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Emily's House (Akasha Chronicles #1)

by Natalie Wright (Goodreads Author)

3.92 of 5 stars 3.92 · rating details · 61 ratings · 34 reviews

Fourteen-year-old Emily Adams is flunking math - and life. But Emily has a secret, one that she has kept even from her best friends. Soon the ancient legacy coursing through her veins will force her secret to be revealed. Dormant for over a thousand years, an evil has arisen and this time, it will destroy anyone - or anything - that stands in its way.

Three teens embark on...more

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Published November 11th 2011 by Boadicea Press (first published November 5th 2011)

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Jul 23, 2012 Kristy Centeno rated it 5 of 5 stars

First of all let me just say that although I’m not a great fan of fantasy books this was one read I actually enjoyed. It’s not your typical young adult paranormal adventure (at least not to my standards). The plot drew me in right away because it's completely different from the books I’ve read lately.

You are first introduced to fourteen year old Emily, a teenager who doesn't think too highly of herself, and who is constantly mistreated by an overbearing aunt. Things soon change when an unexpecte...more

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Feb 17, 2012 Georgia Conroy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Absolutely captivating! As a gal who resides in Ireland I always find it interesting to read works with Celtic references. I read the description and was intrigued, I then went on to read the first page and what can I say I am hooked. The descriptive skills of this woman surpass many I have come across. Considering how many books I have read (I think it;s over 2k now) I have to say this book is superb! Just read the first page (click below the pic to "read ebook") and I dare say you will not be...more

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Nov 18, 2012 Rosemarie Herbert rated it 2 of 5 stars

This review has been crossposted from my blog at The Cosy Dragon . Please head there for more in-depth reviews by me, which appear on a timely schedule.

Emily comes home to a grumpy old aunt and an odd creature in her tree house. She's about to head off cross country, and indeed, across time and space, in a journey that will make her look at her whole life differently. Emily must find herself, and prevent a great evil from surfacing after more than 1000 years.

I was expecting something in the real...more This review has been crossposted from my blog at The Cosy Dragon . Please head there for more in-depth reviews by me, which appear on a timely schedule.

Emily comes home to a grumpy old aunt and an odd creature in her tree house. She's about to head off cross country, and indeed, across time and space, in a journey that will make her look at her whole life differently. Emily must find herself, and prevent a great evil from surfacing after more than 1000 years.

I was expecting something in the realm of a spunky heroine who was willing to take on anything to protect her family and friends. I sort of got that, but I felt that Emily could have had a bit more spine for a 14 year old. More spine Emily! Less weeping about things that can't be changed and more kicking butt. Also, less being pigheaded about the benefits of meditation and more doing.

Fanny was just irritating. It didn't help that I was fond of Fanny in Enid Blyton's classic, The Faraway tree, and comparing this Fanny - well, she was a bit flat. I much preferred Jake to either of the two girls, he seemed hard and sensible.

The concepts of time and space brought up in this novel are very interesting ones, and that's what made the novel to me. Physics is something I have difficulty understanding (and never linked) but I have a healthy respect for those who do). The continuum between this world and other worlds is always interesting.

Much of this novel is about Emily's training in the Netherworld. The world there is like one your couldn't imagine, but could. You'd understand if you read it. Confusing isn't it? The journey to the Netherworld is pretty exciting - but it's never cleared up how much money Fanny spent (or where they were in the first place).

For me, this book wasn't a gripper. I would probably recommend it for mature children and early teens. There are references to 'making love' and 'making-out' but that's about as bad as it gets. Plenty of ass jokes/references, so I guess if you're sensitive to those, don't read it. The teenage language might be more suitable to teenagers - maybe I'm getting too old for this type of book?(less)

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Nov 12, 2012 Samantha rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: action, fantasy, ya-mg, strong-heroine

Lately I’ve tried reading books without reading the descriptions first, just go in knowing the genre (in this case a YA action/fantasy). Sometimes this works out, sometimes it doesn’t. At first I was unclear as to where the story was headed (admittedly, my own fault), as it starts of in the quite ordinary world of 14 year old Emily Adams, and then it takes a most decidedly “supernatural” turn into ancient worlds. I thought the characters were so interesting and loved her journey. I was pleasantl...more

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Oct 08, 2012 Tee loves Kyle Jacobson rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: nrbt-tours, oct-2012, arc-books

I would like to give a HUGE THANK YOU to NRBT Tours for allowing me to be a part of this blog tour.

Emily is not your average teenager. She knows she is different but when her mother passes away she finds out that she belongs to The Order of Brighid, an ancient society of women sworn to protect the portal to the Netherworld. With this knowledge Emily and her two best friends set out to stop the evil villain who wants in to the portal.

Emily knows her visions she has seen will come to fruition and...more

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Apr 25, 2012 Sheila rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: childrens, coming-of-age, scifi-fantasy, young-adult

Welding together ancient goddesses, sacred trees, the last High King of Ireland, a Chinese warrior called Madame Wong, fairies, dragons, time-travel, ancient Samhain celebrations not necessarily held at full moon, theoretical physics, teens with a penchant for deception and risk, and even a serious threat of the end of the world, Natalie Wright’s Akasha chronicles certainly offers young readers a bit of everything. It’s a teen novel with a strong teen flavor, blending modern dialog with slightly...more

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Jan 23, 2012 Michelle rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. OK, full disclosure here - I went to law school with the author, and when we re-connected recently on Facebook, I was delighted to learn that Natalie is using her considerable creativity, wit and intelligence to write YA fantasy novels. So of course I had to read this. I really liked how the story combined such diverse elements as Celtic mysticism, the CERN supercollider and medieval European history. I also think the main character, Emily, is someone a lot of teenagers will like and be able to...more

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Jan 09, 2012 Krystal rated it 4 of 5 stars

Emily, the main character, has not had the easiest life. She lost her mother at a young age and her father as well-her father, though still alive, pays no attention to Emily or life in general. She endures her harsh aunt who has nothing kind to say to her and isn't doing well in school. Emily plods through life without any real motivation until she discovers that she just might have a higher purpose-maybe even a "save the world" purpose.

The author creates a world with Celtic mysteries and tradi...more

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Nov 17, 2012 BellaReadz rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, young-adult

"Emily’s House” by Natalie Wright is a fun action/fantasy book that tells of a young girl who has a destiny bigger than she ever knew. With her two friends Jake and Fanny, she goes to Ireland (and then other places!) Where the supernatural and fantastical become ordinary. I thought this was pretty original as far as young adult fantasy novels go. I read them all the time so everything feels sorta familiar at one point or another. But Ms. Wright manages to keep it feeling fresh with storylines th...more

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Aug 25, 2012 Virginia rated it 3 of 5 stars

This is the story of Emily, a 14 year old girl who is going through a tough time in life- her mother passed away when she was 7, her father has turned zombie-like since her mother’s death, her mean Aunt has moved in with them, and she is doing poorly in school. One day Emily hears a story about her ancestry on her mother’s side. She learns that she has a role to play in the story- she must destroy an evil and save the world. Emily and 2 of her friends go to Ireland. Once there, Emily begins her...more

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Dec 21, 2011 Maegan Morin rated it 4 of 5 stars

Emily's House written by Natalie Wright is the story of 14 year old Emily, who has always known she had special gifts but never realized just how special she was. Living in a fog after the death of her mother for 7 years she endures a torturous Aunt and a "zombie" like Father until she is summoned for her true purpose. To save the world.

Natalie Wright is a very gifted author weaving elements of Celtic religion, Christianity and science to create a tale that will keep you wondering and guessing w...more

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Apr 26, 2012 Jennifer Devore rated it 5 of 5 stars

The vast border betwixt a contemporary American Southwest and an ancient, Celtic Ireland is as foggy and hazy as a seaside, Sligo morning; yet this chasm is bridged brilliantly and smoothly enough to ease the reader hither and thither, back and forth, between said realms.

Natalie Wright has divined in Emily's House a simultaneous modern and ancient fairy tale of the greatest kind: sans parents, sans immediate consequence, sans cowardice. Bravery is said to be not the lack of fear, but action in...more

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Nov 16, 2012 Stacy rated it 3 of 5 stars

I have mixed feelings on this book. On one hand the story like is very unique, although the theme may not be, and I appreciated Ms. Wright’s original spin on the hero-quest cycle. Emily and her friends are worthy of our support, and I enjoyed reading about their adventures. My problems lay in the massive amount of backstory that is told to us right off the bat (by another character, no less), that while it is necessary to set the “scene” for the story, it considerably slowed down the pacing to t...more

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Apr 08, 2012 Scarlett rated it 4 of 5 stars

Thank you for Natalie Wright, winning a signed copy from her was really a first for me. Again, thank you.

Personally, I was never into Celtic themed books. Not that I disliked them, but I had a hard time grasping the reality of it. After reading Emily's House, I can't help but wonder how blind I was like the people inside the book. Emily's House focuses on the discovery of something seemed impossible that you couldn't deny if it happened in real life, you won't know what to do or what to believe....more

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Mar 14, 2013 Dianne Greenlay rated it 5 of 5 stars

Other reviewers have given a good synopsis of the storyline so I will focus on what I really enjoyed. Having been young myself when my own mother passed away, leaving me with an emotionally absent father, I feel Ms. Wright has really captured Emily's feelings in the novel. The author has also invented a couple of friends for Emily whose personalities will absolutely resonate with teen readers.

I also loved the seamless blending of a fantasy world, with the real-life ones of Emily before she embar...more

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Nov 14, 2012 Claire rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: adventure, action, fantasy, ya-mg, younger-readers

I loved “Emily’s House” by Natalie Wright. It is so well-written and engaging I didn’t want to put it down! Right off the bat I liked Emily and wanted to root for her. She’s kinda tough and sort of a tomboy (in my eyes), but not too much so that she’s annoying. Just more like strong (which is awesome). And speaking of strong can we talk about that beautiful cover? I love it! It is perfect for this book, with her looking so beautiful and strong. There were so many interesting legends and lore and...more

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Feb 20, 2012 Neriah (Chocolate Coffee Books) rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: my-ebooks, author-requests-arcs-blog-tours

First of all I would love to thank Natalie Wright for contacting me to review her novel.

I understand this novel may not be for everyone. When I first read the description I thought "well, this could either be really good or really bad." It turned out to be an amazing read!

Just a warning- there is a bit of profanity in it, but this is appearing in more and more books so It doesn't bother me.

I am pleasantly surprised at this novel. I've never read anything that has to due with Celtic anything- an...more

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Apr 01, 2012 Jetches (My Not So Vacant Shelf) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: request-to-review-from-author

Within the first chapter I was captivated by the vivid description of a Celtic world that seemed like something out of a dream. I could picture a beautiful party, and a secret love that brought about a generation of warrior women leading down to the courageous Emily. Although Emily doesn’t apply herself to her school work when it comes to a quest of epic proportions she goes full throttle. With her two best friends beside her, and an evil aunt behind her, Emily moves forward on an adventure that...more Within the first chapter I was captivated by the vivid description of a Celtic world that seemed like something out of a dream. I could picture a beautiful party, and a secret love that brought about a generation of warrior women leading down to the courageous Emily. Although Emily doesn’t apply herself to her school work when it comes to a quest of epic proportions she goes full throttle. With her two best friends beside her, and an evil aunt behind her, Emily moves forward on an adventure that will reconcile her with a part of her old life and wake people out of their zoned out lives. Natalie Wright’s story and characters captivate and reel in the reading providing them with beautiful scenery and a large knowledge based of ancient history.
Good:
Emily—she’s real. She not an over achiever but simply someone who doesn’t seem to fit in their skin. And someone who’s gone through a life changing experience
Fanny and Jake—those are some dedicated best friends.
Bad:
Well to start things off I felt there was a little too much teenage “lingo”. It felt like a stretch with some of the phrases she was saying. It hasn’t been that long since I was in high school and I’m pretty certain children/teens are not talking like that.
Second, things happened very slowly. It’s not until halfway through the book that the real action starts happening. There is just a lot of mind over matter for her training—sort of like the Matrix—so, things moved a little slower.
Also, when things were moving fast it was a little awkward. They conveniently find things they need that have been gone for thousands and thousands of years. But that is something I can live with.
Lastly, some things didn’t seem to get answered and didn’t seem to make sense, especially with regards to what happened to some characters. But maybe its all being saved for the next couple of books in the series. All in all, its nothing that would prevent me from reading the next in the series or from giving it a 4/5
Overall (Writing style, story line, and general):
Overall the writing was beautiful. The descriptions and the vivid images of the other worlds and other times came across beautifully. Natalie Wright is a rare writer; one who can tell you a story in detail with one a few paragraphs and you can perfectly picture it in your head.
View more of my review and others at my blog: www.mynotsovacantshelf.blogspot.com (less)

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Feb 27, 2012 Kathleen Kelly rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: finished

I am always leary when I accept a YA fantasy book for review, as I never know if I will be able to get through the book. I had these thoughts with Emily's House but my fears were unwarranted. I enjoyed this book a lot, so much in fact I hope to read the next in the series. What caught my attention was the Celtic mysticism, I love anything with a Celtic/Irish twist. This book was very easy to read and understand. Very fast paced and action packed, good versus evil with some mythology thrown in fo...more

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May 24, 2013 Elisabeth Wheatley rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: indies, giveaway-loot, adventure-and-magic, reviewed

It took me months to read this book. Why? I really, really don’t know. I think it was a good story, but I just couldn’t appreciate it. It might’ve been in small part to the fact that there was a few passages that perpetuated the stereotype of Christian clergymen being pompous fools who were set on nothing more than conforming the whole of the earth. There is a large section, perhaps 20-30% of the book, that is dedicated entirely to the backstory of what happened to Emily’s ancestor, the last Pri...more It took me months to read this book. Why? I really, really don’t know. I think it was a good story, but I just couldn’t appreciate it. It might’ve been in small part to the fact that there was a few passages that perpetuated the stereotype of Christian clergymen being pompous fools who were set on nothing more than conforming the whole of the earth. There is a large section, perhaps 20-30% of the book, that is dedicated entirely to the backstory of what happened to Emily’s ancestor, the last Priestess of Brighid. I thought that part was kind of annoying and I didn’t consider it entirely necessary, but lots of other people said they liked it, so it must’ve just been me. This book is listed as YA, but I really think its closer to MG. It talks about some adult topics, but the main character is fourteen and I felt like I was reading a younger reader’s book. However, that is not a bad thing, just something I noticed. This book was infused with a great deal of snark and sarcasm and I found myself laughing often enough. There was also a strong theme of maternal love and I greatly enjoyed that part.

The plot:
I kind of thought the plot dragged. Like I said, I think about 25% of it could have been cut. I don’t really have a whole lot of feelings on this book, because I really didn’t get into it. (I’m truly sorry, Ms. Wright!) The ending portion was very fast-paced and I wonder if it was just that I didn’t sit down and read it all at once. (Like I said, I read this over a course of months.)

The characters:
Emily is a bit sassy and bad-mouthed and I kind of found it hard to relate to her. I seem to have trouble relating to the sassy-teenager characters because…well, I have no sympathy for them. The story of her mother and the abuse she received from her aunt Muriel were all empathetic points, but I wish she hadn’t been so snappy.
Her two sidekicks were funny and cute and once her dad (aka “Zombie Man”) “woke up,” he was the epitome of the concerned and well-meaning father.
Nonetheless , I think my favorite character was Dughall, our super-villain. At first, we think he is simply a power-hungry tyrant out for, well, power. But then we see the story of Dughall’s childhood and the reasons he’s so set on reaching the Netherworld. His history reminded me of one of my characters and that made me empathize with him. I really hope everything turns out alright for him after he gets his second chance the end, but I guess I’ll just have to read the next book to find out!

All in all, a good YA read and I’m not sure why I couldn’t get into it.
(less)

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Dec 24, 2012 Maghon Thomas rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, paranormal, review-4-author, young-adult

So let me start by saying this: What an interesting way to introduce a back story… Pretty brilliant! Ok, the story with Emily starts out quite sad, and short of her two best friends, I will say her life sucks! But after a seriously dramatic event, something extraordinary happens. A “mysterious creature” appears and tells Emily a little story. This story opens the flood gates of chaos that is now going to be Emily’s life. And because this little backstory was told AS a story, you get a lot of inf...more

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Mar 27, 2013 Marva rated it 4 of 5 stars

The title sounds like some kind of 19th C. chicklit a la Emily Bronte. That's why I've had this book on my Kindle for awhile, but haven't read it until now. Looking at the item, I see only "Emily's House" but not the (Akasha Chronicles, #1) part. If that had been on that line, I would have got to it sooner.

So, this is not a 19th C. chicklit. It's an exciting YA contemporary fantasy in the Celtic myth genre. It also has science. Mixing fantasy with science usually means science fiction, so maybe...more

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Feb 18, 2012 Lisa Richards rated it 4 of 5 stars

If you like time travel, Celtic references, mysteries, and a kick butt red head, you're going to love this book. I just love the stance of Emily on the cover. You can see her courage and slight cockiness in those crossed arms and determined stance. Emily's had a tough life since her mom died at the age of seven and she's been raised by her evil aunt and totally oblivious dad. Travel with her on her adventures to save her friends and her world.
I guarantee you won't regret it.

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Jun 06, 2013 Larry B Gray rated it 5 of 5 stars

Action, adventure, excitement, and fantasy, Emily’s House by Natalie Wright has it all. This YA novel will keep you reading and on the edge of your seat throughout the book.

The author did an excellent job of putting together a story that was easy to follow but kept you hooked with all the twist and turns in the storyline. The excitement continued to build from the first page to the last. I really liked the fact I could put myself into the story as an unseen character and become absorbed into the...more

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Apr 14, 2013 Heidi Karriker rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: dnf

This book gets 2 stars because it wasn't horrible but I just couldn't get into it. i didn't care about Emily or her friend an I found my self skimming forward in hopes I would find something gripping, anything to peak my interest. Eventually I ended up giving up on this book altogether. I may give the book a fair chance in the future but foot now it goes back on my e-bookshelf.

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Apr 12, 2012 Darlene added it

I’m just going to put this as DNF.

Second book this week that has been a DNF, so not sure whether I am just hard to please this week or whether I am really not reading things that I enjoy. I will just say the reason I stopped reading this was because I had the most awful time buying into anything that was happening and I read the first hundred pages. For example, mythical creature tells girl and friends to go to Ireland, they go. They don’t have trouble sneaking away or worry about money. They ne...more

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Aug 27, 2012 Benjamin Kohler rated it 1 of 5 stars

Disclaimer: I received this book for free via Goodreads First Reads.

This book doesn't know who its audience is. The word choice is inappropriate for a teenage girl, but the subject matter and sentence structure screams that it's for an 8 year old.

The plot is ok. I actually think it'd be a great script for a terribly cheesy sci-fi original movie. I can't fathom how the story (this is a series?) is going to continue, probably the way Jurassic Park 2 and The Matrix 2 did.

Natalie should fire her edi...more

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Mar 31, 2012 jeff marked it as to-read

I won this book for free through Goodreads First Reads. Looking forward to reading it. Thank you.

1 like · like · see review

Jan 17, 2012 Mindy/fangedmom rated it 5 of 5 stars

Please stay tuned for my full review of Emily's House.

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Dec 01, 2011 Tabi (Sherlockian; My Middle Name Is Eccentric) marked it as to-read

Ancient Celtic magic? Another world?
Sounds good.

1 like · like · see review

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The Indie Exchang...: Free ebook - Emily's House	3	76	Feb 22, 2012 07:08pm
Q&A with Nata...: The Metaphysics of Magic and the Physics of the Possible	1	6	Feb 15, 2012 05:22pm
Q&A with Nata...: Q&A about Emily's House	1	8	Feb 15, 2012 05:18pm
Featured eBooks @...: YA Fantasy	8	14	Dec 14, 2011 11:24am

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About Natalie Wright

"Emily's House: Book 1 of the Akasha Chronicles," on sale now. **Emily's Trial, arrives October 15, 2012.

Natalie is the author of The Akasha Chronicles, a young adult fantasy trilogy. When not writing, hanging out on Goodreads, blogging, Facebooking, Tweeting, Wattpadding or eating chocolate, Natalie nurtures her young daughter, feeds her dog too many treats, and can’t resist watching Ancient Alie...more

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“No difference, good or bad. Thoughts like birds in mind. Some fly in. Some fly out. Some stay at water hole to drink. Beware of birds that linger.” — 2 people liked it

“Not doing harder than doing.” — 1 person liked it

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