Review: The Secret of White Stone Gate (Black Hollow Lane #2) by Julia Nobel

In this exciting sequel to The Mystery of Black Hollow Lane, Emmy's adventures dealing with a sinister organization, a missing father, and secrets she's not sure who to trust with continue.

After spending the summer at home in Connecticut, Emmy cannot wait to return to Wellsworth for the new school year and reunite with her best friends, Lola and Jack. Before she leaves Emmy receives a note from her father telling her to hide the remaining relics The Order of Black Hollow Lane are after—and to trust no one.

When Lola is framed for a serious crime she didn't commit, Emmy knows that she and her friends are not safe. The Order wants Emmy to give up her father's location... if she doesn't, those she loves will pay the price.

Emmy and Jack need to figure out a way to clear Lola's name without bending to the Order's sinister demands. And Emmy needs to figure out who she can trust with her secrets before it's too late.

Kindle Edition, 320 pages

Expected publication: March 3rd, 2020

by Sourcebooks Young Readers

3/5

The 2nd book continues a few months after the conclusion of book 1, The Mystery of Black Hollow Lane. I really enjoyed that book, it set the stage for this series with its many layers, interesting characters, and plot. While being familiar with most of the players there were a few new ones that added interest, intrigue and had me wondering if I could trust any of them.

That being said I didn’t find this one as captivating as the first one, I missed the many layers and a number of plot points reminding me too much of Harry Potter (which is a series I adore).

I’m not sure how many books are in this series, I will continue as I am curious about what will happen to Emmy and her friends.

My thanks to Sourcebooks (via NetGalley) for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Review: The Mystery of Black Hollow Lane (Black Hollow Lane #1) by Julia Nobel

Emmy's dad disappeared years ago, and with her mother too busy to parent, she's shipped off to Wellsworth, a prestigious boarding school in England. But right before she leaves, a mysterious box arrives full of medallions and a note reading: These belonged to your father.

Just as she's settling into life at Wellsworth, Emmy begins to find the strange symbols from the medallions etched into the walls and stumbles upon the school's super-secret society, The Order of Black Hollow Lane. As Emmy and her friends delve deeper into the mysteries of The Order, she can't help but wonder—did this secret society have something to do with her dad's disappearance?

 Kindle, 320 pages

Expected publication: March 5th 2019

 by Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

**** 

It was the cover that drove me to request this one from Netgalley. Look at it, kinda creepy, mysterious and yet inviting at the same time.

It wasn’t until I was almost finished that I realized this is the first book in series and any misgivings I had about unresolved issues made sense. The author laid the foundation for further book(s) with this layered story revolving around Emmy and the mysterious disappearance of her father. The story was interesting enough with a unique cast of characters, at times reminiscent of Harry Potter, a boarding school with a secret society, hidden passageways and a dark secret.

With a targeted audience of middle grade, I found it to be a fun read that focused on friendship, courage, and determination. I’ll continue with this series though no date yet of the sequel. 

My thanks to the publisher (via Netgalley) for an advanced copy in exchange for honest review.