The Tinker children are back and...more distant than ever? Yeah...despite having pulled together to defeat the darkness in their first adventure, time, loneliness, and growing up in general, has them at odds once again. Good thing blood runs thicker than most other things because the love they have for each other, that desire to protect those they hold dear, is what's going to get them through the new evil that's reared (quite literally) it's ugly horned head in Blackford House...maybe...possibly....or at least, you should hope so because if not, more than our previously wooden friends are in danger. The very soul of Blackford House stands on the brink of the abyss and trust me, you don't want it falling into these evil little hands.

Getting reacquainted with Lucy and Oliver was like greeting old friends, so the sadness seen in them was that much more moving. When the twins came, the unknown that followed was palpable and became even more so when the house started revolting...though, as we quickly discover, it's actually trying to protect its own! Uncovering the new evil that's descended (or unearthed itself?) is challenging, especially when the ground keeps literally moving out from under them. The friendships they discover, the capacity for love, compassion, and understanding they come to find, warms the heart.

In short, it's the sequel we didn't know we were waiting for with a darkness we couldn't have anticipated, but a heart of gold at its core that can't be denied. Step back into the world of Watch Hollow with all your friends (and unfortunately enemies!) for an adventure you won't forget!


**ecopy received for review; opinions are my own ( )

DNF @ 7%

The younger part of middle-grade, methinks.
Obligatory dead parent trope is so tiresome. ( )

A struggling family (economically and emotionally) is offered a lucrative opportunity to fix a broken clock in the Watch Hollow mansion: the source of energy for the house. In a remote area of coastal New England, the decrepit mansion is surrounded by the creepy and creeping Shadow Woods, protected by sunstone and the failing cuckoo clock, with its twelve animal statues. Lucy, Oliver and Mr. Tinker find themselves battling the Garr, with only their wits and love for each other (and the strange animals) to defend themselves. Unlike most, I preferred Funaro's Alistair Grim's Odditorium because I thought the characters here were not fully developed in favor of the escalating battle between good and evil, which itself could have been better explained. ( )

The best book I've read so far in this year and I've read quite a number in this couple months.

I like how the battle of love vs. fear is explored. Although fear is supposedly greater for mere mortals like us, love and hope combined always win and that message is clear. The beauty of this book is the unexpected twists which are equal part heartwarming as they are magical. ( )

Mr. Funaro is back with new characters and old friends in the second installment in this series, Watch Hollow: The Alchemist's Shadow. In this book, we meet Agatha and Algernon, the twins. In the beginning I was not a fan of them as they were there to challenge Lucy and Oliver for Blackford House. I loved the first book, so my allegiance was to Lucy and Oliver.

Although, Lucy and Oliver were not the only familiar faces that I was happy to see again. All of the animals from the clock. As if I could not love them any more, I did fall in love with them more. It was great to see them come to the rescue again.

Both young and adult readers will enjoy reading these books. Yet, these books will be enjoyed more by the younger readers for which they are more geared towards. So the audience is just right. Think of these books in the same category as the movie, The House with a Clock in Its Walls. I recommend reading these books. ( )