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Candle Man: The Society of Dread

(Candle Man #2)

Glenn Dakin

3.92 · Rating details · 127 ratings · 20 reviews

Dr. Saint is no more, Lord Dove has disappeared, and the Dodo has slipped back into seclusion. But for Theo Wickland, descendent of the Victorian crime fighter of legend, The Candle Man, the adventure is just beginning. Now head of the Society of Good Works, Theo is determined to turn the activities of the order toward the betterment of humanity, starting with bringing the ...more

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Hardcover, 336 pages

Published November 9th 2010 by EgmontUSA (first published 2010)

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· 127 ratings · 20 reviews

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Start your review of Candle Man: The Society of Dread (Candle Man, #2)

Dec 30, 2014 Aelvana rated it really liked it

Strange things are afoot---again. Bones are vanishing from cemeteries. People are vanishing. And "he" has returned. Theo hardly knows what to make of all of this, but one thing is clear: he must go back into the network of underground tunnels and face a foe more deadly than Dr. Saint.

The book starts in a very odd way: Theo is in a cemetery, which is just like the first book, only to see him there you'd think he'd never been to one before. The first book showed him whining and ungrateful at being Strange things are afoot---again. Bones are vanishing from cemeteries. People are vanishing. And "he" has returned. Theo hardly knows what to make of all of this, but one thing is clear: he must go back into the network of underground tunnels and face a foe more deadly than Dr. Saint.

The book starts in a very odd way: Theo is in a cemetery, which is just like the first book, only to see him there you'd think he'd never been to one before. The first book showed him whining and ungrateful at being in a cemetery because he'd wanted to be with real people for once, and was upset to find Mr. Nicely had brought him to see dead people. This book shows him completely absorbed by it and behaving like he's never seen it before, when in fact he has. And it's probably the same cemetery, in fact.

All that to say, the detail was nice, but the presentation was more than a little jarring, especially for someone coming off just having read the first book. After that, though, the story picks up nicely. Theo once again learns more about the ancient (well, 100 years ago) foes of the original Candle Man, and once more has to put up with people who know things they just don't want to tell him. Thanks to the crelps, the supernatural element is stronger in this book, and when Theo finally starts using his powers, it works up to a very satisfying finale.

The characters have more substance to them this time around. Although Chloe is pretty much the same as she always was, Theo grows up a bit, and more complexities surface in other characters like the elder Dove. A certain villain is rather obvious, even though Theo never discovers who it is, but even this promises intriguing development.

All in all, aside from the aggravating beginning, this was a better read than the previous. Theo may perhaps walk more out of the shadow of his predecessor and into his own legend in books to come. I can also hope the books will stop contriving ways for the original villains to still be around and find someone new for Theo to face off against (aside from the obvious reemergence of the Philanthropist). I rate this book Recommended. ...more

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Jun 06, 2018 Sean Harding rated it it was ok

Second and seemingly final in the series was as the first book difficult to maintain any interest, and one that I again found fairly dull.

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Nov 05, 2019 Queen Love rated it it was amazing

I love this book because its very entertaining and keep you readibg and the plot is keeps you on tipey toes and bew friends and ememies are introduced to story

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Jun 08, 2011 Kristen Harvey rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: middlegrade, paranormal-fantasy

Why I read this: I absolutely loved the first book in this series and had to continue on with the next.

Plot: With this second book in the series, there are new friends introduced along with new enemies. Theo must now descend below ground to save his friends who have been taken and enslaved by a wicked man whose power lies in destruction. there were some great twists to this book that put the world and history of Candle Man into perspective in a way that I wasn't expecting. I absolutely love the ...more

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Feb 22, 2011 Charlyn rated it really liked it

Shelves: adventure, fantasy, fiction, magic, mystery, series, steampunk

Like so many other young heroes, Theo finds himself a leader without benefit of training or much knowledge of his own powers. Dr. Saint is gone and Theo is heir to a large mansion which served as a prison for him too long for him to want to spend his time there. Fortunately, he does continue to have the support of the the Society of Unrelenting Vigilance, but he isn't privy to its history or secrets. Too soon he finds himself pushed forward to put an end to the evil that is springing up from wit ...more

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Jul 17, 2013 Robert Bone rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorite, candle-man, fantasy, teenager, fiction, london

I read the first book in this series last year at Scout Camp, and magically it just so happened I read the sequel at this years camp! The characters and setting all flooded back (with the help or surprisingly small back-story(good thing!)) and I was instantly hooked. A great and varied cast list with continous plot hangers at the end of every chapter (which were all surprisingly short), this is a great addition to the Candle Man world, which i can easily imagine being made into a series. (PLEASE ...more

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Aug 21, 2013 Emily Collins rated it really liked it

If you've read the first Candleman book, go ahead and read this one too. I found it to be slower paced for the first 3/4 of the book and nothing really interesting happened, but in the last fourth is enough rich information to read for. No spoilers here but if you make it that far, you won't regret it. ...more

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Apr 29, 2012 Angela rated it liked it

Shelves: kidsbooks, sf-fantasy

The story of a boy with a very lethal and creepy talent and his struggle to do the right thing with them continues in this second book in the series. Loyalities and values are tested, technology and fantasy abound. I look forward to the next installment

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Feb 03, 2011 B. rated it it was amazing

Shelves: recommended-list

Refreshingly original. The protagonist is painfully naive at times, but the story is told in a way that explains that trait, rather than making it annoying or baffling. Neat characters and plot too.

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May 29, 2015 Gail Morris rated it really liked it · review of another edition

a most unusual story of a young man dealing with adult responsibilities

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Mar 28, 2013 taybet rated it liked it

i liked it

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Mar 11, 2016 Owlboyle rated it really liked it

Great follow up story to book one. Theo and his friends go through more adventures. Theo finds out more about his powers and about his family.

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Sep 15, 2012 Janette rated it liked it · review of another edition

This children's author has a great imagination. Fun series! ...more

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Jul 27, 2011 Brynna rated it liked it

Shelves: adventure, for-young-people, historical, fantasy

A well-done second book, which is all too often an unusual thing. Definitely worth picking up if you at all enjoyed the first.

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Sep 22, 2011 Tricia rated it really liked it

Shelves: juvenile, magic, series

The character of the candle-man is really starting to show! He is a finally accepting his powers and using the skills he was taught to overcome the evils of the world.

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