Monday, January 12, 2015

Witherwood Reform School by Obert Skye

It all began as a nasty joke on their governess.  She was a big fat unpleasant person who had no desire to be friendly or nice to her charges.  When she punished Charlotte for nothing, Tobias decides to get even.  He puts a batch of tadpoles in the gravy boat.  She's so busy eating and yelling at him that she stuffs them in her mouth...

Macmillan Children's Publishing Group and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published March 3rd, so make a note to pick it up then.

This is creepy tale all the way around.  The governess quits, their father gets mad at and them and takes them out to the country.  He deserts them in front of a reform school, essentially washing his hands of them.  His wife has died and he doesn't know how to raise children, work and keep his sanity.  Of course, as soon as he gets home, he regrets his action and goes back after them.  In his speed to return, he has an accident.  When he awakens, he doesn't know who he is or how he got to the hospital or that he has children.

In the meantime, the two children have managed to get up to the school and out of the rain.  What they don't realize is that people within are not their friends either.  It's almost a case of out the frying pan into the fire.  Things were bad at home.  But things are worse here.

It's an odd school with strange instructors and brainwashed student.  Big creatures they've never seen before prowl the grounds at night.  And if you persist in trying to escape, you get to have your brain erased, too.  Sounds like a great place, right?

It's an interesting tale but it doesn't give you much closure.  When you reach the end of the book, you feel like you should put it down and pick up the next installment in the tale.  I found this disconcerting and a bit disappointing.  I have no problem with further adventures but this was more like an unfinished story.  It's all a matter of style and what you like to read.  This left me wanting but young ones may find it tantalizing and exciting to wait for the next book.


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