Her Perilous Mansion by Sean Williams
Allen & Unwin, 2020. ISBN: 9781760877361. pbk., 336 pp.
(Age: Middle school+) Sean Williams brings us his new stand-alone
middle grade fantasy novel.
Her Perilous Mansion is a wonderfully written story about two
children that find themselves working in some strange mansion miles
from anywhere. Almanac is an orphan boy and Elta is the youngest of
12 daughters. They both have been invited to the mansion and work
side by side in the largely deserted rooms. They never meet the
inhabitants of the mansion but do talk to them through the walls,
doors and chimneys. They soon realise that this is not an ordinary
mansion and they are trapped there and quickly realise they have to
solve a puzzle to leave.
I enjoyed reading this fun filled story of mystery, magic and
fantasy. I wanted to learn more about the characters and their
background that were living within the mansion and how they got
there and why could they not show themselves.
I liked the way Sean has set the novel which kept you reading and
solving the pieces of the puzzle to break the spell upon the
mansion. He does know how to keep a reader reading.
Middle grade who enjoy fantasy with adventure will enjoy reading Her
Perilous Mansion while trying to uncover the secrets the
mansion holds.
Maria Komninos