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Crater Lake #2
Crater Lake: Evolution
It's five months since the nightmare Year Six School trip to Crater Lake, and something has gone very wrong in Lance's home town of Straybridge. There's been an explosion at the University, a mysterious test creature is missing and no one is allowed in or out of the town. On top of this Lance has lost touch with his friends since starting at his new school. And now his mum has been acting strangely since they started decorating the Christmas tree... As he goes door to door trying to reunite his team, Lance realises how bad things have got. Now he, Katja, Max, Chets and Ade, plus new friend Karim, must think bigger and bolder if they are to save their families. But there's something else out there too - something straight out of their nightmares...
309 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2021
22 people are currently reading
314 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
June 29, 2021
Such an amazing sequel! This is definitely titled correctly with “Evolution” since this second book was even better possibly than the 1st! Can’t say much since it IS book 2, but I had such a great time back w/these characters. I was thoroughly creeped out, AND on the edge of my seat the whole time as well. I read the last 55% of this in 1 sitting-I literally couldn’t put it down. Such amazing characters & humor too. This author a master at comedic sci-fi w/a twist of horror. Love! There’s even some relatable topics in here like a new character who has diabetes, body image, & the transition from middle school to high school, & the effects it can have on kids. This shows many different ways it can affect kids. This friend group is still the best though. And I loved the new friend brought into the group. His humor is on point! Lol Love love love! These kids can do anything together. This has action, danger, suspense, sci-fi goodness, creepy vibes, humor, friendship, amazing characters/writing/story, & more. Very fast-paced read, & I loved every minute. I can read books like this all year long. I don’t wait for spooky season lol I love it too much to limit it. I will never look at high fives or a certain Christmas decor item the same way again..just saying lol. HIGHLY recommend! I don’t know if there will be more, but I really really hope so!🤞🏻 Another AMAZING cover by Anne Glenn Design too!💜
February 18, 2021
Lance and his friends are back in the middle of the creepiest of mysteries. Dealing with the craziness in their trademark smart and sassy style. Real thrills and chills with thumping action and dialogue.
A worthy successor that is possibly even better than its stunning predecessor.
Evolution, indeed!
A worthy successor that is possibly even better than its stunning predecessor.
Evolution, indeed!
October 1, 2021
The aliens are back, hoho merry Alienmas!
It took me a bit to read this one + it didn’t help that Amazon took its sweet time to deliver it, but I finally had the chance to read it yesterday and BOY BOY BOY I flew through the book in record time. It was just so good to read this one. With tons of action, plenty of drama and alien scariness, and great characters once again.
In this one it has been 6 months since everything happened. We follow Lance once again and he is having a pretty OK time with the holidays, spending time with his mom (who is doing much better which made me very happy).. but then BOOM explosion and from that point things get very spooky and very scary. I knew the aliens were back, but in what way would they be back? Full Crater Lake or something else entirely. You will have to read to find out what is going on. But I was definitely scared out of my wits at many times in the story. Seeing Lance, Kat, and Karim figure out things, go on adventure to find clues, and scary chase scenes.
Next to aliens we also have friendships and making up. Because after Crater Lake things just broke apart for our group. Maks got a girlfriend, Ade and Kat weren’t being so nice to each other, Chets is still not OK with Karim (though we do find out that has a different reason than normal). I am happy to say that it fitted with the story. We needed all these teens to save the world. These kids knew what happened in Crater Lake and they are up for the challenge again.
Karim, our new boy, I loved that guy so much. He brought some much needed lightness into the book with his jokes, his hair and how he loves that a tad too much to the point that we find out why people in his house aren’t contaminated, his comments on what is happening, and more. It is his first alien invasion and while he was scared for a lot of parts he also kept cool and did his very best to defeat the aliens along with his friends.
The ending was one big rollercoaster of WOW WOW WOW. There is so much happening and the teens are showing all their strength and smarts. Their plan was super dangerous but also fantastic and I was rooting for them so so much. The villain was a surprise to me, I had several suspects but that one was definitely not on my list. Haha, maybe if I had re-read the other book before reading this one that person would have been on the list, but as of now, no.
Also, those hints to a certain character… mmm… looks at the author and wonders what their plan is
I could probably talk about this book for more and more because DANG it was a whirlwind of awesomeness. Aliens, friendship, action, and more! But I will keep it to this one. Highly recommended to all.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
It took me a bit to read this one + it didn’t help that Amazon took its sweet time to deliver it, but I finally had the chance to read it yesterday and BOY BOY BOY I flew through the book in record time. It was just so good to read this one. With tons of action, plenty of drama and alien scariness, and great characters once again.
In this one it has been 6 months since everything happened. We follow Lance once again and he is having a pretty OK time with the holidays, spending time with his mom (who is doing much better which made me very happy).. but then BOOM explosion and from that point things get very spooky and very scary. I knew the aliens were back, but in what way would they be back? Full Crater Lake or something else entirely. You will have to read to find out what is going on. But I was definitely scared out of my wits at many times in the story. Seeing Lance, Kat, and Karim figure out things, go on adventure to find clues, and scary chase scenes.
Next to aliens we also have friendships and making up. Because after Crater Lake things just broke apart for our group. Maks got a girlfriend, Ade and Kat weren’t being so nice to each other, Chets is still not OK with Karim (though we do find out that has a different reason than normal). I am happy to say that it fitted with the story. We needed all these teens to save the world. These kids knew what happened in Crater Lake and they are up for the challenge again.
Karim, our new boy, I loved that guy so much. He brought some much needed lightness into the book with his jokes, his hair and how he loves that a tad too much to the point that we find out why people in his house aren’t contaminated, his comments on what is happening, and more. It is his first alien invasion and while he was scared for a lot of parts he also kept cool and did his very best to defeat the aliens along with his friends.
The ending was one big rollercoaster of WOW WOW WOW. There is so much happening and the teens are showing all their strength and smarts. Their plan was super dangerous but also fantastic and I was rooting for them so so much. The villain was a surprise to me, I had several suspects but that one was definitely not on my list. Haha, maybe if I had re-read the other book before reading this one that person would have been on the list, but as of now, no.
Also, those hints to a certain character… mmm… looks at the author and wonders what their plan is
I could probably talk about this book for more and more because DANG it was a whirlwind of awesomeness. Aliens, friendship, action, and more! But I will keep it to this one. Highly recommended to all.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
January 10, 2026
Jennifer Killick’s Crater Lake: Evolution is a fantastic sequel! We’re thrown into Staybridge SMARTtown where Lance and the gang are living with XGen’s new renewable energy source, and alien spores. Its not long before the towns infested and Mak, Ada, Chets, Karim, Lance and Katja have to put their differences aside to save the world. This book really does have it all, its action packed, the sci-fi is balanced well with realism and Killick is the master of middle school horror. There were some chapters that really had me on edge for these kids!
The characters are so well thought out, their personalities are easily identifiable and all of them feel realistic from their language to their opinions. I love that the kids don’t have magical powers, all of them are talented in their own ways, but I this book doesn’t lean towards fantasy and sticks to the horror genre. Karim might be my all-time favourite character, he was so funny and likable, I loved his presence in the group. I feel so bad for Chets, he always succumbs to the mayhem! Even Hotch had a redemption arc which honestly, I loved.
My only dislike was I felt some of the action felt rushed at the end. I would have happily read another 100 pages to get a bit more alien attack, I think because the last one was set over more days, I felt we got more action.
The characters are so well thought out, their personalities are easily identifiable and all of them feel realistic from their language to their opinions. I love that the kids don’t have magical powers, all of them are talented in their own ways, but I this book doesn’t lean towards fantasy and sticks to the horror genre. Karim might be my all-time favourite character, he was so funny and likable, I loved his presence in the group. I feel so bad for Chets, he always succumbs to the mayhem! Even Hotch had a redemption arc which honestly, I loved.
My only dislike was I felt some of the action felt rushed at the end. I would have happily read another 100 pages to get a bit more alien attack, I think because the last one was set over more days, I felt we got more action.
August 17, 2024
I should have saved this one for the colder weather/Christmas vibes as is just didn't hit the same in this blistering heatwave in terms of vibes.
Regardless, it was so much fun being back in time with all the characters from Crater Lake.
I was a little disgruntled about everyone's falling out starting the book off, but it actually was quite an interesting plot device to expand on personalities and share varied perspectives of growing up and having major changes (specifically in the form of moving to secondary school).
Pick it up, give it a go & enjoy!
Regardless, it was so much fun being back in time with all the characters from Crater Lake.
I was a little disgruntled about everyone's falling out starting the book off, but it actually was quite an interesting plot device to expand on personalities and share varied perspectives of growing up and having major changes (specifically in the form of moving to secondary school).
Pick it up, give it a go & enjoy!
January 14, 2021
Phew! Now my pulse has returned to somewhere near normal…
Jennifer Killick is back at her brilliant best and I for one am thrilled. I have been desperate for a sequel to Crater Lake and was leaping about with excitement after getting this advanced reader copy via Netgalley. If Emma Carroll is the ‘Queen of historical fiction’ then Jennifer Killick is rapidly becoming the loveable evil overlord of the comedic science-fiction horror.
Firstly, if you have not read Crater Lake - the book that precedes this new release - then you are really missing out. And secondly, you really need to as the action in Crater Lake Evolution picks up six months later and without the prior knowledge everything will seem a bit disjointed.
It is Christmas time and several months have passed since Lance and his friends returned from the nightmare school residential at Crater Lake. Having survived the big-ass wasp like creatures, the once tightly-knit group of friends have gone their separate ways and are settling into life at new high schools. Old friends have been replaced by new ones and personalities are rapidly changing as Lance and his old gang adapt to their new school surroundings where they are all just trying to fit in.
Like lots of towns, Straybridge is a quiet place where the local residents will tell you that nothing interesting ever happens. But when something does happen, boy does it kick off with a bang. There’s a huge explosion at the university, Lance’s mum starts acting weird and a rogue creature being used as a test subject for research purposes escapes from a secure science lab.
As Lance and new best mate Karim begin to investigate what on earth is going on it soon becomes apparent that Lance and his mates are not the only things to have returned from Crater Lake. And the safety of Straybridge, in fact the safety of the entire human race, depends on Lance getting the gang back together to stop an invasion of advanced alien mutants.
Crater Lake Evolution is gripping from start to finish. It is an action-packed, adrenaline-fuelled thriller and there is never a dull moment. Killick expertly builds up tension and suspense and there are plenty of surprises, twists and turns that will send shivers down the spine and have hearts racing. As the mystery builds and the threat from the aliens becomes more perilous there are plenty of close scrapes and near misses as the gang just about manage to stay one step ahead of the all-seeing and all-hearing mutants. Killick writes with a great awareness of her audience. As in her previous books, she has included references to some of her favourite things - Marvel, LEGO and Star Wars all get a shout out - and there are many other references that will strike a chord with the youth of today.
The characters in the narrative are totally believable and readers will find at least one that they can relate to and will probably see their friends in others. The relationships between Lance and his friends feel totally genuine and their interactions are typical for children of that age - the banter they share, the arguments they have, the feelings and emotions that they are experiencing and have towards each other.
Amidst all the alien hunting and strange goings-on are strong messages of friendship and teamwork. Lance and his mates all possess their own ‘super-powers’ - whether they be a tech-wizard or have superhuman climbing abilities - and the defeating of the aliens will depend on all of them bringing their talents to the party. As the gang slowly reforms and grudges are overcome and disagreements are resolved, Lance learns that it is OK to have new friends and that he can always rely on his old, true friends to be there when he needs them - such an important message for those children moving onto high school.
As per the first book, the words ‘DON’T, EVER, FALL ASLEEP’ are emblazoned across the front cover and this is a warning I strongly suggest you heed. Probably best to avoid the tomato soup too.
Recommended for 9+.
Thanks to the lovely peeps at Firefly Press for the advanced reader copy that was obtained through Netgalley. Crater Lake Evolution is due for publication on 20th May 2021.
Jennifer Killick is back at her brilliant best and I for one am thrilled. I have been desperate for a sequel to Crater Lake and was leaping about with excitement after getting this advanced reader copy via Netgalley. If Emma Carroll is the ‘Queen of historical fiction’ then Jennifer Killick is rapidly becoming the loveable evil overlord of the comedic science-fiction horror.
Firstly, if you have not read Crater Lake - the book that precedes this new release - then you are really missing out. And secondly, you really need to as the action in Crater Lake Evolution picks up six months later and without the prior knowledge everything will seem a bit disjointed.
It is Christmas time and several months have passed since Lance and his friends returned from the nightmare school residential at Crater Lake. Having survived the big-ass wasp like creatures, the once tightly-knit group of friends have gone their separate ways and are settling into life at new high schools. Old friends have been replaced by new ones and personalities are rapidly changing as Lance and his old gang adapt to their new school surroundings where they are all just trying to fit in.
Like lots of towns, Straybridge is a quiet place where the local residents will tell you that nothing interesting ever happens. But when something does happen, boy does it kick off with a bang. There’s a huge explosion at the university, Lance’s mum starts acting weird and a rogue creature being used as a test subject for research purposes escapes from a secure science lab.
As Lance and new best mate Karim begin to investigate what on earth is going on it soon becomes apparent that Lance and his mates are not the only things to have returned from Crater Lake. And the safety of Straybridge, in fact the safety of the entire human race, depends on Lance getting the gang back together to stop an invasion of advanced alien mutants.
Crater Lake Evolution is gripping from start to finish. It is an action-packed, adrenaline-fuelled thriller and there is never a dull moment. Killick expertly builds up tension and suspense and there are plenty of surprises, twists and turns that will send shivers down the spine and have hearts racing. As the mystery builds and the threat from the aliens becomes more perilous there are plenty of close scrapes and near misses as the gang just about manage to stay one step ahead of the all-seeing and all-hearing mutants. Killick writes with a great awareness of her audience. As in her previous books, she has included references to some of her favourite things - Marvel, LEGO and Star Wars all get a shout out - and there are many other references that will strike a chord with the youth of today.
The characters in the narrative are totally believable and readers will find at least one that they can relate to and will probably see their friends in others. The relationships between Lance and his friends feel totally genuine and their interactions are typical for children of that age - the banter they share, the arguments they have, the feelings and emotions that they are experiencing and have towards each other.
Amidst all the alien hunting and strange goings-on are strong messages of friendship and teamwork. Lance and his mates all possess their own ‘super-powers’ - whether they be a tech-wizard or have superhuman climbing abilities - and the defeating of the aliens will depend on all of them bringing their talents to the party. As the gang slowly reforms and grudges are overcome and disagreements are resolved, Lance learns that it is OK to have new friends and that he can always rely on his old, true friends to be there when he needs them - such an important message for those children moving onto high school.
As per the first book, the words ‘DON’T, EVER, FALL ASLEEP’ are emblazoned across the front cover and this is a warning I strongly suggest you heed. Probably best to avoid the tomato soup too.
Recommended for 9+.
Thanks to the lovely peeps at Firefly Press for the advanced reader copy that was obtained through Netgalley. Crater Lake Evolution is due for publication on 20th May 2021.
January 14, 2021
Crater Lake: Evolution is coming in May and I was lucky enough to read it early through NetGalley, thanks to Firefly Books. You need to add this book to your TBR pile (along with the first book) because you’re not going to want to miss it!
Crater Lake: Evolution follows on several months after the events of the first book. Lance and his friends have started at different high schools and they have drifted apart. Lance has become friends with Karim and Chets is jealous of their friendship. Karim’s mum works at the university for XGen, which is giving their town renewable energy and super-fast Wi-Fi. Their town is the first SMARTtown in the country. Just when Lance thinks that life is back to normal, an explosion at the university sees the forces from Crater Lake taking hold in his town. These aren’t the same forces as before though. They have evolved into something more dangerous. Lance has to try and get the gang back together again, to work through their differences and save their families themselves. If they don’t stop the evil force’s plans in their town, the rest of the world will be next.
Crater Lake: Evolution is a thrilling, nail-biting sequel that I devoured. I thought Crater Lake was an amazing story but Evolution is even better! The action is fast-paced and there were times I found myself holding my breath as I wasn’t sure how the characters were going to get through. Chapter 13 is one of the most terrifying scenes I’ve read in a children’s book! I can’t spoil what happens but it sent chills down my spine. It is incredibly creepy but such fantastic writing, and it keeps you on the edge of your seat. It’s the sort of book that I guarantee would capture a whole class of Year 7/8 students because it’s so gripping.
Many of the characters from the first book are back in this book but there is a completely different dynamic. The characters have made new friends but some have also felt the pressure to be a different person at high school. I really liked the way that Jennifer developed the characters but also how she threw them together so that they had to deal with their issues and talk about their emotions. The interactions between the characters adds some comic relief into the story, with some good jokes at the expense of some of the least likeable characters.
The ending is particularly satisfying and it feels like things are wrapped up nicely. But are they? If I know anything from reading Crater Lake it’s that there is always the possibility that there are loose ends that haven’t been completely dealt with. I would certainly like more adventures with the Crater Lake Crew.
If you’re looking for a perfect read aloud to start the school year for Years 6-8, I highly recommend the first book in the series, Crater Lake. It’s a nice alternative to Holes but with a similar sense of mystery and great character development.
Crater Lake: Evolution follows on several months after the events of the first book. Lance and his friends have started at different high schools and they have drifted apart. Lance has become friends with Karim and Chets is jealous of their friendship. Karim’s mum works at the university for XGen, which is giving their town renewable energy and super-fast Wi-Fi. Their town is the first SMARTtown in the country. Just when Lance thinks that life is back to normal, an explosion at the university sees the forces from Crater Lake taking hold in his town. These aren’t the same forces as before though. They have evolved into something more dangerous. Lance has to try and get the gang back together again, to work through their differences and save their families themselves. If they don’t stop the evil force’s plans in their town, the rest of the world will be next.
Crater Lake: Evolution is a thrilling, nail-biting sequel that I devoured. I thought Crater Lake was an amazing story but Evolution is even better! The action is fast-paced and there were times I found myself holding my breath as I wasn’t sure how the characters were going to get through. Chapter 13 is one of the most terrifying scenes I’ve read in a children’s book! I can’t spoil what happens but it sent chills down my spine. It is incredibly creepy but such fantastic writing, and it keeps you on the edge of your seat. It’s the sort of book that I guarantee would capture a whole class of Year 7/8 students because it’s so gripping.
Many of the characters from the first book are back in this book but there is a completely different dynamic. The characters have made new friends but some have also felt the pressure to be a different person at high school. I really liked the way that Jennifer developed the characters but also how she threw them together so that they had to deal with their issues and talk about their emotions. The interactions between the characters adds some comic relief into the story, with some good jokes at the expense of some of the least likeable characters.
The ending is particularly satisfying and it feels like things are wrapped up nicely. But are they? If I know anything from reading Crater Lake it’s that there is always the possibility that there are loose ends that haven’t been completely dealt with. I would certainly like more adventures with the Crater Lake Crew.
If you’re looking for a perfect read aloud to start the school year for Years 6-8, I highly recommend the first book in the series, Crater Lake. It’s a nice alternative to Holes but with a similar sense of mystery and great character development.
April 29, 2021
*please note this review contains spoilers*
It has evolved! And I not just talking about the waspy alien community in Spraybridge. If you’ve read the first book – named simply Crater Lake – you’ll know that Jennifer Killick has a skill in balancing horror with comedy. But it’s a real feat to create a sequel that not only explains the premise of the first so niftily, without exposition and awkwardness, but grows the storyline with tenacity and tension. With Evolution, she does so - effortlessly. Like Stranger Things meets BBC classroom drama meets popular video game, One of Us, it’s about a group of old school friends that must dodge ill-meaning aliens whilst simultaneously trying to work out how to neutralise them.
The plot has really clever little twists and the sci-fi element is true to its roots – there’s real science referencing in this book; prepare to become an amateur entomologist. Also be prepared to be disgusted by that.
All great stories need characters we care about. The cast of Evolution is so colourful and tangible, you can’t not care. (Unless you’re one of them…. Bzzzzzz). We’ve met most of them before – their personalities are clear-cut, believable, unforgettable. But there’s a new one in this book: Karim. Endearingly self-adoring, with slick moves and quick banter and, importantly, a dependency on hair-styling products. I never thought main character, Lance’s friendship group could take any more members, but things are different now, and Karim is a super fresh addition to the cast. The dialogue is terrific and readers will love the humour tucked between every set of quotation marks. (Because if there's a time where humour is needed in adversity, it's when your mum's body has been hijacked by giant wasp extra-terrestrials). There’s lots of quipping, backchat and banter. It’s full of butts. But that’s where the buts stop.
I have nothing but applause for Crater Lake: Evolution. It's funny and thrilling, and whether they realise it or not, kids will be learning an important life lesson: it doesn’t matter if friendships grow or change – so long as you can put differences aside and come together to work as one when bug-eyed aliens take over your town. That’s all that matters.
It has evolved! And I not just talking about the waspy alien community in Spraybridge. If you’ve read the first book – named simply Crater Lake – you’ll know that Jennifer Killick has a skill in balancing horror with comedy. But it’s a real feat to create a sequel that not only explains the premise of the first so niftily, without exposition and awkwardness, but grows the storyline with tenacity and tension. With Evolution, she does so - effortlessly. Like Stranger Things meets BBC classroom drama meets popular video game, One of Us, it’s about a group of old school friends that must dodge ill-meaning aliens whilst simultaneously trying to work out how to neutralise them.
The plot has really clever little twists and the sci-fi element is true to its roots – there’s real science referencing in this book; prepare to become an amateur entomologist. Also be prepared to be disgusted by that.
All great stories need characters we care about. The cast of Evolution is so colourful and tangible, you can’t not care. (Unless you’re one of them…. Bzzzzzz). We’ve met most of them before – their personalities are clear-cut, believable, unforgettable. But there’s a new one in this book: Karim. Endearingly self-adoring, with slick moves and quick banter and, importantly, a dependency on hair-styling products. I never thought main character, Lance’s friendship group could take any more members, but things are different now, and Karim is a super fresh addition to the cast. The dialogue is terrific and readers will love the humour tucked between every set of quotation marks. (Because if there's a time where humour is needed in adversity, it's when your mum's body has been hijacked by giant wasp extra-terrestrials). There’s lots of quipping, backchat and banter. It’s full of butts. But that’s where the buts stop.
I have nothing but applause for Crater Lake: Evolution. It's funny and thrilling, and whether they realise it or not, kids will be learning an important life lesson: it doesn’t matter if friendships grow or change – so long as you can put differences aside and come together to work as one when bug-eyed aliens take over your town. That’s all that matters.
October 24, 2022
CRATE LAKE EVOLUTION is a horror sequel that successfully takes an already established monster and makes it scarier and fresh-feeling in the sequel.
The aliens of < a href = https://sifaelizabethreads.wordpress.... LAKE are back and they are more dangerous, harder to defeat, and all around creepier. They feel like both familiar and different all at the same time, which provided nice continuity while also feeling like we weren't getting a rehash of the previous book. It means there's a new mystery to how the aliens are infecting people, and thus the crew have to think up a new way of stopping them. (The night time bedroom scene was so unnerving - hope I sleep tonight...)
The new location also helps with the freshness feeling. The crew are in their home town, which means the adventure/survival attempt occurs in an urban environment rather than a wild setting. Plus they are on home turf, so know the streets. This combined with the fact they've been through something similar before means that they feel more confident. Not so confident that they aren't acknowledging the threat, but that they feel competent and you have faith in them.
CRATER LAKE EVOLUTION is also a book about the pressures put on friendships due to starting new schools, how new environments, different schools, and new people can influence people into changing and the toll that takes. Plus it tackles the tensions between old and new friends. It also stresses the importance of why you should fight to keep and restore friendships. It gives this book a real heart.
I have finished the CRATER LAKE series, but luckily there is another series by Jennifer Killick with a new entry out for me to read (DREAD WOOD)!
The aliens of < a href = https://sifaelizabethreads.wordpress.... LAKE are back and they are more dangerous, harder to defeat, and all around creepier. They feel like both familiar and different all at the same time, which provided nice continuity while also feeling like we weren't getting a rehash of the previous book. It means there's a new mystery to how the aliens are infecting people, and thus the crew have to think up a new way of stopping them. (The night time bedroom scene was so unnerving - hope I sleep tonight...)
The new location also helps with the freshness feeling. The crew are in their home town, which means the adventure/survival attempt occurs in an urban environment rather than a wild setting. Plus they are on home turf, so know the streets. This combined with the fact they've been through something similar before means that they feel more confident. Not so confident that they aren't acknowledging the threat, but that they feel competent and you have faith in them.
CRATER LAKE EVOLUTION is also a book about the pressures put on friendships due to starting new schools, how new environments, different schools, and new people can influence people into changing and the toll that takes. Plus it tackles the tensions between old and new friends. It also stresses the importance of why you should fight to keep and restore friendships. It gives this book a real heart.
I have finished the CRATER LAKE series, but luckily there is another series by Jennifer Killick with a new entry out for me to read (DREAD WOOD)!
April 3, 2025
This is the second book in the Crater Lake series and I read book one a couple of months ago and really enjoyed it!
The gang are back and have now moved on to their new schools so the friendship groups have evolved a little - it was great to see Lance and Chets back - but.....it seems that the spores are back too!
I loved how this storyline had moved on and we found the gang (mostly) back together and on a mission to save their home town again from the bugs.
This case was slightly different and we see that the bugs had evolved in a bid to overthrow the humans once again.
But there were some tell-tale signs from book one that had us on edge and keeping a look out.
It was great to see how each of the characters had developed - now a little more grown up having moved on to high school - but it seems that they weren't finding things much different than before and they each still had their own worries and issues to work through.
Karim was a great new addition to the friendship group and added a new dynamic.
This was once again packed with action from start to finish and I raced through the pages to find out how things would play out this time round.
The chapters were again nicely paced and great for the younger readers to abuse and come back to an ok ther day, without losing the storyline or momentum.
Another brilliant read and I can't wait to see whether there might be a third book in the series - I wonder what the gang will face next time round.....
The gang are back and have now moved on to their new schools so the friendship groups have evolved a little - it was great to see Lance and Chets back - but.....it seems that the spores are back too!
I loved how this storyline had moved on and we found the gang (mostly) back together and on a mission to save their home town again from the bugs.
This case was slightly different and we see that the bugs had evolved in a bid to overthrow the humans once again.
But there were some tell-tale signs from book one that had us on edge and keeping a look out.
It was great to see how each of the characters had developed - now a little more grown up having moved on to high school - but it seems that they weren't finding things much different than before and they each still had their own worries and issues to work through.
Karim was a great new addition to the friendship group and added a new dynamic.
This was once again packed with action from start to finish and I raced through the pages to find out how things would play out this time round.
The chapters were again nicely paced and great for the younger readers to abuse and come back to an ok ther day, without losing the storyline or momentum.
Another brilliant read and I can't wait to see whether there might be a third book in the series - I wonder what the gang will face next time round.....
October 7, 2023
‘I guess everything changes, even if we don’t want it to.’
‘I don’t know,’ I say. ‘But, to use the words of every great Star Wars hero, I have a really bad feeling about this.’
And it’s funny, cos a part of me is freaking out, but the bigger part of me feels calm, like I’ve been waiting for this for the past six months.
‘Actually, mate, I feel ready.’
‘Of course you do. You’re Lance Sparshott – you were born ready.’
‘Let’s just pretend like everything’s normal. Our only advantage is that they think we don’t know what’s going on.’
‘Hate to be a buzzkill, but we really don’t know what’s going on,’
As plans go, this one is failing horribly.
Life has been crazy since the summer, and there have been times when I genuinely didn’t think we’d make it through. But here we are. I guess life will always throw change at you, and there will be times when people have to go their own way for a while. But knowing that I have people in my life who will always be there when it really matters makes me feel like I can face anything.
Not a bad sequel! I don't know if it's just my mood but I enjoyed the first book more. This was still good though and funny, many great moments!
🍂🎃
‘I don’t know,’ I say. ‘But, to use the words of every great Star Wars hero, I have a really bad feeling about this.’
And it’s funny, cos a part of me is freaking out, but the bigger part of me feels calm, like I’ve been waiting for this for the past six months.
‘Actually, mate, I feel ready.’
‘Of course you do. You’re Lance Sparshott – you were born ready.’
‘Let’s just pretend like everything’s normal. Our only advantage is that they think we don’t know what’s going on.’
‘Hate to be a buzzkill, but we really don’t know what’s going on,’
As plans go, this one is failing horribly.
Life has been crazy since the summer, and there have been times when I genuinely didn’t think we’d make it through. But here we are. I guess life will always throw change at you, and there will be times when people have to go their own way for a while. But knowing that I have people in my life who will always be there when it really matters makes me feel like I can face anything.
Not a bad sequel! I don't know if it's just my mood but I enjoyed the first book more. This was still good though and funny, many great moments!
🍂🎃
May 22, 2021
Lance is back home safely after his eventful year 6 residential and having difficulty adjusting to year 7. Most of the Crater crew have fallen out with each other but he has a new friend in Karim and is still friends with Chets.
Things seem like they're going to be OK but then there's a huge explosion at the University in town and suddenly his mum is acting weird and odd stuff is happening.
Along with Karim, who's mum works at the University, Lance goes to investigate. A dangerous study subject has escaped but is that the danger or is there more to it? Lance is getting Crater Lake vibes and his suspicions might just be proved right.
This was a griping read, I extended reading for pleasure time in class so I could get through an extra chapter. Dark, brilliantly written, super cool but not cheesy and chilling. Better than book 1? 🤔 yes, I think it just might be! Definitely read Crater Lake first as it gives a better grounding for the events in this book.
Well done Jennifer Killick, you've smashed it again!. ☆☆☆☆☆☆
Things seem like they're going to be OK but then there's a huge explosion at the University in town and suddenly his mum is acting weird and odd stuff is happening.
Along with Karim, who's mum works at the University, Lance goes to investigate. A dangerous study subject has escaped but is that the danger or is there more to it? Lance is getting Crater Lake vibes and his suspicions might just be proved right.
This was a griping read, I extended reading for pleasure time in class so I could get through an extra chapter. Dark, brilliantly written, super cool but not cheesy and chilling. Better than book 1? 🤔 yes, I think it just might be! Definitely read Crater Lake first as it gives a better grounding for the events in this book.
Well done Jennifer Killick, you've smashed it again!. ☆☆☆☆☆☆
May 25, 2021
Lance and his friends face the sporelings of Crater Lake but this time they have evolved. With fast paced action and good characterisation, this builds on what went before with the added dynamic of tensions amongst the friends due to transitioning to secondary school. I felt this worked really well, looking at the need to conform in a new school suddenly so much larger than their old primary school, the pressures that puts on old friendships and the need to be more tolerant and understanding. Ultimately they manage to deal with their issues becoming once more the team they need to be. There were also some genuinely creepy scenes here, Lance's mum climbing down the outside walls into his room being one. I really enjoyed this and it was just as good as the first book.
My thanks to #NetGalley and Firefly Press for the ARC in return for an honest review.
My thanks to #NetGalley and Firefly Press for the ARC in return for an honest review.
February 7, 2021
Following their near-disastrous Year 6 residential trip to Crater Lake, Lance and his friends are back at home and have started their different high schools. Lance has a new friend, Karim, but sadly the rest of his friends have all drifted apart.
When a disturbance occurs in the town and strange things start happening, Lance knows it is related to the activities at Crater Lake. His suspicions become stronger when Miss Hoche reappears on the scene.
Can Lance bring his friends back together and prevent yet another invasion?
This is another brilliant read that will have UKS2 hooked. My class are already begging for me to read it to them but they will have to wait until my pre-order arrives!
Thanks to NetGalley and publishers Firefly Press for this advance copy.
When a disturbance occurs in the town and strange things start happening, Lance knows it is related to the activities at Crater Lake. His suspicions become stronger when Miss Hoche reappears on the scene.
Can Lance bring his friends back together and prevent yet another invasion?
This is another brilliant read that will have UKS2 hooked. My class are already begging for me to read it to them but they will have to wait until my pre-order arrives!
Thanks to NetGalley and publishers Firefly Press for this advance copy.
October 28, 2024
A brilliant sequel to Crater Lake with a lot of really chilling moments.
I felt a little lost at the start when I was trying to pick up what had happened and why the group were no longer friends. I felt this was a little distracting but I did like the idea of it and of friendship group's changing after the transition to secondary school.
This book contains the combination of humour and terror that I associate with Jennifer Killick's writing. The fact that was properly scary.
A fantastic read that I will definitely recommend to my students.
I felt a little lost at the start when I was trying to pick up what had happened and why the group were no longer friends. I felt this was a little distracting but I did like the idea of it and of friendship group's changing after the transition to secondary school.
This book contains the combination of humour and terror that I associate with Jennifer Killick's writing. The fact that was properly scary.
A fantastic read that I will definitely recommend to my students.
Read
May 5, 2021This fast paced adventure story is the perfect follow-up to the popular Crater Lake. This is one to move onto when you’ve read Crater Lake, but that really isn’t a hardship because as debut books go, it’s an absolute corker.
I was nervous going into this book, because everything about book 1 is just so special. However I shouldn’t have been worrried, the characters we know and love are back complete with fresh additions, and this is another fantastic read.
Thanks to NetGallery for giving me the chance to read this advance copy in exchange for an honest review
I was nervous going into this book, because everything about book 1 is just so special. However I shouldn’t have been worrried, the characters we know and love are back complete with fresh additions, and this is another fantastic read.
Thanks to NetGallery for giving me the chance to read this advance copy in exchange for an honest review
August 29, 2025
It's been ages since I read the first one but I remember the story well, I was happy to start this one as it's been a while since I read a Jennifer Killick book!
The gang is back together this time, as well as a new member joining them.
This time around there are more weird invasions, stronger than when they were at Crater Lake. What will the gang do? Can they end it once and for all?
I really enjoyed this. I liked the characters and now if anyone asks if I'm okay I say "Gucci" 😂😂. Fab story.
The gang is back together this time, as well as a new member joining them.
This time around there are more weird invasions, stronger than when they were at Crater Lake. What will the gang do? Can they end it once and for all?
I really enjoyed this. I liked the characters and now if anyone asks if I'm okay I say "Gucci" 😂😂. Fab story.
May 27, 2021
And with that I have survived another alien invasion. After reading Crater Lake with the kids at school I was dying to see what adventure the gang would go on next. #craterlakeevolution did not disappoint. It had all the same thrills and suspense as the first book but with so much more humour and danger. It was wonderful seeing how the characters had grown since their time at Crater Lake and how they had dealt with the fall out from it.
January 24, 2024
Another creepy masterpiece from the amazing Jennifer Killick. Poison at Christmas, brilliant storyline. It's creepy in all the right places and has just the right amount of suspense. I love love love the addition of some new characters and I hope we'll see them again. This is a good read because it carries on after the original Crater Lake but I felt there was just enough back story to help people who hadn't read the 1st one and enough to remind the people who had.
January 13, 2021
Received an advanced reader copy. Crater Lake: Evolution is a fast-paced, scary, yet funny, read for kids (8-12) It is a sequel that manages to be even better than the original, Crater Lake. Jennifer Killick has her finger on the pulse on children's language, humour and interests making this an immersive and engaging read. It feels fresh and vibrant. Kids will love it!
June 25, 2021
Such a worthy sequel! Enjoyed how the author dealt with the difficult transition from primary to secondary school amidst the sporelings attack. The new mutation surrounding the stinger definitely stood out and will no doubt horrify all readers but the author injects enough comic relief to ease the tension and ensure its enjoyable for the age range.
Third book please, Ms Killick!
Third book please, Ms Killick!
July 24, 2021
Out of the crater, and into the fire. Lance and co face bug peril again, not on a school expedition this time but in their own homes. Can they stay safe, and awake, not in Mak's survival bunker (oh, Trent you nasty piece of work) but in the secret Underground lab, and the garden centre!. Oh, what a feeling, mum's crawling on the ceiling. A worthy follow up to the terrific first book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2024
EXTREMELY GOOD!!! All ages.
There is a school trip where there are bug species that are taking over. They can’t sleep or they’ll be transformed. It’s a friend group but one turns. Who turns?
They all win in the end… do they?
There is also another book called Crater Lake Evolution and the bugs are improved and evolved
There is a school trip where there are bug species that are taking over. They can’t sleep or they’ll be transformed. It’s a friend group but one turns. Who turns?
They all win in the end… do they?
There is also another book called Crater Lake Evolution and the bugs are improved and evolved
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2025
3⭐️ read via audiobook.
I enjoyed this one, not as much as the fists but still fun. I think I keep inadvertently comparing this to the Dreadwood series as they’re very similar, but it just isn’t as good 🙁
The story is good, although I was expecting a bit more and it took a while to build up. I love the characters and the introduction of a new member of the group. There were funny moments that had me laughing, and I cannot write enough about the amazing job this narrator does. You can tell all the characters apart easily and some of the accents are hilarious.
I enjoyed this one, not as much as the fists but still fun. I think I keep inadvertently comparing this to the Dreadwood series as they’re very similar, but it just isn’t as good 🙁
The story is good, although I was expecting a bit more and it took a while to build up. I love the characters and the introduction of a new member of the group. There were funny moments that had me laughing, and I cannot write enough about the amazing job this narrator does. You can tell all the characters apart easily and some of the accents are hilarious.
May 9, 2025
This is about Christmas! Why don’t you put that on the cover? As you can tell this book is very misleading if your vocal point is Christmas then why don’t you advertise it like that oh my god. This aside the book is pretty boring and has no excitement in it. Our characters feel fake and never seem to have emotions in any of the book. Like what! 2/5
May 28, 2021
OMG!!!!!! I genuinely could not put this book down. From the first word it was full of adventure and surprises that shocked me throughout. I would even go as far as to say I loved this more than the first one!!!!
June 6, 2021
An excellent follow up to the first story of Crater Lake. A great balance of familiarity and new excitement. Loved Lance’s character throughout, the glue holding it all together. It had wonderful moments of sincere friendship, honest hilarity and creepiness.
July 18, 2021
This series is definitely going to be a favourite of my class as they move up to year 6. They’re pacy, entertaining stories with a sense of gore and friendship which current kids would definitely be on board with.
July 26, 2021
Loved this book just as much as the first one. Impressed with how intense Jennifer Killick is able to make a Middle Grade without it becoming too scary I believe for a child to enjoy.
Hope there is a 3rd book on its way 🤞
Hope there is a 3rd book on its way 🤞
January 23, 2022
I really liked this book! It was the sequel to Crater Lake, and honestly I think it was slightly better! Lance's mum was a very suspicious character, and I loved the plot twists. It was an excellent read! 4 stars! :)
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