Reviews

The Island of Monsters by Ellen Oh

sumayyaha's review

Go to review page

4.0

Rating - 4.3 Stars
_________________________________
I liked it better than the first book but I'm very picky with 5 stars this December (I have no idea why) Also I hope there's more!

katie_samsock's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

What a fun series. My 7 year old and I devoured this. If I’m going to be picky I liked the first book a little more but this is definitely worth the read

fallingletters's review

Go to review page

3.0

Review originally published 31 October 2018 at Falling Letters.

The follow up to 2017’s [b: Spirit Hunters|25117605|Spirit Hunters|Ellen Oh|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1476437544s/25117605.jpg|44812873], 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.

marenkae's review against another edition

Go to review page

2.0

idkkkk 2.5 feels kind of harsh but I think maybe the first book should have been a standalone.

vanessamariebooks's review

Go to review page

4.0

Love this series! Great for middle grade readers who are into creepy, horror, ghost stories.

jpowers13's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

I liked the 1st better but it was still a good read

samilly's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous hopeful fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

shilten_k's review

Go to review page

adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

andreacaro's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Spooky middle grade is my favorite. [b:Spirit Hunters|25117605|Spirit Hunters|Ellen Oh|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1476437544s/25117605.jpg|44812873] 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.

shannonsheedlo's review

Go to review page

adventurous mysterious

3.0