The Beast

July 15, 2019
This Halloween is not about trick-or-treating for the Torchbearers. A team forged during their original adventure at Still Cove in series opener The Darkdeep (2018), Opal, Emma, Tyler, Nico, and Logan are not quite done with the creatures of that terrifying place. Along with the gremlins and other wild "figments" causing havoc in the small, Pacific Northwest town of Timbers, new apparitions are on the loose, and it is the team's job to catch whatever escapes the Darkdeep. Validating what was thought to be a harmless local legend, there's been a sighting of an actual Beast, a demon that has crossed from another dimension. With their parents conveniently absent, these seventh graders decide to investigate. The peculiar green blob in the jar has been speaking to both Opal and Nico psychically. This disembodied being from another realm, whom the kids call Thing, tells the story of the origins of the Darkdeep and the connected realm of the Rift and offers to help the Torchbearers seal the Rift. Now that the series is underway, this second installment offers more actualized characters and a darker backstory than the first book, setting a more engaging pace. With an early October release date, this will make a rousing Halloween read. Tyler has dark skin and Opal and Logan, ambiguous black hair, but the book adheres to a white default. With Volume 2, this series hits its stride. (Paranormal suspense. 10-12)

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October 1, 2019

Gr 3-7-Veteran writers Condie (Matched) and Reichs (Genesis) have teamed up againfor a sequel to their thrilling fantasy, The Darkdeep. Once again, Nico, Opal, Tyler, Emma, and Logan face terrors from beyond that threaten their sleepy northwestern town of Timbers. The action picks up seamlessly where The Darkdeep left off. In the first book, the friends stumbled upon a mysterious houseboat floating in the center of a dark pond called Still Cove, where a strange monster was rumored to live. Down below, in the hold of the houseboat, a watery portal beckoned to the kids. One by one, they dove in and were taken on a ride that brought to life their mind's thoughts. The friends thought that the figments were contained but now realize that there is a new, more dangerous threat: solid, beastly, violent figments have emerged from the pool and now endanger the whole town. The kids must work together to restrain the Darkdeep's Beast before things spiral out of control and make their worst nightmares a reality. The friends have distinct personalities that allow for humor and empathy amid their struggles, but these differences also create tension and discord. Pressure mounts as their friendship and loyalties are tested. The alternating points of view will grab readers from the first page and keep them guessing straight through to a satisfying ending. VERDICT A fast-paced adventure story of unsupervised teens trying to save the world. Perfect for all middle grade readers who appreciate suspense and thrills, but also a welcome addition for reluctant readers.-Carole Phillips, Greenacres Elementary School, Scarsdale, NY

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2019
Grades 3-6 It's almost Halloween and the small town of Timbers is about to become a national news story. Tales of a beast lurking off the coast have lured a myth-busting documentary crew to the area, and while some people are excited, Nico, Opal, Tyler, Emma, and Logan (the Torchbearers) are more concerned that the magic and secrets of Darkdeep are going to become public knowledge. Meanwhile, terrifying creatures are manifesting around town, and the Torchbearers have no idea where the creatures are coming from. Then one day, while being chased by a particularly foreboding monster, the Torchbearers make the first of many discoveries that bring them closer to understanding who the original Torchbearers were and why they disappeared. As Halloween nears and the documentary crew gets closer to uncovering the secrets of the Darkdeep, the Torchbearers find that they've been double-crossed, and everything gets out of control. Full of chilling adventures and dark revelations, Reichs and Condie's sequel to The Darkdeep (2018) will satisfy the appetites of middle-grade horror lovers everywhere.HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: This best-selling duo is going on a national author tour to drum up excitement for this book, so order up?or else.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)