Malachi and the Ghost Kitten

Eve and Malachi #2

by Abigail Hilton, Sarah Cloutier (Illustrator)

Malachi has the most wonderful adopted family in the world. They love him and tell him stories and bring him food. The problem: Malachi is a boa constrictor and his adopted family are a colony of rats. His particular friend is a young rat named Eve, who does her best to steal tasty treats for Malachi from the farm house. However, the treats seem to be making Malachi sick, and he is growing dangerously hungry. Then, one day, and old enemy comes to visit. She offers a solution to their problem in exchange for a favor. Animals from the neighborhood have been disappearing into a house down the street, and she wants Malachi and Eve to investigate. The local cats say the house is haunted.

This is Book 2 in the Eve and Malachi Series.

72 pages, Paperback

First published August 23, 2014

About the author

Abigail Hilton writes fantasy books, including Hunters Universe, Pirates of Wefrivain, The Prophet of Panamindorah, and the Eve and Malachi Series.

She also publishes under A. H. Lee, including The Incubus Series and The Knight and the Necromancer.

Reviews

[Malinda Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not recommended for sensitive readers

I found this children's book after reading a few other (adult) books by the author. I found the premise pretty intriguing, so I decided to check it out. The story is very well-written and unique, but also pretty upsetting. I definitely don't recommend it for young children or sensitive readers. I don't want to give any spoilers, but I will say that we find out *how* the kitten became a ghost, and it's a very disturbing revelation. I highly suggest that parents/guardians read this for themselves before letting your child read it. You know your child best.

[Katarina Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in the 'Eve and Malachi' series steps deeper into the realms of intense subject matter. Even more than the first book, I found myself asking 'this is a children's story'? It's not that I think it shouldn't be, although if being read by younger children an adult should be present, it's just that Hilton, yet again, challenges her readers' assumptions in intriguing and disturbing ways.

I won't give anything away, it's a story that's definitely worth reading. Like its predecessor, the book explores the reality of animal natures and how those natures can be contorted, for good or evil purposes. One of the reasons I love Abigail Hilton's books is the complexity of character and tension she creates. Even though this book is only 74 pages the depth it contains is amazing.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

We love this book! After reading the first book Feeding Malachi my 7 year old son couldn't wait to get started on the second book. Once again we were drawn into this book wanting to extend reading time to continue reading. The illustrations helped to get a visual and my son loved looking at them. He was also pleased that he could read it mostly on his own.