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Elizabeth and Zenobia
Abandoned by her mother and neglected by her scientist father, timid Elizabeth Murmur has only her fearless friend, Zenobia, for company. And Zenobia’s company can be very trying! When Elizabeth’s father takes them to live in his family home, Witheringe House, Zenobia becomes obsessed with finding a ghost in the creepy old mansion and forces Elizabeth to hold séances and wander the rooms at night. With Zenobia’s constant pushing, Elizabeth investigates the history of the house and learns that it does hold a terrible secret: Her father’s younger sister disappeared from the grounds without a trace years ago.
Elizabeth and Zenobia is a wonderfully compelling middle-grade story about friendship, courage, and the power of the imagination.
Elizabeth and Zenobia is a wonderfully compelling middle-grade story about friendship, courage, and the power of the imagination.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published August 29, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 182 reviews
July 5, 2022
Elizabeth Murmur's mother has gone away, and her father is sad . . . so sad that he does little more than mope and brood, much to the dismay of Elizabeth, who wishes that:
Maybe he would stop remembering mother was gone and start remembering I was still there.
Luckily, she's got her imaginary friend, Zenobia, for company. Zenobia is fascinated with all things dark and creepy, so she's delighted that they'll all be moving to Mr. Murmur's ancestral home - a huge old estate filled with spider webs and shadows. But, there's something already living in that neglected house . . . and Elizabeth and Zenobia are determined to find out who, or what, it is.
This was a fun little gothic-tinged mystery for middle-grade readers. I was fairly taken with the first half of the book, but in the end, it turned out to be a not-very-mysterious mystery. The author dropped hints, then never followed up on them, like when Zenobia discovered that arsenic was used in dyeing clothing green, and I remembered that Elizabeth's mother was wearing an emerald green dress when she "disappeared" and then . . . nothing came of it. I kept waiting for some really BIG plot twist - Zenobia's the real girl, and Elizabeth's imaginary, OR the mother is somehow trapped in the house - but there was no twist to be had. And, after a slow, tantalizing build-up, everything wrapped up way too quickly and neatly.
This is certainly not a bad book - it's garnered many a five-star review - I just think it could have been better.
Maybe he would stop remembering mother was gone and start remembering I was still there.
Luckily, she's got her imaginary friend, Zenobia, for company. Zenobia is fascinated with all things dark and creepy, so she's delighted that they'll all be moving to Mr. Murmur's ancestral home - a huge old estate filled with spider webs and shadows. But, there's something already living in that neglected house . . . and Elizabeth and Zenobia are determined to find out who, or what, it is.
This was a fun little gothic-tinged mystery for middle-grade readers. I was fairly taken with the first half of the book, but in the end, it turned out to be a not-very-mysterious mystery. The author dropped hints, then never followed up on them, like when Zenobia discovered that arsenic was used in dyeing clothing green, and I remembered that Elizabeth's mother was wearing an emerald green dress when she "disappeared" and then . . . nothing came of it. I kept waiting for some really BIG plot twist - Zenobia's the real girl, and Elizabeth's imaginary, OR the mother is somehow trapped in the house - but there was no twist to be had. And, after a slow, tantalizing build-up, everything wrapped up way too quickly and neatly.
This is certainly not a bad book - it's garnered many a five-star review - I just think it could have been better.
August 19, 2017
Review originally posted on A Skeptical Reader.
3.5 stars
Warning: Unless you want to be spoiled of the mystery that lays within this novel, don’t read the synopsis. It reveals a secret that doesn’t show itself in the book until 50% of the way through.
Elizabeth and Zenobia follows a young, neglected girl and her ‘spirit’ friend. After her mother elopes with another, Elizabeth’s father moves them into his family home at Witheringe and her spirit friend, Zenobia, begins to sense another otherworldly presence in the manor. Thereupon we embarked on a journey to find the inhabited spirit.
This is a dark, gothic tale that is most enjoyed in one sitting on a rainy day when you need something suited to the atmosphere but not something overly disturbing. There are stories woven within stories and it’s a beautiful tangle of art. Interweaving narratives from The Plant Kingdom to Lord Alfred Tennyson’s The Lady of Shalott, the novel has a impressive way of crafting a plot.
Alongside the main conflict, I do wish we could’ve explored more of Elizabeth and her father’s relationship. I felt like there was a disconnect with how sullen her father was after her mother left and the tragedy he experienced in his own childhood. While I figured the issue was the former, it turned out to be the latter and in the end, I didn’t connect with this storyline entirely.
On a final note, I thought the illustrations were really wonderful and the simplicity of them suits the tone and plot of the story as well. Only wish I could’ve pinpointed a time period of this novel, merely to satisfy my own restless curiosity. However, all in all, this was a really enjoyable novel.
Disclaimer: I received this e-book from NetGalley in exchange for a review. All opinions stated are my own and not influenced by the exchange.
3.5 stars
Warning: Unless you want to be spoiled of the mystery that lays within this novel, don’t read the synopsis. It reveals a secret that doesn’t show itself in the book until 50% of the way through.
Elizabeth and Zenobia follows a young, neglected girl and her ‘spirit’ friend. After her mother elopes with another, Elizabeth’s father moves them into his family home at Witheringe and her spirit friend, Zenobia, begins to sense another otherworldly presence in the manor. Thereupon we embarked on a journey to find the inhabited spirit.
This is a dark, gothic tale that is most enjoyed in one sitting on a rainy day when you need something suited to the atmosphere but not something overly disturbing. There are stories woven within stories and it’s a beautiful tangle of art. Interweaving narratives from The Plant Kingdom to Lord Alfred Tennyson’s The Lady of Shalott, the novel has a impressive way of crafting a plot.
Alongside the main conflict, I do wish we could’ve explored more of Elizabeth and her father’s relationship. I felt like there was a disconnect with how sullen her father was after her mother left and the tragedy he experienced in his own childhood. While I figured the issue was the former, it turned out to be the latter and in the end, I didn’t connect with this storyline entirely.
On a final note, I thought the illustrations were really wonderful and the simplicity of them suits the tone and plot of the story as well. Only wish I could’ve pinpointed a time period of this novel, merely to satisfy my own restless curiosity. However, all in all, this was a really enjoyable novel.
Disclaimer: I received this e-book from NetGalley in exchange for a review. All opinions stated are my own and not influenced by the exchange.
April 28, 2018
An absolutely fantastic, wonderful, imaginative, witty, emotional, and beautiful read.
This may be a children's book, but adults would definitely enjoy this. The themes of courage, individuality, loneliness... the Gothic literature elements... the use of language and distinct voices among the characters (oh my GOD how great is Zenobia?!). If you ever once felt abandoned, or lonely, or not brave enough - you will understand this book!
The artwork in this needs a shout out as well. It's beautifully done in black and white. My only complaint is that I wish there were more illustrations!
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Book #1 finished in my readathon!
This may be a children's book, but adults would definitely enjoy this. The themes of courage, individuality, loneliness... the Gothic literature elements... the use of language and distinct voices among the characters (oh my GOD how great is Zenobia?!). If you ever once felt abandoned, or lonely, or not brave enough - you will understand this book!
The artwork in this needs a shout out as well. It's beautifully done in black and white. My only complaint is that I wish there were more illustrations!
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Book #1 finished in my readathon!
October 14, 2017
Review originally published 11 OCtober 2017 at Falling Letters. I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Here is a spooky middle grade tale I can get behind! There is a countryside estate that’s been boarded up for some years, there is an overgrown garden and labyrinth, there is a distant father with a mysterious past. While the story doesn’t scare, not in the way of Coraline or The Nest , it uses a handful of gothic tropes to create its own tense and atmospheric moments. Miller writes well for this genre. Her descriptions aren’t too flowery, yet they are creative enough to set an evocative scene. What really brings the setting and story to life, however, are the delightful cast of characters.
Elizabeth and Zenobia play off each wonderfully. Miller gives each a distinct voice. If I described both girls, I might make them sound like caricatures, but they come across as believable young girls. Elizabeth makes for a unique protagonist in these kind of stories – she is not a daring and adventurous child. Zenobia is brash and bold; Elizabeth is scared of many things. Zenobia wants to contact the spirits she assumes inhabit Witheringe House; Elizabeth would rather not. And a similarity – Zenobia can only be seen Elizabeth; Elizabeth wishes her father would see her better. Zenobia’s eager tendency towards the gruesome also helps shape the darker tone of the story. They are the best of friends, and the story explores how they navigate that friendship when their personalities clash. While the plot takes some time to show itself, I found the daily interactions of Elizabeth and Zenobia in their creepy new home entertaining enough.
In addition to Elizabeth and Zenobia, there is a housekeeper whose ability to appear without warning greatly impresses Zenobia and serves as a running gag. There is a tutor who is not the antagonist of the story. And there are a few more characters that I’ll leave you to discover…
My primary criticism lies in the ending. I felt the story concluded abruptly. The mystery surrounding Zenobia never receives an explicit explanation. I like stories neatly wrapped up at the end, though I am coming to learn that’s not always necessary. Zenobia’s nature being revealed was never a promise of the main story line (though I crossed my toes hoping it would come up). The illustrations were not at all to my taste. I tried to be forgiving – “Maybe they’re meant to look like they’re drawn by a kid…” – but personally, I just think they’re bad. Edit (Oct. 13): I did not think to consider that the illustrations were not finalized in my ARC. (As a blogger who’s been reviewing ARCs for awhile, I am a little embarrassed…). Thank-you to the author for politely pointing this out to me. I have since purchased the book and am happy to report that the illustrations are much more tidy and refined, yet they still retain a quirky quality that’s very appropriate to the story and characters.
The Bottom Line: A delightful tale of friendship between two very different young girls, Elizabeth and Zenobia is an example of Victorian Gothic middle grade fiction that other books could look up to.
Here is a spooky middle grade tale I can get behind! There is a countryside estate that’s been boarded up for some years, there is an overgrown garden and labyrinth, there is a distant father with a mysterious past. While the story doesn’t scare, not in the way of Coraline or The Nest , it uses a handful of gothic tropes to create its own tense and atmospheric moments. Miller writes well for this genre. Her descriptions aren’t too flowery, yet they are creative enough to set an evocative scene. What really brings the setting and story to life, however, are the delightful cast of characters.
Elizabeth and Zenobia play off each wonderfully. Miller gives each a distinct voice. If I described both girls, I might make them sound like caricatures, but they come across as believable young girls. Elizabeth makes for a unique protagonist in these kind of stories – she is not a daring and adventurous child. Zenobia is brash and bold; Elizabeth is scared of many things. Zenobia wants to contact the spirits she assumes inhabit Witheringe House; Elizabeth would rather not. And a similarity – Zenobia can only be seen Elizabeth; Elizabeth wishes her father would see her better. Zenobia’s eager tendency towards the gruesome also helps shape the darker tone of the story. They are the best of friends, and the story explores how they navigate that friendship when their personalities clash. While the plot takes some time to show itself, I found the daily interactions of Elizabeth and Zenobia in their creepy new home entertaining enough.
In addition to Elizabeth and Zenobia, there is a housekeeper whose ability to appear without warning greatly impresses Zenobia and serves as a running gag. There is a tutor who is not the antagonist of the story. And there are a few more characters that I’ll leave you to discover…
My primary criticism lies in the ending. I felt the story concluded abruptly. The mystery surrounding Zenobia never receives an explicit explanation. I like stories neatly wrapped up at the end, though I am coming to learn that’s not always necessary. Zenobia’s nature being revealed was never a promise of the main story line (though I crossed my toes hoping it would come up). The illustrations were not at all to my taste. I tried to be forgiving – “Maybe they’re meant to look like they’re drawn by a kid…” – but personally, I just think they’re bad. Edit (Oct. 13): I did not think to consider that the illustrations were not finalized in my ARC. (As a blogger who’s been reviewing ARCs for awhile, I am a little embarrassed…). Thank-you to the author for politely pointing this out to me. I have since purchased the book and am happy to report that the illustrations are much more tidy and refined, yet they still retain a quirky quality that’s very appropriate to the story and characters.
The Bottom Line: A delightful tale of friendship between two very different young girls, Elizabeth and Zenobia is an example of Victorian Gothic middle grade fiction that other books could look up to.
January 23, 2017
‘A lonely girl, a creepy house, spirit presences and long-ago mysteries—I’m completely in love with this novel.’
Karen Foxlee
‘By the time I reached the end of the book my heart was racing and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. I loved Elizabeth and Zenobia. It’s the perfect book for 12-year-old readers (and maybe some very brave 11-year-olds) who are looking for a simple, good-old-fashioned scary manor mystery.’
Books+Publishing
‘This deliciously scary thriller will delight readers who are not afraid to be afraid, who like to feel a frisson of fear every now and then.’
4MBS
‘A wonderfully crafted adventure mystery.’
Lamont Books
‘I found myself thinking about this book for days after I read it…This would be a wonderful book to hand to children who are imaginative and creative.’
ReadPlus
‘An entertaining and engrossing adventure for upper primary readers who will enjoy some scary moments, and can watch Elizabeth’s growing self-confidence.’
Magpies
‘A delightfully creepy and imaginative story, but also holds an undercurrent of an adult story about an abandoned husband and daughter.’
Tea in the Treetops
‘Things do get a bit scary near the end. Then they get a bit lovely. Zenobia, in all her gruesome glory, is a wonderful character and the story has just the right amount of horror for young readers to handle.’
Otago Daily Times
‘Elizabeth and Zenobia is basically a tiny middle grade novel stuffed full to the brim with everything exciting and magical that you can think of. It has one of the most glorious book covers I’ve ever set eyes on, which also perfectly suits the story inside.’
Once Upon a Bookish Time
Karen Foxlee
‘By the time I reached the end of the book my heart was racing and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. I loved Elizabeth and Zenobia. It’s the perfect book for 12-year-old readers (and maybe some very brave 11-year-olds) who are looking for a simple, good-old-fashioned scary manor mystery.’
Books+Publishing
‘This deliciously scary thriller will delight readers who are not afraid to be afraid, who like to feel a frisson of fear every now and then.’
4MBS
‘A wonderfully crafted adventure mystery.’
Lamont Books
‘I found myself thinking about this book for days after I read it…This would be a wonderful book to hand to children who are imaginative and creative.’
ReadPlus
‘An entertaining and engrossing adventure for upper primary readers who will enjoy some scary moments, and can watch Elizabeth’s growing self-confidence.’
Magpies
‘A delightfully creepy and imaginative story, but also holds an undercurrent of an adult story about an abandoned husband and daughter.’
Tea in the Treetops
‘Things do get a bit scary near the end. Then they get a bit lovely. Zenobia, in all her gruesome glory, is a wonderful character and the story has just the right amount of horror for young readers to handle.’
Otago Daily Times
‘Elizabeth and Zenobia is basically a tiny middle grade novel stuffed full to the brim with everything exciting and magical that you can think of. It has one of the most glorious book covers I’ve ever set eyes on, which also perfectly suits the story inside.’
Once Upon a Bookish Time
September 11, 2017
Richly imbued with Gothic tones and themes, Elizabeth and Zenobia is the perfect book for middle-grade readers who like their stories mysterious and phantasmagorical. I loved both Elizabeth and Zenobia, and how “imaginary” friends/alter egos are addressed subtly throughout the story. This also plays into the theme of trusting yourself to be brave enough to stand up for what you want, and to overcome your fears. It’s a moral that’s incorporated very well into the story, without feeling like it’s being forced.
Witheringe House combines all the lovely Gothic tropes that I love from Victorian literature and a few more. I saw strong inspiration from “The Yellow Wallpaper” in addition to the Brontes and Collins. The theme of plants and mysterious alter kingdoms reminded me vividly of the 6th grade Clue-Finders game from my childhood, and the mirror world happily recalled the final season of Grimm. And, to top it all off, I pictured Zenobia as Wednesday Addams throughout the entire book, which made me very happy. Elizabeth, although I didn’t love her as a character, provides the innocent, worrisome foil to Zenobia’s melancholic, risk-taking.
The ending, while it leaves many threads open and unresolved, was well-done, a neutral-leaning happily ever after of sorts, and it lends itself to a sequel, which I would love to see!
I would definitely recommend this to anyone, middle-grade or older, who likes gothic/paranormal books, similar to the Miss Peregrine series.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy to review!
(Cross posted on my blog.)
Witheringe House combines all the lovely Gothic tropes that I love from Victorian literature and a few more. I saw strong inspiration from “The Yellow Wallpaper” in addition to the Brontes and Collins. The theme of plants and mysterious alter kingdoms reminded me vividly of the 6th grade Clue-Finders game from my childhood, and the mirror world happily recalled the final season of Grimm. And, to top it all off, I pictured Zenobia as Wednesday Addams throughout the entire book, which made me very happy. Elizabeth, although I didn’t love her as a character, provides the innocent, worrisome foil to Zenobia’s melancholic, risk-taking.
The ending, while it leaves many threads open and unresolved, was well-done, a neutral-leaning happily ever after of sorts, and it lends itself to a sequel, which I would love to see!
I would definitely recommend this to anyone, middle-grade or older, who likes gothic/paranormal books, similar to the Miss Peregrine series.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy to review!
(Cross posted on my blog.)
November 13, 2025
Interesting characters. The story builds slowly but doesn't go anywhere.
June 13, 2019
Deliciously Dark
August 16, 2017
Elizabeth and Zenobia are polar opposites of each other. Where one child is shy and scared and loves the pretty things, the other is dark and morose and fond of the darker things. Only, no one else can see Zenobia except Elizabeth.
It starts off innocently enough, with the two girls moving with Elizabeth's father to his decrepit childhood home. A dark child and a light child isolated from the outside world, watching the garden either and the father disappear into his own sadness. It was all so very Victorian. Couple that with Zenobia's desire to find a spectral presence and you've got the beginnings of an adventure.
I don't want to spoil what happens, but suffice to say I fell in love with this book very quickly! It was a wonderfully magical adventure, one filled with an original otherworld that pokes its tendrils through about midway into the tale. It was clever, entirely original, and had good lessons to be learned without being too sermonizing about it.
It starts off innocently enough, with the two girls moving with Elizabeth's father to his decrepit childhood home. A dark child and a light child isolated from the outside world, watching the garden either and the father disappear into his own sadness. It was all so very Victorian. Couple that with Zenobia's desire to find a spectral presence and you've got the beginnings of an adventure.
I don't want to spoil what happens, but suffice to say I fell in love with this book very quickly! It was a wonderfully magical adventure, one filled with an original otherworld that pokes its tendrils through about midway into the tale. It was clever, entirely original, and had good lessons to be learned without being too sermonizing about it.
October 22, 2017
Delightfully gothic and droll and adventurous. Here's a little snippet I adored that kind of sums it up for me:
"I am certain there is a Presence here, in this very room," announced Zenobia. "Do you not feel it too? Do you not feel a frisson?"
"I'd need to know what a frisson was, before I could know if I felt one or not," I said.
"It's a delightful shiver of mystery and terror and pleasure all combined."
"I am certain there is a Presence here, in this very room," announced Zenobia. "Do you not feel it too? Do you not feel a frisson?"
"I'd need to know what a frisson was, before I could know if I felt one or not," I said.
"It's a delightful shiver of mystery and terror and pleasure all combined."
December 31, 2017
I was quite entertained by this story of a not so little girl and her imaginary friend. It was quite sad at times and I felt sorry about how remote the father was. The interaction and dialogue between the girl and her friend was very humorous and unexpected. The story and attempted rescue of the girl in the wall paper was intriguing.
I listened to the audiobook version by the lovely English narrators, but I did not catch their names.
I listened to the audiobook version by the lovely English narrators, but I did not catch their names.
June 25, 2017
Creepy and full of unexpected botanical intrigue.
October 5, 2019
Hmm, I'm not really sure how to rate this to be honest. I would say it's between a 3 and 4, I guess.
I did quite like this, though I didn't fully connect with Elizabeth (the main character). The mystery of Witheringe house was well-done, and the hook at the end of each chapter made it very readable.
I suppose, personally, I just found it lacking at certain points and wish I could have felt more engaged in the outcome.
But it was a quick read, and I'd encourage people to give it a try if they enjoy middle-grade novels.
I did quite like this, though I didn't fully connect with Elizabeth (the main character). The mystery of Witheringe house was well-done, and the hook at the end of each chapter made it very readable.
I suppose, personally, I just found it lacking at certain points and wish I could have felt more engaged in the outcome.
But it was a quick read, and I'd encourage people to give it a try if they enjoy middle-grade novels.
October 12, 2017
This novel by an Australian author is enticingly Gothic and ghost-filled. Elizabeth and her father move back to his childhood home, Witheringe House. With them comes Zenobia, Elizabeth’s not-so-imaginary friend whom only she can see. Zenobia loves Witheringe House since she hates sunshine, enjoys dust, and wants to find a “Spirit Presence” in the home. The two girls spend time trying to detect the spirit and even hold seances with a Ouija board. But no one replies. Meanwhile, Elizabeth and Zenobia begin to explore their new home from the weed-choked garden to the overgrown hedge maze and even the forbidden East Wing. It is there that Elizabeth feels a presence, but Zenobia won’t listen to her. What if there really is a ghost in Witheringe House?
Miller has crafted a Gothic ghost story just right for elementary school children who enjoy a good shiver. The use of Zenobia, who is downright ghost-like herself, is an interesting foil for Elizabeth and adds a creepy yet friendly dimension to the book. Elizabeth tends to be more timid and would likely not have explored the house without Zenobia’s prodding. Still, Elizabeth tends to stick with a mystery and follow through, while Zenobia is forever abandoning projects and moving on to the next idea. Elizabeth is brave though scared, while Zenobia just doesn’t feel fear.
The setting of Witheringe House is well drawn and eerie. The house itself becomes almost a character in the novel, the strange wallpaper, the suddenly-appearing housekeeper, the library filled with odd books. There is a melancholy that is echoed in Elizabeth’s loneliness and a strong sense of grief and loss that pervades the novel.
A delightfully creepy Gothic read for elementary students. Get this in the hands of those who enjoyed The Night Gardener by Jonathan Auxier. Appropriate for ages 8-11.
Miller has crafted a Gothic ghost story just right for elementary school children who enjoy a good shiver. The use of Zenobia, who is downright ghost-like herself, is an interesting foil for Elizabeth and adds a creepy yet friendly dimension to the book. Elizabeth tends to be more timid and would likely not have explored the house without Zenobia’s prodding. Still, Elizabeth tends to stick with a mystery and follow through, while Zenobia is forever abandoning projects and moving on to the next idea. Elizabeth is brave though scared, while Zenobia just doesn’t feel fear.
The setting of Witheringe House is well drawn and eerie. The house itself becomes almost a character in the novel, the strange wallpaper, the suddenly-appearing housekeeper, the library filled with odd books. There is a melancholy that is echoed in Elizabeth’s loneliness and a strong sense of grief and loss that pervades the novel.
A delightfully creepy Gothic read for elementary students. Get this in the hands of those who enjoyed The Night Gardener by Jonathan Auxier. Appropriate for ages 8-11.
January 26, 2024
Elizabeth and Zenobia by Jessica Miller was a wonderfully fantastical, gothic middle grade novel about friendship, family, and bravery. I absolutely love Elizabeth and Zenobia - whether the latter is real or imaginary! - and their wit-filled friendship. I think Zenobia could represent a lot of things about Elizabeth. I don't want to give anything away, so I won't list them here, but I would love to chat about them with you if you have read this one.
This novel reminded me of so many other wonderful stories: Jonathan Auxier's The Night Gardener, Ray Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes, Charlotte Perkins Gilman's The Yellow Wallpaper. Miller alludes to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and The Secret Garden as well. The Lady of Shalott by Alfred, Lord Tennyson makes an important appearance in the novel. Miller's creativity is spectacular.
This book is both the story of Elizabeth and Zenobia as well as the Plant Kingdom and Tomeline. Both storylines were captivating, and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing how both of them ended. I listened to this one on audio and the narration by Shiromi Arserio was wonderfully done. I'm confident I would have enjoyed this book on paper, but I absolutely recommend audio.
This novel reminded me of so many other wonderful stories: Jonathan Auxier's The Night Gardener, Ray Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes, Charlotte Perkins Gilman's The Yellow Wallpaper. Miller alludes to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and The Secret Garden as well. The Lady of Shalott by Alfred, Lord Tennyson makes an important appearance in the novel. Miller's creativity is spectacular.
This book is both the story of Elizabeth and Zenobia as well as the Plant Kingdom and Tomeline. Both storylines were captivating, and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing how both of them ended. I listened to this one on audio and the narration by Shiromi Arserio was wonderfully done. I'm confident I would have enjoyed this book on paper, but I absolutely recommend audio.
August 22, 2024
This was very DARK for a J read! But I really enjoyed it. I read it to my daughter & she definitely found it pretty spooky. It did have some fairly big words that even I, an almost 40yr old woman had difficulty pronouncing so I would assume it wouldn’t be the easiest language for many kids, but good practice for exposing them to new words. Had a great plot throughout & very imaginative. The ending is a bit confusing, so I’ll try to say it for anyone who feels lost in the end, while leaving it vague & w/o spoilers. The end is basically like time rewinded itself without us getting to read about how. And in that rewind multiple years were lived in what was actually a matter of seconds. And that rewind sort of fixed what was broken to bring us back to present time (for the time period in the book.)
Wouldn’t be for everyone & again, it’s dark. But if you got a kid who is good with scary & creepy, then it’s pretty good.
Wouldn’t be for everyone & again, it’s dark. But if you got a kid who is good with scary & creepy, then it’s pretty good.
May 23, 2017
This is a super fun, twisty, and creepy gothic read. Elizabeth and Zenobia are a delightful pair of opposites, and Zenobia's insistence on the disturbing and unsettling is a fun balance to Elizabeth's tentativeness. Definitely pick this up if you're looking for something like The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls, Coraline, or Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children!!!
December 6, 2017
This was a delightful little read, fun but not earth shattering. I've read many stories like it over the years, but it was one of the more interesting versions I've experienced. I do wish more had been done with Elizabeth's father and the situation with her Mother besides a few short lines and constant sadness on his part. And a little more elaboration on Zenobia would have been lovely as well.
However the length and audience I think it's very well done. I would most definitely give it to younger readers to enjoy.
However the length and audience I think it's very well done. I would most definitely give it to younger readers to enjoy.
October 8, 2025
Found this as I was scouring my local library and was like omg this cover is so gothic and cool! This story is eerie and suspenseful, kept me engaged at every turn. Elizabeth reminded me of myself when I was younger because I too was scared of everything and had an imaginary friend (even though I want to believe Zenobia is real but I realize she's a representation of Elizabeth's inner turmoil). I had a wonderful time reading this!
SOMEONE MAKE THIS INTO A FILM STAT
SOMEONE MAKE THIS INTO A FILM STAT
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 4, 2018
This delightfully creepy book is filled with odd characters, setting and plot. It feels dark and gothic, yet very unusual. Witheringe House is a creepy, fascinating place and the secrets it holds are rather haunting. I quite enjoyed the ending.
February 24, 2020
The book was a very intriguing adventure with an amazing plot. The charter's were very likable, especially Zenobia and Tourmaline. The way the author worded the story made the book a lot better and more enjoyable. Throughout the book there was a sense of mystery right to the very end. The theme I learned from this book is that your greatest fears may drive u to success. This is demonstrated through Elizabeth being scared of many thing's, such as ghosts and hedge mazes, but she faces her worst fear to meet her goal of meeting and saving Tourmaline
March 1, 2018
4.5
This was so good I finished it in one day. Youngsters will love the mystery and spookiness of it.
This was so good I finished it in one day. Youngsters will love the mystery and spookiness of it.
August 31, 2018
Read it. An odd little book. I'm still not sure what I think of it, but it was a very quick intriguing little read. Lots of scientific Latin words. Lots of hints thrown about. Lots of atmosphere. Lovely English words as well. But just odd. Very odd.
July 22, 2020
The concept of this brief novella--almost a fairy tale--is interesting, and the writing is soft, pleasant, and not without gentle humor. I suspect that I would have enjoyed the story more with a child on my lap, a chapter read aloud at bedtime each evening.
October 22, 2020
Such a perfect mysterious book for this time of year. For one reason the characters reminded me of Daisy and Hazel from Murder Most Unladylike
February 11, 2018
The mystery kept me reading, but this was not my favorite.
September 17, 2018
Well that was just delightful! I’m glad the imaginary friend didn’t disappear in the end, which lends this book towards children believing in themselves and their imagination.
This is Wild Beauty for younger folks. Delightfully spooky and fantastical but also a great lesson in believing in yourself.
***hahaha I had a horrific autocorrect in the first version of this review! Fixed now***
This is Wild Beauty for younger folks. Delightfully spooky and fantastical but also a great lesson in believing in yourself.
***hahaha I had a horrific autocorrect in the first version of this review! Fixed now***
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 19, 2020
Spoooooky! I liked this one. It felt very real and terribly eerie. There are surprising twists and turns along with so much deep feeling. This is a great one for a quick read on a gray day this time of year.
November 29, 2017
I was really excited when I won this book through a giveaway! I wasn't sure how I would like it but I was honestly hooked on the first page. Elizabeth and Zenobia is unique and original, I would definitely recommend it.
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