I just couldn't get into this one. Perhaps it would have helped if i'd read the first book in the series (I hadn't realise upon starting this one that it was the 2nd book), but despite a lot of things being explained briefly, i just never felt i connected with any of the characters. I love a good childrens book, it's what i mainly read, but i just found this one too silly and it became a bit annoying after a while.
i also found there weren't really very clear descriptions, which I felt this book needed, as some things were so fantastical, i needed a better idea of what they were actually talking about.
as i said, i think i'd have enjoyed this more if i'd read the first book, but given that i didn't enjoy this one much, I dont think i'll be going back and reading the first one.

The Tower at the End of Time is an absolute must-read, just like the first book. Filled with fun and humour, it's a quick read that will make sure your day is filled with laughs and adventure.

The second book did not disappoint and I cannot wait for the next one. Whether you're an adult reading middle grade, or just a kid who loves adventure books, this whimsical little book is like taking a dive into someone's imagination.



I apologise to the publisher for the belated review, due to personal issues.

Firstly, I want to make it clear that I love Erik. And I'd love to give him a cuddle.

Nine could probably use one too, and the House... Hmm. Yes, cuddles all round. And some Hopscotch. Hehe. That could be fun.

This was such a good middle book in a series, and I can't wait to see what happens to Nine and the gang in book #3. I'll have that asap please. ^_^

I had forgotten how much I enjoyed reading the first of these books until I started reading this. It was so nice to catch up with orphan Nine and her new friends from The House at the Edge of Magic. Flabberghast the hopscotch-obssessed wizard, Eric the lovable troll and Dr Spoon. Free from the curse that afflicted it in the first book, the house is now free to fly wherever they want. First stop, The Wizarding Hopscotch Championships where, of course, things don't go entirely to plan. This is a lovely middle-grade adventure series, full of humour and engaging characters. I highly recommend and cannot wait for the third instalment.

The Tower at the End of Time is a truly magical book, with great characters, an interesting plot and good pace. I enjoyed the character development from the first book to this one and I’m interested to see where the story goes next. The house is a wonderful creation and I loved reading about the different rooms and their oddities. I would recommend this book to children in Year 4 and above.

The curse has been broken and Nine and her friends are free to travel the worlds in their magical House. Flabberghast is itching to take part in The Wizarding Hopscotch Championships after such a long break. But there's a problem: the House is nervous about travelling and gets the hiccups! As a result, they keep bouncing from world to world. Will they be able to get to the championships on time and find a way to cure the House's hiccups?

When I came across The House at the Edge of Magic, I didn't have any expectations - I'm generally very sceptical whenever a book features an orphan as the MC. I was very positively surprised though. The book turned out to be great fun and I loved the witty, slightly bonkers, characters. I dived into the second book hoping for a similar experience but unfortunately, it wasn't the same.

I felt that it took quite a while for the story to get to the really interesting part when Nine and her friends arrive at the Hopscotch Tournament. I really enjoyed this part and the challenges the characters had to face in the Tower at the End of Time. As with book one, I really enjoyed the characters - they are brilliantly funny and quirky. I wish I learned more about them from this book though. One thing that didn't sit comfortably with me was Nine reverting to her old ways and getting a thrill out of stealing. This wasn't condemned and she didn't return the stolen item. I'm also not sure how I feel about characters overusing words like 'blinking' or 'blimming'. Even though they're not swear words themselves, they're used with that intention and I'm not convinced they should be in children’s books. What are your thoughts on that?

'The Tower at the End of Time' is a book that will surely appeal to many younger readers. It's a light and humorous read. Unfortunately, it wasn't what I expected after book one. Having said that, I'll be reading the final part of the trilogy to find out how Nine's story ends.
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟💫 (3.75/5)

Really loved this book, Nine is a great character and I loved her development in this story.

Solid sequel, looking forward to the next one.

I love Amy’s writing, her books are the ones I adored when I was a child (and still do!).

She injects so much fun, excitement, and general chaotic madness into every page that she’s just a joy to read.

If you have a child, read this book (I would say that this is not standalone, you need to read the first one), and adults - read it as well, it’s just brilliant!

My thanks to Netgalley and Walker Books for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review

This is a great, fun story that children will love, with wonderful characters, a pacy story line, and lots of exciting things happening!

I haven't read the first book in series (although I will soon!), but it was easy to follow the story and get to know the characters. With a bumbling wizard, a warmhearted troll, a feisty spoon, and Nine, a young girl who finds it hard to trust people and fit in, it has plenty of characters for children to relate to. And of course the house itself, that is suffering from a bout of hiccups!

Perfect for children of all ages (and adults too!), I look forward to reading more books in the series. Highly recommend!

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC.

The Tower at the End of Time is fast paced, imaginative and so much fun! This wacky crew of magical misfits go on their second adventure and take on the challenge to try to win Wizards Hopscotch so they can ask the all knowing Tower how to cure their magical house of hiccups. A magical house with hiccups is too unpredictable to live in otherwise! Headstrong Nine takes charge to save her housemates from the perils of the Tower in a race against time.

This is book is exciting, bursting with magic and puzzles, but Eric the Troll will steal your heart! So loveable, kids will want an Eric of their own to share strawberry tea with.

My daughter loved The House at the Edge of Magic and was so excited to read the next instalment of Nine’s adventure! The Tower at the End of Time does not disappoint and you get to find out more about Flabberghast, the house and Nine herself. The descriptions of the house are wonderful and you can picture it all in your imagination. The author draws you in to the story - literally - when the friends are all pulled into the Tower and the story takes a more sinister turn. There are several points where my daughter would not go to sleep until she knew what had happened to them all.
Nine is a fabulous character - she is clever, courageous, bold and willing to fight for what she loves. She is also flawed, which is great because it shows girls that you don’t have to be ‘perfect’ and that sometimes you have to take risks to get what you want.
The Epilogue is tantalising and surely sets the scene for Book 3?!
This was a real hit in our house and we will definitely be recommending/gifting to others.

January 2021 kicked off with a book that I would have LOVED to have read as a child. The House At The Edge of Magic by Amy Sparkes, illustrated by Ben Mantle and published by Walker Books intertwined a magical house with hilarious and quirky characters and a deliciously elusive villain - I was hooked!
Now, a year later comes the second book in the series, with an equally stunning front cover. I couldn't wait to see what the house and the characters had in store this time but...I never imagined it would be the hiccups.

Now the curse on the house is broken, Nine and her companions are free to roam between worlds and have set their sights on the Wizarding Hopscotch Championships. But when the house gets the hiccups there doesn't seem to be a cure. Arriving at the championships, their mission takes on a new meaning. They must hopscotch their way to the intimidating Tower At The End Of Time to find the cure. But can Nine also find out who she really is and the secret behind precious her music box?

For me, the house remains the star of the show in this series. With its secret, changeable doors, skeletons in the closet and missing toilets, it is as endearing as it is comical. Nine remains a loveable but determined heroine, who still has a lot of questions about her past and Flabberghast, Eric and Spoon are the most memorable trio I have encountered in a long time, each showcasing bags of personality, unique dialogue and laugh-out-loud humour. The strength of their bond, beneath the bickering and bantering, gives the series heart and reflects the dyfunctional elements of many a loving family.

The Tower At the End of Time is another fantastic example of Amy Sparkes' imagination. The puzzles and riddles were gripping and the rising tension, due to the ever present ticking clock, was intense. There were a few new characters to meet, who have set the scene for a dramatic finale in book three, as well as some more hilarious visits to the tea cupboard - what a treat!

This book is truly a celebration of imagination, friendship and believing in (and overcoming) the impossible. It is light and fun yet compelling and dark at the same time. Whatever the recipe is for creating such an incredible story, Amy Sparkes has nailed it. It really is incredibly special.

A big thanks to NetGalley and Walker Books for allowing me to read a review copy. The Tower At The End of Time is now available to buy.

What a totally glorious follow up to the first book. I absolutely devoured this over a weekend and loved the plot, with all of its twists and turns; the ending was just right and really tugged at the heart strings. It would be great to have more adventures, but this gave a very satisfactory ending to the two current titles.

This children's/middle grade book is funny, bizarre, whymsical and captivating. I loved reading this together with my young nephew and it took me back to my childhood taking turns reading magical books like harry potter with my siblings.

This sequel did not disappoint and the series is one i would definitely recommend!

Thank you to netgalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to have access to an eARC for this book in return for an honest review.

Apologies for taking so long with the feedback.

This is a middle-grade fantasy book with a beautiful fantasy elements and a perfect storyline. Overall although middle grade usually is not my genre I really enjoyed this book overall and thought the group of characters was amazing and the dynamic between them are perfect for the purpose of the book.

THE TOWER AT THE END OF TIME continues the bizarre, imagination-gone-wild feel of the previous entry. The House is now able to move, but it's got hiccups! Which is very much not a good thing when you're travelling the world between worlds after three stationary years. And so everything is going a little (more) wrong inside (than usual!)

We get to see what wizard hopscotch is this book! Flabberghast kept referencing it in the previous book, and now the championship is here. It is every bit as bizarre and yet to-the-word logical as the rest of the series. Wizard hopscotch is dangerous and silly, taking a children's game and making it a matter of life and limb.

Once the hopscotch is over, there's then the Tower itself. This is a sequence of puzzles, teamwork, and head scratching questions, all overseen by a pseudo-"gamesmaster" who is determined to see everyone fail and constantly reminds those inside that they will die. I love this sort of thing, so this was my favourite part of the book. Give me all the logic puzzles and characters succeeding based on brains rather than brawn!

In all, this is another wonderful entry in this inventive series.

As we return to the House, we find Nine, an orphaned Pickpocket who helped to free the House from a dreadful curse, adjusting to life living with a young, permanently flustered wizard called Flabberghast, a troll with a penchant for cookery, a kilt-wearing wooden spoon, and a particularly dusty skeleton in the closet! Although she is relieved to have escaped The Nest of a Thousand Treasures, her new life isn’t perfect, and her mind often wonders if she truly belongs in the House with its unusual (to say the least!) occupants. At least the House is able to travel now they are free from the dreaded curse which brought Nine there… free to travel to extraordinary worlds and do as they please… but there’s just one problem. A house which hasn’t travelled for many years can become a little… nervous… leading to it developing the hiccups, thrusting Nine and her companions from world to world with stomach-churning force. Exhausting all the advice from books about house hiccup cures, Flabberghast decides that the only way to cure the house is to win the Wizard Hopscotch Championships and ask the Tower at the End of Time – a an enchanted tower with the power to answer any question asked of it. But can Nine and her comrades save the house in time, especially when it’s decided to hold its breath for so long it’s in danger of exploding, and is the Tower all that Nine hopes it will be?

I often say that books feel like “coming home” but these characters are some of the best-written, funniest, and well-suited characters I’ve read in a children’s novel. Each one is so unique, and I’ve got so much love for each of them. I think my favourite has to be Eric, with his attempts at cooking, and loved the saga of the pancakes in this one. Although he doesn’t appear in this instalment, there was also some harking back to Mr Downes the librarian, who Nine knew in her previous life, and I loved that she says that he and his library saved her, as books do for so many of us. I was glad that although the House is no longer cursed, elements which made the first book so hilarious remained, including the illustrious toilet, and the rogue tea cupboard! The House remains my most beloved element of this series, and I loved imagining a house with hiccups, along with the remedies to try and rid it of them! Although each house occupant has their own agenda and their own question, the House is the most important thing to all of them. Wizard Hopscotch was an excellent addition to the story, and I loved the descriptions of the game and the players, along with Nine’s cheeky cheat. The Tower itself was a brilliant climax, and I loved each of the tricks and challenges they faced. Without giving away spoilers, one particular moment broke my heart! I’m not sure I’ll ever look at hopscotch in quite the same way again - Every page of Amy’s writing just sparkles with magic and mystery, and I’m just once again enthralled by the series. I was so glad the ending seems open to the continuation of the series and eagerly await the next instalment!

Wonderfully magical and a very witty book. Those few hundred pages just fly (like the house), and arriving at the end, I was really sad I do not have the third book of the series.

We enjoyed the previous book in this series so we're really looking forward to reading this one. It did not disappoint !
Very much a laugh out loud exciting romp for children (and grandparents) but perhaps not one to read at bedtime as it takes a while to settle the giggles. Looking forward to the next episode.

A fast-paced, funny, charming, whimsical sequel to The House at the Edge of Magic.

I really liked this book, I found it much more fast-paced and funny than The House at the Edge of Magic (which I also liked), and absolutely flew through it. The book picks up where the House at the Edge of Magic left off, with Nine, and the others, in the house, so you are straight into it, the catch-ups are subtley woven in, no clunky re-introductions of the characters or plot, and the stakes in this one are higher. The main conflict at the end, and then the twist at the very end was great, and now I can't wait to read the next instalment.

This series has such wit and imagination, this book, even more than the last one, had me laughing out loud, and I love the characters, even though there's not much to them, it's just a warm, magical adventure. Great to read aloud to younger readers too!

The only reason I didn't rate this a 5 star, which it deserves for pace, writing, and humour, is just my personal taste in books; this series is on the sheer entertainment, silly side, rather than the epic, or character growth side (although there is a bit of that too), it is a really high four-star for me, and I will definitely follow the series and the author, and recommend it to others, but, as an adult reader, it just missed that extra edge that I personally like in my favourites.