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alexiastein's review against another edition
medium-paced
5.0
This book is so much fun. I read it when I was in high school and wanted to reread it to see if I still felt the same way- I did. This time I read it to my son and it was really special. It’s creepy and mysterious and still holds up as one of my favorite books.
maconbacon's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
Insanely fast read. Maybe it's because of all the illustrations (which are super evocative and only spoil a couple of chapters), but the 230 or so pages fly by like 50. A story really reminiscent of Coraline, and equally enjoyable.
biscuitcrux's review
4.0
This pops up on What Was That Book as often as William Sleator books, so I thought it was time for me to give it a read. Wow! There's a reason people remember it!
In my library, this is catalogued in the adult section. I consider it a children's book, but it's a horror title that is actually scary, not like that Goosebumps stuff for amateurs. Maybe that's why it's in adult.
Anyway, Harvey Swick is a 10-year-old boy who is incredibly bored with his life. It seems like February will never end, and he has to trudge to school in the snow every day. He hates it. So when a magical man invites him to take a vacation in a wonderful place where you can have whatever you want all the time, Harvey takes it.
At the Holiday House, it's always a perfect day, and the table is always laden with delicious treats. Every morning is a perfect spring morning, the afternoon is a magical summer, the evening brings Halloween fun and frights, and every night is Christmas. Harvey loves it...for awhile.
When perfection starts to become monotonous (about a month, Harvey estimates), Harvey and his friend Wendell want to go home to their parents, but find that they are not allowed to leave. It is then that Harvey discovers the horrible truth about the Holiday House.
I really liked the Bruce Willis Jr. tough guy routine that Harvey executes in the book's 3rd act. Very satisfying.
In my library, this is catalogued in the adult section. I consider it a children's book, but it's a horror title that is actually scary, not like that Goosebumps stuff for amateurs. Maybe that's why it's in adult.
Anyway, Harvey Swick is a 10-year-old boy who is incredibly bored with his life. It seems like February will never end, and he has to trudge to school in the snow every day. He hates it. So when a magical man invites him to take a vacation in a wonderful place where you can have whatever you want all the time, Harvey takes it.
At the Holiday House, it's always a perfect day, and the table is always laden with delicious treats. Every morning is a perfect spring morning, the afternoon is a magical summer, the evening brings Halloween fun and frights, and every night is Christmas. Harvey loves it...for awhile.
When perfection starts to become monotonous (about a month, Harvey estimates), Harvey and his friend Wendell want to go home to their parents, but find that they are not allowed to leave. It is then that Harvey discovers the horrible truth about the Holiday House.
I really liked the Bruce Willis Jr. tough guy routine that Harvey executes in the book's 3rd act. Very satisfying.
jesiki's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
emcantu's review
4.0
This is a young adult book recommended to me by my son. It’s a thriller with amazing illustrations drawn by the author. It was a great, enthralling read that I recommend for any young reader who likes to be scared.
gringoley's review
4.0
This is really an excellent book for a 10-12 year old. It is very well done with a great story and good life lessons without being preachy in any way.
elisweets's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I found this to be a very compelling story with a good theme and meaning. I can't wait for my son to get older and I can begin reading him these kinds of tales.
momotan's review against another edition
3.0
Harvey ha dieci anni, è inverno, e si annoia in camera sua.
Ovvio quindi che quando dalla finestra entra uno strano signore con un sorriso enorme, che lo conosce e si offre di portarlo in una Casa delle Vacanze dove si potrà divertire, Harvey accetta.
Del resto, questa persona vola e conosce tutto... e una volta arrivati a questa casa magica, dove ogni sera è Halloween e ogni notte è Natale, lo fa parlare al telefono coi suoi genitori che gli rivelano di essere d'accordo e di volerlo far stare lì in vacanza fin quando lo vorrà!
Nella casa conosce altri due bambini, scopre le tante meraviglie di quel posto, scopre che il misterioso signor Hood avvera ogni loro desiderio ogni Natale (e cioè ogni notte).
Un luogo perfetto, nessun impegno e divertimento tutto il giorno.
Finché non conosce meglio i quattro individui che stanno sul tetto. E finché non prova a tornare a casa, scoprendo le illusioni della Casa e il tremendo mistero che si nasconde al suo interno...
Una bella storia alla Coraline, piacevole e fiabesca.
Ovvio quindi che quando dalla finestra entra uno strano signore con un sorriso enorme, che lo conosce e si offre di portarlo in una Casa delle Vacanze dove si potrà divertire, Harvey accetta.
Del resto, questa persona vola e conosce tutto... e una volta arrivati a questa casa magica, dove ogni sera è Halloween e ogni notte è Natale, lo fa parlare al telefono coi suoi genitori che gli rivelano di essere d'accordo e di volerlo far stare lì in vacanza fin quando lo vorrà!
Nella casa conosce altri due bambini, scopre le tante meraviglie di quel posto, scopre che il misterioso signor Hood avvera ogni loro desiderio ogni Natale (e cioè ogni notte).
Un luogo perfetto, nessun impegno e divertimento tutto il giorno.
Finché non conosce meglio i quattro individui che stanno sul tetto. E finché non prova a tornare a casa, scoprendo le illusioni della Casa e il tremendo mistero che si nasconde al suo interno...
Una bella storia alla Coraline, piacevole e fiabesca.
schalkneethling's review
5.0
Wow. What a beautiful story this was. [a:Clive Barker|10366|Clive Barker|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1430330407p2/10366.jpg], the master of horror, known for such titles as the Books of Blood, and movies such as Hellraiser, took a different route here, and with great success.
If you thought Clive Barker was not your cup of coffee, I would encourage you to give The Thief of Always another look. Truly a story for all ages.
If you thought Clive Barker was not your cup of coffee, I would encourage you to give The Thief of Always another look. Truly a story for all ages.