The House at the Edge of the World

Published on 10 October 2026 at 19:00

The House at the Edge of the World

🏚️🔍🪄⏳

by Nadine Aisha Jassat

★★★★★

At a glance

Things I loved:

✍🏼 Author: Nadine Aisha Jassat

🎨 Cover artist: Flavia Sorrentino

📅 Release Date: 8th May 2025

📚 Book type: Verse novel, 320 pages

🌟 Reader level: Growing

⚠️ Content: 8+

✨ Magical mystery
🏚️ Intriguing Hope House
🔍 Exciting mystery element
📖 Accessible verse format
⚡ Fast-paced adventure
🪄 Nothing too scary

Dive Deeper

My Thoughts...

I picked up The House at the Edge of the World as part of the Verte Novel Awards shortlist this year, which my class are very excitingly helping to judge! I’ve never read many verse novels, so this was a lovely change from my usual chunky chapter books. The gorgeous front cover immediately caught both my attention and my class’s, and the mystery in the blurb definitely piqued our interest! ✨

I absolutely loved the verse format of this book! The short chapters and quick-to-read verses make it feel much less daunting than a traditional chapter book, and I could really see reluctant readers getting stuck into this one. Despite looking like a substantial book, it’s actually such a quick and accessible read! 📖✨

I also loved the combination of mystery, magic and adventure. The story is fast-paced and exciting without ever becoming too scary, and I loved discovering that Hope House was magical - but not necessarily in the way the villagers had imagined! I think this would be a brilliant choice for children who enjoy a little mystery but aren’t quite ready for anything too creepy.

🌟I would definitely recommend this one to Year 4 readers and above, particularly children who enjoy magical mysteries or are looking for something a little different. It’s short, fun, accessible and would make a lovely introduction to verse novels! 💫

Blurb

When Amal and her family unexpectedly inherit the enchanted clifftop home, they can't believe their luck. But their joy is short-lived when a mysterious couple arrives, claiming the house is theirs and giving Amal's family just thirty days to pack up their stuff and leave before they demolish it completely.

The clock is ticking, and Amal is determined to save Hope House from destruction. How will she unravel the secrets of the house and its mysterious benefactor in time to save it?