The story follows Nine, an orphan, who is desperate for a home to call her own. After stealing an ornament from a stranger, she gets more than she bargained for when the ornament grows into a house! However, this isn't like any other house; inside Nine finds Dr Spoon, Eric the troll and Flabberghast who tell her that the house has been cursed - this means that they are unable to leave, but also that there are many strange things that happen inside, including the tea cupboard being enchanted, the toilet walks around ... and it's up to Nine to undo the curse.
This was a great book with a whole heap of wonderful characters. Nine herself is feisty and determined; she's been on her own for so long that she cannot show her true emotions, yet internally she longs for nothing more than a home to call her own and to feel like she belongs somewhere. It's undoubtedly this reason that means that she is rude to the others and refuses to be nice to them. In contrast, you have Eric the troll who just wants to please Nine - I grew rather fond of him! Together with Dr Spoon and Flabbergast, they make an incredibly eclectic group.
The plot is an exciting one and full of imagination and magical surprises; the sense of urgency is there, especially when Nine discovers that the house and its residents will be shrunk until they no longer exist if she cannot break the curse - you won't help but be pulled in. There is very much a fun element to this book which will make you laugh; however, there are also themes of friendship, supporting each other and sibling rivalry which are high on the agenda.
This is a magically wonderful book that you will love to disappear into when it's released in January.
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