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Murkmere Hall #2
Ambergate
I am the girl with no name. I have a number branded on my left arm, but no name.....I have a secret. A secret I must never tell....I committed a crime. I did something so wicked I must never speak of it. If I did, they would come after me.
They call her Scuff. An orphan girl turned kitchen maid at Murkmere Hall,she is haunted by her dark past. With only her amulet to protect her, she can only flee for so long. Someday, she will have to return to the orphanage where it all began.
A companion book to Murkmere and a compelling gothic mystery it its own rite, Ambergate is rich with suspense and unforgettable characters.
They call her Scuff. An orphan girl turned kitchen maid at Murkmere Hall,she is haunted by her dark past. With only her amulet to protect her, she can only flee for so long. Someday, she will have to return to the orphanage where it all began.
A companion book to Murkmere and a compelling gothic mystery it its own rite, Ambergate is rich with suspense and unforgettable characters.
390 pages, Hardcover
First published March 17, 2005
7 people are currently reading
171 people want to read
About the author
Patricia Elliott
19 books76 followersPatricia Elliott was born in London and grew up in Europe and the Far East. She has worked in publishing in London and in a children's bookshop in New York. She now teaches a course in children's literature at an adult education college. She lives in London with her husband, two sons, and a yellow labrodor named Finagal.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
May 2, 2008
Ambergate is the sequel to Murkmere, and picks up approximately where the first book left off, but with a new narrator: The servant Scruff has never had a real name, and came to Murkmere after committing a crime in the Capital. When soldiers come looking for her, she must flee, beginning a journey that leads her back to the Capital, towards Leah, and into the heart of a revolution against the country's ruling government and religion. After Murkmere I came to this book hoping to find Murkmere's atmospheric sense of magic and more mature writing, since this is Elliott's second book. Unfortunately, Ambergate is a step down: magic is fleeing and unexplored, Scruff fails to be a compelling protagonist, and Elliott's style is disjointed by constant changes in point of view. It is a disappointing sequel, and drags down both books in the series. I don't recommend it.
I generally avoid reading series because I don't like being obligated the book that comes next. Murkmere had a promising, haunting atmosphere with an intriguing undercurrent of magic; it was also Elliott's first book, and her inexperience showed in a hesitant text that never quite managed to embrace its themes or sweep the reader away with its language. So, despite my dislike for sequels, I had high hopes for Ambergate, thinking that the experience of her first book would help Elliott improve in her second, and that this book might be a bit bolder, more decisive, and more artistic. Unfortunately, my hopes were not fulfilled. Ambergate is none of these things, and it is actually worse than its predecessor.
There are all number of issues that bothered me. First, Murkmere's strength was its ghostly magic, always sitting in the background of the story, enticing the reader. I had hoped that this book would embrace that aspect, but instead it pushes magic even further into the background: the protagonist is blind to all signs of it, and it never takes a bold role in the book. Second, Elliott spends a fair amount of time trying to explain why nameless orphan Scruff is important enough to be the book's protagonist, but (without giving away the plot) what makes Scruff important is nothing special, just an exaggerated crime and a personal association that she isn't even aware of. Nor does Scruff do much in the book: she is lead around and pushed through encounters, and the book's climax comes when Scruff learns she does not need to do the important act that she was charged with. Superstitious and timid, without an active role or purpose, Scruff is a difficult character to identify with and root for. Third, Elliott changes point of view often, and these changes are disorientating and messy. Scruff narrates most of the book in first person, but constant interruptions jump into the heads of half a dozen other characters, all narrated in third person. These jumps come without warning, suddenly dumping the reader in a new narrative voice and a new character, and they are hard to followprobably even more so for the intended young adult audience. This writing style, which was not present in Murkmere, is messy and seems like the mark of an unpracticed writernot of a second novel.
Ambergate boasts no real strengths to counteract these flaws. The plot is more solid than the book's prequel, and has a better defined conclusion. The characters are simplistic, but the settings have depth and personality. But the book does not stand out, and the various flaws drag it down. While Murkmere was a decent text that looked like it would lead to an even better sequel, Ambergate is actually quite disappointing. It lacks strength and character, the protagonist is nothing special, and the writing is messy. I do not recommend this book, and since Murkmere's abrupt end depends so heavily on this sequel, I don't recommend the series as a whole.
I generally avoid reading series because I don't like being obligated the book that comes next. Murkmere had a promising, haunting atmosphere with an intriguing undercurrent of magic; it was also Elliott's first book, and her inexperience showed in a hesitant text that never quite managed to embrace its themes or sweep the reader away with its language. So, despite my dislike for sequels, I had high hopes for Ambergate, thinking that the experience of her first book would help Elliott improve in her second, and that this book might be a bit bolder, more decisive, and more artistic. Unfortunately, my hopes were not fulfilled. Ambergate is none of these things, and it is actually worse than its predecessor.
There are all number of issues that bothered me. First, Murkmere's strength was its ghostly magic, always sitting in the background of the story, enticing the reader. I had hoped that this book would embrace that aspect, but instead it pushes magic even further into the background: the protagonist is blind to all signs of it, and it never takes a bold role in the book. Second, Elliott spends a fair amount of time trying to explain why nameless orphan Scruff is important enough to be the book's protagonist, but (without giving away the plot) what makes Scruff important is nothing special, just an exaggerated crime and a personal association that she isn't even aware of. Nor does Scruff do much in the book: she is lead around and pushed through encounters, and the book's climax comes when Scruff learns she does not need to do the important act that she was charged with. Superstitious and timid, without an active role or purpose, Scruff is a difficult character to identify with and root for. Third, Elliott changes point of view often, and these changes are disorientating and messy. Scruff narrates most of the book in first person, but constant interruptions jump into the heads of half a dozen other characters, all narrated in third person. These jumps come without warning, suddenly dumping the reader in a new narrative voice and a new character, and they are hard to followprobably even more so for the intended young adult audience. This writing style, which was not present in Murkmere, is messy and seems like the mark of an unpracticed writernot of a second novel.
Ambergate boasts no real strengths to counteract these flaws. The plot is more solid than the book's prequel, and has a better defined conclusion. The characters are simplistic, but the settings have depth and personality. But the book does not stand out, and the various flaws drag it down. While Murkmere was a decent text that looked like it would lead to an even better sequel, Ambergate is actually quite disappointing. It lacks strength and character, the protagonist is nothing special, and the writing is messy. I do not recommend this book, and since Murkmere's abrupt end depends so heavily on this sequel, I don't recommend the series as a whole.
June 8, 2009
This book (and Murkmere) were the definition of 'meh' to me. The mythology was underdeveloped and weird. The point of view jumped around too much. Characters were inconsistently evil or good. I never really knew who I was supposed to be rooting for - and I don't mean that in a good, suspenseful sort of way. Worst of all, it was strangely misogynistic - all the girls in this book seemed to be helpless and stupid.
And yet, I couldn't muster the energy to actively dislike it. Two stars it is.
And yet, I couldn't muster the energy to actively dislike it. Two stars it is.
January 2, 2015
I read this several years ago and remember finding the beginning tedious and dragged. However, as the book went on I remember clinging onto it for dear life. I hadn't read Murkmere (the prequel to this book) before Ambergate but found no issues with following the story. Maybe I'll re-read this in the future some time.
July 26, 2008
Okay book, it could have been good but the ending SUCKED! Author was great at making problems, horrible at solving them.
December 18, 2021
This is the sequel to Murkmere. Scuff is a servant, a girl with no name, but has a number on her arm from the orphanage where she came from. When soldiers arrive, searching for her, the household denies her existence, giving her a chance to escape. Scuff does not realize that there are two separate forces searching for her, but her escape leads her to the Wasteland where she heals under the care of Gadd and his son, Erland. Further pursuit leads her into more danger and back full circle to the orphanage. She is recruited for a dangerous task, where the truth of her past will finally be revealed.
March 27, 2025
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January 12, 2009
Picking up three years after Leah's disappearance at the end of Murkmere, Ambergate follows the young maid Scuff, now nearly a young woman, as her life takes her away from the home she's come to love. Haunted by dreams of a long time ago, Scuff's worst fears come to life when soldiers arrive at the manner, looking for the girl 102, who is to be arrested for a crime in her past. A crime no one knows of, and most don't believe she could have committed.
Aggie and her aunt deny Scuff's existence amongst the Staff, sending the soldier's away. Later that night, Scuff is sent on her way with a letter recommending her to a household in Poorgrass Kayes. Unfortunately, as she makes her escape, a group of soldiers arrive seeking her out. The soldiers are actually rebels in disguise, but she doesn't know that, and nor do the staff assigned to help her escape. And so it is she finds herself hurled from the window of the tower in the old Master's flying machine. No one believes she'll survive.
When Scuff next comes to she's in an unfamiliar place, and full of wonder at her survival. She has vague memories of wings, but little else.
Once well enough to rise from bed, Scuff finds she's in the home of Gadd, a healer, living on the Wasteland. His son, Erland, had found her and brought her to his father for care. Gadd, seeing the growing feelings between Scuff and his son, means to send her on her way, but she is reluctant to leave and stretches out her time as long as she can.
Once again, it's the appearance of soldier's that send her on her way.
Bad luck continues to follow her, as upon her arrival in Poorgrass Keyes, the young lad who's assigned to help her find her way instead deposits her on the doorstep of a brothel. A change of luck brings him back to help her escape, only to have her caught up and sold at a slave market. With mixed feelings, she realizes the women who've claimed her for recompense are her old coworkers Dog and Mistress Crumplin.
Gravengate Home is no different than she remembers it from her childhood, and Scuff can't bear the thought of living there once again, unable to help the children suffering within its walls. A needless worry, as it turns out, since the same soldiers are searching for her within the city and have been told she was taken to the home. Though her newfound friend tries to warn her, he's too late, and yet again Scuff is hauled off at the hands of an enemy to one more unfamiliar face.
Her captors are the same rebels who meant to take her from Murkmere, but to Scuff they still seem soldiers, and she's willing to do anything they ask to save herself from a grim fate. She agrees to the order to kill Caleb Prouted, the Lord Protector's son, unaware what other plans the rebels have for her.
Rescued by the Protector's musician boy, Nate, Scuff is taken to the palace, and told never to reveal her face. Miss Leah recognizes her, even with the hat and veil, and soon the two are trying to find a way to save Leah from her fate of marriage to Caleb, as Scuff continues to delay her mission of murder.
The underlying story is that of Scuff's true heritage--to her only a dim memory that seems more a dream than a truth of long ago. Her trials throughout are many, but through it all she remains true to herself.
This was a very different read than Murkmere, but the story was just as enjoyable, and slightly more suspenseful.
Aggie and her aunt deny Scuff's existence amongst the Staff, sending the soldier's away. Later that night, Scuff is sent on her way with a letter recommending her to a household in Poorgrass Kayes. Unfortunately, as she makes her escape, a group of soldiers arrive seeking her out. The soldiers are actually rebels in disguise, but she doesn't know that, and nor do the staff assigned to help her escape. And so it is she finds herself hurled from the window of the tower in the old Master's flying machine. No one believes she'll survive.
When Scuff next comes to she's in an unfamiliar place, and full of wonder at her survival. She has vague memories of wings, but little else.
Once well enough to rise from bed, Scuff finds she's in the home of Gadd, a healer, living on the Wasteland. His son, Erland, had found her and brought her to his father for care. Gadd, seeing the growing feelings between Scuff and his son, means to send her on her way, but she is reluctant to leave and stretches out her time as long as she can.
Once again, it's the appearance of soldier's that send her on her way.
Bad luck continues to follow her, as upon her arrival in Poorgrass Keyes, the young lad who's assigned to help her find her way instead deposits her on the doorstep of a brothel. A change of luck brings him back to help her escape, only to have her caught up and sold at a slave market. With mixed feelings, she realizes the women who've claimed her for recompense are her old coworkers Dog and Mistress Crumplin.
Gravengate Home is no different than she remembers it from her childhood, and Scuff can't bear the thought of living there once again, unable to help the children suffering within its walls. A needless worry, as it turns out, since the same soldiers are searching for her within the city and have been told she was taken to the home. Though her newfound friend tries to warn her, he's too late, and yet again Scuff is hauled off at the hands of an enemy to one more unfamiliar face.
Her captors are the same rebels who meant to take her from Murkmere, but to Scuff they still seem soldiers, and she's willing to do anything they ask to save herself from a grim fate. She agrees to the order to kill Caleb Prouted, the Lord Protector's son, unaware what other plans the rebels have for her.
Rescued by the Protector's musician boy, Nate, Scuff is taken to the palace, and told never to reveal her face. Miss Leah recognizes her, even with the hat and veil, and soon the two are trying to find a way to save Leah from her fate of marriage to Caleb, as Scuff continues to delay her mission of murder.
The underlying story is that of Scuff's true heritage--to her only a dim memory that seems more a dream than a truth of long ago. Her trials throughout are many, but through it all she remains true to herself.
This was a very different read than Murkmere, but the story was just as enjoyable, and slightly more suspenseful.
February 9, 2017
After being pleasantly surprised by Murkmere, I was unpleasantly disappointed by Ambergate. Although traces of what I liked in the first book were still to be found and familiar characters showed up in meaningful ways, a lot of the storyline was just too fantastical or non-sensical to be enjoyable. Although I liked Scuff, she didn't quite seem to have a whole lot of depth as a main character - and the immediacy and intensity of her love for Erland just didn't fit with the rest of who she seemed to be as a person (and led to some strange scenes later on in the book). I also missed getting to see Aggie's character continue to develop! She was a very minor player here in Ambergate. Furthermore, whereas the Ministration could stand for a range of oppressive governments in Murkmere, here, up closer, it just seemed to be a collection of uncoordinated and power-hungry lunatics...and the rebels who in Murkmere seemed to be a grassroots effort for democracy, here became a bunch of un-visionary also power-hungry competing groups. All in all, I'd recommend sticking to Murkmere alone - Ambergate adds very little.
June 3, 2008
Scuff, an orphan, is on the run. At the orphanage in the Capital she was number 102. She committed a terrible crime and had fled to Murkmere where she worked as a kitchen maid. When soldiers appeared seeking number 102 she took flight and stayed for a time in the Wasteland with an old man and his son named Erland. Again running from soldiers she eventually makes her way to the capital. She is always being deceived and used by one person or another and finds herself in the Lord Protector's palace with a dangerous job to do. She herself does not know who she is, but an ambitious leader in the rebel movement knows why she is so important. and wants to use her as an assassin of the Lord Protectorate's son. [return][return]This is a very atmospheric book, the fear, decay and stench in the capital, the ravens that are always overhead, swans and Cathedral where people worship its strange stone bird, the Eagle. Having not read the first book, Murkmere, I feel as though I missed a lot.
December 26, 2016
I wanted to give Ambergate a higher rating but so much of what I loved from the first book was lacking here. It was interesting to see more of the world however I couldn't help but be disappointed about leaving the halls of Murkmere behind. The first book brought those haunting grounds to life perfectly that it felt like I to was leaving home. The change in protagonist took some getting use to but was welcomed. I liked Aggie and missed her but wanted to know more about Scuff and her adventures did prove entertaining in a Alice in Wonderland sort of way. It was also a shame to see so little in the way of magical realism but ultimately I did understand why.
The ending it what really got me and was hard to except. It wasn't bad or unbelievable but a great deal was left unfulfilled. I am sure Elliott planned on this being the second book in a trilogy or series but since it has been over 10 years since this was first published I am not holding out hope for a proper resolution.
The ending it what really got me and was hard to except. It wasn't bad or unbelievable but a great deal was left unfulfilled. I am sure Elliott planned on this being the second book in a trilogy or series but since it has been over 10 years since this was first published I am not holding out hope for a proper resolution.
April 17, 2013
I actually started reading this one first by accident because I thought the other one (the first book) looked more interesting and I wanted to save it for last.
Boy was I right. This one is a serious let down after the first, which isn't amazing by any means, but there are fewer characters and therefore (as far as this author's writing style goes) has much more time for development. Seriously, a good handful of people die in this book and I didn't even care! I was just sort of flipping though it for the sake of going through it and finishing it. I thought it was a companion novel, more about Scuff than Leah, but it hooked back to the first one again in a way that I didn't really like. I felt as if too many things tried to happen and it just didn't work out.
Plus, Silas was a much more despicable villain.
Boy was I right. This one is a serious let down after the first, which isn't amazing by any means, but there are fewer characters and therefore (as far as this author's writing style goes) has much more time for development. Seriously, a good handful of people die in this book and I didn't even care! I was just sort of flipping though it for the sake of going through it and finishing it. I thought it was a companion novel, more about Scuff than Leah, but it hooked back to the first one again in a way that I didn't really like. I felt as if too many things tried to happen and it just didn't work out.
Plus, Silas was a much more despicable villain.
September 19, 2016
I wrote a scathing review in my eighth-grade journal about this book. Until I find that, here's the original goodreads review I wrote for this wretched book:
"There was loads of descriptive writing in this book, which felt like a chore to get through at some points. The characters were very under developed, as if the author just made them up totally randomly and didn't put the slightest bit of effort working on them. When I chose to read this book, I didn't know it was a romance. A really annoying romance. The main character Scuff's love interest was another one of those hollow, mysterious guys with "deep set eyes", willing to bend over backwards for Scuff. There's a lot of guys like that in romances now, isn't there? I honestly couldn't help being annoyed every time he showed up. Overall, it was an okay book, nothing really special but it kept me interested enough to finish it."
"There was loads of descriptive writing in this book, which felt like a chore to get through at some points. The characters were very under developed, as if the author just made them up totally randomly and didn't put the slightest bit of effort working on them. When I chose to read this book, I didn't know it was a romance. A really annoying romance. The main character Scuff's love interest was another one of those hollow, mysterious guys with "deep set eyes", willing to bend over backwards for Scuff. There's a lot of guys like that in romances now, isn't there? I honestly couldn't help being annoyed every time he showed up. Overall, it was an okay book, nothing really special but it kept me interested enough to finish it."
December 3, 2012
There was loads of descriptive writing in this book, which felt like a chore to get through at some points. The characters were very under developed, as if the author just made them up totally randomly and didn't put the slightest bit of effort working on them. When I chose to read this book, I didn't know it was a romance. A really annoying romance. The main character Scuff's love interest was another one of those hollow, mysterious guys with "deep set eyes", willing to bend over backwards for Scuff. There's a lot of guys like that in romances now, isn't there? I honestly couldn't help being annoyed every time he showed up. Overall, it was an okay book, nothing really special but it kept me interested enough to finish it.
August 1, 2011
As the companion book to Murkmere, a book I've been wanting to read for awhile but always seems to be checked out when I want to read it, I was worried that I wouldn't understand a lot of what happened in this book. But, I seemed to follow along pretty well and the plot was enough to keep me going, despite Scuff's advantages and ability to escape prostitution and capture multiple times. I felt like the push into prostitution was a little surprising and kind of came out of nowhere, but, as people are seen as objects and means to ends in this book, I guess it was appropriate.
I would recommend this book to fantasy lovers certainly and I hope to read Murkmere soon!
I would recommend this book to fantasy lovers certainly and I hope to read Murkmere soon!
February 24, 2008
Although the U.S. edition was published the same year as the previous title, Murkmere, this novel was actually written two years later, and it shows in that the writing is more mature and the plotting more intricate. The narrative is somewhat episodic, with a Huckleberry-Finn-esque journey structure where many characters are met and then left behind, at least for the moment. As far as the novel's weaknesses: the heroine is often extremely passive, which grows exasperating and frustrating after a while; and the climax/dénouement was confusing and disappointing.
January 24, 2012
Sequel to Murkmere, but diverged from the central characters in Murkmere, instead focusing on a side character from the first book (one of the servants, a mysterious young girl, nicknamed Scuff). The gothic surreal tone continues here, and goes even deeper and darker. I didn't care for this one as much, because the religious oppression was too heavy and all-encompassing as a theme and Scuff's journey had very little humor or delight.
December 21, 2015
They call her Scuff. She doesn't remember what her real name is, and that suits everyone else just fine. She has a number branded on her arm from her childhood, where she committed a crime so great that if she told anyone, she would be killed for it. But when she is thrust into the world of danger once again, can she keep that secret long enough to stay alive? Will she ever find out who she really is?
September 30, 2012
They call her Scuff. She doesn't remember what her real name is, and that suits everyone else just fine. She has a number branded on her arm from her childhood, where she committed a crime so great that if she told anyone, she would be killed for it. But when she is thrust into the world of danger once again, can she keep that secret long enough to stay alive? Will she ever find out who she really is?
December 22, 2012
I really liked this book. Patricia Elliott is quite the expert at writing dark, gothic, haunting books! I liked it better than Murkmere, the book before this one, just because it had a little twist of romance, and the girl, Scuff, goes on this wonderfully terrible journey. The end leaves you to your own imagination as to what happens next, and I liked that for some reason. I recommend it, but you have to read Murkmere first to understand this one.
August 14, 2016
Totally "meh" on this one - it had the germ of a good idea and interesting characters, but then it just sort of faltered, and the ending was completely rushed and also inconclusive. It felt like the middle volume in a trilogy (I didn't realize that Murkmere was the first one and this the second in a series, and I read this one first, but it still felt like the middle volume in a trilogy. And I see there is no third book so … I won't bother reading the first.)
May 29, 2010
I have to say its a great book if you read Ambergate Before Murkmere... I found the book at Biglots for $2 and it was amazing until I found out that I had finished the second one not the first... :/ the book was still really good and has a good open ending just incase the author wants to write a third...
January 19, 2010
Love the idea of a gate formed from amber...
102's adventures begin deliberately, but the pace picks up and everything comes together quickly in the end (sort of like a rollercoaster). The avian theology is...interesting.
102's adventures begin deliberately, but the pace picks up and everything comes together quickly in the end (sort of like a rollercoaster). The avian theology is...interesting.
April 3, 2010
This is just one of those books that sounds so very interesting, and plot-wise it was, but which was a struggle to read. Having no character I cared about, I had to force myself to keep going and I just never liked the story. I wanted to, but didn't.
June 17, 2009
Mad deep.
August 20, 2009
I didn't really like the ending or how the author chose how to describe events but it was a nice story idea ...
December 10, 2009
Review coming when I have time. :P
December 15, 2010
In this sequel to "Mukmere" Scuff, the kitchen maid, becomes a reluctant runaway to protect herself and those she cares for.
June 27, 2012
Interesting story, though I realized its a sequel. Maybe some time I'll get the first book and try it again lol
November 21, 2012
This book was very touching . First It started with a young girl " scruff " who was an orphan at Murkmere Hall . She had a dark secret that she had to protect .
December 29, 2012
I enjoyed it much more than Murkmere, the first book, but I did read them out of order!
However, I do think Ambergate is much much better, story-line and stand-alone, than the first one.
However, I do think Ambergate is much much better, story-line and stand-alone, than the first one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews