I liked the idea of this book, but nearly all of the characters bothered me.

Wren is Not Like Other Girls. She doesn’t like embroidery or frilly dresses so the men of the era want her to be quiet and obedient. She takes after her mom, who is of course dead. She has an annoying brother, who is of course their father’s favourite.
Why is it always ‘the main character is special because she is adventurous’ and never ‘the time period was horrible to girls in general’?

I wouldn’t say there’s anything truly wrong with this book, but I’ve felt like I’ve read Wren’s character multiple times before. (in other middle grade books with a plot I liked better) ( )

Set on the island of Anglesey in Wales, in 1870, Wren is longing to escape. Her father wishes to send her to a strict boarding school, her little brother is horrible and her aunt is erratic and Wren is never quite sure whether she is on her side or her father's. Wren's mother died in a flying accident from an early aircraft she and Wren's aunt invented and tested together.

It's a good premise for a story but then it gets a bit bonkers... there is a problem with their house (mansion) and the story takes a fantastical turn.

There are parts of this story I really loved and other things about it I found less engaging - I don't want to say more as it's hard to do without spoiling the plot.

I enjoyed this overall but within a couple of days of finishing it had forgotten most of the story; not memorable. ( )