fear of powerlessness
* 🕸️ Pattern: Manipulation to maintain dominance
* 🌑 Theme: Control as a substitute for connection
She reflects a realistic psychological truth: when people can’t connect, they often try to control.

🔦 The Lighthouse (Symbolic Role)
The lighthouse functions as a psychological space rather than just a setting:
* 🔦 Guidance, safety, emotional regulation
* 🌊 A contrast to chaos and fear
* 🌟 A symbol of clarity and trust
It mirrors the characters’ internal journeys toward stability and belonging.

💖✨ Strengths
🌟 Inventive, playful worldbuilding 🏰
😂 Humour woven naturally throughout
🤝 Strong emphasis on friendship and teamwork
📖 Clear, accessible writing for middle-grade readers

⚠️🌧️ Weaknesses
🔁 Predictable fantasy plot beats
🌊 Emotional depth remains fairly light
📚 Best enjoyed after reading earlier books in the series

📜🧩 Themes & Tropes
Themes:
💛 Friendship & found family
🪞 Belonging and identity
🔥 Courage through cooperation
🎨 Growth through imagination
Tropes:
🤝 Found family ensemble
🧙‍♀️ Quirky magical mentors
🚪 Portal fantasy / liminal worlds
🗺️ Quest for a powerful object

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐½ — A Warm, Whimsical Finale 🌈
The Lighthouse at the World’s End by Amy Sparkes is a fun, imaginative, and emotionally reassuring conclusion 💖 to a beloved middle-grade series. While it doesn’t push psychological or narrative boundaries 🚧, its charm ✨, humour 😂, and affirming message 🌟 make it a rewarding and comforting read.

Perfect for readers who love:
🪄 Magical adventures
👫 Friendship-driven stories
🗺️ Light, imaginative fantasy

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the conclusion to one of my favorite series and I'm sorry to see the end as I had such a wonderful time reading this series.

I loved learning a bit more about Nine's Mom, how she came to know Flabbergast and Co, and how Nine is exactly where she's meant to be.

Prepare yourself for adventure, chaos, surprises, the power of love, found family and believing in the impossible.

I highly recommend this series and hope to some day see more adventures with these characters.

Trigger warnings: injury, mention of a parent death

[Elena · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful final installment to this enjoyable, entertaining and gripping fantasy series for young readers.

The whole ending sequence is about sacrifice, trust, friends and family. And it's beautiful.

And Eric has definitely been my most favourite character of the whole series. I love the brave, simple-minded troll with his feather duster <3

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I made the surely controversial decision to finish the series before going back and reading the first two books after accidentally starting with the third. It was a very satisfying conclusion and I’m looking forward to backfilling my lore next.

[Leon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay in fairness, I read this not realizing that it was for children. I’m sure it’s good if you’re a child. As an adult, I did not particularly enjoy it. There was a lot of description and quite a few characters, but no real character development or plot driven by most of the characters.

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5*

[PippaR · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely way to end the series and I am sad there is no more!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGallery for the advanced copy of this title.
The Lighthouse at the World's End is the fourth and final book in the series. It is a beautiful ending to an incredible series with flying houses and some very lovable characters. (especially Eric and his trusty feather duster). I highly recommend it to anyone at any age.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up to 4

What a wonderful way to end this series! The final installment in The House at the Edge of Magic series is full of heart, the power of friendship, adventure, and secrets being revealed that will keep readers turning the page until the very end.

Throughout this entire series I kept picturing Ludo from The Labyrinth as Erik and I'm glad that over the course of the books, that Nine grew to love him and be nice to him because he was definitely my favorite character. Overall, this was such a fun series that I think will delight many middle grade readers - and readers of all ages.

Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by NetGalley, Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing, and Margaret K. McElderry Books in exchange for an honest review.

[Books By Your Bedside · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Walker Books for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.

I'm going to assume that you've read the previous three in this series if you're reading this review, and I think you would get the most out of it if you had, otherwise you probably won't have a clue what I'm talking about.

I have read the entire series of books from Amy Sparkes. First The House at the Edge of Magic, then The Tower at the End of Time, then The Bookshop at the Back of Beyond, and now finally The Lighthouse at the World's End. The first three I already owned, having bought them for myself some time ago, and then this one I was kindly gifted. Yes I know I'm three times the reading age but I really love them. They're fun and jolly and magical, they're sad and hopeful and friendly. There's a lot in these stories that I think will appeal to adults wanting to rediscover something magical about reading. But then they're also fun and adventurous and age appropriate too.

There are a few new characters in this book but we still get our usual bunch of misfits:

Firstly we have Nine, a pickpocket girl who ends up living in the House at the Edge of Magic. She's not had the easiest childhood for a number of reasons but she seems to have found her place among this unusual family. Then we have Flabbergast the Wizard. He's almost the dad of this little bunch but not what you'd call the most responsible of father figures. He's missing his magic and is a bit forlorn. But I love him. I cared for him, and he's just really fun and witty.

Also in this bizarre family setup, we have Eric the troll, whose heart is in the right place and just wants to help everyone, especially by making pancakes (which I advise you don't eat). He's really sweet and I have loved seeing the way Nine and Eric have become close. Mr Spoon is back in it, a quick-to-anger...well...spoon. He's fun and always up for a fight. Cas is relatively new; she's a gargoyle who escaped with the gang in the third book. She is utterly fabulous. She's quite miserable in a way, complains a lot, but she's an intriguing character and slotted into this family instantly. And finally we have Bonehead, a sarcastic skeleton who gets a bigger role in this book than the others.

Our antagonists are three-fold; we have Flabbergast's sister and their two aunts. For reasons I won't get into, they don't like each other, and they're all hunting for the same thing, which means they don't like each other even more. They are great characters. I generally don't like it when villains stray into pantomime villains, but I think it works in this series. If they were more serious villains, I don't think it would have had the same affect.

As well as the magical world they live in, we also get to visit Nine's mortal world again. I won't say how or why because it's quite a nice change in the story and I want you to experience that yourself, but it was interesting to see her two lives collide.

You would think that stretching the one story over four books would diminish the originality and the surprises and the fantasy but it hasn't. Amy has managed to do it marvellously and this last book is as fabulous and imaginative and wonderous as the first one.

It is more than just a fun adventure for kids. It's about the sense of belonging, about redemption, secrets, about family being what you make of it and not always who you're related to, about friendship, and about embracing your differences.

I'm actually quite sad that the series has come to an end. It's been great fun and really moving. It's been joyous reading these books and I'll definitely be recommending them to the kids in my family.

[gemsbooknook Geramie Kate Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Nine and her friends are headed to the mortal realm in search of the only thing that will shake a very tricky witch off their tail: a priceless Stargold locket. It lies hidden in the Nest of a Thousand Treasures, guarded by Nine’s old foe – the formidable gangmaster of all the thieflings in London.

Even if Nine can get her hands on the locket, the friends must find a way to release its power – and for that, they must travel through the World Between Worlds to the lighthouse on the Isle of Illusion, where nothing is quite as it seems…’

I loved this book.

I am a massive fan of the House at the Edge of Magic series so I was excited to get my hands on this book while also being sad that this is the final book in the series. Having read the previous three books I went into this book with very high hopes, and I am happy to say that this book well and truly lived up to my high expectations.

Even though I am not the target audience for this book; or the entire series, as soon as I started reading it I felt like I was catching up with old friends. Reading this book as an adult made me feel nostalgic and full of hope and excitement. I can easily see why this book and series is so loved by Middle-Grade readers given how much I loved every page or every book.

Amy Sparkes has done a wonderful job with this book and the series as a whole. This book was magical, sweet, and full of adventure. The way in which the stories intersected and concluded was perfect and the growth of the characters both individually and as a unit made for a really wonderful reading experience.

The Lighthouse at the World’s End by Amy Sparkes is a brilliant ending to the House at the Edge of Magic series.

Geramie Kate Barker
gemsbooknook.wordpress.com

[Sifa Poulton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an eARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. It has not affected my opinions.

THE LIGHTHOUSE AT THE WORLD'S END brings this comic, magical series to a great end. Questions are answered, problems complete, and a family somewhat restored.

The found family of the House hurtle into another magical, amusing adventure. There's all the trademark chaos of the dysfunctional residents, made worse by the addition of Flabberghast's witch sister who has cursed her brother along with the house. No one trusts her and she brings a lot of smug trickery, that was very fun to watch unfold.

They go rattling through an attack by vicious aunts and then need to survive the lighthouse itself, and that's before even trying to solve what they need to do at the lighthouse. There's plenty of action to cap the series off, as well as loss and sacrifice. There's also plenty of heart warming moments between the residents too as they look out for one another - and maybe the witch has a softer side to herself too.

The great thing about series enders is that all the remaining questions are answered and loose threads tied up. The main mystery at the heart of the series about Nine's mother and what happened gets answered here, along with the secondary mysteries that's sprouted along the way. It's very nice to finally know exactly what happened.

In all, it's a very satisfying way for the series to wrap up, perfect for lower MG readers looking to test their reading skills.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The House at the Edge of Magic #4
The Lighthouse at the World's End
Written by Amy Sparkes

So the time has finally come for me to write this review for this wonderful book which unfortunately is currently the last in this marvellous series.
There are absolutely no words to describe my love for this series and no words to say how gutted I am that this is coming to an end.
This is the perfect series for lovers of magic, and fantasy
I kept putting off reading this book because I knew it was the end.
But one of the things about this series is that these books have the most beautiful covers ever published and this book was always in my eyeline saying pick me up…
But deep down I know that I needed to find out what happened to Nine and all her friends and the only way to do that was to give in and read the book.
So it was with a very heavy heart I started it and within a couple of minutes I was back with old friends in a magical house.
And the author saved the best for last.
It was everything I wanted and more in a book. I tried so hard to limit myself to a chapter a day but I had no control over myself and before I knew what was happening I was hurtling towards the last chapter.

Nine and her friends are headed to the mortal realm in search of the only thing that will shake a very tricky witch off their priceless star gold locket. It lies hidden in the Nest of a Thousand Treasures, guarded by Nine’s old foe – the formidable gangmaster of all the thieflings in London.

Even if Nine can get her hands on the locket, the friends must find a way to release its power – and for that they must travel through the World Between Worlds to the lighthouse on the Isle of Illusion, where nothing is quite as it seems…
I personally believe that the reader needs to read the three previous books before this one as the reader really needs to know what is happening.
All the old characters from the first book made a reappearance and it was so good to see them again.( even the nasty ones)
The main characters are their usual selves, a batch of misfits all thrown together. My favourite character throughout the whole series has always been Flabbergast the Wizard. He's like the dad of this little bunch of misfits, just not very responsible and very rarely listened to. He's lost his magic and is trying everything he can to rediscover it.But I adored him. He tries to be the sensible one but it doesn’t always work out. Adding the character of his evil sister was a masterstroke. It showed another side to the character.
The scenes with him are the funniest in the book. Another really funny character is the toilet. Yes they have their own toilet that moves around.
This book cleverly ties up all the loose ends of the previous books and solves the mystery of Nine’s locket and her true name. After sadly reading the last page I did wonder if the author is planning a spin off series, or if this isn’t the last we will see of these characters, only time will tell but I have everything crossed.

[Sara Wise · Rating 5 out of 5]

** “Sometimes you are a whisper away from magic without even realizing it.” **

Amy Sparkes concludes her House at the Edge of Magic series with “The Lighthouse at the World’s End,” a powerful and endearing story about friendship and loyalty.

Former pickpocket Nine, magic-less wizard Flabberghast, his witch sister Bewilda, housekeeping troll Eric, skeleton Bonehead and gargoyle Cas find themselves on a new journey, to the Lighthouse at the World’s End to release the power of a special locket. But when their quest is challenged by their aunts, they wonder if they can succeed, as well as return Flabberghast’s magical powers.

Will their journey be successful? Will Nine learn the secrets to her past and her identity? Will the true relationship be revealed between her mother and Bewilda?

Once again, Sparkes creates a fun and sweet story that’s filled with humor and mystery. She develops quirky and zany characters, including a sweet troll, a talking skeleton, an encouraging skeleton and a grumpy gargoyle. She also includes some good themes, like betrayal versus loyalty; having a house versus a home; finding courage to overcome challenges; the power and endurance of friendship; and things aren’t always as they seem.

Fans of books like “The Extraordinary Curiosities of Ixworth and Maddox” by J.D. Grolic, “Field Guide to the Supernatural Universe” by Alyson Noel, “The International House of Dereliction” by Jacqueline Davies and even “Wicked” will love “The Lighthouse at the World’s End,” which is due out March 10.

Five stars out of five.

Margaret K. McElderry Books provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

[Stace · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Lighthouse at the World’s End is the fourth and final book in the The House at the Edge of Magic series. If you haven’t read the previous books you really need to, to be able to fully understand this one as this isn’t a series you can dive into partway.

Nine is heading back home with her friends in tow, and a witch who wants something from her, a magical golden locket. Nine knows that she can’t give the witch the locket as it is too powerful but she also knows that she has made a promise to her, one she can not get out of.

With the help of her friends, Nine has a plan which includes travelling to the World Between Worlds and to the lighthouse on the Isle of Illusion.

The Lighthouse at the World’s End is filled to the brim with adventure and excitement. There are some remarkable characters within the pages and the plot is so full and fast that young readers won’t want to put the book down.

This middle-grade story is unusual, quirky, and strange but it is also fabulous and inspiring. Nine might have started life as a thief but she has grown so much with each book.

This last book in the series brings everything to a close and ends perfectly without leaving the reader with questions. For young bookworms who want an enjoyable, witty, magical story this is the series to choose. They will not be disappointed.

[Alexis Kressner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Children’s for providing an advanced reader copy.

This final installment brings a beautiful and heartfelt conclusion to the series. Nine and her friends journey to World’s End in search of a lighthouse that might restore the lost stargold magic. Along the way, they must contend with the trouble Bewilda has caused for the aunts while Flabbergast still struggles without his magic.

When they finally reach the lighthouse, the truth of the situation is far more complicated than they expected. The story builds to several emotional moments, including Flabbergast making a powerful sacrifice for his sister and Nine hearing her mother’s voice one final time.

The book carries strong themes of forgiveness, love, and the importance of family. It’s a deeply satisfying conclusion that honors the heart of the series while delivering a truly emotional ending. I couldn’t have loved this book more, and it’s bittersweet to say goodbye to a world that has been such a joy to read.

🐉 Figment’s Verdict

A magical and emotional finale filled with sacrifice, forgiveness, and the enduring power of love.

[Agapanthus.books.100 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lighthouse at the World's End is Book 4 in The House at the Edge of Magic series and brings Nine's realm travelling adventures to a close. It also sees many of the characters from the previous books make an appearance.

Nine's troubles continue when she makes a deal with the witch to locate a magical locket but all does not go quite to plan. The quest is a dangerous one, but can Nine carry out her promise, discover more about her beloved Ma, and finally find out her real name?

After gobbling up this fabulous series back to back, I can honestly say this fourth book is a real treat full of wit, wisdom and fantastical magic! Due out in early April, the cover design by Ben Mantle is as whimiscal as ever and really captures the essence of Amy's wonderful stories and loveable cast.

Amy's writing is as fresh and quirky as ever, and if you've not read one of her books, then please do give one a try...I am certain you will become hooked on this imaginary world!

[Bookread2day · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always look forward to reading At The World’s End series by my favourite author Amy Sparks books as her imagination to write magical escapism stories gives me an incredible buzz, with the cleverness of sparkling magical fantasy.

Readers, teachers and librarians, from around the world, let me tell you all, I know you all will be in a dizzying trance, transfixed to the most enjoyable At The End worlds End series.

Nine a young girl a remarkable pickpocket skilfully steals something from a bag that belonged to a witch.

The witch with scarlet haired and scarlet fingernails appears in Nine’s bedroom at House at the Edge of Magic, calling her a thief. The witch is demanding that Nine must keep her side of the bargain and assist the witch.

I personally would love to see a box set published of all the books in the series of At the World’s End!

This excellent book goes above and beyond in the magical land of fantasy for all 9 years and up, it’s a real must buy, must read!

[★·.·⍣·.·★.· &#x1d510;&#x1d51e;&#x1d529;&#x1d526; &#x1d504;&#x1d52b;&#x1d52b; ★·.·⍣·.·★.· · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all…I AM PARTIALLY SHOCKED.

⚠️ SPOILERS AHEAD ⚠️










1. So Nines real name is Bewilda????? Like wut I thought her mother hated Bewilda (the witch)!?

2. I am confused with Uncle Mortimer like did I zone out who is he??

3. So Nine all the sudden loves Bewilda now?? And so do all the others (Flabberghast not so much)

4. Why did the book have to end when it was getting EVEN BETTER!? Like it would’ve been so fun reading about how Nine, Flabberghast, Bonehead, Cascadia, Spoon & Dish, Eric…AND BEWILDA travel the realms?!?!

5. Wait just remembered where did Spoon and Dish disappear to in the end?

Even though these five things kinda bothered me, the book was really good!

My ratings of this series:
THATEOM ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
TTATEOT ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
TBATBOB ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
TLATWE ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sparkes concluding novel wraps up most of the storylines so readers have finality. Some parts feel a bit abrupt and could have been developed more but others work through as expected. I appreciate how the characters revealed bits and pieces of themselves as they set off on this final adventure. The witch had offered hints throughout the other three books and conclusions readers had made fall into place as this one ends. Nine finds her courage in several scenes and braves dangers to retrieve the locket and reactivate it later. She learns to trust others more and more and figures out she has to see beyond the obvious to the underneath.
A hint was offered that other adventures may come and I hope that is true.

[Kayleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Lighthouse at the World’s End is Amy Sparkes fourth and final book in the House at the Edge of Magic series. A lovely set of books following the escapades of Nine, a pickpocket who lives in a bizarre and slightly dysfunctional family.

This book sees Nine made a deal with the witch to find a magical locket. It turns out her quest will allow her to learn more about her mother along the way. There is tons of adventure through attacks by aunts and the lighthouse.

A great way to finish the series with tying up lots of questions from throughout the series and it’s sure to be well received by the children in my class who enjoy the whole series so far!

[Mary Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the perfect ending to an incredible magical adventure series, and yet, when you get to the end, you know the adventures of Nine and her friends are far from over. Out there somewhere, hurtling through space, through the World between the worlds, is a house filled with the most extraordinary folk. Nine has held her character throughout the books; bold, brave, light-fingered and quick-witted and frequently exasperated by her adult companions. She meets her challenges head-on and, the whole time, demands revelation and resolution. Nine will not give up or give in, and seems to just accept that she couldn’t even if she wanted to. She may be afraid of the consequences, but she will face them. And come out on top…or alongside them, anyway. (This very strange world parallels our own in so many ways.) The battling siblings Flabberghast and Eliza are just…well, wow. The secrets, the lies, the back-stabbing…but you do see the real love between them. The pace is head-spinning at times, creating a dizzying ride through worlds with unexpected twists and turns popping up everywhere. It keeps the reader on their toes! And the humour is supreme, sliding in and out, surprising us at any given moment and keeping the atmosphere building, then releasing the pressure. This is a well thought out, well developed plot with Prachett-esque quirkiness and intelligence embedded in the pages. All in all, a brilliant journey for anyone over the age of 9 to take. Endearing, engaging, funny, daring…in fact audacious; amazing world-building, fabulous characterisation and utterly, utterly magical. You must read it…oh, just read them all…over and over.

[Steph De Mel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve really enjoyed this funny, whimsical, and heart-warming middle-grade series, and while I’m sad to see it come to an end, I’m even sadder that this final instalment feels so lacklustre.

In “The Lighthouse at the World’s End”, it feels as though Sparkes is simply going through the motions, wrapping up plot points and using the quest narrative simply as a means to a (literal) end. There’s little of the inventive world-building that characterises the early instalments, and even the interactions among the crew of the House lack their usual humour and sparkle.

I’ll probably revisit the earlier books in the series at some point in the future, but I doubt I’ll read this one again.

[Siân Humphrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this series, the lovable characters really grew on me and felt like family. I don’t know why but I struggled a little to finish the last book, this one. I think it could have been that I just didn’t want it to end but it could have been a number reasons really. Easy reading and great for older children, my inner child loved them! Provided a nice getaway into the magical realms of Nine and Flabbergast’s lives and how they grow into a family. This last book I felt finished the series off nicely and tidy. Perhaps Nine may make another appearance once day, when she is older and has new adventures to go on!

[Kalissa Hovey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the last book of a four book series and it did not disappoint. I read this entire series aloud to my 10 year old daughter and we both loved it. This last book was full of adventure, friendship, and magical battles that my daughter enjoyed. I fell deeply into the storyline about a mother’s love and the lengths a mother will go, even in death, for her child. I was in tears during the last chapter. I can’t recommend this series enough for late elementary school aged kids.

[Shawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imaginative

I really enjoyed these books so much I didnt want them to be over with already. These books felt like I was reading a very different kind of story from so many other books that ive read with similar storlines or plots. These books were fun and really made me feel the range of emotions the characters were having and by the end I was even tearing up a little in a happy sadness as everything turned into a beautiful ending.

[ElizabethLibbyH · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the final book in the series that begins with The House at the Edge of Magic. I'd probably give the whole series (as a series) a 4/5. I really liked teh characters, and enjoyed the story as a whole. I did think that the ending (without putting spoilers) felt a little bit rushed, but it didn't ruin any experience for me. I liked the series as a whole, and also as a whole, I enjoyed how it ended.