Lightning Falls

I read this book as I have already read A Girl called Owl and Owl and The Lost Boy. Once again, incredible story. So much magic that draws you in. Now I'm off to purchase another of Amy Wilson's books 😁

This is the third book I’ve read by Amy Wilson and the third one I’ve loved. It’s bursting with beautiful description which conjures up a wonderful atmosphere & vivid imagery of the ghost house by the waterfall & the magical town of Orbis. Strong characterisation & an exciting plot full of twists and turns which will make you gasp.

I'm always like a young kid on Christmas morning when I open up a new book by Amy Wilson.Why?Because every book she's written has taken me on a fantabulous adventure, with unique loveable characters, set in tangibly magical worlds.And reading 'Lightning Falls' was no exception. I fell in love with the Ghost House & family, was enchanted by the mysteriously magical Lightning Falls and was happily swept away into its world.In fact, I think this may have become one of my favourite books written by Amy.With a stunning pretty cover and bags of magic, mystery and adventure - this is the perfect book to buy as a gift. But I'd recommend you get yourself a copy too - this may be a children's book but it is definitely also enjoyable for adults.A wonderful middle grade book for lovers of books with adventure, magic, fantasy, mystery, friendship/family themes & strong unforgettable characters.

I loved the atmospheric imagery at the start, I could really picture the creepy hotel with the river and bridge. There was a very unique magic system and story. I think my only complaint is that the blurb on the back of the book gives too much away!

This was a cute story that was a very interesting premise. I feel like for such a short book it worked well, and would actually do well at being adapted into a movie! I liked the characters and even though the book was so short they were mostly fully formed and weren't bland. They could have benefitted from a more in depth intro and backstory but it mostly worked well the way it was. Some of the characters did seem a bit random as you didn't get to know them but for such a short book it didn't matter a huge amount! So yeah, it could have done with being a bit more fleshed out in some areas, I think overall it worked, and I didn't really think about it until the end.

Amy’s writing is always a little bit magical, a little bit thought-provoking, and a little bit special. Her newest novel, Lightning Falls, certainly fits into this category. With a haunted house, a hallowed ghost, and a glimmering portal into another world, there is plenty for readers to become immersed in.Once again, Amy has created a vivid imaginary world which is tantalisingly close to the world we inhabit. Lightning Falls is connected to the magical world of Orbis by a shimmering rainbow bridge but (almost) no one knows it. All it would take to visit there would be quick feet and nerves of steel.From the first page I was sucked into the ageing Ghost House with its clanking and mischief, and loved the close relationships between the haphazard collection of ghosts who haunted there. I loved meeting Valerie and the makeshift family she lived with. And like any family, there are the jokes, the disagreements, and the fierce loyalty to one another.If the book’s readers are anything like me, after reading, they’ll be keeping their eyes peeled for any signs of magic leaking out of themselves or their surroundings – desperately hoping that they just might be able to find their way into Orbis.

The story follows Valerie who has been living at the ghostly tourist destination 'Ghost House' for as long as she can remember, where she lives to haunt the guests with the rest of her ghostly family, but why can she taste and feel, where the other ghosts can't? Who is the mysterious boy who turned up on the viaduct? And what is behind the iron-lined door?This was such an enjoyable read, what started out as a ghost story with a dash of mystery, quickly got sprinkled with magic, and became a gripping mystery into the bargain. As a reader this was such an unexpected blending of the different genres, and a great surprise.The feeling that all is not quite right, and wanting to know what a Hallowed Ghost is exactly, drove the story on, and the strong theme of family, and what makes someone belong, is well done.A light quick Middle Grade read, and one that has definitely made me want to read more of Amy Wilson's books.

Amy Wilson has this incredible talent for creating worlds in which readers can lose themselves. Lightning Falls and Orbis are neighbouring towns divided by a magical rainbow bridge, though no one is encouraged to travel between the two.Valerie is a hallowed ghost living in The Ghost House with her ghostly family. While the other ghosts have a past and a death they can remember, Valerie does not. She can also eat, drink and sleep, unlike the others. Tormenting visitors to the house is part of the daily chores for the family. People flock to the house for the thrills and chills of the ghostly entertainment.When a strange, flickering boy appears to Valerie, she has no idea that he will be the link to her past and future. Untrusting of his words and actions, she disbelieves his comments about her not belonging in Ghost House. It takes best friend, Meg, to help her figure out her doubts, questions and longing for answers about who she is, her past and her natural family.What follows is an exciting adventure in uncovering a villain amongst her family and coming to terms with his evil deeds and reasons. Power hungry for the magic that exudes from Valerie and Joe, and from the magical town of Orbis, this villain has used it to remain young and to cheat death.Utterly fabulous, this tale flows off the page and transports the reader into a new world where magic reigns and family are those you love and trust, regardless of shape, size and form.