Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

The Evil Within (Possessions #2)

by Nancy Holder (Goodreads Author)

4.05 of 5 stars 4.05 · rating details · 360 ratings · 61 reviews

In this sequel to NYT bestselling author Nancy Holder's Possessions, Lindsay finds out that she too, is possessed, and must return to creepy Marlwood Academy in order to rid herself of the spirit. Lindsay's afraid of what the spirit is telling her to do. But the secrets of Marlwood go much deeper than Lindsay thought. Sometimes the girls who seem like enemies are actually...more

Paperback, 272 pages

Published June 10th 2010 by Razorbill

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

Private School Paranormals

57th out of 88 books — 179 voters

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

The House of Dead Maids by Clare B. Dunkle

Eerie/Scary/Gothic Cover Art.

17th out of 65 books — 40 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 1,373)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Nov 12, 2012 Jennifer Wardrip rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: trt-posted-reviews, trt-gold-star-award-winner

Reviewed by Kira M for TeensReadToo.com

After defeating the evil at Marlwood Academy, Lindsey finds herself the victim of an unwanted possession by one of the school's ghosts.

Forced to head back to the school to which she swore she'd never return, Lindsey will fight for her life and her sanity. To be victorious, she will need to discover deep, hidden secrets within the school that many want to keep buried - including the evil within.

Can Lindsey save her school, the students, and most of all herse...more

like 1 like · see review

Oct 19, 2010 Monster added it

Shelves: something-different-ya, reading-bites-ya

The Evil Within is the second book in the Possessions series, of which I have not read the first; however, after completing this one, I’ll be picking up the first book and all that follow it. Nancy Holder has created an incredibly spooky tale full of scorned lovers, murders, attempted murders, ghosts, and of course, possessions. Holder writes a vividly terrifying tale that overflows with ancient superstitions and mythologies that span the globe.

After a brief holiday break, Lindsay has reluctant...more

like 1 like · see review

Jun 11, 2010 Kate rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2010

The Evil Within follows Lindsay once again as she returns to the dreaded Marlwood Academy. Since I had recently finished the first novel in this series, I found it really easy to get back into the flow of Holder's writing. Holder provides a minimal amount of back story, which I found to be refreshing. Personally, I want a little bit of a refresher course when starting a new novel in a series, but do not like to be bogged down by countless amounts of the previous story being retold. And this is e...more

like 1 like · see review

Jun 06, 2010 Catherine rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed

Those who read this blog or follow me on twitter will probably know that I am a big Nancy Holder fan, and after reading Possessions - which I was unable to put down while reading, especially towards the end - I was very keen on getting to The Evil Within. What was really great was not just that I was not disappointed, but that Holder had improved on everything - all the little things that I didn't quite like about Possessions, or that I felt could have been handled differently (for the better) w...more
Those who read this blog or follow me on twitter will probably know that I am a big Nancy Holder fan, and after reading Possessions - which I was unable to put down while reading, especially towards the end - I was very keen on getting to The Evil Within. What was really great was not just that I was not disappointed, but that Holder had improved on everything - all the little things that I didn't quite like about Possessions, or that I felt could have been handled differently (for the better) were fixed here, and to me it made The Evil Within an even better read than its predecessor.

In Possessions a lot of the early story was rich kid/scholarship, Mean Girls-type of drama, with the paranormal coming in behind that. While the rich kid, Mean Girls drama adds flavour to The Evil Within, the paranormal aspect of the series was in full-force here. To me the change in emphasis is a good thing - it helps pick up the pace a bit and really gets into all the things that I wanted answered after reading the first book. It also allows the characterisation to pick up - now that everything seems more focussed, and with higher stakes and new goals for characters, everything gets expanded and for the best.

I love a book that keeps me guessing along with the characters, and The Evil Within definitely managed to do that. Just when I thought I knew what was going to happen next, something came along and flipped me so I was not sure/was proved wrong - and it wasn't in a way that didn't make sense/conflicted with everything that had set up, so it made for a fantastic whirlwind of a plot. If Pretty Little Devils had me guessing and second-guessing the truth, then The Evil Within had been fourth and fifth-guessing at what would happen and had happened. And as a person who tends to figure things out 'too soon', I loved that.

Overall The Evil Within was an incredibly spooky read that, once picked up proved very addictive and difficult to put down. Now that I have finished The Evil Within though, and put it down, it is now simply a matter of eagerly waiting for part three.
(less)

like · see review

Apr 29, 2010 Arya rated it 5 of 5 stars

The Evil Within A Possessions Novel by Nancy Holder 5 of 5 stars.
To be released June 10, 2010

When Lindsay returns to eerie Marlwood Academy she is haunted by the past, literally. The ghosts of those done wrong in the time when Marlwood was a reformatory for willful girls are breathing down her neck. Those that are very real to her seem just as malevolent as the spirits who haunt them, but when Celia, the girl now possessing Lindsay, tells her what she must do to extricate herself and the others...more The Evil Within A Possessions Novel by Nancy Holder 5 of 5 stars.
To be released June 10, 2010

When Lindsay returns to eerie Marlwood Academy she is haunted by the past, literally. The ghosts of those done wrong in the time when Marlwood was a reformatory for willful girls are breathing down her neck. Those that are very real to her seem just as malevolent as the spirits who haunt them, but when Celia, the girl now possessing Lindsay, tells her what she must do to extricate herself and the others from these spirits, she isn't sure she can go through with it.

Doubt and simple human nature crowd her at every turn as she struggles to decide what is right, who is and who isn't possessed, and better yet; who is trying to kill who. It isn't the nineteenth century anymore and Lindsay must find a way to set the past to rest--one way or another.

The Evil Within is a thrilling modern gothic full of surprises and chills on every page. Nancy Holder depicts a ghostly tale with a remarkable heroine. If you're a fan of gothic fantasies like the Gemma Doyle Trilogy and Michelle Zink's Prophecy of the Sisters you'll love this!

I could barely put the book down once I picked it up. I haven't even read the first Possessions Novel and I was still thoroughly engrossed. Nancy Holder has a fascinating way of writing that draws you into a story right from the start. The main character Lindsay's struggle to understand all of the past circumstances that are now shaping her life was completely unpredictable. Just as soon as I thought I had it all figured out, things would change. I enjoyed the other characters and how there ended up being more to them than I had originally expected--even the ghosts. I honestly don't think there is a single bad thing I can say about this book, though I do wish the ending hadn't been quite so abrupt.

From the characters to the writing style this delicious modern gothic is sure to be a favorite with most all dark fantasy lovers. Whether you're like me, and can't stand the music they play on shows like Unsolved Mysteries and have never picked up a "ghost like" book in your life, or are a real horror junky, I think you'll adore this book just the same.

For fans of: Nancy Holder, Gemma Doyle Trilogy, Prohpecy of the Sisters, Devil's Kiss

Review by Arya @ A Sea of Pages (http://seaofpages.blogspot.com) <(less)

like 1 like · see review

May 13, 2012 Judy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: horror, read-in-2012, ya

This was both terrible and wonderful all at the same time. I could not put it down.

I am truly sick of Lindsay in this book. In the last book it felt like she was in the process of growing up, of dealing with mother's death, of standing up for herself against mean girls and getting over the trauma of her experience with Jane/Riley. She was a character I liked and someone who was rational and protective of her friends.

In this book, all of that deteriorated. As Celia's grip on Lindsay tightened,...more This was both terrible and wonderful all at the same time. I could not put it down.

I am truly sick of Lindsay in this book. In the last book it felt like she was in the process of growing up, of dealing with mother's death, of standing up for herself against mean girls and getting over the trauma of her experience with Jane/Riley. She was a character I liked and someone who was rational and protective of her friends.

In this book, all of that deteriorated. As Celia's grip on Lindsay tightened, she grew more and more paranoid, weepy and prone to hysteria. She's constantly stumbling in the snow, fumbling with her cell phone and screaming for help. There is something definitely unhinged about this girl, and I'm surprised that she doesn't get sent off to the shrink sooner. I'm also surprised that none of her supposed "friends" noticed her downward spiral. What is irritating is also the constant brand-dropping and the description of clothing. Yes, we get that this is a super rich school with super wealthy modelesque girls. Now stop talking about their insert-color-here cashmere sweater. I really disliked that in the first book Lindsay was all about being herself, wearing whatever she wants, but now she allows herself to be dressed like a mannequin by her rich friends just so she can fit in to the image that the headmistress (? is that her title) wants to see her in. The woe-is-me I can't afford this lifestyle self dialogue also started getting old.

However, the back story of this book is a real gem. I loved the twisted reason of why the possessions are happening, and I love stories about old patterns repeating, old lives being relived. I loved the revelation at the end, and how Lindsay loses control of herself. The whole idea is quite terrifying, and I was sucked into it. When things were actually happening this book is really, really great. All the filler about Troy and all that though, I could live without (even though I grudgingly admit that it is a part of the story to a certain extent, but I hate that Lindsay falls right into it).

I am still going to read the third book, which says something. Heh. (less)

like · see review

Jun 08, 2010 Cynthia (A Blog about Nothing) rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Evil Within starts off right where Possessions ended. Lindsay is back at home for the Holidays and is hoping of never going back to Marlwood. She soon realizes that the spirit of Celia is still inside her and the only way she can think of getting rid of her is by going back to the school.

The Evil Within had me hooked from the very beginning, I couldn't put it down and I found myself with goosebumps several times. Nancy Holder did a great job in describing all the little details and made it s...more

like 3 likes · see review

Nov 06, 2011 Brandi Pitts rated it 4 of 5 stars

summary

After Lindsay left Marlwood Academy she thought she could leave it in the past. Yet Marlwood Academy has a horrific history and contains many secrets. The girls at Marlwood are possesed by other Marlwood Academy girls from the past that have unfinished buisness. Lindsay finding out that she is indeed possessed too must return to Marlwood Academy and find how to free herself and the other girls before its too late.

Reactions

Overall I thought that The Evil Within by Nancy Holder was a very...more

like · see review

Jun 14, 2010 Gmr rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: young adult and paranormal fans

Recommended to Gmr by: author

Lindsay has finally gotten away from all the crazy that was Marlwood and it's school for girls. It's summer break! No more teachers, no more books, no more ghosties dirty looks....oh, wait a second. Nope that last one is still lingering. It seems that this summer, Lindsay is not making a clean break from all that has been, nor will she escape it for the immediate future. She still carries the ghost of a former patient by the name of Celia and she has unfinished business that requires Lindsay's i...more

like · see review

Oct 06, 2010 thisncondition rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya, horror, favorites, series

The Evil Within is the second book in the Possessions series, of which I have not read the first; however, after completing this one, I’ll be picking up the first book and all that follow it. Nancy Holder has created an incredibly spooky tale full of scorned lovers, murders, attempted murders, ghosts, and of course, possessions.

After a brief holiday break, Lindsay has reluctantly returned to the creepy Marlwood Academy; a boarding school with a dark past. It doesn’t take long for Lindsay and the...more

like · see review

Nov 14, 2011 Crystal (Elegantly Bound Books) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, horror, reviewd

I decided to write a mini review of The Evil Within for multiple reasons. 1. Everything that I said about Possessions (the first book in the series), I'm saying about it's sequel. Super scary, amazing, and it was almost impossible for me to sleep at night! If you haven't read my review of Possessions, you can find it here. 2. I can't really say much else without giving away spoilers and I hate to give spoilers. When I read spoilers on other blogs, it deters me from reading the book. 3. If you're...more

like · see review

May 14, 2011 Skyla rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle

I'd been enjoying the book just as much as the first (though I wanted to bitchslap the odd person the odd time, but such is the case with teen characters--even ones I've written--and I don't hold their choices against them too much 'cause they're kids). Another solid four star read...then a slam-bam ending that bumped it up to 4.5 or 5. Totally adored the final chapters, which had plot/character stuff that hit all the right notes with me.

And while it likely makes me a bad, bad person...I really...more

like · see review

Jul 21, 2012 Christine rated it 3 of 5 stars

Again - good at keeping interest, not so good at making the characters believable.
I did find Lindsay's spiral into insanity a lot more believable, but as soon as (view spoiler)...more

like · see review

Aug 30, 2011 Jodie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: own

If you want a great ghost story, look no further! Nancy Holder has written a nightmare of a tale! Full of hauntings and mystery, you won't know what's coming next, or who to believe.

Second in the series, coming back from Christmas break and picking up where Possessions left off, Lindsay can tell as soon as she walks back into the doors of Marlwood that nobody expected her to show her face there again. Even though she didn't have all the money and material things the other girls did, Lindsay did...more

like · see review

Jul 13, 2010 Brittany rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc-own, young-adult, part-of-a-series, boarding-schools

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. **WARNING SOME PARTS OF THE FOLLOWING REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS FOR THE FIRST BOOK. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED**

Lindsay is now possessed and can feel Celia control her whenever she wants. She knows she must return to Marlwood in order to free herself and get rid of the spirit. When she tries to listen to what the spirit tells her must happen, Lindsay knows she can't do it. Her unwillingness ends up dragging the truth out of the spirits that are fighting for revenge. There may just be someone else th...more

like · see review

May 31, 2010 Natalie (Mindful Musings) rated it 3 of 5 stars

The Evil Within started where Book 1, Possessions, left off. For those of you who've read Possessions, you'll know what I'm talking about when I say that Book 1 ended with one heck of a cliffhanger. As such, I had a lot of unanswered questions. Because of this (and because The Evil Within was the second book in the series), I was able to get into the plot rather quickly, which resolved one of the problems I had with Possessions.

The only issue I could really mention is that I wanted the minor cha...more

like · see review

Jan 16, 2011 Alexis rated it 4 of 5 stars

Scary, Great, Addictive!

A greatly paced read, i would recommend this along with the first novel, Possessions. Definitely Worth a look, the description doesn't do the story justice.

The author Nancy Holder has a genuine gift for writing style and pacing. Holder's writing style is simple yet very affective which is rather hard to pull off. It takes a good deal of effort to write in that style, if done wrong it can come across rather messy and lazy.
But you can clearly see she has done wright and h...more

like · see review

Jan 24, 2012 Rena rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: goodreads_authors, series

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

like · see review

Jul 03, 2012 Felicia rated it 5 of 5 stars

i found this book in the bargin bin at one of my fav stores, i didnt have high hopes considering the sales price, but i'll give any book with such an interesting cover a try. I was blown away by this book, 2 chapters in and i shut my phone off, I couldn't put this book down, finishing it in just day. I seriously need to pick up the other books in this series, I suggest you do too.

like · see review

Nov 22, 2010 Darcy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010

This book is just as creepy as the first one. Most of the book you aren't quite sure what is going on, just like Lindsey. At times you think you finally have figured out just what is going on, but as you read further you are just as confused. Even at the end you really aren't sure what happened and you are going to have to wait for the next book to find out.

like · see review

Jul 28, 2010 Cindy rated it 4 of 5 stars

4.5 stars.
i actually thought this was the
first book in the series and altho i found
out by chapter 2 that it wasn't, i was already
hooked. intense, scary and sexy, i really
enjoyed this novel and cannot wait for the
next installment. they say the second novel
in a series is always "slumpy", not so with this
one. and i was not lost starting here wo reading
the first.

like 1 like · see review

Sep 02, 2011 T. M. rated it 3 of 5 stars

The follow-up to "Posessions" finds the heroine discovering the truth about the fire, a love triangle, and learning who really is responsible for all the pain and suffering at Marlwood. Plenty of suspense and twists, leaves you holding your breath until the next installment.

like · see review

Mar 24, 2012 Shannon rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Didn't like this one as much as the first. How someone freshly off a breakdown could survive the wacked out world she was inhabiting on NO sleep and be any sort of functional blows my mind. It seemed she spent a lot of time crying and screaming and acting screwy, but she still seemed to attract friends and boys. Don't get it.
I did enjoy the haunting factor, and the suspense and mystery was intriguing.

like · see review

Nov 14, 2010 Cathy Blackler rated it 5 of 5 stars

Second in the Possessions series, Holder does not disappoint. Memorable characters portray believable teenage angst as they navigate the waters of a creepy, prestigious prep school. Possession and revenge wreak havoc as the stage is set for Book 3! Deliciously dark.

like · see review

Jan 28, 2011 Catalina Sennett rated it 3 of 5 stars

The story was interesting. But....
I was really annoyed with the characters in this one, especially Troy. I am no longer a fan of his. That stupid love triangle is getting ridiculous, Lindsay should not put up with it anymore.

like · see review

Oct 14, 2010 Sydney rated it 4 of 5 stars

I loved the creepy/chiller aspect of the book. On every page you second guess yourself on whether or not Lindsay is crazy. Ultimately she must make the choice to believe in her gut or believe in her heart.

like · see review

Jul 16, 2010 Melissa rated it 4 of 5 stars

It picks up pretty much where we left off in books one...Filled with suspense and drama, you never know what's going to turn up at the end of the page. The end was great, it concluded well but I can't wait to see where the story goes from here in book 3.

like · see review

Oct 02, 2010 Victoria rated it 5 of 5 stars

Lindsay is possessed and that makes the book more intresting. She come back to Marlwood and is not happy about it, I wouldn't be ethier if it were me

like · see review

Dec 23, 2012 Jess B rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book was more of a 3.5 then a 4, but I gave it 4 because it was definitely better than the first book. Can't wait to see what else happens with this story in the third book!

like · see review

Dec 18, 2012 Marija (Conquistador) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

I must be crazy! I don't like the main character but I really like the story behind it... It gets really scary when you read it after midnight

like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 45 46 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

Recommend it | Stats | Recent status updates

combine
Other Editions (3)

Genres

Young Adult

20 users

Fantasy > Paranormal

15 users

Horror

12 users

Paranormal > Ghosts

7 users

Fantasy

3 users

Mystery

3 users

Fantasy > Supernatural

3 users

School Stories > Boarding School

2 users

Thriller

2 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

Mean Spirits & Young Blood
by Meg Cabot
Freaksville
by Kitty Keswick
Nearly Departed
by Rook Hastings
Shadow Mirror
by Richie Tankersley Cusick
Haunted
by Joy Preble

About Nancy Holder

Nancy Holder, New York Times Bestselling author of the WICKED Series, has just published CRUSADE - the first book in a new vampire series cowritten with Debbie Viguie. The last book her her Possession series is set to release in March 2011.

Nancy was born in Los Altos, California, and her family settled for a time in Walnut Creek. Her father, who taught at Stanford, joined the navy and the family t...more Nancy Holder, New York Times Bestselling author of the WICKED Series, has just published CRUSADE - the first book in a new vampire series cowritten with Debbie Viguie. The last book her her Possession series is set to release in March 2011.

Nancy was born in Los Altos, California, and her family settled for a time in Walnut Creek. Her father, who taught at Stanford, joined the navy and the family traveled throughout California and lived in Japan for three years. When she was sixteen, she dropped out of high school to become a ballet dancer in Cologne, Germany, and later relocated to Frankfurt Am Main.

Eventually she returned to California and graduated summa cum laude from the University of California at San Diego with a degree in Communications. Soon after, she began to write; her first sale was a young adult romance novel titled Teach Me to Love.

Nancy’s work has appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, LA Times, amazon.com, LOCUS, and other bestseller lists. A four-time winner of the Bram Stoker Award from the Horror Writers Association, she has also received accolades from the American Library Association, the American Reading Association, the New York Public Library, and Romantic Times.

She and Debbie Viguié co-authored the New York Times bestselling series Wicked for Simon and Schuster. They have continued their collaboration with the Crusade series, also for Simon and Schuster, and the Wolf Springs Chronicles for Delacorte (2011.) She is also the author of the young adult horror series Possessions for Razorbill. She has sold many novels and book projects set in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Saving Grace, Hellboy, and Smallville universes.

She has sold approximately two hundred short stories and essays on writing and popular culture. Her anthology, Outsiders, co-edited with Nancy Kilpatrick, was nominated for the Bram Stoker Award in 2005.

She teaches in the Stonecoast MFA in Creative Writing Program, offered through the University of Southern Maine. She has previously taught at UCSD and has served on the Clarion Board of Directors.

She lives in San Diego, California, with her daughter Belle, their two Corgis, Panda and Tater; and their cats, David and Kittnen Snow. She and Belle are active in Girl Scouts and dog obedience training.
(less)

More about Nancy Holder...

Books by Nancy Holder

Wicked 2: Legacy & Spellbound (Wicked, #3-4)

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About The Evil Within

1 trivia question

More quizzes & trivia...

title link	preview: The Evil Within
avg rating	preview: The Evil Within Goodreads rating: 4.05 (360 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6760760-the-evil-within?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1261868854l/6760760.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6760760-the-evil-within?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]The Evil Within by Nancy Holder[/url]

The Evil Within (Possessions #2)

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website