Customer Reviews
Terrible - By: Smokey, 05 Jul 2008 
I have only read two books by James Herbert. This & Haunted. While I felt Haunted was pretty slow it was still a good story. The Magic Cottage on the other hand was totaly pointless. This is one of the only books I've ever stopped reading about 50 pages from the end as I just couldn't force myself to read anymore. Please don't waste your money on this book.
Nice characterisation - By: Jacquie Reaville, 31 May 2008 
I was expecting a horror story, as James Herbert is pretty famous for those, but I didn't really get one with this book. I wasn't disappointed though I just had to switch my expectations to another track.
Mike Stringer, the narrator of this tale, & his partner Midge (Margaret) Gudgeon relocate from busy London to the countryside, close to the New Forest. Their new home is Gramarye, a run down cottage setin woodland & close to the village of Cantrip. Odd though it may seem when they eventually move in, but the cottage wasn'tin such disrepair as they first thought, & the woodland animals are all so very friendly, almost tame.
Life is good, but there are bad times coming. The people from the Synergist Temple begin to call. The vicar from Cantrip comes with dire warnings. And just who exactly is that dark figure who keeps watching the house?
This was an enjoyable & easy read for me. Having read most of James Herbert's books old & new I wasn't surprised that the story greeted me like an old friend. Characters were funny & real, even the ones that weren't human.
The story runs along & takes you with it, there are twists & turns but you can usually see them coming so they don't come as any great surprise. An easy read but not one to stayin the mind after it's finished & put back on the book shelf.
Enchanting, magical, edge of your seat reading - By: Mary Chrapliwy, 01 Jan 2008 
This was one of the most enchanting, gripping stories I have ever read. Unlike some of the horror Mr. Herbert has written, this was more suspense/thriller than horror, though it does indeed have it's horrifying moments.
The story centers around a couple from London, Mike & Midge, who begin to search for a house of their own. Midge starts scanning the newspaper & is drawn to a little add for a cottage called Gramarye. When they go see the house they find out from the realtor that is being sold as part of the estate of a very old woman who lived there most of her life & died suddenly. When they go to the house Midge is completely enchanted by the little cottage, feeling like it is home. Mike sees the flaws that need fixing. Still, passion wins over & they buy the little house & work to restore it's beauty. They seem like the perfect couple who has just found the perfect home.
Yet there is something strange & disturbing about Gramarye, Mike can feel it, Midge seems oblivious to it. Animals come into the house & eat out of their hands, they befriend a little red squirrel who comesin daily & chatters away at them. Wounds heal spontaneously. It all sounds pretty silly, but it is all part of the magic that is Gramarye.
Soon the enchanting life starts to take a turn when they meet young people who livein a house on the other side of the forest behind their house. Midge becomes entangled with their group, which ends up being a cult. The cult wants the house & will stop at nothing to possess it. Thus begins the battle of wills while Mike tries to save Midge from the cult & his new home from their possession. Don't worry, I haven't given anything away.
This book was a mystery loaded with magic & danger. It has ghosts & spirits, both good & evil. It begins by sparking the imagination, & the tension grows stronger & strongerin this well wrought story, until it reaches a crescendo that will leave you breathless. This was such a good book that I'm now buying the hardcover - yes, it's good enough to read again. Buy this book, you'll love it as much as I did!
Enchanting...at first - By: Liz Worth, 18 Aug 2007 This book is a good read, I enjoyed every moment & was delighted when Rumbo the Squirrel from Fluke turned up!!!!
Not for me thanks. Where's the 0 star button ? - By: S. L. Couper, 07 Aug 2007 First book I read by this author, & vow not to purchase again. The theme of the story seemed very interesting, hence I bought the book. The dialogues were pure drivel & I couldn't help but detest the two characters & hoped some monster would come out of the woods & been done with.
The synergist thing was silly, the final duel ridiculous.
I don't know whether any of his other books are better, good or masterpieces but this has definetely put me off finding out.
