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katie_samsock's review
4.0
What a fun series. My 7 year old and I devoured this. If I’m going to be picky I liked the first book a little more but this is definitely worth the read
fallingletters's review against another edition
3.0
Review originally published 31 October 2018 at Falling Letters.
The follow up to 2017’s [b: Spirit Hunters|25117605|Spirit Hunters|Ellen Oh|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1476437544s/25117605.jpg|44812873], The Island of Monsters takes Harper and her multiracial family on a Halloween vacation to a tropical island with a gruesome past. Harper must use her newly developed skills in Korean shamanism to resolve the island’s mysteries and protect her little brother. New friends – ghosts and humans alike – help her with this task.
I prefer Spirit Hunters over this book. The titles really says it all – this is more monsters than ghosts. Less bone chilling than Spirit Hunters, The Island of Monsters has some pretty vivid violence for middle grade. The words gouge and gore always make me shudder. The plot repeats elements of the first book. I couldn’t get invested in worrying about Michael – been there, done that. The new characters feel less interesting and developed than Dayo, Rose, and the other ghosts Harper befriended in Spirit Hunters. However, the simple prose and uncomplicated plot make this book accessible to readers of various abilities.
The Island of Monsters takes place right at Halloween. Recommended for young readers who enjoy gruesome, scary tales.
The follow up to 2017’s [b: Spirit Hunters|25117605|Spirit Hunters|Ellen Oh|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1476437544s/25117605.jpg|44812873], The Island of Monsters takes Harper and her multiracial family on a Halloween vacation to a tropical island with a gruesome past. Harper must use her newly developed skills in Korean shamanism to resolve the island’s mysteries and protect her little brother. New friends – ghosts and humans alike – help her with this task.
I prefer Spirit Hunters over this book. The titles really says it all – this is more monsters than ghosts. Less bone chilling than Spirit Hunters, The Island of Monsters has some pretty vivid violence for middle grade. The words gouge and gore always make me shudder. The plot repeats elements of the first book. I couldn’t get invested in worrying about Michael – been there, done that. The new characters feel less interesting and developed than Dayo, Rose, and the other ghosts Harper befriended in Spirit Hunters. However, the simple prose and uncomplicated plot make this book accessible to readers of various abilities.
The Island of Monsters takes place right at Halloween. Recommended for young readers who enjoy gruesome, scary tales.
marenkae's review against another edition
2.0
idkkkk 2.5 feels kind of harsh but I think maybe the first book should have been a standalone.
vanessamariebooks's review against another edition
4.0
Love this series! Great for middle grade readers who are into creepy, horror, ghost stories.
samilly's review
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
shilten_k's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
andreacaro's review against another edition
4.0
Spooky middle grade is my favorite. [b:Spirit Hunters|25117605|Spirit Hunters|Ellen Oh|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1476437544s/25117605.jpg|44812873] was one of my favorite books last year, which is why I knew I had to read the follow-up. Features a Korean-American MC, ghosts, and lots of creepiness. Book 2 for me wasn't as scary as the second, but I love this series just the same.
the_fabric_of_words's review against another edition
5.0
I reviewed the first book last Halloween, Spirit Hunters. This Halloween enjoy the sequel.
Harper's parents take a vacation to an island -- infested with soul eating monsters of a variety she and her grandmother have just a little bit of practice vanquishing before the trip, of course!
Once Harper gets to the resort, she learns the tale of a grisly murder (16 victims!), has visions of creatures demanding sacrifices and her little brother is again in danger -- this time, marked for death. She seeks out a charm maker and her grandmother manages to get a spirit fighting kit complete with two gallons of Holy Water to her just in the nick of time to vanquish these horrible creatures.
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
Harper's parents take a vacation to an island -- infested with soul eating monsters of a variety she and her grandmother have just a little bit of practice vanquishing before the trip, of course!
Once Harper gets to the resort, she learns the tale of a grisly murder (16 victims!), has visions of creatures demanding sacrifices and her little brother is again in danger -- this time, marked for death. She seeks out a charm maker and her grandmother manages to get a spirit fighting kit complete with two gallons of Holy Water to her just in the nick of time to vanquish these horrible creatures.
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/