What do you think?
Rate this book
Our Castle by the Sea
* "A plot summary can only hint at the satisfaction of reading this tightly interwoven story with its haunting setting and memorable characters." -Booklist (starred review) In this haunting and compelling follow-up to the instant classic The Secret of Nightingale Wood . Lucy Strange takes a seafaring myth and grounds it in the stark reality of World War II. Growing up in a lighthouse, 11-year-old Pet's world has been one of storms, secret tunnels, and stories about sea monsters. But now the country is at war and the clifftops are a terrifying battleground. Pet will need to muster all her bravery to uncover why her family is being torn apart. This is the story of a girl who is afraid and unnoticed. A girl who freezes with fear at the enemy planes ripping through the skies overheard. A girl who is somehow destined to become part of the strange, ancient legend of the Daughters of Stone.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published April 30, 2019
84 people are currently reading
2755 people want to read
About the author
Lucy Strange
15 books415 followersLucy Strange worked as an actor, singer and storyteller before becoming a secondary school English teacher. She now lives and writes in the heart of the Kent countryside with her partner James, their baby boy and a tortoiseshell cat known as Moo.
Our Castle by the Sea is Lucy’s second novel for children, following her critically acclaimed debut, The Secret of Nightingale Wood.
Our Castle by the Sea is Lucy’s second novel for children, following her critically acclaimed debut, The Secret of Nightingale Wood.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 427 reviews
January 29, 2020
This was a very enjoyable and interesting story set in Kent, England during WWII. The story starts in happier times when Mutti, Pa and their daughters Magda and Petra live in a lighthouse called the castle. Since they were small they have known about the legend of the standing stones that guard the lighthouse and enjoy their father's stories about them. They enjoy their lives by the sea and help their father with his lighthouse duties. When war comes attitudes change towards their mother who is German and their Italian friend who runs the bakery. Life becomes hard and Petra who already suffers from anxiety struggles to get through these unhappy times.
The plot and the characters in this book were well thought out and interesting. It was good to see that although this plot line culminated in such dramatic events they were perhaps a little far fetched, it did make for a riveting story line that was indeed a page turner towards the end.
I don't understand why the cover shows 3 standing stones, it clearly states there are 4 in a line, they are a big part of the story. I thought something was going to happen to one of them, when it didn't I thought the illustrator had made a mistake but in the acknowledgements the author thanks the illustrator for doing such a good job with the cover. I was left wondering if I had missed something!
Having enjoyed this author's first book 'The Secret of Nightingale Wood' so much we were really pleased that this one felt even better.There were some sad parts to this book as you might expect from the subject matter but it was resolved in a way that was realistic and gave you hope for the characters.
The plot and the characters in this book were well thought out and interesting. It was good to see that although this plot line culminated in such dramatic events they were perhaps a little far fetched, it did make for a riveting story line that was indeed a page turner towards the end.
I don't understand why the cover shows 3 standing stones, it clearly states there are 4 in a line, they are a big part of the story. I thought something was going to happen to one of them, when it didn't I thought the illustrator had made a mistake but in the acknowledgements the author thanks the illustrator for doing such a good job with the cover. I was left wondering if I had missed something!
Having enjoyed this author's first book 'The Secret of Nightingale Wood' so much we were really pleased that this one felt even better.There were some sad parts to this book as you might expect from the subject matter but it was resolved in a way that was realistic and gave you hope for the characters.
July 30, 2019
I fell in love with Lucy Strange's first book, The Secret of Nightingale Wood, so I knew I had to check this book out.
The author situates this book very early into the Second World War, and nicely describes the corrosive effects of fear and mistrust on relationships. First the German born individuals come under scrutiny, with some being sent to internment camps, as happens with main character Petra's mother. Everyone is wary of everyone else, watching for treasonous behaviour, and is quick to judge and accuse.
Petra knows something's up with her older sister Mags (Magda), and like her first book Lucy Strange doesn't shy away from difficult or weighty situations and topics in this book: anxiety (though it's not labelled as such), bullying, danger to a parent, loneliness, the threat of bombing, potential unwanted separation from one's family. Though I thought the bullying situation was dealt with a little too easily, there's a deep sense of fear running through much of this story, and though it is aimed at kids, I thought the events were handled well, and their effects not generally minimized. And I liked how there was not a total sense of closure at the end, even though one is left with a slight sense of hope.
The author situates this book very early into the Second World War, and nicely describes the corrosive effects of fear and mistrust on relationships. First the German born individuals come under scrutiny, with some being sent to internment camps, as happens with main character Petra's mother. Everyone is wary of everyone else, watching for treasonous behaviour, and is quick to judge and accuse.
Petra knows something's up with her older sister Mags (Magda), and like her first book Lucy Strange doesn't shy away from difficult or weighty situations and topics in this book: anxiety (though it's not labelled as such), bullying, danger to a parent, loneliness, the threat of bombing, potential unwanted separation from one's family. Though I thought the bullying situation was dealt with a little too easily, there's a deep sense of fear running through much of this story, and though it is aimed at kids, I thought the events were handled well, and their effects not generally minimized. And I liked how there was not a total sense of closure at the end, even though one is left with a slight sense of hope.
January 2, 2022
jongens ik ben fan van lucy strange
December 30, 2022
4,5
A beautiful historical fiction set during WW2 where we follow a young girl named Petra who lives in a lighthouse with her sister and parents in a small English seaside town. I absolutely loved Lucy Strange her writing style and will definitely be picking up more books from her. The atmosphe, setting and characters are so vivid.
A beautiful historical fiction set during WW2 where we follow a young girl named Petra who lives in a lighthouse with her sister and parents in a small English seaside town. I absolutely loved Lucy Strange her writing style and will definitely be picking up more books from her. The atmosphe, setting and characters are so vivid.
April 6, 2020
De 12-jarige Pet woont samen met haar ouders en zus in een vuurtoren, die ze in gedachten 'ons kasteel' noemt. Dit is het perfecte decor voor de avontuurlijke Pet, die graag rondzwerft door de verborgen tunnels en opgroeit met griezelige verhalen over legendarische zeemonsters. Aan haar zorgeloze bestaan komt abrupt een einde wanneer de Tweede Wereldoorlog uitbreekt. In eerste instantie lijkt dit nog ver weg, maar algauw neemt de spanning in het gezin toe. Pet is vastberaden om erachter te komen welke geheimen het gezin voor haar verborgen houdt.
Ik was al erg onder de indruk van 'Het geheim van het nachtegaalbos' en met 'Ons kasteel aan zee' heeft Lucy Strange opnieuw een prachtig en gevoelig jeugdboek geschreven over de verwoestende effecten van oorlog. Vooral de complexiteit van Pet als personage en de ontwikkelimg die zij gedurende het verhaal doormaakt vond ik geweldig uitgewerkt. Het verhaal begint net voor het uitbreken van de Tweede Wereldoorlog en op dat punt merk je al dat Pet worstelt met eenzaamheid en bepaalde angsten en twijfels waar ze zich voor schaamt. Door de toenemende onrust om zich heen ziet ze zich gedwongen om deze angsten langzaam af te leggen en onder ogen te zien, waarmee ze worden vervangen door nog grotere angsten en een allesomvattend gevoel van wantrouwen. Wanneer de angsten haar teveel worden vlucht ze even in haar eigen fantasiewereld, want die blijkt gelukkig nog net zo veilig en onaangetast te zijn als voor de oorlog.
Lucy Strange weet gevoelige onderwerpen op treffende wijze bespreekbaar te maken, op een manier die behapbaar blijft voor de jeugd, en zonder afbreuk te doen aan het ervaren van de soms heftige emoties. Toch is 'Ons kasteel aan zee' niet alleen een verdrietig verhaal. In prachtige zinnen beschrijft Strange ook juist de hoopvolle en troostrijke elementen, en Pets ongekende moed en veerkracht.❤
Ik was al erg onder de indruk van 'Het geheim van het nachtegaalbos' en met 'Ons kasteel aan zee' heeft Lucy Strange opnieuw een prachtig en gevoelig jeugdboek geschreven over de verwoestende effecten van oorlog. Vooral de complexiteit van Pet als personage en de ontwikkelimg die zij gedurende het verhaal doormaakt vond ik geweldig uitgewerkt. Het verhaal begint net voor het uitbreken van de Tweede Wereldoorlog en op dat punt merk je al dat Pet worstelt met eenzaamheid en bepaalde angsten en twijfels waar ze zich voor schaamt. Door de toenemende onrust om zich heen ziet ze zich gedwongen om deze angsten langzaam af te leggen en onder ogen te zien, waarmee ze worden vervangen door nog grotere angsten en een allesomvattend gevoel van wantrouwen. Wanneer de angsten haar teveel worden vlucht ze even in haar eigen fantasiewereld, want die blijkt gelukkig nog net zo veilig en onaangetast te zijn als voor de oorlog.
Lucy Strange weet gevoelige onderwerpen op treffende wijze bespreekbaar te maken, op een manier die behapbaar blijft voor de jeugd, en zonder afbreuk te doen aan het ervaren van de soms heftige emoties. Toch is 'Ons kasteel aan zee' niet alleen een verdrietig verhaal. In prachtige zinnen beschrijft Strange ook juist de hoopvolle en troostrijke elementen, en Pets ongekende moed en veerkracht.❤
May 13, 2019
1939, eleven year-old Petra lives happily in a lighthouse in Kent, England alongside her Pa, her German mother and older sister Magda. While the coast prepares a possible Nazi invasion, the family faces a string dark and troubling events. Pet's mother is sent to an interment camp, her father sets sail to help the troops in Dunkirk and Mags appears to be secretive and conceivably withholding vital information from her younger sister. Can this family survive the horrors of war? Lucy Strange is a master storytelling and although never shying away from challenging subject matter, the author effortlessly and empathetically steers the plot towards its stunning conclusion. For fans of The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley.
April 14, 2020
Het tweede boek van Lucy Strange Ons kasteel aan zee, begint met een proloog. Een terugblik naar een tijd ver voor de oorlog, waarin onze jonge vertelster leert over de mythe van de Dochters van Steen. Een donkere mythe over opoffering, een zeedraak maar ook over liefde en magie.
En Lucy Strange laat haar talent in de eerste bladzijdes al feilloos zien; het rijmen van woorden, het creëren van sfeer. Even hoor je het lied van de meisjes uit de legende, voel je de rillingen over je rug lopen om dan weer de veiligheid te vinden in deze vuurtoren. De bladzijdes die volgen laten ons wat meer van de realiteit zien, een familie aan de rand van de oorlog.
Ik las niet eerder een boek van Lucy Strange, maar dit boek smaakte zeker naar meer. Een boek over de dochter van een vuurtorenwachter, alleen de beschrijving is al magisch.
In mijn volledige recensie op Books & Macchiatos vertel ik meer over de bijzondere sfeer in dit boek, het kabbelende begin en het rumoerige einde. En laat ik ook een kleine noot van kritiek horen, want de leeftijd mag van mij iets omhoog.
En Lucy Strange laat haar talent in de eerste bladzijdes al feilloos zien; het rijmen van woorden, het creëren van sfeer. Even hoor je het lied van de meisjes uit de legende, voel je de rillingen over je rug lopen om dan weer de veiligheid te vinden in deze vuurtoren. De bladzijdes die volgen laten ons wat meer van de realiteit zien, een familie aan de rand van de oorlog.
Ik las niet eerder een boek van Lucy Strange, maar dit boek smaakte zeker naar meer. Een boek over de dochter van een vuurtorenwachter, alleen de beschrijving is al magisch.
In mijn volledige recensie op Books & Macchiatos vertel ik meer over de bijzondere sfeer in dit boek, het kabbelende begin en het rumoerige einde. En laat ik ook een kleine noot van kritiek horen, want de leeftijd mag van mij iets omhoog.
August 7, 2023
Recommended for fans of The War That Saved My Life and Dear Mrs. Bird. My review:
https://perfectretort.blogspot.com/20...
https://perfectretort.blogspot.com/20...
April 24, 2020
Everything started so well but the ending completely ruined this book for me.
The villains who at the very climax of the story just absolutely have to make page-long explanations of everything they are doing at the moment and why they are doing it annoyed me and was absolutely ridiculous. The liberty the author took with historical events was a "No" for me. The happy ending and happy "bright blue-eyed and plump" girls in 1941 when WWII was essentially at the very beginning seemed unrealistic and very Hollywood.
All in all, I loved the way the book started, and it was very promising there, but the ending plummeted down the hill.
The villains who at the very climax of the story just absolutely have to make page-long explanations of everything they are doing at the moment and why they are doing it annoyed me and was absolutely ridiculous. The liberty the author took with historical events was a "No" for me. The happy ending and happy "bright blue-eyed and plump" girls in 1941 when WWII was essentially at the very beginning seemed unrealistic and very Hollywood.
All in all, I loved the way the book started, and it was very promising there, but the ending plummeted down the hill.
June 17, 2019
Rounded up from 4.5 stars. A picturesque location and sense of place juxtaposed against the reality of war and an imminent Nazi invasion. Petra and her sister Magda are forced to grow up and face the forces that have torn their family apart so abruptly. Includes a legendary circle of stones, a lighthouse, local intrigue and the Dunkirk rescue. Will appeal to those who have enjoyed "The War That Saved My Life" and its sequel. Would make a very appropriate read aloud for a class studying WW II.
Read
November 17, 2023We waren al fan van 'Het geheim van het Nachtegaalbos', het vorige boek van Lucy Strange, maar werden ook door deze jeugdroman meegesleept. We bespreken het boek in de 25ste aflevering van De Grote Vriendelijke Podcast. Luister naar wat we erover te zeggen hebben via Spotify, iTunes, TuneIn, je podcast-app of http://www.degrotevriendelijkepodcast...
September 12, 2019
11-year-old Petra loves being the lighthouse keeper's daughter. Petra enjoys helping her Pa with the logbook and lighting the lamp. She is not so fond of her Pa's slightly eerie tale of the Wyrm and the Stones. She fears the Wyrm (ancient dragon but nickname for sandbar) will rise up and drag her to the bottom. She fears being turned into stone after pleading for the Wyrm to spare a loved one's life. When England goes to war with Germany, Petra's world is upended and her nightmares seem to be coming true. Petra's family has secrets that threaten to tear the family apart. Her beloved Mutti is German born and considered an enemy in their village. While Petra's impulsive older sister Magda is ready to fight anyone who bullies her family, Pet is too scared to do anything. As the war creeps closer to home, Pet must find a way to summon the courage she doesn't know she has and become part of the legends of the South East coast of England.
It took me a really long time to start this book. I knew it wasn't going to be precisely a happy story but I did hope for a happy, heartwarming ending. Once I actually started the book I couldn't put it down. I actually skimmed ahead to see what happened and went back later to read it. I found the story rather depressing and a little absurd that ALL those things would happen to ONE family. The lack of communication between the parents and the parents and the children unravels the family and some horrible bullies destroy the family.
The legend of the standing stones is interesting and also eerie. There seems to be a slight possible supernatural element in this story when the legend seems to come to life. However, if you are an adult reading this, you can probably rationalize it with an explanation and coincidences. I like that it isn't obvious one way or another but the coincidence is a bit much.
I recommend this to readers of 11-14 who are not super sensitive and willing to learn a little history. They will be able to make parallels between 1941 and now and hopefully learn from the past and change the future.
I didn't like Petra's voice. I found it too adult for a girl who is supposed to be 11. I thought perhaps she was narrating the story from a distance later in life but at the end it's only a short time later so she's still a child. Despite all the horrific things Pet endures in the novel she shouldn't sound like an older adult. She is very different from the plucky, spunky young protagonist I usually enjoy reading about. Pet is shy and suffers from debilitating panic attacks that of course no one understands in 1941. Her courage and strength are incredible and make her a heroine worth rooting for. I identified more with Magda. Her birth order and strong-willed personality are easier for me to relate to. She's still young, I don't know how old, and naive, despite what she thinks. I saw right away why she was slipping away each morning but not the extent of it. She is strong and brave in different ways from her sister. Despite the way the girls sometimes argue and their different personalities, Magda is sweet to Pet when the younger girl has nightmares and panic attacks. Magda is protective of her family and neighbors.
Pa is warm and loving with his daughters. He allows Pet to be his assistant in the lighthouse knowing her passion for the trade. Magda seems to get her personality from Pa for he is also protective of his family. I don't agree with the decisions he makes and the lack of communication with his wife. Still, I think he would have made the same decision if he had known. I want to commend him for it but at the same time I think he made a terrible mistake. Pa's daughters have both inherited his bravery. Mutti is gentle, warm and kind. She seems to love everyone equally and doesn't consider her German background much. Of course in 1941 being German makes her the enemy and the people who were formerly her friends and supporters now turn on her channeling all their fear into anger and hate towards a woman who can't help where she was born and raised. The anti-German villagers don't deserve to know this wonderful woman who puts her family ahead of everything.
A new man has recently moved to a cottage near the "castle" lighthouse. The kids call him "Spooky Joe" because he doesn't socialize much and seems cranky. I have to commend the author for NOT making him a stereotype. He shows some character growth at the end. Kipper Briggs, the village bully boy also shows some character growth as the war affects his life. He starts off as a typical bully and of course there's a reason why and Pet reflects on how he could be different if x was different- a typical plot device in novels for tweens. Mrs. Baron the headmistress is a typical grande dame of village society. She's firm and tries to be fair. Her character arc surprised me but didn't. Her son Michael is everyone's darling. Handsome, smart and friendly, Michael endears himself to a lot of people, especially girls. I was surprised by his plot and completely missed the clue.
The villains are totally villainous without redeeming qualities. How they were able to hide their true natures is beyond me. I would think the government would have kept tabs on certain people. They aren't cartoonish though. "Pinstripe" as Petra calls the detective, seems kindly and fair but the family only sees him as a villain. He seems to have a soft spot for Petra.
It took me a really long time to start this book. I knew it wasn't going to be precisely a happy story but I did hope for a happy, heartwarming ending. Once I actually started the book I couldn't put it down. I actually skimmed ahead to see what happened and went back later to read it. I found the story rather depressing and a little absurd that ALL those things would happen to ONE family. The lack of communication between the parents and the parents and the children unravels the family and some horrible bullies destroy the family.
The legend of the standing stones is interesting and also eerie. There seems to be a slight possible supernatural element in this story when the legend seems to come to life. However, if you are an adult reading this, you can probably rationalize it with an explanation and coincidences. I like that it isn't obvious one way or another but the coincidence is a bit much.
I recommend this to readers of 11-14 who are not super sensitive and willing to learn a little history. They will be able to make parallels between 1941 and now and hopefully learn from the past and change the future.
I didn't like Petra's voice. I found it too adult for a girl who is supposed to be 11. I thought perhaps she was narrating the story from a distance later in life but at the end it's only a short time later so she's still a child. Despite all the horrific things Pet endures in the novel she shouldn't sound like an older adult. She is very different from the plucky, spunky young protagonist I usually enjoy reading about. Pet is shy and suffers from debilitating panic attacks that of course no one understands in 1941. Her courage and strength are incredible and make her a heroine worth rooting for. I identified more with Magda. Her birth order and strong-willed personality are easier for me to relate to. She's still young, I don't know how old, and naive, despite what she thinks. I saw right away why she was slipping away each morning but not the extent of it. She is strong and brave in different ways from her sister. Despite the way the girls sometimes argue and their different personalities, Magda is sweet to Pet when the younger girl has nightmares and panic attacks. Magda is protective of her family and neighbors.
Pa is warm and loving with his daughters. He allows Pet to be his assistant in the lighthouse knowing her passion for the trade. Magda seems to get her personality from Pa for he is also protective of his family. I don't agree with the decisions he makes and the lack of communication with his wife. Still, I think he would have made the same decision if he had known. I want to commend him for it but at the same time I think he made a terrible mistake. Pa's daughters have both inherited his bravery. Mutti is gentle, warm and kind. She seems to love everyone equally and doesn't consider her German background much. Of course in 1941 being German makes her the enemy and the people who were formerly her friends and supporters now turn on her channeling all their fear into anger and hate towards a woman who can't help where she was born and raised. The anti-German villagers don't deserve to know this wonderful woman who puts her family ahead of everything.
A new man has recently moved to a cottage near the "castle" lighthouse. The kids call him "Spooky Joe" because he doesn't socialize much and seems cranky. I have to commend the author for NOT making him a stereotype. He shows some character growth at the end. Kipper Briggs, the village bully boy also shows some character growth as the war affects his life. He starts off as a typical bully and of course there's a reason why and Pet reflects on how he could be different if x was different- a typical plot device in novels for tweens. Mrs. Baron the headmistress is a typical grande dame of village society. She's firm and tries to be fair. Her character arc surprised me but didn't. Her son Michael is everyone's darling. Handsome, smart and friendly, Michael endears himself to a lot of people, especially girls. I was surprised by his plot and completely missed the clue.
The villains are totally villainous without redeeming qualities. How they were able to hide their true natures is beyond me. I would think the government would have kept tabs on certain people. They aren't cartoonish though. "Pinstripe" as Petra calls the detective, seems kindly and fair but the family only sees him as a villain. He seems to have a soft spot for Petra.
August 12, 2020
Wat een boek! Kan zo op de plank tussen “Oorlogswinter” en “De hemel van Heivisj”. Sterke ontwikkeling van het hoofdpersonage Peet. Mooie extra lagen door de mythe van het zeemonster, het weer en de kust die als een soort extra personages door het boek heenlopen. Een heel geloofwaardig verhaal waarin niemand gespaard wordt, zelfs tot op de laatste bladzijde.
April 30, 2019
The digital arc of this book was kindly provided by the publisher via Edelweiss+ website in exchange for an honest review.
Lucy Strange is back at it again with her historical fiction that feels like it was written during the period it talks about. We follow the story of Pet and her family who live in a lighthouse at the start of World War II. The characters are all very compelling, though I didn't really like Mags, Pet's older sister. The plot is slow at times but knows how to heighten the stakes when it is needed and has a pretty well-rounded mystery at the core of the story. The writing is beautiful and has elements of magical realism but it's only caused by Pet's perception of the world around her.
Overall, a very emotional and fascinating novel that will definitely leave an impression on you.
Lucy Strange is back at it again with her historical fiction that feels like it was written during the period it talks about. We follow the story of Pet and her family who live in a lighthouse at the start of World War II. The characters are all very compelling, though I didn't really like Mags, Pet's older sister. The plot is slow at times but knows how to heighten the stakes when it is needed and has a pretty well-rounded mystery at the core of the story. The writing is beautiful and has elements of magical realism but it's only caused by Pet's perception of the world around her.
Overall, a very emotional and fascinating novel that will definitely leave an impression on you.
July 6, 2024
I adored this war time tale set during World War 2! If you like historical fiction laced with espionage, sisterly relationships, ancient legends & all mixed with intrigue, heartbreak and wondering who to trust then this is the book for you. I loved how this book opened my eyes a little more about some things that went on during the war that I didn’t know much about before like the internment camps whilst also touching on Dunkirk and the effects the war has on the characters village, homes and families!
March 22, 2021
Wow..this book was hard to read, but the reasons that made it hard to read are the very same that make it IMPORTANT to read. For me, the books that are the most heartbreaking, are the ones based on things that actually happened. That makes them all the more terrifying & sad to me. That this level of evil is real. It’s happened & is STILL happening for some. The authors ability to write a story that has such a gripping plot, an amazing story ..w/traces of magic...at the same time giving air raids & gas masks..making you enjoy the story, while at the same time making you see & feel a tiny glimpse of what these people felt during WWII..amazing. I cried for so many reasons. I don’t like books that make me sad-but books like this, & like Sweep before, I don’t mind b/c it’s not just some fantasy story breaking my heart just to do so-these are important stories & it’s necessary. I remember 9/11 perfectly, as I do the days/months that followed. Violence against Muslims spiked very very high. Ignorant people wanting somewhere to direct their hate, directed it at these people-just because they were Muslim. We’ve seen the same this past year since COVID w/violence against the Asian community spiking..all b/c we were told it started in China?? Ignorant. So when I saw how Petra’s mom was treated just b/c she was from Germany..the things people said to her, & the events that happen-it broke my heart. B/c of the story I was reading, & b/c it is still happening to people. The fact that all of these “enemy Aliens” were put in camps back then?? Just b/c they were German/came from a country siding w/Germany?? I always say I was born in the wrong time, & I wish I could’ve lived in the 40s/50s..but I don’t know..”Nazi” & “Hitler” are usually not said in books I’ve read before. I didn’t notice until now. I respect the author for giving evil the name it had. We can’t ignore any parts of history, or we will repeat them. Seeing a glimpse at how brainwashed & ignorant people who believed in Hitler were-terrifying. Petra is one of my new favorite characters of all time. She was so brave, smart, loyal & just an amazing kid dealing w/way more than she ever should have at that age. She should have been outside playing..not painting the house so it would blend in more & be less in danger of bombing. The sea monster legend & the daughters of Stone legend Petra has been told since she was very little were so interesting, & especially interesting how they mixed together w/the current story. The sea monster being German boats underwater in a way, & Petra a daughter of Stone in a way herself. So many parts stick out to me, & the ending was beautiful. Highly recommend!💜
May 13, 2021
Ho beccato questo libro per caso, in una piccola libreria, mentre ero alla disperata ricerca di qualcosa da leggere.
Sia la sinossi che il titolo indicavano che si trattava di un fantasy leggero e senza pretese, perciò l’ho acquistato.
È bello, quando un libro riesce a sorprenderti.
Mi sono ritrovata in mano una storia completamente diversa: la storia di Petra, la figlia del guardiano del faro di Stonegate sulle bianche coste di Dover, e della sua famiglia, all’alba della Seconda Guerra Mondiale.
È sicuramente una storia di crescita, di resistenza, di lotta, di sospetto, di dolore, di speranza e, perché no, di miti, leggende e folklore.
Un’esperienza toccante che non mi sarei immaginata di trovare un un piccolo libro colorato e sconosciuto, in un angolo di una piccola e anonima libreria.
4 stelle piene.
Sia la sinossi che il titolo indicavano che si trattava di un fantasy leggero e senza pretese, perciò l’ho acquistato.
È bello, quando un libro riesce a sorprenderti.
Mi sono ritrovata in mano una storia completamente diversa: la storia di Petra, la figlia del guardiano del faro di Stonegate sulle bianche coste di Dover, e della sua famiglia, all’alba della Seconda Guerra Mondiale.
È sicuramente una storia di crescita, di resistenza, di lotta, di sospetto, di dolore, di speranza e, perché no, di miti, leggende e folklore.
Un’esperienza toccante che non mi sarei immaginata di trovare un un piccolo libro colorato e sconosciuto, in un angolo di una piccola e anonima libreria.
4 stelle piene.
March 28, 2023
Petra, youngest daughter of a British lighthouse keeper, is about to have her world turned upside down by World War II. She and her sister Magda have always loved their cozy home in the cottage attached to the lighthouse, near a small seaside town. However, their German-born mother is sent away to an internment camp at the start of the war, under suspicion of having passed maps and charts to the enemy. Somebody in their village is a traitor, and all Petra knows is that her mother would never do such a thing. But who would? If she can figure out the mystery, will she get her mother back?
I found this a compelling read. The lighthouse setting is intriguing and the mystery element is strong. There's some adventure and some tragedy, though many of the horrors of war are kept at a distance. It doesn't quite have the warmth of The War that Saved My Life, but readers who enjoy British home-front stories would do well to consider this one.
I found this a compelling read. The lighthouse setting is intriguing and the mystery element is strong. There's some adventure and some tragedy, though many of the horrors of war are kept at a distance. It doesn't quite have the warmth of The War that Saved My Life, but readers who enjoy British home-front stories would do well to consider this one.
March 12, 2025
So unrealistic that it got to be annoying. Seriously, villains don’t need page-long excuses and explanations of why they carried out their evil plans.
September 26, 2021
Gyönyörű, de nem vidám történet, valós történelmi háttérrel. Érettebb olvasót kíván vagy közös feldolgozást, de mindenképp figyelemre méltó. Az erős, mégis esendő lánykarakterrel könnyű azonosulni, misztikum és rejtély teszi izgalmassá a történetet. Rendkívül érzékletesek a szerző leírásai, szinte filmszerűen peregnek az események. Igényes, tartalmas, szép könyv kívül-belül. Ajánlom felnőtt olvasóknak is.
November 21, 2018
Schools are spoilt for choice when it comes to stories set in World War 2, but this new book by Lucy Strange absolutely deserves its place as a worthy addition to the list.
Bringing together an evocative wartime setting, relatable themes and a sprinkling of ancient legend, this is a riveting read that I’m certain will delight teachers and children alike in KS2 classrooms.
Set in 1939 at the outbreak of World War II, the story follows 12-year-old Pet (short for Petra Zimmerman Smith - a name that feels like it’s too big to fit into). Pet lives in a lighthouse on the south coast of England and grew up hearing stories of ancient sea monsters, legends of ’Daughters of Stone’ and whisperings of secret tunnels.
Now, as the war breaks out, childhood stories give way to terrifying real life battles as German war machines lurk in the skies above and the sea below. Fear is in the air and it is not long before the people of the nearby village turn on Pet’s mother, who is German. What’s more, Pet’s older sister is acting suspiciously and Pet discovers a set of mysterious documents and photographs hidden away in the lighthouse.
As the war progresses, everyone is affected in different ways and Pet’s old lifestyle seems to slip away. In the background to it all though, Pet has never forgotten the ancient legends about the Daughters of Stone and feels certain that she is somehow a part of the ancient story.
This is a brilliantly evocative and controlled narrative. Lucy Strange writes her characters so convincingly that readers invest in their every emotion, hope and fear. Readers will come away feeling like they have walked right alongside Pet, experiencing all the sights and sounds of wartime England as seen through the eyes of a twelve-year-old girl trying to make sense of it all.
Highly recommended for KS2.
Many thanks to the publisher for sending me an advanced review copy. Full review to appear on the booksfortopics website near the time of publication.
Bringing together an evocative wartime setting, relatable themes and a sprinkling of ancient legend, this is a riveting read that I’m certain will delight teachers and children alike in KS2 classrooms.
Set in 1939 at the outbreak of World War II, the story follows 12-year-old Pet (short for Petra Zimmerman Smith - a name that feels like it’s too big to fit into). Pet lives in a lighthouse on the south coast of England and grew up hearing stories of ancient sea monsters, legends of ’Daughters of Stone’ and whisperings of secret tunnels.
Now, as the war breaks out, childhood stories give way to terrifying real life battles as German war machines lurk in the skies above and the sea below. Fear is in the air and it is not long before the people of the nearby village turn on Pet’s mother, who is German. What’s more, Pet’s older sister is acting suspiciously and Pet discovers a set of mysterious documents and photographs hidden away in the lighthouse.
As the war progresses, everyone is affected in different ways and Pet’s old lifestyle seems to slip away. In the background to it all though, Pet has never forgotten the ancient legends about the Daughters of Stone and feels certain that she is somehow a part of the ancient story.
This is a brilliantly evocative and controlled narrative. Lucy Strange writes her characters so convincingly that readers invest in their every emotion, hope and fear. Readers will come away feeling like they have walked right alongside Pet, experiencing all the sights and sounds of wartime England as seen through the eyes of a twelve-year-old girl trying to make sense of it all.
Highly recommended for KS2.
Many thanks to the publisher for sending me an advanced review copy. Full review to appear on the booksfortopics website near the time of publication.
February 14, 2022
This is one that can go right on the shelf next to The War That Saved My Life as an example of excellent historical fiction set during WWII. The setting is interesting and different, as is the plot. I guessed one plot twist, but was surprised by a twist on the twist, and then by a whole series of plot twists. And that's good writing. Recommended even for jaded adult readers who have read lots in this genre.
August 16, 2020
This book is just exceptional. I don’t know that I have the words right now for how good it is. There’s espionage, mythology, heartbreak, family, trust, intrigue and so much more. Audible gasps and a few tears... JUST brilliant.
September 5, 2022
I forgot how wonderful it is to wander through the children's section of a library, and find precious gems like this book that just make you feel that, even though the world and humanity sucks, the children are in good hands when it comes to their reading material. Okay, yes, the latter is probably a bit of an exaggeration - there are probably many books that aren't going to help influence children to be better people than their parents and grandparents, but allow me to feel hopeful. We are short of diverse fictional characters, yes, but not of inspiring ones.
Petra's father is a lighthouse keeper along the English channel. Petra and her family - her sister, Magda, her Mutti, and her Pa - live in a little cottage beside the lighthouse, known as the Castle. The Castle is "protected" by the Daughters of Stone, which Pet has an interesting connection to. The stretch of shore the Castle protects is a dangerous spot because of the large sandbank that snatches up ships like a giant wyrm, creating thousands of shipwrecks over the years. Even though twelve year old Petra has been afraid of the Wyrm ever since she was little, she will fear the coming war much more.
"A weird thing happens to me when I am frightened. I freeze. Like a startled rabbit. My whole body stiffens and I can't move at all. People use the word petrified to describe feeling afraid, but it really means much more than that - it means being so terrified that you cannot move a muscle; it means being turned to stone."
Danger is building all around them: German U-Boats off the coast, potential spies everywhere, and bombers flying over the village in the middle of the night and heading for London. It was a bad time to be German or Jewish or many other identities during World War II. Mutti is German, and as the threat of war begins to build around them, many people of Stonegate start to treat the family differently.
Mags may be the loud and brave one and Pet the small and quiet one, but they are each going to have to change. Mutti has been accused of drawing maps and diagrams of the English coast for the German army. She is then declared an "enemy alien" and sent away to an internment camp. Pet doesn't know who to trust anymore, even in her own family. All she knows is that she needs to solve all these mysteries that Mags, the ""half -tamed tornado", wouldn't have the patience to help her with, even if Petra could trust her. Someone set fire to the Local Defense Volunteers hut, someone is sending vital intelligence about their coastline to the German army, and someone is trying to tamper with the Castle. It's up to Pet to find who is doing these acts of treachery that her Mutti is being blamed for.
The many mysteries were riveting. Pet is a relatable young girl, and her journey from the shy, quiet one who felt small and insignificant, to the brave, determined heroine is inspiring. Lucy Strange creates an interesting story that combines myth with actual World War II history. I loved the setting of the Castle, since just a few weeks before reading this I was able to visit and go up into an old lighthouse for the first time. Lucy captured the atmosphere beautifully and it was easy to imagine the incredible views Petra got to draw every day.
"'Everything has a song, Pet... If you listen carefully to the song of something as you are drawing, it will help you to capture its soul...'
I tried to hear the song of the sea. The sea has many different songs , I thought. There are days when the song could be played upon a harp, but that day it would have been something much more solemn: a slowly bowed cello, perhaps. The water was like mercury - heavy and quivering. I was starting to understand what Mutti meant, but I still wasn't sure how to draw it."
Petra's father is a lighthouse keeper along the English channel. Petra and her family - her sister, Magda, her Mutti, and her Pa - live in a little cottage beside the lighthouse, known as the Castle. The Castle is "protected" by the Daughters of Stone, which Pet has an interesting connection to. The stretch of shore the Castle protects is a dangerous spot because of the large sandbank that snatches up ships like a giant wyrm, creating thousands of shipwrecks over the years. Even though twelve year old Petra has been afraid of the Wyrm ever since she was little, she will fear the coming war much more.
"A weird thing happens to me when I am frightened. I freeze. Like a startled rabbit. My whole body stiffens and I can't move at all. People use the word petrified to describe feeling afraid, but it really means much more than that - it means being so terrified that you cannot move a muscle; it means being turned to stone."
Danger is building all around them: German U-Boats off the coast, potential spies everywhere, and bombers flying over the village in the middle of the night and heading for London. It was a bad time to be German or Jewish or many other identities during World War II. Mutti is German, and as the threat of war begins to build around them, many people of Stonegate start to treat the family differently.
Mags may be the loud and brave one and Pet the small and quiet one, but they are each going to have to change. Mutti has been accused of drawing maps and diagrams of the English coast for the German army. She is then declared an "enemy alien" and sent away to an internment camp. Pet doesn't know who to trust anymore, even in her own family. All she knows is that she needs to solve all these mysteries that Mags, the ""half -tamed tornado", wouldn't have the patience to help her with, even if Petra could trust her. Someone set fire to the Local Defense Volunteers hut, someone is sending vital intelligence about their coastline to the German army, and someone is trying to tamper with the Castle. It's up to Pet to find who is doing these acts of treachery that her Mutti is being blamed for.
The many mysteries were riveting. Pet is a relatable young girl, and her journey from the shy, quiet one who felt small and insignificant, to the brave, determined heroine is inspiring. Lucy Strange creates an interesting story that combines myth with actual World War II history. I loved the setting of the Castle, since just a few weeks before reading this I was able to visit and go up into an old lighthouse for the first time. Lucy captured the atmosphere beautifully and it was easy to imagine the incredible views Petra got to draw every day.
"'Everything has a song, Pet... If you listen carefully to the song of something as you are drawing, it will help you to capture its soul...'
I tried to hear the song of the sea. The sea has many different songs , I thought. There are days when the song could be played upon a harp, but that day it would have been something much more solemn: a slowly bowed cello, perhaps. The water was like mercury - heavy and quivering. I was starting to understand what Mutti meant, but I still wasn't sure how to draw it."
July 13, 2020
4-4.5 stars
I definitely enjoyed this and once again Lucy Strange does an excellent job of narrating her own books (maybe because she's an actor?). While listening to this, I was reminded a bit of The War That Saved My Life, partly because it takes part during a similar time period. However, I think there was more time spent on relationships and chosen vs blood family in the Bradley books than in this one. There was more atmosphere and mystery in this one. But I think if one liked the Bradley books, they would likely enjoy this book as well. However, I think this book moves a little more slowly at the beginning and then goes on a roller coaster ride for the last part of the book. There was not quite as much emotion for me in this one, and yet I still enjoyed it a lot and I loved how the ending wasn't a happy ending wrapped in a neat package, but it ended in a hopeful way. Overall, I felt the story was realistic and I liked that the author included a note after that talked a little bit about what historical details were true and what she pulled out of her hat for the purposes of the story. As an aside, the blurb on this goodreads says it's a follow-up to Nightingale Wood, but as far as I can tell, they're two completely separate stories, but I'm very happy I read them both.
I definitely enjoyed this and once again Lucy Strange does an excellent job of narrating her own books (maybe because she's an actor?). While listening to this, I was reminded a bit of The War That Saved My Life, partly because it takes part during a similar time period. However, I think there was more time spent on relationships and chosen vs blood family in the Bradley books than in this one. There was more atmosphere and mystery in this one. But I think if one liked the Bradley books, they would likely enjoy this book as well. However, I think this book moves a little more slowly at the beginning and then goes on a roller coaster ride for the last part of the book. There was not quite as much emotion for me in this one, and yet I still enjoyed it a lot and I loved how the ending wasn't a happy ending wrapped in a neat package, but it ended in a hopeful way. Overall, I felt the story was realistic and I liked that the author included a note after that talked a little bit about what historical details were true and what she pulled out of her hat for the purposes of the story. As an aside, the blurb on this goodreads says it's a follow-up to Nightingale Wood, but as far as I can tell, they're two completely separate stories, but I'm very happy I read them both.
September 20, 2023
This book was a random result I got from a Google search for cozy historical reads. It fits the bill enough though I would say it’s more tense than cozy.
Aside from storms and sea monster stories, Petra has lived a quiet life by the sea. The start of World War II brings more changes than her vivid imagination could have conjured. Her German mother is detained and at risk of being tried as a traitor, her sister is becoming a stranger, and bombs begin falling. She feels that somehow the story of the Wyrm and the war are connected, but how?
The book is definitely written in a way to capture the minds of younger readers. It was fine in the beginning because I was well aware of the intended audience, however, the climax of the book nearly had me laughing. The plot itself wasn’t the issue rather than the delivery. The speeches read like those of cartoon villains. I couldn’t take anything seriously after that. That being said, my younger self probably would have loved it.
Aside from storms and sea monster stories, Petra has lived a quiet life by the sea. The start of World War II brings more changes than her vivid imagination could have conjured. Her German mother is detained and at risk of being tried as a traitor, her sister is becoming a stranger, and bombs begin falling. She feels that somehow the story of the Wyrm and the war are connected, but how?
The book is definitely written in a way to capture the minds of younger readers. It was fine in the beginning because I was well aware of the intended audience, however, the climax of the book nearly had me laughing. The plot itself wasn’t the issue rather than the delivery. The speeches read like those of cartoon villains. I couldn’t take anything seriously after that. That being said, my younger self probably would have loved it.
August 23, 2020
Ik houd van vuurtorens en van de Engelse kust en van verhalen over de Tweede Wereldoorlog, dus dit kon niet missen! Het verhaal van de familie van de twaalfjarige hoofdpersoon Petra valt samen met gebeurtenissen uit de oorlog enerzijds en mythische verhalen over zeemonsters en vergane schepen anderzijds. Daarbij een mooie balans tussen spanning en meeleven met de personages; op sommige momenten is het zó zielig en tegelijk wilde ik doorlezen om te weten hoe het zat en zou aflopen.
Petra ontwikkelt zich tijdens het verhaal en dat is goed uitgewerkt en ook de andere personages hadden een zekere mate van complexiteit. Goed en slecht lopen door elkaar en 'goed zijn, maar slechte dingen doen' komt steeds terug. Dat kreeg op een bepaald moment wel een keerzijde, want er waren wel erg veel personages die een omslag maakten van het een naar het ander. Ook het einde waarin iedereen even alles aan elkaar opbiecht om alle raadsels en losse eindjes op te lossen had misschien wat subtieler gekund.
Verder een mooie uitgave, zowel de kaft als de binnenkant!
Petra ontwikkelt zich tijdens het verhaal en dat is goed uitgewerkt en ook de andere personages hadden een zekere mate van complexiteit. Goed en slecht lopen door elkaar en 'goed zijn, maar slechte dingen doen' komt steeds terug. Dat kreeg op een bepaald moment wel een keerzijde, want er waren wel erg veel personages die een omslag maakten van het een naar het ander. Ook het einde waarin iedereen even alles aan elkaar opbiecht om alle raadsels en losse eindjes op te lossen had misschien wat subtieler gekund.
Verder een mooie uitgave, zowel de kaft als de binnenkant!
September 17, 2020
I really loved this book. A very different perspective from other WW2 books I've read. I remember my mother telling me of her friend and his family being sent to interment camps here in Utah. It became more personal. Our generation hasn't had the war at home but this gave me a glimpse into what my parents could have felt.
I enjoyed reading about the Dover coast and a "lighthouse" and being painted green to hide it.
I enjoyed reading about the Dover coast and a "lighthouse" and being painted green to hide it.
September 26, 2020
Eerst en vooral is de cover verschrikkelijk mooi! Bij elk deel en elk hoofdstuk staan er ook zeer mooie tekeningen waar je direct gelukkig van wordt. Los daarvan is het een zeer mooi, ontroerend, spannend en ergens ook herkenbaar verhaal. Het leest als een sneltrein en er zijn verrassende wendingen die je niet ziet aankomen. Het doet je ook nadenken over hoe wreed en kortzichtig wij als mensen kunnen zijn en hoeveel invloed angst op een persoon kan hebben. Ik kan niet wachten om haar ander boek "het geheim van het nachtegaalbos" te lezen 😊
Displaying 1 - 30 of 427 reviews