e-ARC, 256 pages
Release Date: May 14, 2024
Published by: Balzer + Bray
Read from: May 6-17, 2024
Camp Sylvania, #2
Source: Netgalley (I received a copy of this e-book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for a just and honest review. This did nothing to influence my review.)
Content Warning:
For Readers Interested In: Paranormal, Werewolves, Camp Stories, Romance, MG, Racial/Ethnic Diversity (Latinx), Dual POVLast year, Maggie and Nora didn’t exactly get the summer of their dreams. Instead, they had to survive a camp run by a covert clan of vampires. But this year, Camp Sylvania is back and under new management–gentle, hippie-dippie Luna Lupowski. So the girls are convinced to give camp another try.
All Nora wants is an unforgettable experience with her best friend. But it’s hard to have fun with Maggie fixated on all things otherworldly–and spending time with Logan, the boy she met at camp last year.
When creepy things start happening, Maggie insists on investigating. But Nora has found an interest of her own–the strange effects of Luna’s homemade “moon water.” It removes zits, adds lustrous shine to hair, and even seems to straighten teeth! No braces? No problem!
It isn’t long before the girls are caught up in another supernatural adventure. But when their friends find themselves in danger, can Maggie and Nora put their differences aside to save them? Is it possible to just have one normal summer, please?
*MY THOUGHTS*
I just knew that two of my fave authors were going to make this the best of the series so far. But, the first still holds that special place in my heart. I liked it yeah, but the spooky camp vibes and the little sprinkle of the paranormal creature vibes with the camp activities just weren’t the same as the last one.
This book was all about the new camp manager, Luna Lupowski. Her name is a little clue into who she is. But that was really all there was. I wish there had been something else to do with the werewolves besides the water. But unfortunately, I don’t think there’s enough lore for werewolves for a story like the last one. And I guess I can’t really fault Luna for being weird because she was basically just trying to “eat clean” and use only “clean products,” and that’s her prerogative. But everything else was crazy lol
I also missed the spooky in this one too. I think they talked to him using a radio like in Transformers and that was it. I think after the way the first one ended I was looking for more of the same from their ghost. I think there was a Ouja board, but they were poking fun about it. And I hated that she brought this paranormal activity deivce and she didn’t even use it. I thought it was like a waste of a mention. The only reason I didn’t gt mad at the lack of paranormal stuff was because we all knew that Nora either was scared of or just plain didn’t believe the paranormal aspects of the camp. And I can’t really fault her for that. There’s plenty of kids that don’t believe. And I loved that it gave both sides. (And yeah i know its fiction, but still lol)
The ending of this was what brought the whole book together tho. Once they found out where that one character was, that was all she wrote. Everyone started finding out everything and all the secrets started coming out. I do wish there was more than one person this happened to, but it was fine. Everyone was like half turned at that point so I thought it was ok. Again, I just don’t think there was enough lore surrounding werewolves, BUT I still think they used that lore in a super cool creative way.
The characters were ok. I wanted to smack Nina’s new friend lol I knew she was going to be a problem after how she treated Maggie. You can’t be doing my girl Maggs like that man. And maybe it’s my mom-ness. but girl bffr, if you knew your mom was doing this and you said nothing, you’re just as bad, (if not worse)as she is. They could have gotten hurt and it’s just not ok as a camp leader either.
Was this one my favorite of the series? No, that one still belongs to the first one. Do I hope there’s another one after this? Absolutely. Will I buy that one too? Absolutely lol This series is a fun one and I really love seeing recommending them to the tweens!
Overall, I give this
