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The Doomsday Archives #2
The Heart-Stealer Mask
The next installment in
The Doomsday Archives
introduces an alluring new occult relic and a sinister new foe—a masked monster that lures victims with visions of their hearts' desires.
Unlike her friends Emrys and Serena, Hazel is struggling to adjust to magic and to their new roles as the secret protectors of New Rotterdam. She’s already worried about her mom, who works endless shifts at the hospital to make ends meet, and now she also has to worry about defending their entire town from supernatural forces. If only Hazel could figure out how to use her relic, the Magnus Crown, which has the power to transform matter, including turning lead into gold . . . gold that would certainly help ease her family’s financial issues.
But before Hazel can crack the Crown’s secrets, the trio discover a chilling new monster is hunting in New Rotterdam, luring its victims with visions of what they desire most. To Hazel’s horror, the monster seems to know exactly what’s in her heart and how to reel her in . . .
With eerie black-and-white illustrations by Julian Callos and chilling Wiki excerpts, The Heart-Stealer Mask continues the deliciously creepy Doomsday Archives series by Zack Loran Clark and Nick Eliopulos.
Unlike her friends Emrys and Serena, Hazel is struggling to adjust to magic and to their new roles as the secret protectors of New Rotterdam. She’s already worried about her mom, who works endless shifts at the hospital to make ends meet, and now she also has to worry about defending their entire town from supernatural forces. If only Hazel could figure out how to use her relic, the Magnus Crown, which has the power to transform matter, including turning lead into gold . . . gold that would certainly help ease her family’s financial issues.
But before Hazel can crack the Crown’s secrets, the trio discover a chilling new monster is hunting in New Rotterdam, luring its victims with visions of what they desire most. To Hazel’s horror, the monster seems to know exactly what’s in her heart and how to reel her in . . .
With eerie black-and-white illustrations by Julian Callos and chilling Wiki excerpts, The Heart-Stealer Mask continues the deliciously creepy Doomsday Archives series by Zack Loran Clark and Nick Eliopulos.
224 pages, Hardcover
Published September 24, 2024
2 people are currently reading
4726 people want to read
About the author
Zack Loran Clark
19 books127 followersZACK LORAN CLARK is a writer and editor of books for young readers. He is the author of The Lock-Eater and co-author of The Adventurers Guild trilogy with Nick Eliopulos. A lifelong fantasy nerd, avid Dungeons & Dragons player, and aspiring sorcerer, he lives with his husband and their dog in Brooklyn, NY.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 19, 2024
The Doomsday Archives once again captures the scary and Gothic feel that manages to be kid-friendly, but also captivating for older readers who enjoy classic horror motifs. It is genuinely scary in parts, with very creepy imagery. The inclusion of wiki articles for a website involving paranormal events in New Rotterdam is ingenious. In this book, these kids face some serious jeopardy, and while it’s not overtly gory, the subject matter does not shy away from getting gruesome. Although it feels a little short, and the pacing at the end was somewhat rushed, The Heart-Stealer Mask lives up to the potential of the first book, The Wandering Hour.
Overall rating: 4.5/5.0 stars
Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine. http://affairedeocoeur.com
Advance Review Copy provided by Netgalley courtesy of Zando Young Readers.
Overall rating: 4.5/5.0 stars
Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine. http://affairedeocoeur.com
Advance Review Copy provided by Netgalley courtesy of Zando Young Readers.
August 27, 2024
Thank you so much to Zando and Netgalley for the ebook to read and review.
The second book in the Doomsday Archives series, this time the story follows Hazel as she struggles with her self, the difficulties in her life, not getting all that her friends get and being unable to channel her charm. All whilst more Supernatural beings haunt the town of New Rotterdam.
These are always so much fun and so creepy, so many monsters, ghosts and more supernatural beings lurk in this small town. With wiki pages throughout that give you an insight to other beings in this town. I also love that our three protagonists are now learning so much about all the world’s relics, what they do, how they work. They have a big responsibility to protect them.
Hazel is really struggling within this story, her family life has changed and though her friends can afford to do fun things she knows financially that she can’t. Which makes her embarrassed as she cannot go to the convention as easily as her friends could, she has to figure things out herself as she can’t just ask for the help.
The monsters are always so creepy, built up by urban legends and myths, all backed up with the wiki pages. This time was a mimic who lures his prey in with his illusions of the things their hearts desire most. Truly creepy, the way these monsters are all created are truly amazing, you are so drawn into them and love figuring it all out with the friends.
Another great book in the doomsday series, if you like all things horror, supernatural, creepy and weird and also love a great friendship group, who have to care for all the magical relics of the world then this series is for you. It’s written so well and it really draws you in right from the start.
The second book in the Doomsday Archives series, this time the story follows Hazel as she struggles with her self, the difficulties in her life, not getting all that her friends get and being unable to channel her charm. All whilst more Supernatural beings haunt the town of New Rotterdam.
These are always so much fun and so creepy, so many monsters, ghosts and more supernatural beings lurk in this small town. With wiki pages throughout that give you an insight to other beings in this town. I also love that our three protagonists are now learning so much about all the world’s relics, what they do, how they work. They have a big responsibility to protect them.
Hazel is really struggling within this story, her family life has changed and though her friends can afford to do fun things she knows financially that she can’t. Which makes her embarrassed as she cannot go to the convention as easily as her friends could, she has to figure things out herself as she can’t just ask for the help.
The monsters are always so creepy, built up by urban legends and myths, all backed up with the wiki pages. This time was a mimic who lures his prey in with his illusions of the things their hearts desire most. Truly creepy, the way these monsters are all created are truly amazing, you are so drawn into them and love figuring it all out with the friends.
Another great book in the doomsday series, if you like all things horror, supernatural, creepy and weird and also love a great friendship group, who have to care for all the magical relics of the world then this series is for you. It’s written so well and it really draws you in right from the start.
January 31, 2025
This is a super fun next book in this super fun series!
I feel like the writing style here, the complicated descriptions, the big vocabulary, is all so respectful to young readers. It challenges them while also trusting them to be able to process (and learn!) all these big words.
The plot is scary and the monsters and setting all well-established. The way Hazel learns how to control her abilities is very satisfying and it's cool to see how each friend has different strengths and weaknesses. Actually, I find myself wishing this book was a little bit longer and that maybe the monster in question had one more victim to raise the stakes a bit? But that's nitpicky, as overall the plot's pacing is fine and is easy to follow.
The discomfort between friends of different socio-economic statuses is subtle and realistic too. It doesn't feel like the authors took any shortcuts when it came to building these interactions. I felt like the kids both really cared about each other AND also needed to learn how to connect and communicate better, so it was really satisfying to see these characters figure out how to be supportive of each other and get past awkwardness. Realistic, good stuff!!
And, same as the first book in this series -- A-freakin'-plus choice to have this magnificent art in the book too. I love how dark and gross and detailed all the art is. Magical. My friends and I would have been OBSESSED with this dark creepy vibe when we were in middle school. Cheers to the artist and fantastic choices by the publisher/authors to include those details.
Can't wait to get book #3!
I feel like the writing style here, the complicated descriptions, the big vocabulary, is all so respectful to young readers. It challenges them while also trusting them to be able to process (and learn!) all these big words.
The plot is scary and the monsters and setting all well-established. The way Hazel learns how to control her abilities is very satisfying and it's cool to see how each friend has different strengths and weaknesses. Actually, I find myself wishing this book was a little bit longer and that maybe the monster in question had one more victim to raise the stakes a bit? But that's nitpicky, as overall the plot's pacing is fine and is easy to follow.
The discomfort between friends of different socio-economic statuses is subtle and realistic too. It doesn't feel like the authors took any shortcuts when it came to building these interactions. I felt like the kids both really cared about each other AND also needed to learn how to connect and communicate better, so it was really satisfying to see these characters figure out how to be supportive of each other and get past awkwardness. Realistic, good stuff!!
And, same as the first book in this series -- A-freakin'-plus choice to have this magnificent art in the book too. I love how dark and gross and detailed all the art is. Magical. My friends and I would have been OBSESSED with this dark creepy vibe when we were in middle school. Cheers to the artist and fantastic choices by the publisher/authors to include those details.
Can't wait to get book #3!
June 2, 2024
Another hit from The Doomsday Archives series. These characters are so lovable and relatable. I think there’s wonderful discussions being had with each of them. In The Wandering Hour, we see Emrys struggling with his ADHD and anxiety, something that you didn’t used to see in middle grade fiction. In The Heart-Stealer Mask, we see Hazel, the second member of our dynamic three, struggling with a sense of shame that comes from having less than her friends while also grappling with this mindset that she has to do everything on her own and not ask for help. The character development in this series has been wonderful to see.
Beyond the characters though, the monsters these authors come up with are truly frightening. This book deals with a mimic whose illusions and lures are reminiscent of an angler fish and its lure. I loved it. I also love the wiki entries for all the other New Rotterdam legends. It really helps give us a full picture of this creepy little town while being fun and interesting instead of info dumpy and dry. It takes me back to the days of the creepypasta wiki haha
Beyond the characters though, the monsters these authors come up with are truly frightening. This book deals with a mimic whose illusions and lures are reminiscent of an angler fish and its lure. I loved it. I also love the wiki entries for all the other New Rotterdam legends. It really helps give us a full picture of this creepy little town while being fun and interesting instead of info dumpy and dry. It takes me back to the days of the creepypasta wiki haha
October 23, 2024
It’s the return of one of my new favorite middle grade horror series! Once again we’re treated to an eerie assortment of cryptids and urban legends alongside terrifying illustrations and a thrilling fast paced story. The second book in the series features Hazel and her struggles to understand the magical artifact in her possession, the Magnus Crown which contains the Philosophers Stone. Meanwhile there’s a new supernatural horror stalking the streets of New Rotterdam that draws people in by showing them an illusion of what they want most.
July 29, 2024
Awesome sequel to the Wandering Hour. What if all your local urban legends and all the great myths and artifacts were all real and you and your friends were thrust into safeguarding and protecting all of them? Join the next adventure as Hazel, Serena and Emrys learn more about their powers and chosen objects while solving the latest supernatural mystery in New Rotterdam and battling the Yellow Court.
October 21, 2024
The story itself is really good. Love reading the NewRotterdam wiki. But there is waaaay too much adult ideas in a book that's directed towards kids. Went can't it just be a fun scary book instead of shoe horning adult content. Leave that out. Just stick to the story.
April 9, 2025
God, lettere gotisk og uhyggelig! Fan af wiki-artiklerne og 'vandrehistorierne', tegningerne var lige så creepy som i bind 1, og selvom tempoet til sidst var lidt for hurtigt, var det en glimrende bog.
May 22, 2025
Another fantastic book in the series, thank you to my hubby for gifting it to me for my birthday~ *hugs*
New urban legends, new powers, and a lot of scary things happening at night! Are you ready?
😱 The urban legends we get in this one (between the main story) were just terrifying the heck out of me. That lighthouse story, yikes, if that is outside I would also go crazy, you cannot go anywhere. Or the wiki part about that tv-show which is so awesome but also scary. Or the dolls. OK, I just loved every bit of it, and again, as said in the previous review, I wouldn’t mind an entire book just with those wiki entries.
😱 The monster that is in our main story. The one that lures you in with dreams and hopes and then rips out your heart. Yup. At least you don’t notice it? I guess? Nope. I loved finding out more about the monster, see what it could do, how it worked, who is behind it (of course our creepy organisation but someone is wearing the mask, someone is hunting). Things really got creepier and creepier with each bit that we got and that last bit in the hospital, I was just NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPEEEEEE. Fantastically written!
😱 Seeing the kids and their items and see them figure out the magic behind them along with also figuring out the magic in the society. From portals to items, I wish I could visit the society.
😱 As a Dutch person I love that this one is set in a city called New Rotterdam. I live quite close to Rotterdam myself so that makes it even more fun. Though thankfully, normal Rotterdam is just normal, haha.
😱 The fantastic prologue which made me terrified and I love every moment of it. Gosh, I was just screaming at her to NOT GO OUTSIDEEEEEEEE. You know, your typical horror shouts, haha.
😱 The illustrations that were everywhere. Like the previous book they terrified the crap out of me for quite a few times, especially the ones with the urban legends/wiki parts were just extra scary. shivers Thanks for the nightmares!
😱 I loved when in the end Hazel talked to her mom and told her the big wish she had. I was just cheering. I could understand that she was hesitant to talk/it didn’t help that mom was constantly away, but I am proud that she did it in the end.
😱 Getting more information on New Rotterdam/see how it started.
😱 Meeting more baddies that are in the organisation. It is interesting to see how deep they are rooted in the main layer of the city. Then again, that is how corruption goes often. It seeps in the important parts.
🙄 I am glad that the plot of our MC trying out for gold and make dumb decisions (did she really think that she, as a 11-12 year old, could just wander into a pawn shop??? I mean the guy was also not the best, but what did she think would happen???) was over pretty soon and things focussed on the good stuff again. I really was considering DNF-ing and just reading the wiki/urban legends bits.
🥱 Girl, I get it, you are poor. You don’t like it. You don’t want to talk about it (though seriously, your friends know). I get it your mom works continuously (welcome to the US) and that is crap. I understand that it isn’t fun when your item and you aren’t working yet and that the others are figuring things out, but you cannot rush these things, you gotta take it easy. Everyone has their own pace. I don’t mind adding some real stuff to the mix, but at times it really just took away from all the spookiness.
But despite those two things I really had fun reading the story. Some fab urban legends, some great wiki stuff, and the main story with the mask was terrifying. I cannot wait to see what is next for our group!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
New urban legends, new powers, and a lot of scary things happening at night! Are you ready?
😱 The urban legends we get in this one (between the main story) were just terrifying the heck out of me. That lighthouse story, yikes, if that is outside I would also go crazy, you cannot go anywhere. Or the wiki part about that tv-show which is so awesome but also scary. Or the dolls. OK, I just loved every bit of it, and again, as said in the previous review, I wouldn’t mind an entire book just with those wiki entries.
😱 The monster that is in our main story. The one that lures you in with dreams and hopes and then rips out your heart. Yup. At least you don’t notice it? I guess? Nope. I loved finding out more about the monster, see what it could do, how it worked, who is behind it (of course our creepy organisation but someone is wearing the mask, someone is hunting). Things really got creepier and creepier with each bit that we got and that last bit in the hospital, I was just NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPEEEEEE. Fantastically written!
😱 Seeing the kids and their items and see them figure out the magic behind them along with also figuring out the magic in the society. From portals to items, I wish I could visit the society.
😱 As a Dutch person I love that this one is set in a city called New Rotterdam. I live quite close to Rotterdam myself so that makes it even more fun. Though thankfully, normal Rotterdam is just normal, haha.
😱 The fantastic prologue which made me terrified and I love every moment of it. Gosh, I was just screaming at her to NOT GO OUTSIDEEEEEEEE. You know, your typical horror shouts, haha.
😱 The illustrations that were everywhere. Like the previous book they terrified the crap out of me for quite a few times, especially the ones with the urban legends/wiki parts were just extra scary. shivers Thanks for the nightmares!
😱 I loved when in the end Hazel talked to her mom and told her the big wish she had. I was just cheering. I could understand that she was hesitant to talk/it didn’t help that mom was constantly away, but I am proud that she did it in the end.
😱 Getting more information on New Rotterdam/see how it started.
😱 Meeting more baddies that are in the organisation. It is interesting to see how deep they are rooted in the main layer of the city. Then again, that is how corruption goes often. It seeps in the important parts.
🙄 I am glad that the plot of our MC trying out for gold and make dumb decisions (did she really think that she, as a 11-12 year old, could just wander into a pawn shop??? I mean the guy was also not the best, but what did she think would happen???) was over pretty soon and things focussed on the good stuff again. I really was considering DNF-ing and just reading the wiki/urban legends bits.
🥱 Girl, I get it, you are poor. You don’t like it. You don’t want to talk about it (though seriously, your friends know). I get it your mom works continuously (welcome to the US) and that is crap. I understand that it isn’t fun when your item and you aren’t working yet and that the others are figuring things out, but you cannot rush these things, you gotta take it easy. Everyone has their own pace. I don’t mind adding some real stuff to the mix, but at times it really just took away from all the spookiness.
But despite those two things I really had fun reading the story. Some fab urban legends, some great wiki stuff, and the main story with the mask was terrifying. I cannot wait to see what is next for our group!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews