'Gravenhunger' by Harriet Goodwin
When 13-year-old Phoenix goes to spend the summer at Gravenhunger Manor, the ancestral home of his dead mother, he uncovers a dark family secret. Phoenix is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery, but as the secret begins to unravel, he finds himself in grave danger.
Your reviews
Review by Lily Bisseker
I thought this book was good. The book is about a boy called Phoenix who was told that he had to spend his summer at Gravenhunger Manor with his cousin. His dead mother, Elvira, hadn't told them that she owned this house but left it to them in her will. This was because of the deadly secret she had taken to the grave. For all their holiday Phoenix and his cousin are trying to dig up the unknown secret.
My favourite character was Lorenzo, Elvira's younger brother, because he seemed quite sweet and I felt sorry for him because he died at such a young age.
I thought the story was good, but you knew what the secret was while Phoenix and his cousin were still discovering it which made it a bit boring at the end. I think the people aged from seven to eleven would enjoy this story.
Review by Nell Beasley
I thought this book was good. Sadly Phoenix's mother Elvira passed away. He is devastated. His dad arranged a holiday in Gravenhunger Manor – Phoenix has never heard of the place! A letter from his mother explains it all. He never knew his mother owned a house like Gravenhunger. Phoenix and his cousin Rose arrive at the manor, but as he explores he loses his mother's precious keepsake, the silver angel. He searches everywhere for it but there's nothing for it, he will have to dig for it and isn't long before earth is piling on top of him. The word going around is that Phoenix's mother had a brother, Lorenzo, who went missing and Elvira knew something. Phoenix has got himself in grave danger but he's just looking for trouble!
My favourite character was Rose because she is sensible and reliable and is not mean or careless. She seems like she is very nice in the way she helps Phoenix when he's in trouble!
The story was good but slightly hard to get into the plot was quite difficult to understand but I liked it a lot! The age group should be eight minimum to enjoy this story. But you must love reading to really get into it. People who like a lot of action and excitement will like it.
Review by Callie Steggall
The story is about a young boy named Phoenix. He has just lost his beloved mother Elvira. She was a very secretive person and a few secrets are revealed to Joel, Phoenix's father, and Phoenix. One of those very surprising and dark secrets was that she owned a very strange mansion called Gravenhunger Manor. Phoenix finds a life-changing letter that Elvira sent Joel and part of it said: 'But something terrible happened there, Joel, and I will never forgive myself for it.' So Phoenix is determined to find out what happened all those years ago.
I thought this book was great. The story was very amusing and touching but sometimes it was a little frustrating when there was a different chapter for a different character. My favourite character is Rose because she is very understanding and kind when Phoenix is a little angry.
Probably 9 to 12 age group would enjoy this story because the vocabulary is about their literacy level.
Review by Helena White
I thought this book was great. Phoenix finds out that his mother left Gravenhunger Manor to his father when she died. With his dad, he goes there for his holiday with his cousin Rose. When he explores the grounds, there's a mysterious mound of earth over the river. Phoenix and Rose find out that the day his mother arrived, her younger brother went missing and she blamed herself for it. Phoenix and Rose experience extreme danger while they unravel the mystery of the mound and the fate of the brother and Gravenhunger.
My favorite character is Lorenzo, Phoenix's uncle, who was the victim of the curse. The details of his dreadful past bring the story to life. He was involved with the curse when he went over to the river to see what his older sister was doing with the mound, and to sail his boat.
It's a good story because when you start to get into the adventure, the effects of the spookiness draw you in and make you want to read more. Any people who like spooky mysteries will love it.
Review by Ishika Ali
This book was okay. Phoenix discovers a note in his dad's study from his mother who had passed away. It is about something that happened during his mother's stay at Gravenhunger Manor which drove the family away. During his summer stay at the manor, Phoenix is determined to uncover his mum's secret.
Rose is my favourite character because she is more calm and less irritible than Phoenix. It is Rose who is the hero (not Phoenix) because she saves Phoenix twice.
The story was brilliant because there was lots of suspense. The people who would enjoy this story are nine years and over, both boys and girls. 10 out of 10.
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