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The Vanquishers #2
Secret of the Reaping
The Vanquishers are back and ready to defend their town against the undead in this spooky middle grade from New York Times bestselling author Kalynn Bayron.
Boog and her best friends, Cedrick, Jules, and Aaron--aka the Squad--stick together, no matter what. Now that vampires are back, they'll need to take their Vanquisher lessons more seriously than ever. But who is behind this return of the undead?
When strange disappearances keep happening across their community and the Department of Vampire Affairs not-so-subtly warns Boog's mom to keep quiet about vampires returning, it looks like uncovering the truth won't be so easy. The Squad is eager to kick some undead butt, but will they be able to convince their parents they are ready to fight alongside the Vanquishers?
Boog and her best friends, Cedrick, Jules, and Aaron--aka the Squad--stick together, no matter what. Now that vampires are back, they'll need to take their Vanquisher lessons more seriously than ever. But who is behind this return of the undead?
When strange disappearances keep happening across their community and the Department of Vampire Affairs not-so-subtly warns Boog's mom to keep quiet about vampires returning, it looks like uncovering the truth won't be so easy. The Squad is eager to kick some undead butt, but will they be able to convince their parents they are ready to fight alongside the Vanquishers?
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First published October 10, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
February 17, 2024
This series is like a balm to the soul of my inner child. My only complaint is I want the next book naaaoooow!!! 😭
July 17, 2023
What a great vampire story! Can’t wait for the third book.
April 27, 2024
This was truly the perfect sequel. Just as action packed, fun and exciting as book one, the only issue I have is that I want to read book three right this second!
June 27, 2024
fun creepy mg series. i really appreciated how gruesome this one got!
November 1, 2024
Prvni polovina byla takova pomalejsi, ale ta druha pulka naprosto bozi.
February 26, 2025
There was a slight repetitiveness but still good. Cedrick is adorable.
March 28, 2025
Well shit!!
January 18, 2025
I actually liked this slightly more than the previous book!! The pacing was much better, since the mystery around Aaron was solved at the end of book 1. Yes, there were more slightly mysteries than vampire fighting in this book, too, but Boog didn’t have to question if the vampires existed like she did in the first one, so it was a lot easier to dive into the training and lore. Anyhow.
Like its predecessor, “Secret Of The Reaping” had plot twists that were all very predictable, with the exception of a couple details. I still enjoyed a couple of the reveals, though, and seeing the vampires create actual destruction and be threatening was pretty cool. (But even if a few parts made me nervous, I didn’t fear for the main characters, really? It’s pretty clear they’re gonna turn out alive, if a little emotionally scarred.) Also, while I said this before, it’s so easy to see why “Stranger Things” is a comp title LOL. Sketchy government agencies? A friend group with one of the members changing for the monstrous, but still remaining an ally? Kids being amateur detectives about the paranormal? Rings a lot of bells, except there’s no 80’s nostalgia.
But a nitpick—well, I guess the issue is bigger than that— I have is that this series doesn’t really… feel like a series?! Because of each book happening right after the other, and there being a few less plot points than I’m used to reading in middle grade novels, it feels like one arc split into several parts. While I think this would work spectacularly as a single-season show, actually reading it is disorienting because it makes every ending feel abrupt. I’m a little scared to read the final book for this reason, especially because there’s so much plot to cover and I can already tell that it probably would’ve worked better as a quartet. (A reviewer pointed this out, but this and book 1 feel like they were written without a clear idea of how many books there would be?)
Also, while I liked reading about Boog, Cedrick, Aaron and Jules again, I think there should’ve been a couple more pages to show how the different bonds within their friend group changed with everything they’re going through. There isn’t really time to focus on the different pairs/parts of the group like in book 1, and while Boog and Aaron had some really cool moments, they had the most development of everyone??
I’m still planning on finishing this series. The casual representation and the creepiness are very fun.
Like its predecessor, “Secret Of The Reaping” had plot twists that were all very predictable, with the exception of a couple details. I still enjoyed a couple of the reveals, though, and seeing the vampires create actual destruction and be threatening was pretty cool. (But even if a few parts made me nervous, I didn’t fear for the main characters, really? It’s pretty clear they’re gonna turn out alive, if a little emotionally scarred.) Also, while I said this before, it’s so easy to see why “Stranger Things” is a comp title LOL. Sketchy government agencies? A friend group with one of the members changing for the monstrous, but still remaining an ally? Kids being amateur detectives about the paranormal? Rings a lot of bells, except there’s no 80’s nostalgia.
But a nitpick—well, I guess the issue is bigger than that— I have is that this series doesn’t really… feel like a series?! Because of each book happening right after the other, and there being a few less plot points than I’m used to reading in middle grade novels, it feels like one arc split into several parts. While I think this would work spectacularly as a single-season show, actually reading it is disorienting because it makes every ending feel abrupt. I’m a little scared to read the final book for this reason, especially because there’s so much plot to cover and I can already tell that it probably would’ve worked better as a quartet. (A reviewer pointed this out, but this and book 1 feel like they were written without a clear idea of how many books there would be?)
Also, while I liked reading about Boog, Cedrick, Aaron and Jules again, I think there should’ve been a couple more pages to show how the different bonds within their friend group changed with everything they’re going through. There isn’t really time to focus on the different pairs/parts of the group like in book 1, and while Boog and Aaron had some really cool moments, they had the most development of everyone??
I’m still planning on finishing this series. The casual representation and the creepiness are very fun.
October 16, 2024
Loving this series! Book two was shorter but it still packed quite a punch. We get a lot more about Vamps, Vanquishers, and world development. Book 2 does speak to some of the wonderings I had in book 1 about the global aspect of vampirism, which I appreciated.
There is more of the adults with holding critical information that could determine who lives or dies, which I always dislike, but it is somewhat addressed in narrative, which I do like. We tackle some big emotions, learn more life lessons, and deepen our understanding of how this family and this lore works. I'm really glad that I kind of forgot about this series until I saw that book 3 was coming out, because BOYHOWDY is that a cliff hanger of an ending!
Two frustrations I had that are spoilers:
There is more of the adults with holding critical information that could determine who lives or dies, which I always dislike, but it is somewhat addressed in narrative, which I do like. We tackle some big emotions, learn more life lessons, and deepen our understanding of how this family and this lore works. I'm really glad that I kind of forgot about this series until I saw that book 3 was coming out, because BOYHOWDY is that a cliff hanger of an ending!
Two frustrations I had that are spoilers:
April 15, 2024
Secret of the Reaping (The Vanquishers book 2) by Kalynn Bayron is 100% my jam. I love middle grade horror and I believe Kalynn's series here is some of the most fun and refreshing middle grade horror to be published in a moment. Book 2 picks up right where book 1 left off. Despite others’ belief that the threat of vampires is over, Boog’s parents and their friends, who are Vanquishers, remain vigilant. This proves tricky, since classmate Aaron was bitten and has turned into a vampire. But Boog and crew are still hanging out with Aaron despite his new condition, and Aaron’s mother is working tirelessly to come up with a potion to cure him. School counselor and Vanquisher historian Mr. Rupert, who provides vampire history lessons, of course disapproves. And of course there is concern that the vampire who bit Aaron is still at large and likely part of a group. The Vanquishers realize they must share their knowledge, even as they strive to keep their children safe, especially with mysterious disappearances happening and an old Vanquisher named Casey arriving on the scene. Are the Vanquishers safe from harm? Will Boog have to fight to rescue grownups?
Read and find out.
This book was fun, heartwarming, hilarious, spooky, and shocking. It ends on a cliffhanger that leaves you hooked and ready to read book #3. I personally can't wait because the training and the knowledge that Boog and company have gained to slay vampires is gonna come in handy.
Read and find out.
This book was fun, heartwarming, hilarious, spooky, and shocking. It ends on a cliffhanger that leaves you hooked and ready to read book #3. I personally can't wait because the training and the knowledge that Boog and company have gained to slay vampires is gonna come in handy.
October 25, 2023
Picking up where THE VANQUISHIERS left off, Boog and her friends are still figuring out their new normal now that Aaron's a vampire. Bayron does a great job of capturing that conflicting middle ground of when kids start to get old enough to handle more adult situations yet the grownups in their lives are still trying to protect them. The Squad may THINK they're old enough to handle the truth behind the Reaping and the Vanquishers... but as they begin to learn some of the secrets, they might be biting off more than they can chew.
Readers learn more about Boog's favorite teacher, and their parents face a betrayal they didn't see coming. The plot twists were good, it was fun to learn more background in this world, and that ending... it'll leave you hanging and dying for the next book in the series to be published.
The Vanquishers is a great vampire series that spans the gap between middle grade and YA!
Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by NetGalley and Bloomsbury Children's Books in exchange for an honest review.
Readers learn more about Boog's favorite teacher, and their parents face a betrayal they didn't see coming. The plot twists were good, it was fun to learn more background in this world, and that ending... it'll leave you hanging and dying for the next book in the series to be published.
The Vanquishers is a great vampire series that spans the gap between middle grade and YA!
Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by NetGalley and Bloomsbury Children's Books in exchange for an honest review.
October 30, 2023
A continuation of the first book in the Vanquishers series, it's the hijinks of youth with a friend group led by Boog and her Vanquisher parents as they embark on lessons to become Vanquishers themselves all while maintaining a friendship with the new kid, Aaron, who after moving to their town, became a vampire, and who they are trying to reverse.
The friends are fun. There's humor and entertainment along with quips between each other and acceptance of their foibles. As more history is uncovered, they put more pieces together and now that the vampires are rising up, the stakes are high and not only are the vampires moving in, but some have been there all along.
It resolves things minimally while kicking another set of problems into high gear for the third book, so not many true endings, more of a connector book, but I love it and am enjoying the atmospheric vampire story the day before Halloween.
The friends are fun. There's humor and entertainment along with quips between each other and acceptance of their foibles. As more history is uncovered, they put more pieces together and now that the vampires are rising up, the stakes are high and not only are the vampires moving in, but some have been there all along.
It resolves things minimally while kicking another set of problems into high gear for the third book, so not many true endings, more of a connector book, but I love it and am enjoying the atmospheric vampire story the day before Halloween.
October 24, 2023
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel. 4/5 stars. (read and reviewed post publishing)
Look, I binged this in like....less than 2 hours. While I didn't enjoy it as much as #1, this really sets up the plot for the next book with how it develops the crew, Aaron's powers, and the rise of vampires. I enjoyed the humor in this one again, along with the world building with the Vanquishers. I do think a lot of it was plot build up though, and it felt disconnected at some points with simply trying to get to the end for the big reveal that changes the plot of the series.
Also, I love how these kids are basically like "hey, let us fight and be grown ups" and finally their parents are like "hmmm, yeah, you should probably know what to do" ya know, after they get attacked.
Look, I binged this in like....less than 2 hours. While I didn't enjoy it as much as #1, this really sets up the plot for the next book with how it develops the crew, Aaron's powers, and the rise of vampires. I enjoyed the humor in this one again, along with the world building with the Vanquishers. I do think a lot of it was plot build up though, and it felt disconnected at some points with simply trying to get to the end for the big reveal that changes the plot of the series.
Also, I love how these kids are basically like "hey, let us fight and be grown ups" and finally their parents are like "hmmm, yeah, you should probably know what to do" ya know, after they get attacked.
February 24, 2025
The world building is rich and the lore is inviting- what is the true history of the vampires and Vanquishers? Kalynn Bayron does a great job of timing the lore drops, leaving nice moments where the reader is speculating about what could be going on (same as our main character). The new character developments are interesting as Aaron finds his feet as a vampire, Mr. Rupert steps into his new role, and a former friend of their parents reappears. The tension build is great, but again, the plot waits until the third act to really move. Parts in the middle sort of dragged on, and I found myself losing interest. The end was worth getting to, but the middle third really isn't Bayron's strong suit.
April 25, 2024
This book and the series in general, are so amazing! I wish my younger self had this book growing up. I cannot wait until the third book! I actually hop h series expands to like a 6-10 book series. I mean why not? There’s so many ways she can go with this and the characters are so interesting i would love to see their journey. Cedric is my one of my faves. He’s so funny and I just love how Ms. Bayron writes these characters. I loved this book! 🔥🔥💓
October 30, 2024
How can there be only one more book and it gets all wrapped up? This should be a big long series. Also, I knew
December 15, 2025
It’s been awhile since I read book 1 but in reading this, I immediately remembered what this series is about. There were twists and turns and shocking scenes and I loved every bit of it. I really enjoy this author. Her writing is amazing and her storylines keep me at the edge of my seat and this one did not disappoint.
March 23, 2024
Like the first, this was cute, wholesome, diverse. But this one was also shocking and had some genuinely sad moments.
Overall, a 4.5🌟, not quite as strong as the first, but this series is amazing and I’m so so excited for the final book!
Overall, a 4.5🌟, not quite as strong as the first, but this series is amazing and I’m so so excited for the final book!
March 31, 2024
Excellent middle grade novel! It went by fast and ended on a cliff hanger. Book 3 can't come out fast enough. Great characters, great plot! The vamps have a classic feel but everything about the book still feels fresh.
August 7, 2025
The second book in the series is action packed and I love how much the kids are involved. They love their friend and protect each other fiercely. Once again this is one that I would have loved to read in middle school. Such a fun book!!
November 4, 2025
A great continuation! Awfully proud of seeing a twist coming even though I am an entire adult and this is a middle grade book. Still satisfying!! I just keep thinking about how much 10-year-old me would have adored these. I love the lore drops, and can't wait to read the next one.
April 9, 2024
This story was ok. There were good parts. For me it wasn’t as exciting as the first.
April 13, 2024
4.5 stars
April 28, 2024
We would give this 6 stars if we could. My 10 year old loved it so much
July 22, 2024
Cute pt 2
Really enjoying this little series!!! Loved all the action & Vanquisher + vampire lore in this one too
Really enjoying this little series!!! Loved all the action & Vanquisher + vampire lore in this one too
July 23, 2024
4.5 stars
September 1, 2024
now i have to wait a whole month for the next book whyyyyyyyy
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews