The House at the End of the Sea is an enthralling, contemporary fantasy adventure that kept me completely captivated throughout.

Saffi has started a new life with her father and younger brother, Milo, living with her grandparents in their B & B (Fortune House) in Flamborough Head on the Yorkshire coastline. The family are grieving the loss of the children’s mum, a death that seven-year-old Milo is struggling to accept which has led to him telling lies and having angry outbursts. Whilst grandma is welcoming, there is a much more strained relationship between granddad and his son.

When Saffi wakes in the middle of the night, she hears the laughter of guests arriving but, when she goes to investigate, her grandma sends her back to bed. The following morning, she notices strange changes in her new home: a pantry now filled with posh food, wallpaper changing colour, a bell constantly ringing, and a strange face in the mirror. Could these changes have something to do with their elusive guests, guests that seem to scare her grandparents. Could they be the reason for the awkwardness between her father and granddad?

On a beach walk, Saffi and Milo hear the sound of a flute which leads them to the boy they had first met when arriving in Breakwell: Birdy. When Saffi shares the strange things that she has witnessed at Fortune House, Birdy tells her that her ancestor may have made a bargain with those from another world.

Saffi is determined to discover the truth behind her family’s dark, supernatural secret and so begins an incredible adventure that held me completely mesmerised. Will Saffi be able to break the contract which has been made by her ancestor, a contract that has become a curse upon the family? Can she find a way into another world to undo the bargain made by her ancestor for which generations of her family have suffered?

This is a gripping, tense and atmospheric read where I was never quite sure who could be trusted, a story where danger lurks and where feuds bring mistrust and accusations.

This story sensitively explores some powerful themes including grief at a parent’s death, the impact of British colonialism, and dual heritage identity.

Saffi is an incredibly sympathetic young girl. She is grieving the loss of her mother, and trying to help her young brother, Milo, through his grief. She feels like she is in two worlds due to her dual heritage, and not quite belonging in either, a feeling that is accentuated by her discoveries in her grandparents’ home. Saffi shows great courage in discovering the truth of her family’s past, facing up to its detrimental impact on her family, and in being prepared to enter another world to attempt to bargain with those who are notoriously tricksy.

A gripping, magical mystery where fortune and forfeit dual, and where hope lies in one girl’s ability to open her eyes to the beauty of two worlds. This is one I would highly recommend to readers of 9+.

Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Cancer, Death of parent, and Toxic Familial Relationships
Minor: Racism

Representations: https://trello.com/c/eaeLp1FJ/106-the-house-at-the-end-of-the-sea-by-victoria-m-adams

This was quite a quick read, I think my only criticism is the length of the book wasn't quite enough to tackle all the topics it tried to. A lot seems to happen off-screen, reveals and twists have to be resolved very fast, and I'm honestly not sure over how many days this takes place but it feels like only a couple despite everything happening really quickly.

I loved the characters, they did feel mostly flat but I liked especially the kids anyway. The adults, really felt like there was way too many of them and most of them served to only progress the plot a little or fit into a single scene and that was it. There was quite a lot of character development, but again it felt pretty rushed.

The story I did really quite enjoy though and the magical world as well. It didn't feel overly unique, but it was pretty tense and intriguing! The magical creatures as well I felt where pretty neat characters and I'll be honest, some of them felt more rounded out than the main characters!

I think if you want a nice, simple, coast-side magical tale that's a quick read you'll like this. If you're wanting something deeper and something that explores the proposed themes more, you might want something else.

A delightful story of how kind and loving Saffi saves her family from a blessing / curse brought about by her greedy ancestor. Alongside her new found friend Birdy , she bravely and cleverly pits her wits against a fairy Queen to free her family. The whole family enjoyed this book. Tackles grief in a sensitive way.