The Adventurers and The Cursed Castle is billed as an “exciting adventure story for children aged 8-12.” So is it bad that I (who is definitely NOT a child aged 8-12) loved it so much? I hope not because as long as Jemma Hatt keeps writing this series, I will be reading it!
Title: The Adventurers and the Cursed Castle
Author: Jemma Hatt
Series: The Adventurers #1
First Published: January 29, 2019
Publisher: Elmside Publishing
Categories: Mystery
Acquired: from author
*** Thank you to Jemma Hatt for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. ***
Is Lara and Rufus’ ancestral castle cursed?
When Lara Jacobs is shipped off for the summer with her dog Barney and her cousin Rufus to their mysterious Great-Uncle Herb’s castle in Cornwall, they both expect to be bored out of their minds. Not only are they stuck with a weird old relative they’ve never met before, but the “castle” is falling apart and Great-Uncle Herb (I really want to call him Gruncle Herb – if you’re a fan of the TV show Gravity Falls like I am, you’ll totally get it) doesn’t have the money to make the necessary repairs.
However, along with their new friend Tom (the son of the castle’s caretaker and housekeeper), the trio (sorry, Barney! quartet) soon discover that there are spooky rumours attached to old Kexley Castle. According to legend, a mysterious curse was placed on the castle ever since an Egyptian treasure was hidden in the castle by a 19th Century explorer, Captain Jack Kexley.
At first, the kids don’t believe the story, but when two unwelcome “historians” arrive from the British Museum asking about the treasure, they start thinking that there might be more to the legend than meets the eye. And The Adventurers are off on their first adventure! Can they find the treasure and help their uncle save Kexley Castle before it’s too late?
A fun and adventurous mystery for kids (and adults too!)
When Jemma first asked if I would be interested in reading The Adventurers and The Cursed Castle, I hesitated. I’m DEFINITELY far removed from my childhood and I don’t have any kids of my own, so I wasn’t sure if I’d be the best person to review a children’s book. However, I did LOVE mystery and adventure books as a kid (Nancy Drew, Choose Your Own Adventure, Basil the Mouse Detective, to name just a few) so I thought, why not? I also have young nephews and nieces who all love books so I’m always on the lookout for good stories for them.
I’m so glad I gave in to my inner child and accepted this book. It was SO MUCH FUN. I loved the characters – Lara, Rufus and Tom are close enough in age to share interests and have fun together, but each have very distinct personalities.
There is just enough mystery and adventure to keep the story moving along at the perfect pace. This is the type of book I would have devoured as a child – characters that I would want to be friends with, a cool setting, a mystery, adventure and lots fun. Even though it was a story for children, adults reading along with their little ones will not be bored. I never felt like I was reading a children’s book, I just felt that I was reading a mystery book where the main characters just happened to be kids.
Is it weird that I’m eagerly anticipating the next book in this kids’ series? Oh well – who doesn’t love a good, clean adventure? And I can’t wait until my nephews are a few years older (they’re only 2 and 4 right now) so that I can share The Adventurer’s adventures with them both!
Read The Adventurers and the Cursed Castle for yourself
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