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Griffin's Castle
Lonely and friendless from constantly moving, Dinah finds herself wishing the animal statues protecting a nearby Welsh castle would keep her company. Suddenly, to Dinah's delight, the stone animals start to magically spring from the walls and follow her home. But when the animals refuse to let Dinah leave her house, she quickly realizes that these mysterious creatures aren't rescuing her, they're imprisoning her. . . .
278 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1994
22 people are currently reading
498 people want to read
About the author
Jenny Nimmo
135 books961 followersJenny Nimmo was born in Windsor, Berkshire, England and educated at boarding schools in Kent and Surrey from the age of six until the age of sixteen, when she ran away from school to become a drama student/assistant stage manager with Theater South East. She graduated and acted in repertory theater in various towns and cities: Eastbourne, Tunbridge Wells, Brighton, Hastings, and Bexhill.
She left Britain to teach English to three Italian boys in Almafi, Italy. On her return, she joined the BBC, first as a picture researcher, then as an assistant floor manager, studio manager (news) then finally a director/adaptor with Jackanory (a BBC storytelling program for children). She left BBC to marry a Welsh artist David Wynn Millward and went to live in Wales in her husband's family home. They live in a very old converted watermill, and the river is constantly threatening to break in, as it has done several times in the past, most dramatically on her youngest child's first birthday. During the summer they run a residential school of art, and she has to move her office, put down tools (type-writer and pencil, and don an apron and cook! They have three grown-up children, Myfawny, Ianto, and Gwenwyfar.
She left Britain to teach English to three Italian boys in Almafi, Italy. On her return, she joined the BBC, first as a picture researcher, then as an assistant floor manager, studio manager (news) then finally a director/adaptor with Jackanory (a BBC storytelling program for children). She left BBC to marry a Welsh artist David Wynn Millward and went to live in Wales in her husband's family home. They live in a very old converted watermill, and the river is constantly threatening to break in, as it has done several times in the past, most dramatically on her youngest child's first birthday. During the summer they run a residential school of art, and she has to move her office, put down tools (type-writer and pencil, and don an apron and cook! They have three grown-up children, Myfawny, Ianto, and Gwenwyfar.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
March 4, 2024
Dinah and her mother move into a dilapidated old house, where Dinah discovers a small griffin statue. She names the house the Griffin's Castle, and hopes that they will be able to stay forever. But her mother is not exactly reliable, and the landlord can't stand children. Dinah notices animal statues in the city, wishing that they could protect her new home. The misty spirit of a lioness statue follows Dinah home, and Dinah can see and feel the lioness even though no one else can. Soon, more of the animals statues begin to follow Dinah home, and they become so real that others can feel their presence. Dinah's friends at school are worried about her. Are the animals really protecting the house, or are they imprisoning Dinah within the crumbling walls?
I liked how the real and the mystical were blended in this story. At first, you can't really tell if Dinah is just imagining the animals, or if they are really there. She has a very active imagination, but somehow the things she dreams of seem to come true for other people as well. She can draw other characters into her world of daydreams where anything seems possible.
There are some really deep themes explored in this book. Dinah is searching for permanence in her living situation, and she looks to her family heritage for the stability that her mother can't provide. The animals are like the embodiment of her fears and desires, but they get out of control, leading her down dangerous paths.
Dinah has dealt with some difficult times because her mother bounces them around between homes, staying with friends, or sleeping in shelters. Dinah has had terrible experiences that she stuffs down inside, but they come out in her fears and her weird little habits. There is an awful memory she has of babysitting a friend's baby, but the apartment they lived in had broken windows and no heating. The baby died from hunger and cold while the adults were out partying. When Dinah meets another family with a baby, she is very worried about the baby's well-being. These scenes are heartbreaking and disturbing.
I love this author's writing style! She really brings emotional weight into the story with the little details of the setting. However, I did not like that the POV keeps changing between Dinah and her two friends at school. That's a pet peeve of mine when the POV changes.
I liked how the real and the mystical were blended in this story. At first, you can't really tell if Dinah is just imagining the animals, or if they are really there. She has a very active imagination, but somehow the things she dreams of seem to come true for other people as well. She can draw other characters into her world of daydreams where anything seems possible.
There are some really deep themes explored in this book. Dinah is searching for permanence in her living situation, and she looks to her family heritage for the stability that her mother can't provide. The animals are like the embodiment of her fears and desires, but they get out of control, leading her down dangerous paths.
Dinah has dealt with some difficult times because her mother bounces them around between homes, staying with friends, or sleeping in shelters. Dinah has had terrible experiences that she stuffs down inside, but they come out in her fears and her weird little habits. There is an awful memory she has of babysitting a friend's baby, but the apartment they lived in had broken windows and no heating. The baby died from hunger and cold while the adults were out partying. When Dinah meets another family with a baby, she is very worried about the baby's well-being. These scenes are heartbreaking and disturbing.
I love this author's writing style! She really brings emotional weight into the story with the little details of the setting. However, I did not like that the POV keeps changing between Dinah and her two friends at school. That's a pet peeve of mine when the POV changes.
February 8, 2010
This book didn't quite come together for me. The main character, Dinah, is likeable and interesting, and her conflicts (her immature mother, her decaying house, and her mother's cold and controlling boyfriend Gomer) provided good tension. The magic in the book felt kind of slapped on. Stone animals come to live and follow Dinah home to protect her, but the mechanism by which this happens is never explained. It's also tangental to the plot, because Dinah's main problem is not that her mother's boyfriend keeps coming to the house, but that the house is falling down and that her mother isn't responsible enough to take care of her. The animals themselves become a problem later, but Dinah resolves it without too much trouble.
I might feel differently about this novel if I were closer to the target reader's age, but I found the characters exaggerated. Gomez has too much power. Dinah's mother is too weak. Dinah is too perfect. The book has two other characters, Jake and Barry, who are both obsessed with Dinah. Their fascination with her and with the animals brings them together even when Dinah herself pushes them away. The fact that Dinah (and the stone animals) is all they talk or think about makes them feel less real, as though they were there just to turn Dinah into a Mary Sue.
Even though the book focuses on the house and on the stone animals, the ending came out of nowhere because it didn't have anything to do with either one. Or, maybe it did, but I didn't catch it. A couple of elements seemed too opportune, too convenient. The novel had some good elements, and some good writing, but the disjointed story (along with the weak characters) make me hesitant to recommend it.
I might feel differently about this novel if I were closer to the target reader's age, but I found the characters exaggerated. Gomez has too much power. Dinah's mother is too weak. Dinah is too perfect. The book has two other characters, Jake and Barry, who are both obsessed with Dinah. Their fascination with her and with the animals brings them together even when Dinah herself pushes them away. The fact that Dinah (and the stone animals) is all they talk or think about makes them feel less real, as though they were there just to turn Dinah into a Mary Sue.
Even though the book focuses on the house and on the stone animals, the ending came out of nowhere because it didn't have anything to do with either one. Or, maybe it did, but I didn't catch it. A couple of elements seemed too opportune, too convenient. The novel had some good elements, and some good writing, but the disjointed story (along with the weak characters) make me hesitant to recommend it.
October 6, 2017
I was searching for an interesting novel at our school library, when I came upon this. Griffen’s Castle is about a girl named Dinah, and with her mother, Rosalie, they can never find the right home to permanently live in. But then they discover Griffen’s Castle, a rundown mansion owned by the rude, grueling Gomer Gwynne. Gomer becomes Rosalie’s boyfriend, but Dinah does not like Gomer one bit, so she wishes that the statues on the castle down the road would come to life to protect her. Then, her wish comes true.
When I grabbed this book from the shelves, I thought to myself, hey, this book
is going to be perfect for me! It’s exactly my type! In the beginning, it was very interesting. After every sentence, I was compelled to find out what would happen next. But as I got further into the book, it started to get quite boring. The characters were starting to jabber, and nothing very interesting happened until the the end. I was basically scanning the pages, looking for some kind of thrilling or at least interesting thing to replenish my brain. At the end, though, it made a comeback. And finally, I ended the book.
I felt accomplished that I had finished the book in under two weeks, but at the same time, I felt like I might have wasted my time. I felt like I could have read a little more intently, but there just wasn’t enough action to fulfill my liking.
In my opinion, I think that this book is passable. I could’ve liked liked more, but it wasn’t really in my ballpark. I like more adventure style, action books, so this wasn’t really my taste. But it could be yours! I think that younger, maybe 3-5 grade readings who are looking for a book that is mix of fantasy and history should put this on their reading list. Or, maybe some older kids, grades 6-7 could get this book for something small and simple to read, to give them something simple to think about on their free time. Even though this book wasn’t really my type, I thought this book was likeable, and I think that many other children could like it too.
When I grabbed this book from the shelves, I thought to myself, hey, this book
is going to be perfect for me! It’s exactly my type! In the beginning, it was very interesting. After every sentence, I was compelled to find out what would happen next. But as I got further into the book, it started to get quite boring. The characters were starting to jabber, and nothing very interesting happened until the the end. I was basically scanning the pages, looking for some kind of thrilling or at least interesting thing to replenish my brain. At the end, though, it made a comeback. And finally, I ended the book.
I felt accomplished that I had finished the book in under two weeks, but at the same time, I felt like I might have wasted my time. I felt like I could have read a little more intently, but there just wasn’t enough action to fulfill my liking.
In my opinion, I think that this book is passable. I could’ve liked liked more, but it wasn’t really in my ballpark. I like more adventure style, action books, so this wasn’t really my taste. But it could be yours! I think that younger, maybe 3-5 grade readings who are looking for a book that is mix of fantasy and history should put this on their reading list. Or, maybe some older kids, grades 6-7 could get this book for something small and simple to read, to give them something simple to think about on their free time. Even though this book wasn’t really my type, I thought this book was likeable, and I think that many other children could like it too.
March 10, 2021
This book was... uh... garbage. The magic was cool, but they never tell u why it’s happening. The girl is a brat and is mean to her friends and never makes it up to them. I was really excited about it, so I’m pretty sad about it.
December 16, 2012
Bought on a lark while at the Scholastic warehouse searching for holiday gifts for my students. I had several students say that their favorite genre was mystery, and as that's never been one of MY favorites, I ended up buying just about anything that sounded vaguely mystery-like and interesting.
This just never lived up to its promise. None of the characters was likable. From Dinah, the mysteriously smartest-in-the-school and also most-talented-at-anything-she-tries girl who somehow manages to magically make statues come to life and attempt to kill people she doesn't like; to her cookie-cutter, boring school friends; to her selfish, horrible mother; to the inexplicably angry and cruel grandmother. They were each terrible in his or her own way and it came across as the most wretchedly pessimistic view of human nature.
The house was beautifully and intricately described, but again the decaying, moldy, moments-from-falling-down house just added to the heavy, pessimistic atmosphere of the book.
I appreciate that it ended happily, but it was also abrupt, and left me feeling like I was missing something. Like it was unresolved still. So now my strongest feeling toward the book is frustration that it was never explained why Dinah had the power to wake the statues up and why there were absolutely no consequences for her attempting to kill Gomer.
Not only will I not gift this to a student, I'll likely not even add it to my classroom library.
This just never lived up to its promise. None of the characters was likable. From Dinah, the mysteriously smartest-in-the-school and also most-talented-at-anything-she-tries girl who somehow manages to magically make statues come to life and attempt to kill people she doesn't like; to her cookie-cutter, boring school friends; to her selfish, horrible mother; to the inexplicably angry and cruel grandmother. They were each terrible in his or her own way and it came across as the most wretchedly pessimistic view of human nature.
The house was beautifully and intricately described, but again the decaying, moldy, moments-from-falling-down house just added to the heavy, pessimistic atmosphere of the book.
I appreciate that it ended happily, but it was also abrupt, and left me feeling like I was missing something. Like it was unresolved still. So now my strongest feeling toward the book is frustration that it was never explained why Dinah had the power to wake the statues up and why there were absolutely no consequences for her attempting to kill Gomer.
Not only will I not gift this to a student, I'll likely not even add it to my classroom library.
November 30, 2011
This book has an interesting concept but I didn't throughly love the follow through. I kept getting confused when I was reading the story about who some of the characters were. The end seemed a little slapped together/rushed and there were just too many elements going on at a surface level throughout the story (I would have prefered fewer ideas more fleshed out).
September 18, 2010
I didn't enjoy this book it was to much like realistic fiction and I didn't like being around the main character she was annoying and seemed a little mentally unstable. It took me a REALLY long time to read this book since I didnt want to sit down and read it. Icky book.
May 25, 2023
Ok, this one wasn't a favorite of mine. The back makes this book sound like a wonderfully, super magical, animal filled book but, this seemed quite the opposite when reading it. This book appeared to be mostly based on Dinah, Rosalie, and Gomers relationship. With Barry and Jacob becoming "friends" with Dinah, and popping up every now and then. I believe Gomer was a mean, very controlling, and toxic man who came into the lives of Rosalie and Dinah, just to destroy it. Demanding Dinah is a problem and taking control of everything while Dinah's mom sat back and did nothing.
Although, the stone animals coming to life right off the wall was a very cool concept, I wish more care was put into making this book a truly magical experience for the reader. The animals don't really show up that often and when they do, you are lead to believe they want to protect Dinah. You only read about the 3 animals for most of the book, the lioness, the bear, and the wolf. I understand it's kind of like a symbol of the three kids, but I do wish Dinah would have interacted with all the other animals at some point, not just limited to the three. Something that really confused me was how people saw the animals, in some parts it sounded like the people who did see them saw them as a shadow or a mist, then it was no one could see them and they were like a ghost of the animal that people more of felt the presence of. Then Barry, Jacob, and Dinah could all touch the three and felt fur.
I truly appreciate the thought put into the idea of this book but thought it was poorly executed, the true story on the inside isn't as magical and animal filled as the back makes it seem. I don't think I could recommend this book for the amount of disappointment this brought me.
Although, the stone animals coming to life right off the wall was a very cool concept, I wish more care was put into making this book a truly magical experience for the reader. The animals don't really show up that often and when they do, you are lead to believe they want to protect Dinah. You only read about the 3 animals for most of the book, the lioness, the bear, and the wolf. I understand it's kind of like a symbol of the three kids, but I do wish Dinah would have interacted with all the other animals at some point, not just limited to the three. Something that really confused me was how people saw the animals, in some parts it sounded like the people who did see them saw them as a shadow or a mist, then it was no one could see them and they were like a ghost of the animal that people more of felt the presence of. Then Barry, Jacob, and Dinah could all touch the three and felt fur.
I truly appreciate the thought put into the idea of this book but thought it was poorly executed, the true story on the inside isn't as magical and animal filled as the back makes it seem. I don't think I could recommend this book for the amount of disappointment this brought me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 20, 2025
My first book !! Almost 15 + years ago 😌🥰…
April 2, 2023
What an unusual read. In some ways good, & in some, not so good. Lol. Lonely & friendless from constantly moving, Dinah finds herself wishing the animal statues protecting a nearby Welsh castle would keep her company. Suddenly, to Dinah's delight, the stone animals start to magically spring from the walls & follow her home. But when the animals refuse to let Dinah leave her house, she quickly realizes that these mysterious creatures aren't rescuing her, they're imprisoning her...I loved the setting of this "castle", the stone animals, the atmospheric writing. but so many things are NEVER explained in any sort of way. There’s no satisfying conclusion for many parts of the story..many parts are just plain confusing. Dinah's mother is HORRIBLE, as is her toxic boyfriend. As for Dinah herself, I couldn't really stand her either. She was horrible. Great atmosphere, magical feeling/vibes, & a BEAUTIFUL cover by James Bernardin though!💜
December 26, 2012
When Dinah and her mother move into an old mansion, Dinah finally feels she has found a home. She imagines the home in its former splendor and refuses to notice the crumbling walls and failing electricity that mark it as condemned. With her disappointment over her mother’s new, overbearing boyfriend and her desire friendship, Dinah finds herself wishing the stone animals from a nearby castle would come to life. To her surprise, her wish comes true and Dinah’s new home is soon protected by fantastical animals. They are invisible to most, but their presence is felt.
Barry and Jacob, two boys from Dinah’s new school, recognize the animals for what they are, but they sense the threat that Dinah fails to see. Together, they try to understand Dinah and protect her in a way that magical animals can’t. This is a fantasy story, but with a hint of the dark and sinister. I was caught up in the story, but Dinah’s life is sad enough that I don’t recommend it for younger readers. There is nothing inappropriate, but the loneliness and magic would be better for older kids or tweens.
The writing was good, but I felt the ending fell a little flat. The story failed to reach the point it seemed to be building toward. However, Anna read it and liked it, so maybe it is better for it's intended audience.
Barry and Jacob, two boys from Dinah’s new school, recognize the animals for what they are, but they sense the threat that Dinah fails to see. Together, they try to understand Dinah and protect her in a way that magical animals can’t. This is a fantasy story, but with a hint of the dark and sinister. I was caught up in the story, but Dinah’s life is sad enough that I don’t recommend it for younger readers. There is nothing inappropriate, but the loneliness and magic would be better for older kids or tweens.
The writing was good, but I felt the ending fell a little flat. The story failed to reach the point it seemed to be building toward. However, Anna read it and liked it, so maybe it is better for it's intended audience.
November 22, 2009
This book was about a girl named Dinah. Dinah and her mother, Rosalie end up moving into this old looking house thanks to Rosalie's boss which Dinah dislikes. Dinah thinks the house is wonderful and decides to name it Griffin's Castle since she found a broken Griffin in it. Soon Dinah befriends some animals which are really statues that come to life. Dinah soon makes friends with the animals who she thinks are protecting her, but are really imprisoning her. But Dinah gets help from her two new friends Jacob and Barry.
I'm going to do a text-to-self connection to Dinah. I think i can connect to Dinah because she is a really curious person and always wants to find out about things. And sometimes i can be curious and also want to find out something new. Another thing about Dinah is that she likes to cut things out of magazines and newspapers. And when i was little i use to like doing that.
i give this book four stars. The reason why i give it four stars is because i really like the plot and i also like the characters. The reason why i didn't give the book five stars is because i thought it could be a bit better. I recommend this book for someone who would enjoy reading about fantasy's.
I'm going to do a text-to-self connection to Dinah. I think i can connect to Dinah because she is a really curious person and always wants to find out about things. And sometimes i can be curious and also want to find out something new. Another thing about Dinah is that she likes to cut things out of magazines and newspapers. And when i was little i use to like doing that.
i give this book four stars. The reason why i give it four stars is because i really like the plot and i also like the characters. The reason why i didn't give the book five stars is because i thought it could be a bit better. I recommend this book for someone who would enjoy reading about fantasy's.
July 28, 2012
I'm not sure what I think of this book. It seems incomplete. I didn't love or even feel for any of the characters. I thought I should have felt a sort of kinship with Dinah who believes the crumbling house where she temporarily resides is alive and projecting its former glory for her to see...and who is so lonely and so in need of protection and safety that she imagines the animals on the wall the surrounds a nearby castle to be alive and guarding her.
But she was so drab. Again with the sparkless child!
I think it would have been better had her desire for a stable, loving home manifested differently. I was never sure why the stone animals had wanted to keep her trapped or why other people were affected by them. The side characters, from her mother and her mother's skeezy boyfriend to the two friends Dinah made at school, were inconsequential and unnecessary.
She found what she needed but then the story ended and it was like there was no resolution.
This won't be a story that sticks with me.
But she was so drab. Again with the sparkless child!
I think it would have been better had her desire for a stable, loving home manifested differently. I was never sure why the stone animals had wanted to keep her trapped or why other people were affected by them. The side characters, from her mother and her mother's skeezy boyfriend to the two friends Dinah made at school, were inconsequential and unnecessary.
She found what she needed but then the story ended and it was like there was no resolution.
This won't be a story that sticks with me.
June 27, 2011
I really did not like this book. It was dark and twisted. There was nothing vulgar about it but it did not leave a good feeling behind. There is enough in the world of neglect, abandonment without reading about it in my leisure time. The main character feels broken and vengeful. The mother does not feel like she has natural affection for her daughter. The grandmother who we only hear about is a coward the boyfriend a mean bully but there are times with the main character Dinah is not much better. The only shining points in this dark abyss are the two friends who stick with Dinah like true friends and the ending had a ray of light. I want my time back.
Update: I was very upset when I wrote this. I was frustrated and I had stayed up late to finish reading this book. Parts were good which is more upsetting because it could have been great but I still don't like the book.
Update: I was very upset when I wrote this. I was frustrated and I had stayed up late to finish reading this book. Parts were good which is more upsetting because it could have been great but I still don't like the book.
February 16, 2023
Oh man I wanted to love this book because the description sounded like something I'd enjoy and it's a super short book so I thought that I would love it. Don't be fooled by the description though because that's just a small part of the story.
I didn't like any of the characters- Rosalie, the mother meets a new guy who lets her rent his old house that is falling down - she is constantly going to "work" at night - as in going out with this guy leaving her 11 year old home alone - I mean she has downstairs neighbors who look after her but they leave in the middle of the story, they move to Canada and the dude is a really nice guy - he hates Dinah, the child, is constantly trying to make her mother ditch her or ignore her and he makes that other family live in the basement without heating and proper electricity. What a lovely guy - he is a walking red flag yet the mother is so blind- he is constantly trying to make her go on Christmas vacation with him, Dinah tells her mom that she would go to her aunt for Christmas, mother goes with herto train station .... and doesn't even wait to see her child go on train before she zooms off to the airport so she can be with the love of her ife - Dinah goes home, the house breaks down and she nearly freezes to death but luckily she just happens to meet her great grandpa at the graveyard and he takes her with him to his house - she just trusts that he is indeed her grandpa though and she never says where she went and the book ends before her mother finds out.
Her two friends were so generic...I thought that they'd play a bigger role since they were closer to the stone bear and wolf - I really thought that they will form a team or something and that those animals would be their guardians since it's constantly mentioned that they bond with a wolf and a bear and the girl bonds with the lioness.
The old lady, the mother of the creepy step dad is just there... she adds nothing to the story and I really thought that she would be more important than she was.
The magic is never explained properly- why or how do the animals come to life? Why do they suddenly turn against her and they try to keep her at the house? Why can only the kids see them but adults cannot even though they can feel them? What was with that cat? I thought that it was her great grandmother's spirit or something - and how or why dothe animals change their minds and run back to the wall? It just felt so confusing and the ending felt so rushed - it had so much potential but the pacing was off and the characters were so unlikeable.
I didn't like any of the characters- Rosalie, the mother meets a new guy who lets her rent his old house that is falling down - she is constantly going to "work" at night - as in going out with this guy leaving her 11 year old home alone - I mean she has downstairs neighbors who look after her but they leave in the middle of the story, they move to Canada and the dude is a really nice guy - he hates Dinah, the child, is constantly trying to make her mother ditch her or ignore her and he makes that other family live in the basement without heating and proper electricity. What a lovely guy - he is a walking red flag yet the mother is so blind- he is constantly trying to make her go on Christmas vacation with him, Dinah tells her mom that she would go to her aunt for Christmas, mother goes with herto train station .... and doesn't even wait to see her child go on train before she zooms off to the airport so she can be with the love of her ife - Dinah goes home, the house breaks down and she nearly freezes to death but luckily she just happens to meet her great grandpa at the graveyard and he takes her with him to his house - she just trusts that he is indeed her grandpa though and she never says where she went and the book ends before her mother finds out.
Her two friends were so generic...I thought that they'd play a bigger role since they were closer to the stone bear and wolf - I really thought that they will form a team or something and that those animals would be their guardians since it's constantly mentioned that they bond with a wolf and a bear and the girl bonds with the lioness.
The old lady, the mother of the creepy step dad is just there... she adds nothing to the story and I really thought that she would be more important than she was.
The magic is never explained properly- why or how do the animals come to life? Why do they suddenly turn against her and they try to keep her at the house? Why can only the kids see them but adults cannot even though they can feel them? What was with that cat? I thought that it was her great grandmother's spirit or something - and how or why dothe animals change their minds and run back to the wall? It just felt so confusing and the ending felt so rushed - it had so much potential but the pacing was off and the characters were so unlikeable.
March 12, 2018
Dinah is tired of moving, of staying in damp studios or on hostile relatives' sofas, so when she and her mother move into a decrepit house tucked behind a wild garden, she looks beyond the crumbling facade and drafty windows and conjures the wonder that once lied there, creating the home that she's wanted. However, when stone beasts come to life and her mother begins to drift away from her, that notion of "home" is thrown into peril.
Nimmo's almost poetic turn of phrase caught my interest from the first chapter, and throughout the work scenes of icy cold mornings and images of shimmering grandeur superimposed over reality filled my mind's eye. Those who love to read rolling, descriptive language will enjoy this book greatly.
If there was one thing that I wanted to see more of, it was the stone animals. They appear as important figures to Dinah, representing both protectors and jailers. They are visible to those who believe and invisible to those who aren't, but beyond that their supernatural abilities are unknown, as are their origins. Why are they so fascinated by this girl and this house? Why do they obey her? What part does the valiant cat play in its apparent battle against these creatures? We never quite find out; certainly things can be extrapolated or assumed, but in the end it all seems almost downplayed, and the question comes up of 'are these questions even necessary to the plot?'. I'm still wrangling with that , but in the end the characters are delightfully layered and live within a richly described world, so the reading is still very much a pleasurable experience.
Nimmo's almost poetic turn of phrase caught my interest from the first chapter, and throughout the work scenes of icy cold mornings and images of shimmering grandeur superimposed over reality filled my mind's eye. Those who love to read rolling, descriptive language will enjoy this book greatly.
If there was one thing that I wanted to see more of, it was the stone animals. They appear as important figures to Dinah, representing both protectors and jailers. They are visible to those who believe and invisible to those who aren't, but beyond that their supernatural abilities are unknown, as are their origins. Why are they so fascinated by this girl and this house? Why do they obey her? What part does the valiant cat play in its apparent battle against these creatures? We never quite find out; certainly things can be extrapolated or assumed, but in the end it all seems almost downplayed, and the question comes up of 'are these questions even necessary to the plot?'. I'm still wrangling with that , but in the end the characters are delightfully layered and live within a richly described world, so the reading is still very much a pleasurable experience.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 23, 2023
Pros:
•this book starts off compelling and is an easy read (I guess because it’s a children’s book, but it would be easy for a child to read, too)
•I liked the supporting characters Jacob and Barry and their budding friendship
Cons:
•This book feels incomplete. The stone animals coming to life was never explained and not really central to the plot. Then the plot related to this gimmick sped up at the end and (sort of?) resolved itself quickly without much explanation. The relationships between Dinah and her friends also felt incomplete, and the conflict between Dinah and Gomer/Rosalie was never resolved (unless we count the ending as resolving that part? But the ending came out of nowhere and related to basically nothing else from the book)
•Most of the characters were annoying and unrealistic. Dinah annoyed me a lot, though I suppose the trauma she’s experienced accounts for a lot of personality traits. It also bothered me that the adults kept saying she “wasn’t like other kids” when she absolutely was.
•Okay small exception is when Dinah casually wants a stone animal to KILL Gomer? That felt out of left field to me and disproportionate to the evil stepparent vibe that was happening prior
Recommendation: Ehh. I am at least 15 years older than the target audience and not always a fantasy fan, but I didn’t love this one. The plot was lacking and the characters were annoying, which doesn’t leave much to love. I suppose I recommend for kids who like fantasy books and animals. I strongly preferred the Charlie Bone series over this one.
•this book starts off compelling and is an easy read (I guess because it’s a children’s book, but it would be easy for a child to read, too)
•I liked the supporting characters Jacob and Barry and their budding friendship
Cons:
•This book feels incomplete. The stone animals coming to life was never explained and not really central to the plot. Then the plot related to this gimmick sped up at the end and (sort of?) resolved itself quickly without much explanation. The relationships between Dinah and her friends also felt incomplete, and the conflict between Dinah and Gomer/Rosalie was never resolved (unless we count the ending as resolving that part? But the ending came out of nowhere and related to basically nothing else from the book)
•Most of the characters were annoying and unrealistic. Dinah annoyed me a lot, though I suppose the trauma she’s experienced accounts for a lot of personality traits. It also bothered me that the adults kept saying she “wasn’t like other kids” when she absolutely was.
•Okay small exception is when Dinah casually wants a stone animal to KILL Gomer? That felt out of left field to me and disproportionate to the evil stepparent vibe that was happening prior
Recommendation: Ehh. I am at least 15 years older than the target audience and not always a fantasy fan, but I didn’t love this one. The plot was lacking and the characters were annoying, which doesn’t leave much to love. I suppose I recommend for kids who like fantasy books and animals. I strongly preferred the Charlie Bone series over this one.
April 20, 2019
I don't even know how to describe this. 11 year old Dinah and her mother are living temporarily in a condemned house that used to be beautiful and almost mansion-like, including having stone griffins. The landlord, also Dinah's mother's employeer, likes the mother, Rosalie, but would like to get Dinah out of the way. Nobody especially wants Dinah, an imaginative, curious, intelligent girl who has no friends and has been isolated by her mother and the landlord. Ghosts of stone animals from a castle wall in the town may have taken up residence in the garden. Dinah and two boys from her school know they're there, but adults only know there is something making them uneasy. How much of what is going on with Dinah is real and how much is her imagination is unclear, and the story gets more and more disorienting until there is a sudden, happy ending. I was certain I knew how the book was going to end-- not happily-- and then there was a deus ex machina, with an ending that we know was "real" because the two boys who have been closest to Dinah see it, but which wrapped things up far too neatly. Still, it was compelling and definitely kept me guessing.
September 3, 2018
I can see why this was nominated for awards. Dinah is a smart girl who has lived a rough life going from one temporary residence to another with her single mom. At one point her Mom “lost her” but now they are reunited. Her mother is easily distracted by nice presents and bright lights, but Dinah sees that her mother’s current boyfriend just wants the Mom and not her around. So she makes friends with the stone animals surrounding the castle down the road and they come to life, offering aid in her fight against her Mom’s evil boyfriend. Along the way she has to come to trust some classmates and realizes that the stone animals’ friendship also has its dangers. Good story but I am not sure if it is one that will appeal more to what adults think kids like rather than what they actually like. But I really like the Dinah character and I think middle grade fantasy readers might too. It is a bit dark though, so may not be good for all readers.
April 16, 2024
Well clearly not for kids. It's a young adult book after all. Not as scary as Hunger Games. that's more for 14 yrs on up. But I wanted a short book to start back in.. It took longer than I though. The only con was the fast ending. Otherwise I loved this little book.. Clearly her mom was just desperate for a husband. Nevermind her daughter. The animals were I think more of a children's think like oh this anime I know Noragami , kids can see the spirit world... and cats (oh look it's Always the movie) anyway. Viola. It's basically Dark Fantasy the Synopsys is lame. Didn't really trap her . The cat led her out :) She coulda done a sequel Hence why I think the ending was rushed... But I don't really like doing this so. Thats my two cents . Haven't finished a book since dec 2022. Like a tiny snowball hope I can get back on track.. Ha literally. Started Jan 15 to April 15 2024 :O As I said it took longer. Hooked on Hero Wars trying to get out of that..
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 14, 2019
I had read this book as a child, but I don't remember it being so dark. Don't let the mention of magic and the illustration of three children on the cover deceive you into thinking this book is akin to Charlie Bone or Harry Potter. It's not.
While I didn't love this book, I did like that the main character, Dinah, is quite flawed. On the other hand, it was driving me crazy that nobody noticed that Dinah was in serious need of psychological help. That made me feel bad for her.
Anyway, I'm not sure this really a book for kids because it deals (and not very well or appropriately at that) with kind of heavy emotional issues.
In conclusion, this book with written well enough and was intriguing to me, but ultimately failed to gain high marks from me because it took on more than it could handle.
While I didn't love this book, I did like that the main character, Dinah, is quite flawed. On the other hand, it was driving me crazy that nobody noticed that Dinah was in serious need of psychological help. That made me feel bad for her.
Anyway, I'm not sure this really a book for kids because it deals (and not very well or appropriately at that) with kind of heavy emotional issues.
In conclusion, this book with written well enough and was intriguing to me, but ultimately failed to gain high marks from me because it took on more than it could handle.
March 23, 2022
I liked the outline of the story but I don't think it was well put together. For me it was kind of all over the place and it wasn't really extremely Interesting. I had no clue why the animals came to life and that bothered me. It took me a while to push through such a short book that should have only taken a day or two to finish. I think there should have been more details and events that happened. I think that Dinah should have been a more fun and easy to get along with character but she's a rude little brat... it's kind of understandable because she's moved so much but so have I and I'm not that way. I also find it very confusing as to why she did the wrong war on her project because if she's so bright then how did she do the wrong war entirely? I love Jenny Nemmo's Charlie Bone and snow spider series but this kind of disappointed me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2020
This is a strange book that put me in mind of Pauline Fisk's award winning "Midnight Blue". Dinah is a bright young girl with a challenging childhood. Her mother has a new boyfriend with a dilapidated house in Cardiff that they move into. But the relationship between Dinah and the boyfriend - Gomer - is a poor one, with no love lost on either side.
Somehow Dinah manages to unleash forces relating to the stone images at the nearby castle. The ensuing story is somewhat disturbing - and the question is whether she will be able to control the forces she has unleashed. Will her school friends be able to help?
This is an interesting, and somewhat strange book. Worth reading though.
Somehow Dinah manages to unleash forces relating to the stone images at the nearby castle. The ensuing story is somewhat disturbing - and the question is whether she will be able to control the forces she has unleashed. Will her school friends be able to help?
This is an interesting, and somewhat strange book. Worth reading though.
April 7, 2020
Very good, but such a sad story about loneliness, odd friendships, fantastic imagination, and Christmas --sort of. I can see why this book was in the library book sale. The story is a good reminder of poverty, desperation, and glimmers of childlike hope. There's a little redemption at the end, but I don't know that I'd say it was a truly "happy ending."
And for once, the book's cover art doesn't really make a lot of sense. It seems only coincidentally related.
And for once, the book's cover art doesn't really make a lot of sense. It seems only coincidentally related.
October 29, 2024
I was not prepared for how dark and unsettling this story was going to be. The cover and description make it seem like an innocent, mysterious story about some kids and a castle. Instead it turned out to be a dark story centered around the trauma and instability of a child being completely neglected. There was a bright moment at the end, but the readers are still left with a lot of questions and unsettling plot points!
Read
October 14, 2019Next in the story I think that Dinah is going to find more animals that are alive. I think that know one else is going to know about the animals until the middle of the story. The reason for this is that sometimes mystical creatures can only be seen by some people. Also I think that Dinah will do good in school because she is determined and will working hard.
June 14, 2022
Very confusing and weird read. Though I liked parts of it, it was just odd. The characters weren’t very likable- even the main character was aloof and stand-off ish. I understand why, but I found that I just couldn’t love her. The friends are nice enough but I still didn’t feel any real empathy or connections toward them. I did enjoy the ending, but it’s not a book I see myself picking up again
February 13, 2019
This was one of two books in a bundle titled Secret Creatures.
It was rather a depressive story. It didn't quite manage to pull me in, but I did want to know the ending. The other book (Milo's Wolves) was better imo.
It was rather a depressive story. It didn't quite manage to pull me in, but I did want to know the ending. The other book (Milo's Wolves) was better imo.
Read
June 23, 2023Could not recommend this book for the age audience it was written for. Seemed dark and some disturbing descriptions. Would have worked better if considered for young adult and up the characters ages towards young high school. Author is good at what she portrays.
February 16, 2017
OMG this a good book guys you should read it because it is so an aventure
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