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Spirit Hunters #2
The Island of Monsters
The thrilling sequel to the Texas Bluebonnet Award-nominated Spirit Hunters!
We Need Diverse Books founder Ellen Oh delivers the next haunting tale in her acclaimed middle grade series Spirit Hunters, a mix of captivating mystery and chilling ghost story.
The perfect spooky read for Halloween, this pulse-pounding adventure will leave you shocked at every twist.
Harper Raine faces new challenges ahead when her parents take the whole family to a remote tropical island for vacation. As Harper starts to have visions of the resort’s history of disappearances and discovers more about the island’s dark and fabled past, she must use her newly acquired spirit hunting talents to save everyone on the island from murderous spirits on the attack.
An exciting and spooky middle grade series, perfect for Halloween reads.
We Need Diverse Books founder Ellen Oh delivers the next haunting tale in her acclaimed middle grade series Spirit Hunters, a mix of captivating mystery and chilling ghost story.
The perfect spooky read for Halloween, this pulse-pounding adventure will leave you shocked at every twist.
Harper Raine faces new challenges ahead when her parents take the whole family to a remote tropical island for vacation. As Harper starts to have visions of the resort’s history of disappearances and discovers more about the island’s dark and fabled past, she must use her newly acquired spirit hunting talents to save everyone on the island from murderous spirits on the attack.
An exciting and spooky middle grade series, perfect for Halloween reads.
249 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 31, 2018
56 people are currently reading
781 people want to read
About the author
Ellen Oh
23 books1,062 followers*Hi friends! I'm not often on Goodreads so if you want to keep up with me, the best place to do so is on instagram! I'm at elloecho!
Ellen Oh is a former adjunct college instructor and lawyer with an insatiable curiosity for ancient Asian history. She loves K-pop, K-dramas, and eating good food that someone else cooks for her. She is fueled by Diet Coke. Ellen is a founding member of We Need Diverse Books (WNDB), a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing diversity in children’s literature. Originally from New York City, Ellen lives in Rockville, Maryland, with her husband, three children, two dogs, and has yet to satisfy her quest for a decent bagel.
Ellen Oh is a former adjunct college instructor and lawyer with an insatiable curiosity for ancient Asian history. She loves K-pop, K-dramas, and eating good food that someone else cooks for her. She is fueled by Diet Coke. Ellen is a founding member of We Need Diverse Books (WNDB), a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing diversity in children’s literature. Originally from New York City, Ellen lives in Rockville, Maryland, with her husband, three children, two dogs, and has yet to satisfy her quest for a decent bagel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
March 30, 2024
✰ 3.25 stars ✰
“Spirits don’t belong on earth with us,” Harper said with a sad sigh. “They are going back to where they belong. They’re finally free.”
It's been a year since Harper discovered that she is a spirit hunter, like her Grandmother. Her powers are slowly evolving, and so, too are the risky entanglements that she has with pesky ghosts who need her assistance. And when thirty ghosts suddenly vanish all at the same time, including her best friend, Rose, she realizes that the threat here is a lot more sinister and harmful than what she's ever known. That haunting fear of danger leads her and her family to The Island of Monsters, where her talents and resolve as a spirit hunter will be put to the test when she and her friends come up against a demonic evil of the past that won't rest until it claims what it came for. 😥
“I hear that it’s the most haunted place in the world.
They say you can still hear the cries for help from the trees.”
I enjoyed Ellen Oh's second installment in her Spirit Hunter series a lot more than the first one. The mystery was a lot darker and edgier, the demons a lot creepier and harmful, and the character a lot more developed and interactive - with just the right balance of humor and action to create a well-rounded middle grade horror mystery. There truly is a chilling atmosphere to Harper's latest trial, one that slowly creeps up on you as more clues are revealed. 😨 Harper is still feeling the aftermaths of the events that changed her life, but she's also learning what other latent powers and her newly developing sixth sense she may possess that will help her defeat the darkness and demons that linger in the shadows.
I like that she's not overly kind or accepting; she behaves like a normal thirteen-year-old, complete with her quips and her reluctancy. She cares deeply for her close friends, and her strength is severely tested when Rose's presence is threatened. But, her compassion of accepting the difference between the two of them is truly where her character development shined. 👌🏻 Rose and Dayo are a precious part of her heart, so it pained me to see how she hurt for the loss of Rose in her life. But, I liked how the author showed how important it was for Harper to distinguish between the spirit realm and the human world - for her to remember which side she belongs to.
“Oh boy, they really don’t want us here,” she said.
“They never do,” Grandma said.”
And the mystery of the ghosts was truly a terrifying and more challenging one this time around - which I really liked! I like that there is a human touch to it, one that shows how evil plagues the spirit, forcing them to behave with murderous intentions that justified their cause, despite the painful tragedies and heartbreaks it would lead to. 😥 The threat of their danger was on a much larger scale - soul eaters, which is a rare type of evil creature that gains power from capturing lost souls and quench their appetite - which I think heightened the tension and the prevalent urgency of stopping the demons before they harmed anyone further with their attacks.
It was also nice to see Harper hone her skills that deepened her connection to the past. The author does not shy away from showing that people's lives have been lost because of them, and it makes the fear that much more palpable to me - 'a negative aura about the building that spoke of tragedy and fear'. And I like that the writing is very readable for younger audiences, but still effectively captures all the elements of a good horror story, complete with their malicious vibes and murderous intent. 😟 It evokes the unease of a haunting presence, it elevates the fear of what can not be seen, and it manages to still capture the courage of a young girl who won't stop till the demons are put to rest, no matter the risk.
“Fighting spirits is hard work. The more spirit hunters we have, the safer we all are.”
It was also really good to see Harper have more people by her side to offer their support - whether it was her best friend, Dayo, or her grandmother, or even her family, who finally start to understand and realize the seriousness of what she's encountering was a major plus to Harper's growth. ❤️🩹❤️🩹 I liked that we got to see Harper appreciate just how important it is to have people fighting alongside her, and for her to not feel alone anymore, like she felt in the past.
Her friendship with Dayo is something she deeply cherishes - 'there was nothing quite like surviving a dangerous exorcism to cement a friendship for life' - one that may never replace the one she shared with Rose, the ghost who taught her what it meant to love herself, but it doesn't mean she can't have another friend in the living - one that will be by her side, too. 🫂 And with more friendly faces by her side and a whole set of new skills to hone, it certainly sets the stage for a hopefully impressive conclusion to this spookily-satisfying series. 👻
“Spirits don’t belong on earth with us,” Harper said with a sad sigh. “They are going back to where they belong. They’re finally free.”
It's been a year since Harper discovered that she is a spirit hunter, like her Grandmother. Her powers are slowly evolving, and so, too are the risky entanglements that she has with pesky ghosts who need her assistance. And when thirty ghosts suddenly vanish all at the same time, including her best friend, Rose, she realizes that the threat here is a lot more sinister and harmful than what she's ever known. That haunting fear of danger leads her and her family to The Island of Monsters, where her talents and resolve as a spirit hunter will be put to the test when she and her friends come up against a demonic evil of the past that won't rest until it claims what it came for. 😥
“I hear that it’s the most haunted place in the world.
They say you can still hear the cries for help from the trees.”
I enjoyed Ellen Oh's second installment in her Spirit Hunter series a lot more than the first one. The mystery was a lot darker and edgier, the demons a lot creepier and harmful, and the character a lot more developed and interactive - with just the right balance of humor and action to create a well-rounded middle grade horror mystery. There truly is a chilling atmosphere to Harper's latest trial, one that slowly creeps up on you as more clues are revealed. 😨 Harper is still feeling the aftermaths of the events that changed her life, but she's also learning what other latent powers and her newly developing sixth sense she may possess that will help her defeat the darkness and demons that linger in the shadows.
I like that she's not overly kind or accepting; she behaves like a normal thirteen-year-old, complete with her quips and her reluctancy. She cares deeply for her close friends, and her strength is severely tested when Rose's presence is threatened. But, her compassion of accepting the difference between the two of them is truly where her character development shined. 👌🏻 Rose and Dayo are a precious part of her heart, so it pained me to see how she hurt for the loss of Rose in her life. But, I liked how the author showed how important it was for Harper to distinguish between the spirit realm and the human world - for her to remember which side she belongs to.
“Oh boy, they really don’t want us here,” she said.
“They never do,” Grandma said.”
And the mystery of the ghosts was truly a terrifying and more challenging one this time around - which I really liked! I like that there is a human touch to it, one that shows how evil plagues the spirit, forcing them to behave with murderous intentions that justified their cause, despite the painful tragedies and heartbreaks it would lead to. 😥 The threat of their danger was on a much larger scale - soul eaters, which is a rare type of evil creature that gains power from capturing lost souls and quench their appetite - which I think heightened the tension and the prevalent urgency of stopping the demons before they harmed anyone further with their attacks.
It was also nice to see Harper hone her skills that deepened her connection to the past. The author does not shy away from showing that people's lives have been lost because of them, and it makes the fear that much more palpable to me - 'a negative aura about the building that spoke of tragedy and fear'. And I like that the writing is very readable for younger audiences, but still effectively captures all the elements of a good horror story, complete with their malicious vibes and murderous intent. 😟 It evokes the unease of a haunting presence, it elevates the fear of what can not be seen, and it manages to still capture the courage of a young girl who won't stop till the demons are put to rest, no matter the risk.
“Fighting spirits is hard work. The more spirit hunters we have, the safer we all are.”
It was also really good to see Harper have more people by her side to offer their support - whether it was her best friend, Dayo, or her grandmother, or even her family, who finally start to understand and realize the seriousness of what she's encountering was a major plus to Harper's growth. ❤️🩹❤️🩹 I liked that we got to see Harper appreciate just how important it is to have people fighting alongside her, and for her to not feel alone anymore, like she felt in the past.
Her friendship with Dayo is something she deeply cherishes - 'there was nothing quite like surviving a dangerous exorcism to cement a friendship for life' - one that may never replace the one she shared with Rose, the ghost who taught her what it meant to love herself, but it doesn't mean she can't have another friend in the living - one that will be by her side, too. 🫂 And with more friendly faces by her side and a whole set of new skills to hone, it certainly sets the stage for a hopefully impressive conclusion to this spookily-satisfying series. 👻
June 15, 2021
3.5 Stars
More fun than scary, this is an entertaining middle grade horror novel. I appreciate the diversity of this series, drawing the ghost lore from different sources. I didn't like this one as much as the first book, but still a fun quick read.
More fun than scary, this is an entertaining middle grade horror novel. I appreciate the diversity of this series, drawing the ghost lore from different sources. I didn't like this one as much as the first book, but still a fun quick read.
September 29, 2020
I didn't like this one as much as the first one. It felt like a book from a completely different series and was confusing at times as we jumped right into action scenes. Halfway through it felt like everything was resolved and it was the end. It just didn't meet my expectations after the first one was so good. I'm also super sad cause it looks like this is the end of the series???
September 25, 2024
Nice follow up to the first book. It wasn't as intense as the first one was in the spooky department, but the relationship dynamics more than make up for it. Honestly, that's my favorite thing about middle grade books--how wholesome friendships and family bonds can be.
August 2, 2018
Spooky middle grade is my favorite. Spirit Hunters was one of my favorite books last year, which is why I knew I had to read the follow-up. Features a Korean-American MC, ghosts, and lots of creepiness. Book 2 for me wasn't as scary as the second, but I love this series just the same.
June 23, 2020
Original Review at Jaunts & Haunts
4.5/5
I gave this novel four and a half stars!
Continuing on from the first book, Harper Raine has survived the summer and now hunts malevolent spirits in her free time, although maybe a little too enthusiastically.
After her grandma helps her vanquish a formidable threat, Harper begrudgingly goes with her family and friend Dayo to a tropical island for a vacation just around Halloween time. The only problem is that there's a dark energy surrounding the island, an energy that may threaten all of their lives. Can Harper figure out the mystery behind it all and protect those she loves?
This book was really great, and this series has made me a fan of Ellen Oh's for life! Yet again, so much is done right at the hand of this great author.
The characters were a big pro for me. Harper is growing up bit by bit, and I enjoyed her progression through this novel. It's hard to accept that you can't win every little battle in life, and Harper has to come to terms with that a bit here. She's coming into her own as an adolescent and breaking out of her shell, as well as developing her abilities as a Spirit Hunter.
Her little brother Michael was so adorable throughout, and Dayo was again a great supporting character as well.
The plot was great, and the second I saw this had a Halloween theme, I wanted to read it even more. The plot was riveting, and I couldn't help but blaze through the pages. Monsters? On a remote tropical island? Sign me up!
If I had to pick at anything, I would say the 'flashbacks' of sorts (seriously trying not to give anything away here) could be a little cheesy with the diction, but given that this is a middle-grade book I didn't judge very harshly.
In the end, this was a great continuation of the Spirit Hunters series, and I can't wait to see what adventures Harper gets into next!
4.5/5
I gave this novel four and a half stars!
Continuing on from the first book, Harper Raine has survived the summer and now hunts malevolent spirits in her free time, although maybe a little too enthusiastically.
After her grandma helps her vanquish a formidable threat, Harper begrudgingly goes with her family and friend Dayo to a tropical island for a vacation just around Halloween time. The only problem is that there's a dark energy surrounding the island, an energy that may threaten all of their lives. Can Harper figure out the mystery behind it all and protect those she loves?
This book was really great, and this series has made me a fan of Ellen Oh's for life! Yet again, so much is done right at the hand of this great author.
The characters were a big pro for me. Harper is growing up bit by bit, and I enjoyed her progression through this novel. It's hard to accept that you can't win every little battle in life, and Harper has to come to terms with that a bit here. She's coming into her own as an adolescent and breaking out of her shell, as well as developing her abilities as a Spirit Hunter.
Her little brother Michael was so adorable throughout, and Dayo was again a great supporting character as well.
The plot was great, and the second I saw this had a Halloween theme, I wanted to read it even more. The plot was riveting, and I couldn't help but blaze through the pages. Monsters? On a remote tropical island? Sign me up!
If I had to pick at anything, I would say the 'flashbacks' of sorts (seriously trying not to give anything away here) could be a little cheesy with the diction, but given that this is a middle-grade book I didn't judge very harshly.
In the end, this was a great continuation of the Spirit Hunters series, and I can't wait to see what adventures Harper gets into next!
November 5, 2018
Review originally published 31 October 2018 at Falling Letters.
The follow up to 2017’s Spirit Hunters , The Island of Monsters takes Harper and her multiracial family on a Halloween vacation to a tropical island with a gruesome past. Harper must use her newly developed skills in Korean shamanism to resolve the island’s mysteries and protect her little brother. New friends – ghosts and humans alike – help her with this task.
I prefer Spirit Hunters over this book. The titles really says it all – this is more monsters than ghosts. Less bone chilling than Spirit Hunters, The Island of Monsters has some pretty vivid violence for middle grade. The words gouge and gore always make me shudder. The plot repeats elements of the first book. I couldn’t get invested in worrying about Michael – been there, done that. The new characters feel less interesting and developed than Dayo, Rose, and the other ghosts Harper befriended in Spirit Hunters. However, the simple prose and uncomplicated plot make this book accessible to readers of various abilities.
The Island of Monsters takes place right at Halloween. Recommended for young readers who enjoy gruesome, scary tales.
The follow up to 2017’s Spirit Hunters , The Island of Monsters takes Harper and her multiracial family on a Halloween vacation to a tropical island with a gruesome past. Harper must use her newly developed skills in Korean shamanism to resolve the island’s mysteries and protect her little brother. New friends – ghosts and humans alike – help her with this task.
I prefer Spirit Hunters over this book. The titles really says it all – this is more monsters than ghosts. Less bone chilling than Spirit Hunters, The Island of Monsters has some pretty vivid violence for middle grade. The words gouge and gore always make me shudder. The plot repeats elements of the first book. I couldn’t get invested in worrying about Michael – been there, done that. The new characters feel less interesting and developed than Dayo, Rose, and the other ghosts Harper befriended in Spirit Hunters. However, the simple prose and uncomplicated plot make this book accessible to readers of various abilities.
The Island of Monsters takes place right at Halloween. Recommended for young readers who enjoy gruesome, scary tales.
January 23, 2023
Wowza! Ok, the darkness of this 1, & just overall creepiness factor period was amped up even more! Wowza this 1 even creeped me out a bit lol. Such a phenomenal 2nd book, & I flew through it. So hard to put down. We have a different location that is so atmospheric, & is so creepy itself, with a horrific backstory. The writing is so vividly described, you feel like you’re there, which probably helps that creepy factor lol. Still love these characters, & we meet some new ones as well, & there’s a whole new mystery/paranormal aspect with a bit of a twist. There’s a sad bittersweet moment at the beginning, but I understand why it happened, but my heart hurt for our MC. HIGHLY recommend if you want a thoroughly creepy MG that also has great friendships, family, writing, underlying messages, & a lot of heart. Another STUNNING cover by Matt Rockefeller too.💜
July 18, 2023
Nice addition to the series. Looking forward to next book
September 29, 2018
2 Stars
Darn it! My recent discovery and obsession with middle grade has included Ellen Oh's first novel, Spirit Hunters, of which I gave 4 stars. However, this second installment did not fulfill my expectations.
Here are some things I personally didn't jive with:
1. Why this particular setting? It seemed really random to me and didn't tie in to the overall picture.
2. I wasn't able to connect with the characters. I even found Harper to be less likeable in this second book. I also didn't find the flash backs interesting.
3. Things are either too vague or convenient. I understand that one has to suspend reality with fictional stories but I felt the author was asking us to ignore too many gaps.
4. I felt there was some plot recycling going on with Michael's character.
Anyway, I loved Ellen Oh's first novel but this one felt flat to me but I'm open to seeing what she comes up with next!
Darn it! My recent discovery and obsession with middle grade has included Ellen Oh's first novel, Spirit Hunters, of which I gave 4 stars. However, this second installment did not fulfill my expectations.
Here are some things I personally didn't jive with:
1. Why this particular setting? It seemed really random to me and didn't tie in to the overall picture.
2. I wasn't able to connect with the characters. I even found Harper to be less likeable in this second book. I also didn't find the flash backs interesting.
3. Things are either too vague or convenient. I understand that one has to suspend reality with fictional stories but I felt the author was asking us to ignore too many gaps.
4. I felt there was some plot recycling going on with Michael's character.
Anyway, I loved Ellen Oh's first novel but this one felt flat to me but I'm open to seeing what she comes up with next!
April 22, 2020
I liked the first book better but this one was still good.
March 18, 2021
idkkkk 2.5 feels kind of harsh but I think maybe the first book should have been a standalone.
September 13, 2020
At the start of the book I felt the pacing was slightly rushed. Thankfully once the trip to the island happens, the book settles in nicely. Just like with the first book, Ellen Oh nails the creepiness factor. Even as a MG book, I got goosebumps a few times and at others took a deep breath before continuing. I can only imagine the chills I'd feel reading this series back in my early teens.
April 1, 2019
Really good! A bit boring in the beginning but a great second book to Ellen Oh's Spirit Hunters series! (I met her by the way!)
January 31, 2021
After really liking the first Spirit Hunters I was a bit disappointed in the 2nd book. I just didn’t seem to connect. Maybe part of it was just timing.
December 28, 2019
I hate to say it, but I was disappointed by this sequel. It lacked the emotional depth of the first book, which dealt with Harper's mental health, her family relationships, and the possession of a young child by evil ghosts. Now that Harper and company have overcome those challenges, this story felt pale in comparison.
There is one "emotional" scene at the start of the book. But it happened before I could really get my footing and honestly had almost no impact. I think that event would have been better saved for halfway through or even the end of the book.
Without the character development, what's left is a solid ghost-hunting mystert. Harper builds up her Scooby gang, as she figures out the grim and grisly past of the island her family is vacationing on and moves to stop it. I guessed the "villain" as soon as it was clear there was one, though I wasn't trying to. Those of you who actively think about what's happening in a mystery will probably figure it all out immediately.
There is quite a bit of gore mentioned, so be aware if that's something you'd like your middle-grade reader to avoid. There's also a ton of infodumping too. Harper is privy to visions from the past and they're basically all big chunks of exposition. Some of the same information was repeated several times, which was tedious. The ending also felt like a big, convenient rush to wrap everything up in a neat bow.
I think there will be more in this series, and I'll certainly keep reading, but I've adjusted it expectations. I'm on board for a growing gang of kids becoming spirit hunters and solving ghost mysteries, I just won't expect any more of the depth the first book had.
To end on a really positive note, the cover art is still gorgeous and I can't wait to see more of it.
There is one "emotional" scene at the start of the book. But it happened before I could really get my footing and honestly had almost no impact. I think that event would have been better saved for halfway through or even the end of the book.
Without the character development, what's left is a solid ghost-hunting mystert. Harper builds up her Scooby gang, as she figures out the grim and grisly past of the island her family is vacationing on and moves to stop it. I guessed the "villain" as soon as it was clear there was one, though I wasn't trying to. Those of you who actively think about what's happening in a mystery will probably figure it all out immediately.
There is quite a bit of gore mentioned, so be aware if that's something you'd like your middle-grade reader to avoid. There's also a ton of infodumping too. Harper is privy to visions from the past and they're basically all big chunks of exposition. Some of the same information was repeated several times, which was tedious. The ending also felt like a big, convenient rush to wrap everything up in a neat bow.
I think there will be more in this series, and I'll certainly keep reading, but I've adjusted it expectations. I'm on board for a growing gang of kids becoming spirit hunters and solving ghost mysteries, I just won't expect any more of the depth the first book had.
To end on a really positive note, the cover art is still gorgeous and I can't wait to see more of it.
October 20, 2020
I didn’t care for this one as much as I did the first. There was a lot of unnecessary recaps going on from events in book 1.
The characters were more bothersome this time around, and the constant whine for “I need to call my grandma” was grueling. Harper took very little initiative because she so heavily relied on calling her grandma for everything spiritual related, I get that she is a kid but it was overkill. And it wasn’t until she had absolutely no choice but to do it on her own that she finally did anything.
The whole demon aspect could have been interesting but ultimately you don’t really get much besides visions of the past and how they hurt a bunch of adults.
And the loss of the Rose was honestly something that super irritated me, why go through all the trouble to bring her back into Harpers life, just to take her away again, it honestly made me super angry.
Also the return of a missing parent just spontaneously happening was such a poor choice.
And again, avoid the audiobook, I don’t like to say a narrator is horrible goodness gracious the lady who does these needs to stop. She is so inconsistent with her voices and at one point I’m pretty certain she mixed up Harper and her sister Kelly. She makes listening frustrating.
The characters were more bothersome this time around, and the constant whine for “I need to call my grandma” was grueling. Harper took very little initiative because she so heavily relied on calling her grandma for everything spiritual related, I get that she is a kid but it was overkill. And it wasn’t until she had absolutely no choice but to do it on her own that she finally did anything.
The whole demon aspect could have been interesting but ultimately you don’t really get much besides visions of the past and how they hurt a bunch of adults.
And the loss of the Rose was honestly something that super irritated me, why go through all the trouble to bring her back into Harpers life, just to take her away again, it honestly made me super angry.
Also the return of a missing parent just spontaneously happening was such a poor choice.
And again, avoid the audiobook, I don’t like to say a narrator is horrible goodness gracious the lady who does these needs to stop. She is so inconsistent with her voices and at one point I’m pretty certain she mixed up Harper and her sister Kelly. She makes listening frustrating.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 9, 2019
I love the Spirit Hunters books. They're diverse, and genuinely scary for the middle grade genre. They also have a great message about how important family and friends are, especially in times of supernatural peril. In The Island of Monsters, Harper and her family go on vacation to the remote Razu Island. Before they even get there, her grandmother warns Harper that there are terrible dangers ahead.
Once Harper gets there, she's immediately thrust into a world of ghosts and demons. Terrible things have happened on Razu Island in the past, and Harper needs to hone her spirit hunter skills in order to save her family, friend Dayo, and other resort guests from fates worse than death.
Does that sound intense? It certainly is, at times. That said, I enjoyed the first book better. The stakes seemed higher, and I loved having more of Harper's grandmother in that novel.
Once Harper gets there, she's immediately thrust into a world of ghosts and demons. Terrible things have happened on Razu Island in the past, and Harper needs to hone her spirit hunter skills in order to save her family, friend Dayo, and other resort guests from fates worse than death.
Does that sound intense? It certainly is, at times. That said, I enjoyed the first book better. The stakes seemed higher, and I loved having more of Harper's grandmother in that novel.
June 18, 2023
I liked the 1st better but it was still a good read
March 6, 2024
4.5⭐️
September 15, 2018
Whoa, this book was creeeeeeeepy! I thought it was just as good as the first book and I will definitely be picking up the third if there is another one someday!
March 18, 2021
Great, spooky middle grade read. I hope this is a long series!
February 6, 2020
The story “Spirit hunters island of monsters” By Ellen Oh is a great middle school horror book. This story is a sequel of “Spirit hunters” and not many books do a great job of beings sequel but this one definitely did. This time around the author added new characters like, Leo and Olivia; and gave us a different POV now that we know of Harpers powers. The book was great besides the beginning. It was pretty boring. It also was a bit confusing when it talked about her dreams and when she could see the past. It was a good touch but I wish the author spoke more of the topic. Overall I give the book 4 stars. I recommend to people who like suspense and thriller but also don’t wanna get to scared
March 2, 2019
I was so excited about this one after book one, but I found the idea to set the story on a "remote tropical island" kind of hurtful. I guess maybe its a satire of the colonial white savior trope, and I really like Ellen Ohs writing in general. I thought the book could have done a better job of awareness of its place in western literature, which has a really hurtful history of harmful "tropical island" savior stories. In book one the name Raine didn't seem problematic but in book two it really bothered me and I keep thinking it just doesn't seem right.
I have to say the pacing was really good. I almost put it down like three quarters in but the ending section really hooks you!
Two stars.
I have to say the pacing was really good. I almost put it down like three quarters in but the ending section really hooks you!
Two stars.
March 23, 2021
Read this before Spirit Hunters, by accident. Loved it, and was really scared. Can't wait to give this to some of the sixyth graders who visit my library!
November 9, 2021
I absolutely loved this book! super fast paced and had the perfect blend of cozy and spooky that I love so much about middle grade ghost stories. I would recommend this series to any fans of ghost stories! looking forward to seeing more of the series in the future ad reading more of Ellen Oh’s work!
October 8, 2018
Please tell me there will be a third book!
Loved this story, rich details and amazing characters made this an excellent read! Adding Leo to the mix has me wondering what the next story might be about! Another great book provided by my local library.
Loved this story, rich details and amazing characters made this an excellent read! Adding Leo to the mix has me wondering what the next story might be about! Another great book provided by my local library.
July 7, 2021
Few days before Halloween, Harper Raine and her family (plus Harper's best friend, Dayo) go to an island for a vacation. Harper has a bad feeling about the trip, but she can't do anything to make it cancelled.
On the island, Harper finds out about its dark history, involving human sacrifice. And what's weird is she finds no ghost there except for one little girl. Now Harper must unravel the mysteries and find a way to deal with the island's soul eaters before she and Michael become one of the human sacrifices.
.
The friendship between Harper and Dayo is still going strong (I was hoping for little fights between them, but no, they're always nice to each other). They even find a new friend in the island, a girl named Olivia, whose family play a crucial role on the island.
A new character who gets on Harper's nerve is her cousin Leo. But then, through hardships, their relationship improves.
.
The gory elements are still present. I mean, come on, it's human sacrifice! Bodies torn apart and hung on a tree. Blood everywhere. And people of the island hide the murders for years because they're afraid tourists will stop coming if they know.
.
I was hoping for a twist at the end, but there is none ... I feel kinda disappointed. I also feel good, though, because everything wraps up nicely.
There's a possibility of a next book, seeing Harper makes a team of spirit hunters (the young version of Ghostbusters maybe), but I don't know if it will happen or not.
.
Not as creepy as the first book ... But still fun to read.
On the island, Harper finds out about its dark history, involving human sacrifice. And what's weird is she finds no ghost there except for one little girl. Now Harper must unravel the mysteries and find a way to deal with the island's soul eaters before she and Michael become one of the human sacrifices.
.
The friendship between Harper and Dayo is still going strong (I was hoping for little fights between them, but no, they're always nice to each other). They even find a new friend in the island, a girl named Olivia, whose family play a crucial role on the island.
A new character who gets on Harper's nerve is her cousin Leo. But then, through hardships, their relationship improves.
.
The gory elements are still present. I mean, come on, it's human sacrifice! Bodies torn apart and hung on a tree. Blood everywhere. And people of the island hide the murders for years because they're afraid tourists will stop coming if they know.
.
I was hoping for a twist at the end, but there is none ... I feel kinda disappointed. I also feel good, though, because everything wraps up nicely.
There's a possibility of a next book, seeing Harper makes a team of spirit hunters (the young version of Ghostbusters maybe), but I don't know if it will happen or not.
.
Not as creepy as the first book ... But still fun to read.
June 9, 2020
Rating: 4 /5 stars
I enjoyed this sequel as much as I enjoyed the first book in thus series. I liked that we expanded Harper's circle of friends in this by making Dayo a much more prominent character. I did miss having Harper's grandmother in the meat of the book, but her cameo was important.
The premise of this sequel is that Harper and her family are going to vacation on an island which Harper can feel is dangerous. Her powers begin to manifest with greater skill and she is able to see into the past and understand what is wrong with the island. She and Dayo and her little brother Michael have to try to stop the monsters on the island.
While there wasn't as much emotional weight in this novel as there was in the previous one, Harper does have to deal with a significant loss and you do get to see her process her grief.
There was some very scary imagery in this one, even more so than the first, which I always find surprising. I think middle graders will love it though.
Recommend.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
I enjoyed this sequel as much as I enjoyed the first book in thus series. I liked that we expanded Harper's circle of friends in this by making Dayo a much more prominent character. I did miss having Harper's grandmother in the meat of the book, but her cameo was important.
The premise of this sequel is that Harper and her family are going to vacation on an island which Harper can feel is dangerous. Her powers begin to manifest with greater skill and she is able to see into the past and understand what is wrong with the island. She and Dayo and her little brother Michael have to try to stop the monsters on the island.
While there wasn't as much emotional weight in this novel as there was in the previous one, Harper does have to deal with a significant loss and you do get to see her process her grief.
There was some very scary imagery in this one, even more so than the first, which I always find surprising. I think middle graders will love it though.
Recommend.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
April 22, 2019
I bought this book online and was thrilled to find that I'd gotten a signed copy! Whoo-hoo! I really am enjoying this series and am so pleased to see that there will be more in the future.
I liked learning more about the spirit hunters and the forms spirit monsters can take. I like how the main character is growing up, maturing, and taking on new responsibilities. I like how the more mature world of teenagers is glossed over because the main character really isn't ready and doesn't want to know what's going on in her sister's world much. She's just not ready and that's okay.
Looking forward to #3!
I liked learning more about the spirit hunters and the forms spirit monsters can take. I like how the main character is growing up, maturing, and taking on new responsibilities. I like how the more mature world of teenagers is glossed over because the main character really isn't ready and doesn't want to know what's going on in her sister's world much. She's just not ready and that's okay.
Looking forward to #3!
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