First off, I'm so jazzed that Harper has seen fit to re-vamp the covers of the Barbara Michaels books. Don't get me wrong -- I love the old, tacky, V.C. Andrews-ish ones with the cut-outs. But let's face it -- the old covers weren't about to attract new readers.
It's just too bad that they chose this one as one of the first to get a makeover.
I'm not going to go into the details of the story. It's a Barbara Michaels book -- it doesn't really matter. Spooky old mansion that might be haunted, two old friends staying there for the summer to work on a book together, romantic entanglements, more spookiness, possibility of a cult in the village, suspicion everywhere. Classic Barbara Michaels storyline.
Except. The variation-of-The-Haunting-of-Hill-House ending just bites. And I can't believe I'm saying this, but there wasn't enough romance. Kevin wasn't even that likeable. I think it's my least favorite Barbara Michaels book.
Not that that will stop me from re-reading it if I'm in a Barbara Michaels mood and I don't have any others around.
I looooove Barbara Michaels, and I agree with you 100% on this one. Not my favorite but if I'm in that mood and no others are available, I'll read it. What's your favorite one? I admit to being somewhat partial to all the ones from the 70s: The Sea King's Daughter, Patriot's Dream, Witch and maybe The Dark on the Other Side, which freaked me out mightily when I was 13 or 14. :)
Posted by: Lisa | 10 July 2006 at 07:27 PM
I totally meant to warn you not to start with that one because, let's face it, it was kind of lame. The Dark on the Other Side kind of ruled, but the Sea King's Daughter is totally the best.
Posted by: cc | 11 July 2006 at 07:01 AM
Even with the lameness, it made me want more. Summer is prime Barbara Michaels time. The next time Josh and I go to Dad's house, I'm lugging back my box of EP/BM books. Assuming that my sister hasn't stolen them all, of course.
Posted by: Leila | 11 July 2006 at 07:34 AM
Oh, but they are STILL doing the "Okay, I suppose technically that description is accurate in that accords with the basic facts, but COME ON, it ain't really like that" back-of-the-book blurbs. Who writes those things? because the BM person stinks at it.
Posted by: cc | 11 July 2006 at 07:41 AM