What do you think?
Rate this book
The House of Months and Years
A girl must stop the Boogeyman living in her home from stealing her family’s warmest memories in this haunting, atmospheric novel from the author of Flights and Chimes and Mysterious Times and The Accidental Afterlife of Thomas Marsden.
When her distant aunt and uncle die, Amelia Howling is forced to move into their home when they leave her parents in charge of their children. Her parents assure her that it will be like having a grand adventure with three new siblings, but Amelia is not convinced. Luckily, the house is large, filled with nooks and crannies perfect for hiding from her cousins.
But even with all the nooks and crannies, the rumbling and crumbling rooms are more sinister than they seem. The house was built years ago by a creature named Horatio, and he’s been waiting for the perfect human inhabitant: Amelia. Horatio has the power to travel through time and memories, and lures Amelia into his world. The memories of children, he told her, were the best, and Amelia agreed—her cousins were full of good memories. Until she noticed that once she and Horatio visited a memory, it was gone forever. And she had been stealing the good memories of her cousins and their parents without even noticing!
Horrified and scared, Amelia lets her cousins in on her secret, and asks them for help. Together, they must race through time to recover their minds and break the perfect clockwork of the evil Calendar House.
When her distant aunt and uncle die, Amelia Howling is forced to move into their home when they leave her parents in charge of their children. Her parents assure her that it will be like having a grand adventure with three new siblings, but Amelia is not convinced. Luckily, the house is large, filled with nooks and crannies perfect for hiding from her cousins.
But even with all the nooks and crannies, the rumbling and crumbling rooms are more sinister than they seem. The house was built years ago by a creature named Horatio, and he’s been waiting for the perfect human inhabitant: Amelia. Horatio has the power to travel through time and memories, and lures Amelia into his world. The memories of children, he told her, were the best, and Amelia agreed—her cousins were full of good memories. Until she noticed that once she and Horatio visited a memory, it was gone forever. And she had been stealing the good memories of her cousins and their parents without even noticing!
Horrified and scared, Amelia lets her cousins in on her secret, and asks them for help. Together, they must race through time to recover their minds and break the perfect clockwork of the evil Calendar House.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 7, 2017
14 people are currently reading
786 people want to read
About the author
Emma Trevayne
12 books212 followersScience fiction and fantasy author of novels for kids and teens.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
August 31, 2016
Loved. This won't be out until early 2017, which is sad because I really want the hardcover nowwwww. *entitled grabby hands* It's a super original MG, a bit magic realism, a bit time travel-y, and a bit darker than the adorable cover suggests. (But not super dark, have no fear.) It's full of mystery, gently flawed and relatable characters, and atmospheric old houses that appear to be haunted but are actually hiding much twistier goings-ons. If that's your thing, you'll love this, too.
(Also, the writing's topnotch. It always is in Emma Trevayne books. This is basically a law.)
(Also, the writing's topnotch. It always is in Emma Trevayne books. This is basically a law.)
February 18, 2017
Sigh. I was disappointed with The House of Months and Years. Having read Trevayne's Flights and Chimes and Mysterious Times I expected more from her. Having read some of the reviews for this novel I expected more from The House of Months and Years.
Though the house itself is such a central part of the story it does not feel particularly interesting or remarkable. There are small details that make it a bit less like any other old house out there, but the house is never described in any great detail. It's rather glossed over. Trevayne had an opportunity to draw the reader in and create an atmosphere, but she doesn't capitalize on the opportunity. The house in the book is described nothing like the house on the cover.
There is very little description and very little action in the book in general. Most of the book, we follow around Amelia as she flounders around with Horatio, who is rarely referred to by name and I actually had to think back to conjure his name. Amelia thinks of herself as a clever girl and she's even described as being such by others, but for such a clever girl Amelia is painfully slow.
Horatio is not a bogeyman either as described in the description. It is never really made clear what he is. There are several other key points that are never adequately explained either and are just there it seems for the sake of being there and being mysterious. Threads that either Trevayne didn't care to explain or had no reasonable explanation for.
This book isn't unenjoyable, but it wouldn't be anywhere near the top of my recommendation list for middle grade readers or adults. The subpar execution of the plot does make it less likely for me to read one of Trevayne's novels in the future.
Though the house itself is such a central part of the story it does not feel particularly interesting or remarkable. There are small details that make it a bit less like any other old house out there, but the house is never described in any great detail. It's rather glossed over. Trevayne had an opportunity to draw the reader in and create an atmosphere, but she doesn't capitalize on the opportunity. The house in the book is described nothing like the house on the cover.
There is very little description and very little action in the book in general. Most of the book, we follow around Amelia as she flounders around with Horatio, who is rarely referred to by name and I actually had to think back to conjure his name. Amelia thinks of herself as a clever girl and she's even described as being such by others, but for such a clever girl Amelia is painfully slow.
Horatio is not a bogeyman either as described in the description. It is never really made clear what he is. There are several other key points that are never adequately explained either and are just there it seems for the sake of being there and being mysterious. Threads that either Trevayne didn't care to explain or had no reasonable explanation for.
This book isn't unenjoyable, but it wouldn't be anywhere near the top of my recommendation list for middle grade readers or adults. The subpar execution of the plot does make it less likely for me to read one of Trevayne's novels in the future.
September 22, 2020
It put me very much in mind of Neil Gaiman's "Coraline", but more creepy like the cartoon.
November 19, 2019
Poor Horatio.
May 30, 2017
I read this middle-grades fantasy book, and intend to read others like it in the near future, with a mind toward "research," attempting to pin down what makes a great book in this genre special. This was a good book. The main character was somewhat believable, although maybe not the memorizer-of-dictionaries aspect. She had a unusual family situation, as it seems many main characters in this genre do. She was a little annoying, but went through a nice transformation in the book and was much more likeable at the end.
The elements of magic and fantasy were unique - basically, a house that lets you travel anywhere/when in human history and future, with some major caveats. The magic wasn't explored thoroughly enough - and I know I say this having read lots of adult fantasy, but I think even middle-grades children would have appreciated more time spent on this aspect. The magic did have a sinister edge to it, which was subtlely hinted at throughout the book and manifested in a well-done reveal. The whole ending was abrupt, though - too rushed, and then the book immediately ended two pages after the climax. I was hoping to sit with the characters for a bit longer afterward (especially given the memory/character alterations that would have occured as a result of the book's climax), and was pleased to see an epilogue - but the epilogue instead was with external characters hinting at sequels to come.
Basically - there was some cool stuff, but the author didn't spend enough time on the "cool" stuff to leave me feeling like, "wow, cool book," at the end.
The elements of magic and fantasy were unique - basically, a house that lets you travel anywhere/when in human history and future, with some major caveats. The magic wasn't explored thoroughly enough - and I know I say this having read lots of adult fantasy, but I think even middle-grades children would have appreciated more time spent on this aspect. The magic did have a sinister edge to it, which was subtlely hinted at throughout the book and manifested in a well-done reveal. The whole ending was abrupt, though - too rushed, and then the book immediately ended two pages after the climax. I was hoping to sit with the characters for a bit longer afterward (especially given the memory/character alterations that would have occured as a result of the book's climax), and was pleased to see an epilogue - but the epilogue instead was with external characters hinting at sequels to come.
Basically - there was some cool stuff, but the author didn't spend enough time on the "cool" stuff to leave me feeling like, "wow, cool book," at the end.
November 24, 2017
The horror elements in the novel were the most effective. Amelia’s anger at the way she’s been uprooted makes her the perfect target for the monsters that prey on her family. I found every aspect of the calendar houses fascinating, and once their significance became clear, VERY chilling.
The uneasy relationship among the family members is realistically drawn, though I was impatient with the way Amelia’s parents and teachers responded to her. Her parents are clearly overwhelmed by the events, but do so little to prepare her for the move, the sale of her house, and her isolation at her new school. There are so many moments where they just helplessly tell Amelia, “We’ll talk about it later, darling!” The classroom teacher in particular was a clod. (Who sends a child to the principal for telling a fanciful story? I’d have sent her to the counselor.)
Sadly, I found Amelia’s isolation and her unrelenting resentment made her very difficult to identify with. She has no one. Her parents don’t notice there are icicles in the basement in the summer, let alone that their child is being overcome by evil forces. The pacing was part of the issue: I wanted there to be a gradual thaw, not an instant change, in Amelia‘s relationship with her cousins, but their reconciliation happens in the last ten pages of the book! I kept looking dubiously at the number of pages that remained, and wondering how on earth the author was going to pull off any kind of resolution.
The uneasy relationship among the family members is realistically drawn, though I was impatient with the way Amelia’s parents and teachers responded to her. Her parents are clearly overwhelmed by the events, but do so little to prepare her for the move, the sale of her house, and her isolation at her new school. There are so many moments where they just helplessly tell Amelia, “We’ll talk about it later, darling!” The classroom teacher in particular was a clod. (Who sends a child to the principal for telling a fanciful story? I’d have sent her to the counselor.)
Sadly, I found Amelia’s isolation and her unrelenting resentment made her very difficult to identify with. She has no one. Her parents don’t notice there are icicles in the basement in the summer, let alone that their child is being overcome by evil forces. The pacing was part of the issue: I wanted there to be a gradual thaw, not an instant change, in Amelia‘s relationship with her cousins, but their reconciliation happens in the last ten pages of the book! I kept looking dubiously at the number of pages that remained, and wondering how on earth the author was going to pull off any kind of resolution.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 29, 2019
Uhm. I loved and also hated this book. It ended much more intensely than I expected, but with some of the right answers to the questions. Just, not quite enough? For me.
I like the words. There were good words. Trevayne did a good job of drawing threads together, of ideas and feelings and little thoughts dropped at the beginning that mattered at the end. But, overall, a lot of the characters fell flat. Because Amelia was so wrapped up in herself, we didn't see a lot of other people except through her selfish eyes. Which, part of me likes and appreciates that, but also, I wanted to know and appreciate more things. I wanted Amelia to know and appreciate more things. To know that the magic and the beauty is /in/ the ordinary. In the sweeping of leaves off the driveway and the kitchen table arguments and the toddler's sticky fingers. And, in the end, I think she begins to glimpse that. And Trevayne, I think, did a good job of making you feel sick in Amelia's selfishness. In all of the shadow people's selfishness.
I could give this four stars, but I feel like some things weren't developed well enough. It just, fell a little flat in some ways. But also, it really intrigued me.
Do what you will with my wishy-washy review.
I like the words. There were good words. Trevayne did a good job of drawing threads together, of ideas and feelings and little thoughts dropped at the beginning that mattered at the end. But, overall, a lot of the characters fell flat. Because Amelia was so wrapped up in herself, we didn't see a lot of other people except through her selfish eyes. Which, part of me likes and appreciates that, but also, I wanted to know and appreciate more things. I wanted Amelia to know and appreciate more things. To know that the magic and the beauty is /in/ the ordinary. In the sweeping of leaves off the driveway and the kitchen table arguments and the toddler's sticky fingers. And, in the end, I think she begins to glimpse that. And Trevayne, I think, did a good job of making you feel sick in Amelia's selfishness. In all of the shadow people's selfishness.
I could give this four stars, but I feel like some things weren't developed well enough. It just, fell a little flat in some ways. But also, it really intrigued me.
Do what you will with my wishy-washy review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 23, 2024
The house of months of years is a middle grade book by Emma Trevayne. I picked this book up based solely on the cover! In case I haven’t mentioned it previously, I love books where the house is just as much a character as anyone else. I also love books that have doorways that lead to other places! This book will also count towards my adventure badge for my local libraries summer reading program.
The story begins with Amelia and her family moving to a new home after a family tragedy. They move in with Amelia’s three cousins who she only knows from random family vacations. As Amelia’s parents work to get things settled, Amelia starts to feel angry and alone. Amelia decides to explore her new home and finds out some weird things about the house. Amelia meets Horatio and they start adventuring. Amelia’s adventures with Horatio cause some issues between her and her family, until she needs their help.
If I had read this book as a child, which was more than a few years ago, I would have loved it for the adventure that it truly is, and I probably would have loved the special relationship Horatio and Amelia developed. And, reading this as an adult, WOW! This book is a legit “child’s” psychological thriller!!! There were moments that my eyes would almost bug out of my head and my brain would scream NO…. I loved how Amelia takes back control of her home with the help of her cousins and would have loved that even as a child.
I am giving this book five-stars. I don’t like to put spoilers in my reviews even though I don’t mind them at all myself so know that there is soooo much I am not sharing about this book. The level of enjoyment I got out of this book was amazing! Being able to play in my mind about what 9- or 10-year-old me would have thought versus what adult me thinks was so much fun! It got me thinking about my childhood and how I processed books then versus now. It made me dive into calendar houses (SO COOL) and think how I want to visit one and have my own adventure.
The story begins with Amelia and her family moving to a new home after a family tragedy. They move in with Amelia’s three cousins who she only knows from random family vacations. As Amelia’s parents work to get things settled, Amelia starts to feel angry and alone. Amelia decides to explore her new home and finds out some weird things about the house. Amelia meets Horatio and they start adventuring. Amelia’s adventures with Horatio cause some issues between her and her family, until she needs their help.
If I had read this book as a child, which was more than a few years ago, I would have loved it for the adventure that it truly is, and I probably would have loved the special relationship Horatio and Amelia developed. And, reading this as an adult, WOW! This book is a legit “child’s” psychological thriller!!! There were moments that my eyes would almost bug out of my head and my brain would scream NO…. I loved how Amelia takes back control of her home with the help of her cousins and would have loved that even as a child.
I am giving this book five-stars. I don’t like to put spoilers in my reviews even though I don’t mind them at all myself so know that there is soooo much I am not sharing about this book. The level of enjoyment I got out of this book was amazing! Being able to play in my mind about what 9- or 10-year-old me would have thought versus what adult me thinks was so much fun! It got me thinking about my childhood and how I processed books then versus now. It made me dive into calendar houses (SO COOL) and think how I want to visit one and have my own adventure.
May 22, 2017
I had really high hopes for this. I loved Flights and Chimes and Mysterious Times and this began with the same promise as that. For me however it didn't live up to it. I'm torn though, in how to review it; the premise was very interesting and I really liked Amelia and our introduction to her. Emma Trevayne writes children really well. I empathized with her and felt her frustration. I also really felt and understood Owen's actions and how his grief informed them. The build up was fantastic. This was a one sitting read for me, I picked it up to check out the first chapter and just kept going and that is usually a good thing. For this book, it was a good thing right up until the end when, it just ends. Most of the book is build up and then it wraps up in the final 30 pages or so. I think it would have benefited from the ending being drawn out a bit more. It all made sense and felt true to the characters and the story but, it just happened and it was done. So I did enjoy this read but I wanted a little more from it. It did have a mildly creepy feel with interesting and genuine feeling characters.
I was reminded a little of Coraline as well as the author's previous work, Flights and Chimes and Mysterious Times. These are all stories about precocious children who find something that seems to offer them an escape from troubles at home. They then must decide if it truly solves their problems or if it only gives them more. Any middle-grader who enjoyed those works, others like them or books that offer fantasy with a splash of horror will enjoy it.
I was reminded a little of Coraline as well as the author's previous work, Flights and Chimes and Mysterious Times. These are all stories about precocious children who find something that seems to offer them an escape from troubles at home. They then must decide if it truly solves their problems or if it only gives them more. Any middle-grader who enjoyed those works, others like them or books that offer fantasy with a splash of horror will enjoy it.
April 9, 2018
When Amelia's aunt and uncle die, she has to move in with her cousins so that her mom and dad can take care of them. Amelia is used to being an only child but now she's one of four, including an attention-grabbing baby and a boy only a week older than her who thinks that extra week makes him ten times smarter. At first she hates everything about it, especially the weird house that is always freezing in the basement but too hot in her bedroom. Then Horatio reveals himself to her, and Amelia learns all about the shadow people who can use houses like hers to travel across time and space. Soon Amelia wants to be ignored by her family so she can spend as much time as possible exploring with Horatio. But magic always comes with a price, and when Amelia learns the terrible cost of her wonderful trips, she faces a hard decision about what she's willing to pay.
This story has such a wonderfully specific magic that grounds it firmly and makes it all the more eerie. Amelia is going through a hard time in her life and she struggles realistically with it, which makes her vulnerable for Horatio to swoop in and take advantage of her unhappiness. I love the complex characterization and emotional center of the story. Amelia's choice is a genuinely hard one. The depiction of her relationship with Horatio is unfortunately an all too-realistic portrait of how abusive adults can groom children by isolating them and making them feel special and like they're the only one who understands them. A solid, atmospheric fantasy adventure story grounded strongly in emotional truths.
This story has such a wonderfully specific magic that grounds it firmly and makes it all the more eerie. Amelia is going through a hard time in her life and she struggles realistically with it, which makes her vulnerable for Horatio to swoop in and take advantage of her unhappiness. I love the complex characterization and emotional center of the story. Amelia's choice is a genuinely hard one. The depiction of her relationship with Horatio is unfortunately an all too-realistic portrait of how abusive adults can groom children by isolating them and making them feel special and like they're the only one who understands them. A solid, atmospheric fantasy adventure story grounded strongly in emotional truths.
June 5, 2017
365, 52, 12, 7, and 4 - just some of the numbers in this book that share a common trait. Did you guess it? They all are marks of time - 365 days in a year, 4 seasons, etc. Ten year old Amelia has moved into a house where numbers are significant. Amelia and her family had to move into the house because her Owen and Matthew's (her cousins) parents passed away. Amelia is bummed to move, and there is something creepy about the house. Amelia is sure the house is watching her, and she learns that the house is a calendar house. What does that mean? One day when Amelia is upset and runs off to be alone in her room, she finds that "something moved. A rustle, a crunch. A shadow in the corner was a shape of a man with wild hair" (74). The shadow speaks and asks if she is all right. The shadow grows, and "from it step(s) a man solid and real... he wore a dusty suit of some thick, old fashioned materials she couldn't name (76). "You thought I was a ghost, he said, I'm not a ghost. Don't be afraid." Amelia asks, "What are you then, if you are not a ghost?" (77). His name is Horatio. Can Amelia trust him? Is what he offers her worth the price? Step into the House of Months and Years and prepare to be a bit creeped out. You may never look at dreams and memories the same again.
* Pair with Gossamer by Lois Lowry and perhaps Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
* Pair with Gossamer by Lois Lowry and perhaps Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
August 31, 2017
I'm feeling disappointed about this book. The interesting part is about the Nudiustertian house also known as the calendar house! I have no idea bout it until I googled it! Somehow, it exists 😱 the calendar house is magnificent!!
For any of you guys have no idea what Calendar house is .. "it is a house that symbolically contains architectural elements in quantities that represents the respective numbers of days in a year, weeks in a year, months in a year and days in a week. For example, Avon Tyyrell House in Hampshire was built with 365 windows, 52 rooms, 12 chimneys, 4 wings and 7 external doors" [source from Wikipedia]
the only that doesnt make any sense is that horatio and the others eat memories for live person. like how is that possible? I know theres fishy going on when he offered Amelia about being shadow-people and built a house like his. Of course they will expect in return if Amelia agreed to it. but by eating people's memories sounds ridiculous to me. lol! There always 1 mischievous person in a group that will help Amelia out of this situation.
Also, this just crossed my mind.. whoever watch Coraline movie, this is basically almost the same. but of course different ending.
For any of you guys have no idea what Calendar house is .. "it is a house that symbolically contains architectural elements in quantities that represents the respective numbers of days in a year, weeks in a year, months in a year and days in a week. For example, Avon Tyyrell House in Hampshire was built with 365 windows, 52 rooms, 12 chimneys, 4 wings and 7 external doors" [source from Wikipedia]
the only that doesnt make any sense is that horatio and the others eat memories for live person. like how is that possible? I know theres fishy going on when he offered Amelia about being shadow-people and built a house like his. Of course they will expect in return if Amelia agreed to it. but by eating people's memories sounds ridiculous to me. lol! There always 1 mischievous person in a group that will help Amelia out of this situation.
Also, this just crossed my mind.. whoever watch Coraline movie, this is basically almost the same. but of course different ending.
May 15, 2019
The story focuses on Amie Howling, a young girl who is upset that she and her parents must move to their cousins house, after a car accident left their parents dead. At first Amie's antipathy towards the house is just surface anger, but the longer she's there the more she realizes the house is not normal. And then, a man named Horatio steps out of the shadows and introduces himself as the builder of the (100+ year old) house. He tells Amie what makes it so magical, and takes her on adventures to see Queen Victoria, pirate ships, and medieval knights jousting. He tells Amie she can become like him, have the power to travel anywhere through time. He does not tell her though, that all magic comes with a price.
So first, this was not a sweet, easy read. While the majority of the book was focused on the magical, there were snippets of children dealing with the loss of their parents, adults struggling with the loss of their siblings and trying to adjust to a completely new, permanent life, and Amie's grief over her own life being upended. I did think that Trevayne covered those harsh realities quite well. The story itself was entertaining, and I am quite intrigued with the idea of a Calendar House. I kind of wish one really existed.
So first, this was not a sweet, easy read. While the majority of the book was focused on the magical, there were snippets of children dealing with the loss of their parents, adults struggling with the loss of their siblings and trying to adjust to a completely new, permanent life, and Amie's grief over her own life being upended. I did think that Trevayne covered those harsh realities quite well. The story itself was entertaining, and I am quite intrigued with the idea of a Calendar House. I kind of wish one really existed.
June 9, 2017
This book follows a little girl named Amelia Howling who is uprooted from her 'perfect' house into the home of her cousins who have just experienced a tragedy. If you're anything like me, you'll have little sympathy for this bratty little know-it-all but that thankfully doesn't detract from the overall enjoyment of this book. There's a mystery enveloping this new house which is strangely put together with doors that lead to nowhere and different climates for each floor (don't go in the basement!). Amelia is stubbornly determined to remain aloof from the rest of her family and instead gets swept up in things far more sinister than she at first realizes (despite her assurances of being so clever). For those who like a bit of darker fantasy now and again then this is sure to hit the spot. I'd say the ideal age range would be anywhere from 10-14 (although this is more of a suggestion instead of a rule). For me, I found the fantasy/mystery elements quite good and the imagery excellent. Amelia was the worst but you can't win them all. A solid 8/10.
October 2, 2017
"There are different kinds of darkness, and they can hide inside one another, turn an innocent bedroom into a puzzle of fright."
Ten-year-old Amelia didn't want to move into the old house. She didn't want to leave her best friend, move to a new school, and have her orphaned cousins upend her life. But life is rarely fair.
Amelia sensed something odd about the house right away. Her late uncle's architectural drawings led her to understand it was a Calendar House: twelve rooms, seven fireplaces, a floor for each season. Amelia thought it likely that there were 365 trees on the grounds but she didn't have time to count.
It was the odd shadows that intrigued her the most.
The House of Months and Years is a delightfully gothic middle grade tale. Just enough horror to make young readers cringe but the spookiness is handled gently. Trevayne mixes in a bit of magical realism to give the story a sweeping scope.
Highly recommended as a start to an October full of haunted tales.
Ten-year-old Amelia didn't want to move into the old house. She didn't want to leave her best friend, move to a new school, and have her orphaned cousins upend her life. But life is rarely fair.
Amelia sensed something odd about the house right away. Her late uncle's architectural drawings led her to understand it was a Calendar House: twelve rooms, seven fireplaces, a floor for each season. Amelia thought it likely that there were 365 trees on the grounds but she didn't have time to count.
It was the odd shadows that intrigued her the most.
The House of Months and Years is a delightfully gothic middle grade tale. Just enough horror to make young readers cringe but the spookiness is handled gently. Trevayne mixes in a bit of magical realism to give the story a sweeping scope.
Highly recommended as a start to an October full of haunted tales.
October 5, 2017
The House of Months and Years by Emma Trevayne
10-year-old Amelia had no idea what kind of adventures her new house would bring her. She had no idea that Horatio, a shadow creature, had been watching her since she had moved in. Amelia’s aunt and uncle had died in a terrible car crash causing Amelia to go with her parents to leave their perfect life and go take care of her cousins. Little do Amelia and her family know that there really is a someone……. or something in the house. Slowly but surely Horatio appears to Amelia and begins taking her on breathtaking adventures. As the story goes on Amelia realizes what he is trying to get her to do, and she is horrified when she finds out. The House of Months and Years is set in the present time and mainly takes place in Amelia’s new house. This book is very suspenseful and would be enjoyed by kids ages 10-13 due to the sometimes confusing plot.
10-year-old Amelia had no idea what kind of adventures her new house would bring her. She had no idea that Horatio, a shadow creature, had been watching her since she had moved in. Amelia’s aunt and uncle had died in a terrible car crash causing Amelia to go with her parents to leave their perfect life and go take care of her cousins. Little do Amelia and her family know that there really is a someone……. or something in the house. Slowly but surely Horatio appears to Amelia and begins taking her on breathtaking adventures. As the story goes on Amelia realizes what he is trying to get her to do, and she is horrified when she finds out. The House of Months and Years is set in the present time and mainly takes place in Amelia’s new house. This book is very suspenseful and would be enjoyed by kids ages 10-13 due to the sometimes confusing plot.
July 14, 2018
“Amelia and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day” that she takes out on everyone she knows because “Amelia, Who Is Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Move” but is made to anyway...
Her aunt and uncle DIED so she is made to share her parents with her cousins and move to their house because it’s actually big enough for everyone. While she acknowledges that her cousins have more reason for grief, hers is more important and her suffering is greater - not an endearing main character. She doesn’t change her tune until the very end and still only for slightly selfish reasons.
The premise is interesting and the possibilities are intriguing, but the lack of likable characters left me dissatisfied with the whole story at the end.
My son checked it out from the library and read it before me. I was curious enough to pick it up, but I think I will return it before my daughter can also read it as she doesn’t need that kind of attitude example.
Her aunt and uncle DIED so she is made to share her parents with her cousins and move to their house because it’s actually big enough for everyone. While she acknowledges that her cousins have more reason for grief, hers is more important and her suffering is greater - not an endearing main character. She doesn’t change her tune until the very end and still only for slightly selfish reasons.
The premise is interesting and the possibilities are intriguing, but the lack of likable characters left me dissatisfied with the whole story at the end.
My son checked it out from the library and read it before me. I was curious enough to pick it up, but I think I will return it before my daughter can also read it as she doesn’t need that kind of attitude example.
March 9, 2017
The House of Months and Years by Emma Trevayne is a middle grade novel with a Gothic or horror feel. When her distant aunt and uncle die, Amelia Howling is forced to move into their home when they leave her parents in charge of their children. Her parents assure her that it will be like having a grand adventure with three new siblings, but Amelia is not convinced. Luckily, the house is large, filled with nooks and crannies perfect for hiding from her cousins. But even with all the nooks and crannies, the rumbling and crumbling rooms are more sinister than they seem. The house was built years ago by a creature named Horatio, and he’s been waiting for the perfect human inhabitant: Amelia. Horatio has the power to travel through time and memories, and lures Amelia into his world. The memories of children, he told her, were the best, and Amelia agreed—her cousins were full of good memories. Until she noticed that once she and Horatio visited a memory, it was gone forever. And she had been stealing the good memories of her cousins and their parents without even noticing! Horrified and scared, Amelia lets her cousins in on her secret, and asks them for help. Together, they must race through time to recover their minds and break the perfect clockwork of the evil Calendar House.
The House of Months and Years is an eerie adventure with a Gothic atmosphere that comes alive. The writing style is lyrical, with significant metaphors and descriptions that paint the picture of the moods of the characters and the atmosphere of the house. I liked Amelia’s character, who has to make some big changes and knows that what she is feeling towards her now larger family is not fair to them, but cannot change those feelings. The concept of the Boogeyman stealing good memories and the steps Amelia and her cousins had to take together make for a compelling story. I could find no fault with the story, but I never really felt enthralled by the story even though it was exactly what I normally like. Good characters, a creepy atmosphere and big bad, and coming to terms with relationships and life were all there. I think the volume of descriptive text was what
The House of Months and Years had all the things that usually make me love a book, but for some reason I just never got completely drawn in. The story had suspense, character development, and some good creepy moments. I am not sure why the book and I never connected, but I think it will be a favorite for many readers.
The House of Months and Years is an eerie adventure with a Gothic atmosphere that comes alive. The writing style is lyrical, with significant metaphors and descriptions that paint the picture of the moods of the characters and the atmosphere of the house. I liked Amelia’s character, who has to make some big changes and knows that what she is feeling towards her now larger family is not fair to them, but cannot change those feelings. The concept of the Boogeyman stealing good memories and the steps Amelia and her cousins had to take together make for a compelling story. I could find no fault with the story, but I never really felt enthralled by the story even though it was exactly what I normally like. Good characters, a creepy atmosphere and big bad, and coming to terms with relationships and life were all there. I think the volume of descriptive text was what
The House of Months and Years had all the things that usually make me love a book, but for some reason I just never got completely drawn in. The story had suspense, character development, and some good creepy moments. I am not sure why the book and I never connected, but I think it will be a favorite for many readers.
June 18, 2018
Honestly, I thought this book wasn't that great. I don't mean that it was that bad because it was two stars, I gave it two stars because two stars=it was ok.
So basically, this girl is living in a new house with her cousins, and she is struggling with anger issues (????). So then she meets a guy who offers her an opportunity to become magical.
I think that this was a good book because finding that guy gave her an opportunity to bond with her cousins and realize her history. I didn't really like it because she only bonded at the end of the book, which I thought was kind of useless. The girl was ok, I guess, but I don't think I just really favored the main character.
Overall, it's worth reading, (the writing style is great) but I just didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would.
So basically, this girl is living in a new house with her cousins, and she is struggling with anger issues (????). So then she meets a guy who offers her an opportunity to become magical.
I think that this was a good book because finding that guy gave her an opportunity to bond with her cousins and realize her history. I didn't really like it because she only bonded at the end of the book, which I thought was kind of useless. The girl was ok, I guess, but I don't think I just really favored the main character.
Overall, it's worth reading, (the writing style is great) but I just didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would.
December 26, 2017
Hmmm...this book didn’t exactly turn out the way I expected to. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I like that it surprised me. It just ended up being a little darker than I thought, based on the blurb. I guess I was picturing something more like The House of Many Ways (based purely on the name and the fact that it was fantasy [and really, The House of Many Ways is dark, too, but in a different, better way, somehow]), but this was not on par with Diana Wynne Jones (my gold standard of fantasy) by a long shot. Still, it was entertaining and I’d recommend it for people who enjoy fantasy.
May 30, 2019
Birthday gift | Somebody cheated the author | As written, this is a four star book. However, I can't give it four stars, because it was totally spoiled. The synopses on every site are all the same. It turns out that's not just a general plot teaser, it's the entire plot of the book. Things Amelia (and the reader) didn't learn until the 90% point are mentioned in the synopsis. The resolution, and the lesson she takes from it all, which happens at 95%, are mentioned in the synopsis. Everything that Trevayne plotted carefully as a surprise is MENTIONED IN THE SYNOPSIS. That ticks me off.
August 7, 2020
The pacing in this book felt off. There was a lot of slow build up even past the point that I'd figured out what was going on and the resolution felt rushed and not clearly explained. Interesting concept, though, and I love the use of calendar houses in the magic. I don't think I've ever read something where the details of the magic system was left so much up to the reader. Maybe it's that I'm an adult reading a middle grade book, but it fell flat for me, sadly. I'd love to see this concept reworked and developed further.
July 1, 2017
This is one of those stories that you want to put down, but just can't. Initially the readers is as curious as Amelia is about the shadows and the feeling that the house, or something is watching her. As the story develops, a feeling of dread overtakes the reader as Amelia and Horatio begin taking trips into the when. Something isn't quite right . . . and Amelia's blind innocents continues to build tension and suspense in the story.
July 22, 2017
I struggled through the beginning and only pushed through because I have to review this book for my district. I am glad I read this unique haunted house tale. 10 year old Amelia, through great tragedy, is forced to live in an architectural wonder, a Calendar House. She discovers every feature of the house has a calendar-related purpose and offers her a lifetime of discovery. She learns that the price of discovery might not be what she is willing to pay. Trevayne is wonderfully imaginative.
December 10, 2018
This book was a good, intriguing, fascinating, juvenile fantasy read. I loved the lead character. I really liked that she liked words and books because that was relatable for me. I really liked the concept of a calendar house because now I am fascinated by that. The plot had a slow start but after that, it moved fast and I found myself just eating up this book. The House of Months and Years is definitely my favourite Emma Trevayne book.
May 5, 2020
Amelia was realistic character to travel through this story with. Her sadness at having to move from the home she loved and her best friend was played out nicely through her bad behavior to her new sibling/cousins. The concept of a Calendar house is so cool. Emma Trevayne wove an adventurous tale helping readers understand all the houses' unique characteristics. The end was satisfying yet a bit rushed.
September 24, 2020
"Memories, my dear Amelia, are how humans measure time. If you had no memories, you would have nothing, no concept that any time had passed at all." This is my favourite quote from the book and I thought this was so well done. The concept alone here, of calendar houses, and giving them this fantastical otherworldly feel, with a shadow-man creeping about the corners and feeding off of memories- terrifying brilliant.
February 5, 2017
This was not really at all what I expected, but it's nice and creepy for kids who like that sort of thing. Not sure I love the ending but this is definitely something I can see those looking for a unique spooky story getting into.
Thanks to the publisher for a digital advance reader's copy, provided via Edelweiss.
Thanks to the publisher for a digital advance reader's copy, provided via Edelweiss.
May 6, 2017
3.5 stars rounded down to 3. Really a solid 3.5 star book, but I just didn't care for it enough to bump it up to 4 stars. Creepy and somewhat scary near the end. Didn't love the main character, Amelia. Loved the book cover.
June 27, 2017
It took a LONG while to get to the point and the ending was super rushed. But it had a good plot. In the summary it talks about stopping the boogeyman but she doesn't even realize he is the villain until like the last 10 pages. It was a pretty lousy ending, I didn't understand it at all.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews