The Stone Hollow Circle

by J.L. DuRona

In the small town of Stone Hollow, where dense trees shade the sidewalks and glowing mushrooms grow wild, a strange artifact appeared, as if out of nowhere, nestled in the nearby woods.

Stepsisters Lacey and Cal are excited to study the artifact with Cal’s archeologist mom. But when they're unexpectedly denied access to the site, the girls are forced to entertain themselves for the summer. Lacey finds solace when she befriends an eccentric girl from the neighborhood, but is there more to her than meets the eye?

Meanwhile, Cal becomes obsessed with the creepy old house next door. Bright lights flash from its basement at night, and cryptic symbols adorn its lawn. With Lacey growing more and more distant, Cal will have to investigate without her. Is she being paranoid, or is there something sinister going on?

The answers will lead the Berge sisters into the woods of Stone Hollow. What they face there will not only endanger their lives but challenge their loyalty to each other.

200 pages, Paperback

First published September 24, 2024

About the author

J.L. is the award-winning author of the spooky middle grade series The Berge Sisters. While other kids played on the jungle gym during recess, he would quietly slip away into the woods surrounding his rural elementary school to read the most recent Goosebumps book. It’s always been a dream of his to create stories that inspire others the same way he was as a kid. The Berge Sisters Tour the Neitherswarth is his debut novel.

J.L. graduated in 2007 from Castleton University with a BA in Children’s Literature. He's also a cartoonist and received his MFA from the Center for Cartoon Studies in 2011. He currently lives in Vermont with his wife and three cats.

Reviews

[Louise Conway · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable adventure with my favourite monster-fighting sisters. Lacey and Cal Berge have already had more than their fair share of crazy encounters with the paranormal, so when they join their parents on an archaeological expedition they really hope it will be a chance to have some much needed fun and normality. Unfortunately for them normality soon goes out the window once again as they find themselves investigating strange, secretive neighbours, mysterious symbols and a supernatural force that's possibly more dangerous than anything they've ever faced before.

As always I had a great time reading this; J.L Durona is a fantastic writer whose narration skills and descriptions mean I could happily lose myself in his work all day long. The plot felt simpler than those of the previous books in this series, and there were moments when it seemed to fade into the background as the sisters' emotional struggles took over the story, but (without leaving spoilers) part of the ending still caught me by surprise and set things up wonderfully for the next book (which I'm already very excited for).

Other highlights:

. The change in narration style; Cal's always been an interesting character so it was really good seeing things from her POV
. Moving moments between the Berge girls and parents
. Mr Adger popping up again (you can never have too much Mr Adger)

Many thanks to the author for the early copy in exchange for an honest review

[William Beck · Rating 4 out of 5]

For perspective; this was the book that first put the Berge sisters on my radar and so naturally, I became increasingly excited to get to it as I followed them on their journeys through the supernatural.

I don't think this quite hits the same atmospheric highs of book 2, and at times the plot feels like it almost takes a backseat to focus on character interactions in a way that remained entertaining but lacked the same threat and urgency of the previous adventure, I still thoroughly enjoyed this entry and am left eager for the 4th book's release.

A great treat for existing fans that's sure to please and thrill, if not necessarily chill, from start to finish.

[chill reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Stepsisters Lacey and Cal Berge investigate an archaeological site in the town of Stone Hollow, they uncover a decades-old secret and a spooky paranormal force. Who can they trust? Fast-paced and exciting, children are sure to enjoy this third book in the series!

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the characters and the story! Fighting evil, finding new friends, learning that change is hard and your family will always be there. Another great magical and creepy adventure!