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The House in Poplar Wood
For as long as the Vickery twins can remember, they’ve only ever been able to leave the house together once a year, on Halloween. The rest of the year, Lee and his mother serve Memory, while Felix and his father assist Death. This is the Agreement.
But one Halloween, Gretchen Whipple smashes her way into their lives. Her bargain is simple: If the twins help her solve the murder of local girl Essie Hasting, she’ll help them break the Agreement. The more the three investigate, however, the more they realize that something’s gone terribly wrong in their town. Death is on the loose, and if history repeats itself, Essie’s might not be the last murder in Poplar Wood.
Simultaneously heartwarming and delightfully spooky, The House in Poplar Wood is the story about a boy’s desire to be free, a girl’s desire to make a difference, and a family’s desire to be together again.
But one Halloween, Gretchen Whipple smashes her way into their lives. Her bargain is simple: If the twins help her solve the murder of local girl Essie Hasting, she’ll help them break the Agreement. The more the three investigate, however, the more they realize that something’s gone terribly wrong in their town. Death is on the loose, and if history repeats itself, Essie’s might not be the last murder in Poplar Wood.
Simultaneously heartwarming and delightfully spooky, The House in Poplar Wood is the story about a boy’s desire to be free, a girl’s desire to make a difference, and a family’s desire to be together again.
344 pages, Hardcover
First published August 28, 2018
47 people are currently reading
2640 people want to read
About the author
K.E. Ormsbee
5 books180 followersK.E. Ormsbee is the author of strange & magical books, including The House in Poplar Wood and the Lottie Fiske Books.
Her books have been critically acclaimed, translated into eight languages, selected for the Indie Next List and Junior Library Guild, and made “best of” lists at NPR, Amazon, Kirkus, and the Chicago and New York Public Libraries. She lives with her wife in Texas.
Her books have been critically acclaimed, translated into eight languages, selected for the Indie Next List and Junior Library Guild, and made “best of” lists at NPR, Amazon, Kirkus, and the Chicago and New York Public Libraries. She lives with her wife in Texas.
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Want to read
October 3, 2018I can't wait to read this one for Halloween.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
February 7, 2019
I listened to this on audio. I was a little hesitant at first, because I just wasn't feeling the narrator. And though I did eventually grow to like him, some pet peeves did remain throughout. But story-wise, this book encapsulates so much of what I love about middle grade.
Full review to come.
Full review to come.
October 1, 2019
I was lucky to win an arc of The House in Poplar Wood from K.E. Ormsbee on instagram! Opinions are my own, unbiased and genuine.
The title of this story piqued my interest right away and I added it to my ‘want to read’ list early on. I enjoyed Ormsbee’s The Water and the Wild (I may refer to it as TW&TW in this review to save time) and that made me want to read this middle grade book of hers too. The House in Poplar Wood is a lot different than TW&TW, yet still has masterful storytelling. Fully set in our world in Tennessee, the premise was really unique and intriguing. I loved that it felt like a fresh idea (to me).
Twin brothers Lee and Felix have not had an ideal life-especially not Felix, since his dad works for Death and Felix is forced to work as his apprentice. Lee and his mother work for Memory, a less harrowing situation than working for Death. This family of 4 lives in the same house, and yet...Lee must live on one side of the house with their mother, and Felix on the other side with their father, with their parents never able to see each other or communicate, ever since the twins came into the world, pitting Death and Memory apprentices against each other. A manipulative Agreement was then formed, where the parents had to agree to separate as a family, even within the same sectioned-off home.
At 13 years old, the twins have three years left as apprentices until they are given the choice whether to sign a contract to remain working for Death and Memory for the REST OF THEIR LIVES, or reject the contract. The problem is, Death is a manipulator who got Felix’s dad to sign the contract for life himself, in order to save other people’s lives. It wasn’t a fair situation.
Enter a mysterious death in town, and the mayor’s daughter Gretchen, who is convinced the death was caused by Death himself, and not at the victim’s alotted time to die. Gretchen is from a family with a special power of their own, and when she convinces Lee and Felix to join her in solving the death mystery, she also promises to help them try to break the unfair Agreement that has separated their family.
This was mysterious, atmospheric, at times creepy, but not at the level of horror in my opinion! I don’t enjoy horror, but I absolutely loved this book. I loved the characters. I loved their resolve. I loved the plotline. I loved the uncertainty that pulled me along.
I would say this is upper middle grade, yet lower middle grade children who have already read scarier things would surely handle this one well, too. Adults can take a quick scan to decide for themselves about their own children/students/patrons since each child is different. I may have been freaked out by it when I was 8, because of the character of Death, but maybe by ten or eleven I would have loved it.
The title of this story piqued my interest right away and I added it to my ‘want to read’ list early on. I enjoyed Ormsbee’s The Water and the Wild (I may refer to it as TW&TW in this review to save time) and that made me want to read this middle grade book of hers too. The House in Poplar Wood is a lot different than TW&TW, yet still has masterful storytelling. Fully set in our world in Tennessee, the premise was really unique and intriguing. I loved that it felt like a fresh idea (to me).
Twin brothers Lee and Felix have not had an ideal life-especially not Felix, since his dad works for Death and Felix is forced to work as his apprentice. Lee and his mother work for Memory, a less harrowing situation than working for Death. This family of 4 lives in the same house, and yet...Lee must live on one side of the house with their mother, and Felix on the other side with their father, with their parents never able to see each other or communicate, ever since the twins came into the world, pitting Death and Memory apprentices against each other. A manipulative Agreement was then formed, where the parents had to agree to separate as a family, even within the same sectioned-off home.
At 13 years old, the twins have three years left as apprentices until they are given the choice whether to sign a contract to remain working for Death and Memory for the REST OF THEIR LIVES, or reject the contract. The problem is, Death is a manipulator who got Felix’s dad to sign the contract for life himself, in order to save other people’s lives. It wasn’t a fair situation.
Enter a mysterious death in town, and the mayor’s daughter Gretchen, who is convinced the death was caused by Death himself, and not at the victim’s alotted time to die. Gretchen is from a family with a special power of their own, and when she convinces Lee and Felix to join her in solving the death mystery, she also promises to help them try to break the unfair Agreement that has separated their family.
This was mysterious, atmospheric, at times creepy, but not at the level of horror in my opinion! I don’t enjoy horror, but I absolutely loved this book. I loved the characters. I loved their resolve. I loved the plotline. I loved the uncertainty that pulled me along.
I would say this is upper middle grade, yet lower middle grade children who have already read scarier things would surely handle this one well, too. Adults can take a quick scan to decide for themselves about their own children/students/patrons since each child is different. I may have been freaked out by it when I was 8, because of the character of Death, but maybe by ten or eleven I would have loved it.
May 1, 2018
Twins Lee and Felix Vickery live in a secluded house in Poplar Wood with their parents. The hitch? Their dad Vince is the apprentice to Death and their mom Judith is the apprentice to Memory.
Death and Memory despise each other and have had a feud going for years so when Passion brought Vince and Judith together thirteen years ago, an Agreement was made,
(All those capital letters aren't a mistake: the shades Death, Memory, and Passion are almost human in this tale and the Agreement is a binding contract that Death and Memory created and any discussion of it is filled with dread.)
The Agreement has several rules: Felix lives with his dad and Death in the East wing of Poplar House, Lee lives with his mom and Memory in the West wing. Lee can never see his dad, Felix can never see his mom, and their parents can never see each other again. The boys can meet, but only outside the house.
Gretchen Whipple, the mayor's daughter, is from a family of summoners who are meant to keep balance between the 3 shades so they don't overstep their bounds interfering in the lives of the townspeople. She knows that the recent death of Essie Hasting (apprentice to Passion) wasn't an accident; her father is covering for Death.
The Whipple and Vickery families are sworn enemies but Gretchen knows she has to work with Felix and Lee to figure out what really happened to Essie and maybe even help break the Agreement holding the boys and their parents hostage to the feuding shades.
The House in Poplar Wood is an exciting and original story with kids learning to trust their instincts, question the world around them, and finding the courage to stand up for themselves and their loved ones.
I wasn't prepared to love this story as much as I do! I can definitely recommend this book to both middle grade and adult readers. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Death and Memory despise each other and have had a feud going for years so when Passion brought Vince and Judith together thirteen years ago, an Agreement was made,
(All those capital letters aren't a mistake: the shades Death, Memory, and Passion are almost human in this tale and the Agreement is a binding contract that Death and Memory created and any discussion of it is filled with dread.)
The Agreement has several rules: Felix lives with his dad and Death in the East wing of Poplar House, Lee lives with his mom and Memory in the West wing. Lee can never see his dad, Felix can never see his mom, and their parents can never see each other again. The boys can meet, but only outside the house.
Gretchen Whipple, the mayor's daughter, is from a family of summoners who are meant to keep balance between the 3 shades so they don't overstep their bounds interfering in the lives of the townspeople. She knows that the recent death of Essie Hasting (apprentice to Passion) wasn't an accident; her father is covering for Death.
The Whipple and Vickery families are sworn enemies but Gretchen knows she has to work with Felix and Lee to figure out what really happened to Essie and maybe even help break the Agreement holding the boys and their parents hostage to the feuding shades.
The House in Poplar Wood is an exciting and original story with kids learning to trust their instincts, question the world around them, and finding the courage to stand up for themselves and their loved ones.
I wasn't prepared to love this story as much as I do! I can definitely recommend this book to both middle grade and adult readers. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
January 30, 2019
My thanks to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.
DNF at 153 pages. The world building is confusing to me. It takes place in a world very similar to our own, however there are "Shades", actual manifestations of Passion, Memory and Death, who have apprentices and "summoners" who can summon the Shades and have them do things for them. This much I grasped after 153 pages in, but it didn't start out that clear. At first I thought it was a secret within each family, then a secret within the town, then found out it's possibly all over? Not sure if it is state-wide, country-wide or world-wide and I didn't care to read more of the book to find out.
I also didn't care for Gretchen. She was a bit TOO much for me. Over the top, in your face, I'm getting my way come heck or high water. And her brother Asa was described as a sociopath, so I wasn't overly fond of him either.
The twin boys had different issues, one was blind in one eye, other than being able to see Death in it and the other was deaf in one ear, other than being able to hear the Shades when they vocalized. The "special" ability of the lack of sight/hearing was more focused on then the actual affects of lack of sight/hearing, at least for the first 153 pages.
I wasn't overly thrilled with the world building, the characters and the missed opportunity to really dig into the issues a partially sighted/hearing person would go through. Not a bad book, it just wasn't the right book for me at this time. 2.5 stars, rounded down to 2.
DNF at 153 pages. The world building is confusing to me. It takes place in a world very similar to our own, however there are "Shades", actual manifestations of Passion, Memory and Death, who have apprentices and "summoners" who can summon the Shades and have them do things for them. This much I grasped after 153 pages in, but it didn't start out that clear. At first I thought it was a secret within each family, then a secret within the town, then found out it's possibly all over? Not sure if it is state-wide, country-wide or world-wide and I didn't care to read more of the book to find out.
I also didn't care for Gretchen. She was a bit TOO much for me. Over the top, in your face, I'm getting my way come heck or high water. And her brother Asa was described as a sociopath, so I wasn't overly fond of him either.
The twin boys had different issues, one was blind in one eye, other than being able to see Death in it and the other was deaf in one ear, other than being able to hear the Shades when they vocalized. The "special" ability of the lack of sight/hearing was more focused on then the actual affects of lack of sight/hearing, at least for the first 153 pages.
I wasn't overly thrilled with the world building, the characters and the missed opportunity to really dig into the issues a partially sighted/hearing person would go through. Not a bad book, it just wasn't the right book for me at this time. 2.5 stars, rounded down to 2.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 6, 2018
I liked what this book was going for, and its vibe, but it didn’t really work for me.
The House in Poplar Wood tells the story of twin brothers, Felix and Lee, who are apprentices for two of ‘The Shades’, Death and Memory.
They have unique experiences under their different Shades, but both feel trapped in their apprenticeship, especially as it separates their family.
Felix cannot see his mother, Lee cannot see his father, and their parents must stay apart. Felix and Lee want to escape this life and end up with the help of Lee’s classmate, a summoner named Gretchen.
The ideas in the story are interesting and it has a good level of creepy, but the story just had a lot going on and (for me) often felt clunky and jumbled. The writing was lovely, but the execution of the plot was a little heavy handed.
I think others may enjoy this book more than I did, so I do recommend it, especially for middle school classrooms or young fans of Coraline . It has themes of friendship, family, and death, and some fun middle grade adventure.
The House in Poplar Wood tells the story of twin brothers, Felix and Lee, who are apprentices for two of ‘The Shades’, Death and Memory.
They have unique experiences under their different Shades, but both feel trapped in their apprenticeship, especially as it separates their family.
Felix cannot see his mother, Lee cannot see his father, and their parents must stay apart. Felix and Lee want to escape this life and end up with the help of Lee’s classmate, a summoner named Gretchen.
The ideas in the story are interesting and it has a good level of creepy, but the story just had a lot going on and (for me) often felt clunky and jumbled. The writing was lovely, but the execution of the plot was a little heavy handed.
I think others may enjoy this book more than I did, so I do recommend it, especially for middle school classrooms or young fans of Coraline . It has themes of friendship, family, and death, and some fun middle grade adventure.
March 7, 2019
Oh I really loved this book! The story is unique and very creative. It is a perfect read around the Halloween season. The story follows the Vickery twins, Lee and Felix. Lee and his Mother serve Memory, working for her to store memories of others. Felix and his Dad serve Death, working for him as he takes lives. Due to the Agreement, Lee can never see his Dad and Felix can never see his Mom. One day Gretchen Whipple comes into their lives and wants the twins to help her solve the mystery of who killed a young girl in town named Essie and if they help her, she will help them break the Agreement. I highly recommend this book!
October 16, 2024
A lovely little story of family and choosing your own path. The autumnal vibes were on point, the magic system was weird, and the friendship was cute. Probably not one I'm going to remember in 2 years, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. 4 stars!
December 13, 2018
I think this would be a great read aloud in a middle school classroom in October. It's just the right amount of spooky. The characters were likeable and the plot moved quickly enough. I think the depictions of the Shades were simplistic, but not poorly so. When I realized that the main characters were 12 year olds and their main goal was to outsmart Death, I prepared myself for the worst. However, the way it was handled exceeded my expectations. I also thought it was sweet that the twins wanted to know their parents and have good relationships with them.
November 20, 2020
I enjoyed this unique story. The world building was strong--especially for a world that is quite similar to ours. The mystery aspects were engaging, and the characters were easy to root for.
September 8, 2020
*3.5*
Well. That book was (mostly) dark as hell.
In the tradition of Grimms' Fairy Tales, The House in Poplar Wood is not a cheery story. The three 13-year-olds at the center have each endured their own personal difficulties. They're bound up in a world of magic that's bestowed upon them an early knowledge of life's unfairness and tragedies.
It sucks.
But, dare they hope that they can make it....unsuck?
The world-building is efficient. We know just enough about the magic system to understand its function and it's general boundaries. Keeping these details streamlined allows deeper character exploration. Chapters cycle between the viewpoints of the three leads, moving the story onward while we learn how resignation battles against desperate hope in each of their minds. I like these characters. However, at the same time I want nothing to do with their lives or their world. There's no pretty perks to this universe. Just a lot of raw truths for those in the know.
The characters are in eighth grade, and while some books in the middle-grade genre are good for all, I think I'd recommend a certain degree of maturity for readers of this one. I found it relatively heavy throughout, and since the topics of guilt and murder and vengeance are explored, perhaps this shouldn't be a first foray into character peril.
The resolution is compelling. It had me flip-flip-flipping pages, eager to see what deals might be struck. The epilogue, meanwhile, made me actively wonder what sort of adults these characters might someday be. And to me, that's an indication of reading time decently spent.
Well. That book was (mostly) dark as hell.
In the tradition of Grimms' Fairy Tales, The House in Poplar Wood is not a cheery story. The three 13-year-olds at the center have each endured their own personal difficulties. They're bound up in a world of magic that's bestowed upon them an early knowledge of life's unfairness and tragedies.
It sucks.
But, dare they hope that they can make it....unsuck?
The world-building is efficient. We know just enough about the magic system to understand its function and it's general boundaries. Keeping these details streamlined allows deeper character exploration. Chapters cycle between the viewpoints of the three leads, moving the story onward while we learn how resignation battles against desperate hope in each of their minds. I like these characters. However, at the same time I want nothing to do with their lives or their world. There's no pretty perks to this universe. Just a lot of raw truths for those in the know.
The characters are in eighth grade, and while some books in the middle-grade genre are good for all, I think I'd recommend a certain degree of maturity for readers of this one. I found it relatively heavy throughout, and since the topics of guilt and murder and vengeance are explored, perhaps this shouldn't be a first foray into character peril.
The resolution is compelling. It had me flip-flip-flipping pages, eager to see what deals might be struck. The epilogue, meanwhile, made me actively wonder what sort of adults these characters might someday be. And to me, that's an indication of reading time decently spent.
August 22, 2019
3.5!
Life is crazy at the moment so it took me longer than it should have to finish this short book.
I enjoyed flow of this book and the changing POV. I don't want to give too much away with this review but this is a good, quick book to read to ease into the spooky season with.
Life is crazy at the moment so it took me longer than it should have to finish this short book.
I enjoyed flow of this book and the changing POV. I don't want to give too much away with this review but this is a good, quick book to read to ease into the spooky season with.
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September 25, 2018
A great book to read for October, The House in Poplar Wood by KE Ormsbee is simply fantastic. Though geared toward Middle Graders, I found this to be delightful. The pacing was amazing, the ending very well done, and the characters enjoyable.
Shades, spectral incarnations of Death, Memory, and Passion exist in a world where a select few know of them and are beholden to them. There are rules and laws to follow, but if you’re an all-powerful being, why should you? And what happens when you get tired of following the rules? One of the shades pushes the boundaries and resident know-it-all Gretchen Whipple simply won’t stand for it! Even if it means forcing the Vickery twins, sworn enemies of her family, to help!
This was a great read that was super quick to go through. So quick I was worried the closer I became to finishing that the ending would not do the story justice (it did, I was a fool to doubt!) The characters stand out from one another and their interactions are fantastic. You can really see the difference in upbringing between Felix and Lee helping to mold how each behaves. Even though it was a short book, Ormsbee still threatened to wring a few tears with her earnest writing, conveying exactly what it was the twins lost and needed to endure (Felix especially.)
As far as Middle Grade fiction goes, The House in Poplar Wood by KE Ormsbee is stellar and definitely one I wholeheartedly recommend, even if you’ve aged out! I know I’ll be buying a copy to gift to my 11-year-old niece
// I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this title. //
Shades, spectral incarnations of Death, Memory, and Passion exist in a world where a select few know of them and are beholden to them. There are rules and laws to follow, but if you’re an all-powerful being, why should you? And what happens when you get tired of following the rules? One of the shades pushes the boundaries and resident know-it-all Gretchen Whipple simply won’t stand for it! Even if it means forcing the Vickery twins, sworn enemies of her family, to help!
This was a great read that was super quick to go through. So quick I was worried the closer I became to finishing that the ending would not do the story justice (it did, I was a fool to doubt!) The characters stand out from one another and their interactions are fantastic. You can really see the difference in upbringing between Felix and Lee helping to mold how each behaves. Even though it was a short book, Ormsbee still threatened to wring a few tears with her earnest writing, conveying exactly what it was the twins lost and needed to endure (Felix especially.)
As far as Middle Grade fiction goes, The House in Poplar Wood by KE Ormsbee is stellar and definitely one I wholeheartedly recommend, even if you’ve aged out! I know I’ll be buying a copy to gift to my 11-year-old niece
// I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this title. //
October 11, 2018
Ormsbee, K.E. The House in Poplar Wood. Chronicle Books, 2018.
Lee and his mother live in one half of their house and together serve Memory. Felix and his father live in the other half of the house and together serve Death. Felix has no memories of his mother, while Lee has never met his father. The twins can interact outside of the house, but when they turn sixteen they, too, will be apprenticed to Death and Memory for the rest of their lives. But both are looking for a way to break the contract.
This is a delightfully spooky and eerie book, perfect for this time of year. The world the twins inhabit is similar to ours, but the differences, including the service to Death, Memory, and Passion, are well thought-out and explained throughout the story. The characters are well-rounded and likeable, so the choice for multiple narrators doesn't hold the typical problem of lack of distinct voices. There is plenty of humor and some intense action sequences, and the plot twists will keep readers turning pages to find out what happens. This book would make an excellent middle school read aloud at this time of year. Recommended.
Recommended for: tween
Red Flags: some intense action; one character dies off page
Overall Rating: 5/5 stars
Read-Alikes: Scythe; The Darkest Part of the Forest; Hold Me Closer, Necromancer
Lee and his mother live in one half of their house and together serve Memory. Felix and his father live in the other half of the house and together serve Death. Felix has no memories of his mother, while Lee has never met his father. The twins can interact outside of the house, but when they turn sixteen they, too, will be apprenticed to Death and Memory for the rest of their lives. But both are looking for a way to break the contract.
This is a delightfully spooky and eerie book, perfect for this time of year. The world the twins inhabit is similar to ours, but the differences, including the service to Death, Memory, and Passion, are well thought-out and explained throughout the story. The characters are well-rounded and likeable, so the choice for multiple narrators doesn't hold the typical problem of lack of distinct voices. There is plenty of humor and some intense action sequences, and the plot twists will keep readers turning pages to find out what happens. This book would make an excellent middle school read aloud at this time of year. Recommended.
Recommended for: tween
Red Flags: some intense action; one character dies off page
Overall Rating: 5/5 stars
Read-Alikes: Scythe; The Darkest Part of the Forest; Hold Me Closer, Necromancer
Read
June 18, 2020The House in Poplar Wood is a novel by K.E. Ormsbee. In every town, there is a Death, Memory, and Passion. Each Shade has an apprentice bound to them for life to help them in their work. Lee and Felix Vickery are the children next in line to be apprentices, bound by the Agreement. Gretchen Whipple lives in a family of summoners. When Gretchen suspects foul play between the Shades, she teams up with Lee and Felix in return that she helps them break the Agreement.
I thought this book was very interesting. I haven’t read any story with this unique plot, so I really enjoyed reading this book. Even though the book is long, I felt that it was still a fast paced story. I also enjoyed reading the book from each of the characters’ perspectives. It helped me as a reader connect more with the characters. I could almost imagine that I was in the story. The author crafted this book very well. She included action, romance, and mystery in this story. If you are a fan of teen fiction with many different genres, you should definitely read this book.
-Ranjani C
For those who love a good long read, this is a book for you. Once you pick it up, you won’t put it down until you finish. This book definitely stands out by itself, especially for its distinctive story line. I would recommend this to anyone 10 or older, or to anyone who would like to try a book that is different from others. The author included a lot of creativity in the story that really brings the story to life.
I thought this book was very interesting. I haven’t read any story with this unique plot, so I really enjoyed reading this book. Even though the book is long, I felt that it was still a fast paced story. I also enjoyed reading the book from each of the characters’ perspectives. It helped me as a reader connect more with the characters. I could almost imagine that I was in the story. The author crafted this book very well. She included action, romance, and mystery in this story. If you are a fan of teen fiction with many different genres, you should definitely read this book.
-Ranjani C
For those who love a good long read, this is a book for you. Once you pick it up, you won’t put it down until you finish. This book definitely stands out by itself, especially for its distinctive story line. I would recommend this to anyone 10 or older, or to anyone who would like to try a book that is different from others. The author included a lot of creativity in the story that really brings the story to life.
April 23, 2020
Lee and Felix Vickery have lived in the same house with their parents since they were born, and yet the two have never shared a room, gone to school together, or any of the countless other things you'd expect from twins. Even stranger, Lee has never met his father and Felix has never met his mother.
Why? Because before the twins were born, their parents made a deal with Memory and Death. As apprentices for the two spirits, Mr. and Mrs. Vickery should never have met, much less fallen in love. Now, they work on opposite sides of the house, one by day and one by night, forbidden to see one another ever again. But Lee and Felix aren't as accepting of the arrangement as their parents. To break the deal between Death and Memory won't be easy, but with the help of some unlikely friends, the twins are determined to try.
Full of magic and mystery, The House in Poplar Wood is a lesson in bravery, perseverance, and the power of family.
Why? Because before the twins were born, their parents made a deal with Memory and Death. As apprentices for the two spirits, Mr. and Mrs. Vickery should never have met, much less fallen in love. Now, they work on opposite sides of the house, one by day and one by night, forbidden to see one another ever again. But Lee and Felix aren't as accepting of the arrangement as their parents. To break the deal between Death and Memory won't be easy, but with the help of some unlikely friends, the twins are determined to try.
Full of magic and mystery, The House in Poplar Wood is a lesson in bravery, perseverance, and the power of family.
June 12, 2019
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. I wasn’t so sure about this one when I started it; the writing seemed a little clunky. It didn’t take me long to get into it though, and I found myself racing through it. Twins Lee and Felix live in separate ends of a house in the woods. Thanks to an Agreement between Death, their father’s boss, and Memory, their mother’s boss, the pair cannot see each other. So Lee lives with his mom and apprentices for Memory and Felix does the same with his dad for Death. Their respective parents cannot see the other twin. When the mayor’s daughter seeks their help solving a death in the community, they discover that there may be a way to break the Agreement after all. Really, my only complaint was that the writing read a little funny - maybe too formal? If you can look past that, I highly recommend it for grades 5-7.
November 24, 2018
This is the story of two young brothers who are apprentices to "shades". The shades are Memory and Death. A murder happens in the town where they live and one brother finds himself pulled into investigating the crime by a member of a rival family. There are also other sub plots within the book which tie in nicely. All in all, it was quite enjoyable.
I liked most of the main characters and the plot(s) went along nicely to a satisfying conclusion.
The production and narration were both very good. Each character was given their own voice, which worked well. I was supplied with a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
I liked most of the main characters and the plot(s) went along nicely to a satisfying conclusion.
The production and narration were both very good. Each character was given their own voice, which worked well. I was supplied with a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
November 7, 2018
Really a splendid read! Rich details, entertaining dialogue, and vivid characters. I also found the plot to be both exciting and unexpected. I loved the depiction of Death and the other Shades - and I also really enjoyed all of the human characters as well - despite their flaws. Although this book is a fantasy book set in a modern day sounding world, it really reads like a mystery...so much so that you often forget that magic doesn't exists. This book was reminiscent of the Thickety series by J.A. White.
May 24, 2019
This one was a slow burn for me. It took me awhile to get into it, but I tore through the last 75 pages or so. I was a little confused about the rules of Poplar Wood and its surroundings. I think the narrative would have benefitted from a singular perspective. Gretchen would be my choice, because as the reader can learn in tandem she learns how the world works. It would appeal to readers of fantasy with reading comprehension skills to help through a story that is complex at times. Grades 3-6. MSBA title list 2019-2020.
October 11, 2019
Finally got around to reading this- went with the audiobook because I was curious to hear Brian Holden’s narration, but I honestly may want to read the tangible book copy I have because it is such a fun story. But Brian’s narration was great and brought the characters alive well, including making me be mildly annoyed with Gretchen constantly mostly because she reminded me of myself too much 😂 this is a perfect book for fall!
April 13, 2019
Charming, spooky, Appalachian - a trio of very good things. An excellent Halloween read, though enjoyable at any time.
And something else I’ve grown to love in Middle Grade that surprises even me: a deep family wrong to be righted. Heartbreak, joy, and deep justice aren’t too much for younger readers.
Definitely recommend!
And something else I’ve grown to love in Middle Grade that surprises even me: a deep family wrong to be righted. Heartbreak, joy, and deep justice aren’t too much for younger readers.
Definitely recommend!
September 19, 2018
Talk about a house divided. The house in Poplar Wood is literally divided and each side is under obligation to work for a Shade: Death and Memory. This book was such a page turner and I did not want it to end.
January 28, 2020
It was a good book but I thought that the middle dragged on. I like the ending for two reasons one it was the ending and two it made the story happier. This book is not a first choice recommendation for me so if you like mystery you might like this book.
June 30, 2018
I really enjoyed this; it was creepy and eerie, and fairly dark for a kids’ book. The story was tightly written, and the characters were flawed and yet still likeable. I liked that the premise isn’t clear right away; things get explained as the story unfolds. This distinctive fantasy is compelling and very memorable. I don’t want to say too much here, because I don’t want to give anything away, but this is a story that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike.
April 23, 2019
What a great concept for a book! I would gladly read this one again and again. A great spooky-middle grade read.
October 30, 2020
Don’t be fooled by the audiobook cover—There’s a LOT more depth than cartoon figures might denote!
My Full Review
My Full Review
May 26, 2020
I'm on a roll of amazing middle grade books.
This one has such a creative premise, characters amd conflict. I just want a whole series about what each set of Shades is like in different towns.
This one has such a creative premise, characters amd conflict. I just want a whole series about what each set of Shades is like in different towns.
August 27, 2018
Metaphors for the most universal human impulses and experiences walk and talk in K. E. Ormsbee's The House in Poplar Wood, a chilling and mournful but ultimately uplifting middle grade novel about duty, family, and creating your own path in life.
Twins Lee and Felix Vickery occupy the titular house, which is divided into two sections: the west end where Lee and his mother serve Memory, and the east end where Felix and his father serve Death. This is the Agreement, and it is has been in effect since the twins were born. They tried to break it once before, but that ended in disaster, so they have resigned themselves to the fact that they will have to suffer under the Agreement for the rest of their lives. However, one day a girl named Gretchen Whipple shows up who may be able to help them defeat Death and break the Agreement once and for all.
Casting your story with the personifications of Death and Memory is quite a risk. Such heavy metaphor could weigh down the narrative to the point that the reader never engages with the book. Luckily, that is not the case here; there is indeed a heavy sense of dread infused throughout the novel, but it never overwhelms the riveting story or compelling characterization. Rather, it propels the action, as Lee, Felix, and Gretchen race to try to break the Agreement, fully knowing how ridiculous it is to try to beat Death. That heaviness also gives you immense sympathy for the Vickeries — Ormsbee never veers into maudlin territory, but she certainly knows how to tug on your heartstrings when she wants to. (Though my sympathy never extended to Gretchen. I must admit, I wished more than a few times early on in the book for Death to get his elegantly gloved hands on her.)
The mythology that Ormsbee has created with this book is fascinating. I hesitate to reveal too much, but I will say that this is one of the few books that has made me understand fans who pepper authors with questions about the minutiae of their fictional worlds. (Not condone, mind you, but understand.) However, this is a wholly satisfying stand-alone book. There are no loose ends here, only lingering thoughts and warm feelings left from a magical, masterfully told story that I didn't want to end.
The House in Poplar Wood is a beautiful exploration of destiny, familial obligation, and free will. It's also a moving, suspenseful tale that you won't want to put down. K. E. Ormsbee has accomplished something wonderful with this book. Filled with magic, mystery, love, and fear, it asks what it means to be human and what it takes to reach for the life that you want rather than the one that you have been promised.
Twins Lee and Felix Vickery occupy the titular house, which is divided into two sections: the west end where Lee and his mother serve Memory, and the east end where Felix and his father serve Death. This is the Agreement, and it is has been in effect since the twins were born. They tried to break it once before, but that ended in disaster, so they have resigned themselves to the fact that they will have to suffer under the Agreement for the rest of their lives. However, one day a girl named Gretchen Whipple shows up who may be able to help them defeat Death and break the Agreement once and for all.
Casting your story with the personifications of Death and Memory is quite a risk. Such heavy metaphor could weigh down the narrative to the point that the reader never engages with the book. Luckily, that is not the case here; there is indeed a heavy sense of dread infused throughout the novel, but it never overwhelms the riveting story or compelling characterization. Rather, it propels the action, as Lee, Felix, and Gretchen race to try to break the Agreement, fully knowing how ridiculous it is to try to beat Death. That heaviness also gives you immense sympathy for the Vickeries — Ormsbee never veers into maudlin territory, but she certainly knows how to tug on your heartstrings when she wants to. (Though my sympathy never extended to Gretchen. I must admit, I wished more than a few times early on in the book for Death to get his elegantly gloved hands on her.)
The mythology that Ormsbee has created with this book is fascinating. I hesitate to reveal too much, but I will say that this is one of the few books that has made me understand fans who pepper authors with questions about the minutiae of their fictional worlds. (Not condone, mind you, but understand.) However, this is a wholly satisfying stand-alone book. There are no loose ends here, only lingering thoughts and warm feelings left from a magical, masterfully told story that I didn't want to end.
The House in Poplar Wood is a beautiful exploration of destiny, familial obligation, and free will. It's also a moving, suspenseful tale that you won't want to put down. K. E. Ormsbee has accomplished something wonderful with this book. Filled with magic, mystery, love, and fear, it asks what it means to be human and what it takes to reach for the life that you want rather than the one that you have been promised.
August 24, 2018
After their parents made an Agreement with Death, the Vickery twins had to live with it. It meant that Felix had to serve Death alongside his father, witnessing healing and dying every day. Felix was not allowed to go to school and could not ever see his mother. His father could not see his brother Lee or his mother ever again. Lee in turn lived with his mother on the other side of the house serving Memory. He took bottled memories, labeled them and placed them on shelves. Both brothers had errands in Poplar Wood, Lee to dispense of the memories and Felix to gather herbs. Their life was terrible but steady until Gretchen entered it, determined to figure out how Essie was killed. From a family of Summoners, Gretchen is second born and unable to conduct the Rites. Still, she insists on untangling what is happening in their small town as Death, Memory and Passion let their rivalry get out of hand.
Just writing that summary demonstrates how unique this book is, yet it also plays with existing myths about shades and summoning. The book makes Death, Memory and Passion into figures that are non-human but still have human desires like revenge and dominance. The book is constructed so that the reader learns more about this fictional world alongside the characters. Each brother knows separate elements and Gretchen brings her own understanding of the other part of the relationships with Shades to the book. The organic way that it plays out via the story itself makes it immensely satisfying.
The characters are definitely worth noting as well. Gretchen is the most compelling character. She is wonderfully curious, prickly and determined. There is no way to tell her no that she will accept and her tenacity drives the story forward. The two brothers are unique from one another as well, one who goes to public school and the other who doesn’t. Their lives are as different as can be, each raised by not only one parent but also influenced deeply by the Shade too. These factors play out in their personalities in a way that is subtle but also clear.
A great fantasy Gothic novel with a mystery at its heart. Appropriate for ages 9-12.
Just writing that summary demonstrates how unique this book is, yet it also plays with existing myths about shades and summoning. The book makes Death, Memory and Passion into figures that are non-human but still have human desires like revenge and dominance. The book is constructed so that the reader learns more about this fictional world alongside the characters. Each brother knows separate elements and Gretchen brings her own understanding of the other part of the relationships with Shades to the book. The organic way that it plays out via the story itself makes it immensely satisfying.
The characters are definitely worth noting as well. Gretchen is the most compelling character. She is wonderfully curious, prickly and determined. There is no way to tell her no that she will accept and her tenacity drives the story forward. The two brothers are unique from one another as well, one who goes to public school and the other who doesn’t. Their lives are as different as can be, each raised by not only one parent but also influenced deeply by the Shade too. These factors play out in their personalities in a way that is subtle but also clear.
A great fantasy Gothic novel with a mystery at its heart. Appropriate for ages 9-12.
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