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Shiverton Hall #2
The Creeper
Don't look behind you. Resist with all your power. He'll go away, perhaps, as long as you don't look. Arthur Bannister is back for another term at Shiverton Hall, where eerie events are unfolding. First, a burned stranger shows up in the middle of the night uttering dire warnings. Then a young boy disappears, leaving behind only an ancient book as a clue. And then there's that dreadful feeling Arthur has that he's being watched . . .Full of spine-chilling tales and deliciously creepy characters, this second story from Shiverton Hall is enough to make you leave the lights on at night.
273 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 5, 2014
8 people are currently reading
465 people want to read
About the author
Emerald Fennell
8 books310 followersEmerald is a writer and an actress (Call the Midwife, The Crown). She was show-runner for series 2 of Killing Eve, and was the first British woman to be nominated for an Academy Award for directing (Promising Young Woman). She lives in London with a very quiet ghost. She is the daughter of jewelry-designer Theo and author Louise Fennell. Her sister is fashion designer Coco Fennell.
Internet Movie Database: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2193504/
Internet Movie Database: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2193504/
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March 17, 2016A middle grade book about a creepy academy in England, written by one of the stars of Call the Midwife. Who NOT FOR NOTHING studied English at Oxford.
— Alice Burton
from The Best Books We Read In February: http://bookriot.com/2016/03/01/riot-r...
— Alice Burton
from The Best Books We Read In February: http://bookriot.com/2016/03/01/riot-r...
May 19, 2016
WILL THERE BE THE THIRD BOOK?! I WANT IT ASAP!!
That is totally different reaction than what I expected to have at the start of reading this book.
One thing I truly enjoy from this series is the various horror stories since the first book. All are creepy in their own way, some of scary enough that I know NOT to read before going to sleep. The second book is somewhat slower than the first book, with the excitement really starts during the last 25% of the book.
I also find it worrying that for both books, the same two characters went through dangers, Arthur aside. Hey, he's the main character for a reason.
And... the ending! Not so much of a cliffhanger, but enough that makes me want more. How many main characters we know actually embrace the dark blood in him? Not being in denial, then try to either find a way to get rid of it, or use it for 'the good'? Nope, not Arthur. At least for now.
Definitely putting this series on my Waiting list.
That is totally different reaction than what I expected to have at the start of reading this book.
One thing I truly enjoy from this series is the various horror stories since the first book. All are creepy in their own way, some of scary enough that I know NOT to read before going to sleep. The second book is somewhat slower than the first book, with the excitement really starts during the last 25% of the book.
I also find it worrying that for both books, the same two characters went through dangers, Arthur aside. Hey, he's the main character for a reason.
And... the ending! Not so much of a cliffhanger, but enough that makes me want more. How many main characters we know actually embrace the dark blood in him? Not being in denial, then try to either find a way to get rid of it, or use it for 'the good'? Nope, not Arthur. At least for now.
Definitely putting this series on my Waiting list.
May 13, 2015
This was so good I devoured it in a single afternoon! Quickly becoming one of my favourite series of the moment, I hope it is a long running series!
March 8, 2015
Such a good book!
I am thoroughly enjoying this series and cannot wait for the next one.
It is great to read such a creepy story, that is aimed for older children (and adults!), as this story really does not pull any punches with the creepiness level. The book starts by setting the spooky level high by describing what happens to a boy who sneaks into Shiverton Hall over the Christmas Holidays. Again I really enjoyed the ghost tales that appear every few chapters, this time the stories are mainly told through Mrs Todd, an old lady who Arthur has to spend his Wednesday afternoons with. My personal favourite was the tale of 'Skinless Tom' - very creepy and will keep me away from mirrors for a while.
I loved the character of Arthur, who is trying to come to terms with the possibility of the curse that lies within his own blood. He is realistic of a teenage boy, but the what I enjoy the most, is the way he thinks of his family and friends. He keeps them in the dark about certain truths so he can try to keep them out of all the spooky, ghostly happenings. I also love Arthur's friends, their friendships and how they joke with each other is funny and lovely at the same time.
But what I loved the most, was the ending! I thought it was superb! I love the direction it is hinting and leading to and Arthur is going to try to cope with his cursed blood - brilliant! The ending alone would have made me read the next one!
I would recommend to anyone (children and adults), who like a mystery and spookiness in abundance!
I am thoroughly enjoying this series and cannot wait for the next one.
It is great to read such a creepy story, that is aimed for older children (and adults!), as this story really does not pull any punches with the creepiness level. The book starts by setting the spooky level high by describing what happens to a boy who sneaks into Shiverton Hall over the Christmas Holidays. Again I really enjoyed the ghost tales that appear every few chapters, this time the stories are mainly told through Mrs Todd, an old lady who Arthur has to spend his Wednesday afternoons with. My personal favourite was the tale of 'Skinless Tom' - very creepy and will keep me away from mirrors for a while.
I loved the character of Arthur, who is trying to come to terms with the possibility of the curse that lies within his own blood. He is realistic of a teenage boy, but the what I enjoy the most, is the way he thinks of his family and friends. He keeps them in the dark about certain truths so he can try to keep them out of all the spooky, ghostly happenings. I also love Arthur's friends, their friendships and how they joke with each other is funny and lovely at the same time.
But what I loved the most, was the ending! I thought it was superb! I love the direction it is hinting and leading to and Arthur is going to try to cope with his cursed blood - brilliant! The ending alone would have made me read the next one!
I would recommend to anyone (children and adults), who like a mystery and spookiness in abundance!
January 17, 2018
I really love this series and I hope it will be continued in the future, because I really want to know what happens next. SUCH A CLIFFHANGER.
Just like the first book: Super scary, wouldn't recommend reading this at night in the dark like I did. Wasn't the best idea.
I really really hope this series will be continued because it's super unique and refreshing, and I really want to see where this story will go and end.
Just like the first book: Super scary, wouldn't recommend reading this at night in the dark like I did. Wasn't the best idea.
I really really hope this series will be continued because it's super unique and refreshing, and I really want to see where this story will go and end.
September 25, 2021
This book is amazing!
Emerald Fennel writes is an excellent way. The book is full of tension. After every chapter you have the need to go on reading because it's so suspenseful. While you read the book you cannot imagine for a second such an unexpectedly ending. It will shock you completely. Furthermore it leaves place for the imagination of the reader how the story could go on.
Shiverton Hall is definitely worth reading! Especially for readers who want to get scared a bit, want to feel the suspense and want to riddle. Amazing. Nothing more to say.
Emerald Fennel writes is an excellent way. The book is full of tension. After every chapter you have the need to go on reading because it's so suspenseful. While you read the book you cannot imagine for a second such an unexpectedly ending. It will shock you completely. Furthermore it leaves place for the imagination of the reader how the story could go on.
Shiverton Hall is definitely worth reading! Especially for readers who want to get scared a bit, want to feel the suspense and want to riddle. Amazing. Nothing more to say.
July 21, 2014
Officially my new favourite series! The inventive twists, creepy horror stories and macabre sense of fun that made the original so special are all back; together with greater character development and a more complex, multi-layered plot. The ending is a welcome antidote to all those children's fantasy stories (much as I love some of them) where the omnipotent villain is vanquished because the hero has the Power of Love.
The gothic horror stories interspersed throughout the main narrative are mostly even better than in the first book. Those were great, but generally forgettable (although when I said this to my nine-year-old she reminded me of the man who is made to regurgitate his own entrails, which apparently she will never forget). This time, I don't think I will forget the supremely unsettling Husband and Wife, Skinless Tom or the Circus (like the evil twin of the The Night CircusNight Circus).
This is a series which deserves to find a wide audience. It's scary enough to give adults a chill, cool enough for adolescents and the lack of sappy romance will appeal to younger readers with nerves of steel.
The gothic horror stories interspersed throughout the main narrative are mostly even better than in the first book. Those were great, but generally forgettable (although when I said this to my nine-year-old she reminded me of the man who is made to regurgitate his own entrails, which apparently she will never forget). This time, I don't think I will forget the supremely unsettling Husband and Wife, Skinless Tom or the Circus (like the evil twin of the The Night CircusNight Circus).
This is a series which deserves to find a wide audience. It's scary enough to give adults a chill, cool enough for adolescents and the lack of sappy romance will appeal to younger readers with nerves of steel.
June 19, 2014
Wow! This is just as spine-tingling and deliciously creepy as the first book! Can't wait for the third installment!
January 4, 2019
The second and, I am guessing due to the time that has passed between when the book came out and what time it is now, the last book. *sighs* I need more Shiverton in my life.
The book begins with an immediate creepy scene. A boy and his friend are going out to Shiverton at night. Yup, what could possibly go wrong? Well, a ton. We get a creepy book + our boy is going craycray. Not that long after we find out the kid has disappeared (and we all know that is language for dead).
The new term is here and there are all sorts of new things happening. Like the kids having to do some kind of chore every Wednesday. Which varied from working to having a good old time, which seemed kind of odd to me, but eh, boarding schools are weird I guess?
Can I say I actually felt sorry for Jake? He went through quite a bit in the past book, and now some more things. Poor guy.
There are once again tons of creepy Shiverton Hall stories featuring all sorts of spooky and big NOPENopityNOPEs. Like a typewriter that will suck your soul out. A guy who likes wearing people's skin (eewwwwww). We see what happened to the daughter of Ma Watkins. I was definitely spooked, but also very eager to read these. The author sure knows how to write creepy horror stories.
The ending was pretty exciting, however I am also disappointed.
I kind of wish there were more books about Arthur, about Shiverton, because there is still a lot to be said and done, and I am sure there are more stories to be told from the past. More characters to be met. Ha, hopefully one day, but I guess it is a far-away dream.
I would recommend this one to everyone (and of course the first book).
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
The book begins with an immediate creepy scene. A boy and his friend are going out to Shiverton at night. Yup, what could possibly go wrong? Well, a ton. We get a creepy book + our boy is going craycray. Not that long after we find out the kid has disappeared (and we all know that is language for dead).
The new term is here and there are all sorts of new things happening. Like the kids having to do some kind of chore every Wednesday. Which varied from working to having a good old time, which seemed kind of odd to me, but eh, boarding schools are weird I guess?
Can I say I actually felt sorry for Jake? He went through quite a bit in the past book, and now some more things. Poor guy.
There are once again tons of creepy Shiverton Hall stories featuring all sorts of spooky and big NOPENopityNOPEs. Like a typewriter that will suck your soul out. A guy who likes wearing people's skin (eewwwwww). We see what happened to the daughter of Ma Watkins. I was definitely spooked, but also very eager to read these. The author sure knows how to write creepy horror stories.
The ending was pretty exciting, however I am also disappointed.
I kind of wish there were more books about Arthur, about Shiverton, because there is still a lot to be said and done, and I am sure there are more stories to be told from the past. More characters to be met. Ha, hopefully one day, but I guess it is a far-away dream.
I would recommend this one to everyone (and of course the first book).
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
November 15, 2017
I got this book at a bargain a few weeks ago, never read the first one, and I didn't expect that much from it. The cover reminded me of a Harry Potter/A series of Unfortunate Events-ish story and I think it's pretty close to fitting that description. It has the scary elements of Unfortunate Events and the book basically started with a "Don't go back to school mr Harry Potter- I mean Arthur" moment. The stories the characters told each other also reminded me a little bit of Death or Ice Cream. It does have its own soul however.
Because of the age group it is targeted towards you can easily miss the first book and get caught up with the story. There is a lot of "Remember that one time when we... Last year you...", but not to a point where it's annoying.
I'd say it's definately a good book for children who like scary stories or adults who like scary stories, but not too scary. It was fairly predictable for me, but I enjoyed the ride and I'm a little curious where it's going to go from now on. I might pick up the third instalment if it releases at some point.
Because of the age group it is targeted towards you can easily miss the first book and get caught up with the story. There is a lot of "Remember that one time when we... Last year you...", but not to a point where it's annoying.
I'd say it's definately a good book for children who like scary stories or adults who like scary stories, but not too scary. It was fairly predictable for me, but I enjoyed the ride and I'm a little curious where it's going to go from now on. I might pick up the third instalment if it releases at some point.
June 13, 2017
I enjoyed this book as much as the first, though maybe for slightly different reasons. I felt this one was lacking a bit in the interaction among all the kids, which was disappointing because I really like all of them (why does poor Jake keep getting taken out of the action?). But I thought the mystery/ghostly aspect was much better this time around. Whereas in the first story I figured out what was happening early on, this time the surprise reveal really did catch me off guard. Looking back I see where the clues were, especially all the little stories we were told. Given the way this story ended, I'm not sure if there should be another book. I can't decide if I actually would be into that sort of evil, but I know for sure I'm terribly concerned about the well being of Penny, George, Xanthe and poor Jake if there is another installment.
May 1, 2022
I found this to be a lot more enjoyable than the first book. Despite the writing style seeming more fitting for younger children it had some genuinely spooky bits in that even made me feel a little creeped out! I think it was more what I was expecting from the first book and definitely enjoying the easy read but with the spooky paranormal elements. I have to say there are some characters that I feel are just really flat and pretty much pointless but I think that's more because I'm looking at it from an adults perspective where I'm usually used to very in depth character building within stories. Overall though I'd say it was a fun read and could really see how a younger child who likes things like the goosebumps books would also love something like this.
July 19, 2025
A somewhat underwhelming end to the Shiverton Hall duology. It definitely feels as though Emerald Fennell had initially planned on crafting more stories in the series, but for whatever reason ended up never publishing these tales. As it stands, the two Shiverton Hall books as fine as is, and excellent works to get younger readers into literature. Part of me does wonder how the story would have progressed were there more novels however.
October 25, 2020
4.5 stars
April 2, 2023
Great book. I hope she will write another
May 18, 2014
Full review at http://thebookshelfgargoyle.wordpress... (Jun 2nd)
I received a digital copy of this book for review from the publisher via Netgalley.
Ten Second Synopsis:
Despite a warning from a visually-different stranger, Arthur returns to Shiverton Hall in order to befriend an elderly lady without particularly spooky tea-time stories. Amongst other adventures, of course.
One of the reasons I love this series is that Fennell has deftly woven a bunch of original short horror tales into the main plot of the story. In this book they mostly come from Arthur’s elderly friend Mrs Todd, and these add immensely to the pacing and creepiness of the main plot. They are in much the same vein as Chris Priestley's Tales of Terror series (incidentally, another series that I adore), and have that similar feel of originality, usually with a twist at the end. My favourite in this book was Husband and Wife - what a little ripper!
I also love the banter between George, Penny and Arthur. George has some classic one-liners thoughout both books and Fennell has a wonderful, dry sense of humour (the best kind!) that includes unexpected and hilarious interjections and extremely colourful and giggle-worthy descriptions.
Overall, the characters are strong and believable, the tales and back-story surrounding Arthur and Shiverton Hall are thorough and detailed, and the writing is highly engaging and filled with humour, as well as creepiness. If you like a rollicking mystery that also contains true look-over-your-shoulder scariness, this is the series for you.
Highly recommended.
I received a digital copy of this book for review from the publisher via Netgalley.
Ten Second Synopsis:
Despite a warning from a visually-different stranger, Arthur returns to Shiverton Hall in order to befriend an elderly lady without particularly spooky tea-time stories. Amongst other adventures, of course.
One of the reasons I love this series is that Fennell has deftly woven a bunch of original short horror tales into the main plot of the story. In this book they mostly come from Arthur’s elderly friend Mrs Todd, and these add immensely to the pacing and creepiness of the main plot. They are in much the same vein as Chris Priestley's Tales of Terror series (incidentally, another series that I adore), and have that similar feel of originality, usually with a twist at the end. My favourite in this book was Husband and Wife - what a little ripper!
I also love the banter between George, Penny and Arthur. George has some classic one-liners thoughout both books and Fennell has a wonderful, dry sense of humour (the best kind!) that includes unexpected and hilarious interjections and extremely colourful and giggle-worthy descriptions.
Overall, the characters are strong and believable, the tales and back-story surrounding Arthur and Shiverton Hall are thorough and detailed, and the writing is highly engaging and filled with humour, as well as creepiness. If you like a rollicking mystery that also contains true look-over-your-shoulder scariness, this is the series for you.
Highly recommended.
November 2, 2014
So i ended up with the second book without getting the first one. but it was an interesting read if i was being honest.
but i don't think i'll be counting the series
but whats with that ending ??!!!
but i don't think i'll be counting the series
but whats with that ending ??!!!
August 3, 2015
After reading the first book in this series I was really excited to read The Creeper but found myself slightly disappointed as I did not find it anywhere near as dark and chilling as the one before. It was still good book and I finished it in no time but definetly preferred the first book!
June 16, 2025
This is the second Shiverton Hall book, and it’s just as fun as the first. It’s got the same mix of spooky stories and weird school stuff, which I really enjoyed.
Another 4 stars from me. I wish the series had continued.
Another 4 stars from me. I wish the series had continued.
October 9, 2014
This is turning out to be a great little series with some proper chills.
April 13, 2016
Fun and a little scary, great short read
July 12, 2016
Loved it!!! I want the next book so bad!!!
August 28, 2016
ok review ... well i don't know what to review ... i'm hoping there will be book 3 soon ... very soon
December 9, 2016
This was such a good book. The reason I picked it up was the cover. This is the first book I read from Fennell, so I have no idea what happened in part 1. But I can honestly say, I want to read it!!!
November 4, 2021
i was kind of skeptical to read this but it turned out good! for a middle school book it is creeper than you think. really interesting with a good twist
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