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ina_s's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
lisamcdreads's review
4.0
School of Phantoms is the delightful second book in the No Place for Monsters series by Kory Merritt. Like the first book, the illustrations perfectly complement the text. This is exactly the type of book I would have loved as a child--frightening yet full of character. The creepy snowmen really freaked me out But I loved the return of Willow.
To begin the book, Levi and Kat are making a documentary film about hundreds of snowmen that suddenly appeared overnight. They think it's related to the Boojum (the bad guy they defeated in the first book) possibly coming back. But of course, since no one remembers the Boojum except Levi, Kat, and Twila, no one believes there is a danger. But when a blizzard occurs and the entire school is snowed in, the evil shenanigans really begin.
To begin the book, Levi and Kat are making a documentary film about hundreds of snowmen that suddenly appeared overnight. They think it's related to the Boojum (the bad guy they defeated in the first book) possibly coming back. But of course, since no one remembers the Boojum except Levi, Kat, and Twila, no one believes there is a danger. But when a blizzard occurs and the entire school is snowed in, the evil shenanigans really begin.
sherri22's review
5.0
I 100% recommend reading this story in book form. My first time reading this was in the digital format and it wasn't as engaging as when I read it in the paperback. The illustrations/mixed media that is sprinkled on each page are better displayed in the paperback. I found it harder for me to enjoy it as much in e-book form. This is the second book in a series(?)/duology. The first book No Place For Monsters introduces the world of Cowslip Grove and the characters, and the second book brings us back into that world in a new way, while adding a few new characters. I listen to the audiobook like I did with the first book and I highly enjoyed seeing the detail artwork and getting more into the story than my first read. The story was just as fun, spooky, and mysterious as the first book. The audiobook has the same narrator with sound effects so binge listening to the books would be a nice treat.
I love Willow.
oomilyreads's review
5.0
School of Phantoms (No Place for Monsters #2) written & illustrated by Kory Merritt
PUB DATE: September 14, 2021
“Don’t be a noodle-noob!” – Willow
A few months after they fought the Boojum, the town of Cowslip Grove are still in the midst of winter. Suddenly peculiar snowmen pop-up all-over town, seemingly overnight. It’s creepy & bizarre but are they moving when no one is looking? Then on March 18, while the elementary school is in session, a freak snowstorm drops a ton of snow outside, severe enough to cut off power & contact from the outside while teachers & students are trapped overnight.
Levi, Kat, Twila, and two brothers & two teachers need to figure out how to save their entire school from something evil menacing the dark hallways. Something sinister is coming to harvest them. The group gets split up & must win a series of scary games. And those snowmen? Wait until you read about them. This was a truly spine-chilling middle-grade story for kids & my daughter & I absolutely loved it.
This story is written like a casefile about the “infamous phantom storm” while looking at evidence from footage from Kat’s phone, video from the security cameras, journal entries & eyewitnesses. It’s a cool way to write a story and not in the traditional novel style. This is intriguing while creating suspense & terror.
The illustrations are imaginative & delightfully terrifying. My daughter truly loved this one even more than the 1st book. As an adult, I absolutely was absorbed in this creative & eerie story that gives nod to many stories we’ve all read before. Stephen King’s IT, Charlotte’s Web, Hunger Games, X-Files to name a few. My daughter & I are already anticipating the 3rd installment!
PUB DATE: September 14, 2021
“Don’t be a noodle-noob!” – Willow
A few months after they fought the Boojum, the town of Cowslip Grove are still in the midst of winter. Suddenly peculiar snowmen pop-up all-over town, seemingly overnight. It’s creepy & bizarre but are they moving when no one is looking? Then on March 18, while the elementary school is in session, a freak snowstorm drops a ton of snow outside, severe enough to cut off power & contact from the outside while teachers & students are trapped overnight.
Levi, Kat, Twila, and two brothers & two teachers need to figure out how to save their entire school from something evil menacing the dark hallways. Something sinister is coming to harvest them. The group gets split up & must win a series of scary games. And those snowmen? Wait until you read about them. This was a truly spine-chilling middle-grade story for kids & my daughter & I absolutely loved it.
This story is written like a casefile about the “infamous phantom storm” while looking at evidence from footage from Kat’s phone, video from the security cameras, journal entries & eyewitnesses. It’s a cool way to write a story and not in the traditional novel style. This is intriguing while creating suspense & terror.
The illustrations are imaginative & delightfully terrifying. My daughter truly loved this one even more than the 1st book. As an adult, I absolutely was absorbed in this creative & eerie story that gives nod to many stories we’ve all read before. Stephen King’s IT, Charlotte’s Web, Hunger Games, X-Files to name a few. My daughter & I are already anticipating the 3rd installment!
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