Meh. Based on the writing style I'd say this is a tween/early teen book. Now, that's not a bad thing necessarily. However, if you're going to write a book clearly for younger readers, lay off the swearing! Maybe there are enough parents who don't really care, but I wouldn't feel comfortable recommending this book to a 12 year old knowing there are F-this, shit-that, damn-here and ass-there. I figure the quantity and severity made this an older teen book, but the writing just wasn't there.

It drug in the middle...bah...it SO stalled out I almost gave it up.

The editing was pretty bad. I've seen worse, but it was pretty bad.

The really trite cliches got on my nerves.

If there is a second book I will not read it. (Unless of course after ten minutes I completely forget about this book and don't realize it's the sequel?) ( )

Meh. Based on the writing style I'd say this is a tween/early teen book. Now, that's not a bad thing necessarily. However, if you're going to write a book clearly for younger readers, lay off the swearing! Maybe there are enough parents who don't really care, but I wouldn't feel comfortable recommending this book to a 12 year old knowing there are F-this, shit-that, damn-here and ass-there. I figure the quantity and severity made this an older teen book, but the writing just wasn't there.

It drug in the middle...bah...it SO stalled out I almost gave it up.

The editing was pretty bad. I've seen worse, but it was pretty bad.

The really trite cliches got on my nerves.

If there is a second book I will not read it. (Unless of course after ten minutes I completely forget about this book and don't realize it's the sequel?) ( )

This review has been crossposted from my blog at The Cosy Dragon . Please head there for more in-depth reviews by me, which appear on a timely schedule.

Emily comes home to a grumpy old aunt and an odd creature in her tree house. She's about to head off cross country, and indeed, across time and space, in a journey that will make her look at her whole life differently. Emily must find herself, and prevent a great evil from surfacing after more than 1000 years.

I was expecting something in the realm of a spunky heroine who was willing to take on anything to protect her family and friends. I sort of got that, but I felt that Emily could have had a bit more spine for a 14 year old. More spine Emily! Less weeping about things that can't be changed and more kicking butt. Also, less being pigheaded about the benefits of meditation and more doing.

Fanny was just irritating. It didn't help that I was fond of Fanny in Enid Blyton's classic, The Faraway tree, and comparing this Fanny - well, she was a bit flat. I much preferred Jake to either of the two girls, he seemed hard and sensible.

The concepts of time and space brought up in this novel are very interesting ones, and that's what made the novel to me. Physics is something I have difficulty understanding (and never linked) but I have a healthy respect for those who do). The continuum between this world and other worlds is always interesting.

Much of this novel is about Emily's training in the Netherworld. The world there is like one your couldn't imagine, but could. You'd understand if you read it. Confusing isn't it? The journey to the Netherworld is pretty exciting - but it's never cleared up how much money Fanny spent (or where they were in the first place).

For me, this book wasn't a gripper. I would probably recommend it for mature children and early teens. There are references to 'making love' and 'making-out' but that's about as bad as it gets. Plenty of ass jokes/references, so I guess if you're sensitive to those, don't read it. The teenage language might be more suitable to teenagers - maybe I'm getting too old for this type of book? ( )

I am always leary when I accept a YA fantasy book for review, as I never know if I will be able to get through the book. I had these thoughts with Emily's House but my fears were unwarranted. I enjoyed this book a lot, so much in fact I hope to read the next in the series. What caught my attention was the Celtic mysticism, I love anything with a Celtic/Irish twist. This book was very easy to read and understand. Very fast paced and action packed, good versus evil with some mythology thrown in for good measure. I think this book is great for YA and and any age for that matter. You will love and cheer on the characters as they do battle with the bad guy. ( )