It was the title of this one that caught my eye – and the thought that it might appeal to my rather picky grandson, given his love of the Lemony Snickett series. But I was also keen to tuck into this rather gothic-sounding children’s adventure…
BLURB: April didn’t mean to start the fire. She wasn’t even the one who broke the vase. She had absolutely no intention of becoming the only person who knows that Gabriel Winterborne, the missing-and-presumed-dead billionaire, is neither missing nor dead and is actually living in the 
basement of Winterborne House, sharpening his swords and looking for vengeance. Now that April knows Gabriel Winterborne is alive, it’s up to her to keep him that way. But there’s only so much a twelve-year-old girl can do, so April must turn to the other orphans for help. Together, they’ll have to unravel the riddle of a missing heir and a creepy legend, and find a secret key, before the only home they’ve ever known is lost to them forever.
This book starts with a bang as April finds herself caught up in a museum fire, giving us a good opportunity to bond with the main protagonist. I found April to be very engaging – she’s an orphan who has bounced around the highly unsatisfactory care system and been with a number of foster-families. She could so easily have been a victim, but is far too tough and wary – although her dogged belief that her mother will, one day, come for her is a poignant reminder of her vulnerability.
After finding herself living in the Winterborne House with the lovely, generous Ms Nelson and a group of other orphans, April becomes aware that all is not what it seems – and the adventure takes off from there. Fast-paced and occasionally taking the children’s ingenuity and stamina beyond the bounds of belief, I nevertheless thoroughly enjoyed the rollicking story.
However, my main grizzle is that this story was left on something of a cliffhanger ending, and neither Goodreads nor Amazon have indicated that this is the first in a series. Obviously Carter is assuming there will be another book, but it would be nice if her young readers had some reassurance of that fact, too. And yes… I have knocked a point off, as I happen to think it’s important. The ebook arc copy of Winterborne House for Vengeance and Valor was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest opinion of the book.
7/10
Mar10
Brainfluff 
This sounds like a fun children’s read. I completely agree about the need for some clarity as to whether or not there will be a sequel. Not knowing would drive me crazy.
Yes, that was a the bit that annoyed me. Not fair to readers – or the author, for that matter…
It’s so perplexing when you read a book and it feels like there should be more but nothing is forthcoming! Help!!
Lynn 😀
Yes – I took the unusual step of having a bit of a moan to the publisher in my feedback. I don’t normally do that – but I do think it will hurt the book and that’s a shame.
Shoot! This cover looks so enticing, I was thinking of seeing if an e-book version was in our library system for Blondie. Maybe we’ll just keep working with other stories.
Yes… I really enjoyed it, but I think she would be rather fed up at the end, if the story isn’t continued. Best to wait and see if the publisher is going to continue with it, I suppose.