Bibliovermis

The Aviary, by Kathleen O’Dell

19 Nov 2012 ★ ★ ★ ★☆ ☆ bookshop.orgBuy the book

The Aviary. Kathleen O'Dell. Book Review: Clara Dooley has spent most of her life in the decaying Glendoveer mansion with her mother; the maid, Ruby; and Mrs. Glendoveer herself, a magician's widow. The only other company is an aviary full of cacophonous birds, long-lived and very dear to the kind old woman. As Mrs. Glendoveer grows ill, the birds begin to speak—and Clara discovers a magical mystery, and a dark tragedy in the past of the Glendoveers... This book has great atmosphere and an interesting mystery. Some elements of the story are superfluous to the plot, but overall this book is engaging and wraps up its mysteries to reader satisfaction.

Good for: fans of kids' gothic horror and mystery. It has a lot in common with books like Splendors and Glooms, (while not as scary) Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, and (while not as funny) The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place.

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