The Unearthing follows the Krigga family as they leave their suburban life behind for an old Georgian house in the countryside. The story is told mostly through the eyes of Anna, the middle child, who resents the move and resists every change. Her brother Rupert and sister Clara add their own voices to the chaos of sibling rivalry, while their parents try to hold the family together. Soon, the house itself begins to reveal secrets. Hidden staircases, strange rooms, eerie discoveries, and a foreboding tower nearby push the children into a world of mystery and unease. What begins as a family drama slowly shifts into something more shadowed, blending everyday struggles with a creeping sense of the supernatural.

The writing swings from tender to dramatic, sometimes even over the top, but that’s part of its charm. I could feel Anna’s anger like a living thing, the way she stomped and sulked and held on to her grievances. At times, I wanted to shake her. At other times, I wanted to comfort her. Tapia captures that messy middle-child energy perfectly, and while it could be grating, it also felt real. The imagery is thick and vivid, and I loved how it painted the old house as if it were alive, breathing with history and menace.

There were moments when I laughed at the squabbles between the siblings, then felt uneasy when the story leaned into shadows and whispers. The pacing could be uneven, lingering on moods a bit too long before getting to the action. Yet, when the eerie attic scenes or the crumbling gargoyles came into play, I was hooked. The book feels like a blend of family diary and gothic adventure.

I’d recommend The Unearthing to readers who enjoy stories about families in transition, especially when everyday life collides with something darker. Young adult readers might see themselves in Anna’s moods, while older readers may smile knowingly at the chaos of siblings and the weight of growing up. If you like your mysteries tinged with domestic squabbles, eerie houses, and a touch of the uncanny, this children’s fiction novel will speak to you.

Pages: 399 | ASIN : B08NCB4XKX