Book Review: Amber House by Kelly Moore, Tucker Reed & Larkin Reed

**I received this book from Around the World ARC Tours for review**

Synopsis (from Goodreads):  "I was sixteen the first time my grandmother died . . ."

Sarah Parsons has never been to Amber House, the grand Maryland estate that's been in her family for three centuries. She's never wandered its hedge maze or explored its secret attics; she's never danced in its ballroom, or hunted for the diamonds said to be hidden in its walls.

But as Sarah, her brother, and their icy mother settle into Amber House, she finds herself drawn to both handsome Richard, who introduces her to a world of wealth and privilege, and intriguing Jackson, who dares her to find the diamonds. She discovers she can see visions of the mansion’s history—like her mother as a young girl, unimaginably warm and happy, or the cruel sea captain who lost the jewels long ago. Piece by piece, she uncovers the secrets of Amber House: its ancient crimes, and its fresh betrayals.

Where are the diamonds? Who caused her mother’s unhappiness?  And what tragic act still echoes through Amber House? Sarah needs answers soon. Because when her visions threaten the person she holds most dear, she must untangle the web of the past before it traps them all forever.

My Thoughts:  I love me a good ghost story!  This was a fun ghost story that kept my attention from the beginning.  The end threw me for a loop and I am glad to know that there are more to come because if that was it then I would not be a happy camper!

Sarah is at her grandmother's house for her grandmother's funeral.  She hardly knew her grandmother and had never visited her at Amber House.  Amber House is one of the most talked about houses in Maryland and Sarah is anxious to see what all the fuss is about.

Sarah meets Jackson while at Amber House.  Jackson and his grandma, Rose, live on the property.  Rose took care of Sarah's grandma and helps around Amber House.  Jackson appears to know quite a bit about Sarah before he even meets her.  She is very perplexed by this and a little put off by it.  Jackson tells Sarah about a lost treasure and asks her to help him find it though so she gets to know him more and starts to understand how he knows so much about her.

Sarah's mother hates Amber House and does not want to stay there at all.  It is only after Sarah and her little brother, Sam, come up with a plan that she gives in and they end up staying for the 10 days that they are in Maryland.  She warns Sarah that the house makes funny "noises" but Sarah and Sammy are excited to be able to stay and explore the house. 

The next day, Sarah meets Richard who is the son of one of her mother's friends.  Sarah's mother decides to throw Sarah a Sweet 16 party at Amber House and Richard is put in charge of helping Sarah meet some friends.  Sarah's mom thinks that the party will help her sell Amber House so they can get back to Seattle as soon as possible.

There was a love triangle (of course) but it wasn't too horrible.  The relationship between Jackson and Sarah was a little more muted than that of Sarah and Richard.  Sarah's mom is also very quick to point out that the boys must want something from her because everyone uses everyone else so you are constantly wondering (as is Sarah) if Sarah is being used or if these boys honestly like her.

The ending was a little confusing for me but it's only because it left me with more questions than when I started the book.  Like I said though, there are more books to come so I think that will answer a lot of those questions. 

I enjoyed this book and thought there were some really great spooky moments.  I liked all the treasure hunts but I wasn't sure about Sarah's "gift".  Sometimes it seemed a little cheesy the way she was able to "see" the past and some of the flashbacks were a little pointless but for the most part it was a great read!