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Withering-by-Sea: A Stella Montgomery Intrigue
Withering-by-Sea: A Stella Montgomery Intrigue | Judith Rossell
8 posts | 11 read | 9 to read
A Victorian fantasy-adventure, perfect for fans of Wildwood, Lemony Snicket and Tensy Farlow Ages: 9+ High on a cliff above the gloomy coastal town of Withering-by-Sea stands the Hotel Majestic. Inside the walls of the damp, dull hotel, eleven-year-old orphan Stella Montgomery leads a miserable life with her three dreadful Aunts. But one night, Stella sees something she shouldn't have ... Something that will set in motion an adventure more terrifying and more wonderful than she could ever have hoped for ... From hugely talented Australian writer-illustrator Judith Rossell comes a thrilling and gripping Victorian fantasy-adventure, the first in an extraordinarily exciting new series. 'Wildly imaginative, darkly funny. I was hooked from the first page.' - Jen Storer, author of tensy Farlow and the Home for Mislaid Children 'Withering-by-Sea is a delightful, thoroughly enjoyable book ... Lots of detail and a sharp ear for cockney-style dialect brings sparkling life to both the setting and characters. this is recommended for fans of Lemony Snicket, 'the Sisters Grimm' and 'Verity Sparks'.' - Australian Books+Publishing WINNER - 2015 Indie Awards, Book of the Year: Children's & YA WINNER - 2015 Australian Book Industry Awards, Book of the Year: Older Children HONOUR BOOK - 2015 Children's Book Council of Australia Awards WINNER - 2015 Davitt Awards SHORTLISTED - 2014 Aurealis Awards
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review
Joanne1
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Pickpick

The first in the Stella Montgomery series, this Victorian era middle grade mystery is full of intrigue and secrets. The gothic setting, grand hotel, creepy marshland complete the abandoned village and crumbling seaside castle adds to the spookiness and suspense. And Stella is gutsy, loyal and fiercely intelligent. A really wonderful young readers mystery, perfect for curling up in front of the fire with on a cold windy night.

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Centique
Withering-by-Sea | Judith Rossell
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Pickpick

Home with a sick kidlet, and I‘m in a bit of a reading slump, so a middle grade mystery full of seaside pier magicians, spooky grey marshes and Victorian spa treatments is just the pick me up I needed.

CarolynM Hope the young one feels better soon🌻 5y
batsy Hope the kidlet gets well soon! And you've totally sold me on this book 😁 5y
erzascarletbookgasm I love the sound and look of this book! Hope your little one feels better in no time, and you out of the reading slump soon. 5y
See All 6 Comments
mabell This looks like fun! 5y
Centique Thanks guys @CarolynM @batsy @erzascarletbookgasm he is pretty content but his cough is keeping both him and me awake at night 😬 5y
Centique @mabell it is heaps of fun - smart idea to use all those Victorian trappings and setting with a more modern kids mystery plot. 👍 5y
76 likes1 stack add6 comments
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julesG
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Look, there is a little black cat named Shadow in this story. It's very smart. 😻

#German edition ARC of tagged book.

#aufDeutsch

Riveted_Reader_Melissa I used to have a little black cat named Shadow. So cute. 6y
julesG @Riveted_Reader_Melissa We have a black cat named Shadow, so this coincidence is going to be a pleasant surprise for my daughter. She's reading this book too, but at a slower pace. 6y
Sace Ich habe eine schwarze Katze. Er heisst Bat. Bat ist nicht eine kleine Katze. Er is eine grosse Katze. (Please pardon my rotten German.) 6y
julesG @RestlessFickleBookHoarder that was good. I'd just change the third sentence to "Bat ist keine kleine Katze." 6y
Sace Danke! I'm also trying to practice as much as possible without the help of Google translate. 6y
64 likes5 comments
review
GlassAsDiamonds
Withering-by-Sea | Judith Rossell
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Pickpick

A lovely middle-grade novel with clever minimalist illustrations. This hardback edition also has a ribbon bookmark! Enjoyable and, what I particularly liked: there are some good & trustworthy adults, some characters are brave and resourceful and Stella, the title character, hugs an atlas a lot 😊😊😊. An Australian author and highly recommend (but someone who isn‘t American....what on earth do we call the “Middle Grade” genre at home?!?!).

GlassAsDiamonds Oh - it‘s also my #13books13weeks first book if we don‘t count a DNF I am resolved to pick up again, potentially... 7y
TheHeartlandBookFairy Love the cover, great review! 7y
28 likes2 comments
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thegirlwiththelibrarybag
Withering-by-Sea | Judith Rossell
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Oops, forgot to load this #RiotGrams celebrating pictures, panels and illustration 🎨

Featuring my much abused fingers 🤕

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Jeg
Withering-by-Sea | Judith Rossell
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Op shop today. The one I've pointed to is a kids book but I couldn't resist , as an object. It is hard cover , has its own book mark, lovely paper. Feels soooo good. @MrsMalaprop

review
Rlwadham
Withering-by-Sea | Judith Rossell
Pickpick

Great old fashioned setting with just the right touch of adventure leaves things with potential for a sequel although it's all wrapped up nicely

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thegirlwiththelibrarybag
Withering-by-Sea | Judith Rossell
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This book is so pretty! Kid detectives getting the job done kinda my favourite genre! 💜💜

9 likes2 stack adds