Eve Hallows and the Book of Shadows

The Nightmare Series #2

by Robert Gray

Ever since encountering The Source and its minions on Halloween, Eve Hallows has found life surprisingly quiet … not to mention adorably boring! So when Dad receives a Ouija message that she must return to Gravesville, Eve couldn't be happier—at least until she discovers the Director of URNS, also known as the Grim Reaper, has a special job for Eve … one that will lead her to New York City and to the true identity of The Source.

With The Book of Shrieks offering zero help and a new URNS agent driving the school boys—and Eve!—crazy, Eve's beginning to realize this whole saving-the-world nonsense isn't what it's cracked up to be.

All this and she still has to find The Book of Shadows....

Genres: Paranormal, Humor

274 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2012

About the author

Robert Gray is a writer. If that job description doesn't impress you, how about fantasy writer? Too general? Well, he doesn't get insulted if you call him a horror writer. If horror's not your thing, then scratch out horror and replace it with suspense. And for the kiddies, you can slap on a YA or MG in front of that title.

Gray lives in Bushkill, Pennsylvania with his wife and two children.

Reviews

[Amy Eye · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Source is back (insert scary music here). This book took me a little bit to read. Not because I didn't enjoy it - I've just been so busy. BUT I wanted to finish this book that I would pick it up and read it any time I got the chance.

Eve is back and trying once again to save two worlds from impending doom. The Source has moved, and no one knows where they have gone, but they all know evil doesn't just go away. We go on a journey all the way to New York city, as well as getting another chance for some time in Gravesville. (NEVER ENOUGH TIME!!)

In addition to our trip to NYC, we also get introduced to Jasmine - a girl I would have never wanted in my high school. She is perfect in every way, and not only does she get under Eve's skin but she wiggles her way under all the boys' skin for a totally different reason. Eve can't stand her but she is forced not only to be in the same school as Jasmine, but OMIGOSH, she is her new roomie too. Eve is not happy.

This series has me until the end. It's a fun story for all ages, and great for an older lady (like myself) who loves new ideas and fun situations. Mr. Gray, be sure to let me know when the next book comes out, okay? LOL

[Aeicha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robert Gray's Eve Hallows and the Book of Shrieks (book one in The Nightmare series) was one of my favorite MG reads last year and I had been eagerly awaiting the release of the second book all summer. And it turns out Eve Hallows and the Book of Shadows is even more awesome and fun than the first book!

After the events on Halloween, when Eve and her friends came face to face with The Source and his buggy minions, life has been rather boring in the human world. But then Eve is summoned back to Gravesville for a meeting with the Director of URNS, who happens to be Death himself, the Grim Reaper. Death gives a Eve a new job to find the Book of Shadows and a new annoyingly perfect URNS agent protector, Jasmine. The search for the book takes Eve and her friends all the way to New York City where they must battle The Source's creepy new mutations and even The Source himself. Life for Eve just got adorably, but kinda horribly, exciting!

Robert Gray's The Nightmare Series is definitely one of my favorite new MG series! Like the first book, Eve Hallows and the Book of Shadows is full of such thrilling, wacky and creeptastic fun, absolutely horrible (remember, horrible means awesome) characters, all of which Gray captures with a perfect middle-grade voice.

Gray is a spectacular and spooktacular storyteller! The story he weaves in both book one and in Eve Hallows and the Book of Shadows will captivate readers of all ages from beginning to end. The book is full of laugh-out-loud-make-you-gigglesnort funnies, with an awesome dose of sassy and sarcasm. I love how Gray manages to add the perfect mix of dark and whimsy to his story, creating an atmosphere and world that is charmingly creepy and enchantingly eerie. And best of all, the story is spooky and kooky, but still absolutely appropriate for all readers.

Full of wicked cool imagination, Eve Hallows and the Book of Shadows is stuffed full of all things awesome, unusual and the supernatural...like a Sweet Transformation Party (think a Sweet 16 for a teenage werewolf), zambpires (zombie+vampire), werebies (werewolf+zombie), horribly unique Black Friday decorations, and an annoyingly perfect succubus who has ALL the boys under her spell. The fun and horrible weirdness never stops!

I just adore my horrible girl Eve! I love her spot on sarcastic, honest, and endearing teenage voice; her witty observations; and her courage, loyalty and thirst for adventure. Eve's three human friends, Carly Beth; Lucy; and Steve, really shine in this book and I just love the genuine and loyal friendship and love between this foursome. Death is such an intriguing, enamoring, and totally surprising character. Now, everyone knows I LOVE a great villain, and The Source is a fantastically chilling and entertaining villain.

Eve's search for the Book of Shadows takes her and her friends to NYC and on a fast-paced, adventure full of zampbires, werebies, and an OMGgasp-worthy climactic confrontation with The Source. Like me, readers will be riveted by all the thrills, chills, and scary moments. And the surprises keep coming all the way to the final page and I, for one, can't wait to find out what happens next.

MY FINAL THOUGHTS: I'm completely in love with this series and Eve Hallows and the Book of Shadows is a fantastically and frightfully fun sequel! Readers of all ages looking for a spooktacular story full of awesome characters and stellar writing will definitely find what they're looking for in this series. A MUST read book in a MUST read series...perfect for some Halloween reading!

[Liliana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed on Lili Lost in a Book

This book was perfectly horrible! Horrible meaning amazingly awesome, of course. Eve's world once again sucked me in and would not let go until this part of Eve's story was finished!

I love Eve's family! They are just so close-knit and all around awesome! And I was also glad to see new monsters...like the new URNS agent. That was just wow! Funny too.

As for Warner, he has surprised me once again! Don't know what to make of this kid yet...but I'm excited to find out more about him!

The story was very suspenseful, yet hilarious! Steve seriously amuses me...I love that kid! And Eve and her family still amuse me, too. I mean, what is up with us humans and our strange human antics?

The plot was very interesting too, with some surprising twists and turns...Lili loves surprises (most of the time)! You want to know a secret? We find out who The Source is! Oh my gods, dude is a serious creeper, I tell ya.

Robert Gray has created an amazing world which I did not want to leave! Halloween, monsters, and sweets (chocolate!)? You gotta love that! I'll be be waiting eagerly and not so patiently for the next book in this amazing series!

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eine sehr gelungene Fortsetzung, die weiterhin herrlich creepy Unterhaltung bietet.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eve Hallows is a teenage girl who was raised in Gravesville, a world of monsters. Even though she is a human, her monster parents took her in as an infant when she was abandoned.

Eve Hallows and The Book of Shadows picks up right where the first book left off. It is only a few weeks later and Eve has been summoned back to Gravesville by the Director of URNS. He has a special task just for her, and even though she is feeling unappreciated and like everyone is keeping secrets from her, how can she refuse the Grimm Reaper? Of course this leads Eve in an all-new adventure to find The Book of Shadows and to stop The Source from getting their hands on it first. But things never go easily for Eve and she is once again thrown in harm's way and fighting for her life.

I just love this series. With all the books involving teenage girls these days, it is so refreshing to find a series that is not focused on raging hormones or sex. This book is strictly focused on adventure and there is plenty of it. In a lot of ways, Eve is a typical teenager. She hates homework, loves to hang out with her friends and is easily embarrassed by her parents. But what I love about Eve is that she is responsible (for the most part) and plays a large role in her family. She loves her little brother and does as her parents ask (again, mostly). You don't have to worry about Eve sneaking out in the middle of the night to meet up with her boyfriend or putting herself in situations that are going to get uncomfortable. Ok, maybe she doesn't always play it safe, but it is only because she loves her family and wants to protect them. She is also very sarcastic, which makes her character all the more believable.

The drama and action in The Book of Shadows is just as fun as the first book. There is a war budding between monsters in Gravesville, not to mention that The Source is up to no good and Eve is thrown in the middle of both. We travel with Eve back to Gravesville and get a better look at how her life was before The Source, and we also get to follow Eve back to the human world as she tries to complete The Director's task. I was immediately sucked back into Eve's story and the pages just flew by.

Overall, this was another A+ read. Gray has created a phenomenal series with Eve Hallows and I see many wonderful things ahead for it. I am already itching to get my hands on the next book! This is a series that you cannot go wrong with. I recommend this series to anyone who is looking for a book that is funny, creative and the perfect alternative to other sexually charged books for teens.

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eve Hallows and the Book of Shadows follows the adventures established in the first book of the series, Eve Hallows and the Book of Shrieks (you can read my review of Book One here). Where we left our heroes, Eve found herself a human living in Gravesville, the world of monsters, and somehow the one chosen to guard The Book of Shrieks (and the subsequent books, the second of which is the Book of Shadows). These books were supposedly used to create the land of monsters and are very important to the residents of Eve hallows ShadowsGravesville. But somehow, they have found their way into the world of man.

In the beginning of the book, Eve finds herself in a frustrating situation. She doesn’t fit in with the world of monsters (her father is a shapeshifter, her mother is a gorgon, and she is a lowly human). Returning to Gravesville, she even finds that the monsters hate and fear humans. Still, she sneaks off to her friend’s party (a werewolf coming-of-age gathering). There, she learns that long-held hatred between vampires and wolves has been rekindled, with werewolves supposedly kidnapping vampires and vice versa. Something smells fishy, and Eve is determined to figure it out.

She is quickly taken away, however, to meet with the Director of U.R.N.S., Death. Death reveals to Eve that when she was delivered to Gravesville, he wanted to kill her: he had long-held hatred of humans after a mishap with his own son, a human who went rogue and escaped Death. But Death learned soon enough that Eve would play an important role in protecting the Book of Shrieks, and he spared her life. Death wants Eve to continue her quest to find the rest of the books, and he assigns her a single U.R.N.S. agent, ceasing communication with Eve or her family for fear of a mole.

Eve is disgusted to find her agent is a succubus who tempts all the men and boys in her life—including her father. Still, she has little time for hatred: she and her friends are taken on a field trip to New York City to track down The Source, which disappeared at the end of Book One.

I enjoyed this book a bit more than the original: the characters were better developed, and the writing was better, too. It’s a good middle grade book for girls and boys alike. Eve is a strong female role model with just the right amount of teenage flavor. There’s plenty of action and imagery for boys, too. I won’t ruin the ending, but it does end on a cliffhanger, leaving the reader wanting to know what happens next. It’s a quick read and a page turner for anyone loving a little bit of spook in their book.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eve Hallows and the Book of Shadows was another fantastic Middle Grade adventure read. As with the first one, I enjoyed reading it immensely; all though I did enjoy this one a little more than book 1. The easy flow to the story and the characters were so much fun. The characters are evolving along with the adventure and it is highly addictive reading.

After Eve escapes her encounter with The Source, the family is called back to Gravesville. Eve is horribly excited about seeing her old friends again. Once arriving though, things are not as what they once were. Because Eve is human, nobody wants to talk to her or even look at her. Everybody is terribly afraid of poor little human Eve. Eve tries to find her old school friends and catch up. One of her friends is having a party and Eve sneaks out to join in the fun.

Werewolves and Vampires are disappearing from Gravesville and nobody knows what is going on. Everyone seems to blame the other; but who is actually behind the disappearances? Eve is summoned to a meeting with The Director or who turns out to be the Grimm Reaper. Terrified beyond words, Eve discovers some secrets that will help her on her way to discovering the second book, the Book of Shadows.

The Director has promised another URNS agent to help Eve solve the case of the missing Book of Shadows. The only problem is Jasmine is hindering more than she is helping.

Back in the human world again, Eve confides in her human friends for ideas on locating the book. Is The Source behind the disappearances when the evidence shows otherwise? Will Eve be able to find the book in time?

I absolutely love this series and cannot wait to keep reading the fun adventures of Eve Hallows. Mr Gray has such a fantastic style of writing and his books are such fascinating tales, that everybody should read them for the fun factor. The topsy turvy lingo, adorable creatures and imaginative Gravesville, make one horrible book.

Favourite quotes: “Dad shook his head, but froze as soon as Mom walked into the kitchen, her shiny, black snakehair bopping and hissing to Sexy and I Know It.” ~ loc 59

Or

“Steve, oblivious to our conversation, clung to Jasmine like dirt to a coffin as we entered Ghoulicious.” ~ loc 1821

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even better than the first book!!!!!!



If one lives in our world, as I do, this book is fabulous. If one lives in Gravesville, it was horrible- horrible and ten more horribles!



I love the characters in this story. Eve reminds me of human Marilyn living amoung the Munsters. She's different but pays no attention to the differences. Mom is a snake headed, petrifying gorgon. Dad is a shapeshifter and brother Sam is a ghoul....The family is a tight unit. You can palpate the love they feel for each other.



Due to recent events, Eve is made to feel 'unwelcome' in her hometown of Gravesville. Why? Well, she's human and not a monster. Humans are scary, they are trying to kill the monsters. Strange things are happening in Gravesville and Eve must fix them, along with her 'human' friends. We meet a few new characters, including a succubus.



We also learn more about how Eve came to live in Gravesville.



This is a perfect combination of YA, Horror, Paranormal and Fun!



I give it 5/5 stars (or 5 teacups) and eagerly look forward to the next book in the series.

That's a hint Mr. Gray...please keep me in mind when looking for reviewers for the next book!!

[Flora Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recieved a free copy of this book for my honest review.

Book 2 of the Eve Hallows books is even better than the first. This second book pics up right where the first one left off. After having found the Book of Shrieks, Eve is called back to Gravesville for a meeting with the Director of URNS (AKA the Grim Reaper). Upon returning home, she finds that she is no longer welcome and war is looming. Thence her adventure begins.

I love all the characters in the Hallows world. Eve is such a strong female character. She is working hard to fit into the human world but even when she doesn't quite succeed she doesn't let it get to her. She never quits she just brushes it off. Her parents are great, a shapshifter and a gorgon, who have sacrificed a lot for their adopted daughter. And the werepig wolf is awesome as well. Eve has found some wonderful friends that take everything in stride and stand by her thru everything.

These are such fun reads. And even though Book of Shadows can be read alone, its even better after having read Book of Shrieks. Perfect for middle grade age, or any age that just likes to enjoy a fun read. Love these books.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this aloud to my nine year old and he enjoyed it as much as the first one. I asked how many stars to give it and he said, "ALL of them! I love these books. When is the next one?"

I was a bit surprised b the anticlimactic ending and found myself feeling frustrated by the books' failure to ever really DO anything. I also got irritated by Eve's poor judgment and snippy attitude, but this review isn't about me, it is about how much my son enjoyed the book! It is one of his very favorite series!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given a copy of this book for review purposes as part of a blog tour hosted on "I'm A Reader, Not a Writer"'s blog. Check out her blog here: http://iamareader.com/ and check out my blog post on or after Jan 22, 2014 here: bookreviewsfromachristiangal.blogspot.com

I absolutely love this series! It is adorably cute and exciting. It is full of suspense, action, heroism, and humor. I cannot wait to read the third book in this series!

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is such a great read! I'm anxious to see what happens next for Eve and the gang. I'll definitely seek out more of Roberts work in the future.

[Rebecca Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very Creative. Fun book to read loved the use of the word adorable. Eve Hallow is a very creative girl in her adventures with the Grim Reaper

[Moon Shine Art Spot ~ Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't know if Eve could out do herself after the first book. Book 2 was a scream! Awesome and exciting follow up! Loved it.