House of Shadows

by Andre Norton, Phyllis Miller

Mike, Tucker, and Susan encounter restless ghosts from the past when they stay in the old house that has been in the family since before the Revolution

Genres: Fantasy, Horror, Supernatural, Science Fiction Fantasy

256 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1984

About the author

Andre Norton, born Alice Mary Norton, was a pioneering American author of science fiction and fantasy, widely regarded as the Grande Dame of those genres. She also wrote historical and contemporary fiction, publishing under the pen names Andre Alice Norton, Andrew North, and Allen Weston. She launched her career in 1934 with The Prince Commands, adopting the name “Andre” to appeal to a male readership. After working for the Cleveland Library System and the Library of Congress, she began publishing science fiction under “Andrew North” and fantasy under her own name. She became a full-time writer in 1958 and was known for her prolific output, including Star Man’s Son, 2250 A.D. and Witch World, the latter spawning a long-running series and shared universe. Norton was a founding member of the Swordsmen and Sorcerers' Guild of America and authored Quag Keep, the first novel based on the Dungeons & Dragons game. She influenced generations of writers, including Lois McMaster Bujold and Mercedes Lackey. Among her many honors were being the first woman named Gandalf Grand Master of Fantasy and SFWA Grand Master. In her later years, she established the High Hallack Library to support research in genre fiction. Her legacy continues with the Andre Norton Award for young adult science fiction and fantasy.

Reviews

[Doris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book steps outside Andre Norton's normal science fiction to bring us a supernatural thriller of a case steeped in time, tradition, and mystery.

Three young children are sent to Upstate New York to live with family, and while there the youngest becomes enamored of a set of paper dolls, which have been in the family for centuries. Hard on the heels of the discovery of the dolls begins a series of weird happenings and hauntings, related to a Colonial era mystery.

A good book for young teens, and interesting to read for adults.

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one would have been classified YA or maybe even middle grade today, rather than straight fantasy. Relieved that there wasn't actually a bunch of terrible native stereotypes here, given the cover. Over all, it was a quick ghost story read and entertaining enough for a random find I picked up in a lot of Andre Norton books.

[Aurora Dimitre · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 stars
god this book was so dumb

[Valerie]

I don't seem to have a copy of this anymore. I vaguely remember it involves ghosts, upstate New York, children, and a massacre.