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Shadow House #2
You Can't Hide
From the team that brought you Spirit Animals and Tombquest, the second installment in the exciting series that invites you to step inside the ghost story! The spooky, second installment of the exciting Shadow House series!
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First published December 27, 2016
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1113 people want to read
About the author
Dan Poblocki
25 books647 followersAuthor of The Stone Child, The Nightmarys, The Ghost of Graylock, and the Mysterious Four series,The Haunting of Gabriel Ashe, and The Book of Bad Things.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
May 14, 2021
Poppy, Marcus, Azumi, Dash, and Dylan: these five kids, invited to Larkspur House by some as yet unknown entity, are in grave danger. Book one of the Shadow House series saw them discover they weren't alone in the Larkspur mansion; five ghost children known as "Specials" roam the house, wearing animal masks and possessed of supernatural physical strength. Poppy, Marcus, Azumi, and Dash managed to evade the Specials, but Dash's twin brother Dylan ran off by himself when he learned a shocking secret: he has been dead for months, the victim of a practical joke of Dash's that went horribly wrong. Deep in denial, Dash has routinely conversed with Dylan's ghost ever since, but the other kids at Larkspur can see him, too. They want to help Dash track his brother down so they can all escape Cyrus Caldwell's mansion. The place isn't safe for any of them.
"Hope is the fuel that keeps us...alive....But the funny thing about hope is that it always comes with a price. Worry. Fear. Anxiety. Once something is important enough to hope for, it attains a power over you."
—You Can't Hide, P. 72
Fleeing the Specials and other supernatural dangers, Poppy, Marcus, Azumi and Dash try to stay together but are soon separated. When Dash relocates Azumi, she seems out of sorts, claiming she hasn't seen him since shortly after they arrived at Larkspur. The strangeness gets worse when Poppy, Marcus, Dash, Azumi...and Azumi all meet up. One Azumi's hair is done up in a short style, but the two girls are otherwise identical and each claims to be the real Azumi. The short-haired one has found her older sister Moriko in Larkspur House, given up for dead months ago after she disappeared during a walk in the forest. Which Azumi is real, and who is the other one? Is Moriko who she appears to be, and how did she end up at Larkspur? These mysteries have no obvious answers.
Alone, and struggling with the horror of remembering his own death, Dylan falls in with a sinister being who uses the boy's negative emotion to confuse him. The twins were lured to Larkspur by the promise of a film project for them to act in, and the "director" asks Dylan if he's ready to deliver a virtuoso performance. Dylan is given a scary clown mask that latches onto his face and accentuates his worst personality traits, enslaving him to his trickster side. The "director" wants him to torment Dash, and Dylan readily complies. While this drama plays out behind the scenes, Poppy, Marcus, Dash, and the two Azumis learn more about Larkspur House and devise a tentative escape plan: Cyrus Caldwell did heinous behavioral experiments on the children in his care many decades ago, but he created a way to escape the mansion. It's up to Poppy and her friends to solve a series of abstract puzzles and get out of Larkspur House before the Specials catch up to them, but one nagging question remains: who is the true Azumi? The consequences for guessing wrong are worse than any of the kids imagine...
"Just because something is broken doesn't mean it can't be put back together again."
—Poppy, You Can't Hide, P. 165
Every one of the main kids has trauma to work through in this series, but You Can't Hide focuses on Dash and Dylan. Before coming to Larkspur, Dash was in a mental hospital, unable to cope with the guilt of accidentally killing his brother. He lived in a haze of denial, blurring reality and fantasy, but his head has cleared since meeting the other kids at Larkspur and remembering Dylan's death; as You Can't Hide puts it, "There's nothing like hurt to help you understand that you're wide awake." I'm intrigued by how the story will go in book three, No Way Out. You Can't Hide is written fairly well, though a few particulars of the plot are hard to keep straight; notably, I had trouble telling the Azumis apart. This book isn't quite as good as the first, but the series is worth finishing. Larkspur's most volatile secrets may yet lie ahead.
"Hope is the fuel that keeps us...alive....But the funny thing about hope is that it always comes with a price. Worry. Fear. Anxiety. Once something is important enough to hope for, it attains a power over you."
—You Can't Hide, P. 72
Fleeing the Specials and other supernatural dangers, Poppy, Marcus, Azumi and Dash try to stay together but are soon separated. When Dash relocates Azumi, she seems out of sorts, claiming she hasn't seen him since shortly after they arrived at Larkspur. The strangeness gets worse when Poppy, Marcus, Dash, Azumi...and Azumi all meet up. One Azumi's hair is done up in a short style, but the two girls are otherwise identical and each claims to be the real Azumi. The short-haired one has found her older sister Moriko in Larkspur House, given up for dead months ago after she disappeared during a walk in the forest. Which Azumi is real, and who is the other one? Is Moriko who she appears to be, and how did she end up at Larkspur? These mysteries have no obvious answers.
Alone, and struggling with the horror of remembering his own death, Dylan falls in with a sinister being who uses the boy's negative emotion to confuse him. The twins were lured to Larkspur by the promise of a film project for them to act in, and the "director" asks Dylan if he's ready to deliver a virtuoso performance. Dylan is given a scary clown mask that latches onto his face and accentuates his worst personality traits, enslaving him to his trickster side. The "director" wants him to torment Dash, and Dylan readily complies. While this drama plays out behind the scenes, Poppy, Marcus, Dash, and the two Azumis learn more about Larkspur House and devise a tentative escape plan: Cyrus Caldwell did heinous behavioral experiments on the children in his care many decades ago, but he created a way to escape the mansion. It's up to Poppy and her friends to solve a series of abstract puzzles and get out of Larkspur House before the Specials catch up to them, but one nagging question remains: who is the true Azumi? The consequences for guessing wrong are worse than any of the kids imagine...
"Just because something is broken doesn't mean it can't be put back together again."
—Poppy, You Can't Hide, P. 165
Every one of the main kids has trauma to work through in this series, but You Can't Hide focuses on Dash and Dylan. Before coming to Larkspur, Dash was in a mental hospital, unable to cope with the guilt of accidentally killing his brother. He lived in a haze of denial, blurring reality and fantasy, but his head has cleared since meeting the other kids at Larkspur and remembering Dylan's death; as You Can't Hide puts it, "There's nothing like hurt to help you understand that you're wide awake." I'm intrigued by how the story will go in book three, No Way Out. You Can't Hide is written fairly well, though a few particulars of the plot are hard to keep straight; notably, I had trouble telling the Azumis apart. This book isn't quite as good as the first, but the series is worth finishing. Larkspur's most volatile secrets may yet lie ahead.
February 3, 2024
وای این چقدر آندرریتده =)))))
وااااقعا ترسناکه میشه گفت تا حالا انقدر ترسناک نخوندم 🤝🏻
وااااقعا ترسناکه میشه گفت تا حالا انقدر ترسناک نخوندم 🤝🏻
July 30, 2017
Such a fantastic middle grade series! Perfect for any kid (or adult) who likes truly scary stories.
January 24, 2018
Wow, so much fear, so many twists and turns. This was amazing!
This book was fantastic, though there were a few small points that I didn't like that much. I want to start with those before I get to all the goodie stuff.
So Dash and Dylan's whole drama just got annoying. It was quite an interesting thing at first, but then I didn't know who to dislike more: Dylan? Or Dash? They both make some stupid mistakes but I think the brother who is dead (no spoiler, if you read the first book you would know, and really, you know that if you read a second or third, or further book review that there may be stuff mentioned in the first review) is the most annoying. Really, he knows about what happened to the kids with masks, and yet he is stupid enough to just fall for this mask stuff. *sighs and rolls eyes* I don't care that his memory might be messed up, I didn't even see it as that, I saw it rather that he was just a whiny little brat who never got what he wanted and now he is finally able to do x and y, and he takes it. He did make a good villain, and he was creepy. But I am so sorry, I couldn't get over the fact that he kept whining. One moment he would be all sad and wanting help, the next moment he hated his brother, hated that he always helped him, hated that he always needed his brother's help. Do you know what you want? *sighs*
So yeah, that part was just too much meh.
Then there is the whole let's hate on Poppy. Yes, the girl isn't really the best at social cues, but she did help you guys a lot! She is often the only one who gets to the solution in the end. She is the one saving your buts continuously. But does she ever get credit? No. :|
Marcus also wasn't really a fantastic character. He never really wasn't my favourite, but he made some really stupid decisions, comments, and more in this one. He pissed me off quite a few times.
But other than those points I did love the book and I flew through it, not stopping until I was absolutely done, and then I wanted the next book to appear magically so I could continue. Because, boy, a lot of things happen in this one.
The house also has some new tricks up its sleeve. Some new creepy ghosts make their appearance, we have some new twists and turns, and we also see some new parts of the house (including a classroom, a greenhouse with zombies (yes, zombies), attics with spookiness, and then I am not even mentioning the garden yet). Yes, you really can't hide anywhere.
I did love that the ghosts in the house are at times helpful. Showing hints, giving items. At least not all that is spooky is bad. Then again the Specials aren't that bad either. They can't help what they are doing, it is the mask's fault for all that.
Yes, I definitely felt for the Specials (well the official ones, not the new one). Those poor children. Especially when we learn certain facts about them and about their previous lives. Those poor things. I just want to hug them and tell them things will be OK, eventually. Someday.
The title for the book is also great. It fits the book perfectly, just like the first one fitted that book perfectly. It is true, one can't hide. Horrors and pain will be there no matter where you go.
We also learn something about the guy who did all the bad stuff to the orphans + we learn something about the girl in the mirror. It was all interesting and it made things even better.
What more? Mm, Azumi definitely did have an important role in this one.
Her sister? I can say I saw it coming, that is all I will say about it.
What more? Well, be prepared not to sleep. :P Also I can't wait for the next one as I am curious, we now levelled up and got to somewhere else, and I am curious what horrors en terrors that new place will bring.
All in all, a wonderful book in a great series. I would highly recommend it!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
This book was fantastic, though there were a few small points that I didn't like that much. I want to start with those before I get to all the goodie stuff.
So Dash and Dylan's whole drama just got annoying. It was quite an interesting thing at first, but then I didn't know who to dislike more: Dylan? Or Dash? They both make some stupid mistakes but I think the brother who is dead (no spoiler, if you read the first book you would know, and really, you know that if you read a second or third, or further book review that there may be stuff mentioned in the first review) is the most annoying. Really, he knows about what happened to the kids with masks, and yet he is stupid enough to just fall for this mask stuff. *sighs and rolls eyes* I don't care that his memory might be messed up, I didn't even see it as that, I saw it rather that he was just a whiny little brat who never got what he wanted and now he is finally able to do x and y, and he takes it. He did make a good villain, and he was creepy. But I am so sorry, I couldn't get over the fact that he kept whining. One moment he would be all sad and wanting help, the next moment he hated his brother, hated that he always helped him, hated that he always needed his brother's help. Do you know what you want? *sighs*
So yeah, that part was just too much meh.
Then there is the whole let's hate on Poppy. Yes, the girl isn't really the best at social cues, but she did help you guys a lot! She is often the only one who gets to the solution in the end. She is the one saving your buts continuously. But does she ever get credit? No. :|
Marcus also wasn't really a fantastic character. He never really wasn't my favourite, but he made some really stupid decisions, comments, and more in this one. He pissed me off quite a few times.
But other than those points I did love the book and I flew through it, not stopping until I was absolutely done, and then I wanted the next book to appear magically so I could continue. Because, boy, a lot of things happen in this one.
The house also has some new tricks up its sleeve. Some new creepy ghosts make their appearance, we have some new twists and turns, and we also see some new parts of the house (including a classroom, a greenhouse with zombies (yes, zombies), attics with spookiness, and then I am not even mentioning the garden yet). Yes, you really can't hide anywhere.
I did love that the ghosts in the house are at times helpful. Showing hints, giving items. At least not all that is spooky is bad. Then again the Specials aren't that bad either. They can't help what they are doing, it is the mask's fault for all that.
Yes, I definitely felt for the Specials (well the official ones, not the new one). Those poor children. Especially when we learn certain facts about them and about their previous lives. Those poor things. I just want to hug them and tell them things will be OK, eventually. Someday.
The title for the book is also great. It fits the book perfectly, just like the first one fitted that book perfectly. It is true, one can't hide. Horrors and pain will be there no matter where you go.
We also learn something about the guy who did all the bad stuff to the orphans + we learn something about the girl in the mirror. It was all interesting and it made things even better.
What more? Mm, Azumi definitely did have an important role in this one.
Her sister? I can say I saw it coming, that is all I will say about it.
What more? Well, be prepared not to sleep. :P Also I can't wait for the next one as I am curious, we now levelled up and got to somewhere else, and I am curious what horrors en terrors that new place will bring.
All in all, a wonderful book in a great series. I would highly recommend it!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
January 24, 2018
After reading the first book, Shadow House: The Gathering, I moved straight onto the second book without a moment's hesitation. I HAD to find out what was next in store for our five main characters and I couldn't wait to see what else the Shadow House had in store for them...
Poppy, Marcus, Dash, Dylan, and Azumi are all trapped within Shadow House, a sinister estate where past and present intertwine. As they fight to find a way out, the kids think the ghosts of the house are the greatest danger they face. Little do the kids know it's the secrets they're each hiding that will prove even more lethal.
They're going to have to come face to face with their fears if they stand any hope of escaping the house alive. Is there anyone or anything in the house they can trust? Or is all hope disappearing, too...
Throughout the second book in this haunting trilogy, Poppy, Marcus, Dash, Dylan and Azumi are still trapped inside of the Shadow House and can't seem to find a way out. They do find a way out of the house in the end, but it just means that they're trapped on the house's grounds instead (which is the premise for the third and final book in this trilogy).
What I absolutely love about these books is that you can be a child, teenager, young adult or adult and still enjoy this series. It has twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat, it has a lot of character depth and secrets, and also has just the right amount of horror to scare all age groups (but is not TOO scary for the younger ones!) During You Can't Hide, the house lures the children deeper and deeper into the heart of itself and forces them to confront their fears and each other. A lot of the characters' personal secrets are revealed, and I didn't see half of them coming. Even though the book is a middle-grade novel and it's written to entertain the middle-grade audience, I didn't think that the writing was overly simplistic. Poblocki has such a brilliant way of making the story accessible to all age ranges.
This book didn't suffer from second-book-syndrome AT ALL! It was just as good as the first book and the pictures that accompanied the book were awesome and terrifying! There were some new creepy ghosts that make an appearance in the sequel, there are even more twists and turns, and then we also see new parts of the house and ZOMBIES! Don't worry, you zombie-haters, they aren't a massive part of the book! They're just something else to add to the terror of the house. AND WELL... THE GARDEN IS SOMETHING ELSE ENTIRELY. I really do feel sorry for these poor kids. They just wanted to go to someplace that would accept them, not KILL them!
I need the third book in my life. I'm so sad that I don't actually own it, because if I did, then I would start reading it straight away. Wait, a second...
I think I hear my Amazon Prime calling to me...
What's that? The third book is only £6?
Looks like I'm buying the third book, receiving it tomorrow and then going on to start and finish it tomorrow!
Poppy, Marcus, Dash, Dylan, and Azumi are all trapped within Shadow House, a sinister estate where past and present intertwine. As they fight to find a way out, the kids think the ghosts of the house are the greatest danger they face. Little do the kids know it's the secrets they're each hiding that will prove even more lethal.
They're going to have to come face to face with their fears if they stand any hope of escaping the house alive. Is there anyone or anything in the house they can trust? Or is all hope disappearing, too...
Throughout the second book in this haunting trilogy, Poppy, Marcus, Dash, Dylan and Azumi are still trapped inside of the Shadow House and can't seem to find a way out. They do find a way out of the house in the end, but it just means that they're trapped on the house's grounds instead (which is the premise for the third and final book in this trilogy).
What I absolutely love about these books is that you can be a child, teenager, young adult or adult and still enjoy this series. It has twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat, it has a lot of character depth and secrets, and also has just the right amount of horror to scare all age groups (but is not TOO scary for the younger ones!) During You Can't Hide, the house lures the children deeper and deeper into the heart of itself and forces them to confront their fears and each other. A lot of the characters' personal secrets are revealed, and I didn't see half of them coming. Even though the book is a middle-grade novel and it's written to entertain the middle-grade audience, I didn't think that the writing was overly simplistic. Poblocki has such a brilliant way of making the story accessible to all age ranges.
This book didn't suffer from second-book-syndrome AT ALL! It was just as good as the first book and the pictures that accompanied the book were awesome and terrifying! There were some new creepy ghosts that make an appearance in the sequel, there are even more twists and turns, and then we also see new parts of the house and ZOMBIES! Don't worry, you zombie-haters, they aren't a massive part of the book! They're just something else to add to the terror of the house. AND WELL... THE GARDEN IS SOMETHING ELSE ENTIRELY. I really do feel sorry for these poor kids. They just wanted to go to someplace that would accept them, not KILL them!
I need the third book in my life. I'm so sad that I don't actually own it, because if I did, then I would start reading it straight away. Wait, a second...
I think I hear my Amazon Prime calling to me...
What's that? The third book is only £6?
Looks like I'm buying the third book, receiving it tomorrow and then going on to start and finish it tomorrow!
February 10, 2023
*DO NOT READ THIS IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE FIRST BOOK!!! The only problem with a series.....you have to keep on with them. I DO like this author though....
When the kids, Dylan; Dash, Marcus, Poppy and Azumi find out who and what are wearing the creepy animal masks as I described in the first books review; they realize that they are ghosts and they are called 'Specials' because of abilities that they each have.
This book revolves around the twins mostly, but each kid learns something about themselves, and when Azumi finds her 'spooky twin' things start to change. Poblocki writes very well in that he starts to make YOU think you are listening to the good Azumi, when actually she is the bad one! I did not like as well as the first book and I am hoping that it does get better and better with each coming book. When ever I read a series....I'll read the first 2 back to back, then take a break inbetween the remaining books. Still would recommend this author for anyone who likes to read a good and creepy story without having to get sick to your stomach with all the extreme gore....which there is none in these books.
3.5 👻👻👻🩸
When the kids, Dylan; Dash, Marcus, Poppy and Azumi find out who and what are wearing the creepy animal masks as I described in the first books review; they realize that they are ghosts and they are called 'Specials' because of abilities that they each have.
This book revolves around the twins mostly, but each kid learns something about themselves, and when Azumi finds her 'spooky twin' things start to change. Poblocki writes very well in that he starts to make YOU think you are listening to the good Azumi, when actually she is the bad one! I did not like as well as the first book and I am hoping that it does get better and better with each coming book. When ever I read a series....I'll read the first 2 back to back, then take a break inbetween the remaining books. Still would recommend this author for anyone who likes to read a good and creepy story without having to get sick to your stomach with all the extreme gore....which there is none in these books.
3.5 👻👻👻🩸
January 26, 2019
I loved the first one but sort of felt this one was rather boring. I think I just wasn’t connecting with the characters anymore since it’s been a while since I read the first book. Might try again and read the first again. My daughter is excited about this series and I’m thinking it would be great for her.
June 30, 2019
Second book in the series. We finally get to meet creature lurking in the shadows. Who is actually the puppeteer of the larkspur house or we don't. The book is filled with twists and turns. I became one of the characters while reading it. No one can see what is coming to haunts us next. All the confusion and twists and turns though sometimes hard to follow but keep up the scary element.
October 3, 2018
I'm not one to censor (as I recommend censoring) but I was under the impression that this particular series was for the elementary set. Now I see it's for middle school or even teens. That makes me feel a little better because it's a hella-creepy series and I would not want elementary students to read it.
That being said, it's very slap-dash. Or slap-Dash?? Anyway, I enjoyed the first book because it had a "House on Haunted Hill" vibe and I ADORE a good haunted house story/book. But the plot is all over the place and held together with shoestrings. I think if this book was not a series, it would make a bit more sense but I feel like the author got confused on what was going on. It lacks continuity.
In addition to the continuity issues, there are all sorts of elements but almost too many elements. You got the creepy kids, the mask, haunted house, the Demagorgon, creepy evil mastermind, ghosts, walls that move, etc., etc., etc. Again, if there was continuity, the main characters could discover each element but it just seems like they are running around aimlessly bumping into them.
I'm going to continue the series because I bought them but it's not because it's good or even great. It falls into the old "the food is terrible and the portions are too small" but in BookWorld, it's "the book is full of plot holes and way too short". :)
That being said, it's very slap-dash. Or slap-Dash?? Anyway, I enjoyed the first book because it had a "House on Haunted Hill" vibe and I ADORE a good haunted house story/book. But the plot is all over the place and held together with shoestrings. I think if this book was not a series, it would make a bit more sense but I feel like the author got confused on what was going on. It lacks continuity.
In addition to the continuity issues, there are all sorts of elements but almost too many elements. You got the creepy kids, the mask, haunted house, the Demagorgon, creepy evil mastermind, ghosts, walls that move, etc., etc., etc. Again, if there was continuity, the main characters could discover each element but it just seems like they are running around aimlessly bumping into them.
I'm going to continue the series because I bought them but it's not because it's good or even great. It falls into the old "the food is terrible and the portions are too small" but in BookWorld, it's "the book is full of plot holes and way too short". :)
November 25, 2017
3.5 stars
I'm having a hard time with this one. On one level, I really enjoyed the ending and the creepiness of it, but in another, I felt that the writing was dull and repetitive at times. This book was good, but it was also confusing...there were a lot of questions answered, but they didn't really make sense. Idk, maybe it was just me.
I was expecting this series to go in a completely different way than it did, but that's alright. It was still good and had its fair share of "scary", but lacked its previous one's charm.
The only thing that really turned it on its head was the ending. It upped the stakes and did something that most middle grade authors wouldn't dare do. I won't tell you what happens, just know that with that ending, this series is going in places not many middle grade series go. This is something I was really happy to see, since many authors try to play it safe, and don't go as far as they need to write a great series.
All in all, it was a decent read, although it didn't live up to the first ones charm. The ending is the only thing that really saved it for me. I am looking forward to the next one. I can't wait to see how this series ends!
I'm having a hard time with this one. On one level, I really enjoyed the ending and the creepiness of it, but in another, I felt that the writing was dull and repetitive at times. This book was good, but it was also confusing...there were a lot of questions answered, but they didn't really make sense. Idk, maybe it was just me.
I was expecting this series to go in a completely different way than it did, but that's alright. It was still good and had its fair share of "scary", but lacked its previous one's charm.
The only thing that really turned it on its head was the ending. It upped the stakes and did something that most middle grade authors wouldn't dare do. I won't tell you what happens, just know that with that ending, this series is going in places not many middle grade series go. This is something I was really happy to see, since many authors try to play it safe, and don't go as far as they need to write a great series.
All in all, it was a decent read, although it didn't live up to the first ones charm. The ending is the only thing that really saved it for me. I am looking forward to the next one. I can't wait to see how this series ends!
May 2, 2019
"Just because something is broken doesn't mean it can't put be back together again."
This book became very confusing around halfway through, when certain things started to happen, but it all got resolved in the end and then torn apart, but that's why there's a third book. If this book wasn't 200 pages, I would have been able to get through it because it was hard to follow, but because it was so short, it worked out. I loved the action in these books, but again, the characters are dull and at the same.
This book became very confusing around halfway through, when certain things started to happen, but it all got resolved in the end and then torn apart, but that's why there's a third book. If this book wasn't 200 pages, I would have been able to get through it because it was hard to follow, but because it was so short, it worked out. I loved the action in these books, but again, the characters are dull and at the same.
August 15, 2017
Second installment lives up to the first and is genuinely scary.....like I said I'm a wimp. Sensitive youth need not apply. Kids trying to escape a haunting house. Wraps you up, scares you out of your wits, then teaches a lesson. I look forward to the next audiobook.
April 18, 2018
YESSSSSSS!
I KNEW IT! HELL YEAH!
I KNEW IT FROM THE BEGINNING WHILE I STARTED READING IT…
“Like what?”
“Like … you hit your head or something. Like you lost your memory. You’ve been with me the whole time!”
Azumi’s face drained of blood. “Dash, I haven’t seen you in hours. Not since we first got here.” Her words hit Dash like a shower of sparks. “Whoever was with you when you fell down some stairs … that wasn’t me.”...
That was total chaos. I can’t just believe what I have just finished here. Of course I remember the 1st part of this book series named ‘The Gathering’. Ah how missed the team - Poppy, Marcus, Dash, Dylan and Azumi! I was being thrilled again after reading them in this 2nd part. This one in ‘You Can’t Hide’ book there’s plenty of drama to explore. It was like you are having a experience with twist after twist.The moment you thought that this could be it or this would be the answer that very moment you find yourself wrong and lost in your own mind dwelling with that very fact…
In first part they were all trapped in that shadow house. From where there’s no escape, once you trapped in that house you are done from the outside world. But Poppy, Marcus, Dash, Dylan and Azumi didn’t just give up. Like other’s (from the past those people who’d been trapped too in that house but failed to escape and die) they too keep forwarding to reach their goal to escape from their real nightmare. It was really spooky. From 1st page to last you just can’t put the book down but in a positive way forced to finish it. That same thing happened to me too of course. I just couldn’t put it down. Like the 1st part the author done an amazing work with this one too, no doubt. I enjoyed it thoroughly…
Poppy in unofficially leader of the group tried her best to keep moving with her group. Thinking, working, reading she did everything at her best to escape from that haunted house. While I was reading I could feel fear rising inside me. I could sense my excitement as the event from this book keep going. I do feel sorry for Dash as he struggled to find and get of his brother Dylan. It was so confusing at first that I didn’t believe myself what’s really going on. And of course I almost freaked out while at the same find two Azumi, well yes I am revealing a little spoil here. & Marcus, well he too struggled hard alongside with his team. But what happened to him at the end was not supposed to happen with him. In single word he didn't deserve it at all. But most of all I have to give credit to the author because of the character Poppy. No offence of course but I really liked the way she (Poppy) kept calm (most of the time) in those fearful situation. It was because of she and her mind the team find themselves to be able to move forward…
Now all I have to do is read the 3rd part of this book series, where if they really could make themselves totally from the area of that Shadow House…
5 out of 5…
January 15, 2019
Name: Taren Zietlow
Book title: Shadow House: You Can’t Hide
Personal response (3-5 sentences)
Honestly, this book wasn’t as good as the first however it was still pretty good. Being a horror mystery book it’s doing a great job of keeping the reader wondering what is going on and what happened which is normally what mystery books do. They make you try to figure out what the whole mystery of it is. Along with scary twists, this book is overall -- along with the rest of the series -- pretty good and highly recommended.
Plot summary (5-7 sentences)
Poppy, Marcus, Azumi, Dash, and Dylan are all still trapped inside Larkspur House and are all still looking for an exit. They are still also trying to figure out the mystery of this house including “ The Specials” (in which Dylan now has become on the fact of him being dead), who is Cyrus which is the man who was trapped here to keep children trapped here and of course as I stated, how to leave. What they have figured out is how to free the specials of this place, which they have already done to Esme and Randolph, and who Cyrus actually is. Otherwise, this place is still using its usual tricks to keep them there and preventing them from finding the exit. They took Dylan and tricked him into helping Cyrus and the Specials, disguised Esme as a second Azumi, and the thing keeping them all trapped there had made itself look like Azumi’s dead sister, Moriko. Now there are out of the house and are being prevented to set the specials free including Dylan by the thing that was disguised as Moriko which may or may not be Larkspur itself.
Recommendation (3-5 sentences)
I would recommend this book to people who have read the first book and people who love mysteries and/or horror books. This book would also be for people who intend on reading the rest of this four book series. This book is also for people who don’t want to read a lot like a two-hundred and something page book but rather around a hundred less than that. Lastly, this book, like the first, is for people who enjoy figuring out what will happen next and trying to figure out the mystery of the plot.
Book title: Shadow House: You Can’t Hide
Personal response (3-5 sentences)
Honestly, this book wasn’t as good as the first however it was still pretty good. Being a horror mystery book it’s doing a great job of keeping the reader wondering what is going on and what happened which is normally what mystery books do. They make you try to figure out what the whole mystery of it is. Along with scary twists, this book is overall -- along with the rest of the series -- pretty good and highly recommended.
Plot summary (5-7 sentences)
Poppy, Marcus, Azumi, Dash, and Dylan are all still trapped inside Larkspur House and are all still looking for an exit. They are still also trying to figure out the mystery of this house including “ The Specials” (in which Dylan now has become on the fact of him being dead), who is Cyrus which is the man who was trapped here to keep children trapped here and of course as I stated, how to leave. What they have figured out is how to free the specials of this place, which they have already done to Esme and Randolph, and who Cyrus actually is. Otherwise, this place is still using its usual tricks to keep them there and preventing them from finding the exit. They took Dylan and tricked him into helping Cyrus and the Specials, disguised Esme as a second Azumi, and the thing keeping them all trapped there had made itself look like Azumi’s dead sister, Moriko. Now there are out of the house and are being prevented to set the specials free including Dylan by the thing that was disguised as Moriko which may or may not be Larkspur itself.
Recommendation (3-5 sentences)
I would recommend this book to people who have read the first book and people who love mysteries and/or horror books. This book would also be for people who intend on reading the rest of this four book series. This book is also for people who don’t want to read a lot like a two-hundred and something page book but rather around a hundred less than that. Lastly, this book, like the first, is for people who enjoy figuring out what will happen next and trying to figure out the mystery of the plot.
March 13, 2025
You Can't Hide is the second book in the Shadow House series by Dan Poblocki. In this novel, Poppy, Marcus, Dylan, Dash, and Azumi are trapped in Shadow House and continue to uncover the dark mysteries of the house which seems to have a life of its own. The children must confront their fears and work together to escape before they are consumed by the shadows.
Dan Poblocki continues to effectively blend horror, suspense, and mystery in You Can't Hide; however, this second installment gave me a bit of whiplash. There was a great deal of chaos going on as the children were racing around the mansion trying desperately to uncover the truth behind Shadow House. Secrets were revealed, several new characters were introduced, and new subplots were unpacked, but it was too much, felt all over the place, and got confusing a time or two. I was beginning to feel like one of the children haphazardly running around the mansion.
With that being said, Poblocki ramps up the horror in this one. Loyalties are tested, relationships are severed, and lives are in grave danger. I loved learning more about the dynamics between the twins, Dylan and Dash, and seeing how the children handle the malicious tricks Shadow House plays on them. And, the ending is heartbreaking. While this novel was not as strong as the first one, it was still a satisfying read, and I'm looking forward to reading the third book in the series.
Dan Poblocki continues to effectively blend horror, suspense, and mystery in You Can't Hide; however, this second installment gave me a bit of whiplash. There was a great deal of chaos going on as the children were racing around the mansion trying desperately to uncover the truth behind Shadow House. Secrets were revealed, several new characters were introduced, and new subplots were unpacked, but it was too much, felt all over the place, and got confusing a time or two. I was beginning to feel like one of the children haphazardly running around the mansion.
With that being said, Poblocki ramps up the horror in this one. Loyalties are tested, relationships are severed, and lives are in grave danger. I loved learning more about the dynamics between the twins, Dylan and Dash, and seeing how the children handle the malicious tricks Shadow House plays on them. And, the ending is heartbreaking. While this novel was not as strong as the first one, it was still a satisfying read, and I'm looking forward to reading the third book in the series.
August 13, 2021
Well apparently I thought this would be better than The Gathering, Turns out, it's not up to the mark. One of the good things I liked in this book are the quotes of Hope and Fear. Its written fairly well and although it's in the horror genre, I don't think it suits there. Thriller genre suits it perfectly. Its very good in bringing suspense along with thinking
January 10, 2022
I am truly enjoying this series. The second book is even better than the first and I can’t wait to read the third. So much more happens and so much more gets revealed. The app also is so much fun and is interactive I recommend using the app while reading it just give it so much extra🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
April 8, 2022
I have to say I preferred the first in the series, although I did like how this continued on from that story with the same characters. I didn't do the extra interactive stories alongside this time, which I think kept me involved in this story a little more. I did get confused at times, and I knew the kids did some wrong things, but they're 12 going through a traumatic time, so what can I expect
September 10, 2018
This book, like the first one, was awesome! It was super creepy and pretty much picks up right where the first one left off, and the story only builds from there!
March 30, 2021
2e tome lu en classe avec les élèves, à raison d’un chapitre par jour.
Ils ont bien aimé.
On s’attaque au tome 3.
Ils ont bien aimé.
On s’attaque au tome 3.
March 29, 2017
Not a particularly scary read but creepy and unsettling in its own way. Certainly different from anything I've read before.
October 20, 2020
این کتاب از جلد قبلی خیلی بهتر بود!
June 23, 2018
So last summer I got the audiobook of the first book in this series for free from Audiofile Sync's summer reading program for teens, and loved it for what it was. I mean, it was no Stephen King horror, but it's targeted towards middle grade readers and I wouldn't have an issue letting my 7 and 9 year-old's listen to or read it. When I saw this book on sale on audible (I think it was a 2 for 1 credit sale), I just had to get it, because I needed to see how the story would continue, and since I listened to the first book, I would prefer to listen to the rest of them as well.
This book is chock full of action and mystery. The kids spend the story mostly split up in smaller groups (because their parents probably never let them watch horror movies before! And the house is a jerk and separated them), and they're trying to find a way to get out of the house (the house that is a jerk and won't let them out mind you). Some new ghosts show up, but they're not all bad. Some even help the kids to learn a little bit about the history of the house and it's creepy owner. It becomes quite clear to me that the kids need to get out of the house alive or they will be stuck there forever, probably.
And I don't want to say too much else for fear of spoiling the story for you, but if you enjoyed The Gathering, you will probably like this book as well. Overall I give it 4.143 stars.
Review originally posted on my blog. --> http://justanothergirlandherbooks.blo...
This book is chock full of action and mystery. The kids spend the story mostly split up in smaller groups (because their parents probably never let them watch horror movies before! And the house is a jerk and separated them), and they're trying to find a way to get out of the house (the house that is a jerk and won't let them out mind you). Some new ghosts show up, but they're not all bad. Some even help the kids to learn a little bit about the history of the house and it's creepy owner. It becomes quite clear to me that the kids need to get out of the house alive or they will be stuck there forever, probably.
And I don't want to say too much else for fear of spoiling the story for you, but if you enjoyed The Gathering, you will probably like this book as well. Overall I give it 4.143 stars.
Review originally posted on my blog. --> http://justanothergirlandherbooks.blo...
February 15, 2017
This book was scary , and it will suck you in .
April 15, 2019
Super creepy!
Great sequel! I’ve been reading a lot of Newberry books lately and it’s had me wondering if I’m just over kids books but then I open up one like this and remember there are fun stories to be found and devoured!
The kids are trying to escape from the ghosts and get back together again. Dylan is further from the others than could be imagined and is Azumi really who she says she is?
Can’t wait to read book 3!
Great sequel! I’ve been reading a lot of Newberry books lately and it’s had me wondering if I’m just over kids books but then I open up one like this and remember there are fun stories to be found and devoured!
The kids are trying to escape from the ghosts and get back together again. Dylan is further from the others than could be imagined and is Azumi really who she says she is?
Can’t wait to read book 3!
February 5, 2017
Creeptastic. Darktastic. Fantastic. I am so hoping there will be a third book!
December 19, 2017
Le premier opus de Shadow House avait été une agréable surprise, dans laquelle frissons et incompréhension se mêlaient intimement. J’ai toujours un faible pour les huis clos oppressant, susceptible de me donner des sueurs froides, et la fin de La rencontre ne m’avait pas suffi, à tel point que j’étais impatiente d’enquiller avec le deuxième tome. J’ai trouvé cette suite particulièrement intrigante.
Nous retrouvons Poppy, Marcus, Azumi et les jumeaux Dash et Dylan. Après LA révélation choc du premier tome, les cinq adolescents sont toujours prisonniers de la maison des ombres et cherchent un moyen d’échapper à son emprise. Mais pour cela, il leur faut découvrir son histoire pour en comprendre ses occupants. Les enfants masqués tentent toujours de leur mettre la main dessus et de nouvelles ombres, de nouveaux fantômes, sont prêts à tout pour les diviser et instiller le doute dans leurs esprits.
J’ai lu le tome 1 il y a 8 mois à peine, j’avais donc gardé un souvenir marquant de l’histoire, surtout concernant la vérité sur les jumeaux. En revanche, j’avais oublié combien il était facile de se laisser emporter dans la maison des ombres. Grâce à un livre-objet aussi fascinant que déroutant, on se figure les lieux et les situations sans le moindre mal, on se projette à grande vitesse au cœur de ce manoir aux mille secrets.
Poppy et les autres font des rencontres qui donnent la chair de poule. La maison n'a jamais été aussi vivante et met tout en œuvre pour les séparer et les affaiblir. Tout au long de ma lecture, je me répétais que je n'aimerais pas être à leur place, que j'aurais sans doute fait dans ma culotte bien avant eux.
Et c’est là que ces héros nous bluffent un à un. Ils ont tous des tempéraments différents, ils gardent tous en eux une part d’ombre qu’on ne leur connaît pas. On passe clairement un cran au-dessus en terme de danger, puisque nos héros eux-mêmes ne sont plus très fiables et nous échappent complètement. On ne sait plus trop à qui faire confiance ni que croire. Ce que je pensais immuable et acté ne l'est finalement pas. Ça a commencé avec la révélation de Dash et Dylan à la fin du premier tome, et ça se poursuit ici, à une échelle plus importante encore.
La plupart des scènes baignent dans une atmosphère suffocante. La découverte de la maison se transforme en traque. Certains moments sont tout juste supportables pour les héros (sans rire, je refuse d’entrer dans une baraque pareille un jour !).
Le fait d’agrémenter le corpus d’images inquiétantes ne fait qu’ajouter un peu plus d’horreur à la situation. Je trouve ce concept vraiment génial, on se croirait presque dans un vieux film d’épouvante. S’imaginer les scènes n’a jamais été aussi facile et les étranges photographies que l’on découvre çà et là illustrent parfaitement ce qui se joue sous nos yeux.
Concernant la plume de Dan Poblocki, elle est simple et décrit précisément tous les obstacles effrayants qui se mettent sur le chemin de nos héros. Cela dit, quelques petits détails m’ont parfois extirpée de ma lecture, notamment les stratagèmes qui visent à éviter les répétitions de prénoms. Par exemple, le fait de répéter « la fille » m’obligeait assez régulièrement à revenir en arrière pour voir de qui il était question. De même que certaines scènes d’action et de haute tension m’ont paru un peu brouillonnes et difficiles à visualiser.
À la fin de ce tome, on peut dire que pas mal de révélations nous ont été faites. On en sait davantage sur la maison et sur l'histoire de Poppy, même s'il subsiste encore pas mal de zones d'ombres encore sous-exploitées. Les masques tombent, quelques vérités éclatent, les mensonges sont mis à nu. Ce tome n’a pas fini de me surprendre, malgré les indices subtilement déposés par l’auteur.
En résumé, la maison des ombres s'avère être aussi la maison des énigmes. Cache-cache mortel nous embarque dans une traque troublante où la tromperie tient une place de choix. Malgré quelques hésitations au niveau de la plume, je me suis laissée embarquer dans ce deuxième opus inquiétant, qui est loin de m’avoir livré tous ses secrets. Si je peux vous donner un dernier conseil : ne croyez rien, méfiez-vous de tout, à commencer par nos héros.
Ma chronique : https://april-the-seven.weebly.com/fa...
Nous retrouvons Poppy, Marcus, Azumi et les jumeaux Dash et Dylan. Après LA révélation choc du premier tome, les cinq adolescents sont toujours prisonniers de la maison des ombres et cherchent un moyen d’échapper à son emprise. Mais pour cela, il leur faut découvrir son histoire pour en comprendre ses occupants. Les enfants masqués tentent toujours de leur mettre la main dessus et de nouvelles ombres, de nouveaux fantômes, sont prêts à tout pour les diviser et instiller le doute dans leurs esprits.
J’ai lu le tome 1 il y a 8 mois à peine, j’avais donc gardé un souvenir marquant de l’histoire, surtout concernant la vérité sur les jumeaux. En revanche, j’avais oublié combien il était facile de se laisser emporter dans la maison des ombres. Grâce à un livre-objet aussi fascinant que déroutant, on se figure les lieux et les situations sans le moindre mal, on se projette à grande vitesse au cœur de ce manoir aux mille secrets.
Poppy et les autres font des rencontres qui donnent la chair de poule. La maison n'a jamais été aussi vivante et met tout en œuvre pour les séparer et les affaiblir. Tout au long de ma lecture, je me répétais que je n'aimerais pas être à leur place, que j'aurais sans doute fait dans ma culotte bien avant eux.
Et c’est là que ces héros nous bluffent un à un. Ils ont tous des tempéraments différents, ils gardent tous en eux une part d’ombre qu’on ne leur connaît pas. On passe clairement un cran au-dessus en terme de danger, puisque nos héros eux-mêmes ne sont plus très fiables et nous échappent complètement. On ne sait plus trop à qui faire confiance ni que croire. Ce que je pensais immuable et acté ne l'est finalement pas. Ça a commencé avec la révélation de Dash et Dylan à la fin du premier tome, et ça se poursuit ici, à une échelle plus importante encore.
La plupart des scènes baignent dans une atmosphère suffocante. La découverte de la maison se transforme en traque. Certains moments sont tout juste supportables pour les héros (sans rire, je refuse d’entrer dans une baraque pareille un jour !).
Le fait d’agrémenter le corpus d’images inquiétantes ne fait qu’ajouter un peu plus d’horreur à la situation. Je trouve ce concept vraiment génial, on se croirait presque dans un vieux film d’épouvante. S’imaginer les scènes n’a jamais été aussi facile et les étranges photographies que l’on découvre çà et là illustrent parfaitement ce qui se joue sous nos yeux.
Concernant la plume de Dan Poblocki, elle est simple et décrit précisément tous les obstacles effrayants qui se mettent sur le chemin de nos héros. Cela dit, quelques petits détails m’ont parfois extirpée de ma lecture, notamment les stratagèmes qui visent à éviter les répétitions de prénoms. Par exemple, le fait de répéter « la fille » m’obligeait assez régulièrement à revenir en arrière pour voir de qui il était question. De même que certaines scènes d’action et de haute tension m’ont paru un peu brouillonnes et difficiles à visualiser.
À la fin de ce tome, on peut dire que pas mal de révélations nous ont été faites. On en sait davantage sur la maison et sur l'histoire de Poppy, même s'il subsiste encore pas mal de zones d'ombres encore sous-exploitées. Les masques tombent, quelques vérités éclatent, les mensonges sont mis à nu. Ce tome n’a pas fini de me surprendre, malgré les indices subtilement déposés par l’auteur.
En résumé, la maison des ombres s'avère être aussi la maison des énigmes. Cache-cache mortel nous embarque dans une traque troublante où la tromperie tient une place de choix. Malgré quelques hésitations au niveau de la plume, je me suis laissée embarquer dans ce deuxième opus inquiétant, qui est loin de m’avoir livré tous ses secrets. Si je peux vous donner un dernier conseil : ne croyez rien, méfiez-vous de tout, à commencer par nos héros.
Ma chronique : https://april-the-seven.weebly.com/fa...
October 1, 2020
Plot
Poppy, Marcus, Azumi, Dash, and Dylan: these five kids, invited to Larkspur House by some as yet unknown entity, are in grave danger. Book one of the Shadow House series saw them discover they weren't alone in the Larkspur mansion; five ghost children known as "Specials" roam the house, wearing animal masks and possessed of supernatural physical strength. Poppy, Marcus, Azumi, and Dash managed to evade the Specials, but Dash's twin brother Dylan ran off by himself when he learned a shocking secret: he has been dead for months, the victim of a practical joke of Dash's that went horribly wrong. Deep in denial, Dash has routinely conversed with Dylan's ghost ever since, but the other kids at Larkspur can see him, too. They want to help Dash track his brother down so they can all escape Cyrus Caldwell's mansion. The place isn't safe for any of them.
Alone, and struggling with the horror of remembering his own death, Dylan falls in with a sinister being who uses the boy's negative emotion to confuse him. The twins were lured to Larkspur by the promise of a film project for them to act in, and the "director" asks Dylan if he's ready to deliver a virtuoso performance. Dylan is given a scary clown mask that latches onto his face and accentuates his worst personality traits, enslaving him to his trickster side. The "director" wants him to torment Dash, and Dylan readily complies. While this drama plays out behind the scenes, Poppy, Marcus, Dash, and the two Azumis learn more about Larkspur House and devise a tentative escape plan: Cyrus Caldwell did heinous behavioral experiments on the children in his care many decades ago, but he created a way to escape the mansion. It's up to Poppy and her friends to solve a series of abstract puzzles and get out of Larkspur House before the Specials catch up to them, but one nagging question remains: who is the true Azumi? The consequences for guessing wrong are worse than any of the kids imagine...
What I didn’t Like
So Dash and Dylan's whole drama just got annoying. It was quite an interesting thing at first, but then it got old. They both make some stupid mistakes butis the most annoying. Really, he knows about what happened to the kids with masks, and yet he is stupid enough to just fall for this mask stuff. It made me roll my eyes. I don't care that his memory might be messed up, I didn't even see it as that, I saw it rather that he was just a whiny little brat who never got what he wanted and now he is finally able to do x and y, and he takes it. He did make a good villain, and he was creepy. But I am so sorry, I couldn't get over the fact that he kept whining. One moment he would be all sad and wanting help, the next moment he hated his brother, hated that he always helped him, hated that he always needed his brother's help. Do you know what you want? I think the brother who is dead.
Then there is the whole let's hate on Poppy. Yes, the girl isn't really the best at social cues, but she did help you guys a lot! She is often the only one who gets to the solution in the end. She is the one saving your buts continuously. But does she ever get credit? No. :|
Marcus also wasn't really a fantastic character. He never really wasn't my favourite, but he made some really stupid decisions, comments, and more in this one. He pissed me off quite a few times.
Overall
All in all, it was a decent read, although it didn't live up to the first ones charm. The ending is the only thing that really saved it for me. I am looking forward to the next one. I can't wait to see how this series ends!
Poppy, Marcus, Azumi, Dash, and Dylan: these five kids, invited to Larkspur House by some as yet unknown entity, are in grave danger. Book one of the Shadow House series saw them discover they weren't alone in the Larkspur mansion; five ghost children known as "Specials" roam the house, wearing animal masks and possessed of supernatural physical strength. Poppy, Marcus, Azumi, and Dash managed to evade the Specials, but Dash's twin brother Dylan ran off by himself when he learned a shocking secret: he has been dead for months, the victim of a practical joke of Dash's that went horribly wrong. Deep in denial, Dash has routinely conversed with Dylan's ghost ever since, but the other kids at Larkspur can see him, too. They want to help Dash track his brother down so they can all escape Cyrus Caldwell's mansion. The place isn't safe for any of them.
Alone, and struggling with the horror of remembering his own death, Dylan falls in with a sinister being who uses the boy's negative emotion to confuse him. The twins were lured to Larkspur by the promise of a film project for them to act in, and the "director" asks Dylan if he's ready to deliver a virtuoso performance. Dylan is given a scary clown mask that latches onto his face and accentuates his worst personality traits, enslaving him to his trickster side. The "director" wants him to torment Dash, and Dylan readily complies. While this drama plays out behind the scenes, Poppy, Marcus, Dash, and the two Azumis learn more about Larkspur House and devise a tentative escape plan: Cyrus Caldwell did heinous behavioral experiments on the children in his care many decades ago, but he created a way to escape the mansion. It's up to Poppy and her friends to solve a series of abstract puzzles and get out of Larkspur House before the Specials catch up to them, but one nagging question remains: who is the true Azumi? The consequences for guessing wrong are worse than any of the kids imagine...
What I didn’t Like
So Dash and Dylan's whole drama just got annoying. It was quite an interesting thing at first, but then it got old. They both make some stupid mistakes butis the most annoying. Really, he knows about what happened to the kids with masks, and yet he is stupid enough to just fall for this mask stuff. It made me roll my eyes. I don't care that his memory might be messed up, I didn't even see it as that, I saw it rather that he was just a whiny little brat who never got what he wanted and now he is finally able to do x and y, and he takes it. He did make a good villain, and he was creepy. But I am so sorry, I couldn't get over the fact that he kept whining. One moment he would be all sad and wanting help, the next moment he hated his brother, hated that he always helped him, hated that he always needed his brother's help. Do you know what you want? I think the brother who is dead.
Then there is the whole let's hate on Poppy. Yes, the girl isn't really the best at social cues, but she did help you guys a lot! She is often the only one who gets to the solution in the end. She is the one saving your buts continuously. But does she ever get credit? No. :|
Marcus also wasn't really a fantastic character. He never really wasn't my favourite, but he made some really stupid decisions, comments, and more in this one. He pissed me off quite a few times.
Overall
All in all, it was a decent read, although it didn't live up to the first ones charm. The ending is the only thing that really saved it for me. I am looking forward to the next one. I can't wait to see how this series ends!
April 24, 2018
The story begins where "The Gathering" left off. We now know that Dylan is a ghost. After he runs away he is given a mask and a part to play in the scary "movie" that Del is producing. Under this guise, Dylan slowly becomes one of the "Specials" and is unable to remove his mask (a sad clown) or ask for help from the other children. Marcus, Poppy, Dash and Azumi are desperately trying to find a way out of Larkspur House by solving riddle after riddle as they are led through the house and up to the roof. For a while there are two Azumi's, each claiming to be the real girl. Cornered on the roof top the real Azumi is revealed and the children are forced to escape across the roof. Unfortunately they find themselves trapped above a zombie forest greenhouse and the glass gives way dropping back into the house. Azumi's "sister" rescues the children and leads them out of the house and onto the grounds. They meet Cyrus for the second time in this book and are torn between believing Cyrus or Azumi's sister. Marcus throws poison on Cyrus and begins to hum his Uncle's song which reveals that Azumi's sister is the monster that is Larkspur House. Marcus stands his ground in front of the monster while the other's escape and hide. Marcus is killed and the book ends with the others trying to decide what to do next.
This book is exciting! The pace is frantic and sustained throughout the story with intense moments of spooky haunting and ghostly confrontation. The tone and pace are spot on for those who like chills and thrills at a moderate level. The characters are solid and true throughout and act consistently within their prescribed roles, descriptions, and motivations. Tension is created not only by the house and situation, but also the obscurity of who is trustworthy and real, or not. Exposing the answer to these questions is done in a fashion that releases the established tension with satisfaction and sets the groundwork for the next denouement. There is no overt moral or theme to the storyline beyond trust and friendship. Perhaps an overarching theme will present itself if the story every reaches a conclusion. A weakness of this series is the lack of conclusion at the end of each book. It makes a reader eager for the next novel but also leaves one groping for satisfaction as well. It would be nice to have at least a partial sense of closure after enduring all of the drama with the characters through the book. A wonderful and gripping read for those who do not scare easily.
This book is exciting! The pace is frantic and sustained throughout the story with intense moments of spooky haunting and ghostly confrontation. The tone and pace are spot on for those who like chills and thrills at a moderate level. The characters are solid and true throughout and act consistently within their prescribed roles, descriptions, and motivations. Tension is created not only by the house and situation, but also the obscurity of who is trustworthy and real, or not. Exposing the answer to these questions is done in a fashion that releases the established tension with satisfaction and sets the groundwork for the next denouement. There is no overt moral or theme to the storyline beyond trust and friendship. Perhaps an overarching theme will present itself if the story every reaches a conclusion. A weakness of this series is the lack of conclusion at the end of each book. It makes a reader eager for the next novel but also leaves one groping for satisfaction as well. It would be nice to have at least a partial sense of closure after enduring all of the drama with the characters through the book. A wonderful and gripping read for those who do not scare easily.
June 5, 2017
Shadow House Will Find You...
Poppy, Marcus, Dash, Dylan and Azumi are all trapped in the Shadow House. Past and present begins to intertwine as they fight to find a way out. The ghosts of the house are not the greatest danger they have to face though, it's the secrets that each of them are hiding. In order to escape the Shadow House they have to face their fears.
The plot was filled with twists and turns from beginning to end. I could not put the book down and if I did, it wasn't longer than ten minutes. I was eager to find out if all the children will escape the Shadow House alive or let their fears overcome them. The pictures that are inside this book are amazingly creepy and sometimes scary, but totally worth it. There would be times where I was so engrossed in the words on the page, that I would immediately flip the page for more words, but I would be frightened by a picture of a shadow. Nevertheless, that's what kept me reading. The book is fantastic in describing the setting, the characters and the monsters that it would be preposterous not to include some pictures as well to add to the creepy feeling.
This was a great sequel to the first book and I cannot wait to read book 3 coming out soon!
Poppy, Marcus, Dash, Dylan and Azumi are all trapped in the Shadow House. Past and present begins to intertwine as they fight to find a way out. The ghosts of the house are not the greatest danger they have to face though, it's the secrets that each of them are hiding. In order to escape the Shadow House they have to face their fears.
The plot was filled with twists and turns from beginning to end. I could not put the book down and if I did, it wasn't longer than ten minutes. I was eager to find out if all the children will escape the Shadow House alive or let their fears overcome them. The pictures that are inside this book are amazingly creepy and sometimes scary, but totally worth it. There would be times where I was so engrossed in the words on the page, that I would immediately flip the page for more words, but I would be frightened by a picture of a shadow. Nevertheless, that's what kept me reading. The book is fantastic in describing the setting, the characters and the monsters that it would be preposterous not to include some pictures as well to add to the creepy feeling.
This was a great sequel to the first book and I cannot wait to read book 3 coming out soon!
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