Saturday, May 21, 2011

BOOK REVIEW: The Ivory Rose

Title: The Ivory Rose


Author: Belinda Murrell

Publisher: Random House

RRP: $15.95

ISBN: 9781742750712

Release Date: Ma7 2011



Description:

An ivory rose charm is the beginning of a terrifying adventure in 1890s Sydney in this gothic ghost story - another thrilling time slip tale for girls from best-loved author Belinda Murrell.

DESCRIPTION OF BOOK

Jemma has just landed her first job, babysitting Sammy. It's in Rosethorne, one of the famous witches' houses near where she lives. Sammy says the house is haunted by a sad little girl, but Jemma doesn't know what to believe.



One day when the two girls are playing hide and seek, Jemma discovers a rose charm made of ivory. As she touches the charm she sees a terrifying flashback. Is it the moment the ghost was murdered? Jemma runs for her life, falling down the stairs and tumbling into unconsciousness.



She wakes up in 1895, unable to get home. Jemma becomes an apprentice maidservant at Rosethorne - but all is not well in the grand house. Young heiress Georgiana is constantly sick. Jemma begins to suspect Georgiana is being poisoned, but who would poison her, and why? Jemma must find the proof in order to rescue her friend - before time runs out.

REVIEWS

'This book is amazing … It had me on my edge for days after I'd read it! To fans of Belinda, this book is a must!' Grace, age 12



'I loved it! A page turner.' Alice, age 13



'I found that this book was thrilling and that I could relate to the characters in the book, especially Jemma. Once I got into it I would stay up late at night reading, to find out what happened next. I learnt about how people would have dressed, talked, walked and acted in the 1900s.' Hannah, age 12



Praise for THE RUBY TALISMAN:

* 'THE RUBY TALISMAN possesses all the hallmarks of a classic adventure novel. The action is fast-paced, the characters gutsy, the settings enticing and the danger ever present. Through the many twists and turns, Murrell never loses sight of her aims to entertain and enthrall. Highly recommended for ages nine and above.' THE SUN HERALD

* 'A real page turner. THE RUBY TALISMAN is another excellent time-slip story from Belinda Murrell.' THE READING STACK

Review:

I found that this book was thrilling and that I could relate to the characters in the book, especially Jemma. Once I got into it I would stay up late at night reading, to find out what happened next. I learnt about how people would have dressed, talked, walked and acted in the 1900s.

Jemma lives in Annandale, Sydney and is very excited about her new job babysitting Sammy, a young girl who lives in Rosethorne, also known as one of the Witches Houses. It is during a game of Hide and Seek and the finding of a small ivory rose pendant, that Jemma sees something disturbing. She flees from the vision but falls down the stairs and is knocked unconscious. When she wakes, she is still in Annandale but it’s 1895. She is rescued by a young Irish lad called Ned and taken to the Rosethorne and offered work as an apprentice maidservant. It’s here she meets the young heiress, Georgiana, who is constantly sick. The two become friends but Jemma soon has her suspicions about why a young girl would be so ill and that perhaps it has something to do with the frightening vision she saw just before her fall down the stairs. This is not only a fascinating glimpse back in time to the Sydney of 1895 but it is a well-written, intriguing mystery driven by a feisty, curious Jemma, who, even in the face of danger, isn’t afraid to stand up for what she believes is right.

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