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janeeyre_914716's review
5.0
I actually thoroughly enjoyed this one! Even more clever, and LOTS of questions answered it seems and I loved learning more about Gustav's family and why he's stuck in the Shadow House and what had landed him there. Though I still have to say Gustav is so naive but at the same time not really when it comes to the world he grew up in. And as strange and some logical things may sound, I do have to say you'd still want to trust him when you're inside his home ;) Seriously well written and I now have to at least start the first few chapters or so in rhr next book especially after learning about a villain and his true identity!! eek!
heyshay07's review
3.0
This is a rare case when the second book is actually quite a bit better than the first book. The first book had too much world building, where The Nightmare Vault had some much better action. In both books it still amounts to Gustav and Fernie running throughout the house into weird rooms of the house until the last chapter when all is resolved, but I liked that there was at least more of an attempt at making the characters more interesting. It was nice to read about Gustav's background and it made him a deeper character rather than just tour guide for the weird house. It's a good book for young readers who want a longer book but not very challenging content.
tempest_1313's review
4.0
A wonderful continuation of the Gustav Gloom story! And the unveiling of the big secret: what the f**k is Gustav?!?! Superb! The prose isn't as beautiful or poetic as the first book, which severely disappointed me, but I was so happy with the story, overall, that I'm choosing to table that complaint, for now.l
mackle13's review
3.0
This is a cute, creepy-but-not-really series that I like to read for a not-actually-scary Halloween read.
In this story we learn more about Gustav's life and history. How exactly he came to be - as a boy half-human and half-shadow - and why he can't leave the confines of the house.
The Shadow Eater wasn't really scary or anything - though it might be to a kid - but I enjoyed watching how Gustav and Fernie dealt with him, and also exploring more of the house. The final battle with October was really cool.
We also see Fernie's dad be somewhat of a hero, and then a real downer.
It had a rather sad ending, though, and I'm curious to see where it goes from here.
In this story we learn more about Gustav's life and history. How exactly he came to be - as a boy half-human and half-shadow - and why he can't leave the confines of the house.
The Shadow Eater wasn't really scary or anything - though it might be to a kid - but I enjoyed watching how Gustav and Fernie dealt with him, and also exploring more of the house. The final battle with October was really cool.
We also see Fernie's dad be somewhat of a hero, and then a real downer.
It had a rather sad ending, though, and I'm curious to see where it goes from here.
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