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The Carrefour Curse
The Addams Family meets The Westing Game in this exhilarating mystery about a modern magical dynasty trapped in the ruins of their once-grand, now-crumbling ancestral home.
Twelve-year-old Garnet regrets that she doesn’t know her family. Her mother has done her best to keep it that way, living far from the rest of the magical Carrefour clan and their dark, dangerous mansion known as Crossroad House.
But when Garnet finally gets summoned to the estate, it isn’t quite what she hoped for. Her relatives are strange and quarrelsome, each room in Crossroad House is more dilapidated than the last, and she can’t keep straight which dusty hallways and cobwebbed corners are forbidden.
Then Garnet learns the family secret: their dying patriarch fights to retain his life by stealing power from others. Every accident that isn’t an accident, every unexpected illness and unexplained disappearance grants Jasper Carrefour a little more time. While the Carrefours squabbles over who will inherit his role when (if) he dies, Garnet encounters evidence of an even deeper curse. Was she brought to Crossroad House as part of the curse . . . or is she meant to break it?
Written with loads of creepy atmosphere and an edge-of-your-seat magical mystery, this thrilling story reads like The Haunting of Hill House for preteens. Perfect for late-night reading under the covers.
Twelve-year-old Garnet regrets that she doesn’t know her family. Her mother has done her best to keep it that way, living far from the rest of the magical Carrefour clan and their dark, dangerous mansion known as Crossroad House.
But when Garnet finally gets summoned to the estate, it isn’t quite what she hoped for. Her relatives are strange and quarrelsome, each room in Crossroad House is more dilapidated than the last, and she can’t keep straight which dusty hallways and cobwebbed corners are forbidden.
Then Garnet learns the family secret: their dying patriarch fights to retain his life by stealing power from others. Every accident that isn’t an accident, every unexpected illness and unexplained disappearance grants Jasper Carrefour a little more time. While the Carrefours squabbles over who will inherit his role when (if) he dies, Garnet encounters evidence of an even deeper curse. Was she brought to Crossroad House as part of the curse . . . or is she meant to break it?
Written with loads of creepy atmosphere and an edge-of-your-seat magical mystery, this thrilling story reads like The Haunting of Hill House for preteens. Perfect for late-night reading under the covers.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published January 31, 2023
21 people are currently reading
3236 people want to read
About the author
Dianne K. Salerni
22 books403 followersDIANNE K. SALERNI, a former fifth grade teacher, is the author of YA and MG novels.
Her upcoming dark MG fantasy, THE CARREFOUR CURSE, explores gothic themes in a story Publisher's Weekly calls "genre-bending" in a starred review.
The EIGHTH DAY fantasy series follows the adventures of Jax Aubrey, who discovers a secret day between Wednesday and Thursday. ELEANOR, ALICE, & THE ROOSEVELT GHOSTS portrays an alternate historical reality where ghosts are known to be real and threaten the future of a famous family. JADIE IN FIVE DIMENSIONS is an adventure in geometry, physics, and conspiracy theories.
Her upcoming dark MG fantasy, THE CARREFOUR CURSE, explores gothic themes in a story Publisher's Weekly calls "genre-bending" in a starred review.
The EIGHTH DAY fantasy series follows the adventures of Jax Aubrey, who discovers a secret day between Wednesday and Thursday. ELEANOR, ALICE, & THE ROOSEVELT GHOSTS portrays an alternate historical reality where ghosts are known to be real and threaten the future of a famous family. JADIE IN FIVE DIMENSIONS is an adventure in geometry, physics, and conspiracy theories.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 149 reviews
June 22, 2023
Poor kids. You have to pity them. So many choices. So many books. How the heck are they going to decide what to read these days? Not to pull out the old “Back In My Day” card, but back in my day we didn’t have quite as many choices! If we wanted something to read we had a bunch of “classics” gathering dust in the library, and a bunch of contemporary titles that we found through the Scholastic Book Fair. As a result, the bulk of my reading between the ages of 9-12 consisted of Apple paperbacks involving ghosts and Agatha Christie novels. But these days? Between then and now someone figured out that children’s books sell. It’s a real problem because when you can have any book you want, how do you even begin to choose? So for this review, I am directing it towards those kids who, like 11-year-old me, want to read something mysterious, scary, creepy, and possibly involving either ghosts or soul-sucking family members. In short, The Carrefour Curse. It’s one of those books that could easily slide into the morass of other chapter book fiction published in a year, were it not for the inconvenient fact that the writing is incredibly good. Honestly, it starts with someone vomiting frogs and only picks up from there. I don’t know what more you could want.
I’m not kidding, by the way. The first line in this book reads, “You’d think spitting up frogs would be a lot like the worst stomach flu you’ve ever had, but it’s surprisingly different.” The victim of this frog expectoration? That would be Garnet Carrefour. Until this day, her life has been relatively normal. That is, as normal as a life can be when you and your mother harbor a kind of magic born out of your familial lineage. Garnet’s magic is connected to stones and rocks, but that doesn’t help her when a wonky spell forces both her and her mother back to their ancestral home. Great-grandfather Jasper is dying and that means all the Carrefours are to return back to the Crossroad House, whether they want to or not. Trouble is, there are rumors that Jasper’s lived as long as he has by sucking the magic (and maybe more) out of his heirs over the years. Garnet’s not sure what’s she’s getting into when she arrives, but she certainly didn’t expect to find time travel, strangers lurking in graveyards, visions, and reclusive uncles. Now she needs to solve the mystery behind her family’s magic, before she fulfills a projected curse her mother's been protecting her from for years.
Each reader comes to each book that they encounter with a set of baggage. For a children’s librarian, this is compounded by also including the loads of books they’ve already read up until this point. There’s a finite number of stories in this world, and it’s not unusual when you hear the plot of a book that bears some vague resemblance to another. So it was that I initially read the plot of The Carrefour Curse and avoided it. Why? Because, on first glance, it sounded oddly similar to the plot of A Skinful of Shadows by Frances Hardinge. In both books you’ve an evil patriarch of a family and a mother who escaped with her child in the hopes of sparing her daughter. In both cases something forces the girl to return to the estranged family members only to discover the evil at the family’s core (which involves a grandfather-type figure taking advantage of his younger relations). Oh. And in both cases you have protective bears in some way. Summarized in such a manner, this might sound damning, but the fact of the matter is that in terms of tone, plotting, pacing, and characterizations the two books could not feel more different. First off, the Hardinge title, which borders on young adult, is a gigantic metaphor for young women, the patriarchal attitudes they’re born into, and how they must throw them off. The Salerni title, in contrast, contains some nice creepy vibes, but it's on the younger scale of the equation. Honestly the true difference is the fact that while one is a straight up mystery, The Carrefour Curse is both that and something else enticing: A mystery!
Lord, I miss mysteries. I get that they’re exceedingly difficult to write, I do. Still and all, there’s something so satisfying about reading an author who knows precisely where to take a reader, as well as how to lead them astray. Anyone who knows how to wield a red herring with precision and skill is aces in my book. Admittedly, as someone who can’t do it herself, seeing an author write fantasy AND mystery at the same time feels a little show-offy. Should writers be allowed to be so simultaneously skilled? Apparently so. In The Carrefour Curse you’ve an inkling of what’s going on, but to help both Garnet and the reader put all the pieces together, Salerni has to offer up exposition in the most enjoyable ways possible. Sometimes she goes the old-fashioned route with characters doing independent research into old files. That’s cool, but you can’t really sustain that sort of thing in a book for children for very long. This isn’t A.S. Byatt’s Possession after all. So the solution comes in the form of time traveling magic. That sounds, on the surface, like an easy out, but I admired how neatly she worked it into the larger narrative. Did she have to twist herself into pretzels to justify Garnet not telling her mom what was going on? Heck yeah. But that’s the price you pay when you don’t make your protagonist an orphan these days. And happily, the mystery works well.
Which isn’t to say that I wasn't worried as I read. For slambang openings, Salerni has the competition beat. Still, I fretted about her conclusion. As the reader approaches the climax one concern was that our heroine might be a bit too passive when the moment came. She exhibits very little preparation or special skills throughout the narrative, so how the heck was she going to save the day against her evil great-grandfather? Well . . . she has a bit of help. She doesn’t have to go it alone, and when that becomes clear the reader can decide whether or not to go along with that reveal or to reject it outright. Because Garnet still has a hand in not just her own salvation but the saving of another person, I was willing to go along for the ride. Still, I’m very glad she didn’t just have to save just herself. It would have been highly unsatisfying if that had been the case.
The librarians I work with have to read a lot of middle grade novels in a given year. That means casting a wide net. Still, when I notice that a bunch of them are all reading the same book, and loving it, my ears perk up and I take notice. The Carrefour Curse falls neatly into that category. It isn’t simply that the story is interesting and mysterious. I think a lot of the charm lies with the author’s voice. You become very fond of Garnet and her p.o.v. right from the start. But maybe there’s a fair amount of credit to be given to Salerni’s longstanding love of the old Dark Shadows television show. Decaying mansions and unnerving family members combined with a bit of mystery and jokes (yes, jokes!) is the secret ingredient that’s going to get kids to read this book. They have a lot of choices out there, it’s true, but a kid who’s a fan of just one of these genres is going to find something to love here. Creepy and kooky, mysterious and spooky, this is the family story you just aren’t going to want to avoid. Hand it to the kid who can’t make up their mind on what to read next.
I’m not kidding, by the way. The first line in this book reads, “You’d think spitting up frogs would be a lot like the worst stomach flu you’ve ever had, but it’s surprisingly different.” The victim of this frog expectoration? That would be Garnet Carrefour. Until this day, her life has been relatively normal. That is, as normal as a life can be when you and your mother harbor a kind of magic born out of your familial lineage. Garnet’s magic is connected to stones and rocks, but that doesn’t help her when a wonky spell forces both her and her mother back to their ancestral home. Great-grandfather Jasper is dying and that means all the Carrefours are to return back to the Crossroad House, whether they want to or not. Trouble is, there are rumors that Jasper’s lived as long as he has by sucking the magic (and maybe more) out of his heirs over the years. Garnet’s not sure what’s she’s getting into when she arrives, but she certainly didn’t expect to find time travel, strangers lurking in graveyards, visions, and reclusive uncles. Now she needs to solve the mystery behind her family’s magic, before she fulfills a projected curse her mother's been protecting her from for years.
Each reader comes to each book that they encounter with a set of baggage. For a children’s librarian, this is compounded by also including the loads of books they’ve already read up until this point. There’s a finite number of stories in this world, and it’s not unusual when you hear the plot of a book that bears some vague resemblance to another. So it was that I initially read the plot of The Carrefour Curse and avoided it. Why? Because, on first glance, it sounded oddly similar to the plot of A Skinful of Shadows by Frances Hardinge. In both books you’ve an evil patriarch of a family and a mother who escaped with her child in the hopes of sparing her daughter. In both cases something forces the girl to return to the estranged family members only to discover the evil at the family’s core (which involves a grandfather-type figure taking advantage of his younger relations). Oh. And in both cases you have protective bears in some way. Summarized in such a manner, this might sound damning, but the fact of the matter is that in terms of tone, plotting, pacing, and characterizations the two books could not feel more different. First off, the Hardinge title, which borders on young adult, is a gigantic metaphor for young women, the patriarchal attitudes they’re born into, and how they must throw them off. The Salerni title, in contrast, contains some nice creepy vibes, but it's on the younger scale of the equation. Honestly the true difference is the fact that while one is a straight up mystery, The Carrefour Curse is both that and something else enticing: A mystery!
Lord, I miss mysteries. I get that they’re exceedingly difficult to write, I do. Still and all, there’s something so satisfying about reading an author who knows precisely where to take a reader, as well as how to lead them astray. Anyone who knows how to wield a red herring with precision and skill is aces in my book. Admittedly, as someone who can’t do it herself, seeing an author write fantasy AND mystery at the same time feels a little show-offy. Should writers be allowed to be so simultaneously skilled? Apparently so. In The Carrefour Curse you’ve an inkling of what’s going on, but to help both Garnet and the reader put all the pieces together, Salerni has to offer up exposition in the most enjoyable ways possible. Sometimes she goes the old-fashioned route with characters doing independent research into old files. That’s cool, but you can’t really sustain that sort of thing in a book for children for very long. This isn’t A.S. Byatt’s Possession after all. So the solution comes in the form of time traveling magic. That sounds, on the surface, like an easy out, but I admired how neatly she worked it into the larger narrative. Did she have to twist herself into pretzels to justify Garnet not telling her mom what was going on? Heck yeah. But that’s the price you pay when you don’t make your protagonist an orphan these days. And happily, the mystery works well.
Which isn’t to say that I wasn't worried as I read. For slambang openings, Salerni has the competition beat. Still, I fretted about her conclusion. As the reader approaches the climax one concern was that our heroine might be a bit too passive when the moment came. She exhibits very little preparation or special skills throughout the narrative, so how the heck was she going to save the day against her evil great-grandfather? Well . . . she has a bit of help. She doesn’t have to go it alone, and when that becomes clear the reader can decide whether or not to go along with that reveal or to reject it outright. Because Garnet still has a hand in not just her own salvation but the saving of another person, I was willing to go along for the ride. Still, I’m very glad she didn’t just have to save just herself. It would have been highly unsatisfying if that had been the case.
The librarians I work with have to read a lot of middle grade novels in a given year. That means casting a wide net. Still, when I notice that a bunch of them are all reading the same book, and loving it, my ears perk up and I take notice. The Carrefour Curse falls neatly into that category. It isn’t simply that the story is interesting and mysterious. I think a lot of the charm lies with the author’s voice. You become very fond of Garnet and her p.o.v. right from the start. But maybe there’s a fair amount of credit to be given to Salerni’s longstanding love of the old Dark Shadows television show. Decaying mansions and unnerving family members combined with a bit of mystery and jokes (yes, jokes!) is the secret ingredient that’s going to get kids to read this book. They have a lot of choices out there, it’s true, but a kid who’s a fan of just one of these genres is going to find something to love here. Creepy and kooky, mysterious and spooky, this is the family story you just aren’t going to want to avoid. Hand it to the kid who can’t make up their mind on what to read next.
January 21, 2023
Thank you Holiday House for an advance copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
At the end of this book the author states she drew inspiration from Dark Shadows, and the blurb says that this book is like Haunting of Hill House for preteens...and I agree on both counts! Especially the Hill House inspiration - it was easy to picture this being a Middle Grade version of a story I love.
The beginning of each chapter features a gemstone and some facts about them, and in a lot of cases those gemstones play even a small part in the chapter ahead. I thought it was an interesting little addition, and I love when books include stuff like that in the beginning of chapters! I love the magic system itself in this book too, and the idea that people are named in line with the magic they specialize in, that made it easier to keep straight who could do what.
There are a lot of names and a whole family tree to keep track of, but there is an illustration of the family tree, so it is easy to keep everyone straight. With the names correlating to each branches magic, it isn't difficult to differentiate who does what. I definitely found myself referencing the family tree multiple times! The kids in this book are definitely more warm and inviting than the adults though, and I found myself more interested in them than anyone else.
This book does get a little dark at times, like the patriarch stealing life from family members to live longer, and the Old House literally disappearing people, but there is a large emphasis on family in this book. I liked watching the main character learn about her family and get closer to her cousins, and be able to feel more at home with the Carrefours than she originally thought.
The main character herself is interesting and a bit sassy too, and I love it. She makes mistakes, like a kid does, but she's also incredibly smart and finds a way to solve problems as they come up. She is kind to other family members, especially when some are not very warm to her, and she overall makes a good protagonist.
I think that this book works really well as a standalone, but I could also see it being expended into a larger series too. I would love to see more Carrefour adventures!
Overall, this book was a quick read and I think it will make a wonderful installment in the Middle Grade repertoire. There are a lot of characters, but a family tree makes it easy to differentiate between them and they do have their own roles in this story. I think there are some good twists in this book, and the ending is pretty heartwarming. I really blew through this story and enjoyed it, and would love to see some more Carrefour adventures in the future!
Content warnings: death, vomit, blood, child death, confinement, abuse, terminal illness
At the end of this book the author states she drew inspiration from Dark Shadows, and the blurb says that this book is like Haunting of Hill House for preteens...and I agree on both counts! Especially the Hill House inspiration - it was easy to picture this being a Middle Grade version of a story I love.
The beginning of each chapter features a gemstone and some facts about them, and in a lot of cases those gemstones play even a small part in the chapter ahead. I thought it was an interesting little addition, and I love when books include stuff like that in the beginning of chapters! I love the magic system itself in this book too, and the idea that people are named in line with the magic they specialize in, that made it easier to keep straight who could do what.
There are a lot of names and a whole family tree to keep track of, but there is an illustration of the family tree, so it is easy to keep everyone straight. With the names correlating to each branches magic, it isn't difficult to differentiate who does what. I definitely found myself referencing the family tree multiple times! The kids in this book are definitely more warm and inviting than the adults though, and I found myself more interested in them than anyone else.
This book does get a little dark at times, like the patriarch stealing life from family members to live longer, and the Old House literally disappearing people, but there is a large emphasis on family in this book. I liked watching the main character learn about her family and get closer to her cousins, and be able to feel more at home with the Carrefours than she originally thought.
The main character herself is interesting and a bit sassy too, and I love it. She makes mistakes, like a kid does, but she's also incredibly smart and finds a way to solve problems as they come up. She is kind to other family members, especially when some are not very warm to her, and she overall makes a good protagonist.
I think that this book works really well as a standalone, but I could also see it being expended into a larger series too. I would love to see more Carrefour adventures!
Overall, this book was a quick read and I think it will make a wonderful installment in the Middle Grade repertoire. There are a lot of characters, but a family tree makes it easy to differentiate between them and they do have their own roles in this story. I think there are some good twists in this book, and the ending is pretty heartwarming. I really blew through this story and enjoyed it, and would love to see some more Carrefour adventures in the future!
Content warnings: death, vomit, blood, child death, confinement, abuse, terminal illness
January 23, 2023
4.8/5 stars
(It just feels right)
Warning: Spoilers
Thank you, NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review
Non-Spoiler Section
Let me begin by saying the this book is going on my favourites lists. It was a wonderful read, and I can’t wait to re read it in a few months. The storyline is absolutely gripping. The best thing about this book, that I haven’t seen in a lost of other book, is the lack of an over dramatic reveal. The twists and turns are absolutely perfect, and sometimes not at all what I was expecting. The pacing is so good, that I read this book in two sittings (only because I had to sleep - I had classes the next day), but you will find yourself reading late into the night.
The formatting was a bit off, and for some reason, the family tree wasn’t showing in my kindle, but since this is an ARC, I’ll let it slide. But because of that, I found it a bit hard to keep all the relationships straight, but it wasn’t terribly difficult.
I also kinda wish that the magic was explored further and deeper, instead of being left basically at the surface level, but that’s just me, I think. I like hard magic systems.
SPOILERS!!
I didn’t like the way Rose basically wanted to kill Jasper, for leeching off of other’s magic even though he was a dick, and everybody was sort of okay with it - like nobody told her off, or even said that this is problematic.
I didn’t understand how Tana was still alive in the Old House after 20 years, and others weren’t, there wasn’t much explanation, except “time passes differently in the old house”. It would have made more sense if she was dead. (Also, out of the many traps in the old house, our dear Garnet stumbles upon the same trap Tana was lead to)
But at this point, I’m just nitpicking.
This was a really great story, and a fun read, and I’d highly recommend it!
(It just feels right)
Warning: Spoilers
Thank you, NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review
Non-Spoiler Section
Let me begin by saying the this book is going on my favourites lists. It was a wonderful read, and I can’t wait to re read it in a few months. The storyline is absolutely gripping. The best thing about this book, that I haven’t seen in a lost of other book, is the lack of an over dramatic reveal. The twists and turns are absolutely perfect, and sometimes not at all what I was expecting. The pacing is so good, that I read this book in two sittings (only because I had to sleep - I had classes the next day), but you will find yourself reading late into the night.
The formatting was a bit off, and for some reason, the family tree wasn’t showing in my kindle, but since this is an ARC, I’ll let it slide. But because of that, I found it a bit hard to keep all the relationships straight, but it wasn’t terribly difficult.
I also kinda wish that the magic was explored further and deeper, instead of being left basically at the surface level, but that’s just me, I think. I like hard magic systems.
SPOILERS!!
I didn’t like the way Rose basically wanted to kill Jasper, for leeching off of other’s magic even though he was a dick, and everybody was sort of okay with it - like nobody told her off, or even said that this is problematic.
I didn’t understand how Tana was still alive in the Old House after 20 years, and others weren’t, there wasn’t much explanation, except “time passes differently in the old house”. It would have made more sense if she was dead. (Also, out of the many traps in the old house, our dear Garnet stumbles upon the same trap Tana was lead to)
But at this point, I’m just nitpicking.
This was a really great story, and a fun read, and I’d highly recommend it!
February 2, 2023
My middle grade self is wishing I had this book!
Where to start… this book gave off that magical yet eerie feeling when you’re young that you crave in your mystery novels with a youthful imagination.
I loved the extra touch points of the title pages sharing a Gemstone and the magical properties and ways to reach charge!
This family is large… but the author did an amazing job of ensuring that each one is remembered. Our main gal Garnet was feisty but has a heart of gold. It’s hard not to fall in love with multiple characters… Also I wouldn’t mind this becoming a series of stories about the Carrefour family. I would love to revisit these characters!
A perfect mystery for a young age to fall in love with reading.
PS The author note shared her inspiration which she mentions Dark Shadows which I grew up with the original 1960s version thanks to my mom and her love for Barnabas Collins. Which made me love this story even more! Haunting 👻
Where to start… this book gave off that magical yet eerie feeling when you’re young that you crave in your mystery novels with a youthful imagination.
I loved the extra touch points of the title pages sharing a Gemstone and the magical properties and ways to reach charge!
This family is large… but the author did an amazing job of ensuring that each one is remembered. Our main gal Garnet was feisty but has a heart of gold. It’s hard not to fall in love with multiple characters… Also I wouldn’t mind this becoming a series of stories about the Carrefour family. I would love to revisit these characters!
A perfect mystery for a young age to fall in love with reading.
PS The author note shared her inspiration which she mentions Dark Shadows which I grew up with the original 1960s version thanks to my mom and her love for Barnabas Collins. Which made me love this story even more! Haunting 👻
June 26, 2023
Garnet's mom owns a magic shop and they both have the magical ability to hear the secret song of the gemstones and crystals that they sell. That is until the current mishap that has befallen Garnet silences them. Garnet has always desired to meet her mom's side of the family, she's heard all the stories, but her mom has never taken her to the family's estate, Crossroad House. Which is how Garnet ended up cursing herself, and the whole spitting up frog's thing got started. Who would have thought that getting in the way of her mom's protection spell would rebound in such a disgusting manner? But in the end, Garnet's plan worked and now she finally gets her wish. But Crossroad House isn't quite what Garnet expected. For one the house is really run down, with parts of it still needing to be rebuilt from the fire that happened a long time ago. Then there are her relatives, an extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins that she's never met before, and who do not all get along. Not to mention they are the ones who have been hinting, threating and finally summoned her mom to return to the family estate. Which explains why her mom has been in a self-exile from the place, well that and apparently her aunt saw an omen before Garnet was born that made her mom leave the estate for good.
Lucky for Garnet her aunt's possess plant and air magic which help to cure her frog problem, but they're also now trapped at the estate because there is a source that doesn't want them to leave. Is it the house itself? Then Uncle Flint, the historian of the family dies, and everyone begins to suspect Garnet's great grandfather Jasper might have drawn out all of his life energy to keep himself younger. But Jasper is supposed to "transition" soon and give his ring and powers to a successor, but he doesn't seem to want to give it up just yet. At the same time, Garnet uncovers the premonition that her mom is so concerned about and suddenly, she learns that she can travel in time, and possess someone's else's body. At first, it's kind of exciting to see her mom as a teenager, but then she starts to learn about a girl who disappeared at the estate in the summer of 1998 and starts to wonder if there is a link between the fire in 1892 that cost three of her families lives and injured two of them, and the girl who disappeared. Can Garnet use her new found ability to travel back in time and fix the past? And can she stop her aunt's premonition before she too disappears.
The Carrefour Curse has been described as The Addams Family meets The Westing Game, and I quite like that description. It also seems that the inspiration for the story was the Dark Shadows TV series that the author used to watch as a kid with her mom. There's this really old house that is crumbling and dilapidated. Yet also mysterious and dangerous. I do so love old houses and this one sounds scary. Then there's the mystery about who's trapping the family at the estate, is it Jasper or the house itself? Or is it because of the ley lines holding their families magic and forcing them to stay until the transition is complete? Oh, and Jasper, he makes for an interesting character too. Leeching off of his family to preserve himself, just creepy. Conjures up the idea of a vampire.
I enjoyed how the beginning of each chapter features a gemstone and relates facts about their color and magical properties. I also enjoyed the magical system where some family members use plants, or air, water and even fire. Even Garnet and her mom's ability to hear the songs of their gemstones. I also like how their names are matched with their abilities. Like Garnet, Emerald, Ash, Holly and Rose, etc. Truthfully, I liked all of Garnet's family. Her cousins were really sweet and I'm glad there wasn't any drama between them. It was fun watching them get closer and Garnet learning about her family's history. Overall, this was a lovely mystery with creepy vibes and made for a quick read.
Lucky for Garnet her aunt's possess plant and air magic which help to cure her frog problem, but they're also now trapped at the estate because there is a source that doesn't want them to leave. Is it the house itself? Then Uncle Flint, the historian of the family dies, and everyone begins to suspect Garnet's great grandfather Jasper might have drawn out all of his life energy to keep himself younger. But Jasper is supposed to "transition" soon and give his ring and powers to a successor, but he doesn't seem to want to give it up just yet. At the same time, Garnet uncovers the premonition that her mom is so concerned about and suddenly, she learns that she can travel in time, and possess someone's else's body. At first, it's kind of exciting to see her mom as a teenager, but then she starts to learn about a girl who disappeared at the estate in the summer of 1998 and starts to wonder if there is a link between the fire in 1892 that cost three of her families lives and injured two of them, and the girl who disappeared. Can Garnet use her new found ability to travel back in time and fix the past? And can she stop her aunt's premonition before she too disappears.
The Carrefour Curse has been described as The Addams Family meets The Westing Game, and I quite like that description. It also seems that the inspiration for the story was the Dark Shadows TV series that the author used to watch as a kid with her mom. There's this really old house that is crumbling and dilapidated. Yet also mysterious and dangerous. I do so love old houses and this one sounds scary. Then there's the mystery about who's trapping the family at the estate, is it Jasper or the house itself? Or is it because of the ley lines holding their families magic and forcing them to stay until the transition is complete? Oh, and Jasper, he makes for an interesting character too. Leeching off of his family to preserve himself, just creepy. Conjures up the idea of a vampire.
I enjoyed how the beginning of each chapter features a gemstone and relates facts about their color and magical properties. I also enjoyed the magical system where some family members use plants, or air, water and even fire. Even Garnet and her mom's ability to hear the songs of their gemstones. I also like how their names are matched with their abilities. Like Garnet, Emerald, Ash, Holly and Rose, etc. Truthfully, I liked all of Garnet's family. Her cousins were really sweet and I'm glad there wasn't any drama between them. It was fun watching them get closer and Garnet learning about her family's history. Overall, this was a lovely mystery with creepy vibes and made for a quick read.
June 26, 2023
Nice middle grade read!
I listened on audiobook. Narration was very good except one part where characters are yelling lol. But not a deal breaker.
Slight spoiler. The main character can hear/feel gemstones and I loved that aspect. Especially the stone description at the beginning of each chapter.
This story is a little bit Encanto (an important house) a little bit Halloweentown (magical family). Also felt a little like This Poison Heart to me, not really at all the same though lol.
I listened on audiobook. Narration was very good except one part where characters are yelling lol. But not a deal breaker.
Slight spoiler. The main character can hear/feel gemstones and I loved that aspect. Especially the stone description at the beginning of each chapter.
This story is a little bit Encanto (an important house) a little bit Halloweentown (magical family). Also felt a little like This Poison Heart to me, not really at all the same though lol.
nope-dnf
October 31, 2023Dnf 9%
I have restarted this book 5 plus times and for some reason just cannot get into it. I don't think this is a bad book. I think I am just not in the right headspace for it.
I have restarted this book 5 plus times and for some reason just cannot get into it. I don't think this is a bad book. I think I am just not in the right headspace for it.
February 6, 2023
This was a magical, engaging middle-grade story!
The book jumps right into the excitement, with our main character Garnet suffering from an ailment where she keeps throwing up frogs (it gave Ron throwing up slugs vibes lol). Garnet is taken to the Carrefour family home and quickly starts learning about her family and the different magic they possess.
The pacing is quick and the book isn't very long, but has enough time to explain everything well and give us a great plot. I liked the various side characters, especially Ash and River, though there are a lot to keep track of. There are also past family members that we run into and I think the cast could have been cut down a bit to help with clarity.
Overall this was fun to read and I'm happy to have checked it out.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own. Thank you to Holiday House and NetGalley for the copy
The book jumps right into the excitement, with our main character Garnet suffering from an ailment where she keeps throwing up frogs (it gave Ron throwing up slugs vibes lol). Garnet is taken to the Carrefour family home and quickly starts learning about her family and the different magic they possess.
The pacing is quick and the book isn't very long, but has enough time to explain everything well and give us a great plot. I liked the various side characters, especially Ash and River, though there are a lot to keep track of. There are also past family members that we run into and I think the cast could have been cut down a bit to help with clarity.
Overall this was fun to read and I'm happy to have checked it out.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own. Thank you to Holiday House and NetGalley for the copy
December 20, 2022
Delightful! As a kid, one of my favorite books was The Lives of Christopher Chant by Diana Wynne Jones and The Carrefour Curse brought back all those wonderful feelings of reading something magical and mysterious. The plot here is straight-forward: something horrible happened in the past, a magical kid comes and eventually sorts it out, but it's a classic for a reason. What really stars here is the family and the world-building. I don't know if Salerni is planning to do more books in this world, but if she does, I am eagerly awaiting it. Recommended for ages 12-100!
December 16, 2023
This was a creepy mystery that combined a disappearance in the past with dangers in the present, and Garnet has to figure out how to advertise the past, present and maybe future tragedies. There’s a big gothic house with a big gothic family (most of whom I never did learn to tell apart; even the author was still referring so some of the quieter ones as “Windy’s mom” in the last chapters.
I liked the way the family developed their powers and how they both needed and resented the patriarch, and how he showed glimmers of humanity even as he his rushed past boundaries to hold onto power.
The final scenes in the scary house are tight and suspenseful, with emotional and magical realizations layering themselves together.
I liked the way the family developed their powers and how they both needed and resented the patriarch, and how he showed glimmers of humanity even as he his rushed past boundaries to hold onto power.
The final scenes in the scary house are tight and suspenseful, with emotional and magical realizations layering themselves together.
June 7, 2023
This was pitched to me as a middle grade Addams family but it was not a success. This read like a true middle grade which is totally fine and what it is meant to be. However, as an adult it was too childish. I definitely think that kids would enjoy this if they are a fan of the spooky. For me though ti was a pass.
May 14, 2024
Truly creepy female gothic for middle grade readers. A read-alike for adults is Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia.
January 4, 2023
This one ticks all the boxes:
*Supernatural
*Mystery
*Family secrets
*Magical Powers
*Unexplained disappearances
*and a House that gets what it wants.
And it is clean, no language, no sex.
I believe both middle graders and teens will like this book.
*Supernatural
*Mystery
*Family secrets
*Magical Powers
*Unexplained disappearances
*and a House that gets what it wants.
And it is clean, no language, no sex.
I believe both middle graders and teens will like this book.
December 12, 2025
4.75 stars
This was such a good middle grade contemporary fantasy! It's kind of dark so I recommend it for mature readers. But the story is interesting and complex, and the magic system is interesting. I liked the time traveling plot, the family dynamics. The villain was pretty scary, but I found him a little one dimensional; I wanted a little more reason for him to be the villain. But otherwise this is a great read for kids who love fantasy and magical stories. Recommended!
This was such a good middle grade contemporary fantasy! It's kind of dark so I recommend it for mature readers. But the story is interesting and complex, and the magic system is interesting. I liked the time traveling plot, the family dynamics. The villain was pretty scary, but I found him a little one dimensional; I wanted a little more reason for him to be the villain. But otherwise this is a great read for kids who love fantasy and magical stories. Recommended!
February 18, 2023
gripping horror/time slip middle grade magic!
July 2, 2023
4.5 rounded up to 5
August 27, 2023
A great start with the main character vomiting frogs as her and her mom seek help from family members. A mystery unfolds with nonstop action making this hard to put down. I will be recommending this to students and as a read aloud.
February 8, 2024
An interesting plot with plenty of twists and a mystery at the heart. Some of the characters acted in ways that seemed contrary to their creation, but overall a good read.
February 5, 2023
This was so great and creepy!! I got totally sucked in and didn’t emerge until I finished the book. A very intriguing, magical family mystery with lots of secrets and ominous forces. The family tree is extremely helpful for remembering all the family connections. I’ve seen this compared to Westing Game or Addams Family… the author was a little inspired by Dark Shadows it looks like too. To me this is wholly original and fascinating. It wraps up neatly, but I’d totally read future installments in this world with the elemental magic and family drama. Loved this!
Thank you to Holiday House for the ARC received during ALA LibLearnX
Thank you to Holiday House for the ARC received during ALA LibLearnX
September 28, 2023
The Carrefour Curse was fun, but I got my hopes up when I saw it compared to The Westing Game. The Westing Game was my absolute favorite book when I was growing up and even though it's not perfect by any means, I have rarely encountered a book as twisty as it was. The sheer layers to it - for better or for worse - is something kid mysteries don't typically attempt. It's enough to have one mystery with a few moving pieces let alone an ensemble cast where most of the characters are hiding something.
All of that is to say, despite being a very good mystery it is done a disservice being compared to The Westing Game. Particularly because none of the characters around Garnet actually have anything to hide. Even irrelevant revelations could have been interesting or added suspense (ie red herrings) but the book avoids most tension amongst the family members outside of everyone hating Jasper.
Jasper being just as 'evil' as everyone assumed was a boring conclusion. I thought it would have been far better if he was a tragic figure trapped in the cycle of magic the same as the rest of the family. They would have spent all this time hating him unaware that the house was perverting the magic using him as a puppeteer. It would have fit the theme of magic requiring a sacrifice very well.
The magic being warped because of Old Linden making a dark curse to retrieve the house from another family was good. The fact that it warped the magic to randomly kill off people less-so. It started as first born child then became just anyone the house felt like killing? Jasper seemed to be using it on purpose, however, that doesn't explain why before he was born or before he was made the heir the house started bumping off spouses and children. I think this aspect could have been tightened up, again, by making the house more of a presence.
Maybe family members tried to fight against the curse in the past, but the house would punish them by killing off loved ones. Then the real story gets lost to time or the house keeps people from being able to tell about what happened in the past or erases memories or something. The mystery needed an extra twist to really seal the deal. Ash being named the heir at the end by the house was not enough.
It makes sense in theory, but the book does not do enough leg work during the events of the novel to set it up. Ash has no leadership qualities, never has a shining defining moment to make the reader take note of him, nor does he seem to have particularly strong magic. It seems like he gets chosen purely for shock value and because the house wants a makeover that only his specific magic can provide. How does the ability to soup up burned out ruins indicate a good long term choice? Especially when compared to adults like Windy who was established to be the real best pick amongst the adults or even Garnet who fixed up all the magic of Carrefour singlehandedly.
Also Ash being picked as heir was another moment that made me think maybe they all jumped to conclusions regarding Jasper. The family lowkey believed he killed his brothers to become heir except with the curse running wild, apparently manipulating magic on its own, how does anyone know that the curse didn't kill them to choose Jasper for its own sake?
Garnet did not spend enough time exploring the house. This ties into what I said above about there not being enough intrigue. Garnet couldn't explore the house or its residents because there wasn't any substance there. The Addams Family was another poor comparison for this reason.
Each room in the Addams Family house is a fantastic, awful oddity. Each member of the Addams Family is a fantastic, awful oddity. Yes, the Carrefour House had lost its luster, but the way its described the house never was particularly cool anyways; it was like any other old-timey mansion house. Other than possessing magic that is barely utilized Garnet's family were totally normal people. Nothing was ever out of the ordinary, quirky, or odd. There was no Lurch, or Cousin Itt or Fester amongst them.
The fact that everyone was trapped had little bearing either. The impact of being trapped is severely undercut by the events of the novel taking place only over a few days. The tension could have been kicked up a notch if the entrapment started to stretch out over weeks or months. Or, alternatively, if people began to get ill or sapped of energy as the few days passed.
Due to a traumatic incident in the past Garnet's Uncle Mica became mute. For no specific reason he starts to talk again at the end. It was weird because the circumstances were serious, for sure, but it wasn't a situation that required him to speak to help out. His trauma also was not related to him not speaking up at the right moment or misspeaking to at least lay the groundwork for him to speak later.
Obviously, trauma manifests in weird ways sometimes which is noted in the book. I just found it off-putting that it was made out to be a grand celebration that Uncle Mica was made 'normal' again by speaking when him being a hermit and choosing to come outside of his attic was a big enough thing. There are mute people who participate in society to the same level as people are not mute. I think the bigger focus should be on the fact that he doesn't ever leave his enclave of the house. That speaks to his trauma more than anything else because it's deeply unhealthy to be incapable of making yourself leave your home. Not speaking even if its origins are trauma related does not have to be. I also thought it was weird that in spite of being mute for 20 years or so he had not learned any kind of sign language or at the very least, wrote things down.
Not everyone has to learn sign language and I am not the authority on this topic in the least, I simply want to note that I personally found it strange for the author to avoid an opportunity for inclusivity.
The Carrefour Curse is a solid middle grade mystery. It has atmosphere, it has mystique, and it has its own charm. There were aspects that could have been done better, but I enjoyed reading it and nothing egregious stands out as a reason not to read it. I would feel completely at-ease picking up another Dianne K. Salerni book based on my experience with this one.
All of that is to say, despite being a very good mystery it is done a disservice being compared to The Westing Game. Particularly because none of the characters around Garnet actually have anything to hide. Even irrelevant revelations could have been interesting or added suspense (ie red herrings) but the book avoids most tension amongst the family members outside of everyone hating Jasper.
Jasper being just as 'evil' as everyone assumed was a boring conclusion. I thought it would have been far better if he was a tragic figure trapped in the cycle of magic the same as the rest of the family. They would have spent all this time hating him unaware that the house was perverting the magic using him as a puppeteer. It would have fit the theme of magic requiring a sacrifice very well.
The magic being warped because of Old Linden making a dark curse to retrieve the house from another family was good. The fact that it warped the magic to randomly kill off people less-so. It started as first born child then became just anyone the house felt like killing? Jasper seemed to be using it on purpose, however, that doesn't explain why before he was born or before he was made the heir the house started bumping off spouses and children. I think this aspect could have been tightened up, again, by making the house more of a presence.
Maybe family members tried to fight against the curse in the past, but the house would punish them by killing off loved ones. Then the real story gets lost to time or the house keeps people from being able to tell about what happened in the past or erases memories or something. The mystery needed an extra twist to really seal the deal. Ash being named the heir at the end by the house was not enough.
It makes sense in theory, but the book does not do enough leg work during the events of the novel to set it up. Ash has no leadership qualities, never has a shining defining moment to make the reader take note of him, nor does he seem to have particularly strong magic. It seems like he gets chosen purely for shock value and because the house wants a makeover that only his specific magic can provide. How does the ability to soup up burned out ruins indicate a good long term choice? Especially when compared to adults like Windy who was established to be the real best pick amongst the adults or even Garnet who fixed up all the magic of Carrefour singlehandedly.
Also Ash being picked as heir was another moment that made me think maybe they all jumped to conclusions regarding Jasper. The family lowkey believed he killed his brothers to become heir except with the curse running wild, apparently manipulating magic on its own, how does anyone know that the curse didn't kill them to choose Jasper for its own sake?
Garnet did not spend enough time exploring the house. This ties into what I said above about there not being enough intrigue. Garnet couldn't explore the house or its residents because there wasn't any substance there. The Addams Family was another poor comparison for this reason.
Each room in the Addams Family house is a fantastic, awful oddity. Each member of the Addams Family is a fantastic, awful oddity. Yes, the Carrefour House had lost its luster, but the way its described the house never was particularly cool anyways; it was like any other old-timey mansion house. Other than possessing magic that is barely utilized Garnet's family were totally normal people. Nothing was ever out of the ordinary, quirky, or odd. There was no Lurch, or Cousin Itt or Fester amongst them.
The fact that everyone was trapped had little bearing either. The impact of being trapped is severely undercut by the events of the novel taking place only over a few days. The tension could have been kicked up a notch if the entrapment started to stretch out over weeks or months. Or, alternatively, if people began to get ill or sapped of energy as the few days passed.
Due to a traumatic incident in the past Garnet's Uncle Mica became mute. For no specific reason he starts to talk again at the end. It was weird because the circumstances were serious, for sure, but it wasn't a situation that required him to speak to help out. His trauma also was not related to him not speaking up at the right moment or misspeaking to at least lay the groundwork for him to speak later.
Obviously, trauma manifests in weird ways sometimes which is noted in the book. I just found it off-putting that it was made out to be a grand celebration that Uncle Mica was made 'normal' again by speaking when him being a hermit and choosing to come outside of his attic was a big enough thing. There are mute people who participate in society to the same level as people are not mute. I think the bigger focus should be on the fact that he doesn't ever leave his enclave of the house. That speaks to his trauma more than anything else because it's deeply unhealthy to be incapable of making yourself leave your home. Not speaking even if its origins are trauma related does not have to be. I also thought it was weird that in spite of being mute for 20 years or so he had not learned any kind of sign language or at the very least, wrote things down.
Not everyone has to learn sign language and I am not the authority on this topic in the least, I simply want to note that I personally found it strange for the author to avoid an opportunity for inclusivity.
The Carrefour Curse is a solid middle grade mystery. It has atmosphere, it has mystique, and it has its own charm. There were aspects that could have been done better, but I enjoyed reading it and nothing egregious stands out as a reason not to read it. I would feel completely at-ease picking up another Dianne K. Salerni book based on my experience with this one.
December 28, 2023
ENGLISH REVIEW
This is a middle grade book following a family where people mysteriously vanish. It does have a very Haunting of Hill House feel to it, and I absolutely loved that books. I loved the whole vibe of the book, it was such a quick and fun read.
I'm a sucker for fantasy mixed with mystery and a little family secret so this book was just incredibile.
In this book we had action,adventure and mystery. I liked going along with Garnett to figure out her family history along with trying to solve a mystery surrounding her family. This is such perfect! You have to read it!
ITALIAN REVIEW
Questo è un libro di scuola media che segue una famiglia in cui le persone scompaiono misteriosamente. Ha un'atmosfera molto Haunting of Hill House, e io adoro quei libri. Ho adorato l'intera atmosfera del libro, è stata una lettura così veloce e divertente.
Sono inoltre un fanatico del fantasy mista a mistero e un piccolo segreto di famiglia, quindi questo libro è stato semplicemente incredibile.
In questo libro abbiamo avuto azione, avventura e mistero. Mi è piaciuto andare con Garnett per capire la storia della sua famiglia e cercare di risolvere un mistero che circonda la sua famiglia. Questo libro è così perfetto! Devi leggerlo!
This is a middle grade book following a family where people mysteriously vanish. It does have a very Haunting of Hill House feel to it, and I absolutely loved that books. I loved the whole vibe of the book, it was such a quick and fun read.
I'm a sucker for fantasy mixed with mystery and a little family secret so this book was just incredibile.
In this book we had action,adventure and mystery. I liked going along with Garnett to figure out her family history along with trying to solve a mystery surrounding her family. This is such perfect! You have to read it!
ITALIAN REVIEW
Questo è un libro di scuola media che segue una famiglia in cui le persone scompaiono misteriosamente. Ha un'atmosfera molto Haunting of Hill House, e io adoro quei libri. Ho adorato l'intera atmosfera del libro, è stata una lettura così veloce e divertente.
Sono inoltre un fanatico del fantasy mista a mistero e un piccolo segreto di famiglia, quindi questo libro è stato semplicemente incredibile.
In questo libro abbiamo avuto azione, avventura e mistero. Mi è piaciuto andare con Garnett per capire la storia della sua famiglia e cercare di risolvere un mistero che circonda la sua famiglia. Questo libro è così perfetto! Devi leggerlo!
July 21, 2024
This was an amazing, magical middle-grade book! I read this book in one sitting and did not want to put it down! I loved the main character Garnet and her family at Crossroad House. I loved learning about the family’s history with magic and their magic system. This book was magical, mysterious, and very well written. I think this is a book that people of all ages will enjoy reading. I loved everything about this book, I definitely recommend checking it out!
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted arc.
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted arc.
April 3, 2023
"What makes a sacrifice, Garnet? It's not really a sacrifice unless it's something important, is it?"
Yes! That's what I'm talking about! Now THAT was a magnificent read! One that I'll be sure to recommend to all my teen students, because it rocks!
Garnet dreams of the Carrefour House and all her extended family all the time. She wishes to be an active part of it. So much so, that she resorts to botching her mother's wards when the patriarch issues a call for all wayward family members. And thus begins her journey through the muddy and complex waters of the Carrefour family, its deadly secrets, and an augury that sees Garnet herself being lost to the great ancestral home forever. Will the young stone-charmer be able to survive and help her family mend their bonds? Or is she meant to fail and be another victim to the family's curse no matter what?
I'v read somewhere that Dianne K. Salerni was a teacher, and that greatly shows in her work here. She captured the psyche and thought process of a kid protagonist with terrifying accuracy. Garnet is a child who yearns for family connections. People as gifted as her, cousins to share experiences and memories. The fact she grew up without a father only adds up to that longing. So her actions are also childish and not very productive, leading to more problems and even endangering her at times.
However, it's hard to be mad at her, because it's only understandable someone her age would think and act like that. Curiosity and that strange feeling of "I can do this without the adults if I'm careful enough" is something everyone has experienced and can relate to. So, even if she keeps misstepping, you can't help but root for her and wish she makes it right.
This book was a really good example of kids lit horror, by the way, so I don't recommend any youngsters reading this after dark or with low lights. The Carrefour house is a scary entity all by itself, and Jasper's presence doesn't exactly help alleviate that feeling. Add to that the tension of all those Carrefour generations, people with magic in their veins, cooped up under the same roof, not allowed to leave, and you get yourself a ticking bomb ready to go off without notice.
Despite its young main character, the story was quite a rollercoaster in mystery and plot twists. You think you know who the main bad guy is, only for your theories to turn on their head. Not to mention, that ending with the real heir made me smile - and the reveal in the final page.
Even if we don't get a sequel, I'm quite satisfied. The book covered all the gaps, answered all the questions, and ended in a way that was 'just right'. Got no complaints here. In fact, it's the first to go on my top-reads list of this year.
***I was given an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinion stated in this review is solely mine, and no compensation was given or taken to alter it.***
Read this and other reviews at: http://cupcakesandpopcorn.wordpress.com
Yes! That's what I'm talking about! Now THAT was a magnificent read! One that I'll be sure to recommend to all my teen students, because it rocks!
Garnet dreams of the Carrefour House and all her extended family all the time. She wishes to be an active part of it. So much so, that she resorts to botching her mother's wards when the patriarch issues a call for all wayward family members. And thus begins her journey through the muddy and complex waters of the Carrefour family, its deadly secrets, and an augury that sees Garnet herself being lost to the great ancestral home forever. Will the young stone-charmer be able to survive and help her family mend their bonds? Or is she meant to fail and be another victim to the family's curse no matter what?
I'v read somewhere that Dianne K. Salerni was a teacher, and that greatly shows in her work here. She captured the psyche and thought process of a kid protagonist with terrifying accuracy. Garnet is a child who yearns for family connections. People as gifted as her, cousins to share experiences and memories. The fact she grew up without a father only adds up to that longing. So her actions are also childish and not very productive, leading to more problems and even endangering her at times.
However, it's hard to be mad at her, because it's only understandable someone her age would think and act like that. Curiosity and that strange feeling of "I can do this without the adults if I'm careful enough" is something everyone has experienced and can relate to. So, even if she keeps misstepping, you can't help but root for her and wish she makes it right.
This book was a really good example of kids lit horror, by the way, so I don't recommend any youngsters reading this after dark or with low lights. The Carrefour house is a scary entity all by itself, and Jasper's presence doesn't exactly help alleviate that feeling. Add to that the tension of all those Carrefour generations, people with magic in their veins, cooped up under the same roof, not allowed to leave, and you get yourself a ticking bomb ready to go off without notice.
Despite its young main character, the story was quite a rollercoaster in mystery and plot twists. You think you know who the main bad guy is, only for your theories to turn on their head. Not to mention, that ending with the real heir made me smile - and the reveal in the final page.
Even if we don't get a sequel, I'm quite satisfied. The book covered all the gaps, answered all the questions, and ended in a way that was 'just right'. Got no complaints here. In fact, it's the first to go on my top-reads list of this year.
***I was given an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinion stated in this review is solely mine, and no compensation was given or taken to alter it.***
Read this and other reviews at: http://cupcakesandpopcorn.wordpress.com
December 18, 2022
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Garnet and her mother have always been by themselves. They each have some magic, but they keep it fairly quiet, even though they run a shop that specializes in crystals and other items. Garnet has always wanted to go to her mother's family home, but has always been kept away. To force her mother's hand, she manages to curse herself with a classic magical malady-- she's spitting toads! Her mother takes her back to Crossroad House to ask relatives for a cure. There are a lot of relatives: the elderly head of the family, Jasper, and family historian Linden, and assorted aunts, uncles, and cousins. The house is impressive but moldering, and has a section that burned down long ago. Garnet's mother is very concerned for her safety, especially after Linden passes away. Jasper is also not doing well, but has the ability to draw energy from younger family members to keep him going. The family, especially Rose, hopes that he will soon pass the family ring to a successor, but he shows no signs of doing this. While he is "transitioning", the rest of the family are in peril. Accidents keep happening. Young Oak fall from a tree, and an uncle tips over on a tractor. Garnet is experiencing some alarming phenomenon herself; she is able to travel to the past, slipping into someone else's body and seeing what is going on at the time. She sees her mother in the 1990s, when a visitor, Tana, disappeared. Garnet is also approached by a man claiming to be her father, whom she has never met, adding to her apprehension and danger about the place. Still, she wants to be able to help figure out the family curse. When it seems likely that her power of time walking might prove crucial to this, she embarks on a plan to rectify the past in order to make the present safer for her family. Will she be able to succeed?
Strengths: There are some twists and turns in this that I don't want to ruin, especially because Garnet does manage to use her magical ability to very good effect and learns a lot by visiting the past. Any book that I can read and remember without having to consult my notes stands out as particularly well-constructed, especially since this took me a couple of days to read. (Because of Life, not the book!) The house was nicely creepy, the magic was solid, and the extended family, both present and past, were intriguing. Garnet's visits to the past were my favorite, in part because she didn't know what was happening at first, but managed to figure it out. Awesome family secrets as well, and Jasper was super creepy! Definitely enjoyed this one and can't wait to hand it to students!
Weaknesses: The cover is not great. Like Salerni's Eleanor, Alice, and the Roosevelt Ghosts, this might have to be hand-sold. Holiday House just cannot get a handle of covers, which is too bad. All this one needed was a good, creepy old house like the one on Alexander's Vacancy, although the Flowers in the Attic type portraits might help with the right readers.
What I really think: This was a solid, dark fantasy book that fans of Josephson's Ravenfall or West's Long Lost will love, and has some shades of Puckett's The Glass Witch. It's the perfect vehicle for middle school readers who secretly believe there is more to their family than meets the eye, since they MUST somehow be able to work magic. Another great title from this author.
Garnet and her mother have always been by themselves. They each have some magic, but they keep it fairly quiet, even though they run a shop that specializes in crystals and other items. Garnet has always wanted to go to her mother's family home, but has always been kept away. To force her mother's hand, she manages to curse herself with a classic magical malady-- she's spitting toads! Her mother takes her back to Crossroad House to ask relatives for a cure. There are a lot of relatives: the elderly head of the family, Jasper, and family historian Linden, and assorted aunts, uncles, and cousins. The house is impressive but moldering, and has a section that burned down long ago. Garnet's mother is very concerned for her safety, especially after Linden passes away. Jasper is also not doing well, but has the ability to draw energy from younger family members to keep him going. The family, especially Rose, hopes that he will soon pass the family ring to a successor, but he shows no signs of doing this. While he is "transitioning", the rest of the family are in peril. Accidents keep happening. Young Oak fall from a tree, and an uncle tips over on a tractor. Garnet is experiencing some alarming phenomenon herself; she is able to travel to the past, slipping into someone else's body and seeing what is going on at the time. She sees her mother in the 1990s, when a visitor, Tana, disappeared. Garnet is also approached by a man claiming to be her father, whom she has never met, adding to her apprehension and danger about the place. Still, she wants to be able to help figure out the family curse. When it seems likely that her power of time walking might prove crucial to this, she embarks on a plan to rectify the past in order to make the present safer for her family. Will she be able to succeed?
Strengths: There are some twists and turns in this that I don't want to ruin, especially because Garnet does manage to use her magical ability to very good effect and learns a lot by visiting the past. Any book that I can read and remember without having to consult my notes stands out as particularly well-constructed, especially since this took me a couple of days to read. (Because of Life, not the book!) The house was nicely creepy, the magic was solid, and the extended family, both present and past, were intriguing. Garnet's visits to the past were my favorite, in part because she didn't know what was happening at first, but managed to figure it out. Awesome family secrets as well, and Jasper was super creepy! Definitely enjoyed this one and can't wait to hand it to students!
Weaknesses: The cover is not great. Like Salerni's Eleanor, Alice, and the Roosevelt Ghosts, this might have to be hand-sold. Holiday House just cannot get a handle of covers, which is too bad. All this one needed was a good, creepy old house like the one on Alexander's Vacancy, although the Flowers in the Attic type portraits might help with the right readers.
What I really think: This was a solid, dark fantasy book that fans of Josephson's Ravenfall or West's Long Lost will love, and has some shades of Puckett's The Glass Witch. It's the perfect vehicle for middle school readers who secretly believe there is more to their family than meets the eye, since they MUST somehow be able to work magic. Another great title from this author.
November 17, 2023
3.5 Stars Rounded Up
I was in the mood for something creepy this Halloween season, but I feel like I’ve been inordinately busy, so I decided to check out some creepy middle grade fic. I always do love a good middle grade fic, don’t you? A fun plot without all the messy adult themes and drama, no weird YA Fic romances that bring up the judgey eyes even in the mildest of us, but a book still of an age that allows some good discussions and doesn’t pull any punches. I was excited that this was a Halloweeny book, too.
There were lots of great things going on in this book. First of all, I’m all about a magical family that has secrets, ya know? Who doesn’t love some juicy family secrets, especially when it involves magic? Also, there was a creepy old ancestral house that was capable of all kinds of shenanigans that confused and bewildered the family, but they had just accepted it as it was. Also, there are lots of colorful characters. In a YA Fic book, or even an adult book, more would have been expected from these colorful characters, but since this was a middle grade book it’s ok, especially because it was already just shy of 250 pages and there was a lot of family mystery to get through in order to conclude the story.
I would have liked more knowledge of the protagonist, but as it was there were so many other people to meet that she just sort of blended into the group of people that we didn’t know a ton about. Also, there were a lot of seemingly good backstories and past happenings that would have been interesting to know about. Even though I do love a good middle grade fiction, I think this book could have gone into YA fiction and explored some of the back stories and history of the house. There was definitely plenty to explore and enjoy there.
I liked the magic system in this book, and again, I think there was a lot more to explore. It was basically just touched on in this book. There were some interesting ideas, but there was so much to explore and we just get the beginning of it, so it felt a bit disappointing and sparse.
All that being said, I think that for a middle grade fic this was a good, bite-sized chunk into the magical world. Someone who is not quite ready for the YA fic that is like this (and there is a lot of it) would probably really enjoy this introduction. For a little bit older reader, they would probably be left wanting more because there was certainly a lot of potential. As an adult reader, I can appreciate that middle grade readers would enjoy it, but for me, I just wanted more. I’ve seen middle grade books accomplish quite a lot, and although this one did as well, I feel like maybe it would better serve an older audience just so that the author could explore more that was there. However, I think my middle grade reader would really enjoy it.
Read my full review here: https://www.readingforsanity.com/2023...
I was in the mood for something creepy this Halloween season, but I feel like I’ve been inordinately busy, so I decided to check out some creepy middle grade fic. I always do love a good middle grade fic, don’t you? A fun plot without all the messy adult themes and drama, no weird YA Fic romances that bring up the judgey eyes even in the mildest of us, but a book still of an age that allows some good discussions and doesn’t pull any punches. I was excited that this was a Halloweeny book, too.
There were lots of great things going on in this book. First of all, I’m all about a magical family that has secrets, ya know? Who doesn’t love some juicy family secrets, especially when it involves magic? Also, there was a creepy old ancestral house that was capable of all kinds of shenanigans that confused and bewildered the family, but they had just accepted it as it was. Also, there are lots of colorful characters. In a YA Fic book, or even an adult book, more would have been expected from these colorful characters, but since this was a middle grade book it’s ok, especially because it was already just shy of 250 pages and there was a lot of family mystery to get through in order to conclude the story.
I would have liked more knowledge of the protagonist, but as it was there were so many other people to meet that she just sort of blended into the group of people that we didn’t know a ton about. Also, there were a lot of seemingly good backstories and past happenings that would have been interesting to know about. Even though I do love a good middle grade fiction, I think this book could have gone into YA fiction and explored some of the back stories and history of the house. There was definitely plenty to explore and enjoy there.
I liked the magic system in this book, and again, I think there was a lot more to explore. It was basically just touched on in this book. There were some interesting ideas, but there was so much to explore and we just get the beginning of it, so it felt a bit disappointing and sparse.
All that being said, I think that for a middle grade fic this was a good, bite-sized chunk into the magical world. Someone who is not quite ready for the YA fic that is like this (and there is a lot of it) would probably really enjoy this introduction. For a little bit older reader, they would probably be left wanting more because there was certainly a lot of potential. As an adult reader, I can appreciate that middle grade readers would enjoy it, but for me, I just wanted more. I’ve seen middle grade books accomplish quite a lot, and although this one did as well, I feel like maybe it would better serve an older audience just so that the author could explore more that was there. However, I think my middle grade reader would really enjoy it.
Read my full review here: https://www.readingforsanity.com/2023...
January 19, 2023
What worked:
The opening hook will grab young readers with its grossness. The scene finds young Garnet in the back seat of her mother’s car, regurgitating frogs into a bucket! The chapter goes on to reveal her mother’s reluctance, maybe outright defiance, to return to Crossroad House, the place where she grew up. This fact establishes a conflict and will make readers wonder what’s wrong with the family. On the other hand, Garnet has always wanted to visit Crossroad House but isn’t aware of her mother’s reasons for staying away. Maybe Garnet shouldn’t have sabotaged her mother’s plans.
The plot keeps readers wondering about the identity of the actual antagonist. Grandfather Jasper has lived longer than expected and is able to absorb the life force from others to continue living. Garnet experiences his power on her first day at Crossroad House. But then, there’s the house itself that has magic of its own. It won’t let anyone tear down a dangerous, damaged section of the property and now it won’t let anyone leave. Garnet experiences events from decades before that she attributes to the house’s power. Finally, a stranger summons Garnet to the cemetery and tells her some things that are hard to believe. He says he can help but Garnet isn’t sure if he can be trusted or if he’s dangerous.
The plot unfolds like a mystery as Garnet tries to understand her family and the danger surrounding Jasper’s transition. She hears stories of relatives and others who’ve suddenly died or disappeared on the property and an uncle dies while she’s there. Almost all of the relatives feel fear and anger toward Jasper and some of them silently wish he would die. Jasper says they’re ungrateful and don’t understand what he’s done for them which makes Garnet even more determined to uncover the truth. Jasper seems to be the obvious villain but is there more going on here than meets the eye? Why can’t his transition of power and death occur smoothly as with so many ancestors before?
What didn’t work as well:
There are many family members living in Carrefour House resulting in many names to remember. However, only a handful are critical to understanding the plot so readers will need to figure out which ones to focus on. Garnet and Ash are probably the two most important characters with others enhancing the story.
The Final Verdict:
This book is quite entertaining with the creepy house and energy-sucking patriarch at the center of the conflict. The blend of elemental magic with twists thrown in elevates the problems derived from broken family dynamics. I recommend you give it a shot.
The opening hook will grab young readers with its grossness. The scene finds young Garnet in the back seat of her mother’s car, regurgitating frogs into a bucket! The chapter goes on to reveal her mother’s reluctance, maybe outright defiance, to return to Crossroad House, the place where she grew up. This fact establishes a conflict and will make readers wonder what’s wrong with the family. On the other hand, Garnet has always wanted to visit Crossroad House but isn’t aware of her mother’s reasons for staying away. Maybe Garnet shouldn’t have sabotaged her mother’s plans.
The plot keeps readers wondering about the identity of the actual antagonist. Grandfather Jasper has lived longer than expected and is able to absorb the life force from others to continue living. Garnet experiences his power on her first day at Crossroad House. But then, there’s the house itself that has magic of its own. It won’t let anyone tear down a dangerous, damaged section of the property and now it won’t let anyone leave. Garnet experiences events from decades before that she attributes to the house’s power. Finally, a stranger summons Garnet to the cemetery and tells her some things that are hard to believe. He says he can help but Garnet isn’t sure if he can be trusted or if he’s dangerous.
The plot unfolds like a mystery as Garnet tries to understand her family and the danger surrounding Jasper’s transition. She hears stories of relatives and others who’ve suddenly died or disappeared on the property and an uncle dies while she’s there. Almost all of the relatives feel fear and anger toward Jasper and some of them silently wish he would die. Jasper says they’re ungrateful and don’t understand what he’s done for them which makes Garnet even more determined to uncover the truth. Jasper seems to be the obvious villain but is there more going on here than meets the eye? Why can’t his transition of power and death occur smoothly as with so many ancestors before?
What didn’t work as well:
There are many family members living in Carrefour House resulting in many names to remember. However, only a handful are critical to understanding the plot so readers will need to figure out which ones to focus on. Garnet and Ash are probably the two most important characters with others enhancing the story.
The Final Verdict:
This book is quite entertaining with the creepy house and energy-sucking patriarch at the center of the conflict. The blend of elemental magic with twists thrown in elevates the problems derived from broken family dynamics. I recommend you give it a shot.
January 5, 2023
Thanks to NetGalley and Holiday House for the advanced copy.
I was drawn to this due to the comparison to The Westing Game, one of my most favorite novels. By the end I felt that was an kind of there - it's more The Westing Game if it were a Goosebumps book in R.L. Stine horror-for-kids series, and the type of magic used by the Carrefours reminded me a lot of a favorite series I had as a teenager: Sweep (Book of Shadows) by Cate Tiernan. Then, at the end the author says her inspiration was actually Dark Shadows by way of , which, of course!
That's all to say: I loved this book! If I'd read this in middle school it, and The Westing Game, would've been tied for my #1 favorite book. Garnet is my favorite type of middle grade heroine: feisty and good-intentioned, or Lyra Belacqua if she were a good person, lol. The mystery was fun and twisty, but not over-complicated, and the perfect amount of intrigue for a pre-teen reader (and still fun enough to entertain this adult).
Salerni is a tight and light writer as well, and managed to make The Carrefour Curse is intelligent for its audience without being patronizing. I initially thought I could do with more description, then I realized she gave plenty of it, it was just more concise (and thematic) than I was expecting.
Overall, this is a great fun, magical adventure for middle grade and young adults! I can't wait to get this for my niece :)
I was drawn to this due to the comparison to The Westing Game, one of my most favorite novels. By the end I felt that was an kind of there - it's more The Westing Game if it were a Goosebumps book in R.L. Stine horror-for-kids series, and the type of magic used by the Carrefours reminded me a lot of a favorite series I had as a teenager: Sweep (Book of Shadows) by Cate Tiernan. Then, at the end the author says her inspiration was actually Dark Shadows by way of , which, of course!
That's all to say: I loved this book! If I'd read this in middle school it, and The Westing Game, would've been tied for my #1 favorite book. Garnet is my favorite type of middle grade heroine: feisty and good-intentioned, or Lyra Belacqua if she were a good person, lol. The mystery was fun and twisty, but not over-complicated, and the perfect amount of intrigue for a pre-teen reader (and still fun enough to entertain this adult).
Salerni is a tight and light writer as well, and managed to make The Carrefour Curse is intelligent for its audience without being patronizing. I initially thought I could do with more description, then I realized she gave plenty of it, it was just more concise (and thematic) than I was expecting.
Overall, this is a great fun, magical adventure for middle grade and young adults! I can't wait to get this for my niece :)
January 31, 2023
I really enjoyed reading this horror-mystery. It ticks a lot a boxes in the horror genre- a creepy old house, a sinister (and I suggest evil) family patriarch (Garnet’s great-grandfather), mysterious disappearances, cursed ruins, visions, a premonition…plus a bunch of squabbling relatives and some family magic. The story flows well and I read it quickly, keen to find out what was going on. Apart from one minor point (no spoilers), I found the ending satisfying. This could have been a terrifying story but the tone is creepy and intriguing rather than frightening, so it is fine for middle grade (though I would say older middle grade) as well as teens.
The story features Garnet’s extended family, with first cousins, second cousins, cousins once or twice removed, uncles, aunts, great-uncle’s and great-aunts… I really liked this element of the book. It’s unusual to have so many pertinent and related characters in a story, in my experience anyway, and the family interaction was credible. The downside was that I found keeping track of the characters relationships difficult. My eARC had a family tree (I think) but it didn’t display properly. It’s needed, because after the first introduction, we’re not given any reminders of who’s who (well done, Garnet, for remembering them all!) so while I knew who belonged to Garnet’s generation, I was less clear on the adults.
I liked Garnet, who is kind, curious, persistent and brave. We’re told Garnet is twelve years old. However she seems far too mature in her reactions and reflections to be twelve. I had a few ‘a twelve-year old would think this?‘ moments throughout the story. I would have put her at fourteen or fifteen.
Overall this book has a great story, good characters and a satisfying ending. Recommended to those middle grade readers (of all ages) who enjoy horror.
The story features Garnet’s extended family, with first cousins, second cousins, cousins once or twice removed, uncles, aunts, great-uncle’s and great-aunts… I really liked this element of the book. It’s unusual to have so many pertinent and related characters in a story, in my experience anyway, and the family interaction was credible. The downside was that I found keeping track of the characters relationships difficult. My eARC had a family tree (I think) but it didn’t display properly. It’s needed, because after the first introduction, we’re not given any reminders of who’s who (well done, Garnet, for remembering them all!) so while I knew who belonged to Garnet’s generation, I was less clear on the adults.
I liked Garnet, who is kind, curious, persistent and brave. We’re told Garnet is twelve years old. However she seems far too mature in her reactions and reflections to be twelve. I had a few ‘a twelve-year old would think this?‘ moments throughout the story. I would have put her at fourteen or fifteen.
Overall this book has a great story, good characters and a satisfying ending. Recommended to those middle grade readers (of all ages) who enjoy horror.
February 22, 2023
We meet Garnet on her way to her mother's ancestral home. The mother, Emerald, is extremely reluctant to go, having left with the intention to never return, and Garnet is literally chucking up baby frogs left, right and centre. The extended family is ripe with earth magic, in different forms, and some of that magic is being used for ill. For the old man of the house is dying – but if the past is anything to go by, he might just nab a lot of people's life energy, and store it up for himself with fatal consequences for anyone else. With the magical property and/or its older residents keeping people there against their will, can Garnet get out alive, or will her increasing knowledge of the distant 1990s prove she is destined to vanish, as all the auguries suggest?
Oddly, this took me quite some time to actually care. There are a lot of slightly weird people to meet early on here, and even with her amphibious abdominal angst it took me some time to warm to Garnet and her lot. Perhaps some of this came from the chapter introductions, all featuring as they do their own relevant gemstone and the hooey that comes with believing in crystal worship.
That scepticism aside, there is no disguising many of the merits of this fantasy adventure. There are multiple "duh-duh-derr!" moments, where surprises to the characters give a successful frisson of the unexpected for the reader. The magic is by no means limited to flapping a crystal on a string around, and is all the better for it. And ultimately it's clear to see what the author intended (she tells us in the end-matter) and that she pretty much succeeded. So while I didn't love this throughout, I certainly can appreciate the filmic, middle-grade spooks and peculiar set-up these pages bring.
Oddly, this took me quite some time to actually care. There are a lot of slightly weird people to meet early on here, and even with her amphibious abdominal angst it took me some time to warm to Garnet and her lot. Perhaps some of this came from the chapter introductions, all featuring as they do their own relevant gemstone and the hooey that comes with believing in crystal worship.
That scepticism aside, there is no disguising many of the merits of this fantasy adventure. There are multiple "duh-duh-derr!" moments, where surprises to the characters give a successful frisson of the unexpected for the reader. The magic is by no means limited to flapping a crystal on a string around, and is all the better for it. And ultimately it's clear to see what the author intended (she tells us in the end-matter) and that she pretty much succeeded. So while I didn't love this throughout, I certainly can appreciate the filmic, middle-grade spooks and peculiar set-up these pages bring.
January 7, 2023
Ash Carrefour was a lovable cinnamon roll and I hoped to see more of this boy if there ever was a second book to come; I just wanted to get that out first. So our story began with Garnet Carrefour, a twelve-year-old girl who grew up wanting to know more about her magical family on her mother’s side, yet for some reason she had been kept in the dark about it and away from it. Garnet finally got a chance to learn more when someone used a summoning spell to get her mother to return to Crossroad House; the imposing and mysterious family mansion with all the dusty hallways and cobwebbed corners--including more than enough suspicious accidents and strange disappearances.
- mystery
- magical stones & supernatural abilities
- family dynamic & secrets
- a house that has a say in what it wants and what it doesn’t want
Many middle-grade protagonists have adventures on their own which is all right, but I was pleasantly surprised that in this one, Garnet’s family members were wholesomely present and that they each had a distinct, interesting voice and story-bits of their own.
Every chapter began with a brief description about stones (garnet, opal, and so on) which were both the names of many characters in the book and also had significance to what were going on, you’d realize.
The family lore was interesting I would read a second book if one comes out. The writing was concise and concrete, atmospheric in enough few words. I loved every character except for one. Recommended!
And oh, I definitely look forward to reading other titles by Dianne K. Salerni too.
Thank you Netgalley and Holiday House for this ebook version of the advanced-reader-copy.
- mystery
- magical stones & supernatural abilities
- family dynamic & secrets
- a house that has a say in what it wants and what it doesn’t want
Many middle-grade protagonists have adventures on their own which is all right, but I was pleasantly surprised that in this one, Garnet’s family members were wholesomely present and that they each had a distinct, interesting voice and story-bits of their own.
Every chapter began with a brief description about stones (garnet, opal, and so on) which were both the names of many characters in the book and also had significance to what were going on, you’d realize.
The family lore was interesting I would read a second book if one comes out. The writing was concise and concrete, atmospheric in enough few words. I loved every character except for one. Recommended!
And oh, I definitely look forward to reading other titles by Dianne K. Salerni too.
Thank you Netgalley and Holiday House for this ebook version of the advanced-reader-copy.
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