I'm a big fan of Jurassic Park, and if you are too you'll most likely love this story.

I see a lot of the negative reviews point toward the interview at the end of the book and about how the author was trying to do the opposite so they wouldn't be compared. Or something. And while I agree he didn't quite succeed I'm personally extremely joyful at the lack of annoying children and ecstatic over the fact that these creatures were actually smart.

I mean, I love all the Jurassic Park movies. Even the bad ones but you'll agree there is usually not a lot of thought behind the giant predators or their actions. They're just big predators, which also means they were.. kind of? easily dealt with.

I loved how the main character kept comparing them to other animal behavior, and saltwater crocodiles. I loved the maps and the tiny interviews. I'm not entirely sure I agree that what China needs to become the new U.S. is their own version of Disneyland but I got to say it's a better reason to be dumping all that money into a park than some rich dude who is blinded by love for dinosaurs.

Also.
There was a dragon riding scene. or two. What's not to love?

I have always loved magical sentient houses, and it is something that is incredible hard to find in books. I mean, it's fairly easy to find in middle-grade books and horror, but outside of that? It is rare!

So when I got recommended this, I knew I had to read it. I just didn't know just how much I'd love it.
I read the first book in one sitting, and was awake until 5AM reading the second before I realized just how late it was.

It is the perfect Magical Sentient House story. Dali, the houses name, isn't just sentient. It (or maybe she?) is a side-character in its own right. It has likes and dislikes. It delivers coffee with funny little quotes on it.

Outside of this, Niki the main character of the story, is a recent widow and a little bit of an rug. You know, "walk all over me" kind of person. So it starts off a little sad, but the story is all about Niki finding her legs, and finding her courage, and doing the things she should have been doing all along.

There is also a magical book (sadly no name), a child who loves unicorn and Niki ends up becoming quite the powerful character. (So, we're talking magical houses and power fantasy here!)

I love this book. I love this author. I don't have a single bad thing to say about it.

This was touching enough that it actually brought tears to my eyes