Author: Malia Ann Haberman
eBook
Pub. Date: Aug. 15, 2012
Publisher: Crossroad Press
Source: provided by author for honest review
Check it out on: Goodreads / Barnes & Noble /
Amazon
Goodreads Summary:
In Chase Tinker's world, magic, lies and secrets can be a lethal combination...
Thirteen-year-old Chase Tinker can't understand why he has the power to move things with his mind. Besides that, his dad has been missing for over a year, causing his mom to be too upset to pay much attention to her sons, so now he's been busted for shoplifting. As if this isn't enough to worry about, his younger brother Andy suddenly has a weird magical ability too.
Can things get any crazier? Chase thinks.
Then, a grandfather they thought to be long dead arrives at their door. He wants Chase and Andy to come visit him for the summer so they can learn about their supernatural heritage and why they have magical powers in the first place.
The boys soon find out that Grandfather, along with their cousin Janie, lives on a remote island in the middle of Puget Sound in an out-of-this-world house where fantastic magic can be found in practically every room, stairway and corridor. Chase can't believe their dad has been keeping so much from them.
It's an even bigger shock when Chase learns that all their magic is controlled by a very powerful and mysterious Relic in the attic, and if anything happens to this relic, every bit of Tinker magic will be lost forever. He's even more disturbed when he learns his family has a dark and powerful enemy that is determined to steal all their magic, their house and their relic.
Now Chase must find a way to stop these evil beings, while at the same time figuring out what has happened to his dad, unraveling even more Tinker lies and secrets and not letting on that he has a huge crush on the housekeeper's daughter.
Starting Lines:
It was a sinister place, like something straight out of a nightmare. Cold as an icy winter night; darkness and evil seemed to live in every stone, crevice, and corner of the centuries-old building. It was especially so in the dungeon-like basement where water dribbled from cracked, mossy walls and the rough stone floors were blanketed in scum.
My Thoughts:
Chase Tinker is far from being a normal 13-year-old. His father went missing a couple months back, his mother is working double shifts to pay the rent for their crappy apartment, his little brother is... well, his little brother, and Chase himself always gets in trouble. But there's more to Chase than he lets on.
He has the power to use telekinesis. And for a while, he's alone, until his little brother, Andy, suddenly stops a skateboarder from running Chase over... by stopping time.
I bet you didn't see that one coming :)
Then all of the sudden, Chase & Andy's long-dead grandfather (who apparently isn't dead anymore) appears at their front door, telling them that their dad is alive and on the verge of being rescued, and that they should come away with him for the summer so they could learn to control this wonderful ability they have.
And it's like a dream come true for Chase and Andy.
Their father is alive and well.
Their grandfather is alive and well.
They have awesome powers.
And now they get to go on a wonderful trip to their grandfather's magical house.
Plus, Chase gets a little crush on the housekeeper's cute daughter...
But with power comes great responsibility.
And with power comes evil.
There will always be that power-hungry lunatic trying to take everything for themselves.
The only question is: Will the Tinker's be ready to stop them before it's too late?
Let me start off by saying that I've never read a book, in the fantasy genre, with images so perfectly clear and descriptions that didn't leave me mind-boggled for, like, and entire half hour. I didn't have to go back and reread anything, I didn't have to spend the next ten minutes trying to decipher the true meaning of the words, and I didn't space out anywhere in the ENITRE book! (Notice that I've just died and gone to heaven)
Chase Tinker and the House of Magic is a wonderfully written clash between Alice in Wonderland and Harry Potter. It's got everything, from giant houses with moving staircases to walking hat stands and grinning ferrets (FERRETS!!! :D).
And the best part? It's not boring. It's not full of cliches. It's not confusing in any way. And besides, it has everything a middle-grade book should have. It's funny, witty, exciting, bone-chilling, romantic, adventurous, and MAGICAL!
The Characters
Chase Tinker is, primarily, the main character. He's a cool kid, barely reaching his teen years. He's the sort of boy that, the more you get to know him, the more you love him. It's impossible not to. It's one of those attractions you can't run away from. He's not difficult to understand either. Even though the story is written in third person, Chase's thoughts and feelings were easy enough to get. I fell in love his witty sense of humor and his undying enthusiasm, it's just so addicting!
His little bro, Andy, is as cute as can be! He's the little guy anyone would want as a brother. Besides, he's hilarious and smart. He's 10 1/2, but he hasn't lost his little-boy charm yet. It's adorable.
Together the two brothers are inseparable. Ever since Andy discovered his time-stopping power, the connection between the brother's has strengthened.
Let's hope it's enough to keep the bad guy away :)
Plot
Apart from: magical, truly captivating, and fluidly paced, I can only describe the plot in one other word: unique.
So, ok, there are some resemblances to things in other books, but what Malia Ann Haberman has done to add those finishing touches to the magic is... it's just out of this world. Imaginative doesn't even start to cover it. The story is a whirlwind between the used and the original. It's a nice mix too. This way, you never know what to expect. And trust me, expect the unexpected in this book (Keep an extra sharp eye on that ferret, Maxwell. He's a tricky little devil he is. Adorable, but tricky).
Overall
I honestly can't believe I hadn't heard of this book before. In my opinion, it should be in every elementary school library. Kids will LOVE this! And so would tweens/teens. It's an adventure you just can't miss!
I couldn't get enough of Chase and Andy, or the Magic House, or their wonderful adventure together through this magical place.
I highly recommend this one to anyone at all. It's a fun, light read that makes you smile all the way :)
Check out the top post for an exclusive interview with Malia Ann Haberman and a GIVEAWAY!!!
I would love to read this as I too have always wanted to move things with my mind!
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