I actually liked this slightly more than the previous book!! The pacing was much better, since the mystery around Aaron was solved at the end of book 1. Yes, there were more slightly mysteries than vampire fighting in this book, too, but Boog didn’t have to question if the vampires existed like she did in the first one, so it was a lot easier to dive into the training and lore. Anyhow. 

Like its predecessor, “Secret Of The Reaping” had plot twists that were all very predictable, with the exception of a couple details. I still enjoyed a couple of the reveals, though, and seeing the vampires create actual destruction and be threatening was pretty cool. (But even if a few parts made me nervous, I didn’t fear for the main characters, really? It’s pretty clear they’re gonna turn out alive, if a little emotionally scarred.) Also, while I said this before it’s so easy to see why “Stranger Things” is a comp title LOL. Sketchy government agencies? A friend group with one of the members changing for the monstrous, but still remaining an ally? Kids being amateur detectives about the paranormal? Rings a lot of bells except for the 80’s nostalgia. 

But a nitpick—well, I guess the issue is bigger than that— I have is that this series doesn’t really… feel like a series?! Because of each book happening right after the other, and there being a few less plot points than I’m used to reading in middle grade novels, it feels like one arc split into several parts. While I think this would work spectacularly as a single-season show, actually reading it is disorienting because it makes every ending feel abrupt. I’m a little scared to read the final book for this reason, especially because there’s so much plot to cover and I can already tell that it probably would’ve worked better as a quartet. (A reviewer pointed this out, but this and book 1 feel like they were written without a clear idea of how many books there would be?) 

Also, while I liked reading about Boog, Cedrick, Aaron and Jules again, I think there should’ve been a couple more pages to show how the different bonds within their friend group changed with everything they’re going through. There isn’t really time to focus on the different pairs/parts of the group like in book 1, and while Boog and Aaron had some really cool moments, they had the most development of everyone?? 

I’m still planning on finishing this series. The casual representation and the creepiness are very fun.